The Central European Football League, CEFL, kicks back into action this weekend as France’s defending champions, the Thonon Black Panthers, play host to the Las Rozas Black Demons, Spanish finalists in 2021.
The 13-team tournament will be played in single-round elimination format with the top three seeded teams – the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (Germany), Calanda Broncos (Switzerland) and Parma Panthers (Italy) skipping the first round.
The winner of this game will advance to play the winner of the game on April 23 between the Badalona Dracs (Spain) and the La Courneuve Flash (France).
Las Rozas Black Demons @ Thonon Black Panthers, April 2, 18:00 CET (6 pm, 12 noon ET)
The Black Panthers enter this contest as the favorites. Since a surprise lopsided loss in the opening weekend of play in France’s top division to the Flash, Thonon has reeled off four straight wins with quarterback Brett Hunchak beginning to find a rhythm. Black Panthers head coach Larry Legault will look to running backs Nicolas Khandar and Akiva Wedge, as well as linebacker Benjamin Mulindahabi who is the sixth leading tackler in the league. Other standouts so far this season for Thonon include offensive lineman Paulo Andrade (Brazil) and defensive back Kristof Szakacs (Hungary).
For Spanish 2021 finalists, the Black Demons, the season has been similar. After dropping their two season opening games to the Murcia Cobras (17-13) Osos Rivas (16-13), they too have won three in a row beating the Gijon Mariners 49-3, and the Fuengirola Potros 48-13 before getting revenge on the Cobras, downing them 30-22.
For the Black Demons, who are playing with an all-Spanish roster, the key is quarterback David de Diego who has receivers Alejandro García and Jesús Pérez to target. Other key players to watch for in head coach Jake Hale’s squad include running back Daniel Romero, as well as safeties Hugo Mínguez and Pau de Diego.