Recap

The second semifinal game of Sportklub CEFL Cup was played today in Istanbul between ITÜ Hornets and Moscow Spartans. The Russian team ran all the way to the finals scoring 5 times over the ground by 4 different players.

Hornets receive the kick and attack first. They move the chains with short passes but a penalty pushes them back and they punt.

Spartans take over and RB Ivan Goloveshkin runs twice for double digit yards. Wide receiver Maksim Kistkin gets the hand off on an end around play and closes the distance for first points 0-7.

In their second series, Hornets QB Moses Skillon surprises the defense hitting Ozan Ozcan deep in the backfield. They move in close but can’t capitalize and Berkay Bayraktar kicks a 30 yard field goal, 3-7.

On the very first play of the visiting team’s next drive Goloveshkin gets help by his big offensive line and a leading blocker, and sprints untouched for a 65 yard touchdown, 3-14.

Turkish team can’t find their rhythm and Spartans have another go. Running back Maxim Vlasov zigzags to the 4 yard line and Denis Pronkin ploughs through for 3-21.

The home team struggles on another drive and punts to midfield. The Russian team is quick to rack up more points when Pavel Voronenko lobs a deep ball into the end zone to Aleksandr Iatsunenko, 3-28.

Hornets try to close the gap with long passes and Christopher Green grabs one of them. Soon after they fumble and the defense recovers. Spartans give away the ball themselves when Voronenko scrambles and throws deep downfield, only to find the hands of DB Deniz Carti.

Onur Dal hauls in a pass and takes the ball to rival territory. Skillon fires a 26 yard pass to Atahan Demirtas across the goal line for the home team’s first touchdown, 10-28.

After the intermission, Spartans’ Pronkin finds a hole and rushes for big yardage. Their designed passing play breaks, but Voronenko weaves through the defense for 10-34.

Home team moves the chains with a balanced offense before Skillon hits Green in stride, and he takes it all the way in to lower the score 17-34.

When the Spartans get the ball, Vlasov runs through the middle for a big play.Goloveshkin has a nose for the end zone from the 7 yard line and the bar is raised once more to 17-40.

Skillon’s precision passes lead the Hornets to opponent’s red zone. Faced with a hefty negative point difference they go for the fourth down but can’t convert. Visitors’ offensive efforts sputter as well and they punt.

Dal receives another toss from Skillon and takes it 30 yards closer. Long range fourth down pass is dropped and the Russians have the ball again.

Pronkin has deceptive speed running for big chunks of yards. His offense eventually shifts into neutral and Omari Grinyaev splits the uprights from 43 yards out for 17-43.

Home team is in hurry up mode opting for pass plays, but they turn the ball over on another fourth down. Spartans give the ball back to their rival when their pass gets intercepted. Time expires and the final score stands at 17-43.

This win in the semifinals promotes Moscow Spartans to the final game of CEFL Cup. Bolzano Giants have already placed their last week when they triumphed over Belgrade SBB Vukovi. The final game will be played on the weekend 8/9 June.