IFAF Flag Football WC Men: Top seeds USA and Mexico cruise on Day 1
The opening day of action in the men’s tournament at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships saw the United States began its quest for a fifth-consecutive world title with two convincing wins at the Pajulahti Olympic Centre in Lahti, Finland.
Two pick-six plays set the tone as the US defense dominated against Brazil and a deadly passing game went to work in a 52-6 victory. Spain, who had earlier beaten Serbia 45-24 were then overwhelmed 57-25, meaning USA can wrap up the top seed in the playoffs by beating Serbia in the first game on Wednesday at 9.15am local time (CET+1 / US ET+7).
All game scores, statistics, standings and a schedule of upcoming games can be found at the official tournament website.
Second seed Mexico leads Group B having fired 68 unanswered points past Chile before beating an Australian team that had scored 69 points without reply against international debutants Cameroon. The Aussies only trailed by one score at halftime before Mexico pulled away and ran out 50-27 winners.
Number 12 seed Canada produced the first upset of the tournament rankings, but it was close as they edged fifth seed Italy 34-33 to top Group E with a 2-0 record, having also beaten Singapore.
Germany was pushed early on by Sweden before claiming a 42-25 victory and put 60 points past Georgia without reply to jointly top Group C with Great Britain. GB beat Georgia 48-12 and edged Sweden 32-26, setting up a mouthwatering clash between the two 2-0 teams on Wednesday at 10.30am on Wednesday.
Last summer’ European silver medalist Austria saw off the challenge of Poland and Ukraine in Group D, as did a resurgent Switzerland, so those 2-0 teams meet to win the group at 10.30am on Wednesday.
Group F got off to a flying start as New Zealand edged Korea 33-26 but then the Kiwis lost to Czechia, who were in turn beaten by group leaders Panama, who stand at 2-0. At 11.15am on Wednesday, Panama and New Zealand meet to decide who will top the group.
Denmark and Israel lead Group G with a 2-0 mark having beaten both Ireland and claimed a walkover win after India was unable to compete at the world championships. They meet at 11.45am to decide the group. Finally in Group H, there will be another decider when 2-0 teams France and Japan play at 9.15am.
