The men’s national tackle teams of Italy and Canada will play a Trans-Atlantic friendly game in Cagliari on Saturday, April 19 (kickoff 4pm CET).
The first-ever meeting between the two nations is an important milestone for Sardinia’s football movement as the city will inaugurate the Impianto Polivalente Terramaini, a modern facility dedicated to American football and the home of the island’s teams.
Italy has a rich history in international competition and won the first-ever European Championship of American football in 1983 and was home for the first two biannual tournaments. Italy proudly hosted the inaugural IFAF World Championship in Palermo in 1999, finishing in fourth place.
Photo: Giulio Busi
Italy has been crowned European champion on three occasions, most recently in 2021, and has won three silver and two bronze continental medals. Later this year, the 2023 bronze medalists will compete in the IFAF European Championships Final Four against Austria, Finland and Germany, with this friendly game an ideal preparation.
Canada claimed the silver medal at the 2011 IFAF World Championships in Vienna, beating Japan, France and Austria before losing to the United States in the final. While Canada’s junior national team boasts a prolific pedigree, having won a third successive IFAF World Championship in Edmonton last summer, this marks the first time the men’s team has competed internationally since 2011.
Photo: Moush John / IFAF
The Canada squad that will head to Cagliari consists of 45 active players and seven practice squad members, representing all regions of Canada. Under head coach Jesse Maddox, a rigorous selection process began with more than 500 athletes participating in multiple identification camps across the country.
“We are confident that this group represents the best of Canadian football and will compete at the highest level, said Maddox. “We are excited for the challenge ahead. Canada is back, and we are committed to setting the standard for senior men’s tackle football on the international stage.”