AUSTIN, TX – Four teams will meet this week for a chance to play for the Gold Medal at the 2012 IFAF Under-19 World Championship and four more go in search of their first win as the action resumes at Burger Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday, July 3, 5pm CT – France vs. Sweden
France and Sweden are familiar foes having met only 207 days ago on September 1, 2011 at the European Junior Championship in Seville, Spain, when France won 21-14 to advance to the final, where they lost to Austria.
The two nations also met at this same stage in 2009 after France had lost their opening game to USA and Sweden had been downed by Mexico. On that occasion, Sweden had the upper hand in a 24-14 victory on the way to finishing sixth overall, while France claimed seventh place. This year, both teams have their sights set on a higher final placing.
Three years ago, having stolen a first quarter 6-0 lead through an interception return for a touchdown, France conceded 24 unanswered Swedish points and left themselves too much ground to recover. A 42-yard interception return to the end zone added to a field goal put Sweden ahead then the damage was truly done 37 seconds before halftime when a fumble recovery was returned 51 yards for a touchdown and France trailed 17-6. Sweden extended their lead in the third quarter and France fought back in the fourth, but had left it too late.
Last Saturday France scored a consolation 26-yard rushing touchdown in a 27-6 loss to Japan, while Sweden were held scoreless as Canada fired 43 points without reply.
Tuesday, July 3, 8pm CT – Panama vs. American Samoa
The first-ever meeting between the third PAFAF (Pan-American Federation of American Football) seed Panama and Oceania’s representative American Samoa sees both nations going in search of their first IFAF Under-19 World Championship win. Expect a tough, physical battle between two teams likely to summon up a bruising rushing offense against defenses equally capable of shutting down an opponent.
Panama was shell-shocked early on by Austria’s explosive offense on Saturday and had conceded 26-points by halftime before stemming the flow in an eventual 40-0 defeat. Panama’s Xavier Ramos became the first player to record a pair of sacks in a single game in the loss.
American Samoa suggested that their eighth seed ranking is a false position by staying with the United States in a 27-6 defeat on Saturday, becoming the first team to score a touchdown against the Americans in four games at this tournament level. Howard Tautu made history with a one-yard second quarter dash to keep American Samoa in contention at halftime.
The Pacific islanders should pose an offensive threat having hammered 93 points past Australia in a qualifying game victory that earned their berth in Austin.
Wednesday, July 4, 5pm CT – Canada vs. Japan
The first semi final, at 5pm on Wednesday, is a repeat of the 2009 clash that saw Canada prevail over Japan to reach the Gold Medal game. On that occasion a 33-yard touchdown catch by Alex Anthony broke Japanese hearts and secured a 38-35 win with only 16 seconds remaining in a thrilling match up.
This year Canada comes into the game having shut out Sweden 43-0, while Japan eased past France 27-7. Canada’s passing attack tied a tournament record with a 77-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Will Finch to Doug Corby.
While Japan’s victory was relatively low key, that too was the case in 2009 when they edged Germany to reach the semis, but then let loose with a combination air and ground attack and a scattering of trick plays. This should be another classic when Canada and Japan line up.
Wednesday, July 4, 8pm – USA vs. Austria
The Fourth of July is a special day for the United States as Americans across the nation celebrate Independence Day. At 8pm CT on Wednesday the U.S. Under-19 National Team will look to add to those celebrations when taking on Austria on home soil at Burger Stadium in the state capital. Team USA aims to return to the Gold Medal game to defend the inaugural junior title won in 2009, while reigning European champion Austria hopes to spring a surprise and upset the party.
“A victory over the United States, particularly in the States, would be a sensation,” said Austrian federation president Michael Eschlböck. “Realistically we know that is not expected of the Austrian team, but I know our coaches and players and will give everything and the United States all will not find us an easy opponent.”
Austria played three quarterbacks in Saturday’s game with two of them – starter Christoph Gubisch and back-up Adrian Platzgummer – completing a combined 10 of 14 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns against Panama.
“They have an excellent quarterback who throws the ball extremely well to some very good receivers,” Team USA defensive coordinator Rick Streiff said. “They also have a solid running game, and they’re good up front.”
The game marks the first time a team from outside the top four seeds has qualified for the final four, following #5 Austria’s 40-0 defeat of #4 Panama. In 2009, top seed Canada, USA (2), Japan (3) and Mexico (4) all prevailed in their opening games.
Games will air on a live webcast on CanadaFootballChat.com at (http://www.canadafoo…/live_games.php).
Schedule (all times CST)
Saturday, June 30
Panama 0 vs. Austria 40
Japan 27 vs. France 6
Canada 43 vs. Sweden 0
USA 27 vs. American Samoa 6
Tuesday, July 3
5 PM
France vs. Sweden
8 PM
Panama vs. American Samoa
Wednesday, July 4
5 PM
Japan vs. Canada
8 PM
Austria vs. USA
Friday, July 6
5 PM
Seventh-Place Game
8 PM
Fifth-Place Game
Saturday, July 7
5 PM
Bronze Medal Game
8 PM
Gold Medal Game
FINAL 2012 Junior National Team roster
Quarterbacks
Will Finch / Burlington, ON
Dallon Kuprowski / Kanata, ON
Hugo Richard / St-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC
Running Backs
Christopher Amoah / Lachine, QC
Andreas Robinson / Dartmouth, NS
Mercer Timmis / Burlington, ON
Receivers
Regis Cibasu / Montréal, QC
Doug Corby / Burlington, ON
A’dre Fraser / Lawrencetown, NS
Tylor Henry / Camrose, AB
Alexandre Huard / Laval, QC
Alexandre Savard / Lorraine, QC
Ryan Smith / Sherwood Park, AB
Offensive Line
Kadeem Adams / Halifax, NS
Louis-Gabriel Beaudet / Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC
Andrew Boisvert / Sherwood Park, AB
Lloyd Constant / Montréal, QC
Emilio Frometa / Sudbury, ON
Nathan Heide / Warman, SK
Erick Lessard / Sudbury, ON
David Knevel / Brantford, ON
Jean-Simon Roy / Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC
Defensive Line
Edward Godin Gosselin / Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC
Quinn Horton / Winnipeg, MB
Jacob Leblanc / Halifax, NS
Clement Lebreux / Candiac, QC
Glen Joorisity / Deer Valley, SK
Adam Melanson / Kentville, NS
Charles Rémy-Sarrazin / Montréal, QC
Brett Wade / Regina, SK
Linebackers
Pierre-Luc Caron / Laval, QC
Tanner Doll / St. Albert, AB
Maxime Drolet / Québec, QC
Nicholas Easterbrook / Laval, QC
Jean-Gabriel Poulin / St-Nicolas, QC
John Rush / Port Robinson, ON
Marc-Antoine Varin / St-Hippolyte, QC
Defensive Backs
Keldyn Ahlstedt / Whitby, ON
Keegan Arnyek / Moose Jaw, SK
Tomy Duperron / Sherbrooke, QC
Khadim Mbaye / Laval, QC
Kevin McGee / Sherbrooke, QC
Rees Paterson / Sherwood Park, AB
Michael Schmidt / Calgary, AB
Kicker, Punter
Louis-Philippe Simoneau / Saint-Hyachinthe, QC
Coaching and Support Staff
Noel Thorpe / Head Coach
Warren Craney / Defensive Coordinator – Linebackers
Pat Boies / Offensive Coordinator
Gilles Lezi / Special Teams Coordinator- Running Backs
Michael Faulds / Quarterbacks
Alain Mainguy / Offensive Line
Kamau Peterson / Receivers
Brian Guebert / Defensive Line
Devin Murphy / Defensive Backs
Patrick Gendron / Athletic Therapist
Jean-Baptiste Laporte / Athletic Therapist
Jeremy Clouthier / Video Coordinator
Jacques Guilbault / Equipment manager
Elliott Richardson / Strength and Conditioning Coach
Players by Province:
Quebec – 20
Ontario – 9
Alberta – 6
Nova Scotia – 5
Saskatchewan – 4
Manitoba – 1
Photo Credit: Pat Kuprowski
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