WATCH TOURNAMENT (all 12 games) LIVE ON CFC:
http://www.canadafoo…/live_games.php
Photos – Practice June 28: Pat Kuprowski
The United States is the championship host and the defending champion, having beaten Canada 41-3 to win the Gold Medal Game in Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in 2009.
Canada will look to improve on its silver medal, which will likely mean overcoming a determined Japan team that pushed the Canadians all the way to the final minute of their semi-final clash three years ago in a 38-35 heartbreaker.
France and Sweden are back on the world stage having finished sixth and seventh respectively in 2009, and there is a European challenger in Austria, the continent’s 2011 junior champion.
Also making their debut at the IFAF Under-19 World Championship are Pan-America’s third seed Panama and the qualifier from Oceania, American Samoa. The South Pacific nation, which only gained IFAF membership in 2010, handed Australia a 93-7 beating in the region’s qualifying game for the right to take part in Austin.
“Three years ago at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, we witnessed some very exciting and competitive games and the emergence of new leaders of our sport on the football field,” said IFAF President TOMMY WIKING.
“The players who illuminate Burger Stadium this summer will then return home as ambassadors for the sport. Their positive experiences will inspire other young athletes to begin playing American football. As a result, I believe the game will develop far beyond the 62 countries who are currently members of IFAF.”
Games between the world’s eight best 19-and-under junior national teams will be played on Saturday, June 30, Tuesday, July 3 and Wednesday, July 4, before the fifth and seventh places are decided on Friday, July 6 and Bronze and Gold Medal Games on Saturday, July 7.
2012 IFAF Under-19 World Championship Game Schedule
All Games will be played at Burger Stadium in Austin, Texas (Central Time)
Saturday, June 30
9:00 a.m.
Panama vs. Austria
11:30 a.m.
Japan vs. France
5:00 p.m.
Canada vs. Sweden
8:00 p.m.
United States vs. American Samoa
Tuesday, July 3
5:00 p.m.
JPN/FRA losing team vs. CAN/SWE losing team
8:00 p.m.
PAN/AUT losing team vs. USA/AMS losing team
Wednesday, July 4
5:00 p.m.
JPN/FRA winner vs. CAN/SWE winner
8:00 p.m.
PAN/AUT winner vs. USA/AMS winner
Friday, July 6
5:00 p.m.
7th place game
8:00 p.m.
5th place game
Saturday, July 7
5:00 p.m.
Bronze Medal Game
8:00 p.m.
Gold Medal Game
* All times local (US CT)
2012 IFAF Under 19 World Championship official seeding:
- United States (#2 in 2009)
- Canada (#1 in 2009)
- Japan (#4 in 2009)
- Panama (not ranked in 2009)
- Austria (not ranked in 2009)
- France (#7 in 2009)
- Sweden (#6 in 2009)
- American Samoa (not ranked in 2009)
2012 IFAF Under-19 World Championship – How They Qualified
USA – automatic host qualifier representing PAFAF (Pan-American Federation of American Football)
Canada – automatic qualifier representing PAFAF (Pan-American Federation of American Football)
Japan – automatic qualifier representing AFAF (Asian Federation of American Football)
Panama – earned the third PAFAF berth when Mexico declined an invitation to enter
Austria – defeated France 24-14 to win the European Junior Championship in Seville, Spain, in 2011 to finish first among three EFAF (European Federation of American Football) qualifiers. Progressed to the final game by beating Germany 14-7 and Denmark 21-16 in the group stages.
France – finished as runner up at the European Junior Championship in Seville, Spain, in 2011 to finish second among three EFAF (European Federation of American Football) qualifiers. Lost 21-14 in the gold medal game to Austria having progressed from the group stages by beating Sweden 24-14 and Spain 55-6. Also won a EJC qualifier 35-0 over Serbia
Sweden – finished in third place at the European Junior Championship in Seville, Spain, in 2011 to complete the three EFAF (European Federation of American Football) qualifiers. Beat Germany 21-14 in the bronze medal game having beaten Spain 28-10 and lost 21-14 to France in the group stages.
American Samoa – triumphed 93-7 over Australia in torrential rain in Gold Coast to become the representative of OFAF (Oceania Federation of American Football).
Qualifying Games results:
EFAF (European Federation of American Football)
Game Venue Competition Date
Czech Republic 24 Italy 19 @ Italy
EFAF EJC qualifier
March, 20, 2010
Grt Britain 18 Netherlands 13 @ Netherlands
EFAF EJC qualifier
May 29, 2010
Netherlands bt. Czech Rep. @ Kragujevac, Serbia
EFAF EJC qualifier
August 20, 2010
Serbia 13 Great Britain 11 @ Kragujevac, Serbia
EFAF EJC qualifier
August 20, 2010
Czech Rep. bt. Great Britain @ Kragujevac, Serbia
EFAF EJC qualifier
August 22, 2010
Serbia 28 Netherlands 15 @ Kragujevac, Serbia
EFAF EJC qualifier
August 22, 2010
France 35 Serbia 0 @ France
EFAF EJC qualifier
April 23, 2011
Denmark 20 Finland 14 @ Denmark
EFAF EJC qualifier
April 30, 2011
Germany 7 Austria 14 @ Seville, Spain
European Junior Championship
August 28, 2011
Sweden 28 Spain 10 @ Seville, Spain
European Junior Championship
August 28, 2011
Austria 21 Denmark 16 @ Seville, Spain
European Junior Championship
August 30, 2011
Spain 6 France 55 @ Seville, Spain
European Junior Championship
August 30, 2011
Denmark 7 Germany 12 @ Seville, Spain
European Junior Championship
September 1, 2011
France 21 Sweden 14 @ Seville, Spain
European Junior Championship
September 1, 2011
Spain 3 Denmark 41 @ Seville, Spain
European Junior Championship
September 3, 2011
Germany 14 Sweden 21 @ Seville, Spain
European Junior Championship
September 3, 2011
Austria 24 France 14 @ Seville, Spain
European Junior Championship
September 3, 2011
OFAF (Oceania Federation of American Football)
Am. Samoa 93 Australia 7
Gold Coast, Australia
IFAF JWC qualifier
February 25, 2012
Qualifying Quick Facts… A total of 18 qualifying games were played in 7 cities in 7 countries on 2 continents… The first game was played on March 20, 2010 and the last qualifier on February 25, 2012, a span of 706 days… American Samoa was the final nation to qualify and had never before entered international competition before playing in Australia.
2009 IFAF Junior World Championship – By The Numbers
8 – nations represented at the IFAF Under-19 World Championship
4 – continents represented in Fawcett Stadium
360 – football players aged 19 and under who will take part in the tournament
80 – football coaches from eight nations
31 – football officials calling IFAF Junior World Championship action
11 – countries represented by IFAF Junior World Championship game officials
12 – games played to determine IFAF’s first Junior World Champion
62 – nations playing American football worldwide as members of IFAF
6,590 miles – Tokyo, Japan to Austin
5,732 miles – Pago Pago, American Samoa to Austin
5,651 miles – Vienna, Austria to Austin
5,251 miles – Stockholm, Sweden to Austin
5,092 miles – Paris France to Austin
1,897 miles – Panama City, Panama to Austin
1,633 miles – Toronto, Canada to Austin
414 – total rushing yards by USA RB David Wilson in three games in 2009
181 – yards rushed in a single game by USA RB David Wilson in 2009
70 – rushing attempts by Germany RB Randall Payne in three games in 2009
8 – rushing touchdowns by USA RB David Wilson in 2009
3 – the next best total of rushing TDs by a player in 2009
686 – passing yards in three games by Japan QB Yuichiro Araka
5 – touchdowns thrown in a single game s. Mexico by Japan QB Yuichiro Araka
287 receiving yards in three games by Japan WR Jumpei Yoshimoto
5 – receiving touchdowns in three games by Japan WR Jumpei Yoshimoto
All Games Available To A Worldwide Audience Via A Webcast
All 12 games of the 2012 IFAF Under-19 World Championship will be streamed live online from Burger Stadium in Austin when the tournament kicks off this weekend.
http://www.canadafoo…/live_games.php
The live webcast will cover the opening games on Saturday, June 30, which begin at 9am CT the second round of games on July 3 and 4 and the July 6 placement games and the July 7 medal games.
Select games also will be telecast in Central Texas on KBVO MyAustinTV. KBVO will air all three U.S. Under-19 National Games. Additional KBVO game telecasts will be announced during World Championship play.
The action kicks off this Saturday, June 30, when two newcomers to the world Under-19 stage meet as reigning European junior champion Austria takes on Panama at 9am CT, enabling American football fans in Panama to tune in at 9am local time and in Austria at 4pm Central European Time.
2009 Bronze Medal winner Japan meets France at 11.30am CT (6.30pm in France / 1.30am Sunday in Japan), followed by a clash between 2009 Silver medalist Canada and Sweden at 5pm CT (6pm ET / midnight in Sweden). When the reigning champion United States faces American Samoa, playing in its first-ever IFAF tournament, at 8pm local time on Saturday, American Samoan fans will be watching at 2pm that afternoon in the South Pacific.
2009 IFAF Junior World Championship Head Coaches
United States
Steve Specht is 74-19 (.796) since becoming the head coach at his high school alma mater following the 2003 season. His Cincinnati St. Xavier High School Bombers have won two Ohio big school championships (2005, 2007), with Specht earning Ohio Division I Coach of the Year honors both times. Specht was the defensive coordinator of the 2009 U.S. Under-19. He also served as U.S. Under-19 head coach on Feb. 1 in Austin, where Team USA lost to the IFAF World Team, 35-29, in the third annual International Bowl.
“I feel really good about this team,” Specht said. “I have a much better feel for this group and the players than I did in 2009.”
Canada
Noel Thorpe is currently the Defensive Coordinator at l’Université de Montréal. From 2008-2010, Thorpe held the positions of Defensive Backs Coach, Special Teams Coordinator with the Edmonton Eskimos and also served as Assistant Head Coach during his last two seasons with the Eskimos. Prior to Edmonton, from 2002-2007, Thorpe served as Defensive Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator with the Montréal Alouettes.
Thorpe, a native of Vancouver, B.C. has won championships at both the CIS and CFL level. He has coached in four Grey Cups, winning in 2002 with the Alouettes.
“We have been looking forward to this opportunity since the selection process started in April,” said Thorpe. “On Friday, players and coaches from across Canada came together as a team for the first time. We have five days of training camp to lay the foundation of our Offense, Defense and Special Teams, and prepare for our opening round game against Sweden.”
Japan
Takao Yamazaki was named coach of the tournament in Canton in 2009 as Japan took the bronze medal. The current head coach at Osaka Sangyo University Junior&Senior High Schoolled his Osaka team to the Christmas Bowl in 2008 and won the Japanese high school championship for the second consecutive year. Yamazaki and the Fighting Angels won the high school championship game four years in succession from 1999 to 2002 and added to that success from 2006 to 2008, winning an impressive seven out of ten championship games.
Panama
Raul Arosemena was a member of the Panama coaching staff the last time they played at an international tournament, finishing fifth among a group of six teams at the NFL Global Junior Championship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“We expect to face strong rivals with more experience in terms of games who are more physical and technical than our team,” said coach Arosemena. “But our boys have enthusiasm, desire, and the mental agility to be able to cope with the commitments of this tournament. The speed and elusiveness of our athletes will complicate things for our opponents.”
Austria
Horst Obermayer was recognized as the Coach of the Tournament at the 2011 European Junior Championship as his Austrian juniors defeated France to win the gold medal. Named head coach in 2009, he had been a longtime defensive coordinator with the Austrian junior team. As a player he had the distinction of scoring the first ever touchdown in the storied history of Austrian powerhouse the Raiffeisen Vienna Vikings, a team he went on to coach.
France
Olivier Moret has been in charge of the French national junior team since 2007 and has been involved with his nation’s coaching set up since 1998. He led France to the silver medal at the 2011 European Junior Championship, building on third place gained in 2008. He also led France at the 2009 IFAF Under-19 World Championship, finishing seventh. Moret was a director of the French Pôle Espoir, which ensures young players can continue their academic studies while learning to play American Football, from 1999 to 2004. In 1987 he was a founder of the Amiens Spartiates, one of the most successful clubs in the French first division.
“We will play the game to win even if their ranking is much higher than ours,” said Moret of his team’s first game against third-ranked Japan. “They will come to win the World Championship and they have put an emphasis on that during their preparation, but we will face Japan believing we can upset them.
“It is a little David against Goliath, but it pleases me as a challenge. Being an outsider we will make them doubt and of course it remains a game of football with its unforeseen events.”
Sweden
Mats Hagsten led Sweden to the 2012 IFAF Under-19 World Championship by claiming third place at the 2011 European Junior Championship with bronze medal game victory over Germany.Facing reigning European champion Germany for the bronze medal and final qualifying spot in Austin, Sweden raced to a 21-point lead and held on to win, 21-14. Hagsten played for and coached with the Örebro Black Knights in Sweden before taking on the junior national team role.
American Samoa
Sausee ‘Pooch’ Ta’ase is the head coach of Faga’itua High School in Pago, Pago, and was the IFAF World Team linebackers coach in 2010 and 2011. Ta’ase graduated from Louisana Tech University before returning to American Samoa to coach at his alma mater. He is the managing and coordinating director of the new USA Football Eastern Star Amerika Samoa program, a non-profit organization leading the development of youth and international amateur football in American Samoa.
Officials for the IFAF Junior World Championship
The International Federation of American Football has announced the officials who will work the 2012 IFAF Under-19 World Championship on June 30 to July 7 in Austin, Texas.
The 31 men representing 11 countries on four continents will join more than 400 players and coaches for the 12 games at Burger Stadium in Austin. The tournament’s eight-team field includes Under-19 national teams from American Samoa, Austria, Canada, France, Japan, Panama, Sweden and the United States.
Countries represented by game officials working the 2012 IFAF Under-19 World Championship: Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Serbia and the United States.
In addition to the five game days, the group will participate in a series of training initiatives to advance their officiating development. Each crew member will analyze his performances from game film following the day’s action. Officials also will use the off days for social opportunities, cultural exchange and to build friendships within the group.
Criteria for selection encompassed recommendations from member federations and an official’s reputation as a teacher. Selection for the July 7 medal games will be based on evaluation of an official’s performances during the first two rounds.
“Our goal was to get a mix of some established IFAF officials with international experience along with officials from countries who have not yet had the opportunity,” said BILL LeMONNIER of Tinley Park, Ill., a veteran college referee who also officiated the 2009 Under-19 World Championship and the 2011 Senior World Championship. “This is a chance for some of these officials to learn on the job then go back to their home countries and train others.”
According to IFAF rules, officials cannot work games involving their home country.
Officials selected for the 2012 IFAF Under-19 World Championship
Country
Officials
Australia (1)
David Sinclair
Denmark (1)
Frank Rasmussen
France (1)
Juan Perez-Canto
Great Britain (1)
Less Connor
Ireland (1)
Michael Smith
Italy (1)
Marco Sala
Japan (1)
Tomoaki Kuzisaki
Mexico (1)
Mario Matos
Poland (1)
Kristopher Walentynowicz
Serbia (1)
Pedrag Pavlovic
United States (21)
Julian Alvarez, Bryan Anderson, Derek Anderson, Alex Barinaga,
Rory Bernard, Eric Carmouche, Joshua Daume, Nick Foreman,
Lubin Garcia, Michael Graham, Timothy Hendrix, Kenny Kelariek,
Bill LeMonnier, Scott McElwee, Kenneth McCants, Benjamin Monzingo, Brian Perry, Marcelo Rodriquez, Alexander Sasser, Bobby Wright Jr., Daniel Young
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