The U.S. won the inaugural International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women’s World Championship in Sweden—and did so in dominating fashion.
Chicago was well-represented overseas—by, specifically, the Chicago Force of the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) and members of the LGBT community.
The U.S. defeated Canada 66-0 at Zinkensdamms IP Stadium on Saturday, July 3, for the gold. Team USA coach John Konecki is an assistant boys’ football coach at Crete-Monee High School during the fall and the head coach of the Force. Anthony Stone is a Force assistant coach, and was the defensive coordinator for Team USA.
“Canada was an excellent team and we had to work hard to prepare and play against them. I feel honored to have coached Team USA. It is a remarkable group of women,” Konecki said.
Jamie Menzyk of the Force was named the championship game’s MVP with fierce blocking. She was joined in Sweden by Force teammates Angie Bandstra, Keesha Brooks, Sami Grisafe, Patricia Harper, Kim Marks, Jamie Menzyk and Dawn Pederson. Force General Manager Linda Bache also attended the tournament.
Finland won the bronze medal with a 26-18 win over Germany. Sweden took fifth place with a 20-18 final-day win over Austria.
“It was amazing to win the gold medal. It was very emotional. We played an awesome team and it feels great to be in this moment,” said Sharon Vasquez of the Pittsburgh Passion, whom the Force defeated this past May in Chicago.
The U.S. now hold all IFAF tackle football world titles with the USA Football Women’s National Team joining their male counterparts, who won the senior crown in 2007 against Japan, and the juniors (aged 19 and under), who beat Canada to lift the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship.
“The experience in Sweden was amazing,” Bandstra said. “The chemistry between 45 women from 22 different teams could not have been any better.
“The girls from the Force landed in Austin, [Texas] on Saturday night, [June 26], and we had team meetings into the evening. Sunday morning, the 45 individuals came together as one and we became 45 strong. I have never felt a bond between a team like this before. We had two-a-day [practices] in Austin for five days, which was very intense.
“While we were in Sweden, we overcame a lot of adversity, but we knew that if we stayed together we would never be defeated. We left no doubt that we were the best in the world. Our mission statement was: One team, One mission.
“On Saturday, [July 3,] our mission was completed. Mission gold.”
Quarterback Grisafe did for Team USA what she regularly does for the Force: generate offense. In the championship game, for instance, Grisafe connected with Rusty Sowers for a 31-yard touchdown to end the first half with a commanding 51-point advantage.
Team USA opened the tournament with a 63-0 rout of Austria, and then destroyed Finland 72-0.
Grisafe helped Team USA open a 34-0 halftime lead against Finland with a few TD tosses, including a 47-yarder to Desiree Weimann of the South California Breakers. Grisafe also added a quarterback sneak for a 47-point advantage with 5:55 still left to play in the third quarter.
Kansas City Tribe wide receiver Rusty Sowers, a Force foe during the IWFL season, won MVP honors against Finland as she tallied three touchdowns among the United States’ 11 visits to the end zone.