It’s Diana Flores vs Vanita Krouch again. It’s Mexico vs USA again.

The classic rivalry that saw USA win the IFAF Flag Football World Championship in 2021, Mexico rule The World Games in 2022, and the Americans claim the continental crown last year will play out again in Finland. The world title will be on the line at Lahti Stadium in Finland at 8.30pm on Friday.

Japan came agonizingly close to gatecrashing the party as they were within a score of causing an upset until the final 30 seconds of a thrilling semifinal against Mexico, who held on to win 40-31. The United States beat Austria 41-24 to keep their quest for a threepeat alive.

All the action from the multiple medal games being played at Lahti Stadium will stream live on IFAF.TV. All game scores, statistics, standings and a schedule of upcoming games can be found at the official tournament website.

When Thursday began, 16 women’s teams all had their eye on the prize of the gold medal game.

In the Round of 16 knockout stage, USA dispatched hosts Finland, Canada were too strong for Panama, Italy edged Germany, and Austria beat a spirited Brazil by two points. Mexico breezed past Israel, Great Britain ousted Switzerland, Spain were six-point winners over France, and in a repeat of last year’s Asia-Oceania final, Japan beat Australia.

That led to the quarterfinals where Spain almost created what would have been the shock of the tournament as they led at halftime and held USA to three touchdowns, but eventually lost by four points, 18-14. Austria won a close content over Italy by three points, while Mexico defeated Canada 35-20.

The game of the round was played between European champions Great Britain and Asia-Oceania champs Japan who were neck and neck at the two-minute warning. Japan controlled the clock to hold a six-point lead and won on the final play as time expired as GB was unable to complete a pass that fell loose in the end zone.

Photo: Ernesto Campuzano