LIVESTREAM IFAF WWC: Team Sweden vs Team Australia, 7 August, 09:00 CET (9:00, 17:00 AET, 03:00 am ET)
Graphics: Igor Lazarevic
The last day of IFAF Women’s World Championship kicks off with a clash between Team Sweden and Team Australiatwo teams still looking for a win.
The winner will finish seventh in the eight-team tournament.
Sweden lost their opening match against Finland by 49-0. They performed better in their second matchup against Germany and actually controlled much of the game but ultimately fell 6-0.
Team Australia opened WWC on the wrong side of another 33-6 score Team Canada. Their next match was against a very motivated one Team Mexicoand again Australians fell short, this time losing 34-6.
Both teams have shown good individual efforts, but their relative team experience has not allowed them to get over the top to victory. Sweden have a very young team, and Australia have had issues with the ongoing COVID situation which has hampered their efforts to work together as a team.
Offensively, Team Sweden couldn’t generate much of a ground attack vs Finlandbut Swedish The Rushers gained 195 yards on 50 carries against Germany. Game 2 MVP, guard Elin Luuk, carried most of the load against Germany, rushing for 159 yards on 30 carries. Starting quarterback Bim Jensen-Östlund was injured against Finlandand her backup, Linda Widberg, hasn’t been able to find her groove, completing just 3 of 24 passes for three yards, and she’s thrown five interceptions.
On the defensive side, fullback Hedvig Palocci has had 12 tackles over the two games. Game one MVP linebacker Elin Thimfors has spread 10.5 tackles over the two games and had a quarterback sack and 5 tackles for losses.
Team Australia has generated 252 yards of offense in his games, with Game 1 MVP Jordan Di Mizio accounting for 94 of those yards as a rusher and receiver. Running back Casey Byrne contributed 63 yards on 21 carries. Quarterback Isabella Paholek has completed 10 of 32 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. She has also given away two interceptions.
Linebacker Laura St. Ruth has retired opposing runners 13.5 times to lead Australian defense. Defensive back Shannon Whale hauled in two interceptions, and linebacker Kelly Whitehead picked off another.
Team Sweden is likely favorite to go home with a win. Their rushing offense matches up against Team Australia defense that has given up an average of 172 rushing yards per game. Historically, it has Swedes have also had significantly more experience playing as a national team, which should give them an advantage.
Watch the match live on AFI.tv. Team Sweden vs Team Australia, August 7, 09:00 CET (9:00, 17:00 AET, 03:00 am ET)