Last regular season game in CEFL Cup answers the question about team matchups in placement games. Belgrade Blue Dragons have hosted Novi Sad GAT Dukes to battle it out for the spot in the CEFL Cup finals.

Both offenses took off right after the kickoff. After returning the ball to half field, Dukes’ scored from the first offensive play over Christopher Jeffrey’s 49 yard pass to Tihomir Todorov. Blue Dragons were not trailing for long though. Short passes by their quarterback Mladen Zlatić kept moving the chains, finally ending with his 16 yard touchdown pass to Uroš Jović. Dukes didn’t let that stop them and went back to work. Their runaway players piled on big yards, to have the drive end on a Jermicheal Selders’ rush over the middle. The defense took after their teammates and managed to stop the Belgraders in their next push. Selders took advantage of that in the Dukes’ next offensive series and again topped off the charge with a 1 yard score. Blue Dragons continued where they left off in their next drive. Zlatić kept finding open receivers for first downs and then connecting with Milan Nikolić in the end zone for a beautiful 26 yard post route touchdown. Dukes are left with a minute until half time, but the home teams’ defense slows them down just enough for the time to run out and briefly stop the scoreboard at 14-21.

Half time adjustments have really helped Dukes’ defense and they showed big in the sequel. After a long punt return their offense upped the score over Jeffrey’s 16 yard pass to Goran Zec. Their defense was up to the task again, front seven breaking through and chasing Zlatić who throws an ill-advised pass off his back foot that loses power and ends up intercepted and returned near to the Blue Devils’ goal line. The offense can’t cross it this time but Zec is accurate for a 17 yard field goal. Home team is in desperate mode by now, their offense reduced to long passes. Dukes’ defense benefits from this, flushing Zlatić out of the pocked and intercepting him for the second time. Blue Devils’ solidify their ranks this time and stop the visitor’s rushing attacks attempted at running the clock. However, the Vojvodinians are able to score one last time in the closing seconds on another Jeffrey to Zec link for 25 yards, ending the game 14-37.

With this win, undefeated Dukes place in the CEFL Cup finals, to be hosted by Kranj Alp Devils. Blue Dragons will play at Sarajevo Spartans for the third place. In the matchup for fifth place Zagreb Patriots will welcome Indjija Indians. All three games will be played on 10 June, which is also scheduled for CEFL Bowl XII.