Belgrade SBB Vukovi have won the CEFL Bowl IX by beating Ljubljana Silverhawks 27:17. The game was played in Ivančna Gorica, Slovenia, where SBB Vukovi, formally the home team, have trailed through much of the game. This is SBB Vukovi’s sixth CEFL Bowl in nine seasons, which affirms their position as the most successful team in the league.

The Silverhawks had a fast start when their reliable running back ran for 60 yards from the first offensive play. They couldn’t go much further though and had to settle for a field goal by Aleš Zakšek for the initial lead. After an unsuccessful SBB Vukovi attack, Silverahwks advance the ball close to opponents’ end zone with receptions by Matic Tomše i Eugen Sumič and helped by SBB Vukovi’s penalties. Their quarterback Kenric McNeal didn’t have a hard time getting the ball across the line increasing the lead to 10 points. SBB Vukovi still had much to say with the catches by Pavle Plamenac and Mario Lugonja and a touchdown run by quarterback Shaun Rutherford for a 7:10 score in the closing seconds of the first quarter.

Beginning of the second period is shaky for SBB Vukovi who allow the opponents to cross the half field with the number of the defensive penalties. From that spot the Silverhawks needed a single play to get into the end zone after a long touchdown pass by McNeal to a reliable Tomše. SBB Vukovi’s offense takes the ball again and gets to Siverhawks’ red zone with the catches by Plamenac and Marko Marić backed by rushes by Rutherford and Mihailo Josović. Another 15 yard penalty gets them out of the field goal range and after a failed forth down conversion, the first half ends with the score 7:17.

Following the break SBB Vukovi enter the third period rejuvenated with Rutherford and Josović’s runs and catches by Plamenac who scores a touchdown to reduce the Silverhawks lead to 14:17. Tomše advances the ensuing kickoff to opponents’ side of the field for to make the job easier for his offense. However, their quarterback gets a jolt from Marko Milovanović on a blitz play and after a sack fumble the ball is recovered by Sava Petrović. SBB Vukovi’ offense is ineffective again but their defense gets the ball into their hands again after an interception.

At the start of the last period SBB Vukovi’s ground attack gets to opponent’s territory through Rutherford and Josović but fails to do much more. The Silverhawks offense then knocks on SBB Vukovi’s door with another long McNeal pass to Tomše but is not alert again and turns the ball over a third time. Marko Bates makes an interception and gets to Silverhawks’ 18 yard line backed by his teammates’ blocks. SBB Vukovi take the lead for the first time after a Josović touchdown run. The Silverhawks special team blocks the extra point and the score is 20:17.

SBB Vukovi’s defense continues with great play as their opponents are not able to take the first down and punt. Rutherford takes off and flies, singlehandedly going the distance of the field with the number of runs, scoring a touchdown. Silverhawks air attack is stifled by SBB Vukovi again who bleed the clock with a victory formation to end the game in celebration.

Shaun Rutherford was voted game MVP by journalists including Marko Malović from “Sportski žurnal“.