Central European Football League

"CEFL" redirects here. For the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, see CEFRL.

Central European Football League

Formerly	Southeast European League of American Football (SELAF)
Sport	American football
Founded	2005 (2005)
First season	2006
No. of teams	10
Countries	England France Italy Northern Ireland Poland Serbia Spain Switzerland
Most recent champion	Calanda Broncos (1st title)
Most titles	Belgrade SBB Vukovi (6 titles)
Broadcaster	Sport Klub
Website	european-league.com

The Central European Football League (CEFL) is a European organization of American football which hosts an international competition every year. The final game of the CEFL Championship playoffs is dubbed the CEFL Bowl.

Until the formation of the CEFL Cup in 2017, the name of the organization was synonymous with its flagship competition – CEFL Championship, or simply "the league". Initially named Southeast European League of American Football (SELAF), it featured teams from Serbia and Slovenia in its introductory 2006 season. The following year teams from other countries joined the ranks and the name was changed to Central European Football League (CEFL) before the 2008 season. The first four seasons of the league were played during the spring and autumn, with a month-and-a-half to a three-month summer break. However, since 2010, the competition has taken place during the spring, typically from April to June. Over its many years of existence, the league has seen teams from across Europe join, starting from the Balkans and expanding outward to the rest of the continent.

History

2006

The inaugural season featured a total of five teams: Belgrade Vukovi, Kragujevac Wild Boars, Novi Sad Dukes and Sirmium Legionaries from Serbia, as well as Ljubljana Silverhawks from Slovenia.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Kragujevac Wild Boars	8	6	2	147	44	+103	SELAF Bowl I
2	Belgrade Vukovi	8	6	2	190	89	+101
3	Novi Sad Dukes	8	5	3	204	115	+89
4	Ljubljana Silverhawks	8	2	6	43	175	−132
5	Sirmium Legionaries	8	1	7	54	215	−161

Source: 2006 Standings

Final

The first ever league champions were the Wild Boars who beat Vukovi 23–12 in SELAF Bowl I, played on FK Radnički stadium in Belgrade on October 8.

	SELAF Bowl I October 8
	Belgrade Vukovi	12
	Kragujevac Wild Boars	23

2007

The second season saw the entry of two new teams, the Budapest Wolves and the CNC Gladiators. Meanwhile, the Legionaries left the competition. For the first time teams were split into two conferences: North and South. The Northern Conference consisted of the Gladiators, Silverhawks, and Wolves, while the Southern Conference included the three remaining Serbian teams: Dukes, Vukovi and Wild Boars. This season also marked the CEFL's debut on live television, with the semifinal and CEFL Bowl II broadcast on TV Avala.

Northern Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Budapest Wolves	7	6	1	256	132	+124	Semifinals
2	CNC Gladiators	7	3	4	184	151	+33
3	Ljubljana Silverhawks	7	1	6	48	257	−209

Source: 2007 Standings

Southern Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Belgrade Vukovi	7	6	1	197	65	+132	Semifinals
2	Novi Sad Dukes	7	5	2	172	111	+61
3	Kragujevac Wild Boars	7	0	7	72	213	−141

Source: 2007 Standings

Final

The final game was titled CEFL Bowl II and was held in Ada Ciganlija Stadium in Belgrade on October 27, with the title won by Vukovi after beating the Wolves 28–27 in a dramatic fashion.

	Semifinals October 13–14					CEFL Bowl II October 27
	S1	Belgrade Vukovi	28
	N2	CNC Gladiators	3
						S1	Belgrade Vukovi	28
						N1	Budapest Wolves	27
	N1	Budapest Wolves	21
	S2	Novi Sad Dukes	14

2008

In 2008, the league changed its name from SELAF to Central European Football League. This season, three new teams joined: Bratislava Monarchs, Budapest Cowboys, and Zagreb Thunder, while the Wild Boars did not return. The Cowboys and Thunder joined the Southern Conference, while the Monarchs were placed in the Northern Conference.

Northern Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	CNC Gladiators	10	9	1	277	121	+156	Semifinals
2	Budapest Wolves	10	5	5	230	203	+27
3	Ljubljana Silverhawks	10	3	7	125	188	−63
4	Bratislava Monarchs	10	3	7	145	232	−87

Source: 2008 Standings

Southern Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Belgrade Vukovi	10	9	1	446	90	+356	Semifinals
2	Novi Sad Dukes	10	8	2	188	142	+46
3	Budapest Cowboys	10	3	7	111	323	−212
4	Zagreb Thunder	10	0	10	91	314	−223

Source: 2008 Standings

Final

In CEFL Bowl III, the CNC Gladiators beat Vukovi 14–8 at the Football-Zentrum Ravelin in Vienna on October 25.

	Semifinals October 11–12					CEFL Bowl III October 25
	N1	CNC Gladiators	28
	S2	Novi Sad Dukes	21
						N1	CNC Gladiators	14
						S1	Belgrade Vukovi	8
	S1	Belgrade Vukovi	21
	N2	Budapest Wolves	7

2009

In the 2009 season, the Cineplexx Blue Devils replaced the non-returning Monarchs, joining a newly formed conference with the Thunder, Vukovi and Wolves. The other conference consisted of the 2008 champions, Gladiators, along with the Cowboys, Dukes and Silverhawks. The season was also a considerable milestone for the league, as multiple league games were televised on Sport Klub.

Conference 1

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Ljubljana Silverhawks	8	5	3	191	158	+33	Semifinals
2	CNC Gladiators	8	3	5	118	219	−101
3	Novi Sad Dukes	8	3	5	187	173	+14
4	Budapest Cowboys	8	3	5	182	212	−30

Source: 2009 Standings

Conference 2

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Cineplexx Blue Devils	8	7	1	343	84	+259	Semifinals
2	Belgrade Vukovi	8	7	1	296	167	+129
3	Budapest Wolves	8	4	4	184	130	+54
4	Zagreb Thunder	8	0	8	30	388	−358

Source: 2009 Standings

Final

CEFL Bowl IV was played at Ada Ciganlija Stadium in Belgrade on October 24, with Vukovi reclaiming the title after beating the Blue Devils 39–20.

	Semifinals October 10–11					CEFL Bowl IV October 24
	N1	Ljubljana Silverhawks	13
	S2	Belgrade Vukovi	28
						S2	Belgrade Vukovi	39
						S1	Cineplexx Blue Devils	20
	S1	Cineplexx Blue Devils	70
	N2	CNC Gladiators	0

2010

In 2010, following the entry of the Turkish national champion Istanbul Cavaliers and departure of the Cowboys, Gladiators, and Thunder, the CEFL changed its format. The two conferences would be cut down to just one division with the Dukes, Silverhawks, Vukovi, and Wolves, while the Cavaliers were scheduled to face the Blue Devils in the Wild Card, with the winner taking the final playoff spot. However, the 2010 Central European floods prevented the Blue Devils from traveling to Istanbul, giving the Cavaliers an automatic advance to the semifinals.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Belgrade Vukovi	6	6	0	197	67	+130	Semifinals
2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	6	4	2	151	85	+66
3	Budapest Wolves	6	2	4	126	121	+5
4	Novi Sad Dukes	6	0	6	41	242	−201

Source: 2010 Standings

Final

CEFL Bowl V was played in Ivančna Gorica, Slovenia on July 18, where Vukovi beat the Silverhawks 42–20 to win their third CEFL title.

	Wild Card June 12					Semifinals July 3					CEFL Bowl V July 18
						2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	31
						3	Budapest Wolves	14
											2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	20
											1	Belgrade Vukovi	42
						1	Belgrade Vukovi	48
						4	Istanbul Cavaliers	0
	WC1	Istanbul Cavaliers	35
	WC2	Cineplexx Blue Devils	0

2011

The 2011 season saw the departure of the Blue Devils and Dukes. Competition consisted of four teams, which were all national champions of their respective countries.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Belgrade Vukovi	6	5	1	206	88	+118	CEFL Bowl VI
2	Budapest Wolves	6	4	2	156	106	+50
3	Ljubljana Silverhawks	6	3	3	154	143	+11
4	Istanbul Cavaliers	6	0	6	28	207	−179

Source: 2011 Standings

Final

Vukovi earned their fourth CEFL title after beating the Wolves 34–33. CEFL Bowl VI was played at Margaret Island Athletic Center in Budapest on July 23.

	CEFL Bowl VI July 23
	Budapest Wolves	33
	Belgrade Vukovi	34

2012

In 2012, the Zagreb Patriots joined the league and the Blue Devils rejoined, while the Cavaliers folded. The league was renamed to Sport Klub CEFL after its main sponsor.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	6	6	0	225	92	+133	Semifinals
2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	6	5	1	220	66	+154
3	Cineplexx Blue Devils	6	2	4	99	168	−69
4	Budapest Docler Wolves	6	2	4	160	204	−44
5	Zagreb Patriots	6	0	6	67	241	−174

Source: 2012 Standings

Final

CEFL Bowl VII was played at Ada Ciganlija Stadium in Belgrade on July 21, where the Silverhawks won their first title after beating Vukovi 34–21.

	Semifinals July 1–7					CEFL Bowl VII July 21
	1	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	35
	4	Budapest Docler Wolves	14
						1	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	21
						2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	34
	3	Cineplexx Blue Devils	0
	2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	43

2013

2013 saw the return of the Kragujevac Wild Boars, one of the original inaugural teams. Meanwhile, the Patriots left the league, while the Blue Devils would move down to the new CEFL Cup, bringing the total number of teams back down to four.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	6	6	0	288	110	+178	CEFL Bowl VIII
2	PBB Kragujevac Wild Boars	6	4	2	195	163	+32
3	Ljubljana Silverhawks	6	2	4	173	196	−23
4	Budapest Docler Wolves	6	0	6	112	299	−187

Source: 2013 Standings

Final

CEFL Bowl VIII was held at Ada Ciganlija Stadium in Belgrade on July 7, with Vukovi reclaiming the title after obliterating the Wild Boars 42–0.

	CEFL Bowl VIII July 7
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	42
	PBB Kragujevac Wild Boars	0

2013 would also introduce the CEFL Cup. Consisting of the Blue Devils and the Belgrade Blue Dragons, the match was played on March 16 at Ada Ciganlija Stadium in Belgrade, where the Blue Devils took down the Blue Dragons 49–26.

	Cup Finals June 10
	Belgrade Blue Dragons	26
	Cineplexx Blue Devils	49

2014

The 2014 season saw the return of all four teams from 2013 with no format change within the league. This was the first time in league history that no change occurred between seasons. However, the CEFL Cup would go on hiatus until 2017, with the Blue Devils and Blue Dragons departing from the league.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	6	4	2	209	114	+95	CEFL Bowl IX
2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	6	4	2	194	109	+85
3	Kragujevac Wild Boars	6	4	2	156	126	+30
4	Budapest Docler Wolves	6	0	6	61	271	−210

Source: 2014 Standings

Final

CEFL Bowl IX was played in Ivančna Gorica on July 20, where Vukovi won the title beating the Silverhawks 27–17.

	CEFL Bowl IX July 20
	Ljubljana Silverhawks	17
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	27

2015

The 2015 season once again held league play with four teams. Belgrade Vukovi and Ljubljana Silverhawks extended their membership, while the Kragujevac Wild Boars and Budapest Docler Wolves departed. In their places, both the Novi Sad Dukes and the Cineplexx Blue Devils rejoined.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Novi Sad Dukes	3	2	1	85	52	+33	Semifinals: Higher ranked seed
2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	3	2	1	93	58	+35
3	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	3	2	1	96	75	+21	Semifinals: Lower ranked seed
4	Cineplexx Blue Devils	3	0	3	50	139	−89

Source: 2015 Standings

Final

CEFL Bowl X was played at FK Kabel stadium in Novi Sad on July 5, with the Dukes hoisting their first trophy after beating Vukovi in a nailbiter 25–23.

	Semifinals June 27–28					CEFL Bowl X July 5
	1	Novi Sad Dukes	35
	4	Cineplexx Blue Devils	0
						1	Novi Sad Dukes	25
						3	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	23
	3	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	21
	2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	14

2016

The 2016 season marked a major expansion of the CEFL, with 8 new teams joining. The Budapest Cowbells and Zagreb Patriots rejoined the league after respective periods of hiatus. Former teams from the Alpe Adria Football League joined as well, including the Domžale Tigers, Kranj Alp Devils, Niš Imperatori, Inđija Indians, and Sarajevo Spartans. The Graz Giants also joined the league.

Western Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Graz Giants	2	2	0	60	20	+40	CEFL Bowl XI
2	Ljubljana Silverhawks	2	1	1	46	35	+11
3	Cineplexx Blue Devils	2	0	2	26	77	−51

Source: 2016 Standings

Central Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Zagreb Patriots	6	6	0	212	76	+136	Semifinals
2	Kranj Alp Devils	6	3	3	156	131	+25
3	Sarajevo Spartans	6	3	3	122	154	−32
4	Domžale Tigers	6	0	6	99	228	−129

Source: 2016 Standings

Eastern Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	4	4	0	203	64	+139	Semifinals
2	Novi Sad GAT Dukes	4	3	1	165	64	+101
3	Budapest Cowbells	4	2	2	148	89	+59
4	Inđija Indians	4	1	3	35	121	−86
5	Niš Imperatori	4	0	4	6	219	−213

Source: 2016 Standings

Final

CEFL Bowl XI was played at ASKÖ Stadium in Graz on July 3, where the Giants claimed the title after beating Vukovi 52–49.

	Semifinals June 18				CEFL Bowl XI July 3
					Graz Giants	52
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	49			Belgrade SBB Vukovi	49
	Zagreb Patriots	0

2017

The CEFL continued to gain traction as 2017 approached. The Cineplexx Blue Devils, Domžale Tigers, Graz Giants, and Niš Imperatori would not return for the 2017 season, and the Ljubljana Silverhawks would leave for the Austrian Football League, but fall into financial problems two years later and merge with the Tigers. Meanwhile, problems with the IFAF leadership starting in 2016 led to the discontinuation of the IFAF Europe Champions League. Due to this, most of the Northern teams formed the Northern European Football League (NEFL), while some of the other members joined the CEFL, including the Triangle Razorbacks, Panthers Wrocław, and Istanbul Koç Rams. Meanwhile, Swarco Raiders Tirol left the BIG6 and joined the CEFL, too. With all these additions, the CEFL modified their format to consist of two conferences:

• Western Conference: Triangle Razorbacks, Panthers Wrocław, Swarco Raiders Tirol
• Eastern Conference: Belgrade SBB Vukovi, Kragujevac Wild Boars, Budapest Cowbells, Istanbul Koç Rams

Western Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Swarco Raiders Tirol	2	2	0	68	20	+48	CEFL Bowl XII
2	Panthers Wrocław	2	1	1	54	47	+7
3	Triangle Razorbacks	2	0	2	14	69	−55

Source: 2017 Standings

Eastern Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Kragujevac Wild Boars	2	2	0	71	29	+42	CEFL Bowl XII
2	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	2	2	0	62	52	+10
3	Istanbul Koç Rams	2	0	2	42	56	−14
4	Budapest Cowbells	2	0	2	39	77	−38

Source: 2017 Standings

2017 also saw the return of the CEFL Cup. All of the former Central Conference teams from 2016 with the exception of the Tigers were placed in the Western Group. Meanwhile, the Indians and Dukes carried over to play in the Eastern Group, joined by the returning Sirmium Legionaries and Belgrade Blue Dragons. These teams played in two groups as a developmental competition for the main championship:

• Western Group: Kranj Alp Devils, Sarajevo Spartans, Zagreb Patriots
• Eastern Group: Novi Sad GAT Dukes, Inđija Indians, Sirmium Legionaries, Belgrade Blue Dragons

Western Group

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Kranj Alp Devils	4	3	1	90	43	+47	CEFL Cup Finals
2	Sarajevo Spartans	4	3	1	66	49	+17	CEFL Cup 3rd place matchup
3	Zagreb Patriots	4	0	4	26	90	−64

Source: 2017 Standings

Eastern Group

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Novi Sad GAT Dukes	3	3	0	110	26	+84	CEFL Cup Finals
2	Belgrade Blue Dragons	3	2	1	50	50	0	CEFL Cup 3rd place matchup
3	Inđija Indians	3	1	2	20	53	−33
4	Sirmium Legionaries	3	0	3	25	76	−51

Source: 2017 Standings

Final

CEFL Bowl XII was played at Tivoli Stadion Tirol in Innsbruck on June 10, where Raiders Tirol overpowered the Wild Boars 55–20.

	CEFL Bowl XII June 10
	Swarco Raiders Tirol	55
	Kragujevac Wild Boars	20

CEFL Cup Finals were played the same day at FC Naklo in Kranj, where the Kranj Alp Devils were shutout by the Dukes 0–59. In addition, the Blue Dragons took home third after taking down the Spartans 14–0.

	Cup Finals June 10
	Kranj Alp Devils	0
	Novi Sad GAT Dukes	59
	Third place
	Sarajevo Spartans	0
	Belgrade Blue Dragons	14

2018

2018 marked another prominent season in the league's existence. The Razorbacks left the league after one season, being replaced by the Prague Black Panthers. Both the Cowbells and Vukovi moved to the CEFL Cup and were replaced by the Moscow Patriots, making both conferences equal in number.

Western Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Swarco Raiders Tirol	2	2	0	107	42	+65	CEFL Bowl XIII
2	Panthers Wrocław	2	1	1	60	85	−25
3	Prague Black Panthers	2	0	2	43	83	−40

Source: 2018 Standings

Eastern Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Istanbul Koç Rams	2	2	0	108	62	+46	CEFL Bowl XIII
2	Kragujevac Wild Boars	2	1	1	75	67	+8
3	Moscow Patriots	2	0	2	41	95	−54

Source: 2018 Standings

Following the end of the 2017 season, all of the former CEFL Cup teams left the league. Due to this, the CEFL Cup was reformatted to be a knockout bracket. Both the Cowbells and Vukovi moved to the CEFL Cup, joined by the Gdynia Seahawks and Sakarya Tatankalari.

Final

CEFL Bowl XIII was played at Tivoli Stadion Tirol in Innsbruck on June 9, where the Swarco Raiders defended their title beating the Rams 49–20.

	CEFL Bowl XIII June 9
	Swarco Raiders Tirol	49
	Istanbul Koç Rams	20

CEFL Cup Finals took place the following day at BASK Stadium in Belgrade, where Vukovi beat the Seahawks 55–41.

	Cup Semifinals April 29, May 12				Cup Finals June 10
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	56
	Sakarya Tatankalari	28
					Belgrade SBB Vukovi	55
					Gdynia Seahawks	41
	Gdynia Seahawks	28
	Budapest Cowbells	18

A new championship match was put together following the creation of the Northern European Football League. Titled the Superfinal, the game between the CEFL and NEFL champions was played on June 30 at Gentofte Sportspark in Copenhagen, where the Swarco Raiders beat the Copenhagen Towers 45–20 to claim the title.

	Superfinal June 30
	Copenhagen Towers	20
	Swarco Raiders Tirol	45

2019

2019 saw a major shift in both conferences of the CEFL Championship. The Patriots would carry over to the CEFL Cup, while the Black Panthers left the league. Panthers Wrocław, a long-time team in the Western Conference, would be relocated to the Eastern Conference, joined by the Calanda Broncos. Meanwhile the vacancy left in the Western Conference would be filled by the Thonon Black Panthers and the Milan Seamen. This shift in league structure would bring the Eastern Conference back up to four teams.

Western Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Swarco Raiders Tirol	2	2	0	91	30	+61	CEFL Bowl XIV
2	Thonon Black Panthers	2	1	1	49	48	+1
3	Milan Seamen	2	0	2	30	92	−62

Source: 2019 Standings

Eastern Conference

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Calanda Broncos	3	3	0	119	53	+66	CEFL Bowl XIV
2	Panthers Wrocław	3	2	1	128	47	+81
3	Kragujevac Wild Boars	3	1	2	99	143	−44
4	Istanbul Koç Rams	3	0	3	60	163	−103

Source: 2019 Standings

The 2019 season would have the CEFL Cup doubling its membership to eight teams, expanding the knockout bracket to include a quarterfinal stage. Although the Seahawks and Tatankalari would depart from the league after just one season, the Budapest Wolves would return after a five year hiatus and the Moscow Patriots would jump down to the Cup after competing in the CEFL Championship in 2018. Joining the Wolves and Patriots would be the incoming Bolzano Giants, Moscow Spartans, Bucharest Rebels, and Istanbul İTÜ Hornets.

Final

CEFL Bowl XIV was played at Sportplatz Ringstrasse in Chur on June 8 between the Broncos and Swarco Raiders. The win went to the Swarco Raiders in the final seconds, 46–42.

	CEFL Bowl XIV June 8
	Calanda Broncos	42
	Swarco Raiders Tirol	46

Following CEFL Bowl XIV, the Spartans would outlast the Giants 15–14 in an exciting showdown on June 9.

	Cup Quarterfinals April 13				Cup Semifinals May 11–18				Cup Finals June 9
	Bucharest Rebels	14
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	28
					Belgrade SBB Vukovi	27
					Bolzano Giants	42
	Bolzano Giants	36
	Budapest Wolves	19
									Bolzano Giants	14
									Moscow Spartans	15
	Istanbul İTÜ Hornets	40
	Moscow Patriots	19
					Istanbul İTÜ Hornets	17
					Moscow Spartans	43
	Budapest Cowbells	6
	Moscow Spartans	24

The ECTC Final, a successor of the Superfinal, was played at Tivoli Stadion Tirol in Innsbruck, where the Swarco Raiders and Vienna Vikings, two Austrian Football League rivals, faced off. The game would go to the Swarco Raiders after crushing the Vikings 35–10.

	ECTC Final June 29
	Swarco Raiders Tirol	35
	Dacia Vienna Vikings	10

2020

2020 would bring major changes to the CEFL. Most notably, the league would ditch its round-robin format in favor of a knockout bracket with wild card matches. The Spartans would move from the Cup to join the Championship, joined by the incoming Badalona Dracs, Copenhagen Towers, Dacia Vienna Vikings, and Stockholm Mean Machines. The season was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Round 1 April 11–25

Round 2 May 9–10

Semifinals June 6

Finals June 27

Swarco Raiders Tirol

Milan Seamen

Moscow Spartans

Dacia Vienna Vikings

Istanbul Koç Rams

Kragujevac Wild Boars

Panthers Wrocław

Copenhagen Towers

Stockholm Mean Machines

Calanda Broncos

Thonon Black Panthers

Badalona Dracs

Similarly, the CEFL Cup was staged to be a knockout stage tournament. The Spartans would move to the Championship, and the Hornets, Patriots, and Rebels would not return for the 2020 season, instead being replaced by the Fehérvár Enthroners, Geneva Seahawks, La Courneuve Flash, and London Warriors. Like the Championship however, the Cup was ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic.

	Cup Quarterfinals May 9				Cup Semifinals				Cup Finals
	London Warriors
	La Courneuve Flash
	Geneva Seahawks
	Bolzano Giants
	Projekt Spielberg Graz Giants
	Fehervar Enthroners
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi
	Budapest Wolves

2021

After taking 2020 off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CEFL announced its return for 2021. The CEFL Cup was once again suspended following 2020, with the league focusing on just one competition for the time being. Although the Rams, Panthers, and Mean Machines would depart after 2020, the CEFL welcomed the Carlstad Crusaders and Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns. The tournament was initially supposed to feature 11 teams from 10 countries, including 8 national champions.

Round 1

Round 2

Semifinals

CEFL Bowl XV

Milan Seamen

Swarco Raiders Tirol

Dacia Vienna Vikings

Kragujevac Wild Boars

Moscow Spartans

Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns

Copenhagen Towers

Carlstad Crusaders

Calanda Broncos

Thonon Black Panthers

Badalona Dracs

However, pandemic lockdowns forced the Spartans, Towers, Black Panthers, and Dracs to withdraw. Due to this, the Fehérvár Enthroners agreed to join the league while the CEFL decided to commence the tournament with only 8 teams. The Unicorns won the title for the first time after dominating the Swarco Raiders with a last second victory 22–16.

	Quarterfinals May 15–29				Semifinals May 29–June 13				CEFL Bowl XV June 26
	Swarco Raiders Tirol	41
	Milan Seamen	14
					Swarco Raiders Tirol	20
					Dacia Vienna Vikings	13
	Dacia Vienna Vikings	82
	Kragujevac Wild Boars	7
									Swarco Raiders Tirol	16
									Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	22
	Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	35
	Carlstad Crusaders	0
					Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	35
					Calanda Broncos	21
	Calanda Broncos	35
	Fehervar Enthroners	0

Source: european-league.com

2022

On December 22, 2021, the CEFL announced that the 2022 season would restore the original four round tournament format. Thirteen teams were invited, with nine national champions among the invitations including the defending CEFL Champions. Although the league would see the departure of the Crusaders, Seamen, Swarco Raiders, and Vikings, long-time veterans Belgrade SBB Vukovi and Budapest Wolves would return to the league after a short hiatus, joined by the E-R Parma Panthers, Flash de La Courneuve, LG OLED Las Rozas Black Demons, Örebro Black Knights, and Vienna Danube Dragons. The Unicorns would defend their title after beating the Panthers 42–17.

	Wild Card April 2, April 23				Quarterfinals May 7, May 14				Semifinals June 4				CEFL Bowl XVI June 25
					Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	58
					Örebro Black Knights	7
	Copenhagen Towers	25
	Örebro Black Knights	56
									Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	35
									Flash de La Courneuve	21
	Thonon Black Panthers	12
	LG OLED Las Rozas Black Demons	6
					Thonon Black Panthers	27
					Flash de La Courneuve	45
	Badalona Dracs	7
	Flash de La Courneuve	49
													Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	42
													E-R Parma Panthers	17
					Calanda Broncos	35
					Budapest Wolves	28
	Budapest Wolves	35
	Moscow Spartans	0
									Calanda Broncos	9
									E-R Parma Panthers	21
					E-R Parma Panthers	21
					Vienna Danube Dragons	10
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	21
	Vienna Danube Dragons	35

The CEFL Cup also returned after taking 2021 off, reintroducing its round-robin format with two groups. The Enthroners would return to the Cup, joined by four new teams: Banat Bulls, Prague Lions, Tychy Falcons, and Vysočina Gladiators, though the Bulls later withdrew before the season began. The Kragujevac Wild Boars moved over to the Cup after competing in the Championship in 2021.

Northern Group

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Prague Lions	2	2	0	63	39	+24	CEFL Cup Finals
2	Tychy Falcons	2	1	1	56	35	+21
3	Vysočina Gladiators	2	0	2	26	71	−45

Source: 2022 Standings

Southern Group

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Fehervar Enthroners	1	1	0	34	12	+22	CEFL Cup Finals
2	Kragujevac Wild Boars	1	0	1	12	34	−22
3	Banat Bulls	0	0	0	0	0	0	Withdrew

Source: 2022 Standings

Final

The Cup Final was held at First Field in Székesfehérvár, with the Lions topping the Enthroners in a close matchup 24–20.

	Cup Finals July 23
	Fehervar Enthroners	20
	Prague Lions	24

2023

The 2023 season saw twelve teams entering the competition. The Black Knights, Dracs, Dragons, Spartans, and Towers would not return this season, being replaced by the Kuopio Steelers, Madrid Osos Rivas, Otel Guelfi Florence, and the returning Stockholm Mean Machines. The two French clubs would make it to the final, with the Flash succeeding with a 26–21 victory over the Black Panthers.

	Wild Card April 22–30				Quarterfinals May 13				Semifinals June 3				CEFL Bowl XVII June 24
					Flash de La Courneuve	25
					LG OLED Las Rozas Black Demons	14
	LG OLED Las Rozas Black Demons	22
	Madrid Osos Rivas	13
									Flash de La Courneuve	26
									E-R Parma Panthers	21
					E-R Parma Panthers	28
					Belgrade SBB Vukovi	10
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	48
	Budapest Wolves	38
													Flash de La Courneuve	26
													Thonon Black Panthers	21
					Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	29
					Stockholm Mean Machines	27
	Stockholm Mean Machines	31
	Kuopio Steelers	28
									Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	14
									Thonon Black Panthers	42
					Otel Guelfi Florence	14
					Thonon Black Panthers	27
	Calanda Broncos	35
	Thonon Black Panthers	38

The CEFL Cup would once again ditch its round-robin format in favor of a knockout bracket. The Bucharest Rebels and Budapest Wolves would return to the Cup, while the Enthroners, Falcons, and Lions left the league. The Cup Finals were held in Donja Trnava, where the Wild Boars conquered the Wolves in the final 51–45. 2023 would mark the last official season of the CEFL Cup.

	Cup Semifinals April 22, May 13				Cup Finals June 3
	Kragujevac Wild Boars	49
	Vysočina Gladiators	33
					Kragujevac Wild Boars	51
					Budapest Wolves	45
	Budapest Wolves	45
	Bucharest Rebels	6

2024

The 2024 season would unfold with little change in league structure. Once again, twelve teams entered the competition. The Unicorns, one of the top teams in the league, would not return following 2023, joining the Black Demons, Osos Rivas, Steelers, and Wolves. In response, the league welcomed the Manchester Titans along with the returning Copenhagen Towers, Danube Dragons Vienna, and Thalheim Graz Giants. Following the dissolution of the CEFL Cup, the Kragujevac Wild Boars would also return to the Championship. CEFL Bowl XVIII was played at Obere Au in Chur, where the Dragons defeated the Broncos 27–14.

	Wild Card April 20				Quarterfinals May 11				Semifinals June 1				CEFL Bowl XVIII June 22
					Flash de La Courneuve	34
					Stockholm Mean Machines	33
	Stockholm Mean Machines	42
	Manchester Titans	14
									Flash de La Courneuve	0
									Calanda Broncos	14
					Parma Panthers	20
					Calanda Broncos	34
	Calanda Broncos	33
	Copenhagen Towers	10
													Calanda Broncos	14
													Danube Dragons Vienna	27
					Thonon Black Panthers	30
					Thalheim Graz Giants	6
	Thalheim Graz Giants	21
	Kragujevac Wild Boars	6
									Thonon Black Panthers	7
									Danube Dragons Vienna	12
					Danube Dragons Vienna	45
					Guelfi Firenze	20
	Guelfi Firenze	37
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	27

2025

The 2025 season would have major change within the league. The reigning CEFL champs, the Dragons, would make their exit from the league, along with the Flash, Giants, Guelfi, Panthers, Titans, and Towers. These teams were replaced by the Amsterdam Crusaders, Bristol Aztecs, Eidsvoll 1814's, Warsaw Eagles and the returning Badalona Dracs, Carlstad Crusaders, and Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns. The Black Panthers would take home the gold after triumphing over the Broncos in a close battle 28–21.

	Wild Card April 26				Quarterfinals May 10–11				Semifinals May 31				CEFL Bowl XIX June 21
					Calanda Broncos	49
					Kragujevac Wild Boars	0
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	12
	Kragujevac Wild Boars	48
									Calanda Broncos	17
									Warsaw Eagles	7
					Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	16
					Warsaw Eagles	22
	Stockholm Mean Machines	21
	Warsaw Eagles	40
													Calanda Broncos	21
													Thonon Black Panthers	28
					Thonon Black Panthers	41
					Badalona Dracs	17
									Thonon Black Panthers	28
									Carlstad Crusaders	26
	Carlstad Crusaders	37
	Eidsvoll 1814's	0
					Carlstad Crusaders	35
					Bristol Aztecs	0
	Bristol Aztecs	46
	Amsterdam Crusaders	7

2026

The 2026 season would mark the return and departure of many former teams. Namely, the Belgrade SBB Vukovi, a long-time veteran of the league, would depart after rejoining in 2022. In their place came the Belgrade Blue Dragons, a long time CEFL Cup team. In addition, the Guelfi Firenze and Manchester Titans would rejoin the league, making up for the loss of the 1814's, Amsterdam and Carlstad Crusaders, Mean Machines, and Unicorns. In CEFL Bowl XX, the Broncos would get their revenge against the Black Panthers from last year's championship game, dominating them 21–7.

	Wild Card April 25–26				Quarterfinals May 16				Semifinals June 6				CEFL Bowl XX June 27
					Thonon Black Panthers	55
					Manchester Titans	8
									Thonon Black Panthers	45
									Guelfi Firenze	41
					Guelfi Firenze	55
					Belgrade Blue Dragons	7
	Kragujevac Wild Boars	21
	Belgrade Blue Dragons	35
													Thonon Black Panthers	7
													Calanda Broncos	21
					Calanda Broncos	48
					Badalona Dracs	24
									Calanda Broncos	22
									Warsaw Eagles	10
					Warsaw Eagles	35
					Bristol Aztecs	21
	Bristol Aztecs	31
	Belfast Trojans	0

CEFL Bowls

Year		Host city	Home	Result	Visitor	MVP (winning team player)
2006	SELAF Bowl I	Belgrade	Belgrade Vukovi	12–23	Kragujevac Wild Boars	Marko Obradović
2007	SELAF Bowl II	Belgrade	Belgrade Vukovi	28–27	Budapest Wolves	Pavle Tasić
2008	CEFL Bowl III	Vienna	CNC Gladiators	14–8	Belgrade Vukovi	Peter de Gouw
2009	CEFL Bowl IV	Belgrade	Belgrade Vukovi	39–20	Cineplexx Blue Devils	Jordan Green
2010	CEFL Bowl V	Ivančna Gorica	Ljubljana Silverhawks	20–42	Belgrade Vukovi	Brandon McDowell
2011	CEFL Bowl VI	Budapest	Budapest Wolves	33–34	Belgrade Vukovi	Vinnie Miroth
2012	CEFL Bowl VII	Belgrade	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	21–34	Ljubljana Silverhawks	Anthony Gardner
2013	CEFL Bowl VIII	Belgrade	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	42–0	PBB Kragujevac Wild Boars	Mihailo Josović
2014	CEFL Bowl IX	Ivančna Gorica	Ljubljana Silverhawks	17–27	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	Shaun Rutherford
2015	CEFL Bowl X	Novi Sad	Novi Sad Dukes	25–23	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	William Powell
2016	CEFL Bowl XI	Graz	Graz Giants	52–49	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	Moritz Profant
2017	CEFL Bowl XII	Innsbruck	Swarco Raiders Tirol	55–20	Kragujevac Wild Boars	Sean Shelton
2018	CEFL Bowl XIII	Innsbruck	Swarco Raiders Tirol	49–20	Istanbul Koç Rams	Fabian Seeber
2019	CEFL Bowl XIV	Chur	Calanda Broncos	42–46	Swarco Raiders Tirol	Darius Saint-Robinson
2021	CEFL Bowl XV	Innsbruck	Swarco Raiders Tirol	16–22	Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	Tyler Rutenbeck
2022	CEFL Bowl XVI	Schwäbisch Hall	Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	42–17	E-R Parma Panthers	Tyler Rutenbeck
2023	CEFL Bowl XVII	La Courneuve	Flash de La Courneuve	26–21	Thonon Black Panthers	Angelo Druck
2024	CEFL Bowl XVIII	Chur	Calanda Broncos	14–27	Danube Dragons Vienna	Paul Schachner
2025	CEFL Bowl XIX	Chur	Calanda Broncos	21–28	Thonon Black Panthers	Adel Bafdile
2026	CEFL Bowl XX	Thonon-les-Bains	Thonon Black Panthers	7–21	Calanda Broncos

CEFL Cups

Year		Host city	Home	Result	Visitor
2013	CEFL Cup I	Belgrade	Belgrade Blue Dragons	26–49	Cineplexx Blue Devils
2017	CEFL Cup II	Kranj	Kranj Alp Devils	0–59	Novi Sad GAT Dukes
2018	CEFL Cup III	Belgrade	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	55–41	Gdynia Seahawks
2019	CEFL Cup IV	Bolzano	Bolzano Giants	14–15	Moscow Spartans
2022	CEFL Cup V	Székesfehérvár	Fehervar Enthroners	20–24	Prague Lions
2023	CEFL Cup VI	Donja Trnava	Kragujevac Wild Boars	51–45	Budapest Wolves

Finalists

Championship Finalists

Rank	Team	Titles	Appearances	Years won	Years runner-up
1	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	6	11	2007, 2009–2011, 2013, 2014	2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2016
2	Swarco Raiders Tirol	3	4	2017–2019	2021
3	Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns	2	2	2021, 2022	—
4	Calanda Broncos	1	4	2026	2019, 2024, 2025
5	Thonon Black Panthers	1	3	2025	2023, 2026
	Ljubljana Silverhawks	1	3	2012	2010, 2014
	Kragujevac Wild Boars	1	3	2006	2013, 2017
8	Danube Dragons Vienna	1	1	2024	—
	Flash de La Courneuve	1	1	2023	—
	Thalheim Graz Giants	1	1	2016	—
	Novi Sad GAT Dukes	1	1	2015	—
	CNC Gladiators	1	1	2008	—
13	Budapest Wolves	0	2	—	2007, 2011
14	Parma Panthers	0	1	—	2022
	Istanbul Koç Rams	0	1	—	2018
	Cineplexx Blue Devils	0	1	—	2009

By country

Championships	Country	Year
8	Serbia	2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
6	Austria	2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024
2	France	2023, 2025
2	Germany	2021, 2022
1	Switzerland	2026
1	Slovenia	2012

Cup Finalists

Rank	Team	Titles	Appearances	Years won	Years runner-up
1	Kragujevac Wild Boars	1	1	2023	—
	Prague Lions	1	1	2022	—
	Moscow Spartans	1	1	2019	—
	Belgrade SBB Vukovi	1	1	2018	—
	Novi Sad GAT Dukes	1	1	2017	—
	Cineplexx Blue Devils	1	1	2013	—
7	Budapest Wolves	0	1	—	2023
	Fehervar Enthroners	0	1	—	2022
	Bolzano Giants	0	1	—	2019
	Gdynia Seahawks	0	1	—	2018
	Kranj Alp Devils	0	1	—	2017
	Belgrade Blue Dragons	0	1	—	2013

By country

Championships	Country	Year
3	Serbia	2017, 2018, 2023
1	Czech Republic	2022
1	Russia	2019
1	Austria	2013

Membership of CEFL Championship

Team	Nat	Seasons	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Belgrade SBB Vukovi		2006–2017, 2022–2025
Novi Sad GAT Dukes		2006–2010, 2015–2016
Kragujevac Wild Boars		2006–2007, 2013–2014, 2017–2021, 2024–present
Ljubljana Silverhawks		2006–2016
Sirmium Legionaries		2006
Budapest Wolves		2007–2014, 2022–2023
CNC Gladiators		2007–2009
Bratislava Monarchs		2008
Budapest Cowbells		2008–2009, 2016–2017
Zagreb Thunder		2008–2009
Cineplexx Blue Devils		2009–2010, 2012, 2015–2016
Istanbul Cavaliers		2010–2011
Zagreb Patriots		2012, 2016
Domžale Tigers		2016
Inđija Indians		2016
Kranj Alp Devils		2016
Niš Imperatori		2016
Sarajevo Spartans		2016
Thalheim Graz Giants		2016, 2024
Istanbul Koç Rams		2017–2020
Panthers Wrocław		2017–2020
Swarco Raiders Tirol		2017–2021
Triangle Razorbacks		2017
Moscow Patriots		2018
Prague Black Panthers		2018
Calanda Broncos		2019–present
Milan Seamen		2019–2021
Thonon Black Panthers		2019–present
Badalona Dracs		2020–2022, 2025–present
Copenhagen Towers		2020–2022, 2024
Dacia Vienna Vikings		2020–2021
Moscow Spartans		2020–2022
Stockholm Mean Machines		2020, 2023–2025
Carlstad Crusaders		2021, 2025
Fehervar Enthroners		2021
Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns		2021–2023, 2025
Danube Dragons Vienna		2022, 2024
Flash de La Courneuve		2022–2024
LG OLED Las Rozas Black Demons		2022–2023
Örebro Black Knights		2022
Parma Panthers		2022–2024
Guelfi Firenze		2023–2024, 2026
Kuopio Steelers		2023
Madrid Osos Rivas		2023
Manchester Titans		2024, 2026
Amsterdam Crusaders		2025
Bristol Aztecs		2025–present
Eidsvoll 1814's		2025
Warsaw Eagles		2025–present
Belfast Trojans		2026
Belgrade Blue Dragons		2026

• Note: teams whose names are in bold are current participants.

Membership of CEFL Cup

Team	Nat	Seasons	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Belgrade Blue Dragons		2013, 2017
Cineplexx Blue Devils		2013
Inđija Indians		2017
Kranj Alp Devils		2017
Novi Sad GAT Dukes		2017
Sarajevo Spartans		2017
Sirmium Legionaries		2017
Zagreb Patriots		2017
Belgrade SBB Vukovi		2018–2020
Budapest Cowbells		2018–2019
Gdynia Seahawks		2018
Sakarya Tatankalari		2018
Bolzano Giants		2019–2020
Bucharest Rebels		2019, 2023
Budapest Wolves		2019–2020, 2023
Istanbul İTÜ Hornets		2019
Moscow Patriots		2019
Moscow Spartans		2019
Fehervar Enthroners		2020
Thalheim Graz Giants		2020
Geneva Seahawks		2020
La Courneuve Flash		2020
London Warriors		2020
Banat Bulls		2022
Kragujevac Wild Boars		2022–2023
Prague Lions		2022
Tychy Falcons		2022
Vysočina Gladiators		2022–2023

External links

• Central European Football League