USA AND CANADA MEET FOR GOLD MEDALShare
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The United States will take on Canada for the Gold Medal at the first ever IFAF Women's World Championship at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden, at 7pm / 1pm EST on Saturday, July 3.
The offensive firepower of Team USA takes on North American rival Canada having scored 135 points in two games and conceded none, while Canada has scored 32 points and conceded 18 in their two wins. Both nations topped their respective groups with two wins each earlier this week to reach the Gold Medal Game.
USA dispatched Austria 63-0 in the first game of the historic tournament and then produced a 72-point shutout of Finland.
"I have seen Canada play on two separate occasions now and they are a very talented group," said USA head coach John Konecki. "They are extremely fast. I'm concerned about their depth in their off-tackle running game. Personally I think they are going to give us everything they can handle."
Canada edged host Sweden 12-6 to start off on a winning note and then produced an impressive defensive performance to hold off Germany in a 20-12 win.
"We keep getting these really tough teams," said Canada head coach Larry Harlow of his latest opposition. "Our defense and our offense will have to just stand up and play strong, just as they did against Germany. The girls have pulled it together as a team and are excited to be in the final."
Finland (1-1) will face Germany (1-1) for the Bronze Medal at 3pm / 9am EST on Saturday. Having opened with a 50-16 victory over Austria, Finland had no answer to the offensive firepower of Team USA, while Germany, 12-0 winners over Sweden in their first game, mounted a comeback attempt that fell just short against Canada in a 20-12 loss.
"It is a tough tournament with a game every two days, but we will be ready for the bronze medal game," said Germany defensive coordinator Jorn Maier. "After the first quarter against Canada our defense starting playing up to the level we expect and really fought hard. We had four fumbles in that game and have to eliminate those against Finland."
Sweden (0-2) and Austria (0-2) will kickoff the final day of IFAF Women's World Championship action when they meet at 11am / 5am EST for fifth place.
Sweden almost produced a shock when they pushed Canada to within six points in a 12-6 loss before suffering a 12-0 defeat to Germany. Austria felt the full force of the USA offensive fireworks in a 63-point loss and despite scoring 16 points against Finland fell to a 50-16 defeat.
All games are broadcast via a live webcast accessible through www.2010WWC.info.
