The Budapest Titans came back from a deficit and defeated the Csepel TC Cowbells 51-29 in the final of the HFL, the premier division of Hungarian American football, held on July 20, 2024, at the Budapest Rugby Center in Budapest’s Kincsem Park, the XVIII. Veolia Hungarian Bowl.
In the final match of the season, the two outstanding teams of the season clashed. Although for both of them the playoff semi-finals in 2023 was the final stop, this year the Cowbells finished the regular season without a loss, while the Titans finished in second place with a single loss – just to the Cowbells.
The Cowbells, already multiple winners and perhaps declared more likely, started the final better: they gained a 15-point advantage in the first quarter – obtained from two touchdowns and one safety. At the same time, the Titans quickly organized their lines, so much so that they managed to take the lead 16-15 before halftime. However, before the break, the Cowbells scored one more touchdown, meaning that the sides could go into the second half with a five-point lead.
However, the second half of the match clearly brought the moments of the Titans, who brought the ball into the end zone several times (once, not by the way, from a return), making the score of the match 37-22.
The Cowbells soon improved from there and soon came very close to the goal line, but then their running back sold the ball, from which the Titans immediately scored a touchdown, making their victory practically certain.
This was the first time in the history of the Titans, who were promoted to the top flight after years only last year to the top of the first class.
Photo: Krisztián Tóta
2024-07-21 18:29:38