Thalheim Graz Giants have welcomed the Serbian champion Kragujevac Wild Boars in the first round of the CEFL Championship. Defenses were better parts of both teams in the first period, allowing no points on either side. Austrian team’s offense found its groove in the inner quarters, while the visitors plucked the goose egg off the clock only on their final surge.

Nicolas Visser directed the home team’s offense with short passes, closing in on the opponent. Then Wild Boars’ DB Mihailo Petrović forced a fumble on Jakob Schneeberger, but the Austrian quickly regained the ball. Still, Milan Stojanović sacked Visser on the 4th try for a turnover on downs.

For the visitors, running back Aphonso Thomas aptly led the early charges but they still had to punt. Josef Rock mirrored his efforts for the home team but their drive ended the same way.

Next, Wild Boars’ quarterback Corey Fields connected with Milan Novaković deep downfield but then got pressured and tossed an errant pass. Moritz Koschak took advantage of that and scored a pick 6 for the first points of the day, 6-0.

Thomas’ rushes were promptly stifled and the Giants had the ball back on their own 40. Visser’s quick throws to Jonas Dachs-Wiesinger kept the chains moving and Rock finally broke the goal line. Visser rushed it in himself for a 2-pointer and 14-0.

On the visitors’ last drive of the half Thomas scrambled along the right sideline with Fields blocking in front of him. Another catch by Thomas got the Wild Boars within the striking distance with seconds to play and Fields threw into the end zone as he got hit. Sebastian Schrenk was closest to the ball for an easy interception.

Austrian team extended their lead on their first series in the second half. Visser lofted a rainbow pass to Valentin Reißner for a 48 yard touchdown, 21-0.

Again the Giants went for it all from the red zone but couldn’t convert their 4th down. The Wild Boars started one of their following drives from the opposing 32 yard line and ended it by their backup signal caller throwing an interception to Stefan Promitzer.

In the ending quarter Thomas carried most of the load on his back for the visiting team, finally capitalizing by squeezing through the traffic for a 1-yarder to stop the clock at 21-6.

The Giants will now head to the second round where they’ll play Thonon Black Panthers on 11 May. Their matchup will decide one of the semifinalists.