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Carlstad CrusadersDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 May 2025 | 17:00 | Championship 1/2 | 2025 |
Results
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thonon Black Panthers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 | Win |
| Carlstad Crusaders | 0 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 26 | Loss |
The first semifinal game was played at Thonon Black Panthers, who received Carlstad Crusaders. Both rivals were neck and neck in performance, though the French team spread its points throughout the entire game while the Swedes played catch-up.
Uncertainty lasted until the very end, as the final quarter culminated with the most thrilling moments. Fans were eagerly anticipating each play as the tension built to a dramatic climax. When all was said and done, the difference makers were a couple of unconverted PATs in the last period.
Home team’s opening series was slow and steady, finally ending in points. They were the effort of Félix Durand’s rush on a misdirection play, 7-0.
The visitors had trouble moving the ball early. After their punt, the French one-upped them once more. José Tabora lobbed it twice to Pierre-Yves Dayres for first downs and their third combo was for all the marbles, 14-0.
The Crusaders found their offensive groove before the intermission. Their short plays were the lead-in for quarterback Slade Jarman to lower the score over the ground, 14-7.
In this section of the game things were going well for them defensively as well. Following the sack, they got the ball back in their own hands.
Jarman linked up with Robin Juhlin and Lukas Kullstrand in the last minute before half time and Matteo Mozzanica corralled the ball with 19 seconds left to tie the score at 14-14.
As the HT whistle blew, their teammate, DB Rory Kelly intercepted a long range pass by Tabora.
The Black Panthers orchestrated a lengthy drive in the third period, taking most of the time. Wide receiver Liam Ward was sure-handed on a couple of occasions and Tabora completed the work with a pass to Amin Ibrahim to take another lead, 21-14.
The visitors answered in the last quarter, when Jarman connected with Lukas Kullstrand for a big gain and then with Albin Forsman for a touchdown. They went for a 2 point conversion next, but a QB run fell through and the score was 21-20.
When the home team got the ball back Lucas Davoine quickly shorted the distance running to the opposing 30 yard line. From there Tabora found Benjamin Lolmede who sprinted into the end zone staying on his feet after a bad tackle, upping the difference to 28-20.
There was 2:30 to go when the Crusaders had the last possession. With a fire under their seat they delivered a checkmate in two moves. Jarman located Tim Schulz for a great chunk of yardage and then a lonesome Robin Juhlin on the left sideline who scampered to the end zone untouched for 28-26.
With the game hanging up on the 2 point conversion Jarman tried to break through the middle but the defensive line was up to the task and the score was unchanged.
Ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Black Panthers which placed them in the CEFL Bowl XIX.