IFAF U19 World Championship: Team Sweden downs Australia to advance to bronze medal game

Paced by two touchdowns from running back Jonathan Gustafsson, Team Sweden defeated Team Outback from Australia 19-6 in the second round of the 2018 IFAF U19 World Championships in Mexico City.

Gustafsson was a workhorse for Sweden who took a 13-0 halftime lead.

Quarterback Dennis Isberg threw a 31 yard touchdown pass to Klas Mazetti midway through the first quarter to open the scoring. Then on the second play of the second quarter, Gustaffson punched the ball in from the one yard line to add to the lead.

Australia clawed their way back into the game in the third quarter on a 79 yard run and looked to be pushing for more.

However, late in the game, Gustafsson was called upon time and again, working out of the “wildcat” formation and sealed the win with another short yardage touchdown midway through the fourth.

With the win, their first in this tournament since defeating Panama in 2012 to finish ninth, Sweden has qualified for the bronze medal game where they will face Team USA Sunday, July 22.