The SBB Vukovi Belgrade started the year on a familiar note, beating the Patriots 7-27 in Zagreb. The Vukovi sealed the deal in the second quarter, during which the Patriots had no answer for a 20 point run.

After a scoreless first quarter, the SBB Vukovi’s new quarterback Lance Kriesien took matters into his own hands, scoring on a 70 yard touchdown run and passing to Dejan Cerovac for a score. Mario Lugonja also scored.

The Patriots never recovered and the most they got was a consolation touchdown in the fourth quarter, after they blocked a punt. But they were already 27 points down at that point, as Branko Mutić found his way to the endzone for a 1-yard touchdown run.

Still, the Patriots did maybe the best they could in their first game against CEFL’s best team from last year. That they beat the SBB Vukovi in the last couple years is not a fact that many pride themselves with.

Zagreb plays their next game in two weeks in Ljubljana. The SBB Vukovi host the Wolves the same weekend in the first rematch of last year’s bowl game.