An all-French matchup was played in the quarterfinal game in Thonon-les-Bains where the Black Panthers have played host to Flash de La Courneuve. These two teams have a big rivalry in their national league and now they’ve extended it internationally as well.

Both teams were equal contenders in the first and third quarters. The home team has let up in the second period and finally lost steam in the ending.

The Black Panthers had the ball first. They moved in ever closer with catches by Benjamin Lolmede and Pierre-Yves Dayres. Another pass awarded their efforts for first points of the game.

Black Panthers: Brett Hunchak 1yd pass to Félix Durand, PAT is good, 7-0

The Flash answer quickly over the ground with Jason Bofunda and then a shot play to finish the drive.

Flash: Conor Miller pass to François Bremond, PAT is good, 7-7

As soon as the home team gets the ball back, their running back Nicolas Khandar loses the ball after a group tackle. The visitors take over very close to the opposing red zone and have no trouble scoring.

Flash: Conor Miller pass to Ryan Smith, PAT is good, 7-14

Ensuing kickoff is returned to midfield by Adel Bafdile. Hunchak moves the chains with short passes and a quarterback keeper. Akiva Wedge carries the ball to the 3 yard line and his team ties the score.

Black Panthers: Brett Hunchak pass to Nicolas Khandar, PAT is good, 14-14

In the next visitors’ series Stéphane Fortes hauls in a pass for first down. Hunchak and Bofunda plough the field and the latter finally enters the protected area.

Flash: Jason Bofunda rush, PAT is good, 14-21

Following the Black’s 3&out, their rivals take advantage of the short punt right away.

Flash: Conor Miller pass to François Bremond, PAT is good, 14-28

After the Black Panthers get the ball back, catches by Dayres and Khandar keep the offense going. Hunchak finds Bertellin for big yardage, but then gets sacked. Félix Durand grabs another pass, but they can’t move further. In the last minute of the first half they miss the field goal.

The visitors continue with the aerial attack in second part. Steve Delaval and Ryan Smith catch for 1^st downs. Then an errant shotgun snap is recovered by linebacker Guillaume Rolle, who gets tackled at the 2 yard line. The offensive unit picks up the slack.

Black Panthers: Akiva Wedge rush, PAT is good, 21-28

It takes the Flash just one big play to up the score.

Flash: Conor Miller pass to Sofiane Mahmoudi, PAT is good, 21-35

Bafdile returns the kickoff to the visitors’ 2 yard line and the home team punches in.

Black Panthers: Akiva Wedge rush, PAT is no good, 27-35

It’s a one score game again but that’s all they could muster for the day. The Flash don’t take much time to respond.

Flash: Conor Miller pass to Stéphane Fortes, PAT is good, 27-42

Last change of sides brings no touchdowns. Black Panthers’ Bertellin corrals a long pass before Hunchak is intercepted by Vincent Lemoine.

The Flash answer with a big catch by Fortes which gets them close but they have to settle for a 45 yard field goal after committing 2 holding penalties.

Flash: Benjamin Bono field goal, 27-45

Those 3 points set the final score of the game. Flash de La Courneuve will continue their CEFL Championship journey by playing their third game of the season in the semifinals.