It’s been awhile since Silverhawks have won a game in CEFL. There have been some really close calls, but so far it’s been another bad season for silver and blue. But it’s been a steady progress from 2006 season and there are strong signals that Ljubljana team is going to renew their stay in this fast developing league.

On the other side, newcomers from Slovakia have probably expected more from themselves but have so far managed to achieve only two victories, one of them has been at home against the aforementioned team from Ljubljana.

According to this year’s tradition, the weather in Slovenia was dreadful. Heavy clouds have been threatening with rain from the kickoff and wind has also increased the feeling of cold. Ljubljana Silverhawks have switched to another playing field, so at least there was no repetition of another Mudbowl in sight.

The first half wasn’t much to talk about. Both offenses didn’t achieve much. Ljubljana has successfully marched across the field in each of their drives but has failed to score in each of their possession. Bratislava Monarchs didn’t do any better and the battle on the field turned into a big defensive stalemate.

Ljubljana has suffered a big blow when their fast and nimble running back Matej Pavlič got hurt. He ran into the big pileup where his body got twisted due to the facemask penalty while his legs were pinned to the ground. His knee gave away, but luckily he got away with MCL injury but is still out for the season.

The end of first half has at least showed some excitement. First, the Silverhawks’ CB and QB Rok Štamcar intercepted the pass from Monarchs’ Alan and the he threw an interception by himself. His pass was picked by Marek Galka but Monarchs have run out of time and that meant end of the first half.

The second half continued to be a defensive struggle. Ljubljana has fumbled four times. Twice it was Mauro Sartoretto, a replacement running back who had lots of trouble holding on to the ball. James Turner, who was used in short situations also fumbled once and another fumble was comitted due to a poor handoff. Bratislava has recovered three of these fumbles but failed to capitalize on any of them.

The lonely touchdown has been scored from deep Štamcar’s pass from almost half of the field, the ball was bobbling from one hand to another and finally landed in Chris Gentry’s hands. The two point conversion failed and Ljubljana was leading with 6:0.

But the real drama was taking place in last four minutes. Bratislava has given it’s all to even the score and they started with their most impressive drive of the game. They were running all over the field and reached the edge of the endzone. But in the 4th and goal situation QB Kosniovsky rolled to his right and then slipped on wet turf and fell down. David Turšič who ran behind him and touched him while on the ground was credited for the sack.

Silverhawks were not able to keep the ball in their possession and Bratislava was given another opportunity. They tried with Galka under center but also to no avail. Silverhawks were also not making themselves any favors. After a sack and Monarchs’ 4th and long there was an exchange of words between a referee and Silverhawks’ Jezper Ivarsson. After some heated words, Ivarsson bumped into the referee and was immediately sent off the field with personal foul penalty.

But the last stand of Silverhawks held and it was Rok Skornšek who effectively ended the game. First he negated an attempt of Monarhcs’ reverse and then intercepted a pass. Rok Štamcar only had to kneel twice and the game was over.

Silverhawks and Monarchs are now tied with two victories and it’s going to be a tough battle for third place in their division.