The 2022 IFAF Women's World Championship was the fourth IFAF Women's World Championship, an American football competition for women. It was held between July 30 and August 7, 2022, after originally having been planned for 2021. The tournament was hosted at Myyrmäen jalkapallostadion in Vantaa, Finland.[1] The defending champion is the United States.
On the eve of the tournament, Mexico announced that they would not be able to make it to Finland for their first round game against Great Britain, putting their participation in the tournament in jeopardy.[2] The next day it was announced that Great Britain would win their quarterfinal matchup with Mexico on walk over.[3]
The two teams started out scoring a touchdown each with both teams failing to convert their PAT, leaving the score level after the first quarter. After the first quarter, however, Canada pulled away, scoring three more touchdowns and two field goals while keeping Australia from scoring any more points. The game's MVP awards were presented to Canada's quarterback Maude Lacasse (passing for 133 yards 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, while also rushing for 37 yards) and Australia's wide receiver Jordan Di Mizio (with 7 catches for 52 yards and 1 touchdown).
Finland beat Sweden thanks in part to a dominant defensive performance, where the Swedes were kept to negative offensive yardage in the first half, as well as an imposing performance by running back Tytti Kuusinen who rushed for three touchdowns. The game's MVP awards were presented to Finland's Kuusinen and Sweden's linebacker Elin Thimfors.
Game information
First Quarter
FIN - Tytti Kuusinen 2-yard run (Laura Pulkkinen kick), 06:31. Finland 7-0. Drive: 3 plays, 3 yards, 1:19.
Second Quarter
FIN - Laura Pulkkinnen 1-yard run (Laura Pulkkinen kick), 04:17. Finland 14-0. Drive: 9 plays, 32 yards, 4:43.
FIN - Emmi Järn 17-yard pass from Emilia Räty (Laura Pulkkinen kick), 01:11. Finland 21-0. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 1:51.
Third Quarter
FIN - Tytti Kuusinen 33-yard run (Laura Pulkkinen kick), 06:26. Finland 28-0. Drive: 3 plays, 55 yards, 1:17.
FIN - Janika Nikander 3-yard interception return (Laura Pulkkinen kick), 01:35. Finland 35-0.
Fourth Quarter
FIN - Mari Jääskelä 5-yard run (Laura Pulkkinen kick), 11:26. Finland 42-0. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 1:56.
FIN - Tytti Kuusinen 9-yard run (Laura Pulkkinen kick), 05:12. Finland 49-0. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 4:31.
The heavily favored United States secured a dominant win as the team started scoring early and kept scoring throughout the game, putting up nine touchdowns. The Germans were held to a mere 17 yards of offense. The game's MVP awards were presented to USA's quarterback Brittany Bushman and Germany's defensive back Dora Jung.
Game information
First Quarter
USA - Maria Jackson 27-yard pass from Brittany Bushman (Alaina Lange kick), 06:51. USA 7-0. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 3:04.
USA - Brittany Bushman 1-yard run (Alaina Lange kick), 02:31. USA 14-0. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 3:01.
USA - Kristen London 85-yard interception return (Alaina Lange kick), 00:00. USA 21-0.
Second Quarter
USA - Maria Jackson 38-yard pass from Brittany Bushman (Alaina Lange kick), 07:46. USA 28-0. Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 1:57.
USA - D'Ajah Scott 1-yard run (Alaina Lange kick), 04:06. USA 35-0. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 3:38.
Third Quarter
USA - Jana Meister 11-yard pass from Tori Tucker (Alaina Lange kick), 09:27. USA 42-0. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:26.
USA - Tori Tucker 11-yard run (Alaina Lange kick), 05:34. USA 49-0. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 2:55.
Fourth Quarter
USA - Knengi Martin 5-yard run (Alaina Lange kick), 11:25. USA 56-0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:14.
USA - Adriana Gutierrez 1-yard run (Alaina Lange kick), 07:04. USA 63-0. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 2:06.
The game was even fought before half time with multiple lead changes, before the US were able to capitalize on a key turnover early in the third quarter to grab the lead and then stifle Finland's attack to the point where the Fins would not score again in the game. The game's MVP awards were given to USA's running back D'Ajah Scott and Finland's linebacker Essi Saastamoinen.
Game information
First Quarter
FIN - Laura Pulkkinen 35-yard field goal, 03:10. Finland 3-0. Drive: 7 plays, 0 yards, 3:33.
USA - D'Ajah Scott 15-yard run (Alaina Lange kick), 00:42. USA 7-3. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 2:21.
Second Quarter
FIN - Tytti Kuusinen 9-yard run (Laura Pulkkinen kick), 04:23. Finland 10-7. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 3:12.
Third Quarter
USA - D'Ajah Scott 15-yard run (Alaina Lange kick), 09:03. USA 14-10. Drive: 2 plays, 23 yards, 0:31.
USA - D'Ajah Scott 5-yard run (Alaina Lange kick), 00:46. USA 21-10. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 1:29.
Fourth Quarter
USA - Adriana Gutierrez 1-yard run (Alaina Lange kick), 02:40. USA 28-10. Drive: 8 plays, 29 yards, 2:58.
In a defensive battle that came down to the game's last seconds, Great Britain was able to mount a 9 play, 40 yard drive in the fourth quarter to get the winning touchdown and send the team to its first ever World Championship final. The game's MVP awards were given to Canada's defensive back Harmine Leo and Great Britain's defensive back Phoebe Schecter
Game information
First Quarter
CAN - Hanna McEwen 1-yard run (Kristie Elliott kick), 06:05. Canada 7-0. Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 00:05.
Controversy going into the 7th place game as Sweden had some of their top players sanctioned by IFAF for off field misdemeanours, despite protests from both teams. A tight back and forth ground game was broken in the 4th quarter by Casey Byrne of WA on a 75 yard rush. The PAT was snapped by Grace Murphy of ACT, held by Xanthe Grey of WA, and kicked by Marissa Hayes of QLD. Australia went on to hold out Sweden in the dying minutes to record their first ever win at the IFAF Women's World Championships.
Finland
United States (4th title)
Great Britain
Canada
Mexico
Sweden
Australia
Germany