Thonon Les Bains Black Panthers outlast Firenze Guelfi in 45–41 CEFL semifinal thriller

The Thonon Les Bains Black Panthers opened Saturday’s CEFL semifinal at Stade Joseph-Moynat with a moment far more important than football.

Before the defending French and European champions faced Italy’s Firenze Guelfi, the club paused to remember Bryan Bergougnoux, the former professional soccer player, coach and well-known local sports figure who passed away far too young.

Bergougnoux, remembered as humble, generous and deeply attached to the local football community, was also a regular supporter of the Black Panthers. Representatives of Thonon Evian Grand Genève FC joined the tribute, and the Panthers honored a man who, according to those close to the club, had once even dreamed of putting on American football pads and kicking for the team.

Then, after the silence and the national anthems, Thonon and Firenze produced a game worthy of the stage.

Panthers build a first-half cushion

The Black Panthers survived a furious second-half rally from Firenze and held on for a 45–41 win, earning a place in the CEFL final against the Calanda Broncos. Thonon led 38–21 at halftime, but the Italian champions, powered by quarterback Andrea Fimiani and a fearless tempo offense, came all the way back to make it a one-score game before the Panthers closed it out with a bruising final drive.

The opening minutes immediately set the tone. Firenze tried to steal a possession with a short kickoff, but the ball failed to travel the required 10 yards, handing Thonon excellent field position.

Quarterback Mateo Renteria and the Black Panthers punished the gamble almost immediately, striking through the air for the first touchdown and a 7–0 lead.

The Guelfi answered just as quickly. Fimiani, operating at high speed and forcing the Thonon defense to defend every blade of grass, led Firenze back down the field and tied the game at 7–7.

From there, the first half turned into a track meet.

Offensive fireworks everywhere

Renteria found success attacking matchups outside and over the middle, while Thonon’s skill players repeatedly won in space.

Adel Bavedil was everywhere — catching passes, defending deep shots, returning kicks and breaking up plays — and finished the half as one of the defining figures of the game. Pierre-Yves Daher and Bavedil were among the early touchdown scorers as Thonon built a 21–14 first-quarter advantage.

The second quarter looked as if it might break the game open. Thonon kept finding answers on offense, mixing Renteria’s passing with the physical running of Lucas d’Avoine and Medhi Raddo.

Raddo powered into the end zone to stretch the Panthers’ lead to 35–14, and Steven Monteiro added a 32-yard field goal just before halftime.

But the Guelfi refused to fade.

Fimiani was the reason. Twice in the first half, the Italian quarterback converted fourth downs into rushing touchdowns, punishing Thonon whenever the pocket opened and turning broken contain into points.

Instead of going quietly into halftime, Firenze cut the deficit to 35–21 before Monteiro’s late kick sent Thonon to the locker room ahead 38–21.

Guelfi storm back

The third quarter belonged to the Guelfi.

Firenze’s offense, one of the fastest Thonon has faced all season, began to wear on the Panthers. The Italians attacked with quick throws, quarterback runs and deep shots to receivers Austin Salum and Frank Stola.

Salum in particular became a major problem in the second half, winning contested catches and creating yards after the reception.

The Guelfi scored first after halftime to cut the deficit to 38–28. Thonon’s offense, so sharp in the opening half, stalled. Penalties, missed connections and a dropped pass on a crucial third down gave Firenze the ball back with momentum fully shifting.

Fimiani and the Guelfi took advantage. Another rapid scoring drive pulled the visitors within 38–34, though Thonon’s special teams came up with a critical play by blocking the extra point and preventing Firenze from reducing the deficit further.

That missed point would matter.

Champions close it out

With the Panthers under real pressure, head coach Larry Legault’s offense found its composure.

A strong punt return by Bavedil set Thonon up in plus territory, and the offensive line took over. Behind blocks from Alexis Cornillon and the heavy personnel packages that included Gabriel Montagnier, Thonon leaned back into its power game.

Lucas d’Avoine finished the drive with a short touchdown run, and Monteiro’s conversion pushed the lead back to 45–34.

Still, Firenze had one more answer. Guelfi quickly drove the field again, repeatedly attacking the same underneath space and forcing missed tackles. The Italians scored with just over seven minutes remaining, added the extra point and cut the margin to 45–41.

That left Thonon with the game in its hands — and the Panthers did not give it back.

Renteria converted a key third down with a clutch throw to Amine Ibrahim over the middle, the kind of contested catch that changes a postseason game.

Later, facing fourth-and-short near the Firenze 30-yard line, Thonon trusted its run game. D’Avoine powered ahead for the first down, allowing the Panthers to bleed more clock.

Firenze used its timeouts, but Thonon kept grinding. D’Avoine added another important run, intelligently staying in bounds, and Renteria finally sealed the victory with a late keeper for the final first down.

The Panthers kneeled out the remaining seconds and escaped with a 45–41 win in one of the most entertaining CEFL games of the season.

Looking ahead

The final numbers reflected how tight the game became: Thonon finished with 419 yards of offense, the Guelfi with 402. Thonon did more damage on the ground, piling up 217 rushing yards, while Firenze’s tempo attack repeatedly stressed the Panthers’ defense and nearly erased a 17-point halftime deficit.

For Thonon, the win showed both championship quality and areas of concern. The Black Panthers were explosive early, physical late and good enough on special teams to make decisive plays.

For the Guelfi, the loss will sting, but the Italians proved they belonged on the European stage. Fimiani was electric, Salum became a major second-half weapon, and the visitors pushed the defending CEFL champions to the final seconds in Thonon.

The Black Panthers now move on to face the Calanda Broncos in the CEFL final, still alive in their bid to defend their European crown — and after Saturday night, fully aware that nothing about the road back to the title will come easily.

Scoring summary

First quarter

Thonon — Touchdown pass from Mateo Renteria, extra point Steven Monteiro. Black Panthers 7, Guelfi 0

Guelfi — Touchdown, extra point good. Tied 7–7

Thonon — Touchdown, extra point Monteiro. Black Panthers 14, Guelfi 7

Guelfi — Touchdown, extra point good. Tied 14–14

Thonon — Touchdown, extra point Monteiro. Black Panthers 21, Guelfi 14

Second quarter

Thonon — Adel Bavedil touchdown, extra point Monteiro. Black Panthers 28, Guelfi 14

Thonon — Medhi Raddo touchdown run, extra point Monteiro. Black Panthers 35, Guelfi 14

Guelfi — Andrea Fimiani touchdown run on fourth down, extra point good. Black Panthers 35, Guelfi 21

Thonon — Steven Monteiro 32-yard field goal. Black Panthers 38, Guelfi 21

Third quarter

Guelfi — Touchdown pass to Austin Salum, extra point good. Black Panthers 38, Guelfi 28

Guelfi — Touchdown, extra point blocked/no good. Black Panthers 38, Guelfi 34

Fourth quarter

Thonon — Lucas d’Avoine touchdown run, extra point Monteiro. Black Panthers 45, Guelfi 34

Guelfi — Touchdown, extra point good. Black Panthers 45, Guelfi 41

Final