The sheer shock of the 2007 CEFL Bowl might never be topped. But when it comes to great games, this one won’t be topped soon, as the Vukovi Belgrade defended their trophy in a thrilling game against the Wolves in Budapest, that went to the wire. The final score, a difference of a single point, 33-34, that could’ve gone both ways.

Some might say it was crazy, other will go as far to call it idiotic, but we can only call the Wolves’ decisive play gutsy. With Obi Mbagwu just having scored the only rushing touchdown of the game, to cut the lead to 33-34, the Wolves decided they wanted the lead then and there.

For a team that’s been through so much disappointment, they didn’t quit in this game. Not when they went down early, not when they dropped a double digit lead early in the third quarter. And with the game on the line, they went for a two-point conversion. The run was short. They got the ball back with a minute in the game, but it didn’t matter. Vasyl Yordan’s 4th down desperation run was again short. Fitting for a game that was decided by passing.

The Vukovi announced the fireworks early with an 80 yard first play pass from Vinnie Miroth to Tony Stubbs. Miroth continued his amazing streak with 5 touchdowns in this game, and again no interceptions – the performance quite deserving of the Bowl MVP trophy he received at the end of the game.

His arm was needed on this day, as the Wolves did not want to quit. András Storcz reduced the score with a field goal before Vasyl Yordan passed for three scores in the second quarter, two to Krisztián Piros. The score was 24-13, but the champs wouldn’t be champs if they wouldn’t fight until the end themselves. Miroth found Pavle Plamenac in the final seconds of the half to make it 24-19.

Miroth passed again to Brandon McDowell to give his team the lead back. It was recaptured by the Wolves on another field goal, but the man of the day found Bratislav Bošnjak for his fifth, final touchdown and the decisive points, as it turned out. The Wolves had plenty of time and they made the best of it scoring one more touchdown, but in the end the Vukovi celebrated their third straight and fourth overall title. The rest of the league has two.

The rivalry aspect of the game was in the end not overblown. The Wolves saved their best for last and although it was not enough, it was yet another proof that they are and will be an elite team in the league for a long time.

We end another CEFL Bowl not only with a familiar sight, but with a familiar line: until next year, the Vukovi are the champions.