The Ljubljana Silverhawks will play in their second CEFL Bowl. Seven years since the league started, they have without a doubt the best team they ever had. Despite playing in and hosting the bowl two years ago, one didn’t really expect them to win that time. And they didn’t. Not to say they are favorites now, but they certainly proved that they can play against any team in the league.

“Yes, the team is a lot better than last year, there’s more talent this year and a year of experience that some of the younger guys needed, is allowing us to play with a lot of confidence”, says Desmond Hendricks, one of the Silverhawks’ best players and last year’s recipient of the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Hendricks leads the team in tackles, and is again one the players that could be named among the CEFL’s best. He started the season on the same field where he will end it – in Belgrade. That was also one of his best games – 13 solo, 2 assisted and 2 tackles for a loss – but his team lost. Just a three point game, but enough for their only loss of the season. They came close, but nobody won in Belgrade for six years now.

“It was a close game, one we felt like we gave away, but they’re not a pushover team and we got to play for four quarters … the ball did bounce in their favor on a couple of plays. We have to execute assignments, take care of the ball and play for quarters of football.”

“They’re able to play with a lot confidence because they are used to winning and their opponents feel like they have to do something extraordinary just to beat them … very hungry but we know we have to go through Belgrade if want to reach a higher level and we are cool with that”, says Hendricks.

To think that their opponent in the bowl lost their first home final, and only miraculously won their second is not something that fits well with their current image. Because after the rocky start, the SBB Vukovi won the last three CEFL Bowls to go along with several Serbian league championships. Which they also defended last week. There are of course some positives for the Silverhawks. Probably the biggest is that they are also the last team to beat them. It was last year, although in Ljubljana.

“None of that matters, it’s one game left in the season and it so happens to be the final. The best two teams in the league are playing. We are going bring everything we got and I’m pretty sure they are going to do the same. And playing away makes winning even more exciting.”

That the two best teams play is definitely something everybody can agree with. The Vukovi won all six of their games and the Silverhawks won 5. Their one loss was in Belgrade. Saturday is their chance to get even – if somebody even needs extra motivation in the final game.