The Central European Football League (CEFL) semifinals are locked in after a weekend of quarterfinal action featuring dominant performances and one nail-biting finish. The Calanda Broncos, Thonon Black Panthers, Carlstad Crusaders, and Warsaw Eagles will compete for a spot in the 2025 championship game.
Dominant quarterfinal displays
Three teams cruised into the semifinals with commanding wins. The Calanda Broncos dismantled Serbia’s Kragujevac Wild Boars 49-0 at Obere Au Stadium in Chur, while France’s Thonon Black Panthers overpowered Spain’s Badalona Dracs 41-17 at Stade Joseph Moynat. Sweden’s Carlstad Crusaders delivered a shutout, blanking the Bristol Aztecs from Great Britain 35-0 at Sola Arena.
Eagles soar in tight contest
The lone competitive quarterfinal saw Poland’s Warsaw Eagles edge the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns from Germany 22-16 at Optima Sportpark. The Eagles’ resilience secured their semifinal berth, ending the Unicorns’ hopes of a repeat CEFL playoff run.
Semifinal matchups
On May 31, the Calanda Broncos host the Warsaw Eagles at Obere Au Stadium, pitting Switzerland’s high-powered offense against Poland’s battle-tested defense. Simultaneously, the Thonon Black Panthers face the Carlstad Crusaders at Stade Joseph Moynat in Thonon-les-bains, a clash of two physical, run-heavy squads.
With the Broncos and Black Panthers entering as slight favorites, the semifinals promise to test whether offensive firepower or defensive grit will prevail. Fans across Europe await what could be a defining weekend for continental football.