Gegen die Gastgeberinnen verlor die AFBÖ-Auswahl knapp mit 18:20 und beendete das Turnier sieglos auf dem sechsten und letzten Platz. Finnland holte sich Bronze gegen Deutschland, die USA deklassierten im Finale Kanada.
Die Österreicherinnen müssen mit RB Marie-Therese Michelitsch (Beinbruch im ersten Viertel) die stärkste Offensivspielerein bislang vorgeben, gingen aber mit Touchdowns von Carissa Klupper bzw. Caroline Friedl mit 12:0 in Führung.
Zwei kuriose scores gab es in Folge für die Gastgeberinnen.
Zunächst gelang den Österreicherinnen eine Interception. Die Verteidigerin lief mit dem Ball jedoch in die eigene Endzone und wurde dort von den Schwedinnen zu Boden gebracht – Safety Schweden. Danach führte ein Fumble Schwedens zum ersten Touchdown für das Drei-Kronenteam, die den Ball durch Erike Hinders selbst erobern und über das halbe Feld in die rot-weiß-rote Endzone tragen konnten. Kurz vor der Pause verletzte sich auch noch Carissa Klupper bei Österreich, ihr Einsatz in der zweiten Hälfte ist fraglich.
Klupper hat sich den Knöchel überdehnt und wird versuchen in Hälfte zwei zu spielen.
Die Offense der Österreicherinnen kommt nach Wiederbeginn ins Straucheln. Nach einem geblockten punt erobern die Skandinavierinnen den Ball an der AUT 20. Kurz danach gehen sie erstmals nach einem Touchdown catch von Anna Persson in Führung.
Das dritte Viertel geht mit einem weiteren schlechten Puntversuch Österreichs zu Ende, welcher Schweden auf der generischen 35 in Ballbesitz bringt. Wieder stellen die beiden Defensiv-Abteilungen alle Angriffe ab. Österrerch muss aus der eigenen Endzone punten und kommt damit nur bis an die eigene 22. Es wird nun eng für sie, die sich sechs Minuten vor Schluss keinen weiteren Score von Schweden leisten können.
Zwei Spielzüge – zwei Interceptions
Saskia Stribrny mit dem pick bei 4th down SWE, Emma Benndorf holt den Ball umgehend für Schweden and der AUT 15 mit einem weiteren pick zurück. Österreich stoppt Schweden an der eigenen 6 – inches for einem neuen 1st down, hat nun aber das ganze Feld vor sich, um das Spiel nochmal zu drehen.
Martina Gerstls 60 yards Lauf wird mit einem Holding Austria zu einem Raumverlust von zehn yards.
Es geht wenig bis nichts mehr mit unserer Offense
Österreich steht vor dem nächsten punt und das tief in der eigenen Hälfte bei weniger als drei Minuten auf der Uhr. Jetzt MUSS etwas passieren, oder wir werden diese WM am letzten Platz beenden.
Und jetzt ist es passiert. Österreich entschließt sich den vierten auszuspielen, inkompletter Pass, Schweden übernimmt an der 7 und Quarterback Martina Karlsson macht das 20:12 aus Sicht Schwedens, der PAT kick geht links daneben. Noch 99 Sekunden zu spielen. Österreich braucht einen TD und eine 2-Point-Conversion zum Ausgleich. GEMMA!
TD Österreich – Stribrny bedient Konecny – jetzt die Conversion… NO GOOD!
Österreich wird einen Onside Kick versuchen, denn es verbleiben nur noch 34 Sekunden auf der Uhr.
Onside Kick out of bounds – Schweden wird abknien und Platz 5 erobern, Österreich muss die Heimreise ohne Sieg auf dem sechsten und damit letzten Rang antreten. Schade.
Heute spielen noch Deutschland-Finnland um Bronze und USA-Kanada um den Turniersieg.
IFAF Women’s World Championship
Final Game
USA vs. Kanada 66:0 (22:0/29:0/9:0/6:0) Spielstatistiken
3. Juli 2010 19:00; Zinkensdamms IP Stadium · Stockholm
3rd Place Game
Finland vs. Germany 18:26 (0:14/0:12/6:0/12:0)
3. Juli 2010 15:00 Uhr; Zinkensdamms IP Stadium · Stockholm
5th Place Game
Austria vs. Sweden 18:20 (6:0/6:8/0:6/6:6)
3. Juli 2010 11:00 Uhr; Zinkensdamms IP Stadium · Stockholm
1. QUARTER
TD AUT Carissa Klupper rush; 6:0; 2 Point Conversion attempt C. Kupper failed (F. Lov)
2. QUARTER
TD AUT Pia Marrara pass to Caroline Friedl; 12:0; 2 Point Conversion attemept failed
Interception AUT; DB running into AUT endzone tackled by SWE – SAFETY SWE; 12:2
TD SWE C. Gentili (SWE) fumbles at SWE 48, recovered by E. Hinders (SWE); Erike Hinders 52 yards rushing TD; 12:8; PAT kick blocked
3. QUARTER
TD SWE Martina Karlsson pass to Anna Persson 12:14 (PAT kick, no good)
4. QUARTER
TD SWE Martina Karlsson rush 12:20 (PAT kick, no good)
TD AUT Saskia Stribrny pass to Stephanie Konecny; 18:20; 2 Point Conversion attemept failed
29. Juni 10 | 19:50 Österreich verliert auch zweites Spiel
Finnland ebenfalls eine Nummer zu groß
Das Österreichische Damen Nationalteam musste bei der ersten WM in Stockholm die zweite Niederlage im zweiten Spiel einstecken. Dem 0:63 gegen die USA folgte ein ebenso deutliches 16:50 gegen Finnland. Damit bleibt nur mehr ein Spiel um Platz 5 gegen Schweden.
FINLAND OPENS IFAF WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN WITH A 50-16 VICTORY OVER AUSTRIA
Finland cruised to a 50-16 victory over Austria thanks to an impressive display of first half offensive fireworks, handing the Austrians their second defeat of the inaugural IFAF Women’s World Championship.
The victory sets up a winner-tales-all clash with the United States for a place in Saturday’s championship game when the two unbeaten teams meet at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm on Thursday, July 1 at 6pm / 12pm EST.
„I think the U.S. has a great defense and are really strong and fast, so our offense has to be even better,“ said Finland head coach Teemu Kuusistoof the upcoming game. „So long as we can score, our defense will need to keep us in the game, but we have to score at least 25 or 30 points and then I think we have a shot. I think the U.S. is still the top team, but we showed today that we should be ranked higher than fifth place.“
The Finns found success during a free-scoring first half by employing an i-formation with receivers split effectively to either side and raced to a 44-16 halftime lead. Three turnovers hurt the Austrian cause as they also moved the ball well, but struggled to execute when within striking distance of the end zone.
„On offense we did exactly what we planned,“ added coach Kuusistoof. „We have a great offense at the quarterback position and we really didn’t have any problems all day.
„We didn’t make any mistakes on defense, but we need to make more tackles, but saying that we were still able to stop Austria’s long drives.“
With Jenni Wahlberg of the Helsinski Demons under center, Finland moved confidently downfield on the opening drive aided by a pass interference call and a crucial fourth down conversion. Helsinki Roosters running back Katri Laine found the end zone to open an early 6-0 lead and Austria might have countered, but fumbled away possession when 17 yards from pay dirt in reply.
Finland capitalized instantly as receiver Sari Kuosmanen of the Jyväskylä Jaguars out-ran her coverage with a perfectly executed reception over the middle for an 83-yard touchdown catch. For the second time, the Finns‘ two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving them 12 points ahead.
Austria hit back as MVP from the opening day loss to USA Marie-Theres Michelitsch of the Raiffeisen Lady Vikings converted on fourth down and then took the ball to the 16-yard mark. Receiver Stephanie Konecny closed out an impressive drive with a superb one-handed catch at the back of the end zone for a touchdown with 38 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Michelitsch, who was also named MVP of Austria’s second game, added the two-point conversion to reduce the deficit to four points.
But Finland responded immediately as team MVP Merita Bruun raced 45 yards untouched for a long touchdown run and then added the two-point conversion herself to open up a 20-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Finnish defensive back Anette Bӓckman of the Demons produced an interception to end a promising Austrian drive at midfield and Finland immediately converted the turnover into points as Bruun followed blocks through the middle and then to the outside for 50-yard rushing score. Brunn added a two-point scamper for a 28-8 lead.
The ever-dangerous Michelitsch broke similarly through Finland’s rushers on the ground, but was caught after 47 yards by Katri Laine of the Helsinki Roosters as she raced towards the end zone. Austria persisted and out of the shotgun formation, Saskia Stribrny of the Raiffeisen Lady Vikings passed for a touchdown to Theresa Grabher and Michaela Gerstl converted the two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 12 points.
Finland again responded as quarterback Jenni Wahlberg of the Demons broke free on a bootleg to the left and followed blocks to cut inside for a 39-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion pass to Tiina Salo of the Jaguars earned Finland a 20-point lead.
Austria was forced to punt in response and Kuosmanen then beat coverage for a touchdown catch from Laura Haapaniemi of the Oulu Northern Lights, leaving Finland 44-16 ahead at halftime after Haapaniemi’s quarterback keeper that followed. Austria might have cut the deficit before the break as the safe hands of Konecny made another impressive catch for a first down in the red zone, but an interception halted a promising late drive.
Turnovers continued to haunt Austria after the break. Thanks to the persistent rushing of Michelitsch, Austria put together a confident long drive to open the third quarter, but then at the Finland two-yard mark, fumbled away possession.
Finland looked to be backed up deep in its own half until Tiia Meskanen of the Demons broke down the left sideline and was forced out of bounds only 14 yards shy of the end zone. Two plays later Finland fumbled the ball when also close to the opposing end zone.
Following a scoreless third quarter that hardly seemed plausible after the first half fireworks, Jenna Suhonen of the Jaguars broke tackles and followed blocks for a persistent 18-yard touchdown run and a 50-16 final score with 9:16 remaining in the contest.
IFAF Women’s World Championship
Finnland vs. Austria 50:16 (20:8/24:8/0:0/6:0)
29. Juni 10 | 13:00
Zinkensdamms IP Stadium | Stockholm
27. Juni 10 | 20:40 USA mit Kantersieg zum Auftakt
Österreichs Damen deutlich unterlegen
Das Österreichische Damennationalteam mussten zum Auftakt der ersten Weltmeisterschaften in Schweden eine deutliche 0:63-Niederlage gegen die USA einstecken.
Die Österreicherinnen gingen als klare Außenseiter in dieses historische, weil allererste Damen-WM-Spiel, die Damen aus den USA werden allgemein als Titelfavoriten gehandelt.
Die US-Ladies wurden vom Kickoff bis zum Abpfiff ihrer Favoritenrolle gerecht. Ihre Defense ließ Österreich nie ins Spiel kommen. Von 14 Pässen unserer Damen kam nur einer an und der für einen Minusyard. Am Boden lief es nicht viel besser, denn mit 33 Laufversuchen kam Frau lediglich 58 yards weit. Die Ausbeute: vier first downs und ein wenig mehr als ein halbes Feld Raumgewinn, gegen ein Team USA, welches mit seiner Offense das Spiel bestimmte. 283 rushing yards, 198 passing yards führten zu neuen Touchdowns für die USA.
Am kommenden Dienstag (Kickoff 13:00) hat das Team von Head Coach Cameron Frickey die Gelegenheit zur Rehabilitation. Mit Finnland trifft man auf einen Gegner, der wesentlich schwächer als die USA einzuschätzen ist. Bei einem Sieg winkt ein Spiel um Bronze.
IFAF Women’s World Championship
USA vs. Austria 63:0 (19:0/23:0/14:0/7:0)
27. Juni 10 | 13:00
Zinkensdamms IP Stadium | Stockholm
FINLAND DEFEATS GERMANY TO WIN BRONZE MEDAL AT
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 Müller 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.
