Canada win women’s gold, men 4th at flag worlds in Italy

Canada’s Women’s National Team captured gold while the men placed 4^th on Friday at the 2014 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championships in Grosseto, Italy.

Women re-capture gold

After finishing the round-robin portion of competition 6-0, Canada’s Women’s National Team headed into Friday’s playoff looking to re-capture gold after not competing in 2012. Canada defeated Panama and Mexico in the quarter and semi-finals to set-up a gold medal game rematch against the US. USA, the defending silver medalist from 2012 looked to avenge a 2010 gold game loss to Canada.

Down 21-20 following a US score early in the second half, Canada replied with a score of their own to re-capture the lead 26-21. With the US looking to respond on the following possession, Canada’s defense forced an interception. The turnover led to the game’s final score, securing a 32-21 Canada victory.

Men place 4^th, losing to Italy in 2010 bronze game rematch

Following a 5-2 round-robin record, Canada’s men’s team began the playoff draw by edging defending gold medalist Austria 46-42. Canada could not find the same magic against Mexico, the top team in the opposing pool. The loss set-up a 2010 bronze medal game rematch against Italy. The host nation repeated the result from the 2010 World Championship in Ottawa as Canada lost 53-14 to claim 4^th place out of 17 teams. Canada’s 2014 finish improves upon a 6^th place finish from 2012.

Rosters:   Men   Women

For more information, please visit the tournament page, http://www.italyffwc2014.com/.

This post is also available in: French