MEXICO ITALY semifinals
The first flag football semifinal had some nice plays. Italy went first on the board, while Mexico scored with Ortega, two-point conversion was no good. Zahradka was tremendous through the whole tournament, his favourite target Bouah found himself a lot in the end zone for an extra point, and the result was 14-6. Mexico tied up with Ortega, and the two-point conversion was good too. Italy had the opportunity to score on the 4th down, but the player dropped the pass in the endzone. Valderamos caught the ball 45s till the end for 10. And Perez threw a 23-yard bomb to get the first down and the opportunity to get the lead and go to halftime with one TD score. 24s till the half with the 3rd down. But the penalty occurred. Pass interference was called against Italy defence which got Mexico closer to the endzone. Another flag was thrown, but the penalties were offset. Villalobos caught the ball on the one-yard, and it was 4th and goal from 1. And another flag was thrown against Mexico, and the defensive stop from Italy made 14 all.
What a catch from Salazar. Perez was in the gun from 20 yards and found Salazar. Mexico went for two, and they scored with Villalobos. 22-14 Mexico. 2nd down and the middle, Zahradka found Bouah from the coast to coast, resulting in a TD. Italy also went for two, Allinovi cached the pass, and the result was 22. Mexico got the ball, and they came to the two-yard line, 3rd down, 22, all with four key passes. Mexico was trying to regain the lead, they scored through Villalobos, but the flag was thrown. The touchdown was good, 28-22 for Mexico, who tried 2 points, but Valderamos couldn’t run to the pillow from 10 yards. Which gave Italy a good start. Zahradka threw a deep ball to Di Tunisi, but it was incomplete. Santogostino made some positive yardage from the catch and moved the ball to 1st and goal from 14 yards. Mexico defenders missed flags, and the Italian player got to the first and destination, and Italy scored. The two extra points were good, and the lead was 29:28 to Italy. In the other semifinal, Panama was trailing to USA 6:32, in the second half. Mexico started with the long ball, Olivera tried to make a diving catch, but he missed it. Mexico was on the fourth down, the Blitzer of Italy made the pass deflection on the QB, and the ball went to Italy with 1 point lead with 2 minutes till the end. 1:44 to the game, with 1 point lead and the possession. 3rd and 1, to the Bouah, but the penalty flag. Every mistake can be costly for both teams. The flags were waving, and the result was the first down and goal from 14 yards for Italy. Italy socred, with a fake handoff to Bouah. The two-point conversion was an incomplete pass, 7 point game. The dramatic match continues.
Mexico still has one time out. Second down and 10 with the stopping the clock. 3rd and 1, Mexico Olivera got the first down at the 16 yards. 2nd and goal from the 9 yards. Mexico has the time to finish the drive. MEXICO Scores! 35:34 for Italy. Timeout Mexico. TWO-POINT CONVERSION IS GOOD! MEXICO LEADS. Salazar with toe drag. INCOMPLETE PASS. Zahradka threw the deep ball, but the Mexican receiver knocked the ball down. Italy 3rd down and 11. A new set of down for Italians. WHAT A DRAMA. 2s seconds left, Zahradka threw the ball to the end zone, the ball was knocked, but the flag was thrown. A long chat of the men in the stripes made the decision, illegal contact Mexico, and un-sportsman conduct like from both teams, the same situation. False start Italy offence. Hail MARY OVERTHROWN by Zahradka. Mexico WIN 36:35, and they go to the finals facing the USA for the GOLD MEDAL. Congrats. The semifinals were watched by 3.300 people live! An excellent flag football game.
Best player Mexico Salazar
Best player Italy Bouah
THE BRONZE MEDAL GAME (W)
We missed the part of this game (we had to cook lunch). Austria started with a bang and a 7:0 lead. On the second and goal, they moved to 1 yard. Saskia is a true floor general, where she finds Stephanie Konecny for the 13:0 lead. Stribrny threw INT on the one-point conversion. Brazil is moving nicely through the field with the run and some catches, quick passes, and the 16-yard line. From #3 to #1, the connection resulted from a Brazil TD. 13-6 Austria. The Austrian QB shows why she is one of the best in the World, moving the ball with Austria’s offence. 4th down Austria from the 10 yards, and Brazil sacked the QB. 2 minute drill for Brazil. They could not score. So the result of the half was 13:6. The first pass was completed, and Katrin Mansbart ran the whole field to the 3-yard line, where Mansbart caught the ball in the end zone for a TD and a 1 point conversion. The result is 20:6 for Austria. Brazil QB made a couple of beautiful passes, moving the ball to the first and goal from 19 yards. 4th and crucial down for the Brasil. WOW. What a catch from the best player in the Brazilian nation Taisa Alencar Gomes. She reached the sky and brought the ball to a TD. Karolyne Priscyla dos Santos caught the extra point. 20-13 Austria. Marie-Theres Michelitsch went all samba running the ball, and she went for 12 yards. Holding penalty brought Austria offence to the 10-yard line and goal. Again Katrin Mansbart caught her second TD of the game. Brazil is now trailing 26-13. We saw many missed flag pulls in this game, which gave the offences much opportunity to gain yards. The long pass of the Brazilian QB and Austrian safety almost intercepted the ball. Brazilian violation has two more chances to score a must-needed TD. Double QB scheme, a pass to Priscyla dos Santos who almost scored a TD, stopped at the 1 yard. Luiza Calaça Martins had the ball in her hand in the end zone, and she dropped it. Austria started to play very meticulously and bring the two-minute warning to them. Quick pass, and the player went out of bounds, 4th down, clock stops. Brazilian defence played lose man coverage, and it was an easy catch for Austria and first down. Marie-Theres Michelitsch went for a run, and Brazil called 2 times a timeout. Austria reran the ball. And finished the game with a win. The best player in the game is Austria Saschia Stribrny. Brazil Taisa Alencar Games. Another great flag football game.
BRONZE MEDAL GAME
ITALY: PANAMA
This game is electric. Italy started with the offence, and Zahradka was picked! Panama continued, and they dropped two passes. And they tried to do two lateral passes on the fourth down, and they didn’t convert the points. Zahradka threw the deep ball to Bouah, and the connection brought the Italians into a 14-yard line from which they scored. Italy 6, Panama 0. Roux threw the long ball, and Cesar Braithwait catches it for the TD. Great defensive play from the Della Vecchia, keeping it 6-6. Deep ball again, and the offensive pass interference. 3rd down, from 11. And great defensive play from Hugo Prepville, 4th down also incomplete. Panama is on offence again. Illegal contact offence Panama, loss of down, 2nd down, and middle. A throw into the middle, catch and quickly gain of 20 yards. 3rd down and seat were overthrown by Roux trying to find Joel Rogers, wide open. On the 4th down, Denis Allen caught the ball and made the first down, resulting from a TD of the Turbo Rogers. The PAT was good. Garcia tipped the ball to himself and got the completion. 13-6 Panama. Italy started quickly with the offence moving the ball and overthrowing Jordan Bouah by an inch. 4th down and middle with a 2-minute warning. Zahradka found di Tunisi, and the clock stops. Corrado, the centre made the TD from a 1-yard line, Italy went for a tie, and they brought it with Bouah. 13 all. Panama still has 2 timeouts with a tie and 2nd down and middle. 10-yard penalty, automatic first down, game clock stops. And incomplete. 3rd down for Panama. Della Vecchia deflected the long ball to the endzone, who stopped 2 passes. Italy’s ball. Italy goes up 6 with Corrado’s second TD. PAT conversion is not good. Those are the longest two minutes; Roux overthrew Jesus, leaving Panama with 3rd down and middle. Panama is using their final timeout on the 4th and inches and middle. AND UNBELIEVABLE play by Joefil Rogers. It looked like a broken play, 3 passes, and a forward pass, he needed to run, and he ran for 35 yards without being touched. The result is 19 all. And we are at the half.
The second half just started, and we already have two TD. Two deep balls, two catches, two touchdowns. Bouah, one of the best receivers, caught a deep threat ball and tied the game to 26. Panama started with the QB2. Alberto Samayoa Levy threw a deep ball to Rogers, grabbing the one-yard line. Avila got back into the game and threw the TD to Dennis Allen and PAT to Jorge Luis Avila. 33-26 Panama. And just like that, Zahradka to Jordan Bouah one play, one throw, TD. Italy went for two, and they got it. 34-33 Italy. We can see that both teams want the podium. Denis Allen, and Samayoa, 42-year old QB, made the connection for the first down. An excellent trick play, QB took the snap, handoff to Allen, who threw the TD to Jesus Guerrero, PAT was uncessesful, Panama is leading 39-34. Italy didn’t take long to regain the lead, quickly scoring a TD, going for one, Zahradka was picked, an illegal contact was drawn, Panama starts with 10 yards gain, Samayoa throws deep, and Allen catches. 1st down and goal from 4 yards. Incomplete, Panama is trailing 40-39. Roux to Alberto Garcia de Paredes TD, Panama went for 2 points, and there was a bad snap. Panama 45-Italy 40. Italy’s ball, short pass, 2nd down. Incomplete on the far side of the field, Di Tunisi. Critical 3rd down, Italy. 13 yards to the middle, short pass, 4th and 1. What an intelligent play by Italy offence, fake handoff, a shovel pass, 1st down, and goal. Pass is caught, 2nd and goal, Italy. One minute remaining. Incomplete pass, clock stops, 3rd down. Italy. Cesar Aguilera, huge play knocking the ball away. And now we are down at 4th down and game. Zahradka will have to dig deep and find the right play. Rush is on, the ball is tipped, a huge stop for Panama defence, and the clock is up. PANAMA WIN! THE BRONZE.
Best player Panama Rogers
Best player Italy Bouah.
GOLD MEDAL GAME W USA MEXICO
Vanita Krouch made 3/3 complete passes in a row, and the USA is making methodically playing, and the USA is leading 6-0, Michele Rouqe. PAT incomplete. Mexico starts with two QB’s sets, Diana Flores threw to Silvia Contreras, 2nd and 16. 3rd down. Flores rolled, found Sandra Barriors for the first down. Almost intercepted. 2nd down, Mexico. Fake handoff, Pamela Reyes with the grab. 4nd and goal for Mexico. AND a great catch by Carranza. 2 point Pat on the long pylon, caught by Silvia Contreras. 8-6 Mexico. USA starts with the incomplete pass. 2nd and 20. 3rd and 6, and the catch is made by Kassandra Bilss. 1st down, and a penalty marker. Illegal contact defense, 1st down, and goal from the 5. Clear Touchdown, Sheneika Adger Comice, sidearm sling to Overstreet, good. 13-8 USA. Mexico ball, crossing route, the catch is made by Contreras, 2nd down and 14. Left side catch by Jennifer silva, and a 1st down Mexico. And a first sack. 2nd down and very long Mexico calls the play, two QB, Flores catches and make people miss the flags, 3rd and 16. Contreras, catch 4th and goal. and TOuchdown, Pamela Reyes. 14-13 Mexico. Pat tipped away. 2nd down and 13 USA. Caught by Bills, and moved closer to the middle line. Very good throw by Krouch by Comice couldn’t hang on to it. 4th and 5. And the Mexican defense holds, first big stop by the Mexico defense. Huge play, Mexico short gain, flags all over the place. Illegal contact, offense, loss of down, second down. 4th and 1, great back-to-back catches by Carranza. 2-minute warning, no conversion, a second sack of the game. One play Krouch to Overstreet, touchdown! Bunch formation on the PAT, and Contreras Silvia made the INT. 19-14 USA. Carranza with the catch and its third down and middle, Contreras made the catch for the first down. 1st and goal, from 21. Delay of game, loss of down. 2nd down and 26, minute to go. And a diving catch by Carranza. Deep pass, Contreras WIDE OPEN, 20-19 Mexico leads, 1 PAT. Nice ball movement, Carranza with the catch. 6 yard gain, 2nd and 14, USA, with the 20s, Comice with the catch for the first down. A lot of time was used on the play, the USA using the last timeout. 7s remain. 3nd down, stopped the clock, 4s, last play, USA. NO GOOD. Halftime break, with the Mexican team leading.
2nd half started with the Mexico offense, and the USA rusher made another sack. Positive grab, and manageable 4th and goal. The sack is made, USA defense gets that stop, and Mexico is only two-point ahead. 1st and goal to the USA, with Krouch moving the ball, the flag was pulled by 3-yard line. What a catch by Comice in the end zone. 25-21 USA. Mexico made a sack on the PAT conversion. Mexico is moving the ball with 2 quick passes to Contreras, which is the result of 3 and 9. A good catch at the 22, and we have 4th and 3. Silva made a crucial catch for the first down, 1st and 24, and goal. Long pass, was incomplete, 9 minutes to the end of the game, 4th and goal, 17 yards. Illegal forward pass, 7 minutes to go, the USA leading by four, and with the ball. Short gain with 4 yards, 2nd down and 16, another short pass, 3rd and 10. AND A sack from the Mexican defense, the result for 4th and 16 to the middle, 5-minute mark, Mexico trailing 4 points. Arianna Lora with a huge stop by knocking the ball out. Mexico with the ball, short pass, gain of three. Flores showed arm strength but she overthrew her receiver. Carranza with the catch, four down for Mexico for the middle. And the delay of game for Mexico, what a costly penalty and USA defense get the stop, with the lead and the ball. 2-minute warning. And Rebeca Landa made a huge sack, pushing Krouch to 3rd and 17, with the clock rolling. A deep ball, to Overstreet and a crucial catch, first down stops the clock, and the USA has the first and goal from 12 yards. Run play, and Mexico calls the timeout. 2nd and goal from the 10-yard line. Krouch to Comice, TD. The USA is up by 10 points and 1 minute left. USA team is wrapping their gold medal. 1 point conversion is not good, with Contreras intercepting the ball again. Mexico couldn't hold on. And the ball game goes to the USA. It a very nice game.
Best player USA: Jo Overstreet
Best player Mexico: Silvia Contreras.
GOLD MEDAL GAME M
It’s started to rain a little bit, which means is the best weather for flag football. USA started with the ball in offense, and quickly they moved to the 11-yard line and 3rd and goal. Mapp, Douchette, Bunting, Meek, Holiday was the starting lineup. Easy score with Greg Meek, and the USA strikes first. 7-0 USA. Mexico needed just two throws to get to the middle line. Perez, Villalobos, Olivera, Balderramos, Ortega, quickly found their way to the endzone, and with 2 point conversion they tied up the game, to eight each. Holiday threw the deep ball to Mapp, and David Ramirez made an excellent stop, but the refs called PI on the defense which gave the USA automatic first down. And another penalty happens to the Mexico defense with the offside, so the USA is marching to the endzone from 20 yards out. A nice throw to Douchette, but he was out of bounds. The fans were booing the refs call against PI on the Guillermo Jordan, and another first down for the USA. A quick pass to Mapp, 2nd down, and goal, Holiday made a flag guarding which wasn’t called and the result was a TD. A beautiful catch for 2 points by Michal Dunn with a tip-toe catch. 16-8, USA. Said Salazar brought the Mexico team to first down and middle. Third down and one for the score Jorge Olivera. Diego Perez lined up for a two-point conversion and Solomon Frankie Jr deflected the ball. Clean play on the deep ball, Mapp caught the ball on the second down, Holiday was in the shotgun for 3rd and short and he found Terrence Bunting for the Touchdown. PAT 1 is good through Bruce Mapp, and The Score is 23 to 14, Mexico has the ball. Great throw by Perez to Villalobos who ran all the way down to the eight-yard line. Another nice pass by Perez to Said Salazar on the catch, with a two-point conversion the Mexico team is trailing only by one point. 23-22. The weather started to pour some rain, but that didn’t stop Eric Holiday to find numerous receivers. Diving by the Doucette made a loss of down, which brought them to 4th down and the catch was incomplete. Mexico stopped the USA’s offense (probably for the first time in the tournament). With the Perez-Villalobos connection, Mexico came through the middle, and Mexico called time out with 40seconds left. 2nd down and 12, and Jorge Olivera caught the ball at the one-yard line. Said Salazar gave Mexico a lead of 28-23. Holiday and company had the possibility to score, but Mexico’s defense was on point. A little bit of shock by the Mexicans will show if the USA can pick up the pace and bring the gold medal home.
Mexico started with an offense, moving the ball through the middle of the field. 2nd down he found Villalobos and they SCORED. Ortega caught the ball and the photographer for 34-23. Olivera caught the ball for the PAT and the 35-23 is the lead of Mexico. Double QB on the USA team brought them quickly to the first down and goal. 6600 people watching live, could see how the USA team can strike immediately, and how to close the gap quickly with a shovel pass to Dunn. And Bruce Mapp Jr, scored a PAT1 and Mexico lead 35-30. The double pass of Mexico didn’t give the result they hoped, and they started on 3rd down and long to the middle. Villalobos secured the first down and Mexico came closer to the endzone. Ricardo Sainz brought the Mexico team to the 7-yard line. USA defense made a mistake, for a 5-yard penalty. Olivera scored a TD, and on a PAT there was PI on the USA defense, a big opportunity for Mexico which they didn’t convert. 11 point lead for Mexico 41-30. One play, hurry up for the USA, big gain by Mapp. With the bunch formation and shovel pass, and with 1 point conversion from Bunting, the result is 41-37 for Mexico. Mexico started to milk the clock, with 6 minutes to the end of the game. 3rd down and middle for Mexico was crucial, and the refs called the offensive pass interference. 4th and very long was not converted. Diego Perez made his first mistake, and throw an INT to Solomon Frankie Jr. And a 2-minute warning started. The USA had the 2nd down and middle, with the one timeout. Bruce Mapp caught the ball 1 yard till the middle. Clock stops at the 22-yard line, 1:19 minute, 1st down, and goal for the USA. Mexico called the first time out, 1 minute till the end of the game. One time out left to each team. Michael Dunn scored another TD and the USA regain the lead. 44-41 lead the USA brought pressure to Mexico. Villalobos caught the ball, went out of bounds. In the next play, the USA team made Illegal contact. Automatic first down and Mexico missed two opportunities. A quick toss, first and goal. But Mexico couldn’t bring it home. 9000 people watching via stream, saw the win from the USA.
Best player USA: Bruce Mapp Jr.
Best player Mexico: Guillermo Villalobos
