The opening day of action in the women’s tournament at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships saw the defending champs the United States and The World Games winners Mexico top their respective groups at the Pajulahti Olympic Centre in Lahti, Finland.
USA beat Sweden 40-6 and Australia 48-6, while Mexico triumphed over Italy and Denmark, matching their continental rivals by also conceding only a single touchdown in each game. One of the highlights of Wednesday’s remaining group games will be Great Britain and Panama meeting to win Group D and head into the playoffs among the top seeds.
The women’s competition features 23 nations split into five groups with the top three teams from each group and the best fourth placed team overall qualifying for the playoffs.
In Group A, USA fell behind against Sweden before scoring 40 unanswered points and were also held in check early on by the Aussies before finding the form that makes them defending world champions. France also sits at 2-0 after wins over Sweden and Ireland and the two unbeaten teams clash at 1pm on Wednesday.
All game scores, statistics, standings and a schedule of upcoming games can be found at the official tournament website.
Group B opened with Mexico firing 45 points past Italy, while Korea caused an upset, the 22nd ranked team that struggled at the Asia-Oceania games last year beating a Denmark team ranked three places higher 27-19 as Tuesday got off to an exciting start.
Canada inflicted a second loss on Italy and then won 50-12 over Korea, so are level with Mexico at 2-0. They meet at 2.15pm for what could be the group decider.
In Group C, there is another 2-0 two-way tie with Asia-Oceania champions Japan having won 47-19 over Poland and 33-6 against hosts Finland, while Germany also beat the Poles along with a 36-18 win over Brazil. Those unbeaten teams go head-to-head at 1pm on Wednesday.
Group D will most likely be decided when Great Britain and Panama collide at 2.15pm. GB avenged a loss at the Euros last year, which failed to prevent them becoming continental champions, by beating Czechia 46-6, then they saw off Israel with 41 unanswered points.
Panama were 55-6 winners over Israel and won 34-6 against Czechia, so the two sides seem evenly matches as they target top spot.
In Group E, Austria and Spain meet at 1pm on Wednesday. Both currently stand at 2-0 having both seen off the challenge of New Zealand and Switzerland. Euros silver medalists Spain edged the Swiss by just two points.
All game scores, statistics, standings and a schedule of upcoming games can be found at the official tournament website.