Canada’s men and women have progressed to the quarterfinals of the flag football world championships held in Germany. The men were defeated 37-28 by Japan, securing a second-place finish in their group with a 2-1 record. Due to visa issues, Nigeria withdrew from their scheduled match against Canada, granting Canada an automatic win. Japan’s quarterback Take Taniguchi threw five touchdown passes, while Canada’s former CFL quarterback Michael O’Connor threw three TD passes.
The men’s team will now face American Samoa in the quarterfinals after American Samoa’s surprising victory over the top-ranked U.S. team. On the other hand, the women’s team topped their group with a flawless 3-0 record following their 34-20 win over Japan. They are set to play against Austria in the quarterfinals, with a potential semifinal match against the winner of Mexico and Spain on the line.
Quarterback Sara Parker showcased an impressive performance by throwing four touchdown passes, two of which were caught by Caroline Moquin-Joubert. Alexane Fournier and Marianne Quirion also contributed with TD catches, while Frederique Morneau scored a rushing touchdown, leading Canada to overcome a 20-13 halftime deficit with 21 unanswered points in the second half.
Apart from vying for the world title, teams are also aiming to secure spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The top two finishers at the world championships will earn Olympic berths, marking the sport’s debut in the Olympic program. All matches of the event will be available for live streaming on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.
