The second game of the final day of the 2022 IFAF Women’s World Championships in Vantaa, Finland features Team Mexico (1-1) taking on Team Germany (1-1).
The winner of this game will finish fifth in the tournament while the loser winds up sixth.
Team Mexico saw their chances of a medal evaporate when their national federation could not manage to get them to Finland in time for their first game. Germany returned to International Federation of American Football competition after a nine-year absence, also as a result of federation issues. On Sunday, the two teams will contend for fifth place in the WWC.
Team Mexico vs Team Germany, Aug. 7, 12:00 CET (12 noon, 6 am ET)
Once the Mexican team managed to arrive, they quickly demonstrated that they had come to play by dominating Team Australia, beating them 34-6.
Team Germany opened against Team USA and fell to them 63-0. They came back in their second game and intercepted four passes to defeat Team Sweden 6-0.
Mexico is led by quarterback Maria Cruz who shredded the Australian defense for 190 yards on 20 for 34 passing. She threw for four touchdowns and had one pass intercepted. The Mexican running-back-by-committee backfield rushed for 121 yards on 34 attempts, led by Andrea Romero, who rushed for 27 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
Naomi Robles led Mexican tacklers with eight. Montserrat Millan had a quarterback sack, and Griscel Mondragon picked off a pass.
German quarterback Silvana Friese has completed 13 of 35 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown and has been picked off twice. The German ground game has struggled, managing only 35 yards on 21 carries against Team Sweden, and were held to negative yardage against Team USA.
Defensive lineman Anna-Lena Kronenberg has had 8.5 tackles over two games. Defensive back Carina Liebenthal intercepted two passes against Sweden. Linebacker Leonie Stockmann and Anja Trieber had one interception each.
Will the Mexican frustration against their federation continue to drive them to victory, or will Germany’s return to international competition be capped by a second victory? This game will also be the first of three matches pitting North American versus Europeans. Which continent will come out on top? Those questions will be answered on the field on Sunday.
Watch the game live here. Team Mexico vs Team Germany, Aug. 7, 12:00 CET (12 noon, 6 am ET)