Canadian Men’s Team Finishes 7th at 2024 IFAF World Flag Championship
Lahti, Finland, September 5, 2024 – The Canadian men’s national flag football team has concluded their campaign at the 2024 IFAF World Flag Championship, securing a respectable 7th place finish. This performance reflects the growing strength of Canadian flag football on the international scene.
In their opening match, Team Canada narrowly beat group favorites Italy, 34-33. Quarterback Mason Nyhus showcased his skills, throwing for 246 yards and 5 touchdowns. Receiver Francois Rocheleau made significant contributions with 143 yards and 3 touchdowns, setting a high standard for the team’s offensive capabilities.
Canada came back swinging in the second game, securing a dominant 55-0 victory over Singapore. Nyhus continued his stellar performance, completing 20 of 22 passes for 196 yards and 5 touchdowns. The team’s versatility was on full display, with Rocheleau adding 29 rushing yards and a touchdown to his 78 receiving yards and another score. Defensively, Canada was impenetrable, with Jean-Sebastien Belisle leading the charge with two interceptions.
In a tightly contested final group game, Finland edged out Canada 28-26, despite another strong offensive showing. Nyhus and Kyle Siemens combined for 255 yards and 4 touchdowns, with Chad Braun leading the receivers with 8 catches for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. Anthony Brisebois anchored the defense with 6 tackles. This result secured Canada a strong second-place finish in Group E.
Advancing to the round of 16, Canada faced off against Israel in a high-scoring affair, emerging victorious with a 46-38 win. The Canadian offense was in top form, with Nyhus and Siemens combining for an impressive 317 yards and 7 touchdowns. Mitchell Hillis led the receiving corps with 12 catches for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Rocheleau had a standout performance with 10 receptions for 134 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Guillaume Beland made his presence felt with 5 tackles and a pass breakup, while Brisebois contributed 4 tackles and an interception.
Canada’s championship aspirations came to an end in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 27-21 loss to Switzerland. Despite the setback, the team showed resilience and skill. Nyhus completed 19 of 29 passes for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Beland led the defense with 6 tackles. Clovis Lumeka and Everett Iverson made significant defensive contributions, with Lumeka recording 4 tackles including 2 for loss, and Iverson notching 3 tackles with 2 sacks.
The tournament concluded with two consolation games that showcased Canada’s competitive spirit. In a rematch against Italy, Canada fell 55-26, demonstrating the Italian team’s strength throughout the championship. However, the Canadian squad bounced back in their final game, securing a 45-33 victory over Denmark to claim 7th place overall.
The men’s team’s performance at the IFAF World Flag Championship, including their second-place finish in Group E, quarterfinal appearance, and 7th place overall finish, highlights the rising profile of flag football in Canada and sets the stage for continued growth and development of the sport nationwide.
For more information, please contact:
Braydon Stachel
bstachel@footballcanada.com
