IFAF WWC: Team Germany vs Team USA, July 30, 18:30 CET (6:30 pm, 12:30 am, July 31) (The game is not being livestreamed)

| 2022 IFAF Women's World Championship | 07/30/2022

The defending world champions, Team USA, face their opening round opponent in the IFAF Women’s World Championship, Team Germany, in the last game of the day on Saturday, July 30 at Myyrmäki Football Stadium in Vantaa, Finland.

Team USA enter this game and tournament as the decided favorites. Germany did not play in the 2017 World Championship tournament and the last time these two teams met in 2013, the United States spotted Team Germany a touchdown before going on to clobber them 107-7,

Team USA head coach Callie Brownson will rely on quarterback Brittany Bushman, along with Knengi Martin, and Tori Tucker, all of whom play in the Women’s National Football Conference. Bushman was selected for the 2013 and 2017 national teams but did not play. For the past three seasons, she has led the undefeated Texas Elite Spartans to three WNFC Finals. Martin was one of her opponents for the WNFC title in 2021, and last played in the 2017 WWC as a linebacker. Tucker plays for the Denver Bandits and has only played for two seasons before making Team USA. The Americans should have sufficient offensive firepower though. They have returning running back Hannah DeGraffinreed of the Elite Spartans, and international newcomer Grace Cooper of the Minnesota Vixen. The defense is anchored by Chante Bonds, the MVP of the WFA Pro Division champion Renegades, who now plays offense, but who was also a WFA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.

Team Germany head coach Tom Balkow is facing a definite uphill battle in this game. Germany did not play in the 2017 which puts them at a clear disadvantage. Running back Susanne Erdmann who scored two touchdowns to help Germany win the bronze medal in the 2015 European championships is in the lineup.

This will be a tough assignment for Team Germany but a valuable opportunity facing the best team in the world.

Team Germany vs Team USA, July 30, 18:30 CET (6:30 pm, 12:30 am, July 31) The game is not being livestreamed.

Russ Crawford is an Associate Professor of History at Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH. He has published three books: Women’s American Football: Breaking Barriers On and Off the Field (2022), Le Football: The History of American Football in