Team Canada Returns Home With 3 Medals From The Junior International Cup

Canada had a strong showing at the Junior International Cup hosted by USA Football in Los Angeles, California from July 11-12. Four championship teams that were determined at the Elite Flag National Event held in Kingston, Ontario represented Canada on the International Stage. The age categories for these teams were 15U Boys, 15U Girls, 17U Boys, and 17U Girls, showcasing some of the most promising young talent in Canadian Flag Football.

Road to the Junior International Cup

The journey to the Junior International Cup began at the Elite Flag National Event in Kingston. Over the course of three days, teams from across Canada competed fiercely for the honour of representing the nation. The victorious teams emerged as follows:

• 17U Boys: Champions from Nova Scotia
• 17U Girls: Champions from Quebec
• 15U Boys: Champions from Quebec
• 15U Girls: Champions from Saskatchewan

The Competition

The Junior International Cup saw teams from around the world vying for top honours. The event kicked off on July 11th with a packed schedule that included intense group play and tournament matches. The Canadian teams faced strong opponents from the United States, Japan, Panama, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon.

Results

15U Girls

• July 11th, 11:00 AM: Nuevo Leon (28) vs. Team Canada (40)
• July 11th, 1:30 PM: Team Panama (7) vs. Team Canada (18)
• July 11th, 4:30 PM: Team Azteca (48) vs. Team Canada (32)

Pool Play Standings: 

Azteca 3-0, USA 2-1, Canada 2-1, AFANL 1-2, Panama 1-2, Japan 0-3

• July 11th, 6:30 PM (4th vs 5th): AFANL (7) vs Panama (31)
• July 11th, 6:30 PM (3rd vs 6th): Canada (26) vs Japan (12)
• July 12th, 10:00 AM (1st vs 4/5): Azteca (20) vs Panama (26)
• July 12th, 10:00 AM  (2nd vs 3/6): USA (47) vs Canada (19)
• 5th Place, July 12th, 1:30 PM: AFANL vs Japan
• BRONZE, July 12th, 2:30 PM: Canada (27) vs Azteca (33) OT
• GOLD, July 12th, 3:30 PM: USA (38) vs Panama (13)

Final Standings

1. USA
2. Panama
3. Azteca
4. Canada
5. AFANL/Japan
6. AFANL/Japan

15U Boys

• July 11th, 10:00 AM: Team USA (44) vs. Team Canada (12)
• July 11th, 12:00 PM: Team Canada (35) vs. Azteca (28)
• July 11th, 4:30 PM: Team Canada (20) vs. Team Japan (21)

Pool Play Standings: 

USA 3-0, Japan 2-1, Canada 1-2, Azteca 1-2, Panama 0-3

• July 12th, 9:00 AM (4th vs 5th) : Azteca (28) vs Panama (20)
• July 12th, 11:00 AM (1st vs 4/5) : USA (33) vs Azteca (7)
• July 12th, 11:00 AM (2nd vs 3rd) : Japan (25) vs Canada (23)
• BRONZE, July 12th, 2:30 PM: Canada (35) vs Azteca (32)
• GOLD, July 12th, 5:30 PM: Japan (26) vs USA (41)

Final Standings

1. USA
2. Japan
3. Canada
4. Azteca
5. Panama

17U Girls

• July 11th, 10:00 AM: Team USA (33) vs. Team Canada (21)
• July 11th, 2:30 PM: Team Canada (6) vs. AFANL (35)
• July 11th, 4:30 PM: Team Canada (18) vs. Team Panama (15)

Pool Play Standings: 

USA 3-0, Panama 2-1, Japan 2-1, AFANL 1-2, Canada 1-2, Azteca 0-3

• July 11th, 6:30 PM (4th vs 5th): AFANL (12) vs Canada (26)
• July 11th, 6:30 PM (3rd vs 6th): Japan (12) vs Azteca (28)
• July 12th, 10:00 AM  (1st vs 4/5): USA (34) vs Canada (7)
• July 12th, 10:00 AM (2nd vs 3/6): Panama (26) vs Azteca (20)
• 5th Place, July 12th, 1:30 PM AFANL vs Japan
• BRONZE, July 12th, 2:30 PM: Canada (33) vs Azteca (6)
• GOLD, July 12th, 4:30 PM: USA (27) vs Panama (7)

Final Standings

1. USA
2. Panama
3. Canada
4. Azteca
5. AFANL/Japan
6. AFANL/Japan

17U Boys

• July 11th, 12:00 PM: Team USA (33) vs. Team Canada (26)
• July 11th, 2:30 PM: Azteca (15) vs. Team Canada (13)
• July 11th, 4:30 PM: Team Panama (20) vs. Team Canada (21)

Pool Play Standings: 

USA 3-0, Azteca 2-1, Japan 1-2, Canada 1-2, Panama 0-3

• July 12th, 9:00 AM (4th vs 5th) : Canada (47) vs Panama (13)
• July 12th, 11:00 AM (1st vs 4/5) : USA (27) vs Canada (28)
• July 12th, 11:00 AM (2nd vs 3rd) : Azteca (21) vs Japan (19)
• BRONZE, July 12th, 2:30 PM: USA (25) vs Japan (20)
• GOLD, July 12th, 5:30 PM: Canada (22) vs Azteca (45)

Final Standings

1. Azteca
2. Canada
3. USA
4. Japan
5. Panama

Tournament Highlight

In a thrilling semi-final showdown, Team Canada’s 17U boys dethroned the defending champions, Team USA 28-27 on July 12th at the Junior International Cup in Los Angeles, California.