CANADA WINS 20-12 OVER GERMANY TO MAKE IT TO THE 2010 WWC GOLD MEDAL GAME

Having finished second in Group B, Germany will play against either USA (1-0) or Finland (1-0) for the Bronze medal at 3pm / 9pm EST on July 3, while Sweden will face Austria (0-2) for fifth place at 11am / 5am EST. Canada topped Group B with a 2-0 record followed by Germany (1-1) and Sweden (0-2).

Canadian running back Julie Paetsch scored the game’s opening touchdown and moved the ball effectively on the ground to earn game MVP honors, while the German cause was hampered by four turnovers at key moments in the game, including one to end a drive late in the fourth quarter while trailing by eight points.

“Naturally I’m pleased that we won, especially on Canada’s birthday,” said Canada head coach Larry Harlow. “I thought that Germany put up a good fight and the turnovers really hurt them and we capitalized.”

A scoreless first quarter almost produced two points for Canada, but German running back Susanne Erdmann of the Nürnberg Hurricanesbroke free and charged down the right sideline to the 42-yard mark. The promising possession was halted by an interception with 29 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

After Germany turned the ball over on downs, Paetsch, who plays her club football in Saskatoon, charged 69 yards down right sideline on a draw play to break the deadlock with 8:25 remaining in the first half. Canada took a 7-0 lead as Terri Shannon of the St John Storm tagged on the extra point.

Canada converted a turnover into six more points having recovered a fumble as Laurel MacInnis of the Halifax Xplosion stripped the ball from running back Erdman at the Germany 36-yard mark. One play later Paetsch picked up a bobbled snap and broke tackles to then beat the German secondary for pace and score her second touchdown.

Down by 14 points, Germany responded with Gabi Duvinage of the Nürnberg Hurricanes hitting club mate Jeanette Beastoch on a nicely timed crossing pattern to move the chains to the Canadian 44-yard mark. Running back Manuela Scott of the Stuttgart Scorpions Sisters raced up middle for a first down, then Christiane Müller of the Dresden Diamonds made a crucial catch two yards from the end zone to move the ball within striking distance of a touchdown with 56 seconds remaining.

A rush by Scott came up short with 30 seconds on the clock and she was also stopped by the determined Canada defense before a Duvinage quarterback sneak for a touchdown with five seconds remaining in half. Duvinage’s extra point sailed wide for a 14-6 halftime score.

Germany’s defense held firm at the start of the second half until Canada, facing a field goal attempt, changed formation and a delayed handoff to Paetsch worked to great effect as Germany bit and the play took the ball to the German five-yard mark and a first and goal situation.   On second and goal a fake handoff to Paetsch allowed Kendra Jones of the Saint John Storm to breach the end zone in for a touchdown and a 20-6 lead with 3.15 remaining in the third quarter after the PAT was blocked.

German quarterback Duvinage responded with a well-executed pass to Beastoch to move the chains into Canadian territory at the 37 and a Canada interception was nullified by a pass interference call, keeping hopes of a German comeback alive.

With the ball on Canada’s 26 at the start of the fourth quarter, Scott ran up middle to reduce the deficit to eight points with 11.08 to play.

A continued German revival was cramped by a fumble after a catch and a muffed punt return that Canada also recovered so the Europeans were left chasing the game at their own 29-yard mark with 1:37 remaining.

Receiver Sonja Meurer of the Mainz lady Warriors made a critical reception to move the chains when wide open on fourth down to move to within 43 yards of pay dirt. A pass interference call produced another first down as Germany went to the air to move downfield. Meurer again kept the momentum going, but Canada’s defense came up big when Lisa Harlow of the Storm produced a sack that effectively ended the contest.

Games can be watched on a live webcast accessible through www.2010WWC.info.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

1pm     USA 63 Austria 0

6pm     Sweden 6 Canada 12

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

1pm     Finland 50 Austria 16

6pm     Germany 12 Sweden 0

Thursday, July 1, 2010

1pm     Canada 20 Germany 12

6pm     USA vs. Finland

Group A                       Group B

USA 1-0                       Canada 2-0

Finland 1-0                  Germany 1-1

Austria 0-2                   Sweden 0-2

Saturday, July 3, 2010

11am    Fifth Place game          Austria vs. Sweden

3pm     Bronze Medal game     Germany vs.

7pm     Gold Medal game         Canada vs.