The Vukovi Belgrade will begin their championship defense this season with a friendly game — a very challenging friendly actually. They will play the Danube Dragons, one of the strongest Austrian and European team, on Saturday in Korneuburg near Vienna.

So a year in which they will try to defend the CEFL title, and get a record third will begin with maybe the toughest game they will play this year. It could indicate if they are well prepared for the 2010 season, but also if they made a step forward in comparison with their previous years. Last year they beat the Cineplexx Blue Devils twice, something not many thought they would do, and the Dragons are a step above the Blue Devils, finishing last year with a winning record among Austrian elite teams.

That they are preparing seriously for the season was proven again with the addition of a third import player. American Tony Stubbs arrived to Belgrade and joined the team Tuesday. He is 28 and plays primarily defensive back and receiver. Until 2008 he played for the Florida Firecats in Arena 2 league, and in 2004 and 2003 he was a starter at Kansas University’s Jayhawks team, during his senior and junior years.