Calanda Broncos capture CEFL crown with 21–7 win over Thonon Black Panthers

The third time proved to be the charm for the Calanda Broncos.

After three previous defeats in the CEFL championship game, including last year’s heartbreaking loss to the Thonon Black Panthers, the Swiss champions finally climbed back to the top of Europe Saturday night, defeating the defending champion Black Panthers 21–7 in CEFL Bowl XX at Stade Joseph-Moynat in Thonon-les-Bains, France.

The victory gave Calanda its first CEFL title and its third European crown overall, adding the 2026 CEFL championship to the club’s EFAF Cup title in 2010 and Eurobowl triumph in 2012. It also delivered a measure of revenge for the Broncos, who had fallen to Thonon 28–21 in last year’s final in Chur.

This time, however, the Broncos did not allow the game to turn into a shootout. Instead, Calanda leaned on a disciplined defensive performance, timely quarterback play from Robin Sennrich and a fourth-quarter surge that broke open a tense, physical final.

Defenses set the tone

The first quarter belonged to the defenses. Both teams entered the game with explosive offenses and proven playmakers, but neither side found a rhythm early. Thonon quarterback Mateo Renteria, who had been one of the most productive passers in CEFL play this season, was kept under pressure, while Calanda had to work for every yard against a Black Panthers defense that played with championship-level urgency.

The breakthrough finally came in the second quarter. Sennrich delivered the game’s first major blow, connecting on a 43-yard touchdown pass to give the Broncos a 7–0 lead. Moments later, momentum swung even further toward Calanda when linebacker Cole Brockwell intercepted a Thonon pass, underlining what would become the theme of the night: the Broncos defense refusing to let the Black Panthers settle into their usual rhythm.

Broncos finish the job

Thonon, though, did not go away. The defending champions answered in the third quarter, tying the game at 7–7 and setting up what looked like another dramatic chapter between two of Europe’s premier programs. A year earlier, Thonon had made the critical plays late. This time, Calanda found another gear.

In the fourth quarter, the Broncos took control. With the game still hanging in the balance, Calanda’s offense produced two decisive touchdowns while the defense shut out the Black Panthers over the final period. The 14 unanswered points turned a deadlocked final into a statement win and finally allowed the Broncos to erase years of frustration on the CEFL stage.

European glory at last

For Thonon, the defeat ended its bid for back-to-back CEFL titles just one week after the Black Panthers had captured another French championship in dramatic fashion. The French side had reached the final by defeating the Manchester Titans 55–8 before surviving a 45–41 semifinal thriller against the Firenze Guelfi, but the defending champions could not reproduce that offensive fireworks display against Calanda.

The Broncos’ road to the title had been built on balance and resilience. They opened their CEFL campaign with a 48–24 victory over the Badalona Dracs before grinding out a 22–10 semifinal win over the Warsaw Eagles. Against Thonon, that same formula held: strong defensive play, controlled offense and the ability to make the biggest plays in the biggest moments.

For Calanda, CEFL Bowl XX was more than a trophy game. It was a release. After falling short in 2019, 2024 and 2025, the Broncos finally closed the deal away from home, against the team that had denied them the year before.

At the final whistle in Thonon-les-Bains, the Broncos were no longer the team chasing the CEFL title.

They were champions of Europe.

Scoring summary

1st Quarter

No scoring

2nd Quarter

Calanda Broncos – 43-yard touchdown pass from Robin Sennrich, PAT good

Calanda Broncos 7, Thonon Black Panthers 0

3rd Quarter

Thonon Black Panthers – Touchdown, PAT good

Calanda Broncos 7, Thonon Black Panthers 7

4th Quarter

Calanda Broncos – Touchdown, PAT good

Calanda Broncos 14, Thonon Black Panthers 7

Calanda Broncos – Touchdown, PAT good

Calanda Broncos 21, Thonon Black Panthers 7

Final

Calanda Broncos 21, Thonon Black Panthers 7