LIVESTREAM IFAF WWC Bronze Medal Game: Team Canada vs Team Finland, Aug. 7, 15:30 CET (3:30 PM, 09:30 AM ET)

| 2022 IFAF Women's World Championship | 08/07/2022

The bronze medal matchup on the final day of the 2022 IFAF Women’s World Championships in Vantaa, Finland, features the 2017 silver medalists, Team Canada taking on the host country, Team Finland.

In the second North American versus Europe game of Day 3, Team Canada finds itself in the unusual position of playing for third place at the WWC. Finland is in more historically familiar territory, having won bronze in the first two WWCs.

Canada was shocked by Team Great Britain on Wednesday when the British scored on the last play of the game to win 20-13. Team Canada had opened the tournament in habitual fashion by defeating Team Australia 34-6, but the Lions changed the course of WWC history.

Finland opened by easily defeating their perennial rivals Team Sweden 49-0. They then attempted to jump start the upset game when they led Team USA 10-7 at the half. The Americans came back to win 28-10, but the Finns are carrying some justifiable momentum into the Bronze Medal matchup.

The Canadians have been directed by game 1 MVP quarterback Maude Lacasse who has completed 20 of 37 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown while tossing three interceptions. Running back Casey McCombs has carried the ball 21 times for 125 yards over the two games.

Defensive back Harmine Léo and linebacker Emilie P.Belanger both have 12 tackles, and Léo has had two interceptions. Defensive linemen Danaye Holynski and Brigitte O’Driscoll have recorded sacks against opposing quarterbacks.

Finland’s Game 1 MVP, running back, Tytti Kuusinen, has carried the ball 28 times for 179 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Emilia Räty has completed nine of 24 passes for 48 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Linebacker Essi Saastamoinen has stopped opposing runners 14.5 times. Linebackers Evi Laajapuro (2) and Janika Nikander, along with defensive backs Anni Pajunen have intercepted opposing passers.

It will be interesting to see if Canada can bounce back after losing to a team other than the United States, but it will also be fun to see whether Finland’s broader experience playing as a national team in an increasingly competitive Europe will put them back in.

Watch the game live here. Team Canada vs Team Finland, Aug. 7, 15:30 CET (3:30 PM, 09:30 AM ET)

Russ Crawford is an Associate Professor of History at Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH. He has published three books: Women’s American Football: Breaking Barriers On and Off the Field (2022), Le Football: The History of American Football in