| Teams | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | OT | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 13 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 27 | |
| Poland | 0 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 14 | |
| Final | ||||||
Recap: http://www.plfa.pl/news/463/
This was the first-ever game for the Polish national team, and it wasn’t too bad. They did much better than many other teams do in their first game.
On a side note, I know I haven’t been updating the site much. I’ve been busy with a lot of other things (work, family, health), but I’m still around and still keeping my finger on the pulse of IFAF.
| Teams | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | OT | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 20 | |
| Finland | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Final | ||||||
Recap: http://www.sajl.fi/?x167512=734155
Stats: http://www.sajl-tilastot.net/mj/2012/fsm/xlive.htm
Sweden avenged last year’s 35-34 loss and have now won 9 of the last 10 meeting.
The teams began playing annually from 1992 to 1998, and then resumed the match in 2003. Sweden leads the series 9-7. Finland’s longest winning streak was between 1994 and 1998, where they won five straight. Sweden dominated when the series resumed, winning 9 straight from 2003 through 2009.
Italy is set to host the B-Group tournament next year (not sure the dates yet). The nations involved will be:
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Great Britain
- Italy
- Serbia
- Spain
Should be a lot of fun. I’m interested to see what Great Britain can bring to the table with their new coach. They’ve been struggled recently. The Czech Republic and Denmark are going to be good. Italy and Spain will have their hands full. I’m not sure Serbia will be able to handle the other teams, and may find themselves relegated back to C-Group.
In other news, I’ll be updating the rankings probably the second week of October. Sweden and Finland play on October 6, I think, so once that’s out of the way, I’ll redo them.
Also, I haven’t forgotten about the Junior rankings. Just been busy!
Until next time!
| Teams | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | OT | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | |
| Serbia | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 20 | |
| Final | ||||||
Recap: http://www.efaf.info/text.php?Inhalt=Newsmeldung&ID=1591
Congrats to Serbia on promotion to B-Group! They controlled the game from the beginning, successfully recovering an onside kick. Switzerland returned a fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to bring it within one score, but that was all they could manage.
Good games all around this weekend. I hope the next C-Group tournament will have more than four teams. The more games, the better!
| Teams | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | OT | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 3 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 15 | |
| Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 17 | |
| Final | ||||||
Recap: http://www.efaf.info/text.php?Inhalt=Newsmeldung&ID=1590
Russia controlled the game early, but the Netherlands made a good comeback. A pick-six in the 4th quarter gave Russia the opportunity to tie it, but they failed on the two-point conversion. Russia really needs to work on their kicking game. Even though they it a 25-yard field goal in this game, they finish the tournament with only one made PAT, with two being blocked and one miss. The entire tournament is a completely different story if they make those kicks.
| Teams | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | OT | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 19 | |
| Switzerland | 7 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 20 | |
| Final | ||||||
Recap: http://www.efaf.info/text.php?Inhalt=Newsmeldung&ID=1589
Another close, good game. Russia had a chance to tie it up in the fourth, but their extra point attempt was blocked. I’m looking forward to both games tomorrow (or today, depending on where you are)!
| Teams | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | OT | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 0 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 14 | |
| Serbia | 0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 21 | |
| Final | ||||||
Recap: http://www.efaf.info/text.php?Inhalt=Newsmeldung&ID=1588
Sorry I’m just now getting this up.
Closer than I expected, but Serbia gets the win and moves on to the championship game.
It’s almost time for another tournament! This one isn’t as big or as publicized as the other ones, but it’s important nonetheless.
Four teams will be competing for the chance to move on toward their goal of a World Championship berth. And while you may not think C-Group teams have what it takes to make it all the way to the top, don’t forget about Austria, one of the top teams in Europe, was C-Group just a mere five years ago.
Here’s a preview of the tournament: http://www.efaf.info/text.php?Inhalt=Newsmeldung&ID=1586
There’s not much to go by on these four teams, so it’s hard to say what’ll happen. But I’m going to give it my best shot.
Netherlands vs. Serbia
Best I can tell, the Netherlands haven’t played a game since the last C-Group tournament, in 2007. They fell to Switzerland 40-8 and Norway 27-0. The same goes for Serbia, who fared a bit better, falling to Austria 59-3 but beating Norway 14-6, before dropping the 3rd Place Game to Switzerland, 32-19.
The glory days of Dutch football is well behind them, but maybe this tournament will mark their resurgence. Serbia is an up-and-coming program and one favorite to win the tournament. Serbia should win this game, but I expect the Netherlands to put up a fight for a while. Close at half time, with Serbia pulling away in the second half. 30-12 final.
Russia vs. Switzerland
Russia recently played their first game in a long time, dominating Belarus 46-0, to qualify for this tournament. They are still a mystery, however. I expect them to become a very good team in the future, if they can stay funded. Switzerland came in third in the 2007 C-Group tournament, defeating the Netherlands 40-8 before falling to eventual championships Austria, 35-7. They claimed the 3rd Place title with a win over Serbia, 32-19.
Russia may be good in the future, but I don’t think they will be now. Switzerland is the veteran team playing at home and should win this game. I’m thinking 34-20.
Should These Come to Pass…
If I get lucky and make the right picks, then I think Russia will beat the Netherlands in a very good 3rd Place Game, and Switzerland will top Serbia, also in a very good game. Frankly, I don’t expect any of the C-Group teams to make it out of B-Group next year, but you never know. The games kick off tomorrow (September 14) and 1:00pm (13:00. I assume that’s Switzerland time).
I can’t find a box score, but Russia defeated Belarus, 46-0, on August 4th to claim a spot in the European Championship C-Group tournament coming up next month. It was Belarus’ first national team game.
(Image from the Russian american football site, http://www.americanfootball.ru/) More pictures here: http://vk.com/album-41111398_160882044
On September 14th, Serbia will take on the Netherlands, and Switzerland will play Russia. The third place and championship games will be on the 16th, with the winner of the tournament being promoted to B-Group and playing in the 2013 tournament.
Russia won the C-Group tournament in 2003 to advanced to B-Group in 2004. However, financial issues prevented them from fielding a team since then.
With the 2015 IFAF Senior World Championship only three short years away, Gridiron Australia and the Australian National Team Head Coach John Leijten have taken the first steps in seeking qualification for the 2015 World Championships in Sweden. Gridiron Australia have endorsed Coach Leijten’s first round of coaching appointment to his ‘OUTBACK’ Coaching and Management Staff.
Read more: http://ifaf.org/articles/view/1341/L2FydGljbGVzL2ZlYXR1cmVk
“Seeking quantification.” That’s an interesting statement that’s made a few times in the article. While I don’t know what went on behind the scenes of the previous world championships, Australia played no qualifying games. They may have to meet other requirements, which could be what the article is referring to. Otherwise, we can speculate they’ll have to play against someone, such has American Samoa or New Zealand.
