Womens Sportsgear

USA Football’s Women’s National Team earned the title of first-ever women’s world champions in American football by defeating Canada 66-0.

The United States won the first IFAF Women’s World Championship gold medal with a 66-0 victory over Canada at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden, Saturday July 3rd.

Earlier in the day, Finland won the Bronze medal with a 26-18 win over Germany, while on a good day for Scandinavia, host Sweden took fifth place overall by beating Austria 20-18.

USA Football’s Women’s National Team head coach John Konecki said afterwards, “Canada was an excellent team and we had to work hard to prepare and play against them. I feel honored to have coached Team USA. It is a remarkable group of women.”

Defensive Most Valuable Player Sharon Vasquez of the Pittsburgh Passion added: “It was amazing to win the gold medal. It was very emotional. We played an awesome team and it feels great to be in this moment.”see Vidio at http://iof1.idrottonline.se/templates/NewsPage.aspx?id=21928 and get the feel of the intensity of the game YA USA

Wide Receiver Rusty Sowers is named Offensive Tournament MVP as USA wins Gold Medal at inaugural tournament in Sweden

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – The 2010 IFAF Women’s World Championship All-Tournament first and second teams have been announced following the Gold Medal game that was played at Zinkersdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden.  The selections were made based on combination of votes cast by the head coaches of the six competing teams and the tournament statistics.

USA head coach John Konecki was named the All Tournament Team head coach having guided his team to a Gold medal and a 3-0 finish.

USA wide receiver Rusty Sowers who caught for a combined 215 yards and five touchdowns and returned punts for 135 yards and one touchdown during the course of three games, was named the tournament Offensive Most Valuable Player as she helped the United States win the Gold Medal game.

The United States led the way with 20 first team all-tournament selections, followed by Finland with ten and Germany with seven.

All-Tournament First Team

Pos      Player                           Country

QB       Sami Grisafe                 USA

RB        Jessica Springer           USA

RB        Marie Michelitsch           Austria

WR       Rusty Sowers                USA

WR       Adrienne Smith              USA

WR       Sari Kuosmanen            Finland

OL        Kelly Barker                  USA

OL        Keesha Brooks             USA

OL        Kirsi Kauhanen              Finland

OL        Wienke Moser               Germany

OL        Tiffany Dinges              Germany

DL        Jeanamarie Fisher         USA

DL        Knengi Martin                USA

DL        Kimberley Marks           USA

DL        Michaela Rowett            Sweden

LB        Saskia Strbrny              Austria

LB        Pillan Plass                   Sweden

LB        Jennifer DeGuise           Canada

DB       Sharon Vasquez            USA

DB       Alberta Fitcheard-Brydson  USA

DB       Anette Bӓckman            Finland

DB       Teresa Yanke                Canada

K/P       Gabriele Duvinage         Germany

KR/PR  Rusty Sowers                USA

Coach   John Konecki                USA

All-Tournament Second Team

Pos      Player                           Country

QB       Jenny Schmidt              USA

RB        Merita Bruun                  Finland

RB        Julie Paetsch                Canada

WR       Stephanie Konency       Austria

WR       Jeanette Beastoch         Germany

WR       Anna Persson               Sweden

OL        Roseanne Smith            USA

OL        Dawn Pederson             USA

OL        Jamie Menzyk               USA

OL        Nora Ahokas                 Finland

OL        Merle Ziemann               Finland

DL        Olivia Griswold              USA

DL        Jessica Neues               Germany

DL        Nina Kiviharju                Sweden

DL        Danielle Golay               USA

LB        Hana Saari                    Finland

LB        Katri Laine                     Finland

LB        Simone Dietrich             Germany

DB       Christina Goulet             Canada

DB       Jennifer Welter              USA

DB       Emma Bendorf              Sweden

DB       Maija Isomaa                 Finland

K/P       Emily Williams               USA

KR/PR  Susanne Erdmann         Germany

Coach   Teemu Kuusisto            Finland

2010 IFAF Women’s World Championship Medal Games Saturday, July 3, 2010

Gold Medal game

USA 66 Canada 0

Bronze Medal game

Finland 26 Germany 18

Fifth Place game

Sweden 20 Austria 18

Highlights of the day’s media games can be watched on a webcast accessible through www.2010WWC.info <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103547646807&s=3401&e=001J-CNrcnQTMzBlixLP7ouxN_g3jjZkSYxxpnGhoPWeYLCQGUNuEXjLEU3jI7Y8BZRJRIvAtjNmjsfPnUvNud5STmtXHcVTr0Xr7mbwr-A06zovbVIZo9Ngg==> .

SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – The United States won the first ever Gold Medal at the inaugural IFAF Women’s World Championship with a 66-0 victory over Canada at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden.

Earlier in the day, Finland won the Bronze medal with a 26-18 win over Germany, while on a good day for Scandinavia, host Sweden took fifth place overall by beating Austria 20-18.

Team USA head coach John Konecki said afterwards, “Canada was an excellent team and we had to work hard to prepare and play against them. I feel honored to have coached this Team USA. It is a remarkable group of women.”

Defensive Most Valuable Player Sharon Vasquez of the Pittsburgh Passion added: “It was amazing to win gold medal. It was very emotional. We played an awesome team and it feels great to be in this moment.”

USA now holds all IFAF tackle football world titles with the USA Football Women’s National Team joining their male counterparts, who won the senior crown in 2007 against Japan, and the juniors (aged 19 and under), who beat Canada to lift the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship.

A strong defensive start for Team USA forced Canada to punt on their first drive and the offensive powerhouses took over immediately.

In USA’s opening drive, Jessica Springer lined up in the wildcat and plowed her way through the Canadian defense for a first down to Canada’s 20-yard line. Giving the ball right back to Springer, she ran straight into the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown and with Emily Williams’ extra point USA went up 7-0 with 9:45 left in the first quarter.

The defensive pressure continued on Canada’s next drive as Jeanamarie Fisher of Portland Shockwave sacked Canada’s quarterback Saadia Ashraf for a loss of four yards quickly making it third and long. More pressure from USA forced Ashraf to throw the ball away as Canada punted.

The United States quickly attacked again with a 34-yard gain by Desiree Weimann followed by a 26-yard touchdown by Mia Brickhouse and the United States went up 15-0 with a successful two point conversion by Springer with 7:18 left in first quarter.

Canada’s Julie Paetsch started to have success late in the first quarter picking up three big runs of 10, 19, and 11-yard gains but then the USA tightened up the defense and did not allow Canada to pass the 24-yard line. On fourth and seven, Canada opted to go for it but Amy Satterfield stopped the run as the United States took over on their own 19-yard line.

Not letting up, USA attacked again with a screen play for Desiree Weimann followed by an 18-yard run by Mia Brickhouse who found some room down the middle with some great blocking by game MVP Jamie Menzyk.

Springer showed her power again with a 27-yard run and then with a hand off to Desiree Weimann who went untouched down the middle for a 25-yard touchdown as the United States increased their lead to 22-0 with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter.

With another quick three and out due to defensive pressure led by defensive lineman Olivia Griswold, the United States found the endzone again as quarterback Jenny Schmidt connected with Offensive Most Valuable Player Rusty Sowers to the three-yard line for first and goal. Springer then plowed her way into the endzone for her second touchdown of the game. With a direct snap to Springer for two the United States built a 30-0 lead.

And on first and goal, Mia Brickhouse found a gap running into the endzone for a seven-yard touchdown going up 37-0.

Canada moved the ball into US territory as quarterback Saadia Ashraf connected with Alia Palmer for an 11-yard gain.  On third and seven, Ashraf was forced to scramble out of the pocket for an incomplete pass. Going for it on fourth down, Tracy Adams and Olivia Griswold immediately put pressure on the quarterback who again had to throw the ball away with the US taking over on their own 39-yard line with 4:47 left in the half.

On the first play of the drive, Springer took the ball running through the Canadian defense for a 59-yard touchdown and with an extra point gave the United States a 43-0 lead.

With 53 seconds remaining in the half, the United States got the ball back. Quarterback Schmidt took the ball herself, weaving in and out for a 20-yard gain and with time running out Sami Grisafe connected with Rusty Sowers for a 31-yard touchdown to end the first half with a commanding 51-point advantage.

The second half started similar to the first, as Sowers returned a punt for 20 yards, giving USA good field position starting on the 50-yard line.  The drive saw multiple runs: a 7-yard gain by Danilynn Welniak, a 14-yard gain by Onetha Cannon, and ended with a 16-yard touchdown run by Julie Shockley with 9:56 left in the third quarter.

Canada’s Alex Black returned the kickoff into US territory to the 34-yard line, but could not capitalize with the USA defensive pressure forcing another Canada punt.

Canada picked up their defense, with a tackle for a loss and on third down stopped Danilynn Welniak one yard short of first down forcing the US to punt for the first time in the game.

After a false start, and a tackle for a loss by Jeanamarie Fisher followed by a sack, Canada took an intentional safety when backed up to their own five-yard line as USA went ahead 60-0.

2010 IFAF Women’s World Championship Medal Games Saturday, July 3, 2010

Gold Medal game

USA 66 Canada 0

Bronze Medal game

Finland 26 Germany 18

Fifth Place game

Sweden 20 Austria 18

Highlights of the day’s media games can be watched on webcast accessible through www.2010WWC.info <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103538329634&s=3401&e=001iN-kY6t7mpNMJa6ONSx0EyL8gqioPmZL2simEEKY-qOnQG6BprIxCsR0dkTFgOfTWcW7zzg2z6ZBpd4mwqXKMOpGyuBJ70qJPN-yTP4sOwQ=> .

SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Finland won the Bronze Medal at the inaugural IFAF Women’s World Championship with a 26-18 win over a valiant Germany team that came within yards of overturning a 26-point deficit to almost send the game into overtime.

Finland running back Merita Bruun of the Helsinki Roosters again won MVP honors for her two trips to the end zone and a dominant rushing display that opened an early advantage.

On a good day for Scandinavia, Sweden took fifth place earlier in the day with a dramatic 20-18 victory over Austria.

Finland took an early lead having forced Germany to punt away the game’s opening possession.  Backed up at the eight-yard mark, Laura Haapaniemi nudged the chains two yards further forward and then a 90-yard touchdown pass from Jenni Wahlberg to Merita Bruun, earned Finland an instant 6-0 advantage.  Wahlberg found Tiina Salo on the two-point conversion play to open up an eight-point lead.

Germany relied on the rushing of Scott to steadily move downfield in reply as she gained five short-yardage first downs, but a pass thrown behind the receiver on third forced another Germany punt.  Duvinage took a fake punt up the middle but agonizingly fell a yard short and Finland took over possession from their own 33.

Bruun’s hard running gained ground for the Finns and then Wahlberg avoided a couple German defenders on the bootleg for Finland’s second touchdown of the first quarter.  Bruun was tackled short on the two-point try, leaving Finland 14-0 ahead with 1:16 left in the first quarter.

Germany added to their own woes by throwing an interception and Finland scored quickly in reply to make it 20-0.  A German punt on the next possession again stifled by the Finland defense was followed by a first play, 76-yard touchdown run by Bruun, earning Finland a convincing 26-point advantage with 3:45 still remaining in the first half.

Germany’s Duvinage missed a 30-yard field goal attempt with seconds left on the clock after she had dropped a third down pass in the end zone.

With Bathseba Buczylowski is in at quarterback for Germany to open the second half, Scott’s rushing continued to gain ground, taking the ball to Finland’s 35-yard line.  Within striking distance of the red zone at the 22, a Sonja Meurer reception and quarterback sneak edged Germany closer to opening their scoring account.

Scott capped the German drive with a touchdown run on third down, but was halted on the two-point attempt to trail 26-6 following an impressive 15-play scoring drive.

The third quarter ended with Germany seeking to overturn a 20-point deficit and MVP of their opening game win Susanne Erdmann of the Nurnberg Hurricanes relieving Scott in the backfield.

Three consecutive Erdmann carries moved Germany rapidly downfield and her hard work was rewarded when she was given the ball again to take a nine-yard carry to the end zone for a touchdown.  A fake extra point attempt fell short, leaving Germany trailing 26-12 with ten minutes to play.

German’s defense halted Finland in reply to put their offense back on the field and Christianne Muller with a great catch and Meurer with a six-yard reception catch from Buczylowski ate up yardage.  The handoff to Erdmann saw her race 43 yards for another Germany touchdown, but a missed extra point left her nation still chasing the game and effectively still two scores behind at 26-18 with 2:16 remaining.

The defense again kept Germany in the game, stopping a fourth and inches quarterback keeper attempt, but with little time remaining to force overtime.

A pass interference call gave Germany a first and 10 from Finland’s 29-yard mark, Duvinage connected with Beastoch for a seven-yard gain and with 43 seconds left Germany were knocking on the door.  But Erdmann was stopped on a third down draw then on fourth and seven the decisive pass fell incomplete allowing Finland’s offense to take a knee and with it the bronze medal.

SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Sweden claimed fifth place at the inaugural IFAF Women’s World Championship with a dramatic 20-18 victory over Austria, who failed to tie the game and force overtime in the dying seconds when a two-point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete.

Austria’s cause was hampered by the loss of one of the stars of the tournament early in the game.  Running back Marie-Theres Michelitsch, who had rushed for 329 yards on 56 carries in the group stages, was stretchered off with a broken foot on her team’s opening drive having gained 27 yards on Austria’s first offensive play of the game.

Sweden recovered from a 12-point deficit to lead by eight until Austria forced the grandstand finish.  The win sees Sweden (1-2) record its first-ever win in international competition and upset the tournament seeding with a climb up one place to fifth against previously fourth-ranked Austria (0-3). MVPs for the fifth place playoff were Nina Kiviharju of Sweden and Austria’s Julia Nusko.

After Sweden opened the contest by punting away possession, Michelitsch tore through 27 yards on the ground on Austria’s first play.  More holes found through Michelitsch’s running led to quarterback Pia Marrara finding Stephanie Konecny for a first down inside the red zone.

Swedish linebacker and MVP of their first game Pillan Plass tackled Michaela Gerstl short of a key first down before Michelitsch moved the chains on third down but was injured and would play no further part.

Austria soldiered on and Carissa Klupper breached the end zone for a 6-0 lead after a failed two-point conversion with 5:22 left in the first quarter.

Austria were again knocking on the door, helped on fourth down by pass interference call, but Plass twice denied then with a tackle for loss of six yards on first down and a crushing tackle on a receiver on the opposite sideline on second down. Again facing fourth and goal, Marrara found Caroline Friedl for a touchdown and a 12-0 Austria lead after another failed two-point try with 9:09 left in the half.

A Plass interception gave Sweden the ball in Austrian territory and the most unusual play of the tournament gave Sweden its first points of the game.  Martina Karlsson threw an interception but the Austrian defensive back ran in the wrong direction and was tackled in her own end zone for a Sweden safety.

Down 12-2 with 5:49 left in the first half, putting points on the board gave Sweden fresh impetus and when Charlotte Gentili fumbled the next play, Erike Hinders picked up the ball and raced 52 yards for a Sweden touchdown to cut the deficit to four points after the extra point attempt was blocked.

Down 12-8 in the third quarter, Sweden blocked an Austrian punt to take over on the edge of the red zone and Karlsson produced a beautiful pass to a striding Anna Persson for a touchdown and Sweden’s first lead of the game at 14-12 after the extra point attempt was no good.

Sweden had an opportunity to extend the lead when another interception gave them first and 10 at the Austrian 15, but Moa Arnfridsson was dropped a yard shy of the marker when seven yards from pay dirt.

Austria gambled deep in their own territory and a fourth down pass was broken up by Plass, giving Sweden a first and goal from the Austria seven-yard mark.  A penalty on Austria followed by a short run took the ball to within inches of the end zone and a quarterback sneak by Karlsson earned Sweden an eight point lead at 20-12 with 1:39 remaining in the game.

Spurred on by a third missed Swedish extra point, Austria drove downfield with the clock ticking, knowing that a touchdown and a two-point conversion would force overtime.

Stribrny produced a perfect pass to Konecny for a touchdown with 34 seconds remaining, but the decisive two-point conversion was dropped and a failed onside kick attempt failed to preserve Sweden’s slim margin of victory.

Germany and Finland play for Bronze Medal, while Sweden and Austria

meet to contest Fifth Place at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2010 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – 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.

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2010 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – The United States will take on Canada for the gold medal at the first ever IFAF Women’s World Championship at 7pm / 1pm EST on July 3 having breezed past Finland 72-0 at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm to top group A with a 2-0 record.

Finland (1-1) will face Germany (1-1) for the bronze medal at 3pm / 9am EST on Sunday after the Germans were beaten 20-12 by Canada (2-0) earlier on Thursday.  Sweden (0-2) and Austria (0-2) will meet at 11am / 5am EST for fifth place.

Kansas City Tribe running back Rusty Sowers claimed a second-straight MVP award as she scored a hat trick of touchdowns among the Americans’ 11 visits to the end zone, with two scoring grabs and the first punt return for six points in tournament history.  Nine different US players scored touchdowns, while linebacker Elina Seppala was named the MVP for Finland.

Team USA has now scored 135 points in two games and conceded none, making them a formidable Gold Medal game opponent for Canada on Sunday.  The Canadians have scored 32 points and conceded 18 in their two wins.

Jenny Schmidt from the KC Tribe started at quarterback for USA after Finland had gone three and out on the opening possession and hit Sowers for a key third down conversion on the Americans’ opening drive.  New York Sharks receiver Adrienne Smith, who scored the first points in IFAF Women’s World Championship history on Sunday, took a quick screen pass for a 17-yard touchdown and a 7-0 USA lead with 8:50 remaining in the first quarter.

Finland recovered a surprise USA onside kick attempt, but after Pittsburgh Passion’s Sharon Vasquez almost intercepted a second down pass from Finland quarterback Jenni Wahlberg, a sack by Olivia Griswald of the Passion on fourth down meant the US took over on downs from their own 35.

The rushing of Sowers, Boston Militia’s Mia Brickhouse and a quarterback sneak on fourth down kept the chains moving and on her fifth carry in a row for, Brickhouse went in for a five-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the Americans 13-0 ahead with 3:03 to play in the first quarter.

An eight-yard Merita Bruun scamper and pass interference call on fourth down gave Finland momentum, but penalties and a tough USA defense forced Finland to punt as the opening quarter came to a close.

USA came out firing in the second and after Desiree Weimann of the South California Breakers took a screen pass for a 35-yard gain, Schmidt tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Sowers for a 19-point advantage after the extra pointer sailed wide.

Bruun and Laura Haapaniemi both earned first downs in reply and Finland had a touchdown called back for pass interference, a penalty that proved costly as a USA sack then resulted in a fumble and USA recovery.

Sowers caught two consecutive receptions from Chicago Force quarterback Sami Grisafe to take the ball to the Finland 25-yard mark and the same combination over 20 yards produced a fourth USA touchdown and a 27-0 lead after a successful two-point conversion.

Finland turned the ball over and both teams were forced to punt before Wiemann took a screen pass from Grisafe 47 yards for another USA score with no time left on the clock and a 34-0 lead at halftime.

Dallas Diamonds two-way player Jessica Springer danced in untouched for another US touchdown and a 41-0 lead and Grisafe added a quarterback sneak for 47-point advantage with 5:55 still left to play in the third quarter.

Melissa Pickett of the New York Sharks took a toss 31 yards for another USA touchdown and a 53-point advantage 2:02 left in the quarter before another quarterback keeper, this time from Melissa Gallegos of the Southern Cal Scorpions brought up 59 points despite another missed extra point.

Finland found it impossible to keep the Americans out of the end zone when punting as Sowers returned a punt for a touchdown and a commanding 65-point lead.

Julie Shockley from the Sacramento Sirens did most of the work on the final US scoring drive and ran the ball in from 15 yards out to complete the 72-point shutout.

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2010 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Canada celebrated its national Canada Day holiday with a 20-12 victory over Germany to earn a berth in the Gold Medal game of the 2010 IFAF Women’s World Championship.  Either USA or Finland will provide opposition in the quest to capture the inaugural women’s championship on Saturday, July 3 at 7pm / 1pm EST at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm.

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.

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2010 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – The International Federation of American Football is holding the first IFAF Women’s Conference in conjunction with the IFAF Women’s World Championship on Friday, July 2 at the Zinkensamms IP in Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden, with representatives from 12 IFAF countries expected to attend the milestone event.

IFAF members from Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States are attending the conference with the goal of increasing female participation in the sport worldwide and raising the profile of the women’s game. The conference will provide a platform for knowledge sharing among countries with established women’s programs and those interested in learning more about developing women’s football.

The conference will be a day long event from 10:00 to 17:00 at the Zinkensdamms IP in Stockholm which is also the location of the IFAF Women’s World Championship games with the medal games being held on Saturday, July 3 with Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Sweden, and United States competing in the tournament.

To kick off the event, IFAF president Tommy Wiking will greet the group before diving into a full day of discussions about women’s international American Football leagues.

After hearing about each country’s stories and development of the sport for women, Samantha Rapoport, who works with Youth Football in the National Football League organization, will address the group about the NFL Girls High School football flag program and the benefits of developing the game that can be used as a feeder system in developing a women’s football league.

Rapoport has undertaken a study on women’s football and will use the information from the meeting as a springboard for her work.

Also speaking at the event will be IFAF Executive Board member Dr. Elesa Argent from the British American Football Association (BAFA).  She will lead a group session discussing issues that may arise when developing a women’s football league.

The participating counties will learn about the women’s competitions available and the national team program including all the planned and upcoming IFAF competitions which will be led by IFAF Junior Vice President Roope Noronen from Finland.

The IFAF Women’s Conference will conclude with an open discussion to tackle – no pun intended – any other issues or questions the IFAF member representatives may have in the development of and enticing interest for a women’s American football league.

For more information regarding the IFAF Women’s Conference contact IFAF Development Manager Jack Reed at jreed@usafootball.com.

2010 IFAF Women’s World Championship schedule

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 vs. Germany

6pm            USA vs. Finland

Saturday, July 3, 2010

11am           Fifth Place game

3pm            Bronze Medal game

7pm            Gold Medal game