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Mr. White
17th February 2009, 18:03
Articole, Noutati, Comunicate de presa de la Organizatia Internationala responsabila pentru promovarea Fotbalului American si de la Federatia Europeana de Fotbal American.

Din pacate doar in engleza :)

Mr. White
17th February 2009, 18:05
MEXICO QUALIFIES FOR 2009 IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL WITH A 26-0 VICTORY OVER PANAMA


Mexico will compete with Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and the
United States at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, from June 27 to July 5




SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2009, MEXICO CITY – The eighth and final berth at the 2009 IFAF (International Federation of American Football) Junior World Championship has been claimed by Mexico.

The Mexican junior national team defeated Panama 26-0 in front of a noisy 5,000-strong capacity crowd the Estadio Roberto Tapatio Mendez at Ciudad University in Mexico City to become the third and final representative of the Pan-American region to qualify for the inaugural event.

Mexico joins Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States as the eight nations drawn from four continents that will take part in the tournament to be played this summer at Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio from June 27 to July 5. Final seeding and the tournament game schedule will be confirmed shortly.

Mexico raced to a 12-0 first quarter lead and scored four unanswered touchdowns in a convincing 26-0 win. Javier Berny scored on a quarterback keeper on the game's first drive, but Mexico missed the extra point conversion.

Panama replied by making three first downs on an impressive drive, but was denied an opportunity to halve the Mexico lead when a 43-yard field goal was blocked. The physically bigger Mexico team took full advantage on its second offensive possession, increasing the lead to 12 points with a 45-yard touchdown run from Edgar Jesus Arroyo. Mexico's two-point conversion attempt failed.

Panama went three and out in reply before Berny found receiver Sergio Gonzalez for a 30-yard gain to the visitors' six-yard mark, but Mexico was then moved back 30 yards by penalties. Despite being forced to retreat, David Alexis Paz took a screen pass 36 yards for a third Mexico visit to the end zone and a commanding 18-point advantage following another missed extra point.

Panama squandered a golden opportunity to cut the deficit when a dropped pass near the Mexican goal line denied them a chance to put six points on the board. When Erick Sedano came in at quarterback for Mexico, he was intercepted by Panama defensive back Maidir Miller close to midfield. Panama was again unable to take advantage and after the teams exchanged punts, Mexico led 18-0 at halftime.

Panama struggled to move the ball on the first drive of the third quarter, but the visitors' defense kept them in contention with a blocked field goal as Mexico attempted to tag on three more points from 30 yards out. Both defenses were on top in a scoreless third quarter and Panama gained some momentum with a sack at their own 43-yard mark to muster a late comeback.


Any hopes of a Panamanian revival ended when Mexico cornerback Sebastian Miranda came up with an interception as Panama drove into the red zone and returned the ball 85 yards for a touchdown and a 24-0 lead with 5.52 remaining in the game. David Ramirez hit Augustin Octavio Aguirre Colorado on the two-point pass attempt to open an unassailable 26-point margin.

Mexico produced two more interceptions, returning one to the end zone only to have the play called back for an infraction, but the result was already beyond doubt.

Mexico was represented by players from 17 teams or schools: Aguilas Blancas, Borregos Mexicali, Bucaneros, Buhos Patts, Cherokees, Cheyenes Culhuacan, Cheyenes I.P.N., Frailes, Gamos Cum, I.T.E.S.M. Campus Cd. de México, I.T.E.S.M. Campus Sta. Fe, I.T.E.S.M. Campus Toluca, Pieles Rojas, Politos, Redskins, Tigres CCH and U.V.M Guadalajara. The Panama roster consisted of players from four major teams within its borders, the Falcons, Jaguars, Panthers and Stallions.

2009 IFAF Junior World Championship Qualifiers:
PAFAF (Pan-American Federation of American Football): USA, Canada and Mexico
EFAF (European Federation of American Football): Germany, Sweden and France
AFAF (Asian Federation of American Football): Japan
OFAF (Oceania Federation of American Football): New Zealand

Visit the official 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship website at: www.JWCFootball.com.

Mr. White
17th February 2009, 18:07
New EFAF Competitions

EFAF introduces two new international competitions


09/02/2009

The European Federation of American Football has decided to start two new international competitions in addition to EFL and the EFAF-Cup. The Challenge Cup and the Atlantic Cup both start this year, with a total of 11 teams participating.

"The new competitions which will play their inaugural season this year are part of the EFAF Long Time Development Strategy", comments EFAF President Robert Huber. "It is the aim of EFAF to promote American Football in Europe and offer our members opportunities to have attractive competitions. Part of that strategy is to create suitable competitions for all our members. EFAF Challenge Cup and EFAF Atlantic Cup are especially designed for those member federations which have been founded in the last years and those who are not able to compete in EFL or EFAF Cup due to various, for example financial or technical restrictions. Both competitions are based on regional settings which offer low travel costs and are bringing clubs of competitive strength together. The next step will be to establish the next competition on Eastern Europe including Russia, Ukraine and Moldova."

Group A of the Challenge Cup consists of the Vrbas Hunters (Serbia), the Klek Knights (Serbia), the Györ Sharks (Hungary) and the Pomorze Seahawks Gdansk (Poland). Playing in group B are the Kragujevac Wild Boars (Serbia), the Pancevo Panthers (Serbia), the Wroclaw Devils (Poland) and the Italian division 2 champions the Reggio Emilia Hogs.

It is the first time that clubs from Hungary and Serbia participate in an official EFAF tournament. Poland took that step already last year, but this year's Polish representatives are new on European level. For the Italian team Hogs it is also a premier to play in an EFAF competition.

The semi finals will be played the weekend of June 27th-28th. The final is set for the weekend of July 18th-19th.

The first Atlantic Cup is a weekend tournament for three teams. The Amstelland Panthers (Netherlands), the Dublin Rebels (Ireland) and the West-Vlaanderen Tribes (Belgium) play in Brussels the weekend of June 26th-28th.

The club from the Irish island is the first official representative on the European continent in an EFAF competition, but the team from Belgium is the first one back in Europe after a long rest since the late nineties. The Amstelland Junior Team is already known in the Dutch neighbor countries, but now the teams steps first time into Europe with the senior team.

"With our new competitions we have the all time record number of 39 teams playing in EFAF´s club competitions", adds EFAF President Robert Huber.

"This proves that EFAF works closely with our member federations on creating those opportunities. We are really thankful to all our member federations who supported us and we are sure that we will see great football this year."

The full schedule for the Challenge Cup (all times local):

Group A:
Date Home team Guest team
*local time
April 25, pm* Vrbas (SER) Klek (SER)
May 2, pm* Gdansk (POL) Sharks (HUN)
May 16, pm* Vrbas (SER) Gdansk (POL)
May 17, pm* Klek (SER) Sharks (HUN)
May 30, 3pm* Sharks (HUN) Vrbas (SER)
May 30, pm* Gdansk (POL) Klek (SER)


Group B:
Date Home team Guest team
*local time
April 5, 12 am* Wroclaw (POL) Reggio Emilia (IT)
April 26, pm* Kragujevac (SER) Pancevo (SER)
May 16/17, pm* Wroclaw (POL) Kragujevac (SER)
May 16, 8 pm* Reggio Emilia (IT) Pancevo (SER)
May 31, 12 am* Kragujevac (SER) Reggio Emilia (IT)
May 30, pm* Pancevo (SER) Wroclaw (POL)

Uwe Talke, EFAF-Commissioner for Club-Teams, thanks at first the seven federations involved and their presidents.

"Without the assistance and help of the federations we would not have managed it, due to the work of all clubs, their representatives and other persons." And with a view on the fifth EFAF competition in Eastern Europe mentioned before he adds: "The open spots on the European map without American Football - organized by EFAF - are becoming less and are only a few. The additional workload due to the new competitions will be tough, but we will make it."

Mr. White
19th February 2009, 18:58
SEEDING AND FIRST ROUND OPPONENTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2009 IFAF JUNIOR
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE PLAYED AT PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

Top-Ranked Canada Faces New Zealand; Host United States Kicks Off Against France;
European Champion Germany Takes On Japan; Final Qualifier Mexico Will Meet Sweden

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009, PARIS, FRANCE – The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has announced the seeding that determines the first round opponents for teams participating at the inaugural 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship. Eight nations representing four continents will compete at Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, from June 27 to July 5.

IFAF confirmed that Canada holds the number one seed and host the United States will be ranked number two. Mexico will hold the third seed and Japan will be ranked fourth. The seeding will keep those four nations apart during the first round of competition, which kicks off in Canton on Saturday, June 27.

Reigning European junior champion Germany is ranked fifth, followed by continental neighbors Sweden in the sixth slot and France in seventh, while Oceania representative New Zealand is the eighth seed.

“The seeding is determined by three main factors and we feel the eight competing nations have been fairly allocated their ranking,” said IFAF President TOMMY WIKING. “The IFAF Executive Committee considered each country’s performance in previous international junior competition, the size of a country’s domestic junior American football program and the number of years that program has been in place.

“We felt that Canada’s exceptional record in international junior competition during recent years warranted the top seed. The United States is recognized as the home of the sport and has a strong junior program with the biggest number of youngsters playing the game nationwide.

“Mexico and Japan have both been successful on the international stage, while the order of the three EFAF (European Federation of American Football) teams reflects their placing at the European Junior Championship last summer. As a newcomer to this level of competition, New Zealand has been allocated the eighth seed.”

The schedule for the first round pairs Canada with New Zealand, the United States against France, Mexico with Sweden and Japan against Germany in games to be played on Saturday, June 27. The tournament bracket gives the winners of those opening games an opportunity to play for the junior world championship as they will advance to the semi finals, while those teams that lose in the opening round will compete for a fifth place finish overall.

The winner of the Canada-New Zealand clash will face either Japan or Germany in one semi final on Wednesday, July 1. The nation that emerges victorious from the United States and France will take on either Mexico or Sweden in the other semi final on the same day. The consolation rounds will follow the same pairings and will feature the defeated teams on July 1. Fifth and seventh place and the Bronze Medal will be determined in three games on Saturday, July 4, before the Championship Game is played on Sunday, July 5. Kickoff times and the full event schedule will be announced during the build up to the tournament.

2009 IFAF Junior World Championship team information

Canada - Head coach GLEN CONSTANTIN, the head coach of Laval University, will oversee tryouts in eastern, western and central locations across Canada. Players will be invited to camps in Calgary, Alberta (west), Hamilton, Ontario (central) and Montreal, Quebec (east). From those camps, a total of 60 players will attend a final selection camp in Ontario in June and Team Canada will travel directly to Canton, Ohio from there.

United States - All 50 state high school athletic associations and the District of Columbia have been invited to nominate at least 10 players to compose a talent pool from which head coach CHUCK KYLE, of St Ignatius High School in Cleveland, OH, and Team USA's coaching staff will select its roster in spring 2009.

Mexico - Led by ERNESTO ALFARO DEL VILLAR, who is the head coach of the 2007 Liga Mayor university conference champion Burros Blancos from the Instituto Pólitecnico Nacional, Mexico selected players based in Mexico and those living outside the nation’s borders who qualify through nationality for the squad that defeated Panama 26-0. Further practices will be held at Campo de I.P.N. Zacatenco and Campo de Buhos in Casco de Santo Tomas.

Japan - Under Osaka Sangyo University Junior & Senior High School head coach TAKAO YAMAZAKI, players selected from two tryouts will take part in a training camp at Ritsumeikan University from February 27 to March 4. Team Japan will prepare by playing against a visiting American all-star team in the second annual Global Challenge Bowl on Saturday, March 21 in Kawasaki.

Germany - The reigning European junior champion has a unique coaching structure in place with offensive coordinator MAX VON GARNIER and defensive coordinator ANDREAS REICHEL coaching under the guidance of Director of Top Sport for Youth PETER SPRINGWALD. The system worked to great effect in Sevilla, Spain, in the summer of 2008 as Germany defeated Finland, Denmark, Austria and Sweden to win the European crown.

Sweden - Head coach JAN JENMERT believes he will benefit from retaining the majority of his young squad that suffered a narrow 9-6 loss to Germany in the 2008 European Junior Championship final. Jenmert offered an interesting insight into his team’s preparations when speaking at the AFCA Convention in Nashville in January, detailing some unorthodox practice methods for during the week of a tournament.

France - France will hold the first of three one-week training camps from February 23-28 in Amiens before playing an exhibition contest against the Dutch junior national squad. Head coach OLIVIER MORET has enlisted the help of SEBASTIEN SEJEAN, a former member of France’s junior national team and graduate of the Football Academy of Amiens, who hopes to inspire the 58 players invited to camp by talking about his time as a member of the St Louis Rams practice squad.

New Zealand - Representing Oceania for the first time in international competition, the Ironblacks will be led by head coach MICHAEL MAU’U, who guided his team to a 12-7 qualifying win over rival Australia in Canberra in January. New Zealand will delight the Canton crowd with a pregame traditional Maori dance called the Haka, which is performed by all its international teams.

2009 IFAF Junior World Championship seeding:
1. Canada, 2. United States, 3. Mexico, 4. Japan, 5. Germany, 6. Sweden, 7. France, 8. New Zealand

Football fans wishing to travel to Canton, Ohio to enjoy the spectacle of eight nations competing at the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship can take advantage of a full travel package service offered by Sports Travel & Tours. Full details and prices are available at: http://www.usafootball.com/jwc/tickets.

Mr. White
27th February 2009, 10:45
Taking Their Game On The Road

One day not long after the 2001 attacks, Joe Getter and his wife’s cousin Joe Hansbury had the television on; just flipping through the channels and looking for something to watch. They stopped dead in their remote-clicking tracks at ESPN.

“It was a special on New York City police and fire football teams,” Getter remembers. “It was right after 9/11. They played a game and got a big crowd, and ESPN did it up nice for them.”

Hansbury, who’s a cop in the Northeast, said to Getter, who’s not: “We should do this.” And so, says Getter, “we did.”

In the spring of 2002, the Philadelphia Blue Flame, a semi-pro football team made up of cops and firefighters from Philadelphia and surrounding areas, made its debut. Getter can’t forget: “That first year, when they lined up and looked like a team, there was a lot of pride in that.”

In their time, members of the team have played more than a few away games against their brothers in the National Public Safety Football League—as far away as California, Texas, Illinois and Florida. Come February 28, they’ll make their longest trip ever. They’ll be on a field in Dingle, County Kerry, suiting up against the University of Limerick Vikings as part of the Páidi Ó Sé Festival. (Ó Sé is well known in Ireland law enforcement and athletic circles. A former member of the Garda Síochána (the police), he also is remembered as a GAA champion footballer. Serendipitously, Páidi also owns a pub.)

American football, it turns out, is gaining a following in Ireland. (As if Irish football and hurling aren’t punishing enough.) Though the Americans are likely to give them a run for their money, the Vikings aren’t going to be pushovers. “Limerick won their league last year,” says Getter, who serves as treasurer of the Blue Flame. On the other hand, he adds, the boys from Philly grew up with the game. “Everybody on our team played high school and some played college. They all played youth football.”

The story of how the Blue Flame wound up going to Ireland starts with Páidi Ó Sé. Ó Sé had long wanted to bring American football into the mix at his festival, Getter says.

“Originally, Páidi approached the New York football teams,” says Getter. “They reached out and started talking to NYPD about a game over there against us.” Joe Hansbury, who’s a vice president of the team, said yes right away.
“Unfortunately, the New York team bailed out of the game,” says Getter. “By the time all the details got worked out, the New York guys basically got through Christmas and decided they didn’t have the money to make the trip.”

Hence, the match-up against the University of Limerick.

The Blue Flame expects to begin its season—they play in the spring—with about 50 guys. Of these, perhaps 34 players are expected to make the Ireland trip. Add in coaches and staff, and the trip is likely to cost about $32,000. The players are going into their own pockets for that.

For most of the players, many of whom are of Irish ancestry—and more than a few are associated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians—this will mark their first trip to Ireland. Understandably, they’re quite excited.

“Our hosts have a nice itinerary lined up for us,” says Getter. “They’re going to teach the whole team set dancing at Páidi‘s bar. He’s hired an instructor, and it should be fun just watching the guys do this.”

One of the highlights of the trip will be a special Mass for law enforcement officers in Ireland and the United States—and particularly slain Philadelphia Officer Patrick McDonald, former star athlete at Archbishop Ryan High School and a dedicated member of the Blue Flame. “Patrick played for us three years,” says Getter. “His mother, father and sister are making the trip with us as our guests.”

Getter still remembers McDonald—number 34—scoring a touchdown against a Chicago team in a league game at Soldier Field.

After the team returns, the real hard work of the team begins with the beginning of the season. While most of the team members come from the Philadelphia departments, there are a few other members from the suburbs, including Newtown, Lower Makefield, Warrington and Gloucester County, South Jersey. There’s also a SEPTA officer and a school cop. The youngest player is 21; the oldest, 47. Most games are played at Northeast High School.

On top of being able to pay their own way—and it costs about $65,000 a year to field the team—league rules require that the team raise funds for local charities. Members of the Blue Flame more than do their bit. “Our team, finishing up 2008, has donated more than $115,000 in cash to local charities since our inception,” says Getter. “It’s pretty cool stuff.” Organizations as varied as the Police Athletic League, the Hero Thrill Show, Pegasus Riding Academy for Disabled Children and Susan G. Komen for the Cure have benefited from the Blue Flame’s largesse.

Fund-raising activities include a police and fire boxing tournament at the National Guard Armory President’s Day Weekend.

Of course, the team also raises funds for the families of officers killed in the line of duty. On April 25, they’ll honor one of their own. “We’re going to have a Pat McDonald memorial game and retire his jersey,” says Getter. “Proceeds go to his family’s memorial fund for scholarships.”

Source: http://www.irishphiladelphia.com/blueflame
News From IFAF

Mr. White
27th February 2009, 10:53
Field set for junior world football tournament coming to Canton this summer

CLEVELAND - The field is set for the inaugural junior international football tournament that will be played in Canton this summer.
The eighth spot was filled Saturday when the Mexican junior national team defeated Panama, 26-0.

Rounding out the field for the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship is the United States, which will be coached by St. Ignatius' Chuck Kyle, as well as Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Sweden.

The tournament runs June 27 to July 5 and will consist of 12 games, which will be played at Fawcett Stadium. The schedule and seedings are to be determined, as is USA's roster of high school standouts from across the country.

Source: http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-2059968432/field-set-for-junior-world-football-tournament-coming-to-canton-this-summer/
News from IFAF

Mr. White
5th March 2009, 11:01
The EFAF board has assigned Wolfgang Geyer from Austria as new EFAF Director of Flag Football Development

Wolfgang Geyer has started 1978 as player in Tackle Football. He was captain of the Austrian national team for years and participated at the first EC 1983. Also he was an official on the highest international level, including some Euro Bowl finals and some college games in the USA. Coaching Tackle and Flag with the national team complete the jobs at the game site he made.

In the year 1998 he started to develop Flag Football in Austria and managed the FLA (Flag Liga Austria) since the beginning. Beside that he was part of the LOC for the first WC 2002 and EC 2003 for Flag held in Austria.

This big range of experience on and off the field brings a lot of knowledge into this position. To have a view as player, coach and official as well as manager and organisation member will help to fulfil the job.

“I understand Flag as a partner for Tackle, not as opponent!”, he said. And asked about his goals he said: “To bring continuity in the development of European Flag Football and establish it in all countries as part of the football family.”

Mr. White
19th March 2009, 18:41
GAME TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Tickets for 12-Game International Tournament in Canton, Ohio, Available at JWCFootball.com

Tickets for football’s first junior world championship are now available at www.jwcfootball.com <http://www.jwcfootball.com/> or by calling 1-800-574-5874.

The 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship – the world’s first football tournament featuring the best high school-aged national teams from four continents – kicks off in Canton, Ohio, on June 27. All games will be played in historic Fawcett Stadium, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game and Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremonies. All-day general admission tickets are $10; reserved tickets to all 12 tournament games are $50 and are available at www.jwcfootball.com <http://www.jwcfootball.com/> and via phone at 1-800-574-5874.

National football teams, aged 19 and under, from the following eight countries have qualified for the right to play in the first IFAF Junior World Championship (listed in order of seeding): 1. Canada; 2. United States; 3. Mexico; 4. Japan; 5. Germany; 6. Sweden; 7. France; and 8. New Zealand.

Games will be played on the following days:

&Oslash; Saturday, June 27: Round 1, Opening Ceremony and four games beginning at 10 a.m.;
&Oslash; Wednesday, July 1: Round 2, four games beginning at 10 a.m.;
&Oslash; Saturday, July 4: Medal Round, three games beginning at 1 p.m.;
&Oslash; Sunday, July 5: Gold Medal Game and Medal Ceremony, Kickoff TBD

IFAF Junior World Championship Ticket Packages:

Tournament Package $50
&Oslash; Reserved ticket for all four rounds, including all 12 games

Round One & Two Package $25
&Oslash; Reserved ticket to all four games on 6/27 and all four games on 7/1

Championship Package $25
&Oslash; Reserved ticket to all three games on 7/4 and Gold Medal Game on 7/5

All-Day Game Tickets
&Oslash; Reserved – $15
&Oslash; General Admission – $10
&Oslash; General Admission, Under-18 – $6

Football fans wishing to travel to Canton, Ohio to enjoy the spectacle of eight nations competing at the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship can take advantage of a full travel package service offered by Sports Travel & Tours. Full details and prices are available at: http://www.usafootball.com/jwc/tickets.

Mr. White
27th April 2009, 23:41
2009 IFAF Notes-36


NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS SELECT THE FIRST EVER EUROPEAN-TRAINED PLAYER IN NFL DRAFT HISTORY

Former Düsseldorf Panthers and German junior national team offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer is selected in the second round (58th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009 – Offensive lineman SEBASTIAN VOLLMER made American football history when he was selected in the second round (58th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots with their fourth overall pick.

Vollmer becomes the first European-trained player to be drafted by an NFL club having started his career with the Düsseldorf Panthers from 2001 to 2003, winning two German championships. The former University of Houston lineman also represented his country at junior national level, making the all-star team of the 2002 EFAF (European Federation of American Football) European Junior Championships in Scotland as Germany was defeated by Russia in the final.

Vollmer was scouted by the University of Houston at the 2003 NFL Global Junior Championship tournament played in San Diego during the week of Super Bowl XXXVII when he starred for a European all-star team against national teams representing Canada, Japan and Mexico and a US team selected from Southern California.

“Sebastian’s high draft pick gives us great pleasure here in Germany,” said PETER SPRINGWALD, who coached Vollmer for three years at the all-star level in Germany and will oversee the Team Germany challenge at the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio this summer. Eight nations from four continents – Canada, USA, Mexico, Japan, Germany, Sweden, France and New Zealand - will compete at Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame (www.JWCFootball.com <http://www.JWCFootball.com> ) from June 27 to July 5.

Springwald added: “We continue to work very hard to develop players, especially through our youth program and we have a lot of talented players here. I am sure that this draft will help our players. I hope that now some more of the American scouts will look to Europe and especially to Germany.”

Vollmer said of his selection by the Patriots: “I always set my goals really high, but I was super-excited; I was super-happy when I received the phone call. I was hoping and my prayers were answered.

“I think that I’m coming in just to learn things, to learn the system, to become a better football player. I think that that’s really the right place for a guy like me just to develop and become a better player. It’s just amazing to be a part of this. I thought I got a pretty good basic education when I was playing ball in Germany.”

Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK said of Vollmer: “I think he’s certainly a developing player. I don’t think he’s had quite the football experience that quite the other football players have had, but he’s playing. It’s not like Stephen Neal, or even a guy like [Matt] Cassel, who didn’t really play in college. Is he as polished as some players at that position? Probably not, but he has a lot of good tools to work with. He’s a tough kid, very smart, well-conditioned athlete. He’s a big man. Like everybody, he has a lot of work to do. But I think he’ll work hard and try to do what we ask him to do. So I think he has a chance.”

Mr. White
27th April 2009, 23:44
Transcript of offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer,

New England Patriots second-round draft pick (58th overall)

April 25, 2009, Conference Call

Q: Can you just talk a little bit about your start in football? I think you’re kind of a unique case, being a guy from Germany that ends up getting drafted.
SV: I was always involved in athletics. I played soccer and I was a swimmer for about 10 years when I was in Germany. When I was about 14 years old I started playing football. In my hometown of Dusseldorf, there was a club team called the Dusseldorf Panthers and I absolutely loved it. I ended up playing for the German national team and for the European All-Star team. In 2003, we came to San Diego to play in the (NFL) Global Junior Championships. The year after that we play in Germany again for their national title. There were 8-to-10 college coaches there who recruited me and, about a year later, I ended up in Houston.

Q: How did you pick Houston and what were some of the other schools that were interested?
SV: I really liked Houston because I connected with the coach [Kevin Sumlin] and I thought it was a good organization. I thought they were up and coming so that kind of made sense for me. Some of the other schools were Indiana, Western Michigan, Louisiana Tech, New Hampshire, Delaware.

Q: What were your expectations coming into today? Did you think you’d go on the first day of the Draft?
SV: I was certainly hoping. I always set my goals really high. But I was super-excited; I was super-happy when I received the phone call. I was hoping and my prayers were answered.

Q: What was your contact with the Patriots prior to the Draft?
SV: Coach [Dante] Scarnecchia came down to Houston and he worked me out. So I got to know him and we talked for a little bit. That was pretty much my contact.

Q: What were your impressions of the Patriots? What did you know about this organization?
SV: I think that it’s a great organization, good people. I really like the O-line coach. I think that I’m coming in just to learn things, to learn the system, to become a better football player. I think that that’s really the right place for a guy like me just to develop and become a better player. It’s just amazing to be a part of this.

Q: How did you get your nickname [Sea Bass]?
SV: Oh, um. I think I actually got it before I arrived in Houston. I can’t tell you how or who created the name, but it’s always stuck with me. I go by “Sea Bass” I guess.

Q: Obviously, you’re a big guy. What are your strengths and weaknesses? You’re athletic. I see that you’re a former tight end.
SV: I think that I’m a pretty athletic guy, but I’m just coming in learning and trying to be better at everything and learning everything that there is to learn and soak everything in as much as I can.

Q: How much was your back an issue to you over the last two seasons?
SV: Not at all. Not an issue at all.

Q: Do you consider yourself a raw prospect? Seeing that you’re a little bit later to the game of American football than most of the people that are going to get drafted and that you’ll be playing against.
SV: Like I said, I know I have to work on a lot of things. I’m just glad I can learn under Coach Scarnecchia and he can make me a better football player. I’m just going in and trying to learn the system, the technique, everything.

Q: Do you happen to know where you fall in terms of guys drafted from Germany on the first day?
SV: I’m not quite sure if there are too many others like that.

Q: Your biography said that you didn’t speak any English until you got to Houston, is that true?
SV: I took a couple of classes in high school when I was in Germany, but I was definitely not fluent. When I first got there I would talk, talk to myself, learned the language and just got better at it over time.

Q: Was it difficult to learn English while trying to learn football at the same time?
SV: Yeah, sometimes it was hard but football is kind of an outlet where you can relax, do what you know and do what you love to do. It’s more like a release and an outlet, so it’s really not something that’s… it’s hard but in a good way. That’s what I came here for and took the weight off.

Q: The Patriots had a player in the past (DL Daniel Benetka) who said he used Madden, the video game, to learn football. Did you do anything like that? Read books or play video games?
SV: I thought I got a pretty good basic education when I was playing ball in Germany. I learned to play when I got to Houston. I watched a lot of film of practices or of a game, so that’s how I was taught. I taught myself.

Q: Did you follow NFL Europe when it was over there?
SV: Yes, I did.

Q: Did that influence your desire to play?
SV: I definitely liked watching it and my hometown, not far away in Dusseldorf. I was a fan. I watched them play. I always aimed wanting to be at the highest level. That probably had something to do with it.

Q: Did you wonder why you weren’t invited to the combine?
SV: No. I really wish I could have because I feel like I could have competed with a lot of these guys, but unfortunately I couldn’t invite myself. So I knew I had to work even harder to put up a good pro day.

Q: What is your hometown of Kaarst like and how do you think that will compare to coming to New England?
SV: It’s really small. It’s a really small town. It gets cold at times. I really haven’t been to New England yet so I’m excited to see the city and be a part of the organization.

Mr. White
16th May 2009, 02:53
NFL in talks on London Super Bowl

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/american_football/8016358.stm [IFAF Info]

The NFL has had "substantive talks" with officials in London about holding the Super Bowl in the city, a senior league official has told BBC Sport.

While commissioner Roger Goodell has previously admitted an interest in bringing the game to London, this is the first confirmation of discussions.

"We've spoken on what it would take to host and for us to bring it over," said events vice-president Frank Supovitz.

"The city has all the facilities needed, and in great quantity."

Supovitz was talking in New York City where the NFL Draft will take place this weekend.

"We have had very substantive conversations with the city of London. We've got to the point of exploring the bid document," he added.

Visit London, the capital's official visitor organisation, confirmed that it was pursuing a long-term ambition to bring the Super Bowl to the city.

"Ever since the NFL began playing games in London we have been in discussions with the NFL about what is involved in staging Super Bowl from the host city perspective," said commercial director David Hornby.


"It continues to be something we discuss on a regular basis, without there being any specific timetable or plan in place."

The venues for the next three Super Bowls have already been decided with Dolphin Stadium in Florida, Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas and the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana putting together successful bids.

But London has become the focal point for the NFL's desire to expand the sport globally, and bringing the sport's showpiece event to the city appears to be a real possibility.

Mark Waller, NFL Head of Sales and Marketing, said: "The NFL is a global property, has a global audience, and London is an incredible city from a sports fan's perspective. I don't think it's an unrealistic prospect at all."


There is certainly good reason for the NFL to believe that a Super Bowl in London would create sufficient interest for the game to be a success.

In October 2007, the NFL staged its first regular season game outside of the Americas, with over 80,000 fans at Wembley watching the New York Giants defeat the Miami Dolphins.

Last year, 83,000 supporters turned out to watch the New Orleans Saints beat the San Diego Chargers.

Visit London estimate that the match brought about &pound;20m to the city with 7,000 team employees, sponsors and their guests crossing the Atlantic.

Tickets for this year's game in October between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots sold out more quickly than for the previous two contests.

However, if London is to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, it will not be for quite some time.

"It won't happen in the next three or four years because we know where the Super Bowls will be, but these are exciting opportunities for us," Supovitz said.

Mr. White
3rd June 2009, 10:41
AMERICAN FOOTBALL IN KOREA


Source: IFAF (http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/05/26/200905260014.asp)

American football has been trying to make inroads into Korea for decades, with limited success. But that's not to say that there has been no success.

The Korean American Football Association is a fully organized, sponsored league with teams around the country.

While it isn't exactly a community league in the sense that anyone can sign up, tryouts are open to the public. It consists of mostly Korean players, but there are some expats.

Quarterback Reid Cockburn has been in the league for three years. "The intensity is much different; they are more respectful. After the whistle goes, the guys leave the field," he said in a previous interview with Expat Living. "And because the average size is smaller than back home, the hits are not as big, but their intensity is pretty high."

Cockburn was a veteran varsity player in North America, having played for the University of Windsor, in Ontario. "It's great because all the practices and the games are on weekends," said Cockburn. "And in my opinion, there are few injuries you can't work through."

Now president of the Korea American Football Association -- the governing association of American football in Korea -- Park Kyung-kyu has the difficult task of organizing American football's college and club leagues, gaining much-needed sponsorship, and boosting fan support.

The Korean National Football League has college teams and a non-college club division. There are just fewer than 40 college teams and eight club teams. The club and college divisions have a separate championship game, with the winner of each squaring off in the Kimchi Bowl, the overall championship.

"Football will dominate. I don't know when it will, but it has everything; hitting, strategy, and speed. It is like a war," he said. "It just needs time to achieve (success in Korea)," noted Park. He said that football has come a long way over the last 50 years.

"In 1966, 43 years ago, there were only five college teams, whereas now there are 36 colleges that have American football teams."

Yoo Jae-hyuk, cornerback for the Seoul Vikings, says expats are welcome to come to tryouts.

"Some expats have a thirst for football," said Yoo. "This game could help them quench their thirst, and learn some Korean words at the same time."

He pointed out there are many players both on his team and other club teams that speak English, and that there is a lot of networking possibilities.

If anyone is interested in watching or playing with the Korea National Football League, feel free to contact Yoo at jayhyuck@naver.com or go to www.kafa.org

League play starts in October, but the teams are currently practicing every second weekend.

By Matthew Lamers

Mr. White
15th June 2009, 11:17
Tirol Raiders go for repeat
The defending EFL champions, the Swarco Raiders Tirol take their high octane offense against the Finnish champions Porvoo Butchers in the semifinal on Saturday.

EFL

The Raiders aim to repeat their championship from last year, and also continue the five year winning streak of Austrian teams in the Eurobowl. The Butchers have reached the EFL semifinals for the first time, and try to become the first Finnish team since 1988 to reach the biggest stage of European club football. The first two Eurobowls were won by Finnish teams (TAFT Vantaa in 1986 and Helsinki Roosters in 1988), but Finnish clubs have not played in the final since.

Having won both group games and their quarterfinal against the Seinäjoki Crocodiles, the Butchers now face the challenge of slowing down the maybe most powerful offense in the continent. The Raiders have been scoring in big numbers in both the AFL and the EFL. In the quarterfinal they crushed the Braunschweig Lions 35-7. The offense is led by the number one passer in the AFL, Jason Johnson. He does not have a favourite target, but rather spreads the ball around, mainly to Matt Epperson, Jakob Dieplinger and Andreas Propeller. In ten AFL regular season games, Johnson threw 29 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

"Our Offensive Staff does a great job with preparation and along with a
very smart QB they make it look pretty easy. The work ethic on our team is very good and the offense is always prepared, which in turn makes our defense pretty good also," says Raiders head coach Santos Carrillo.

In Austria, the regular season champs are now waiting for a semifinal opponent from the wildcard round.

"We just take one week and one game at a time. We can't lose our focus
from the job at hand and that is the Butchers. I also try to let my guys
relax every chance I get. It's a long season and we don't have a lot of
players so they really need it and deserve it."

The Butchers are the winners of the Finnish championship from the past four years. In Finland, they've played tweo games of the Maple League, and won them both. The offense is lead by quarterback Cedric Johnson, who is a threat both on the groung and in the air. The roster includes two players who participated in the NFL International player development program, lineman Seppo Evwaraye and lineman/tight end Iiro Luoto. Both also played in NFL Europe. evwaraye also was the starting offensive lineman for the University of Nebraska.

"The Raiders have no weaknesses. There is a lot of good players, so we can not try and stop just one player. In the Maple League we have relied a lot on big plays, but now we have to be patient with our offense", head coach Sebastian Lind says.

Mr. White
19th June 2009, 20:02
EUROBOWL XXIII

EFAF Board of Directors had decided on June 19, 2009 to award the right to host and organize EURO BOWL XXIII, the European Championships game of the European Football League (EFL) to Innsbruck. The game will be played July 11, 2009. The kickoff time, 8pm , was decided in cooperation with the ORF (the public owned national TV broadcaster of Austria). Home of EURO BOWL XXIII will be Tivoli New, UEFA Soccer European Championship 2008 stadium which was in use for EURO 2008.



The decision in favor of Innsbruck considers the stadium and event quality at Innsbruck proven with EURO BOWL XXII in 2008.



Background:



Any team, club, event agency or marketing company whether profit or nonprofit may apply to be awarded with the right to host and organize the EURO BOWL. Any host has to provide some minimum hosting requirements which include a fair share of the economic value of the Bowl between the host, the two participating teams and EFAF as tournament organizer. This can be found at §4, 21 Regulation for Club Team and Club Team Competitions in the download section of www.eurobowl.info. Usually the applicants provide the travelling team with support to the travel costs. The share allocated to EFAF is used to cover the organizational costs of the whole European Football League and especially the EURO BOWL itself. Furthermore the income out of club team competitions is used by EFAF to fund development programs for coaches, officiating, youth and to support the growth in quantity and quality of American Football and clubs in Europe.



Any applicant may by own decision offer an higher share of the profit to all parties involved if the applicant feels that he is able to afford it.



The final decision of the EFAF Board of Directors is based on a catalogue of criteria which includes e. g. (but not limited) stadium quality, overall quality of the event, expected crowed, media coverage, economic impact and general strategically impacts.

Mr. White
26th June 2009, 14:07
COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: TEAMS FROM EIGHT NATIONS AND FOUR CONTINENTS KICK OFF THE 2009 IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP



Fawcett Stadium adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Welcomes the World


CANTON, OHIO - The wait is almost over. The countdown to kickoff has begun and teams representing eight nations and four continents are poised for action at Fawcett Stadium adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The inaugural IFAF (International Federation of American Football) Junior World Championship will kick off on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 10am when number one seed Canada takes on the team that has traveled the furthest for the opportunity - from 8,460 miles away - New Zealand.

The action continues at 1pm when Japan faces Germany and at 4pm when Mexico meets Sweden. The first ever nationally selected team from the United States, which was assembled by USA Football, will play its first historic game against France at 8pm following the official opening ceremony at 7pm.

"On behalf of IFAF and the more than 50 countries on five continents that love and play organized football, we are ecstatic to have the world's best compete in the world's greatest football setting," said IFAF President TOMMY WIKING.

Games between the world's eight best 19-and-under junior national teams will also be played on Wednesday, July 1 and Saturday, July 4, before the Gold Medal Game is contested on Sunday, July 5.

FOX College Sports will provide live television coverage of the Bronze Medal Game LIVE on Saturday, July 4 at 7:00 PM ET and the Gold Medal Game LIVE on Sunday, July 5 at 1:00 PM ET. For the first time, FoxCollegeSports.com will present a live stream of the event, coinciding with FCS' Live broadcast, meaning an international audience can also tune into the medal games online.

The four games on June 27 and July 1 and the fifth and seventh pace games on July 4 will be streamed free of charge through the event's official website www.JWCFootball.com.

The website also features team rosters, interviews with all head coaches, and all the latest news from teams practices at Walsh University where all eight teams are hosted in an international-style village.

The next IFAF Junior World Championship is scheduled for 2012, and it will be held every two years after that.



2009 IFAF Junior World Championship
Game Schedule

All Games will be played at Fawcett Stadium
at the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Saturday, June 27

10am Game 1 Canada vs. New Zealand

1pm Game 2 Japan vs. Germany

4pm Game 3 Mexico vs. Sweden

7pm Opening Ceremony

8pm Game 4 United States vs. France


Wednesday, July 1
10am Game 5
Losing team Game 2 (JAP/GER) vs. Losing team Game 1 (CAN/NZ)

1pm Game 6
Losing team Game 3 (MEX/SWE) vs. Losing team Game 4 (USA/FRA)

4pm Game 7
Winning team Game 1 (CAN/NZ) vs. Winning team Game 2 (JAP/GER)

7pm Game 8
Winning team Game 4 (USA/FRA) vs. Winning team Game 3 (MEX/SWE)

Saturday, July 4

1pm 7th place playoff
Losing team Game 6 vs. Losing team Game 5

4pm 5th place playoff
Winning team Game 5 vs. Winning team Game 6

7pm Bronze Medal Game
Losing team Game 8 vs. Losing team Game 7

* Home teams to be decided

Sunday, July 5

1pm Gold Medal game
Winning team Game 7 vs. Winning team Game 8

* All times local (US ET)


2009 IFAF Junior World Championship official seeding:

1. Canada
2. United States
3. Mexico
4. Japan
5. Germany
6. Sweden
7. France
8. New Zealand


2009 IFAF Junior World Championship - How They Qualified

Canada - automatic qualifier representing PAFAF (Pan-American Federation of American Football)

USA - automatic host qualifier representing PAFAF (Pan-American Federation of American Football)

Mexico - defeated Panama 26-0 on February 14, 2009, in front of a noisy 5,000-strong capacity crowd the Estadio Roberto Tapatio Mendez at Ciudad University in Mexico City to become the third and final representative of PAFAF (Pan-American Federation of American Football).

Japan - automatic qualifier representing AFAF (Asian Federation of American Football)

Germany - defeated Sweden 9-6 to win the European Junior Championship in Seville, Spain, in July 2008 to finish first among three EFAF (European Federation of American Football) qualifiers. Progressed to the final game by beating Austria (7-0), Denmark (20-7) and Finland (34-7) in the group stages.

Sweden - finished as runner up at the European Junior Championship in Seville, Spain, in July 2008 to finish second among three EFAF (European Federation of American Football) qualifiers. Narrowly lost 9-6 in the gold medal game to Germany having progressed from the group stages by beating France (20-13), Russia (27-0) and Spain (40-0).

France - finished in third place at the European Junior Championship in Seville, Spain, in July 2008 to complete the three EFAF (European Federation of American Football) qualifiers. Beat Denmark in the bronze medal game having lost to Sweden (2-13) in the group stages after beating Spain (45-25) and Russia (7-6).

New Zealand - triumphed 12-7 over Australia in their opponents' capital city Canberra on January 24, 2009 to become the representative of OFAF (Oceania Federation of American Football).

Qualifying Games results:

EFAF (European Federation of American Football)
Game --------------------- Venue --------------------- Competition ---- Date

Denmark 34 Switzerland 6 - Copenhagen, Denmark - EFAF EJC qualifier - April 13, 2008

Sweden 32 Norway 6 - Stockholm, Sweden - EFAF EJC qualifier - April 30, 2008

Russia 32 Italy 8 - Moscow, Russia - EFAF EJC qualifier - May 26, 2008

Sweden 27 Russia 0 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 12, 2008

France 45 Spain 25 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 12, 2008

Denmark 35 Austria 14 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 13, 2008

Germany 34 Finland 6 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 13, 2008

Sweden 40 Spain 0 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 14, 2008

France 7 Russia 6 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 14, 2008

Germany 20 Denmark 7 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 15, 2008

Finland 16 Austria 9 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 15, 2008

Russia 49 Spain 14 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 16, 2008

Sweden 20 France 13 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 16, 2008

Germany 7 Austria 0 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 17, 2008

Denmark 46 Finland 6 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 17, 2008

Finland 39 Spain 21 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 19, 2008

Austria 20 Russia 13 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 19, 2008

France 28 Denmark 14 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 20, 2008

Germany 9 Sweden 6 - Seville, Spain - European Junior Championship - July 20, 2008


OFAF (Oceania Federation of American Football)

New Zealand 12 Australia 7 - Canberra, Australia - IFAF JWC qualifier - January 24, 2009


PAFAF (Pan-American Federation of American Football)


Panama 52 Bahamas 6 - Panama City, Panama - IFAF JWC qualifier -January 24, 2009

Mexico 26 Panama 0 - Mexico City, Mexico - IFAF JWC qualifier - February 14, 2009


Qualifying Quick Facts... A total of 21 qualifying games were played in 7 cities in 7 countries on 3 continents... A total of 817 points were scored... The first game was played on April 13, 2008 and the last qualifier on February 14, 2009, a span of 307 days... Mexico was the final nation to qualify... Bahamas had never before entered international competition when it played at Panama.

2009 IFAF Junior World Championship - By The Numbers

8 - nations represented at the IFAF Junior 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
32 - football officials calling IFAF Junior World Championship action
15 - countries represented by IFAF Junior World Championship game officials
12 - games played to determine IFAF's first Junior World Champion
1,500 - team family members and guests expected to visit Canton
50 - television production and media personnel in attendance
$4,475,000 - IFAF Junior World Championship's economic impact on Northeast Ohio *
8,460 miles - New Zealand to Canton
6,527 miles - Japan to Canton
4,147 miles - Germany to Canton
4,143 miles - Sweden to Canton
3,941 miles France to Canton
1,809 miles - Mexico to Canton
342 miles - Canada to Canton



Games To Be Streamed Live On JWCFootball.com


American football fans around the world can watch and listen to every down of the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship and also follow real-time statistics and a play-by-play when the action kicks off at Fawcett Stadium on Saturday, June 27. The two-camera feed and action replays that are shown on the in-stadium scoreboard will be streamed free of charge through JWCFootball.com.

The entire tournament experience will be shared with fans eager to follow the fortunes of the eight competing nations. Whether in Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden or one of the 33 US college markets represented on the United States' roster, football enthusiasts the world over can enjoy the spectacle of the inaugural tournament. The real-time live stats and play-by-play package will track every down of every game in a professional format and will also provide the IFAF Junior World Championship coaches with comprehensive stats books.

Technology developed by webcasting specialist EZStream™, which provides a platform that makes streaming as easy as pushing a button, will host the broadcasts.

r0bby
28th June 2009, 00:50
Stream Mexic-Suedia 14-0,se apropie pauza.
http://www.usafootball.com/jwc/index

A.k.a
28th June 2009, 13:33
Niste scoruri...

campuscodi
28th June 2009, 14:51
Canada 55 New Zealand 0
Japan 10 Germany 7
Mexico 41 Sweden 0
USA 78 France 0

Mr. White
28th June 2009, 15:31
MEXICO SHUTS OUT SWEDEN TO REACH FINAL FOUR OF THE 2009 IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP



Mexico produced a confident and effective offensive display to fire their way into the final four of the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship with a 41-0 defeat of Sweden.

Things went Sweden's way initially when Mexican quarterback Roberto Isaias Vega was intercepted by Swedish defensive back Ville Olsson, but Sweden was unable to capitalize as an unnecessary roughness call brought then back 15 yards abd then Mexico struck.

The Swedes proved to be no match for Mexico, who led through a 15-yard Roberto Isaias Vega touchdown pass to Diego Viamontes and had amassed 20 points by halftime. Swedish defensive lineman Bjorn Elmlund had sacked Vega on a second down play at the 15-yard mark, but the Mexican offense proved too powerful on third down.

Vega ran a score in himself from two yards out after Sweden had turned the ball over on the edge of the end zone then hit wide receiver Viamontes who was wide open in the middle for the first down, leading to a 22-yard David Antonio Aceves field goal. Aceves added a 19-yard field goal to the two extra points he had tagged on earlier.

After a Sweden field goal attempt was blocked, Mexico scored through the air again in the third quarter to underline their dominance with a 29-yard pass from Vega to Sergio Gonzalez. Vega pitched his third touchdown pass of the afternoon in the third quarter when he hit Sergio Gonzalez from 29 yards.

Linebacker Pontus Westman started off the fourth quarter with a sack on the 35-yard line forcing Mexico into a fourth down situation but quarterback Erick Sedano passed to wide receiver Edmundo Ramos for a first down, then running back Davis Alexis Paz took a hand-off and rushed 10 yards to bring Mexico to first and goal.
Mexico then opened an unassailable 34-point lead when Jose Carlos Lozano scored on a four-yard dash.

When Octavio Fernandez came in at quarterback for Mexico, he pitched a 33-yard touchdown pass to Juan Carlos Maya to complete an emphatic victory.

"We were happy with this game and I feel we beat a very good team," said Mexico head coach Ernesto Alfaro del Villar. "This is our first step in this world championship and we hope for more performances like this. "

Wide receiver Maya added: "It was amazing to see the support in the stadium from all the Mexican fans. It is great to see all those people and to win for them."

Sweden head coach Jan Jenmert said: "We built everything on a plan with a camp here and had a great opportunity to play here at this level, but obviously our plan did not work out.

"We knew they would score on us and planned for that, but we did not generate anything on offense to overcome that as we had planned to. We need to learn why we were nervous and overcome by the occasion."

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final
Sweden 0 0 0 0 0
Mexico 7 13 7 14 41


Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

Mr. White
28th June 2009, 15:32
USA SCORES 78 UNANSWERED POINTS IN THE JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM'S FIRST EVER GAME TO DEFEAT FRANCE



Fourth of July fireworks came a week early to Canton, Ohio.

USA Football Junior National Team head coach Chuck Kyle lit the fuse and the play of his 45 men "ooed" and "ahhed" more than 10,000 fans en route to a 78-0 victory against Team France Saturday night.

The game was the fourth of four First Round contests in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship in Fawcett Stadium, adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

It was a day to remember for football fans the world over as the sport's first junior world championship ushered in a new era in its long and storied history.

With competing teams from eight countries spanning four continents, football has truly gone global.

Behind the exploits of running back David Wilson, Team USA jumped ahead and was never in danger of losing its cushion. The 5-11, 192-pound rusher from Danville, Va., soon to play for Coach Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech, carried the ball 12 times for 181 yards and four touchdowns, with a long run of 60 yards for a TD.

IFAF's tradition is to announce a most valuable player for every world championship game. The future Hokie made that selection easy with a night where his speed and strength fried the French and brought the crowd to its feet with regularity.

Team USA led 24-0 at the end of the first quarter and 37-0 at halftime.

Defensively, 16 American players recorded a tackle, led by safety Chris Payne (South Carolina) with eight. Fellow safety Corey Lillard (Virginia) picked off a pair of French passes as the team's 3-3-5 defensive alignment limited Team France to 7 total yards, averaging 0.1 yards per play.

"This was the first time in two weeks that I could actually turn to these guys and not say, 'Stop! Don't hit him,'" said Kyle. "I don't like it when games get like that (one-sided), but I don't know how I could've changed that from happening."

What happened was Team USA's offensive line doubled as a people mover, splitting the French defense like a banana at Dairy Queen, then transforming itself into conveyor belt, helping running backs Wilson (4), Brian Fields (2), Zach Cutkomp, James Hall and quarterback Phillip Butterfield take an express lane to the end zone.

And the 10,145 fans who attended the four games from 10 a.m. through 11 p.m. under chamber-of-commerce-like weather conditions loved every minute of a historic day in football history.

"I treated France like they were the No. 1-seed," said linebacker Storm Klein who will suit up for Jim Tressel's Ohio State Buckeyes this fall. "That's what you have to do. Underdogs are even more dangerous than teams that are supposed to beat you."

America's Team racked up 610 total offensive yards against France's 7 and posted 27 first downs opposed to France's 5.

USA Football's Junior National Team was far from perfect, however, committing 11 penalties for 110 yards.

France head coach Olivier Moret said of his team: "I am proud that they are here playing this game. I have a lot of respect for them. They know what it takes to play the best in the world and now they have the tools to get better.

"We knew that it would be a really tough game to play. When we qualified by finishing third in the European Junior Championship we knew we would play USA this July. "(USA) had more days of camp than us, they are bigger, faster and stronger and they were more prepared.

"Football is a game of fight and you have to prepare them to play well, even though you know the game will be long and lost."

Running back Thomas Ruiz, who earned France's MVP award, said: "It is the toughest game I have ever played. But it was also the best. I have learned today that I have got to work harder."

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final
France 0 0 0 0 0
Germany 24 13 13 28 78

Team USA hits the practice field Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. as preparations are already underway for Wednesday's 7 p.m. game against Team Mexico. Mexico throttled Team Sweden in first-round play earlier in the day, 41-0.

Live video webcasts and real-time stats of all four Wednesday IFAF Junior World Championship games (10 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET) will be available at jwcfootball.com.

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

Mr. White
28th June 2009, 15:33
JAPAN COMES FROM BEHIND TO DEFEAT GERMANY


Japan came from behind in the fourth quarter to take a 10-7 lead and then produce a game-ending interception to defeat Germany in the second game of the 2009 IFAF Junior Championship at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

A perfectly disguised double reverse caught Germany by surprise as Japan trained 7-3 and led to the decisive touchdown, a quarterback keeper from eight yards out by MVP Kazuma Endo.

"It was a secret play that in this very tight situation we were waiting for the right opportunity to use. When my high school team made it to a championship game, we used that same play to win with 30 seconds to play."

Germany punted away their next possession with only two minutes remaining, but got the ball back and threatened to steal victory but an option pass by Eric Husgen fell narrowly short of his intended receiver, who would have had a clear run to the end zone. With the clock ticking down, quarterback Robert Demers was intercepted by Keizaburo Isagawa to end the game.

Germany's scoring drive in the first quarter came following a hand off to half back Randall Payne, who ran the ball down the sideline to the Japan 40-yard line. Quarterback Jens Kriete produced a 40-yard pass to wide receiver Lars Samjeske in the end zone and the extra point was good for a 7-0 advantage.

Japan was held in check for most of the first half, managing only 31 rushing yards.

Ando completed a 15-yard pass to wide receiver Naoki Shigematsu for a first down, then after an incompletion found Shigematsu wide open for a 20-yard connection and the first down. Just when a Japan drive was looking promising, Ando was intercepted at the 5-yard line by defensive back Mark Nzecho, but Germany was unable to capitalize.

After Jumepi Yoshimoto and running back Shun Kitagawa earned first downs, Shoma Endo split the uprights in the third quarter from 32 yards out to reduce the deficit to four points.

On the game-winning drive, Ando found Shigematsu open for an 18-yard completion, ran nine yards himself yards and Shu Inoue gained a rushing first down before the double reverse picked up 22 yards and put Japan within striking distance of the end zone. On a keeper, Ando burst through the middle to secure victory.

German defensive coordinator Andreas Reichel said afterwards: "It was a tough fight against a well coached team and the team that had the most luck won. Sometimes your tricks win, sometimes they don't."

Japan head coach Takao Yamazaki said: "They were powerful not only in size but also their quarterback was big and strong and we have never experienced playing against a team like that. Their speed was outside my expectations."

Explaining his strategy of splitting paying time between two quarterbacks, Ando and Araki, he said: "I have got two very good quarterbacks today and maybe I will use three in the next game. I like to decide as the game progresses."

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final
Japan 0 0 3 7 10
Germany 7 0 0 0 7


Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

Mr. White
28th June 2009, 15:33
CANADA OPENS THE 2009 IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A 55-0 VICTORY OVER NEW ZEALAND


Canada eased to a 55-0 victory over New Zealand in the opening game of the IFAF Junior World Championship.

Running back Steven Lumbala scored the tournament's first historic touchdown on a one-yard burst up the middle and added a second from six yards out after Julian Bailey had caught a five-yard pass from quarterback and MVP Jeremie Doyon-Roch.

Canada led 27-0 early in the second quarter when quarterback Brandon Bridge ran in from 42 yards out and then threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thibault. Maxime Boutin completed a 41-yard first half rout with a 14-yard rush.

Franck Marvel added to the Canada lead in the second half on a five-yard run, then after New Zealand stemmed the tide, Boutin broke free down the left sideline for a spectacular 78-yard scoring run.

New Zealand head coach Michael Mau'u said afterwards: "We saw (Canada) at their best and we knew they eased up. That is the real spirit of why we are here. We are not here to win the tournament but to make sure everyone gets something out of it."

Canadian head coach Glen Constantin said: "Of course we are happy. We wanted to execute our game and it was a good measuring stick for the tournament."

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final
New Zealand 0 0 0 0 0
Canada 20 21 7 7 55


Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

A.k.a
28th June 2009, 19:38
Canada 55 New Zealand 0
Japan 10 Germany 7
Mexico 41 Sweden 0
USA 78 France 0

La aia ma refeream ca sunt niste scoruri absurde :P. M-am uitat azi putin la meciuri

Mr. White
2nd July 2009, 01:36
Germany advances to fifth place game with 52-7 win over new zealand at fawcett stadium


CANTON, OHIO - Germany secured the right to play for fifth place at the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championships at Fawcett Stadium with a 52-7 win over a plucky but overwhelmed New Zealand team.

The champions of Oceania were beaten for the second time in as many games as Germany cruised to a 52-7 win.

"We are a bit disappointed," New Zealand coach Michael Mau'u said. "Our preparations; we thought that the team came out on Saturday was a lot different than the team that came out today.

"Opposition wise, you can't get past that size. That is the biggest team we have ever come up against here or back home."

Germany (1-1) will now play either France or Sweden in the fifth place playoff at 4pm on Saturday. New Zealand (0-2) will meet the loser of that game in the seventh place playoff at 1pm on Saturday.

Neither Germany nor New Zealand could hold onto the football on Wednesday. The teams combined to fumble 19 times, with New Zealand feeling the most effects.

Germany recovered five of the Ironblacks' 11 fumbles and converted all five into scoring drives.

"Our players were just trying too hard," added Mau'u. "It comes back to your basics. You have to get the fundamentals right... disappointing, but we have to take it back to the basics."

Germany fumbled its first two possessions of the game before getting the ball back with six minutes and 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter. They quickly turned to a balanced offense they did not show in last weekend's 10-7 loss to Japan.

After gaining 13 yards on the ground, German quarterback Jens Kriete faked a hand off and launched a pass down the right sideline to Benjamin Mau for a 38-yard gain to the New Zealand 16.

Two plays later Kriete found Lars Samjeske in the flat for an 11-yard touchdown reception to make the score 6-0. Just a few minutes later a New Zealand fumble allowed Germany to jump out to a 14-0 lead.

"It's a different scheme we ran, because if you play Japan they are very fast and very small. It is tough to throw against them,'' German Director of Youth Sport Peter Springwald said. "Here we tried to get the play action pass going and that works. We just fed them running inside and got the ball out and threw deep."

The scheming relied on the running backs doing their jobs, which wasn't a problem. Christian Sundarp led the way with nine carries for 116 yards to win the MVP award. Randall Payne and Timo Muller each had a rushing touchdown as did quarterbacks Robert Demers and Kriete.

Kriete finished the game 7-16 passing for 130 yards and two touchdowns as the Germans outgained New Zealand 457-121 yards.

With 52 seconds remaining in the game quarterback Matino Meredith found Josiah O'Connell for a 77-yard touchdown pass, New Zealand's historic first-ever score in a junior international tournament and the first through the air. Both touchdowns in a 12-7 qualifying win on January 24 in Canberra over Australia came on the ground.

"Obviously we are really, really happy we got one back," Mau'u said. "That was a historic moment for New Zealand."

New Zealand running back Jerry Key had 71 yards rushing on eight carries to lead the Ironblacks.

Media can download video highlights and photographs form the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at the ftp site: pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html

Live video webcasts and real-time stats of all four Wednesday IFAF Junior World Championship games (10 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET) are available at jwcfootball.com.

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

Mr. White
2nd July 2009, 01:37
SWEDEN CAPITALIZES ON TURNOVERS TO DEFEAT FRANCE AND WILL FACE GERMANY FOR FIFTH PLACE


CANTON, OHIO - Team Sweden quickly found that it could giveth and taketh away Wednesday in the second round of the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at Fawcett Stadium.

After being burned by an early interception, Sweden took an interception of its own and a fumble recovery to the end zone and relied on big defensive plays all game to stop France 24-14.

"It is a little bit simpler to get emotional on defense," Sweden coach Jan Jenmert said. "I think both sides did a pretty good job of getting the emotions in the game at least. Obviously they really played good on defense and they felt secure enough to make plays."

Sweden (1-1) will now face Germany (1-1) at 4pm on Saturday in the fifth-place playoff at Fawcett Stadium, which is a rematch of the 2008 European Junior Championship final that Germany won 9-6 in Seville, Spain. France (0-2) will take on New Zealand (0-2) in the seventh-place playoff at 1pm.

Sweden's first possession of the game ended badly when France put quarterback Andrée Jenmert under immense pressure. Flushed from the pocket, Jenmert, in an attempt to get rid of the ball, flung it into the chest of French defender Freedom Maitrel. The 5-foot-10, 220-pound defensive lineman rumbled 21 yards to give France a 6-0 lead with three minutes and 31 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The interception set an early trend for the game that would soon turn in Sweden's favor. After Swedish kicker Mattias Kjellson brought his team back within three points with a 37-yard field goal, it was the Swedish defense that began to make big plays.

With two minutes and seven seconds remaining before halftime, Swedish linebacker Henrik Oervell, Sweden's MVP of the game, snuffed out a French screen and intercepted the pass, returning the ball 42 yards for touchdown. The extra point made the score 10-6 in favor of Sweden.

"I just grabbed my guard and I saw him pulling out like he was setting up a screen pass. So then I was just lucky to be there," Oervell said. "The quarterback overthrows the running back a little bit, so I just found myself having the ball in my hands and just running for my life."

Unfortunately for France, its starting quarterback was unable to make it to the field Wednesday. The loss of Maxime Sprauel, who injured his knee within two minutes of the end of Tuesday's practice, was a heavy blow to Team France, according to coach Olivier Moret.

"It's terrible for us because first, for the other game against USA, I had to prepare a team knowing the score would be difficult for us," he said. "The second game, I lost my starting QB yesterday. I can't say we have a lot of luck in this tournament."

Sweden added another defensive touchdown before the first half ended. Linebacker Max Nyberg scooped up a French fumble with 37 seconds remaining and took it 51 yards for the score.

Sweden comfortably led 17-6 at halftime though outside of a of a 42-yard touchdown pass from Swedish quarterback Fabian Soederberg to Sebastian Gauthier to make the score 24-6, France dominated the clock and the tempo of the third quarter.

With less than nine minutes remaining in the game, France gave themselves a chance when running back Thomas Ruiz leaped over Swedish defenders at the goal line for a three-yard touchdown run to make the score 24-14. Ruiz finished the game with 54 yards on 12 carries.

But another interception in the fourth quarter, this time by Sweden defensive back Ville Olsson, all but sealed the victory for Sweden.

France marginally out-gained Sweden by two yards, but it was the big defensive plays for Sweden that made all the difference. Hampus Hellermark led Sweden with 144 rushing yards on 18 carries.

Media can download video highlights and photographs from the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at the ftp site: www.pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html

Please credit Shawn Hubbard Photography when using photos

Live video webcasts and real-time stats of all four Wednesday IFAF Junior World Championship games (10 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET) are available at jwcfootball.com.

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

Mr. White
2nd July 2009, 09:54
CANADA ADVANCES TO THE IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD MEDAL GAME AS JAPAN LOSES A HEART-BREAKER


CANTON, OHIO - Japan came within three points, one minute and 27 seconds of turning Canada's dream of winning the IFAF Junior World Championship into a nightmare at Fawcett Stadium.

Wide receiver Jumpei Yoshimoto reeled in a precision pass from quarterback Yuichiro Araki in the corner of the end zone to take a 35-31 lead and put themselves in a position to shock number one seed Canada in the semi finals.

But with 16 seconds remaining in the game, Canada quarterback Jeremie Doyon- Roch found receiver Alex Anthony near the 15-yard line. Anthony caught the ball and carried Japanese defenders over the goal line and his team into Sunday's Gold Medal game with a thrilling 38-35 win.

It was a fitting way to celebrate Canada Day, the nation's national holiday.

"During halftime coach was telling us that someone had to step up and I wanted to be that guy," Anthony said. "After Japan scored the last touchdown I knew we had to pull a heroic drive off."

There was simply no quit in team Japan either. Despite trailing by 14 points in the third quarter, Team Japan, behind the lead of quarterback Araki, chiseled away at Canada's lead.

With two minutes and 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter Araki, who had hobbled off the field injured a few plays earlier, launched a ball 34-yards down the right sideline, in the corner of the end zone.

Canada defensive back Mike Dubuisson tipped the ball as he battled with Yoshimoto. As the two fell to the ground Yoshimoto grabbed the tipped pass out of the air for the score, bringing Japan within seven at 28-21 with two minutes and 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

"Initially I thought the defense would catch that ball, but he didn't and actually I thought we both touched the ball at first," Yoshimoto said through a translator. "Then the ball was still up in the air and I saw the ball on my right hand side and the next thing I knew is I caught that ball."

After Canadian kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a 42-yard field goal, Araki continued to throw deep balls over the Canadian defense.

The first one was a fade route to Shoma Endo, who had three catches for 98 yards, for a 38-yard touchdown pass with six minutes and 25 seconds remaining, bringing team Japan within three at 31-28.

Then, with one minute 27 seconds remaining Araki found Yoshimoto again, this time for a 33 yard touchdown pass giving Japan the lead at 35-31.

Araki finished the game 22-32 with 285 yards passing and four touchdowns with Yoshimoto as his favorite target. He caught eight passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

With 90 seconds left on the clock though, Canadian quarterback Doyon-Roch had more than enough time to orchestrate a scoring drive. He finished the game 19-28 passing for 257 yards and three touchdowns.

"It was great for the fans, great for television, not so good for the coaches," Team Canada coach Glen Constantin said. "It was hard fought game and we knew going to into the game we would have our hands full."

With the win Canada advances into the championship finale against either the United States or Mexico at 1pm on Sunday at Fawcett Stadium. Japan will face the loser of that game at 7pm on Saturday in the Bronze Medal game.

Media can download video highlights and photographs from the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at the ftp site: www.pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html

Please credit Shawn Hubbard Photography when using photos

Live video webcasts and real-time stats of all four Wednesday IFAF Junior World Championship games (10 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET) are available at jwcfootball.com.

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

Mr. White
2nd July 2009, 09:55
TEAM USA SHUTS OUT MEXICO TO ADVANCE TO IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD MEDAL GAME


CANTON, OHIO - The United States' dominance in the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship continued Wednesday as Team USA defeated Mexico 55-0 in the second round of the inaugural tournament before a crowd of 11,218 fans at Fawcett Stadium.

"I think when the whistle blew we played with good intensity," USA coach Chuck Kyle said. "I think we accomplished our mission."

Tailback David Wilson, a Virginia Tech recruit, led USA's offense by scoring three rushing touchdowns and gaining 146 yards on 11 carries.

"It may appear easy, but I put in a lot of hard work on and off the field," Wilson said. "There are a lot of things that I go through that people don't see, the sweat and the struggle. Each time I step on the field, I want to be that much better."

Robert Bell, a linebacker/fullback headed to the University of Toledo, scored a touchdown for USA on offense and defense, and also recorded a sack.

USA (2-0) will play Canada (2-0) at 1pm on Sunday in the Gold Medal Game at Fawcett Stadium after Canada defeated Japan 38-35. Mexico (1-1) will take on Japan (1-1) in the Bronze Medal Game at 7pm on Saturday at Fawcett Stadium.

"I would like to apologize to the people who believe in this team," Mexico coach Ernesto Alfaro del Villar said. "This team fought a lot. We tried to improve our performance, but we faced a very solid team. USA is a big, strong team. I am proud of my players. We never quit. We tried to run the ball and we tried to throw the ball, but we were facing a lot of pressure."

USA held an advantage over Mexico in total yards gained (433-35) and first downs (17-4).

"I think defensively we played a very good ballgame," Kyle said. "They spread it out offensively. I think we disrupted (Mexico quarterback Jose Miguel Garcia's) timing and that was important because he can run and he can throw. We were mixing coverages and mixing blitzes, and obviously that helped."

Wilson's display of speed, quickness, strength and power proved to be too much for Mexico's defense. Wilson has rushed for seven touchdowns and 327 yards on 23 carries through two games in the tournament, USA victories over France (78-0 Saturday) and Mexico.

"I really was concerned coming into the ballgame because our kids are not used to playing a ballgame three days later," Kyle said. "We're used to seven days between games."
Kyle said he was "delighted and thrilled" with his team's performance and added: "This is not an all-star team, we're a team. We're the United States of America."

Wilson took the first play from scrimmage 50 yards off left tackle for a rushing touchdown with 11:44 remaining in the first quarter. Mike Loftus, a Southern Methodist University recruit, converted the extra point and USA led 7-0.

"He's awesome," del Villar said of Wilson. "I remember a touchdown where half our team touched him (and he didn't go down). He's a great player."

Wilson added a second touchdown on a 36-yard run with 6:42 remaining in the first quarter. Loftus made the extra point and the Americans led 14-0.

"Clearly he's got great skills, agility and great vision," Mexico linebacker Jose Miguel Garcia said of Wilson.

The Americans extended the lead to 20-0 with 4:25 left in the first quarter following a 53-yard pass play from quarterback Bryce Petty to Bell. After running just six plays offensively, USA had scored three touchdowns and accumulated 157 yards.

With 3:34 left in the first quarter, USA cornerback Shamarko Thomas (Syracuse) intercepted a pass and returned it 32-yards for a touchdown. A Loftus extra point gave USA a 27-0 advantage. Wilson extended the Americans lead with an impressive 25-yard touchdown run with 10:29 remaining in the second quarter. Wilson broke five tackle attempts en route to the end zone. Loftus made the extra point and USA led 34-0.

"It's funny because I came off the field and I go 'I can't explain it,'" Petty, a Baylor recruit, said. "I have been around football awhile, but I have never seen anyone like him. It's like freakish."

The Americans scored 16 seconds later following a Mexican turnover. USA free safety Chris Payne (South Carolina) forced a fumble after a sack, and Bell recovered the ball and ran 10-yards for a touchdown. Loftus made the extra points to give USA a 41-0 lead.

USA led 41-0 at halftime and held an advantage in total yards gained (262-2). Wilson had seven first-half carries for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

Left Tackle Jack Mewhort led USA onto the field waving the American flag. Mewhort, an Ohio State recruit, was joined in the starting lineup along the offensive line by John Plasencia (Northwestern), Brian Winters (Kent State), Evan Swindall (Mississippi), Aaron Price (Indiana) and Oday Aboushi (Virginia).

USA cornerback Jordan Poyer (Oregon State) intercepted a pass and ran 27-yards for a touchdown with 6:59 left in the third quarter. Loftus' extra point made the score 48-0. The American's lead grew to 55-0 with 11:54 to go in the fourth quarter following a 27-yard touchdown pass from Petty to receiver Aaron Dobson (Marshall), and a Loftus extra point. Petty completed 6-of-8 passes for 136 yards.

Vega led Mexico onto the field prior to the game with the Mexican flag. He finished 4-for-13 passing for 57 yards. Garcia, end Fidel Guillermo Lopez and linemen Hector Ricardo Yanez and Cesar Esteban Canabal each had a sack for Mexico. Garcia finished with eight solo tackles and three assisted tackles.

"We are proud to play football," Mexico's Edgar Arroyo, who gained 128 yards on six kickoff returns, said. "The thing we have in mind is to fight every play and fight for every yard."

"Still there things we have to work on," Kyle said. "The penalties (15 for 160 yards) broke our concentration and were a distraction."

Media can download video highlights and photographs from the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at the ftp site: www.pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html

Please credit Shawn Hubbard Photography when using photos

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

r0bby
5th July 2009, 00:52
Se uita cineva in seara asta?

Mr. White
5th July 2009, 15:21
SATELLITE COORDINATES FOR IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MEDAL-ROUND GAMES FROM CANTON, OHIO

The following are satellite coordinates for Bronze and Gold Medal games of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship, telecast by Fox College Sports Atlantic.

Satellite AMC 16
Transponder 14
Downlink 11980H

The IFAF Junior World Championship is the first junior world championship in football history. The historic competition, held in Canton, Ohio's Fawcett Stadium adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, encompasses national teams from eight countries spanning four continents.

IFAF Junior World Championship Medal Game Schedule:

SATURDAY, JULY 4
7:00 p.m. ET Bronze Medal Game Japan vs. Mexico

SUNDAY, JULY 5
1:00 p.m. ET Gold Medal Game United States vs. Canada

Additional video and photos from IFAF Junior World Championship games are available free of charge at pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html. Please credit any photos used to "Shawn Hubbard Photography."

Live stats and in-game textual play-by-play for all IFAF Junior World Championship games can be found at jwcfootball.com.

Mr. White
5th July 2009, 15:24
FRANCE RUNS PAST NEW ZEALAND FOR SEVENTH PLACE FINISH AT THE 2009 IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP


CANTON -- France utilized a "same-day ground" offense to deliver a 34-6 victory against New Zealand to earn a seventh-place finish in the eight-country International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio's Fawcett Stadium.

Behind a ball-control, grind-it-out offense, Team France would have made legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes proud.

"It's good for us to finish with a victory," France Olivier Moret said. "This win was important."

A late 22-yard halfback pass for a touchdown from Thomas Ruiz to Yoan Boireau put the French over the 100-yard passing mark (108) on the day.

Three French players had rushing touchdowns as Team France recorded 227 yards on the ground.

"We saw that they cannot defend the sweep plays and we stayed with them, the sweep plays," Moret said. "It was a key play for us."

Running back Adrien Mochez got the scoring started when he found the end zone from nine yards away with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter. It would be his first of two touchdowns in the game. He finished with 51 rushing yards as the French posted a 21-0 halftime lead.

Ruiz, who had 35 rushing yards on three carries, and receiver Alan Howell, each had rushing touchdowns as well as France stymied New Zealand with misdirection and trick plays. Running back Steven Joacin led France with 103 rushing yards on 13 carries.

"We got confused quite badly, especially after those motion plays," New Zealand head coach Michael Mau'u said. "We tried to make some adjustments at halftime, which seemed to work for us, but by then we were playing catch up."

New Zealand got its first score of the game with about five minutes remaining in regulation. Running back Matthew Gandy capped a 13-play drive with a 14-yard touchdown run through the French. The run was Gandy's longest of the game. He finished with 86 rushing yards on 17 carries for the Kiwis.

Although the underdogs from Oceania did not win a contest in the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championships, they said that there is still plenty to take back home to New Zealand.

New Zealand did not realize the scope of American football before the tournament, Gandy said. Besides the memories, the players and coaches plan on returning to New Zealand with new techniques and weight training programs to make its program better for the next time around.

"This experience is life-changing for all of us," Mau'u said. "The boys, this will be something they will carry with them all the time, irrelevant of the results."

Media can download video highlights and photographs from the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at the ftp site: www.pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html

Please credit Shawn Hubbard Photography when using photos

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com




GERMANY UNDERLINES EUROPEAN SUPERIORITY WITH FIFTH PLACE FINISH AT THE 2009 IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP


CANTON: The statistics were a bit lopsided for most of the IFAF Junior World Championship fifth place Playoff game on Saturday at Fawcett Stadium.

Team Sweden led most of the offensive statistics.

Germany controlled the only one that mattered.

German return man Nico Lester returned a punt 58 yards with 21 seconds remaining in the first quarter and caught a 28-yard touchdown pass in the fourth as Team Germany slipped past Sweden 14-0.

The low scoring affair should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the two programs. Germany drew the European Federation of American Football's top seed for the IFAF Junior World Championship this week by beating Sweden 9-6 in last year's European Junior Championships.

"They were really focused on (this) game because it was a rematch of the European Championships and whatever you do here, we are still No. 1 in Europe," Team Germany coach Peter Springwald said of his players.

In this contest, Sweden could never get the big play when it needed it the most.

It looked like Sweden was poised for a score early in the second quarter when quarterback Fabian Soederberg found Sebastian Gauthier for a 25-yard gain, but immense pressure from the German defensive front forced Soederberg to make an errant pass a few plays later, turning the ball over on an interception.

Later in the quarter, receiver Damien Scanella uncoiled a 46-yard completion to Gauthier, who led Team Sweden with 104 receiving yards on four catches and was the team MVP; only to see the drive stall a few plays later at the German 38.

Germany seemed to get the only lucky break before halftime when Lester broke numerous tackles and stiff-armed a player during his punt return for a touchdown.

"I'd have to say, it was a lucky one because the snapper came right through," Lester said.

At halftime, Sweden had 118 passing yards to Germany's 26 and led in rushing yards as well 72 to 37. The offensive woes sent Germany into the locker room looking to make a few adjustments despite leading 7-0.

`"We made some adjustments on the offensive line," Springwald said. "We changed the blocking scheme (and) that worked well for us. They stepped up and did the plays for us. The running backs stayed in the lanes and we made some yards."

Germany rushed for more yards in the fourth quarter with 104 yards than they had the first three (85 yards).

"Another great game against Germany," Team Sweden coach Jan Jenmert said. "Great by the sense that it was a game, at least for a half and then the second half we were overpowered and hard a time to get things going on offense."

Running back Randall Payne led Team Germany with 145 yards rushing on 21 carries. He had just 20 yards in the first half. Hampus Hellermark ran for 54 yards on 16 carries for Sweden.

Media can download video highlights and photographs from the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at the ftp site: www.pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html

Please credit Shawn Hubbard Photography when using photos

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com





JAPAN TAKES THE BRONZE AT THE 2009 IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN AERIAL BATTLE WITH MEXICO


CANTON, OHIO - Mexico and Japan brought similar offensive styles to the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship Bronze Medal game at Fawcett Stadium.

Spread the field and let it fly.

Passing plays accumulated for nearly 88 percent of the offense as the two teams traded possession passes and an occasional long-ranged bomb.

In the end though, it was Japan who proved to be the third-best team in the tournament, passing by Mexico, 42-27.

It was a big win for Japan, who placed itself among the elite football squads in North America by beating Mexico and nearly defeating Canada on Wednesday.

"I see this going a long ways in the future," Team Japan coach Takao Yamazaki said through a translator. "Canada and the United State and Mexico are always in our target and someday we would like to climb up. Today is bronze (but we) would like to go higher than that."

Within the first minute of the game, Team Japan quarterback Yuichiro Araki found receiver Shoma Endo for a 44-yard touchdown pass. A few minutes later Araki hit Jumpei Yoshimoto for a five-yard touchdown pass to push the score to 14-0.

Mexico quarterback Roberto Isaias Vega refused to be outdone though. With about three minutes remaining in the quarter, Vega zipped a pass deep down the middle of the field and into the hands of Jose Carlos Lozano. Sixty-four yards later Team Mexico trailed 14-7.

Before the first quarter could end though, Araki found a streaking Yoshimoto. With the ball in the air Yoshimoto split - and outran - two defenders on his way to a 53-yard touchdown reception to give Japan a 14-point lead again.

"Japan is a very successful team," Team Mexico coach Ernesto Alfaro del Villar said. "All the time they are looking for spaces, for holes. They create those holes. We knew that, but they didn't commit mistakes."

By the end of the first quarter, before Japan was able to distance itself, the two teams had combined for 239 passing yards and four touchdowns, all coming via the pass; compared to just 17 rushing yards.

Araki would add touchdown passes of 35 yards and 10 yards as well, finding Yoshimoto again on the latter. Araki finished the game with 354 yards through the air and five touchdowns on 26 of 37 passing (70.3 pct.).

"When I was high school and playing for a high school team I wasn't really throwing a lot," Araki said through a translator. "So today I threw a lot of passes. It was fun."

More than half of Araki's touchdown passes went to Yoshimoto who finished with nine catches for 112 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game with an arm injury in the fourth quarter.

Vega was just as impressive as he threw for 366 yards on 24-41 passing with three passing touchdowns. He ran for another. Jose Carlos Lozano had five catches for 124 yards and one touchdown.

"Facing a quarter back like Japan's quarterback is fun," Vega said through a translator. "It is good to have this kind of match."

Media can download video highlights and photographs from the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at the ftp site: www.pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html

Please credit Shawn Hubbard Photography when using photos

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

Mr. White
6th July 2009, 10:39
TEAM USA WINS GOLD MEDAL AT THE IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 41-3 WIN OVER CANADA


CANTON, OHIO -- A collection of 45 American teenagers gathered in Canton in the middle of June to complete a mission on the football field.

The mission was to win the 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship, an inaugural tournament being contested at Fawcett Stadium which consisted of players aged 19 and younger from eight countries, spanning four continents.

For USA Football's Junior National Team, that mission was accomplished Sunday July 5, 2009.

The second-seeded United States defeated top seed Canada 41-3 in the Gold Medal Game before a crowd of 15,473 fans at Fawcett Stadium.

"What you saw here, this was not an all-star team." Team USA coach Chuck Kyle said. "I am going to look you in the eye and tell you until the day I die this is not an all-star team. This was a team that had about a week-and-half to two weeks to get ready for our first game. Kids came from all over America. They came together for the love of the game of football and for the love of their country."

USA Football's quarterback Bryce Petty, a Baylor recruit, completed all of his pass attempts (14-for-14) and threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns.

"It has been an amazing experience," said Petty, whose three-game totals in the tournament were 25-for-30, 382 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. "I can't even put into words what this has been like. I am extremely blessed.

"I have had good practices, but nothing like today. About 12 of those were five-yard hitches and they turned it up field. We have athletes on this team."

David Wilson, a Virginia Tech recruit, who was named tournament MVP, led USA's rushing attack with 10 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown.

USA didn't dominate in the capacity it did earlier in the tournament in victories over France (78-0) and Mexico (55-0) as Canada offered some resistance.

"I think they were the only team that tackled David more than twice down to the ground and not just push him out of bounds," Petty said.

America's team wasted little time opening the scoring following an interception by linebacker and one of four team captains Storm Klein (Ohio State) on the second play from scrimmage. Petty threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jamal Davis (Florida Atlantic) with 11:07 remaining in the first quarter. The point after attempt failed.

"Captain Klein got them going out there and the kids played with great intensity," Kyle said.
Team USA's lead extended to 8-0 with 9:07 left in the first quarter after Canada took a safety in the end zone.

Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu converted a 38-yard field goal for Canada with 1:34 remaining in the first quarter to make the score 8-3.

"We understood we were going against a Division I (college) football team in the making," Canada coach Glen Constantin said. "There's no doubt, they are what we are in hockey. It's a good measuring stick for everyone."

Canadian running back Steven Lumbala, who carried the Canadian flag as the team ran onto the field in pre-game introductions, played a pivotal role on the Canadian drive with impressive runs of 21 and seven yards. The seven-yard dash put Canada on the USA 14-yard line, the first time in the tournament an opponent had penetrated the 20-yard line against the United States.

"They are definitely a good football team," said Lumbala, who finished with 32 yards on 10 carries. "They deserve all the credit they are given."

Team USA's lead grew with eight seconds left in the first quarter. Petty ran for four yards and then pitched the ball back to Wilson who sprinted 29 yards for a touchdown. Kicker Mike Loftus (SMU) provided the extra point and USA led 15-3.

"Football is America's sport," said Wilson, who rushed for eight touchdowns and 425 yards on 33 carries in the tournament. "We just wanted to set a standard for the players that come up behind us. This was just wonderful. We did exactly what we expected to do."

Loftus made a 27-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in the second quarter that gave USA an 18-3 halftime lead.

"I think the intensity was there, but we had some mental breakdowns, which was unfortunate," Constantin said of his team. "You can't make mistakes against a great opponent like them."

USA extended its lead to 25-3 with 2:58 left in the third quarter following a 47-yard touchdown pass by Petty to receiver Kevin Cummings (Oregon State) and a Loftus extra point.

"Speaking for the whole team, no one had seen a football team like that," said Canada linebacker Byron Perez-Archambault, who had eight solo tackles and two sacks.

Petty connected with receiver Erik Lora (Eastern Illinois) for a 34-yard touchdown pass with 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter. A Loftus extra point kick made the score 32-3.

A second Canadian safety with 8:16 remaining in the fourth quarter gave Team USA a 34-3 lead.

Phillip Butterfield (Arkansas State) threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Plasencia (Northwestern) with 4:40 left in the fourth quarter. Loftus made the point after and the score was 41-3. Butterfiled went 11-for-18 for 128 yards.

Zach Cutkomp (Northern Iowa) led the U.S. receivers with five catches for 56 yards. Lora contributed four receptions for 53 yards and Wilson had three catchers for 27 yards.

Left tackle Jack Mewhort (Ohio State), Brian Winters (Kent State), Evan Swindall (Mississippi), Aaron Price (Indiana) and Oday Aboushi (Virginia) formed USA's starting offensive line, which keyed the Americans to 408 total yards.

"I got to play the game I love for my country," Mewhort said. "This was awesome."

The players for Team USA arrived June 13 and the first practice was conducted June 14.

"This was very special," Kyle said. "This is something I will remember for a long, long time. Medals and trophies, where do they put them? They put them in a trophy case and you hang a medal up somewhere, right? What stays is the memories and the friendships."

David Herman (Holy Cross), Phillip Thomas (Syracuse) and Shamarko Thomas (Syracuse) led USA's defense with three solo tackles each.

Robert Bell (Toledo), Prestin Brown (Texas State), Chris Norman (Michigan State), Corey Lillard (Virginia), Tariq Edwards (Virginia Tech) and Jordan Poyer (Oregon State) were also key defensively. Norman led Team USA onto the field carrying the American flag.

"It's been an amazing experience to play the game I love for my country," Klein said.

Canadian linebacker Jean-Philippe Bolduc had five solo tackles.

The 12-game tournament drew a total attendance of 40,043, a tournament record for 12-year-old IFAF.

Media can download video highlights and photographs from the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at the ftp site: www.pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html

Please credit Shawn Hubbard Photography when using photos

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com





2009 IFAF JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ALL-TOURNAMENT FIRST AND SECOND TEAMS ANNOUNCED



Running back David Wilson is named Tournament MVP as the United States wins gold; Japan's Takao Yamazaki is selected as All-Tournament head coach; Japan wins the Fair Play Team award


CANTON, OHIO - The 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship All-Tournament first and second teams have been announced following the Gold Medal game that was played at Fawcett Stadium adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The selections were made based on a combination of votes cast by the head coaches of the eight competing teams and the tournament statistics.

Japan head coach Takao Yamazaki was named the All Tournament Team head coach having guided his team to a Bronze Medal and a 2-1 finish and Japan was also honored with the Fair Play Team award.

USA running back David Wilson, who rushed for a combined 425 yards and 8 touchdowns during the course of three games, was named the tournament Most Valuable Player as he helped the United States win the Gold Medal game.

The United States led the way with 14 first team all-tournament selections, followed by Germany with five, Canada with three and Japan with two, including quarterback Yuichiro Arakai, who threw for 686 yards and nine touchdowns and only one interception during the course of three games.

ALL-TOURNAMENT FIRST TEAM

QB YUICHIRO ARAKI, JAPAN

RB DAVID WILSON, USA
RB STEVEN LUMBALA, CAN

TE JOHN PLASENCIA, USA

WR JUMPEI YOSHIMOTO, JAPAN
WR JULIAN BAILEY, CANADA

OL ODAY ABUSHI, USA
OL JACK MEWHORT, USA
OL EVAN SWINDALL, USA
OL AARON PRICE, USA
OL KIRBY FABIEN, CANADA

DL LUKAS MULLER, GERMANY
DL PESTIN BROWN, USA
DL CHRIS HENDERSON, USA
DL BJÖRN WERNER, GERMANY

LB STORM KLEIN, USA
LB CHRIS NORMAN, USA
LB ALEXANDER BORGS, GERMANY

DB SHAMARKO THOMAS, USA
DB MARK NZECHO, GERMANY
DB COREY LILLARD, USA
DB JORDAN POYER, USA

K/P MIKE LOFTUS, USA
PR/KR NIKO LESTER, GERMANY

ALL-TOURNAMENT SECOND TEAM

QB BRYCE PETTY, USA

RB RANDALL PAYNE, GERMANY
RB HAMPUS HELLEMARK, SWEDEN

TE LOAN TEMMING, GERMANY

WR JUAN CARLOS MAYA, MEXICO
WR SHOMA ENDO, JAPAN

OL CARSON ROCKHILL, CANADA
OL DANNY GROULX, CANADA
OL BRIAN WINTERS, USA
OL ALEXANDER ODERBERGER, GERMANY
OL HIROSHI ITO, JAPAN

DL JAKE THOMAS, CANADA
DL TYLER DIPPEL, USA
DL YOSHIAKI FUJII, JAPAN
DL MARTIN SOHLBERG, SWEDEN

LB MEHDI ABDESMAD, CANADA
LB TARIQ EDWARDS, USA
LB BYRON PEREZ-ARCHAMBAULT, CANADA

DB DOCTOR CASSAMA, SWE
DB YUDAI MARUMARA, JAPAN
DB CHRIS PAYNE, USA
DB JEAN-PHILIPPE BOLDUC, CANADA

K/P LIRIM HAJRULLAHU, CANADA
PR/KR ERIK LORA, USA

Media can download video highlights and photographs from the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at the ftp site: www.pro-amsportsvideos.com/download.html

Please credit Shawn Hubbard Photography when using photos

Follow the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship at www.JWCFootball.com

Mr. White
2nd September 2009, 12:05
IFAF CALENDAR

This Month...


September/2009

1 - Manaus Bowl III Season Kickoff
Manaus, Brazil
afab@afabonline.com.br


1- Campeonato Paulista Season Kickoff
S&Atilde;O Paulo, Brazil
afab@afabonline.com.br


4-6 - Flag Football Coaching Clinic
Canary Islands, Spain
atrabado@antfa.com

5 - FAA 2009 Season - Week 9
Boars vs. Legionaires, 1pm
Polar Bears vs. Corsairs, 3:30pm
Buenois Aires, Brazil
biaginis@faarg.com.ar

5 - Rednecks Bowl
Slavkova u Brna, Czech Republic
caaf@caaf.cz
rednecksbowl.net


11-13 - Senior Euro Flag
Belfast, Ireland
office@efaf.de

12 - LUFA Expo-Prado 2009
Exhibition Meeting
Prado, Uruguay
info@lufa.com.uy


12-13 - France: Coaching Clinic
Freyming-Merlebach, France
Conact: Jean-Pierre Hinck
jean-pierre.hinck@wannado.fr

19 - SAJL East-West Game
Castrenin Ground, Oulu, Finland
taxiyka@hotmail.com

19 - SAFF Finals
10am: U15 Final
2pm: U17 Final
6pm: U19 Final
Zinkensdamms IP, Stockholm, Sweden
kansliet@amerikanskfotboll.com

19-20 - Ladies Bowl XVIII
Lucbeck, Germany
office@afvd.de

19-20 - German Flag Bowl X
office@afvd.de


19-20 SM Flag Football Tournament
Stockholm, Sweden
flagg@amerikanskfotboll.com

20 - SAFF SM - Final
1pm
Zinkensdamms IP, Stockholm, Sweden
kansliet@amerikanskfotboll.com

20- SAJL Women's national team qualifying camp
Helsinki, Finland
office@sajl.org

25-27 - Finland Men's national team camp
Friday, September 25, 5.30-7.30
Tikkurila Sports Park, Finland
Saturday, September 26, 12-1.45 & 5.30-7.30
Tikkurila Sports Park, Finland
Sunday, September 27, 10-12 & 4-6
Helsinki Velodrome, Finland
office@sajl.org

26-27 - German Junior Flag Bowl XI
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
office@afvd.de

26-27 - SAJL Women's national team camp
Vantaa & Helsinki, Finland
office@sajl.org

26-27 - BritBowl XXIII Championship Weekend
Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
Saturday, September 26
Youth Final, 3.00pm
BAFL 2 Final, 7.00pm
Sunday, September 27
Division 1 Final, 12.00pm
BritBowlXXIII, 4.00pm
media@bafl.org.uk


Next Month...


October / 2009

3 - International Game: Men's national Finland vs. Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
office@sajl.org

3 - International Game: Women's national teams Finland vs. Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
office@sajl.org

3 - Mermaid Bowl
Farum Park
Copenhagen, Denmark
sekretariat@daff.dk

3 - German Bowl XXXI , German Flag Open, Coaches Clinic
Frankfurt, Germany
office@afvd.de

9-12 - Football Coaching Clinic: Levels 1,2,3
Lleida, Spain
atrabado@antfa.com

17 - PFLA I Final
Poland
biuroprasowe@plfa.pl

22-26 - DAFF U19 vs. Kent School, CT
London
sekretariat@daff.dk


24-25 - Players Clinic 2009
ASK Slavia Prague Athletic Center
Prague, Czech Republic
caaf@caaf.cz
http://www.caaf.cz

25 - PLFA II Final
Poland
biuroprasowe@plfa.pl

cristane
2nd September 2009, 12:14
26-27 - BritBowl XXIII Championship Weekend
BritBowlXXIII, 4.00pm
media@bafl.org.uk

3 - German Bowl XXXI , German Flag Open, Coaches Clinic
Frankfurt, Germany
office@afvd.de


Mi-ar placea sa pot vedea meciurile astea... oare chiar nu se televizeaza nicaieri? Stiu ca liga germana e pe DSF, poate apare un stream de la finala... :D

Mr. White
2nd September 2009, 23:08
mmmm.....trebuie cautate pe streamuri..insa din cate stiu anul trecut German bowl nu s-a transmis :(

Mr. White
14th September 2009, 21:36
Daring to dream in Deutschland
Germany presents path for some NFL hopefuls

By MOISES MENDOZA Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Source: IFAF Newsletter
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6598242.html



FRANKFURT, Germany — Before home games, a few hours before kickoff, Sean Cooper's teammates can often find him in their small locker room in Marburg, Germany, chomping on a sandwich and enjoying a few beats of Texas hip-hop through the headphones mashed over his ears.

The 23-year-old running back from Pittsburg, Texas, shuts everything out. He forgets he's been searching for a path into professional football in the United States for years. He puts aside the struggles he's had adjusting to a foreign culture thousands of miles from home.

And he doesn't think of the fact he probably has only a few short years until he's too old to break into big-time football in North America.

“I want to make it. I want to succeed,” said Cooper, who plays for the Marburg Mercenaries, a team about an hour north of Frankfurt. “I will make it.”

There are dozens of young Americans like Cooper, grasping onto thin slivers of their dreams in the German Football League.

Here, where even the biggest football games draw only a few thousand fans, they play on 11 little-known squads in exotic-sounding locales like Marburg, Kiel and Stuttgart. Some players, recruited from U.S. colleges big and small, know they'll never make it professionally in America. They're in Germany for a grand adventure. But others ply their trade for little more than free accommodations, insurance and three meals a day, hoping against hope that the GFL will jump-start their football careers and get them back to America.

• • • •

In the sporting world, Germany is best known as a powerhouse in that “other” version of football — what Americans call soccer. Some teams in Germany's Bundesliga, the country's top level of soccer, have followings as passionate as those of the Dallas Cowboys or New York Yankees.

But American football has a long-standing if somewhat tenuous foothold here. U.S. soldiers brought it to Germany during their occupation following World War II, and a tour by a Texas college football team helped the game take root.

In 1976, Texas A&M-Kingsville went on a barnstorming tour of Europe that included three stops in Germany: Berlin, Mannheim and Nürnberg. The tour helped po****rize the game, and a year later, the country's first football organization was formed. In 1979, enthusiasts founded the German Football League.

There was a time when top foreign football players could make thousands of dollars a year in Germany and were regarded as minor celebrities. Between 1991 and 2007, the National Football League backed NFL Europe, and by the time of its demise, five of the six teams were in Germany.

But those days are gone. Today, said NFL spokesman Michael Signora, the league's international marketing efforts are primarily focused in emerging football markets like the United Kingdom or China. And in Germany, where about 40,000 people are members of the country's American football federation, the game is a fringe sport.

The German Football League struggles to attract top-flight players and has deep inequities among its teams. It's arguably the world's top football league outside North America, but players and coaches say the skill level is comparable to Division II college ball in the United States.

“Football here is something like rugby is in the United States,” said Thomas Meyer, an administrative secretary with Germany's football federation, known as AFVD. “The problem is you have high school and college systems to develop players, and we have none of that. It can be very difficult.”

To fill gaps created by the lack of German players, GFL teams are allowed to recruit up to eight Americans. Six are allowed to dress for games, and two can be on the field at any given time.

Many of the young recruits are recent Division II or III college grads. Desperate to extend their careers and their dreams, the Americans find Germany is their final chance to keep playing football.

• • • •

Not all of the GFL's Americans are recent graduates. Between 2004 and 2006, cornerback James Taylor played for the Green Bay Packers, the New York Jets and the Frankfurt Galaxy, a team in NFL Europe. Unable to find another NFL team that would sign him, Taylor, originally from West Virginia, took a year off to visit family in Germany, where he discovered the Weinheim Longhorns, a GFL team based an hour south of Frankfurt.

“I never would have thought of myself here,” Taylor, 29, said after a recent practice.

Taylor hasn't given up. In August, he had a tryout with a team in the United Football League, a newly formed professional league in the United States. If he doesn't make it, he's trying for the Canadian Football League.

There are rare success stories from the GFL such as Markus Kuhn, a Longhorn who played without pay and was recruited to play Division I football in North Carolina. But to understand how long the odds here are for players like Taylor or Cooper, one need only ask Shawn McBrayer, the Longhorns' head coach.

In 2003 at age 32, McBrayer came to Germany from the semi-pro North American Football League. The Missouri native still had dreams of playing in the Arena Football League, but that never happened, and he's been here ever since.

“I'm honest with our guys that the chances are low,” McBrayer said. “I love it here; a lot of guys do. But for a lot of them, this is their last chance to play in a decent league and get some game film.”

Some Marburg players realized long ago there would be no professional football in their future. Tony Chesney, a 25-year-old offensive lineman, played college football in Kansas and Oklahoma, but after failing to catch on with a pro team in the United States, he came to Germany a couple years ago.

He's gotten a German girlfriend, traveled around Europe and learned a bit of the language. Next year, he says, he wants to become a police officer in the Houston area.

“It's been a great experience for me here, the time of my life,” he said. “But when I came here, I knew this was it for me.”

• • • •

Cooper sees himself as on a completely different path than players like Chesney. He's going to make it to big-time football, he tells himself. He can't give up.

But the last two years have been trying for the 5-8, 180-pound running back, who played at Division II Southeastern Oklahoma State and never had been out of the U.S. until he came to Germany in 2008. There has been a new culture to adjust to, a strange language and different food. There also were long days to fill; few of the American players have jobs outside football.

Cooper spent those days working out and planning how he could make himself better, and he has blossomed into perhaps the GFL's premier player. But his heart is far away from Europe. Every day, he talks to friends and family back home in Texas, telling them how next year he's sure he'll make it into the Canadian Football League. From there, he says, the possibilities are limitless.

“It's a matter of a breakthrough,” Cooper said after a recent game in which he scored three touchdowns. “I just need that one little breakthrough.”

cristane
15th September 2009, 14:09
Foarte misto articolul.

Mr. White
6th October 2009, 23:42
Three members of the USA Football International Student Program (ISP) helped their prep school record an overtime victory this weekend in Connecticut.

The Kent School scored eight points in the last minute of regulation to force overtime. Damien Scannella from Stockholm, Sweden, caught a tipped two-point conversion pass at the end of regulation as Kent School went on to defeat Trinity-Pawling School 28-22 on Friday, October 2.

Also in action for Kent were Nikola Bogojevic from Canberra, Australia, and Rafael Oehme Rasgado from Dresden, Germany.


Two other ISP members from Denmark and Australia helped New Hampshire prep school Kimball Union Academy to their second straight victory.

The USA Football International Student Program is in its fourth year of giving student athletes from around the world an opportunity to play prep school American Football in the United States.

The initiative is administered jointly by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and USA Football and in 2009-10 features eight international football prospects, from Australia, Denmark, Germany and Sweden.

Schools currently taking part in the ISP are the Kent School (CT), Salisbury School (CT), Lake Forest Academy (IL) and Kimball Union Academy (NH).


Week One: Players from Australia

Two ISP members from Australia led their prep school football teams to victory this weekend in Connecticut and New Hampshire.

First year ISP member from Canberra, Australia, Nikola Bogojevic helped the Kent School win their second straight game in a dramatic 28-22 finish. Kent School scored eight points in the last minute of regulation to force overtime.

Bogojevic started at nose guard and finished the game with two tackles.

Kent will play their third consecutive Friday night game on October 9 as they travel to Brunswick School at 7pm.

Second year ISP member, Luke Robinson from Sydney played both ways for Kimball Union Academy during a dominating 41-8 victory against Hyde School.

Robinson played center and defensive end for the Wildcats who ran 97% of their offensive plays on the ground and rushed for four of the six KUA touchdowns.

Robinson will look to continue his success when the Wildcats travel to Holderness School on Friday, October 9 at 3:00pm.


Week One: Players from Denmark

Danish native Robert King from Copenhagen started both ways during the convincing 41-8 Kimball Union Academy victory against Hyde School on Saturday, October 3.

King started at offensive and defensive tackle for the Wildcats who ran the ball the majority of the day to great success as they scored four of six touchdowns on the run.

King played on last year's Wildcats team that reached the NEPSAC Eaton-Estey championship bowl game and will look for another victory this season when they travel to Holderness School on Friday, October 9 at 3:00pm.


Week One: Players from Germany

Linebacker Rafael Oehme Rasgado from Dresden helped the Kent School win a thrilling 28-22 come-from-behind overtime victory against Trinity-Pawling School on Friday, October 2.

The first-year ISP member started for Kent School and collected seven solo tackles and four assisted tackles.

Kent School is now 2-0 on the season and will play a third straight Friday night game when the team travels to Brunswick School on October 9.


Three ISP members from Germany suffered a tough loss in Connecticut and Illinois despite some strong performances from the international athletes.

Second year member Bjoern Werner (Berlin, Germany) played both ways for the Salisbury School Crimson Knights heartbreaking 26-24 loss to Avon Old Farms.

Werner showcased his strength and quickness and underlined why he is a top ten-ranked player at his position by Rivals.com and Scout.com, making 12 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery on the defensive side. At tight end, Werner made three catches for 25 yards.

Teammate and Hamburg, Germany native Kai Brusch added four tackles and two quarterback hurries to the Salisbury School defensive presence.

The two second-year ISP members will look for their first victory of the season on Saturday, October 10 when they host the Taft School at 3:30pm.

First-year ISP member Lorenz Narku Laing from Mainz started at right guard during Lake Forest Academy 33-32 loss to Western Reserve Academy. Lorenz made one tackle for the Caxy as they fell to 2-4 on the season.

Lake Forest Academy will look to improve that record on Saturday, October 10 when they travel to La Lumiere School.


Week One: Players from Sweden

First-year ISP member Damien Scannella from Stockholm continued to make his mark at the Kent School in Connecticut as he caught a tipped two-point conversion pass in the corner of the endzone to force overtime on Friday, October 2 against Trinity-Pawling School.

Kent scored eight points in the last minute of regulation and went on to win 28-22 in overtime.

Scannella played both ways for Kent and had three receptions for 48 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, he played free safety making five tackles and recovering a key fumble in his team's second straight victory.

The Kent School, now 2-0, will look for their third straight Friday night victory on October 9 as they travel to Brunswick School.


Week One: Connecticut

The Kent School,with the help of three new ISP players from three different countries, won a thrilling 28-22 overtime game against Trinity-Pawling School on Friday, October 2.

Kent came back from an eight-point deficit with only a minute left in regulation to force overtime.

Damien Scannella from Stockholm in Sweden played a big part in the team's success as he caught the tipped two-point conversion pass in the corner of the endzone at the end of regulation.

In the second victory of the season, Scannella played both ways and made three receptions for 48 yards and at free safety where he had five tackles and a key fumble recovery.

First year ISP members Nikola Bogojevic from Canberra, Australia and Rafael Oehme from Dresden Germany started for the Kent School at nose guard and linebacker.

Bogojevic had two tackles and Oehme had a strong defensive performance collecting seven solo and four assisted tackles.

The three ISP members will line up for their third straight Friday night game on October 9 when they travel to Brunswick School.

Second year ISP member Bjoern Werner (Berlin, Germany) played both ways for the Salisbury School Crimson Knights in a heartbreaking 26-24 loss to Avon Old Farms.

Werner showcased his strength and quickness making 12 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery on the defensive side.
At tight end, Werner made three catches for 25 yards.

Teammate and Hamburg, Germany native Kai Brusch added four tackles and two quarterback hurries the Salisbury School defensive presence.

The two second year ISP members will look for their first victory of the season on Saturday, October 10 when they host Taft School at 3:30pm.


Week One: Illinois

First-year ISP member Lorenz Narku Laing from Mainz, Germany started at right guard during Lake Forest Academy's 33-32 loss to Western Reserve Academy.

Lorenz made one tackle for the Caxy as they fell to 2-4 on the season.

Lake Forest Academy will look to improve their record on Saturday, October 10 when they travel to La Lumiere School.




Week One: New Hampshire

Danish native Robert King from Copenhagen and Luke Robinson from Sydney , Australia started both ways during the convincing 41-8 Kimball Union Academy victory against Hyde School on Saturday, October 3.

King started at offensive and defensive tackle for the Wildcats who ran the ball the majority of the day to great success as they scored four of six touchdowns on the run.

Robinson played center and defensive end during the Wildcats' second victory of the 2009 season.


The second-year members played on last year's Wildcats team that reached the NEPSAC Eaton-Estey championship bowl game and will look for another victory this season when they travel to Holderness School on Friday, October 9 at 3:00pm.

Mr. White
31st October 2009, 02:02
Source: http://ifaf.org/articles/view/262

A group of highly qualified and experienced American football coaches from Sweden held a two-day coaching clinic in the Bulgarian capital Sofia on the weekend of October 17 and 18.

The camp in Bulgaria took place on the practices fields of Team Sofia at the invitation of Bulgarian Federation of American Football and approximately 35 players from Bulgaria’s Team Sofia and Romania’s Bucharest Warriors and Bucharest Predators attended the very successful camp.

The three traveling coaches were all members of the Swedish national team staff and prominent in the sport of American football in Sweden. Offensive coordinator and head coach of the Arlanda Jets B.D. KENNEDY will be joined by defensive coordinator JAN BJÖRKLUND, and defensive backs coach PATRIK LUNDKVIST, who also coaches with the Limhamn Griffins and is a former NFL Europe player.

The visit to Bulgaria was part of a new International Federation of American Football (IFAF) initiative aimed at utilizing the expertise of coaches at the elite level of the sport by making them available to developing nations to improve and enhance their fundamental coaching techniques. Encompassed by the collective Education Development Program, a series of coaching initiatives will be implemented on multiple levels to benefit all 57 IFAF member federations around the world.

The camp was designed to teach the fundamentals of American football to the participants focusing on proper techniques of blocking, tackling, running, throwing, and catching. The drills were done with progression with first mastering the proper techniques then moving all the way to game speed situations by the end of the camp.

The coaching staff started with mainly one-on-one drills and led up to large group drills such as the “Oklahoma” drill and the classic “Victory” drill that had the offensive line against the defensive line, the running backs against the linebackers, and the wide receivers against the defensive backs all at the same time.

Watch video footage of the two-day clinic.

An important component that made the camp so successful was the willingness of the players to learn and the effort that went into all the of the competition drills.

“I would like to express my and Team Sofia’s gratitude regarding all the efforts the traveling coaches did for the coaching camp in Bulgaria to make the event a reality,” said Bulgarian Federation President Hristo Gurkovsky. “It was a fantastic experience for all of us involved.”

“All the players have made huge improvements regarding the fundamentals and understanding of the game.”

The event showcased the continued development and dedication of the sport in the Balkans. Host Team Sofia will take the knowledge and techniques learned in the camp as they kick off its new season against the Turkey’s Istanbul Cavaliers in November.

cristane
20th November 2009, 12:07
Meci amical istoric in aprilie 2010: Germania - Japonia, la Dusseldorf :D

http://forum.nfluk.com/showthread.php?p=1023542

dumboss_yo
20th November 2009, 12:14
Ha, eu tin cu japonezii :P ... now that's going to be interesting ...

Mr. White
21st November 2009, 17:53
http://www.warriors.ro/news-Comunicate.php

:D

Mr. White
3rd December 2009, 10:57
NFL NETWORK TO BROADCAST USA FOOTBALL’S USA VS. WORLD GAME LIVE ON JANUARY 30

Read more... (http://www.warriors.ro/news-latestNews.php)

Mr. White
11th December 2009, 15:11
EFAF Coaching Clinic Dublin November 21-22, 2009 great success

READ MORE... (http://www.warriors.ro/news-Comunicate.php)

Mr. White
18th January 2010, 13:17
IFAF CALENDAR

January / 2010

16-17 - EFAF Officiating Clinic
Germany
www.afvd.de

16-17 - CAAF Junior National Team Tryouts
Czech Republic
www.caaf.cz
kocian@caaf.cz

16-17 - AFBO Football Clinic II
Salzburg, Austria
www.afboe.at

16-17 - SAJL Women's Football Training Camp
EERIKKILÄN Sports Institute
Tammela, Finland
www.sajl.fi

23 - AFBO General Assembly
Villach, Austria
www.afboe.at

23-24 - AFBO Football Clinic II
Vienna, Austria
www.afboe.at

24 - SAJL Lineman Camp
Hippos Hall
Jyväskylä, Finland
www.sajl.fi

29-31 - SAFF Women's Training Camp
Uppsala, Sweden
www.amerikanskfotball.com
kolkat@comhem.se

30 - Team USA vs. World
12pm Kickoff
Lockhart Stadium
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
www.facebook.com/USAvsWorld

31 - NFL Pro Bowl
AFC vs. NFC
Dolphin Stadium, Miami, FL, USA
www.NFL.com

Next Month...
February / 2010

7 - Super Bowl XLIV
Dolphin Stadium, Miami, FL, USA
www.NFL.com

20-21 - AFBO Football Clinic III
Vienna, Austria
www.afboe.at

27 - FFFA Flag Football Tournament
Men's & Women's
Pessac, France
www.fffa.org

Mr. White
19th January 2010, 23:55
RIDDELL NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF
USA FOOTBALL'S "TEAM USA vs. THE WORLD" GAME

Coaches and High School-Aged Football Players Spanning 12 Countries to Compete in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, January 30

USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, announced today that Riddell is the presenting sponsor of USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 30. NFL Network will televise the game nationally with kickoff set for noon ET.

USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game, presented by Riddell, is an official NFL Pro Bowl Week event. The game features USA Football's 2010 Junior National Team and a World Select team comprised of players and coaches spanning four continents in Ft. Lauderdale's historic Lockhart Stadium. Team USA includes America's top high school football student-athletes. The game will air after Jan. 30 AFC and NFC All-Star practices in Lockhart Stadium and both events are free of charge.

"Being part of this game is important to us," said Riddell President DAN ARMENT. "Americans know how football brings people and communities together and the sport has done that for generations. USA Football's 'Team USA vs. The World' game shows the global passion for football's excitement and team-first values with athletes and coaches spanning 12 nations. Riddell is proud to be associated with this game and USA Football."

The head coach of USA Football's Junior National Team is CHRIS MERRITT, head coach of Miami Christopher Columbus High School. Merritt was the 2009 USA Football Junior National Team's defensive backs coach that earned a gold medal in Canton, Ohio, this past July in the eight-nation International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship. The tournament was the first junior world championship in football history, drawing more than 40,000 fans to Canton's Fawcett Stadium during the course of four game days.

JAN JENMERT, head coach of Sweden's junior national football team, is the head coach of the 45-man "World" roster.

Delivering NFL Network game commentary for the multi-national noon ET kickoff on Jan. 30 will be RICH EISEN, DEION SANDERS and SCOTT KENNEDY. Sideline reporter STACEY DALES will contribute on-field insight.

USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game, presented by Riddell, is also supported by numerous USA Football corporate partners, including Shock Doctor, GameWear Team Sports, Gatorade, Cutters and the Andrews Institute.

About Riddell

Riddell, one of Easton-Bell's most well-known brands, and the Official Helmet of the NFLŸ, is a premier designer and developer of helmets and protective equipment used by professional and amateur athletes in team sports. Founded in 1929, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads, reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment) and collectible helmets. When the Riddell Revolution helmet - the first helmet designed with the intent of reducing the risk of concussion - was introduced in 2002, it was the first major innovation in football helmets in 25 years. In fact, the Riddell Revolution helmet is the only helmet that has independent, peer reviewed research (Neurosurgery, Feb. 2006, Vol. 58, No. 2), showing that it reduced the risk of concussion by 31 percent when compared to traditional helmets. Since its invention, over 1 million high school, college and pro players have made the switch from traditional helmets to the Revolution family of helmets. Riddell's proud history has been built on a passionate quest to continuously develop the most protective products in the game and enhance player performance across numerous athletic and recreational activities at all levels.

Source: IFAF
http://www.usavworld.com/2010/
http://www.ifaf.org/

Mr. White
28th January 2010, 10:28
THE ANDREWS INSTITUTE AND REEBOK JOIN PARTNER ROSTER FOR USA FOOTBALL'S "TEAM USA VS. THE WORLD" GAME PRESENTED BY RIDDELL

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 - USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, announced today that the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and Reebok have joined the list of partners for USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game, presented by Riddell, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 12 p.m. ET. The game will be televised live by NFL Network.

USA Football's 2010 Junior National Team - 45 of the country's top high school seniors - will face a World Select team composed of the best players aged 19 and under from outside the United States spanning eight countries on four continents. Showcasing the world's top high school-aged players from across the globe, the Jan. 30 contest will follow AFC and NFC All-Star practices at Lockhart Stadium. Admission to the NFL All-Star practices and "Team USA vs. The World" game is free of charge.

The Andrews Institute, USA Football's official sports medicine provider, will supply athletic training and medical care for USA Football's Junior National Team and the World Team during this week's practices and Saturday's game. A world-class institute for orthopaedics and sports medicine in Pensacola, Fla., the Institute opened its doors in 2007. Renowned orthopedic surgeon and Andrews Institute founder DR. JAMES ANDREWS will serve both teams on the sideline on gameday.

Reebok is a global brand in the sporting goods and apparel industry, manufacturing and marketing sports, fitness and lifestyle products. The company will provide cleats and footwear for the game's players, coaches and officials. Reebok's addition to the list of supporters marks the first time that the NFL partner has teamed up with USA Football.

"The Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Pensacola, Florida is proud to be the official sports medicine provider for USA Football," says Dr. James R. Andrews. "Our mission compliments the efforts of USA Football to educate coaches, parents and athletes on safety and injury prevention. We are proud to support the Team USA vs. The World game and look forward to providing this same service at future events."

JAN JENMERT, head coach of Sweden's national football team, is the head coach of the 45-man "World" roster, which is selected from eight countries on four continents: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico and Sweden.

The head coach of USA Football's team is CHRIS MERRITT, head coach of Miami Christopher Columbus High School. Merritt was the 2009 USA Football Junior National Team's defensive backs coach that earned a gold medal in Canton, Ohio, this past July in the eight-nation International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship.

Delivering NFL Network game commentary for the multi-national noon ET kickoff on Jan. 30 will be RICH EISEN, DEION SANDERS, and SCOTT KENNEDY. Sideline reporter STACEY DALES will contribute on-field insight.

USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game, presented by Riddell, is also supported by numerous USA Football corporate partners, including GameWear Team Sports, Shock Doctor, Gatorade, and Cutters.

Source: IFAF

Mr. White
29th January 2010, 19:39
USA FOOTBALL'S TEAM USA VS. THE WORLD GAME
PRESENTED BY RIDDELL AVAILABLE LIVE ON
NFL GAME PASS FOR INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE

Football fans outside the United States can subscribe to NFL Game Pass online to catch all the action live from Lockhart Stadium at 12pm on Saturday, Jan. 20

USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game will be televised LIVE by NFL Network and will be available to football fans outside the United States in high definition quality through an NFL Game Pass subscription.

Fans eager to cheer on the World team - featuring players and coaches from American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden - can do so by visiting www.NFL.com/GamePass.

Selecting the option of a subscription covering the January 30 game date will allow access to online streaming and all the action when the game kicks off at 12pm local time. Subscribers will also have access to the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl practices, which take place at Lockhart Stadium from 9am, in addition to regular NFL Network programming.

"There will be about 50 friends and relatives cramming into my house back in Australia to watch the game," said World team defensive tackle JESSE WILLIAMS. Currently playing football at Arizona Western junior college, Williams was among five World team players interviewed by NFL Network on Thursday during production meetings to prepare for the broadcast.

"I've been watching the NFL Network in my room and there have been loads of adverts for our game every day," said fullback JAMES SIFAKIS. "It is pretty cool to see those promos as part of the Pro Bowl previews and then realize that is the game we're going to be playing in."

RICH EISEN, DEION SANDERS and SCOTT KENNEDY will deliver game commentary. Sideline reporter STACEY DALES will contribute on-field insight. Viewers in the United States can watch the game live on the NFL Network.

JAN JENMERT, head coach of Sweden's national American football team, is the head coach of the 45-man World roster, which is selected from eight countries on four continents. The head coach of USA Football's team is CHRIS MERRITT, head coach of Miami Christopher Columbus High School. Merritt was the 2009 USA Football Junior National Team's defensive backs coach that earned a gold medal in Canton, Ohio, this past July in the eight-nation International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship.

For more about USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game, presented by Riddell, visit www.usavworld.com.

Source: IFAF

Mr. White
31st January 2010, 12:07
WORLD TEAM FALLS 17-0 TO TEAM USA

SATURDAY, JANUARY, 30 - FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The world is becoming a smaller place.

At least in football terms, only 17 points separates the game's traditional powerhouse of the United States and the rest of the world following a 17-0 Team USA victory over the World at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Assembled as a collective squad of the best under 19 American football players from around the world for the first time, the team representing eight countries and four continents held their own against USA Football's junior national team of 45 players who have committed to some of the nation's top college football programs.

"It didn't surprise me that the game was close," said USA head coach Chris Merritt., whose squad won the first USA Football's Team USA vs. The World Game, Presented by Riddell.

"I'm very proud of how the team came together in about four days. It would be easy for them to think about where they're going to be playing in college but throughout the week it was great to see them become a team."

Team USA built on the psychological advantage of having broken a first half deadlock with a touchdown with only nine seconds remaining and then added a third quarter touchdown and late field goal to edge the contest. The World team was left wondering what might have been.

"Turnovers and the big penalties were our downfall but what hurt the team the most was our truest starter on defense going down on the third play of the game because he has been superb for us all week," explained World team head coach Jan Jenmert.

Canadian quarterback Jeremi Doyon-Roch (Vanier College) was intercepted by Team USA MVP Mike Hull (Canon-McMillan, PA) late in the third quarter with the World team trailing 14-0 and facing a crucial third and seven at the USA 12-yard line. There was to be no comeback once Team USA capitalized, driving into range for kicker Ben Hopfinger (St Thomas Aquinas) to split the uprights from 40 yards out.

The World team lost Australian defensive tackle Jesse Williams (Arizona Western) to injury on the opponent's opening drive, disrupting a line that has impressed during a week of practices, with Williams one of the stars. They then also had to adjust the running game when fullback James Sifakis (Vanier College) also went down.

It was the World team's ground attack that opened brightly with Steven Lumbala (University of Calgary) and Doyon-Roch pounding the ball steadily downfield on the ground, completing three third downs in the process.

Neither team was able to move the ball for the remainder of the first quarter, but to open the second, Team USA sustained a drive that looked likely to put points on the board. Aided by a roughing the kicker penalty that earned a first down after having to punt, Team USA quarterback Mark Myers (St Ignatius, OH), who had been run into when punting, connected with Sam Gagliano (Waxahachie, TX) for a 16 yard gain. He then found Quinton Dunbar (Booker T Washington, FL) and Anthony Creecy (Southern Durham, NC), closing in on field goal range.

A Christian Walcott (Concordia University) tackle on Myers for a loss of seven yards brought out the field goal unit and German defensive end Bjoern Werner (Salisbury School, CT), who has been highly recruited by leading US colleges, blocked a 28-yard field goal attempt by Hopfinger.

That should have left the first half scoreless, but Dunbar produced an elusive punt return, at one point forced back to his own five-yard mark, to take the ball out to within a yard of midfield, a touchdown return denied by the tackle of punter Tyler Crapigna (Ottawa Myers Riders).

Quarterback Tyler Smith (Wilson Area HS, PA) went to work immediately, hooking up on a spectacular 50-yard pass downfield that Josh Reese (Miami Central, FL) would have taken all the way to pay dirt but for a saving tackle by Dylan Hollohan (St Francis Xavier) at the one-yard mark. Reese fumbled and recovered the ball on the play then from a yard out, Ethan Grant (North Broward Prep, FL) scored to earn Team USA a 7-0 halftime lead with only nine seconds left on the clock.

What proved to be the killer blow came at the start of the second half. Team USA drove steadily towards its second touchdown and used the no huddle offense effectively. Dontae Williams (Aldine, TX) gained 11 yards on two carries, Jakhari Gore (Miami Columbus, FL) 21 from three and Myers went to the air for a 25-yard connection with Gagliano.

From five yards out, Williams burst over right tackle to earn a two-touchdown lead after Hopfinger added the extra point.

The World team enjoyed success moving the chains on the ground, with team MVP Hampus Hellermark (Sweden) the most effective rusher with an eventual 64 yards from 12 carries. But the passing game proved less effective, especially on third down.

Team USA closed out the third quarter and the contest with a confident 40yard field goal from Hopfinger.

The World team produced a steady 15-play, 50-yard drive that threatened to break the shutout late on, but Hellermark lost yards on a swing pass on fourth and goal as Team USA held firm.

Myers led Team USA with 7 of 10 pass attempts completed for 79 yards, while Smith contributed 5 of 10 for 105 yards. Keiwone Malone (Mitchell, TN) had 4 receptions for 41 yards, Gagliano 3 for 46 and Reese 2 for 72. On the ground Gore rushed 11 times for 53 yards, Williams 10 times for 59 yards and a touchdown and Grant 7 times for 11 yards.

Hull and Travis Williams (Lake Taylor, VA) led the Americans with 8 tackles each, with Hull claiming the game's only interception. Steele Divitto (Don Bosco Prep, NJ) had 8 tackles and a sack, while Josh Huff (Nimitz, TX) recorded 2 sacks and 4 tackles.

Hellermark was the World team's most effective offensive weapon with 12 carries for 64 yards, while Lumbala rushed for 28 yards on 7 carries and Doyon-Roch for 32 from 9 runs. The Vanier Prep quarterback completed 5 of 13 pass attempts for 32 yards, with 2 of those going to college teammate Julian Bailey for a total of 14 yards.

Defensively, Walcott led the World team with 6 tackles and a sack and there were also sacks for Jerod McCrory (Western University), Beck Coulter (Trinity, TX), Scott Janz (Western) and Tyler Sawyer (University of Ottawa).

For more about USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game, presented by Riddell, visit www.usavworld.com.

Source: IFAF

Mr. White
1st March 2010, 14:33
EFAF Webpage is relaunched


WWW.EFAF.INFO (http://www.efaf.info)

Mr. White
3rd March 2010, 18:37
Nine Nations send teams into EFAF Cup
EFAF Cup schedule 2010 published

For a third year in a row the record number of nine nations will be represented in the EFAF Cup. The schedule for the preliminary round, starting on April 17, has been fixed and features eleven teams in four groups. The semifinals are scheduled for the first weekend in June, with the final game to be played in Mid-July. EFAF Cup has been established in 2002 as a second European-wide clubs tournament besides EFL. Just like soccer's Europe League (formerly UEFA Cup) it is primarily designed to provide international competition for national champions, whose countries have not earned a starting spot in the European Football League, and for teams from countries with EFL starting spots that fell short of the national title the year before.

Again, amongst the nine nations involved, the examples for both of thes propositions are easily to be found in 2010: Parma Panthers and Lazio Marines from Italy, France's Saint-Ouen Cougars, Spain's L'Hospitalet Pioners or the Carlstad Crusaders from Sweden give it a try on the European stage after falling just slightly short in the race for their national championships. They will join the champions from Denmark (Sollerod Gold Diggers), the Netherlands (Amsterdam Crusaders), Serbia (Kragujevvac Wild Boars), Great Britain (London Blitz) and Switzerland (Calanda Broncos) in the quest for the EFAF Cup trophy. The Zurich Renegades complete the field as a second Swiss team.

EFAF Cup has proven to be the perfect preparation for teams planning to play within the EFL in the future. The EFAF Cup champion earns an automatic starting spot for next year's EFL competition. And not only last year's cup winner Prague Panthers contends for the Eurobowl this year, the other 2009 finalist from Thonon, France, made it to the EFL, too. Which is not only beneficial to these clubs, but to the EFAF Cup competition as a whole. From season to season a new open race evolves. As of last year's semifinalists only Dutch champion Amsterdam Crusaders return (the Bologna Doves have lost their national First-Division status, which is mandatory for EFAF Cup contestants), and the Crusaders are packed into what could be the strongest division of the preliminaries, it will be no surprise, when the semifinals will be played by totally new set of teams.

Amsterdam will first have to travel to Paris to clash with the Saint-Ouen Cougars before playing at home against British champion London Blitz. The winner of this Western European group then will face the winner of the Scandinavian clash between Carlstad and Sollerod in the semifinals. The Italian and Swiss teams are split up between groups 1 and 2, where Parma and Zurich battle L'Hospitalet while Calanda and Lazio try to hold off Kragujevac.

Source: EFAF

cristane
4th March 2010, 13:12
Cupele Europene 2010


European Football League (3 aprilie - 5 iulie, finala: Dublin)

Grupa 1: Bergamo Lions (Italia), Templiers Elancourt (Franta), Valencia Firebats (Spania)
Grupa 2: Berlin Adler (Germania), Prague Panthers (Cehia), Stockholm Mean Machines (Suedia)
Grupa 3: Belgrado Blue Dragons (Serbia), Danube Dragons (Austria), Les Black Panthers de Thonon les Bains (Franta)
Grupa 4: Badalona Dracs (Spania), Bolzano Giants (Italia), Raiffeisen Vikings Vienna (Austria)
Sferturi de finala: Turek Graz Giants (Austria), Flash de la Courneuve (Franta), Porvoon Butchers (Finlanda), Swarco Raiders Tirol (Austria).


EFAF Cup (17 aprilie - 17 iulie)

Grupa A: Pioners de l`Hospitalet (Spania), Panthers Parma (Italia), Zurich Renegades (Elvetia)
Grupa B: Calanda Broncos (Elvetia), Kragujevac Wild Boars (Serbia), Lazio Roma (Italia)
Grupa C: Carlstad Crusaders (Suedia), Sollerod Gold Diggers (Danemarca)
Grupa D: Amsterdam Crusaders (Olanda), London Blitz (Anglia), Cougars of Saint Ouen l’Aumône (Franta)


Atlantic Cup (26-27 iunie, Dublin)

Brussels Bulls (Belgia), Dudelange Dragons (Luxembourg), Lelystadt Commanders (Olanda), UL Vikings (Irlanda)


Challenge Cup

Grupa A: Györ Sharks (Ungaria), Klek Knights (Serbia), Pomorze Seahawks (Polonia), Vrbas Hunters (Serbia)
Grupa B: Pancevo Panthers (Serbia), Reggio Emilia Hogs (Italy), Wroclaw Devils (Polonia)

A.k.a
4th March 2010, 22:40
Care competitie e cea mai mare?

r0bby
4th March 2010, 23:22
European Football League cred.

Mr. White
5th March 2010, 00:29
Da, cea mai mare este the European Football League

Mr. White
5th March 2010, 00:30
EFAF to enter new decade of success

A very successful decade for European American Football has just ended, and - even more important - prospects for the years ahead seem to be even more promising. German-native Sebastian Vollmer became the first non-kicking player drafted to the NFL after starting playing football in an European club institution. And not only did Vollmer make an impressive debut with the New England Patriots, but already there a lot of players in his footsteps. More Europeans than ever earned college scholarships in recent years, so a few more Vollmers could be seen in the near future. The top European-based youth programs after 30 years of distinctive developmental work finally can compete at least with the average U.S. high school in terms of building up talent pool.

Of course this is just one indication for the progress made (however one of great importance for young athletes) - but at least equally impressive are figures that show the development of the competitions within Europe. When the (then-new) EFAF (the European Federation) Board of Directors decided to focus action on expanding these competitions, there were 10 teams from only 6 nations competing for Eurobowl 2001. For the season just ahead 47 clubs from 23 nations will be involved. Not only the number of clubs is close to five times the one of 2001 but above all the goal to spread American Football and EFAF competitions around the whole continent has certainly been accomplished. This originates in the increasing number of young players starting football earlier than ever before thanks of the work done by national federations. This is also supported by the increasing EFAF development budget which for instance allows to hold clinics for the coaches in the new territories where football has spread.

The broad positioning across Europe is accompanied by progress at the top as well: When the next European champion for national teams (EC 2010) will be determined this summer, six nations will be able to compete in the final tournament for the first time. And the stage for crowning the champion will be more adequate than ever as Frankfurt's Commerzbank Arena, long-time home for Frankfurt Galaxy from the NFL Europe, continues its American Football tradition in a close partnership with EFAF.

Beyond that, the next highlight for European American Football is already in preparation: Austria will host IFAF's fourth World Cup for national teams in 2011, a fitting reward for this country's development in the last decade. Like no other nation the Austrians have embraced EFAF's offer to fuel local development by making use of the expanded variety of international competition. Six Eurobowl trophies won by Austrian teams, the advance into the elite six national teams for EC 2010 and the successful bid for hosting the World Cup have tremendously boosted the appreciation the sports of American Football receives within Austria. No other EFAF member federation is that close to challenge soccer as top discipline attention-wise in its country than the AFBÖ (the Austrian Federation).

Where there is light, there is shadow - especially when the task is such a magnificent as promoting a relatively new and cost-intensive sports on a continent widely addicted to soccer for more than a century. Whenever some national federations and with them EFAF and the sports of American Football as a whole blossom, elsewhere some problems seem to be too difficult to overcome.

EFAF may as it has recently been successfully proven assist national federations in case of problems where financial problems unfolded and have been resolved with the help of concessions or administrative assistance of the whole European American Football community. However, it is better to avoid those problems beforehand. Of course this is no easy task as most federations operate on comparatively small budget. So the blueprint for leading an American Football federation in Europe to success may not be derived out of financial resources which may (but possibly may not) be generated somewhere in the future. Even the well-funded NFL Europe failed with that approach.

A look at the federations in good standing as of now reveals that nearly all of them share one thing in common: Austria's collection of European titles and presence on national TV, Germany's attendance figures and admittance into the biggest stadiums of the country, Spain's logistic efforts to be back-to-back hosts of European Junior Championships, Switzerland's history of fielding teams in all competitions year after year, all these and a lot of other accomplishments are the result of hard work and continuous efforts. They were acquired step by step and this was made possible only because of a long-time continuity in the organizational ranks of these federations. Wherever such continuity has been disrupted, it most often took more than just a few months to get back on track - sometimes it was a matter of years, which were lost for American Football in the respective countries.

Ten years ago EFAF was in a similar state: The European Championships had to be postponed, Junior European Championships were operated by NFL Europe, depending on financial decisions outside of Europe on a year-to-year basis, while the top clubs of the continent preferred to play only nationally and turn a cold-shoulder to Europe. Step by step all these issues have been addressed, and EFAF by now is ready to enter a new decade of success for American Football in Europe.

Mr. White
17th April 2010, 00:00
Eurosport 2 to broadcast Germany-Japan live

The inaugural German-Japan-Bowl at Düsseldorf's ESPRIT Arena on April 24 will have live TV coverage throughout Europe. Paris-based Eurosport, Europe's leading TV sports channel, will air the first game between Germany and Japan on Eurosport 2, the live-broadcast will start with kickoff at 7 p.m. CET (5 p.m. GMT) and be available in the Western an Southern parts of Europe. In Northern and Eastern Europe as well as in the Asia Pacific region tape-delayed coverage will is scheduled. Eurosport 2 is the digital channel of the Eurosport group, often used for live broadcasting and with a special emphasis on American sports. The Eurosport 2 program is broadcasted in up to ten languages and available through most major TV cable systems. In Germany and Austria the program may be received via Astra satellite, live streaming via IP-TV may be accessed worldwide at http://video.eurosport.de/eurosport-player.

Two time world champion and current vice world champion Japan and Germany, third-placed at the last World Cup, never played each other before. Additionally the German-Japan-Bowl marks the first time both countries engage in an intercontinental friendly game. The immense logistic effort behind is made possible, because hosting German federation AFVD teamed up with the management of the ESPRIT Arena, former home of NFL Europe's Rhein Fire. Arena management hopes to revive a longstanding Düsseldorf American Football tradition in its own special way and Germany's AFVD and Japan's JAFA have agreed to turn the German-Japan-Bowl into a series of regular friendly games between the two nations with matchups in years preceding IFAF World Cups and rotating home field advantage.

Before it's time for the IFAF World Cup 2011, the Germans will of course have this year's EFAF European Championships in mind, when facing what should be the ultimative opponent in terms of preparation for the EC (July 24 - July 31) at Frankfurt/Main. After beating European rivals Sweden and France in their last games, to challenge Japan was the next logical step for the Germans in their quest for the European title. As Japan finished ahead of Germany in both last World Cups, but never had to prove its superiority directly on the field, Germany's claim to deserve the number 2 spot outside of North America now is at stake at Düsseldorf. At IFAF's Junior World Championships Germany's junior team lost its quarterfinal against Japan. This loss once again fueled the rivalry, as not only in Germany there is the notion, the Germans would have been a dignified semifinalist rather than a fifth-place team at the tournament. And as it is not unlikely that both nations may face each other again at the 2011 IFAF World Cup in Austria the game at Düsseldorf has way more significance than an ordinary friendly game.

The live-TV-coverage on Eurosport 2 will provide American Football fans all over Europe with the opportunity to experience the special spirit that may evolve from the clash between Germany and Japan. The German federation AFVD is hoping to set a new attendance record for non-tournament games of its national team (the old mark is 5,700 and dates back to 1997). This will be helped by the fact, that Düsseldorf is one of the major centres of Japanese business activities in Europe and has a special history of well-attended Japan-related events in sports or arts. In all the German-Japan-Bowl should further gear up fan interest in Germany - the Düsseldorf game is played exactly three months before the eagerly awaited Germany-Austria clash that will open up the European Championships at Frankfurt/Main.

Tickets and more information: www.german-japan-bowl.de

cristane
17th April 2010, 21:52
Super tare! E si la noi in program, simbata viitoare la 20.00, live pe Eurosport 2 (mi-era frica sa nu transmita astia la noi ceva Premier League la ora meciului).

The Ram
17th April 2010, 23:49
am si eu o intrebare are cineva lineup-ul sunt curios OT neamtz de la pats joaca ?

campuscodi
19th April 2010, 10:25
da.

Ram JR.
24th April 2010, 21:23
au marlanit-o astia de la eurosport2 :| boooooo

The Ram
24th April 2010, 21:48
mentalitatea romaneasca tipica .....cine drq se uita la juma de ora de FOALBAL DALA AMERICAN mai bine bagam o liga a 2 ca e mai maxim

UFO
24th April 2010, 22:42
mai..cine e tipul care comenteaza pe eurosport2 meciul de fotbal american?

r0bby
24th April 2010, 22:51
High formation,thumble:lol:

gaby23k
24th April 2010, 22:58
mai..cine e tipul care comenteaza pe eurosport2 meciul de fotbal american?

nu stiu, dar mai bine se descurca baba cu mitraliera decat el cu FA...cum sa ceri interceptie?:(

UFO
24th April 2010, 23:06
de ce nu se poate pe E2 sa dai pe comentariu original? prefer daca e vreunul in germana dacanu se poate in engl :((
k sa nu mai zic ca a confundat un punt cu "man in motion"

UFO
24th April 2010, 23:09
"preparatorul ofensiv" =)) this guy is funny

UFO
24th April 2010, 23:15
"formatiune shotgun din care se duce usor in spate qb=ul"

A.k.a
24th April 2010, 23:19
E destul de multa lume la meci. Eh, e un comentator de-al postului, nu inseamna ca tre sa fie expert in toate sporturile

UFO
24th April 2010, 23:26
Sa ii explice cineva astuia care e diferenta dintre interceptie si interferenta =)) c'moon MAN!!!

nu e vb sa fi expert...da daca nu ma insel asta comenteaza de ceva timp si meciurile din colegiu...macar sa aiba si el o idee sa nu se faca de ras...

A.k.a
24th April 2010, 23:33
OK, this guy is bad :)). A confundat quarterback kneel cu nu stiu ce ca nu am inteles, a crezut ca s-a fluierat fiindca s-a facut ceva infractionalitate

Zabriskie
24th April 2010, 23:40
lol, am citit discutia si am dat sa vad daca e tot ala care comenta meciuri din big 10 sezonul trecut. tipul e ||.

The Ram
25th April 2010, 00:56
frate la voi a mers eurosport 2 ?aa si please dont spoil the game ...sa vad poate il urca vreunu pe tyt ....

dumboss_yo
25th April 2010, 13:16
M-ar interesa si pe mine sa vad meciul. Sper sa apara pe torrente. Daca aflati ceva, anuntati, va rog.

Melcyah
25th April 2010, 15:37
M-am uitat putin :D la meci dar nu am rezistat :D parca se miscau in reluare jucatorii, oricum sunt cu ceva viteze in urma celor din NFL. Apropo stie careva daca participa si americanii? Sau deocamdata si ei sunt ca Anglia pe vremea cand a aparut soccerul :D

UFO
25th April 2010, 22:11
Sa participe la ce??

A.k.a
25th April 2010, 22:34
M-am uitat putin :D la meci dar nu am rezistat :D parca se miscau in reluare jucatorii, oricum sunt cu ceva viteze in urma celor din NFL. Apropo stie careva daca participa si americanii? Sau deocamdata si ei sunt ca Anglia pe vremea cand a aparut soccerul :D

Era Japan - Germany Bowl sau ceva de genul deci meciul e doare intre astea 2 nationale.

E deja meciul pe TYT

Melcyah
26th April 2010, 01:11
Am crezut ca e ceva cen campionat mondial de NFL :D dar se pare ca m-am inselat

UFO
26th April 2010, 01:35
nu... campionatul mondial de fotbal american e abia in 2011... in schimb campionatul european e anul asta in iulie... intre 24-31 iulie daca nu ma insel..

Mr. White
26th April 2010, 23:44
Din pacate nu am apucat sa vad meciul pe Eurosport, dar din comentariile voastre, vad ca nu avea rost sa ma uit...cu sunet :PPP
Daca persoana care comenteaza meciurile nu are competente pentru a face asta, nu inteleg de ce domnii de la Eurosport nu invita pe cineva de aici de pe forum sa comenteze...sunt sigur ca se va descurca mai bine...pentru ca toti de aici au cel putin minimul necesar pentru asta: stiu jocul...

:(

The Ram
1st May 2010, 03:19
uff ....l-am vazut si eu intr-un final ....ceva e foarte in neregula cu germania ....

Mr. White
6th May 2010, 18:43
EFL quarterfinals ahead

Across the continent Eurobowl dreams blossommed for four teams on the first weekend of May: The winners of the four preliminary groups were determined. Reigning Eurobowl champion Tirol Raiders, the Graz Giants, the Porvoo Butchers and Flash de La Courneuve now are joined by the Berlin Adler, the Vienna Vikings, the Danube Dragons and the Valencia Firebats in the quarterfinals. Quarterfinals are scheduled for May 15, with home field advantage for the four last year's semifinalists.

Four teams from Austria staff the round of the last eight teams. Austrian teams have won the Eurobowl trophy for the last six years in a row, Tirol and Graz secured their spot in this year's quarterfinals when they reached the semifinals of 2009, Danube Dragons and Vienna Vikings now followed in their footsteps. Vienna has a chance to return to the semifinals after falling short last year. Before that the club from the Austrian capital had made it into the top four in Europe from 2001 to 2008. Austrian rival Tirol Raiders would make it to six semifinal births in a row with a home victory on May 15 against Valencia.

The Austrian armada of four teams in the quarterfinals is of note especially in a year, in which the European Championships at Frankfurt will lead arch-rivals Germany and Austria against each other again in a national teams tournament after a long time. In the meantime the Austrians excelled on club level, tying the record mark of six Eurobowl victories, a mark Germany held alone, until Tirol's 2009 triumph put both nations on the same level. Another Austrian or German title would further spark the rivalry before the eagerly awaited EC opener on July 24.

So reigning German champion Berlin Adler is not only playing for its own fate, but carries a special national burden. After eliminating Swedish champion Stockholm Mean Machines the German champion will now spend a visit to Porvoo in Finland. For Berlin the EFL clash with Stockholm was the home opener of the season - as the quarterfinal game now will be for the Porvoo Butchers. As Germans and Scandinavians start their national seasons later than most of the other European countries, big efforts are needed especially in the early stages of EFL, when fine-tuning within the teams may not have reached the level later on used to win national titles. It has been kind of a excuse for lacking success in past EFL seasons, but this year this will not be valid: One team out of Germany/Scandinavia will get the chance to prove itself in the semifinals in June, when the teams should be in full strength.

On the other hand the scheduling guarantees at least one semifinals spot to the Austrians. Danube goes on to face the Graz Giants in an all-Austrian quarterfinal, a rematch of their national league game of April 25, when Graz escaped with a 28-13 victory. However the result misleads a little: After two quick Graz touchdowns both teams for almost the entire game were on even level and the Dragons hope to have their revenge in the upcoming EFL rematch.

The Vienna Vikings take a trip to Paris in the quarterfinals to continue their EFL rivalry with La Courneuve Flash. After Vienna won the 2006 Eurobowl final by a score of 41-9, the French turned things around last year, when they eliminated the Vikings in the quarterfinals at Vienna. A bitter loss for the Vikings, who had been to the semifinals for eight years in a row before. Later on in 2009 the Vikings already surprised as Austrian champion and are determined to get back onto the road of success in EFL as well.

Defending Eurobowl champion Tirol Raiders will host the Valencia Firebats, who needed to win their group game against Elancourt by at least 16 points to stay alive in the competition - and they hit the number quite accurately winning 35-18. The Firebats converted the try for two points after their last touchdown, Elancourt did not - and this pathed the way for the first Spanish team to reach the final stages of the Eurobowl competition since 2004.

Mr. White
26th May 2010, 18:57
Efaf news!!!

Mr. White
7th June 2010, 15:21
Am postat aici pentru ca acest material are legatura cu Fotbalul American International. Nu este un newsletter official IFAF sau EFAF, insa este un pas extraordinar de mare pentru fotbalul american in afara SUA.


Former NFL Player Tunch Ilkin and his filming crew prepared a documentary film about Cavaliers and Turkey. The film is broadcasted on Steelers TV. You may follow it from the link below (8 pieces of video):

http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/videos/Football-in-Turkey---Part-1-of-4/ec52fdc2-3603-46ed-866e-9dd09524239d

Atentie, sunt partu prati.

andi15ro
7th June 2010, 17:19
cel care apare in football in turkey part 2 chiar la inceput tipul cu ochelari, era antrenorul lor sau antrenor de la Texas University?

cycloneclau
7th June 2010, 18:09
Brandon Flowers este antrenorul lor. Scrie si numele si titlul lui cand vorbeste. Il arata si pe fiul lui care studiaza la Texas University, ala a reusit sa adune mai multi oameni cu background de Football (fie highschool, fie college) sa-l ajute pe taica-sau in Istanbul.

andi15ro
7th June 2010, 19:20
da... dar cand ati jucat cu ei, tipul ala cu ochelari care apare la inceput la partea a 2 vorbea cu noi("arbitri")

Mr. White
21st June 2010, 11:14
European Championships in American Football have come a long way since national teams from five countries gathered in the small Italian village of Castel Giorgio in 1983 to play for the first ever EC trophy. This inaugural tournament had in common close to nothing with the European Championship series of today. When the top six teams play for the European crown of 2010 at Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Wetzlar from July 24 to July 31 not only these six alone do outnumber the pioneer teams of 1983, actually the A-pool tournament is just the final stage of a multi-year tournament which involved 14 nations in the current series. A tournament series with a standardized scheduling formula, grouping teams according to their level of play in the three different pools and allowing EFAF member federations to maintain national team programs, in which building up rosters for the teams may be planned within a given and reliable timeframe.

Still, players and coaches of today should be thankful to the pioneers of 1983, when all of the above and a lot more - for instance: pre-booked hotel rooms by the local organisers - still was in the land of dreams. How did you pick your national team a quarter of a century ago? Well, you asked everybody in the top two or three club teams in your country, who would be willing to spend time and money for the trip - et voila: your roster just emerged out of nothing automatically. If you were unfortunate you had 10 cornerbacks and no linebackers or defensive linemen and it was time to draw straws, which 130 pound defensive back had to turn into a nose guard... And what other teams did you play in the tournament? Of course those from every other nation, in which this „recruiting process“ happened to be successful as well and the team somehow found its way to Italy.

So the Austrians, the smallest of the five nations involved in 1983, but still proud to be part of the inaugurational tournament, were „warmly“ welcomed by host Italy with a 87-0 defeat. The scheduling formula of 1983 dealt with the uneven number of five participants in some strange way. First of all, Italy with its expected win over Austria was guaranteed a spot in the final game. They were the hosts, so they made the rules. To be honest, of course there was a little more reasoning behind it: The whole tournament had to be played in the short timespan of a few days to minimize the costs for the traveling players and coaches. So France by default only was awarded a chance to reach the third place game, if they managed to beat Austria - which they did by 72-0 and thus helped the tournament to attain its true goals: to provide each team with two games and to just merely somehow stage an „official“ European Championship. Germany and Finland battled for the other spots in the final games, with Finland winning 33-8 and later on falling to Italy in the final 6-18, after Germany took third place by beating France by a score of 27-20.

A look into the history books sometimes is very helpful in rating what has been achieved. So when the A-pool European Championships kick off at Frankfurt's Commerzbank Arena on July 24 with the long-awaited clash between Austria and Germany, not only for sure we will see an Austrian team with no resemblance at all to their squad of 1983. This game and the final games one week later will be played in the Commerzbank Arena, one of Europe's top sporting venues, refurbished and used for FIFA World Cup 2006. Of course it would be misleading to compare the European Championships in American Football to the World Cup in soccer, the ultimate in multi-national sporting events. But the progress, that European American Football has made since the 80's, is very easily felt when the possibilities of today are compared to those of 1983.

Even more remarkably, most of it has been achieved in recent years. After the beginnings at Castel Giorgio EC tournaments were held on a more or less regular basis in the 80's and 90's. However, the final tournaments were just an affair for the top four countries. Qualification rounds, in which a single defeat could mean your national team was out of business the same day it had its first game, proved to be useless to the development of the sports throughout Europe. Substantial improvements in the system only came after dividing the countries into different pools of similar playing level in 2003. The second such multi-year series of pool tournaments, which will conclude with the grand final at Frankfurt on July 31, enabled more nations to take part than ever. And the first ever six-team final tournament will certainly set a new milestone in American Football history in Europe.

Source: EFAF

Mr. White
27th June 2010, 19:05
USA RECORDS 63-0 VICTORY OVER AUSTRIA TO OPEN
FIRST-EVER IFAF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010 - STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - The United States and Austria made American Football history at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm when they kicked off the first-ever IFAF Women's World Championship at 1pm local time on Sunday, June 27.

The Americans cruised to a 63-0 victory as Boston Militia running back Mia Brickhouse rushed for two touchdowns and the US defense stifled the Austrian attack, which showed glimmers of promise through team MVP running back Marie-Theres Michelitsch, who rished for 71 yards.

Game stats available at www.IFAF.org within game story on 'Other' tab.

"I'm pleased with the win of course," said Team USA head coach John Konecki. "We tried to stay balanced with our running and passing game and took what the defense gave us. We came out slowly, but soon found our rhythm."

New York Sharks wide receiver Adrienne Smith scored the first historic points in IFAF Women's World Championship history with a 52-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jennifer Schmidt of the Kansas City Tribe.

Team USA MVP Rusty Sowers then reeled in a five-yard touchdown pass as to establish an early 13-point lead, but Saskia Stribrny of the Raiffeisen Lady Vikings blocked the extra point attempt.

The US thought an interception return by Sharon Vasquez of the Pittsburgh Passion had doubled the lead but an inadvertent whistle brought the return that had gone all the way to the end zone back to the line of scrimmage. Angela Bandstra of the Tennessee Valley Tigers produced a crucial pass break as Austria threatened to move downfield.

The US wasted no time in putting further points on the board as Melissa Gallegos of the Southern California Scorpions found a wide-open Jennifer Blum of the NY Sharks in the end zone from14-yards out for a 19-point advantage after a two-point conversion attempt failed.

The powerful Jessica Springer of the Dallas Diamonds gained 24 dominant yards up the middle as the US opened the second quarter by going to a hurry up offense that put Austria even more on the back foot. That opened up the field for Danilynn Welniak of the Tigers to reel in a 14-yard touchdown catch and a decisive 27-0 lead after Adrienne Wilson of the Boston Militia caught a two-point conversion pass with 10:27 remaining in the half.

After another bustling Springer carry took the US to within a yard of the end zone, setting up Brickhouse to break the plain and add the two-point conversion for a 35-0 lead. Knengi Martin of the California Quake then passed from 24 yards out to USA MVP Rusty Sowers with one second remaining on the first half clock for a 42-0 interval lead.

Brickhouse ran off the blocking of Springer for her second touchdown from two yards out to score early in the third quarter, before the Austrians mustered an offensive threat in reply. Michelitsch took a neatly executed misdirection run to earn a rare first down, but again the USA defense held firm.

Springer, who led the US with 12 carries for 120 yards, earned deserved reward for her afternoon of moving the chains for the US with a determined charge down the left sideline for a 45-yard touchdown and a 56-point advantage.

Quarterback Sami Grisafe of the Chicago Force got in on the action when she kept the ball on a bootleg as the entire Austria defense bit on the play and surged left, while she ran to the right and jogged three yards untouched to the end zone for a for 63-0 final score.

Host Sweden takes on Canada at 6pm local time / 12pm EST today at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm. Team USA resumes play on Thursday at 6pm / 12pm EST on Thursday, July 1 against Finland, while Austria also faces Finland at 1pm / 7am EST on Tuesday, June 29.

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

2010 IFAF Women's World Championship schedule

Sunday, June 27, 2010
1pm USA 63 Austria 0
6pm Sweden vs. Canada

Tuesday, June 29, 2010
1pm Finland vs. Austria
6pm Germany vs. Sweden

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

Mr. White
28th June 2010, 10:16
CANADA'S STIFLING DEFENSE EARNS A THRILLING 12-6 VICTORY OVER SWEDEN IN FIRST-EVER IFAF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010 - STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - Canada won a hard fought game against heavy underdogs Sweden at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in Stockholm during the second game of the IFAF Women's World Championship on Sunday, June 27.

The offenses fought for every inch as both sides came up against tough defenses with the Team MVPs both coming from defensive performances. MVP linebacker Pillan Plass, who recorded nine tackles for loss of 11 yards during the contest, led the Swedish defense. Canada MVP Jenn De Guise had 5 tackles and returned an interception 19 yards for what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown.

"We struggled a little bit on offense today," said Canadian head coach Larry Harlow. "But our defense came up big for us. They had a big day today and hats off to Sweden because they really stepped up and played us tough."

After a scoreless first quarter, Canada got the ball moving in the second quarter with the legs of running back Julie Paetsch who would continue to run the ball effectively throughout the game collecting a game high 60 yards and scored the only offensive touchdown of the game in the second quarter to give Canada a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point.

Canada kept the momentum rolling as Patricia Eko-Davis came up with a fumble recovery on the kickoff return giving the ball back to Canada with great field position on Sweden's 21-yard line.

Sweden's defense, led by Plass, made big plays as they forced quarterback Saadia Ashraf out of the pocket and she was nearly intercepted by Nadja Westerlund-Rebo as the hosts held Canada to no points on the drive with a missed a 22-yard field goal attempt by kicker Terri Shannon.

Getting the ball back with less than two minutes remaining in the half, it looked like Sweden would finally get the ball moving as quarterback Martina Karlsson connected with Erika Hinders crossing midfield with a gain of 12 yards. But Canada's defense tightened up, which was the story of the game, with back to back tackles for losses forcing Sweden to punt as Canada held a 6-0 lead after two quarters.

In the second half it was the same story. Every time Sweden moved the chains, the Canadian defense would come up with another big stop. In the third quarter, the defense made the play of the game as linebacker Jenn De Guise intercepted quarterback Martina Karlsson, who was forced to scramble out of the pocket, returning the ball 19 yards for the decisive touchdown, increasing the lead to 12-0 to end the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was filled with excitement, as running back Erika Hinders on the opening play returned the kickoff for a 6-yard touchdown finding room in the middle of the field then jetting out to the sideline cutting the deficit to 12-6.

With a personal foul on the kickoff return, Canada started on Sweden's own 35-yard line but linebacker Plass sacked the quarterback and then Johanna Knutsson recovered a fumble giving the ball to Sweden on their own 39-yard line.

Penalties continued to haunt Sweden as they were forced to punt on their next drive.

With only 1:39 left in the game, it looked like Canada would run the clock down for the victory, but the hometown heroes playing in front of more than 500 fans did not give up as Sweden's Nina Kiviharju stripped the ball taking over on their own 17-yard line. And quarterback Karlsson connected with Erika Hinders for 17 yards with 1:07 left in the game.

But Canada's defense yet again came up big as they secured a 12-6 victory as Christina Goulet forced and recovered a fumble with 51 second left in the game.

Canada resumes play on Thursday, July 1, against Germany at 1pm local time / 7am EST, while Sweden's next venture onto the gridiron will also be against Germany at 6pm local time / 12pm EST on Tuesday, June 29.

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

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 vs. Austria
6pm Germany vs. Sweden

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


Scoring Summary:
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
Canada 0 6 6 0 12
Sweden 0 0 0 6 6


Game stats available at www.IFAF.org within game story on 'Other' tab.

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

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 vs. Austria
6pm Germany vs. Sweden

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

Mr. White
3rd July 2010, 11:47
USA AND CANADA MEET IN THE GOLD MEDAL GAME OF THE INAUGURAL 2010 IFAF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

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.

All games are broadcast via a live webcast accessible through www.2010WWC.info.

Players to watch:

USA wide receiver Rusty Sowers of the Kansas City Tribe has won consecutive game MVP awards for USA having scored two receiving touchdowns and one punt return to the end zone in the victory over Finland. She scored two touchdowns in the opening game win against Austria, when she led the team with 5 receptions for 63 yards.

Canada running back Julie Paetsch scored two touchdowns in Canada's 20-12 win over Germany and moved the ball effectively on the ground to earn game MVP honors. Paetsch, who plays her club football in Saskatoon, charged 69 yards down the right sideline on a draw play to break the deadlock and scored again on a fake handoff. She also rushed for 60 yards and scored Canada's only offensive touchdown in the 12-6 win over Sweden.

Finland running back Merita Bruun scored touchdowns on runs of 50 and 45 yards in Finland's 50-16 win over Austria and was named the game's MVP. She plays her club football for the Helsinki Roosters.

German running back Susanne Erdmann of the Nurnberg Hurricanes produced two touchdowns, earning Team MVP honors as she rushed for 96 yards in her team's 12-0 win over Sweden.

Sweden linebacker Pillan Plass was her team's MVP during a defensive battle against Canada in the opening game as she recorded nine tackles for a combined loss of 11 yards and will again be the defensive lynchpin when Sweden takes on Austria for fifth place.

The Austria offense will be led by teenage rushing sensation Marie-Theres Michelitsch of the Raiffeisen Lady Vikings, who won MVP honors in her nation's opening game loss to Finland. Despite only playing for two years and being one of the youngest players on the team, she has carried the offense on her shoulders throughout the tournament, rushing for 329 yards on 56 carries against USA and Finland.

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 20 Germany 12
6pm USA 72 Finland 0

Saturday, July 3, 2010
11am Fifth Place game Austria vs. Sweden
3pm Bronze Medal game Germany vs. Finland
7pm Gold Medal game Canada vs. USA

Mr. White
5th July 2010, 10:18
HOST SWEDEN CLAIMS FIFTH PLACE FINISH WITH A 20-18 WIN
OVER AUSTRIA AT THE 2010 IFAF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

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.

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

2010 IFAF Women's World Championship schedule

Saturday, July 3, 2010
11am Fifth Place game Sweden 20 Austria 18
3pm Bronze Medal game Germany vs. Finland
7pm Gold Medal game Canada vs. USA

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 72 Finland 0

Group A Group B
USA 2-0 Canada 2-0
Finland 1-1 Germany 1-1
Austria 0-2 Sweden 0-2

Mr. White
5th July 2010, 10:18
FINLAND DEFEATS GERMANY TO WIN BRONZE MEDAL AT
THE 2010 IFAF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN STOCKHOLM

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.

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

2010 IFAF Women's World Championship schedule

Saturday, July 3, 2010
11am Fifth Place game Sweden 20 Austria 18
3pm Bronze Medal game Finland 26 Germany 18
7pm Gold Medal game Canada vs. USA

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 72 Finland 0

Group A Group B
USA 2-0 Canada 2-0
Finland 1-1 Germany 1-1
Austria 0-2 Sweden 0-2

Mr. White
5th July 2010, 10:19
USA WINS GOLD MEDAL AT FIRST EVER IFAF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL IN SWEDEN

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.

Mr. White
7th July 2010, 14:44
Germany and Austria cannot await their EC clash

A last-second 51 yard field goal - that is the difference. No, not much at all: just a narrow margin, which not only put German champions Berlin Adler ahead of the Vienna Vikings, Austrian champions of 2009, in an exciting final game for Eurobowl XXIV, but also currently is defining the slim advantage Germany is holding on its archrival Austria. The two Central European neighbours feature a long-time rivalry, so no other game would be more suited to open up this year's European Championships at Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Wetzlar on July 24. With their thrilling encounter on eye level both club teams delivered a stunning preview of what fans may expect of their countries national teams at Frankfurt's Commerzbank Arena to start off the six-team tournament for the European crown.

Do not be misled by the fact, that Germany already has its considerable share of past EC glory with one championship in 2001 on record and three more trips to EC finals, while the Austrians are preparing for what is just their third participation in a final tournament, the last dating back to 1995, when they hosted the event and took third place by their only A-pool win up to now. The style, in which they marched through the current qualification cycle, dominating the C-pool and B-pool tournament alike, has all it takes to pile up a lot of respect for them not only on the German side.

The Germans have experienced some bitter lessons, when it comes to their rivalry with Austria in recent years, even if their national team is still unbeaten against Austria. In fact Austria up to now not even scored one single point in their two past encounters in 1997 and 1998. But that was long before the Austrian club teams moved out to conquer the EFL and try to bump the Germans from the Eurobowl throne. It is only this 51 yard field goal that saved the Germans from falling behind and ensure them the current record mark of seven Eurobowl victories, while Austria remains at six. But on the way to the Austrian streak of six Eurobowl victories in a row between 2004 and 2009 some crushing defeats for German teams were included, which red-alerted those in Germany sensitive enough to take the Austrian challenge serious.

So while everybody in the two countries still has his set of arguments, why the own level of play is superior to the other and one small but in no way determining hint was given by the Berlin Adler, the preview for the much-awaited EC opener is very simple: just everything is possible. Germany relies on a broad league play with the 12 GFL teams only the top of a strong pyramid of about 170 senior tackle teams in league competition. It is no co-incidence that the Berlin Adler are the fourth different club from Germany winning the EFL, all other nations like the Austrians fielded no more than two different teams. 18,000 male German tackle football players outnumber not only everybody else on the continent, but also Mexico and even Canada according to IFAF statistics. So an enormous talent pool feeds Germany's national team and - an interesting parallel to European-style football - guarantees the national team its elite rank even while the clubs seem to have to struggle for international success.

On the other hand this strength of the German federation's organisation - to field leagues in all parts of a big country like Germany - makes it harder for the coaching staff to track all their players. And nowhere else in Europe the season is that long as it is in Germany, which in some way not only explains why German clubs in European competitions do not always rise up to expectations, but also puts another burden on the shoulders of national team coaches, who have only short timeframes to gather their players, even before big tournaments like the upcoming European championships.

In Austria the season will conclude 15 days before the EC opener, and at least these last two weeks everybody in the Austrian organisation will have his eyes set on this one target: defeating Germany at Frankfurt and continue right on to the final game. The Austrian top league AFL this year was expanded to eight clubs, but again it were the „big four“ clubs, which already excelled in recent EFL seasons and also in past Austrian American Football history, who made it to the playoffs. All these four clubs undisputedly are European elite and it still remains to be seen, how the top four clubs from the German GFL would fare against them. In terms of public recognition at for instance Innsbruck and Vienna they seem to have closed the gap on German „attendance champions“ Kiel or Braunschweig already, and wise use of that precious commodity in a country not that spoilt by success in all kind of summer sports ensures continued progress for the level of play.

For the national team it not only will be of advantage that the season for the clubs will be over and far more joint practice time will be possible. Also the concentration of national players in just a handful of club teams has its benefits. Coaches and players know each other very well, most units of the teams will be nearly the same than in the clubs. Thus Austria will be a strong contender not only for Germany, but for everybody else as well in the EC tournament. It may be bad luck for Germany, that they will have to be the first to put Austria to the test - but everybody watching these two archrivals battling it out on the eve of July 24 will certainly witness some fine American Football. And perhaps a deciding long field goal try in the end.

It is time for champions - on Sunday the Vienna Vikings will host the Berlin Adler at Vienna's Hohe Warte for Eurobowl XXIV, the final game of this year's European Football League. It is the first time a reigning Austrian champion will face a reigning German champion in the Eurobowl final. Quite a perfect timing: Both nations currently share the record mark of six past Eurobowl victories, so the battle for Eurobowl XXIV has historic dimensions as well. The Vienna Vikings won four Eurobowls in a row from 2004 to 2007, fellow-Austrians Tyrolean Raiders brought home the trophy in 2008 and 2009. Germany's first triumph dates back to 1995, when the Düsseldorf Panther won at Stuttgart. They were followed by the Hamburg Blue Devils (1996-1998) and the Braunschweig Lions in 1999 and 2003.

As there is a strong notion in both Austria and Germany that the respective own national league - Austria's AFL and Germany's GFL - has the better level of play than the other, the game at Vienna already has its main plot. But there is plenty to add: With a victory the Vikings could further expand their all-time-lead in the category of Eurobowl victories on three-time champions Bergamo Lions and Hamburg Blue Devils, becoming the first team to win the trophy five times. Their eighth qualification for the final game already put them ahead by two on six-time-finalist Bergamo. On the other hand Berlin could expand a German EFL record mark, as already Germany is the only country featuring three different clubs with Eurobowl victories, the Adler could become the fourth team to win the trophy. And Berlin even has a chance to accomplish an all-time-first: They could be the first team from both Austria and Germany to win an Eurobowl on foreign soil: All 12 Austrian and German victories of the past were helped by home field advantage.

So again this might give the Austrians a slight edge in this year's game, however Berlin has proved in an exciting semifinal game at Innsbruck that they are able to win abroad - as they did before in the quarterfinals visiting Finnish champion Porvoon Butchers and in the preliminaries at Czech champion Prague Panthers. With another win at home against Stockholm Berlin eliminated three other national champions in total, while Vienna surpassed the national champions of 2009 from Italy (Bolzano) and France (La Courneuve) in the current competition. With this on record there is no doubt that exactly those two teams from the Austrian and German capitals deserve their spot in the final.

Also there is no doubt that EFL 2010 fulfilled EFAF's approach to stage this competition as an elite tournament, in which Europe's top clubs compete. A true „champions league“ of American Football, in which all champions of the major European American Football countries take part (plus the runner-ups from the most advanced national leagues in European American Football and the four EFL semifinalists of the preceeding season). Within the last decade the EFL finally lived up to expectations, a remarkable development as only nine years back there were just teams from six nations competing and most champions from the top national leagues were absent from the competition. A reliable scheduling formula with 16 starting spots has helped to adjust the EFL schedule to the needs of the clubs, which of course have to coordinate the European competition with their own national season. Additionally from year to year the Eurobowl final has grown as an event, and with the ultimate matchup of this year it is guaranteed that this trend will continue.

And in comparison to the early days of Eurobowl the differences are even more noticeable. The Berlin Adler, who have been to one of these Eurobowl finals in earlier years, are a pretty good example, not only for the fact, that long-term American Football programs in Europe are possible. When they traveled to Offenbach in 1991 to face the Amsterdam Crusaders (and subsequently lost 20-21, a loss the club, which is very proud for its 30+-year-tradition, still in some way suffers from and is using for motivation for Sunday's game), they did so without even winning a semifinal game - as well as their opponent Amsterdam. The semifinals in that year had to be suspended, because both other qualified clubs simply failed to take their journey to the scheduled games. So the two exciting semifinal games we saw some weeks ago, when Vienna beat Graz 38-22 and Berlin beat Tyrol 29-27, where just another indication of how much progress European American Football has made in a short timespan of just a few decades.


Source: EFAF

cristane
28th July 2010, 12:07
In zilele astea are loc Campionatul European de Fotbal American, in Germania. Prima finalista deja se stie - Franta, a doua urmind sa se decida intre Germania si Austria. Finala va putea fi urmarita, LIVE, pe Eurosport 2, simbata de la 20.30.

Detalii despre competitie aici: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_EFAF_European_Championship

dumboss_yo
31st July 2010, 14:52
Cred ca in seara asta o sa urmaresc si eu finala, Germania-Franta. Sunt curios la ce nivel sunt aceste nationale europene si n-am mai vazut un meci de fotbal american de cateva luni :). Sper sa fie o partida frumoasa.

EDIT: De la 17:00 este finala mica, Austria-Suedia, dar Eurosport 2 transmite doar finala mare.

A.k.a
1st August 2010, 12:00
Ati gasit unde meciul online? Vad ca TYT e inchis deocamdata

Mr. White
1st August 2010, 13:14
mda...era mai interesant daca scorul era un pic mai strans :D

andi15ro
1st August 2010, 15:58
cat a fost scorul? , a fost spectaculos?

cojanu
1st August 2010, 16:24
a fost slab meciul. nu inteleg de ce echipele prefera sa joace majoritatea playurilor din shotgun si foarte mult pe pasa :(
imi place in schimb foarte mult rb-ul de la germani, nr31, seamana cu mihai al nostru ( nr.77 de la warriors )

dumboss_yo
2nd August 2010, 00:12
Echipele nu sunt la un nivel foarte ridicat. Au fost cateva faze spectaculoase, poate si datorita defensivelor "permisive", dar europenii sunt inca departe de ceea ce vedem ca se practica peste ocean.

Mr. White
28th February 2011, 22:39
JAPAN CLAIMS FINAL BERTH AT 2011 IFAF SENIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH CONVINCING VICTORY OVER KOREA


Asian champion joins host Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Germany,
Mexico and United States at American Football summer showpiece

Japan claimed the eighth and final berth at this summer's 2011 IFAF Senior World Championship of American Football with a convincing 76-0 win over Korea at Kawasaki Stadium near Tokyo.

Japan was crowned champion of the Asian Federation of American Football (AFAF) and now joins Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico and the United States to compete for the title of American Football world champions in Austria this summer from July 8 to 16, 2011.

The IFAF Senior World Championship is held every four years having first been contested in 1999 and the eight nations from four continents will compete in Vienna, Innsbruck and Graz in the fourth edition. Japan boasts the world's most impressive resume, having reached the final in each of the previous three tournaments, winning in both 1999 and 2003, before falling 23-20 in double overtime to the United States in 2007.

Despite the overwhelming victory and the fact his team defeated European champion Germany in 2010, Japan head coach Kiyoyuki Mori remains cautious heading into this summer's tournament.

"We had some mistakes in the fourth quarter and we found issues to get resolved before the world championship starts," he warned. "My players showed pride as Japan national team members."

Korea head coach Tatsuhide Fukuda, said of his team's defeat: "We knew there is a big gap of football level between Japan and Korea. We could have played so that we had a smaller margin of the score, but playing conservatively will not help football in Korea develop in the future. We decided to go aggressively."

Japan was in control from the opening of the 76-point shutout of Korea, returning the opening kickoff 89 yards to set up a three-yard Takuya Furutani touchdown run. A blocked punt recovered and returned for a touchdown followed by a Japanese interception that led to another trip to the end zone and another rushing score opened a 28-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

Rotating quarterbacks Shun Sugawara (5-5-50-1-0), Tetsuo Takata (13-9-150-2-0) and Minoru Tohno (17-12-138-2-0) all threw touchdowns as Japan dominated Korea by 505 yards to 126 in total offense and defensively, four interceptions locked down the Korean attack.

Ryouma Hagiyama led all receivers with 6 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, while Shouei Hasegawa had 4 receptions for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the ground, Furutani carried 4 times for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns, Yasuhiro Maruta had 5 carries for 12 yards and 2 touchdowns and Tomokazu Sueyoshi led the team with 6 rushes for 48 yards.

Japan kicker Daisuke Aoki was named the game's MVP as he converted all 10 extra points and two of three field goal attempts from 27 and 39 yards.

Stats from the Japan-Korea game may be downloaded at the official www.IFAF.org website.

Japan will join host Austria, European Championship runner up France and first time entrant on the world stage at senior level Canada, in Group B at the 2011 IFAF Senior World Championship. Japan and Austria will meet in the group's first game on July 9.
Reigning champion the United States, whose first world championship was won in Japan in 2007, will face European champion Germany in Group A and will also take on Australia and fellow PAFAF (Pan American Federation of American Football) nation Mexico.

"We believe this tournament will be very important for our sport and its international future. We want to bring the world closer together on the gridiron and make the 2011 IFAF World Championship a truly outstanding event for the global American football community," said MICHAEL ESCHLBOECK,President of the American Football Bund Österreich (Austrian Federation of American Football).

Each team will face its group opponent once and from the final standings the group winners will advance to the IFAF Senior World Championship Game to play for the Gold Medal on Saturday, July 16 in the Austrian capital Vienna. The two second-placed teams will contest the Bronze Medal in Vienna on Friday, July 15.

Mr. White
7th March 2011, 13:00
World championship news (http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=9nqfuwcab&v=001fHRgY6J0lNM0zx1rjF8DY6JCtyN-EBZbAyNwqQShiE8mMcV5_s-wwn4mmzWNoVgfNH1xJReArSK5Fe0p9jbsWhisN7ETbGVKvMQ6D oekGCo%3D)

Mr. White
17th March 2011, 18:17
Flag football with celebrities (http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=kilmygcab&v=001u8SjZbUCyfM2tzpGqIjnW_d7koznjE-3DQAAxl9cMA4mt_julogB_KWHWPcGBfNHjqGnkVJ3bWARMDZz5 HD0VQzwrg5jByzzEyMUOYWwHvKJyJv-vqnD_w%3D%3D)

Mr. White
19th March 2011, 19:37
The race for Eurobowl is on

Category: EFL - published 2011-03-17 by EFAF

This year's European Football League (EFL) will kick off on March
26 in Badalona (Spain), when the Badalona Dracs host the Amiens
Spartiates from France in the first of their two encounters to
battle for a quarterfinals spot. Group play in the four
preliminary groups is scheduled until April 23 to determine the
four teams joining last year's semifinalists in the
quarterfinals on May 7/8. Among the Eurobowl contestants of this
season the French champion from Amiens is one of only two clubs
which did not compete in an European tournament in 2010.

The other is the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes from Germany, who beat
defending Eurobowl champion Berlin Adler for their first German championship in German Bowl XXXII in October and now face the
Carlstad Crusaders from Sweden on the final gameday of the
preliminaries in one of the most eagerly awaited battles of
this year's EFL competition. The Crusaders were denied their
shot a the EFAF Cup trophy in 2010, when they lost the final
game at Chur (Switzerland) to the Calanda Broncos, who had a
"perfect season", both nationally and internationally, last
year and like all the recent EFAF Cup champions now make use
of their starting sport in the European Football League.

EFAF's elite club tournament mostly gathers champions and
runner-ups from the nations with the highest standards in
European American Football. Three of the four Austrian
teams and defending champion Berlin Adler are seeded as
home teams for the quarterfinals as a reward for their
performances in last year's EFL - but the current champions
of the German GFL and the Austrian AFL join with six other
national champions in the preliminaries. Badalona is the
only team, which enters EFL 2011 without winning a
championship at home in 2010. But Spain definitely is one
of the nations on the rise, and the Dracs last year already
held off the Bolzano Giants and only had to accept a defeat
at Vienna in the EFL preliminaries.

This year's pool of teams in the quest for the trophy for
the champion of the European champions might be the most
skillful there has been in Eurobowl history. This continues
a trend of recent years, in which developments especially
regarding EFL were remarkable. Compared to early days, when
Eurobowl was just kind of an invitational tournament, and
even compared to the time just a decade ago, when the number
of participating nations was down to just a handful, today
the EFL tournament is the ultimate challenge the top teams
from Europe deserve.

The final game is set for the weekend of June 18/19, semifinals
are to be played on the last weekend of May. The quarterfinals
will be hosted by the Berlin Adler, the Graz Giants and the
Tyrolean Raiders on May 7, the Vienna Vikings have scheduled
their quarterfinal game for May 8.

Mr. White
1st June 2011, 21:46
The EFAF Board of Directors has awarded the Tyrolean Raiders to host EURO
BOWL XXV - the final game of the European Football League (EFL).

Tyrolean Raiders will meet last year´s reigning EURO BOWL champion Berlin
Adler.

The game will be televised live by ORF. Kickoff is provisionary fixed for
20.30 h. The internet platform raiders.tv will provide worldwide internet tv
coverage.

Home field advantage in the semifinals and finals of both EFL and EFAF Cup
is awarded in a bidding process amongst the competing teams. The process was
standardized by EFAF in 2009 and enables clubs to formally apply, if they
wish to host one of these games. The EFAF Board of Directors after
evaluation of all applications decides based on financial, strategic and
quality aspects. The goal is to showcase the top European games to a broad
public, thus past attendance figures or possible TV coverage are amongst the
most important in the mix of criteria that leads to the decision.

Mr. White
8th June 2011, 11:43
30-DAY COUNTDOWN TO AUSTRIA HOSTING 2011 IFAF SENIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL BEGINS


IFAF prepares fans for kickoff in Innsbruck, Graz and Vienna by launching a daily email, website and social media service; Eight countries will compete July 8-16


As the national teams from four continents representing eight nations prepare to converge on the Austrian cities of Graz, Innsbruck and Vienna from July 8-16, their preparations will be shared with sports fans the world over through a dedicated 30-Day Countdown email service.

American Football fans wishing to receive the email can subscribe through a dedicated IFAF Newsletter sign up link at www.IFAF.org. Daily updates will also be posted at the official IFAF website and through IFAF social media outlets on facebook and Twitter.

The IFAF Senior World Championship is held every four years having first been contested in 1999. Group A games will be played at the 16,000-seat Tivoli Stadium in Innsbruck between defending champion USA, Australia, European champion Germany, and Mexico. Two-time champion (1999 and 2007) Japan is paired with home team Austria, Canada, and France in Group B in Graz at the 15,400-capacity UPC Arena.

Each team will face its group opponent once and from the final standings the group winners will advance to the IFAF Senior World Championship Gold Medal Game on Saturday, July 16 in the Austrian capital Vienna in the 50,000-seat Ernst Happel Stadium. The two second-placed teams will contest the Bronze Medal in Vienna on Friday, July 15.

For more information and for details on travel packages to Austria, visit www.IFAF.org and www.americanfootball2011.com/en.


About IFAF
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) unites 59 countries on five continents through a burgeoning international sport. With national football federations in existence for more than 75 years, IFAF was created in 1998 to organize and further develop the game through international cooperation and global competition. The IFAF office is located near Paris, France. www.IFAF.org. Twitter @IFAFinsider www.facebook.com/IFAF.org

andi15ro
8th June 2011, 11:53
mergeti careva la cupa mondiala?