LIVESTREAM Romania: Resita Locomotives @ Bucharest Rebels, Sept. 24, 16:30 CET (4:30 pm, 10:30 am EDT)

AFI | American Football | 09/24/2023

By Henry Páll WULFF

Today, the reigning RoBowl champions, the Bucharest Rebels, kick off the 2023 Romanian Championship CNFA (Campionatului Național de fotbal american) season when they host last year’s third place Resita Locomotives at the Metrorex Rugby Stadium in Bucharest.

The 15th edition of the Romanian American Football Championship unfortunately looks forward to a shortened season, as only four teams will compete for the title in 2023. In the second game of the first round on October 1st, the Cluj Crusaders will be guests at the runner-up, the Mures Monsters.

The defending champions have signed All Europe wide receiver Strahinja Stepovic who played for the Serbian champions, the Kragujevac Wild Boars this past season. Canadian lineman Keith Messer and multi-talented Christopher Herring are both back to strengthen the champions on both sides of the ball.

The Locomotives have been able to retain defensive end Billy Hatten and quarterback Jessie Robbins for another season. In addition, running back CJ Arnold and Robert Roth come from Banat neighbors the Timisoara 89ers, who, like the Bucharest Titans, will not take part in the league this year.