CEFL Championship semifinals were concluded in Thonon-les-Bains with its second game. The Black Panthers played host to Guelfi Firenze to decide the other CEFL Bowl finalist. Earlier in the day, Calanda Broncos have already claimed the first seat.

This matchup will be remembered as a relentless exchange of blows. The home team executed its game plan in waves — 21 points in the first quarter and another 17 in the second — building a lead that looked imposing but never comfortable. The Italians answered in kind, chipping away and then surging back with a 13-point third quarter that kept the margin razor-thin.

The Guelfi opened the game with an onside kick that only shortened the distance for the home team. Adel Bafdile dashed to the red zone on an end around play. Quarterback Mateo Renteria stretched his legs too, before locating Pierre-Yves Dayres in the house for the first strike, 7-0.

When their drive sputtered, the Florentines punted, but the ball grazed the leg of an opposing player, giving the visitors a fresh start on the short field. They leveled the score after Andrea Fimiani tossed to Cosimo Casati on a swing play, 7-7.

Offensive production went on uninterrupted, courtesy of Renteria moving the chains by dialing up Dayres and Aymeric Guillemaud. On a reflection of their first yield, Renteria spiraled to Dayres, who ran a skinny post for another touchdown, 14-7.

The visitors answered with a designed quarterback run by Fimiani for a 37 yard shot play to equalize the tally at 14-14.

As the home team took over, another 37 yard stretch play ensued when Renteria dropped a rainbow to Bafdile on a go route for 21-14.

Wasting no time, Fimiani lobbed it deep to Giacomo Mibelli, but his next throw was intercepted by Kevin Fortes. And that was just the first quarter!

At the start of the second, the barn burner continued when Bafdile circled around the defenders and scurried to the end zone to double the point difference, 28-14.

A pause in the Italians’ productivity was used by Renteria, who moved the chains with his legs and then lofted the ball to Guillemaud and Amin Ibrahim. Mehdy Radeau pushed straight ahead for 35-14.

Not to be outdone, Fimiani rocketed to Eystin Salum for a big gain. On a 4th down all of his options were covered so he weaved to the end zone himself to catch up a bit, 35-21.

Before the half time breather Steve Monteiro booted a field goal for the Black Panthers, 38-21.

The interlude was advantageous for the Guelfi who took initiative after making adjustments. Fimiani connected with Cosimo Camilli and Salum for big yardage and ended the drive with a touchdown to Frank Stola, 38-28.

Their defense did their part, so Fimiani and Stola linked-up again on the visitors’ subsequent attack. Promptly, aerial symbiosis of Fimiani and Salum first moved the chains, and then the scoreboard count to 38-34.

Blanking the French team in the third period, the visitors seemed to be on a roll. They were finally restricted to a 3 and out near their own goal line early in the last quarter and had to punt from the end zone. That gave the Black Panthers a favorable field position on the opposing 28 yards.

Renteria evaded a few tackles rushing to shouting distance and Lucas Davoine steered ahead to complete the action, 45-34.

Getting the ball back, Guelfi’s Fimiani and Stola were at it again, leading their team down the field on a couple of plays. Chased out of the pocket, Fimiani scrambled right and flicked the ball to Casati who fell into the end zone for 45-41.

There were fewer than six minutes left on the clock, and the home team was determined to drain every tick. Mounting a long, persistent drive, they did just that, robbing their rivals of any chance of a late comeback.

The victory they clutched now takes them to the CEFL Bowl XX. As the reigning champions, they will defend the title against the same opponent they defeated last season, Calanda Broncos. The final game is scheduled for 27 June.