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February 20/24th, 2002 - Davie, Florida
3rd World Cup of
Flag Football
The Final Game
Team USA found out
beer wasn't the only Canadian product with a bite at the World Cup
of Flag Football February 20-24, 2003. Team Canada scored a safety
to erase USA's scoreless bid in the final two minutes but Canada
could not punch the ball in on offense as USA held on to a 7-2
victory in the 9Man Contact championship game at the Bamford
Sports Complex in Davie, Florida. Canada did little offensively
against an intimidating USA defense that did not allow a single
point prior to the championship contest. Nearly 1.000 people were
in attendance as the USA stopped Canada's offense on its own 1
yard line with 2 minutes left in regulation. The Canadian team
then stuffed the USA in the endzone for a safety to give its
offense another shot at finding the endzone but USA's defense
tightened up and held Canada until time expired to claim their
third consecutive tournament title. It was the second straight
World Cup the Canadians lost to Team USA who won 10-9 last year on
a comeback with 38 seconds left. Quarterback Jim Dutra, running
back Tony Baker and wide receiver Todd Jones each played on last
year's team and returned to claim another title. Team USA's title
came despite adverse conditions which saw only seven of 16
countries participate because of travel restrictions enforced
after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New
York, Pentagon in Washington D.C. and an airliner in Pennsylvania.
Recap
The USA, Mexico, Canada, England, Venezuela, France and Israel
were represented at the World Cup. Team USA's victory highlighted
the tournament which was celebrated with a Bud Girls versus
FlagMag Girls game at halftime and a fireworks display.
Venezuela, who narrowly defeated Israel 21-20 in overtime, could not fend off
a stingy England team in the playoffs. England scored two
touchdowns in the final 5:00 to dissolve a 12-0 deficit and win
13-12. Israel scored a touchdown against Venezuela in overtime but
elected to go for the 2-point conversion and failed.
Team Mexico
extended its win streak in the women's 7Man No Contact with a
22-20 victory over Canada. Canada got an 18-yards strike from
Christie Hughes to a diving Dorita Kobylecki to maintain a drive
with less than a minute to play. Hughes then tossed a quick
touchdown pass to make it a 22-20 game but Canada failed on its 2-points
conversion to place second.
The USA, Canada, Mexico and Venezuela participated in the women's
7Man No Contact division.
Switzerland was in attendance but opted
to only watch and learn for next year.
In open tournaments play,
74 teams, 20 international, participated this year. Nearly triple
the number of teams from the previous year where 27 played. Mexico
and Canada each brought six teams from there country. In 8Man Gold
division, the East West All Stars went undefeated and topped the
USFTL national champs, DC Bad Boy Bull Dogs 21-6 in the title game.
In the 8Man Silver division, the Cardinals of Springfield, MA came
out of the losers bracket and defeated Maine's Fed Ex 7-0 for the
title. This division saw some good action as Boston's Bowl Hogs
defeated Venezuela on a punt return in the final minute to claim a
12-8 victory. 7Man No Contact was the most competitive division,
as FlagMag #1 & #2 ranked teams were eliminated by Florida teams.
The championship came down to an all Florida final and went to
Overtime. Elvis Lives of St. Pete held of the Horsemen 21-20 for
the crown. QB Brad Corliss connected with Team USA player Brett
Angell for the winning extra point. In the Women's 7Man No Contact,
Mexico Red of Mexico City, MX defeated a highly favored Aguilas
Blancas 18-6. The Aguilas Blancas of Mexico City, MX have won the
last three World Cups, four times College national champs and the
Mexican national champs. This was there first loss to a women's
team in 4 years. The Aguilas Blancas defeated Mexico Red early
12-6 knocking them to the losers bracket. Due to roster
limitations of 16 people, the championship games are single
elimination for the World Cup. (Both teams had one loss) 4Man Gold
division witnessed an upset as FlagMag's Raw Talent of Miami won
the highly competitive tournament. This division had the most
number of teams, 21, with teams from FL, GA, LA, CA, MA, NH and
OH. It was an all Miami Final as Raw Talent defeated Sting 26-24.
In the 4Man Silver division, Miami's LaBrigada defeated Canada's
Hitmen 22-6 for the Title. LaBrigada went 4-0 and its closest game
was the championship. In 4Man Bronze division, Smoke of Atlanta,
GA defeated the Heat of Los Angeles, CA 26-14 for the title. In
Women's 4Man, the Law Offices of Miami, FL defeated the Black
Widows of Boston, MA 12-0 for the title.
Order of Finish
Men
1. USA
2. Canada
3. Mexico
4. England
5. Venezuela
6. Israel
7. France
Women
1. Mexico
2. Canada
3. USA
4. Venezuela
World Cup Results
Men
Championship
USA (7) vs. Canada (2)
3rd Place Game
Mexico (12) vs. England (0)
Playoffs -
Final Four
USA (34) vs. Mexico
(0)
Canada (35) vs. England
(0)
Playoffs - Final Eight
USA - Bye
Mexico (26) vs. Israel (20)
England (13) vs. Venezuela (12)
Canada (25) vs. France (0)
Round Robin
Israel (12) vs. England (0)
Venezuela (13) vs. England (8)
USA (37) vs. Israel (0)
Venezuela (13) vs. Israel (12) - OT
Canada (20) vs. Venezuela (0)
USA (22) vs. England (0)
USA (35) vs. France (0)
Canada (14) vs. Mexico (6)
Mexico (22) vs. France (2)
Canada (31) vs. France (0)
USA (44) vs. Mexico (0)
Women
Championship
Mexico (22) vs. Canada (20)
3rd Place Game
USA (14) vs. Venezuela (0)
Playoffs
Mexico (28) vs. Venezuela (0)
Canada (15) vs. USA (0)
Round
Robin
Mexico (12) vs. Canada (6)
USA (21) vs. Venezuela (0)
Canada (21) vs. USA (7)
Mexico (20) vs. USA (13)
Canada (27) vs. Venezuela (0)
To see the 2002 World Cup photos
click here |
