In a short series, IFAF looks back at some of the highlights and stories that emerged from the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Finland at the end of August, starting with Switzerland’s unexpected glory in the men’s bracket.
There were several potential upsets being considered heading into the men’s tournament as 32 teams from five continents battled for the world title.
Were Mexico best placed to deny USA a fifth straight world title, or perhaps European champions Germany or their continental rivals Austria were on course for a surprise gold? New Zealand and Japan were considered as potential medal contenders from the Asia-Oceania region and Canada and Panama carried hopes of more rewards for the Americas.
Switzerland, ranked 14th in the world, flew well below most or all radars.
Perhaps the signs that the Swiss would pull off four surprise wins and head back to Europe with a bronze medal had been there last summer at the continental championships held in Limerick, Ireland.
Switzerland had blazed to a 4-0 record and were the competition’s joint-highest scorers after the group stages with 192 points. But there was no way past six-time winners and defending champions Denmark in the quarterfinals and the deflated Swiss subsequently lost a placement game to Great Britain.
The expectation in Finland was that Austria would win a Group D also featuring Switzerland, Ukraine and Poland, with the Swiss joining them in the Round of 16. That’s exactly what happened as Switzerland crushed Poland 55-20, edged Ukraine 33-26 and lost out 24-12 to Austria.
What few saw coming was the giant-killing spree that led to a semifinal matchup against the United States and one more upset of the rankings.
Panama was up first in the last 16, the nation ranked seventh overall, bronze medalists at the previous IFAF World Championships in Israel and third place finishers as well at the Americas tournament in 2023. Panama had brushed aside the anticipated challenge of New Zealand along with Czechia and Korea to post a 3-0 record and top Group F.
The lead changed hands four times until midway through the second half when Switzerland’s defense stepped up and changed the outcome of the game. Linus Krummenacher intercepted Panama quarterback Dennis Allen and returned the pick six 45 yards for a touchdown. Switzerland led 39-38 after a successful one-point passing play.
A Panama fumble turned the ball over on downs and Switzerland stretched their advantage to seven points as Leon Auf der Maur connected with Tim Vogel for a touchdown. Attila Ujhazi had earlier thrown four touchdowns for Switzerland.
A missed two-point try barely mattered as Claudio Ferrari intercepted Allen as Panama tried desperately to pull level and the contest was over.
Canada, ranked a place higher in the world and the second placed finishers in Group E, fell next as Switzerland responded to conceding an early touchdown and a safety to lead 13-9 at halftime. Canada twice took the lead, by again Ferrari came up with a crucial interception as Switzerland sealed a stunning 27-21 win.
The United States proved unbeatable in a 45-6 semifinal defeat, but Switzerland had world number two Mexico in their sights, along with the reward of a bronze medal and the support of most neutrals at Lahti Stadium as they played for third place.
Beaten by Austria in their semifinal, Mexico conceded the game’s first touchdown but led 22-20 at the break. Twice more Mexico held the advantage, but with a little more than two minutes remaining the Swiss defense again played its part as Krummenacher came up with an interception of Mexico quarterback Ivan Orozco.
What turned out to be the game-winning touchdown came from a nervy drive as Ujhazi completed key passes but was also sacked three times and needed a penalty to earn a critical first down. With eight seconds remaining, Ujhazi completed a pass to Leon Auf der Maur for 4 yards for the all-important score.
Switzerland were bronze medalists at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships.
Photo: Ernesto Campuzano
