FFFA Semi-Finals Weekend Review

You missed the chaos, the drama, and the jaw-dropping moments of those two electrifying back-to-back semi-final weekends?

Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. As your ultimate sports guide and savior, we’re here to walk you through every major twist, turn, and turning point from both unforgettable matchups.

Whether it was last-minute touchdowns, shocking upsets, or heroic performances, we’ll break it all down for you, play by play, highlight by highlight. So buckle up and get ready, because by the end of this recap, you’ll know exactly who deserves your support in the upcoming, high-stakes Final.

Let the showdown begin, and may the best team win your heart.

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Molosses - Asnières-sur-Seine @ Black Panthers - Thonons-les-Bains 

At first glance, this was the game you simply couldn’t miss. A clash between two of the finest teams in the league, both battling for a coveted place on the grandest stage of them all. What more could any fan possibly hope for? But while both teams had every reason to believe in their destiny, only one stepped onto the field fully determined to take control of its own narrative that very day.

From the opening kickoff, the tone was set. The Black Panthers launched the ball to ignite hostilities, and the Molosses began on offense. However, disaster struck almost immediately. On their own 35-yard line, Blanchard Mbuku mishandled the ball, fumbling and losing possession. In a game of such high stakes, every mistake counts, and against a team as efficient and ruthless as Thonon’s Black Panthers, errors come with a heavy price.

True to their reputation, the Black Panthers wasted no time capitalizing on the miscue. On their very first offensive possession, quarterback José Tabora Jr displayed both mobility and precision, combining a few efficient runs with a quick, well-placed pass to inch his team toward the red zone. It didn’t take long before running back Lucas Davoine punched in the first touchdown of the afternoon, slipping through the defense with apparent ease and putting Thonon ahead on the scoreboard.

To their credit, the Molosses initially remained calm and composed, intent on answering quickly. Their offense was orchestrated by Brody “Super” Hahn, who managed a string of short and mid-range completions, methodically moving the chains. Yet, when he finally took a shot downfield to cap off the drive with a deep touchdown pass, the receiver, despite being wide opened, failed to secure the ball, letting the opportunity slip away.

As the conditions worsened with a downpour soaking the field, Hahn took matters into his own hands. He began to run more often, trying to shoulder the weight of the offense, but Thonon’s defensive line proved relentless. Nearly every play ended with a Molosses ball-carrier being met abruptly by Panthers defenders. Gaining yards became an uphill battle, and the rhythm the Molosses had hoped to establish began to fade.

However, just when it seemed like the Molosses’ hopes were beginning to dissolve, a spark reignited their drive. A play that started poorly, with a low snap threatening to ruin the timing, turned into a moment of brilliance. Hahn, ever resourceful, adapted quickly and launched a perfect throw into the end zone, finding wide receiver Julien Leroy for a touchdown. The score tightened to 7–6, keeping the Molosses within striking distance.

But momentum is a fragile thing, and no one shifts it quite like Adel Bafdile. If you hadn’t heard of his prowess on kickoff and punt returns before, consider this your introduction. On his one and only kickoff return of the game, Bafdile electrified the field with a dazzling 63-yard return, weaving past defenders and breaking free with ease. His return placed the Black Panthers in prime scoring position, and it didn’t take long for Lucas Davoine to add a second rushing touchdown to his stat sheet.

From that moment forward, what began as a potentially tight and thrilling contest turned into a showcase of Black Panthers dominance. The Molosses, despite their talent and initial determination, never truly found themselves in a situation where a comeback felt within reach. Their final touchdown came in the closing moments, as the game clock ticked toward zero.

A surprising, though understandable, situation unfolded during the two-point conversion attempt that followed. The Molosses lined up and executed the play, but the Black Panthers, already assured of their victory, barely reacted. They remained on the field, yet did not align or contest the play seriously, allowing the conversion without resistance.

In the end, the scoreboard told a story of clear superiority, but for those watching closely, the narrative was shaped in the early moments; when one team seized every opportunity and the other struggled to recover from its first mistake.

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Flash - La Courneuve @ Iron Mask - Cannes

Ask any French football fan and they’ll tell you, the Southern Division is often viewed as the weaker side of the league. So, when the best team from the South travelled to face the mighty Flash, the reigning powerhouse from La Courneuve, most expected a one-sided affair. A routine win. An inevitable result.

Well, not quite.

The beauty of football lies precisely in its unpredictability. For every favorite, there is an underdog waiting to rewrite the script, to seize the spotlight when no one is watching closely. And on this day, the Cannes Iron Mask did just that, delivering one of the most thrilling upsets of the season.

Truth be told, some of us had seen this coming. Since the start of the season, we insisted that this Cannes team was no fluke. They had grit, they had talent, and above all, they had belief. So let’s dive into how the Iron Mask shocked the French football world and knocked the Flash out of the race for the championship.

To say that the Iron Mask started strong would be an understatement. They came out firing. On a critical third and eleven, quarterback Olivier Roy dropped back and launched a beautiful deep pass. His target? Wide receiver Laury Maspimby, who had slipped unnoticed into the backfield. Alone and unchallenged, Maspimby caught the ball in stride and scored the opening touchdown, silencing the home crowd and signaling that Cannes had come to play.

Of course, the Flash responded immediately, as great teams do. Their following drive was methodical and precise. Running back Jason Bofunda capped it off with a short but powerful run into the end zone. The players from La Courneuve barely celebrated. They were all business. Focused. Determined to avoid a slip.

But Cannes was far from intimidated. They came right back on offense and right back on the scoreboard. Olivier Roy once again connected with his favorite target, Laury Maspimby, who made another impressive catch for his second touchdown of the game. Just like that, the Iron Mask had reclaimed the lead.

The first quarter had barely ended, and the game was already shaping up to be a classic.

The Flash, unwilling to let the game slip away, began mounting a response. Each play was a test of will, each gain a battle won. Slowly but surely, they pushed their way into the red zone. It was Judson Saint-Louis who found the end zone this time, reigniting hope for La Courneuve and tying the game back up. The Flash’s defense stepped up as well, halting several of Cannes’ drives and giving their offense more chances to take control.

Though the Flash regained possession deep in their own territory and struggled to move the ball effectively at first, persistence paid off. After a few exchanges where their defense once again held firm, the ball returned to quarterback Paul Durand, who began to show exactly why he is so respected across the league. With sharp decision-making and impressive composure, Durand orchestrated a balanced drive, leaning on his running backs to gain ground while maintaining precise passing. Once again, it was Jason Bofunda who completed the job, scoring his second touchdown of the game and giving the Flash their first lead.

At this point, many believed the tide had turned for good. The Flash were up 20 to 14, and the clock was not on Cannes’ side. But football has a way of rewarding resilience. And on this fateful night, destiny smiled on the Iron Mask.

With just over a minute remaining, the Iron Mask found themselves deep in Flash territory, sitting at the two-yard line. The situation was simple but monumental: down by six points, only 69 seconds on the clock, and the season hanging in the balance. Pressure was at its highest.

And then, in that pressure-cooker moment, running back Yanis Polin stepped forward. With the weight of a city, a team, and a dream on his shoulders, he powered through the line and into the end zone, igniting an eruption of celebration from the Cannes sideline. The point-after was good. Cannes now led 21 to 20.

There would be no miracle comeback for the Flash. The Iron Mask had done it. They had taken down the giants. And in doing so, they earned their spot in the grand final, proving to everyone that no division, no ranking, and no prediction can stand in the way of heart, courage, and execution when it matters most.