Italy won the U17 Girls crown at the IFAF European Youth Flag Football Championships with a convincing 53-15 win over Germany as quarterback Aurora Vitalli and wide receiver Vittoria Zani (pictured) connected for four touchdowns. Sira Granelli had three interceptions and Noemi Abbati caught three scores as Italy’s defense also dominated at the Sportanlage Wiesengasse in Innsbruck, Austria.
Germany took the lead through a Paulina Seidel touchdown on the game’s first possession, but then Zani scored twice in reply before Granelli’s first led to Ginerva Porru opening a 19-7 lead. Zani’s hattrick and an Abbati touchdown following an interception opened a 33-15 halftime lead.
Zani and Abbati struck again and Granelli shut down Germany’s attempt at a comeback from a 32-point deficit then Abbati tagged on another score at the end.
“Everyone did an amazing job and we won all seven games and on our third time in the final we have won the championship,” said Italy head coach Enzo Petrillo.
Germany head coach Stefanie Thiele said: “We tried our best on the field and we wanted to perform better than we did and we know we can be better than this. I’m unbelievably proud of this team and if someone would have told us before the tournament that we would be in the final and get a silver medal we wouldn’t have believed it.”
Italy beat Finland by six points in the semifinals to remain unbeaten, while Germany inflicted a first defeat upon Czechia in a thrilling 22-21 victory. When the teams met in the group stages, Italy also won, 40-24.
Replays of all games are available on IFAF.TV.