Canada’s male and female teams have progressed to the quarterfinals of the flag football world championships held in Germany. The men faced a 37-28 defeat against Japan, securing a second-place finish in their group with a 2-1 record. Due to visa complications, Nigeria withdrew from the tournament, granting Canada an automatic win. Noteworthy performances included Japan’s Take Taniguchi with five touchdown passes and Canada’s Michael O’Connor with three TD passes. In the upcoming quarterfinal match on Saturday, the Canadian men will compete against American Samoa, who surprised by defeating the top-ranked U.S. team.
On the other hand, the Canadian women dominated their group with a flawless 3-0 record following a 34-20 victory over Japan. They are set to clash with Austria in the quarterfinals, with a win propelling them to a semifinal against the victor of the Mexico vs. Spain matchup. Quarterback Sara Parker shined with four touchdown passes, two of which were to Caroline Moquin-Joubert. Additional touchdowns were scored by Alexane Fournier, Marianne Quirion, and Frederique Morneau, with a remarkable comeback in the second half after trailing 20-13 at halftime.
The flag football world championships not only determine the world champion but also serve as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The top two finishers at this event will secure coveted spots in the Olympics, marking the sport’s debut in the program. Fans can catch all the action through live streaming on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.