The moment we’ve all been anticipating has finally arrived! This Saturday marks the kickoff of the CEFL Championship, featuring an exciting opening round of four matchups. The action begins with a pair of games from Sweden, followed by a Balkans derby, before the day wraps up with a night game on the island. All live stream links will be posted on time so let the games begin!

CEFL Championship, Round 1
Saturday, 26 April, 15:00 CET
Carlstad Crusaders – Eidsvoll 1814’s
Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/Sxo1mvfzVGM or
https://www.swe3play.se/video/s-cefl-carlstad-crusaders-eidsvoll-1814s-83f0yd

Technically a new team, Carlstad Crusaders were already scheduled to appear in the CEFL Championship in 2021, but the coronavirus has thrown a wrench in those plans. The obstacles have long been lifted so they’re finally ready to present themselves. A mainstay of the IFAF Europe Champions league in the mid-tens, the team’s ultimate success came in 2015 when they lifted its trophy.

After a perfect campaign in the Swedish league last year, they’re taking part as the national champions. They’ve only played a couple of games in the national league this season, but their air of invincibility continues with a 2-0 score so far. American quarterback Slade Jarman and Canadian defensive back Rory Kelly will show off their college football experience, each leading from their side of the ball.

The visitors in this first round Scandinavian duel, Eidsvoll 1814’s are the first CEFL team from Norway. Besting their opponents in the country last season, they are also coming to the CEFL Championship as the winners of the national bowl game. They were nearly as effective as the Crusaders last season, suffering only one blow to their otherwise impeccable final standings table account.

Contradicting their last year’s success, this time they still haven’t lined up their ducks in a row. The team has a long way to go if they’re going to climb their way out of 0-2 hole that they’ve put themselves into. A trip to Carlstad might prove to be just what the doctor ordered looking for a turnaround. Their signal caller Cornelius Kinchen will be guarded in the pocket by an import O-lineman Richard Queen.

CEFL Championship, Round 1
Saturday, 26 April, 15:00 CET
Stockholm Mean Machines – Warsaw Eagles
Live stream: https://www.swe3play.se/video/s-cefl-stockholm-mean-machines-warsaw-eagles-twpt1

The Mean Machines are coming back to the CEFL Championship for the third straight time. They were one of the most exciting teams to watch in the past two seasons with their key duels coming down to the wire. In 2023 they lost by 2 to the Unicorns in the final seconds. Last season they fell to the Flash by a single point. Even so, both games were nothing short of spectacular.

Their only two national blemishes last season came at the hands of Carlstad Crusaders, the latter one in the finals. This year they still haven’t met each other, but the Mean Machines seem to be cruising with a 3-0 score. Whether they can keep this streak internationally as well remains to be seen. Veteran wide receiver Matthew Retzlaff will look for passes from his American compatriot Dawson Herl.

Another newcomer to the Championship, Polish best from 2024, Warsaw Eagles are breaking the long CEFL drought for teams from this country. They dominated their national league last season after a sobering frustration in the first week of play. It proved to be their only stumbling block that didn’t take away anything from their commanding victories during the rest of the season.

The current edition of the Polish Football League has started even better for them. They’re sitting at the top with 3 wins, crushing their opponents by raking up 164 points and surrendering none! Now they’ll try to show their moxie internationally, traveling to play a worthy opponent. Offensive leader is QB Jacob Schimenz and defensive side is shored up by DBs Kevin Sherman and Darius Lewis.

CEFL Championship, Round 1
Saturday, 26 April, 15:30 CET
Belgrade Vukovi – Kragujevac Wild Boars
Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO7ga4_-1YI

Vukovi Belgrade are the most frequent participants of the CEFL Championship, missing only 3 seasons so far. They’re also its winningest team, having won all 6 of their trophies in the early days of the competition. Last season they lost in the first round to Guelfi Firenze.

The only time they fell last year in the national league was early in the season to Saturday’s rival, Wild Boars. There were no hardships for them for the rest of the season, including the finals.

Current Serbian national season is still in the early stages, with only one round in the books. Vukovi haven’t played yet, so this game versus their biggest rival will also double as a national matchup. They’re putting their hopes in the hands of quarterback Shazzon Mumphrey.

The visiting team from Kragujevac is the only other team among the participants of the first round who’s won the CEFL Championship trophy. Their only triumph came in the inaugural season in 2006. Team’s last year’s odyssey ended in the first round when they went to Graz and lost to the Giants.

The Wild Boars had faired pretty successfully in last season’s national league. They first dealt a blow to the Vukovi, but then bowed to them twice, the second game being the one at the finish line.

This season things are not going so well for them. In the first and only round played so far, they’ve sustained a surprising loss. That’s why the game on Saturday is very important for their crew. Offensive help for the team is epitomized in QB Isaiah Green and RB Zachery Smith.

CEFL Championship, Round 1
Saturday, 26 April, 20:00 CET
Bristol Aztecs – Amsterdam Crusaders
Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbXpByfuk5M

Last matchup of the day will be played by a pair of new arrivals to the CEFL Championship. These two teams have played a friendly last year in Amsterdam, when the home team scored a lopsided win. The Brits are revving up this time, eager to prove themselves.

Bristol Aztecs are an up and coming team, cutting their teeth internationally. They’ve beaten all of their last-season’s opponents in the British national league save London Warriors, who were an unsolvable enigma. The Aztecs were 0-3 against the Londoners, their third L taking place in the bowl game.

The team has started the current season on a high note as well. They’re standing atop their Southern conference with a 2-0 score and 108:0 total points difference. The team has bolstered its offense with American import players: quarterback Ethan Gretzinger, and wide receivers Darius Saint-Robinson and Tim Lukas. They’ll be able to pick two of them for this matchup.

Amsterdam Crusaders are a well-known contestant to most football fans in Europe. A storied team has had its ups and down over the years, but this is their first time appearing in the CEFL. Last year was a resounding success for them as they captured their third straight title of the Benelux league – BNL.

This season they’re playing in their national league where half the season is already completed. The Crusaders are going strong, towering over the other teams with a 4-0 score. It looks like no one can touch them there, so the game in Bristol will be a welcome test. The team is relying on its own players with notable help from American running back Le’Anthony Reasnover.