LIVESTREAM CEFL: Badalona Dracs @ Thonon Black Panthers, May 10, 18:00 CET (6 pm, 12 noon ET)

AFI | American Football | 05/10/2025

Graphic: Dante Bustos

The Thonon Black Panthers (France) and Badalona Dracs (Spain) collide in a Central European Football League (CEFL) Championship Round 2 showdown on Saturday, May 10 in Thonon-les-Bains. The matchup pits France’s reigning domestic champions against a Badalona squad seeking redemption on the continental stage.

Thonon’s quest for CEFL glory
Competing in their fifth CEFL campaign, the Black Panthers aim to build on their 2023 runner-up finish, where they defied odds by reaching CEFL Bowl XVII as road warriors before falling to Flash de La Courneuve. This season, the French powerhouse dominated their league with a 9-1 record, earning a direct semifinal berth. Quarterback José Tabora, paired with tight end Odell Turnbull, leads a high-octane offense complemented by a defense that allowed the fewest points in France.

Badalona’s second shot at CEFL relevance
The Dracs return to the tournament after a disappointing 2022 debut, where they suffered a 49-7 rout by Flash. Fresh off a Spanish Bowl loss, Badalona leans on running backs Keshawn Williams and Bruno Garcia Giesemann to spark their ground attack. Head coaches emphasized tightening defensive gaps after their prior CEFL outing exposed vulnerabilities.

Stakes and stylistic clash
For Thonon, victory solidifies their status as France’s flag-bearers and avenges their 2023 title-game heartbreak. The Dracs, meanwhile, view this as a chance to rewrite their CEFL narrative. The Black Panthers’ balanced attack, featuring Tabora’s precision and Turnbull’s red-zone threat, contrasts with Badalona’s run-heavy approach.

Legacy on the line
A win would mark Thonon’s deepest playoff run since 2023, while Badalona seeks its first CEFL victory to validate Spain’s growing football ambitions. With both teams prioritizing physicality, Saturday’s duel hinges on execution under pressure—a test of Thonon’s championship pedigree versus Badalona’s hunger for breakthrough.