The Vukovi’s 39-20 win over the Cineplexx Blue Devils in the CEFL Bowl IV, the final game of the 2009 season, made them the first two time CEFL champion. More importantly though, it marked the beginning of a new time in the CEFL, as the Vukovi, along with some other teams raised their level of organization, and of course, and most importantly, play on the field, dramatically this past season.

Those other teams are led by the Ljubljana Silverhawks, a team that did not get much respect since they started playing in 2006. It all changed this season, and for a good reason – the Silverhawks were behind the biggest turnaround in the CEFL to date, going from 0-3 to 5-3 and a home playoff game.

Will that success last depends largely on their decision to acquire an import, or even two, for the next season. Though they proved they could play with some of the league teams with their own players, in order to seriously contend, they will need a player like they had in Joseph Moncur in the fall. Some of initial unofficial information from Ljubljana, is that they have exactly that in their plans, making them again a playoff contender in the league.

A team that did not have imports, and likely won’t in the future, are the Budapest Wolves. Looking at it from that perspective, even though their results are in slight, but constant, decline since 2007, that team keeps on playing at a high level. A lot of the credit for that goes to coach Lee Hlavka; if some the Wolves former junior players keep progressing, and if they somehow escape the conference of the Vukovi and the Blue Devils, a return to the playoffs next year becomes a realistic possibility.

Speaking of coaches, the main man behind the Vukovi’s success this season, coach John Harper, will return to coach for a second season. The team’s plan is to not change the winning formula – other than the coach, a return of their import players is also in their plans.

There were of course disappointments, or realistically speaking disappointing turnouts, such as the former champions Gladiators, former regular contenders Dukes, the Cowboys’ failed attempt to join the elite teams. Their future does not look bright, but still, a lot can change from year to year, just ask the Silverhawks.

If it’s true that it’s easier to win than to defend the title – and looking at the CEFL, no champion has been able to accomplish that – the Vukovi have a tough task in front of them. Their bowl win was surprisingly easy, mostly because the road to the bowl game had many one-score wins in games that could’ve gone either way. Hopefully, next year will be even more competitive.