Practice Makes Perfect For World Championship Hopefuls
Having arrived, rested and made new friends in Cologne, Germany, the teams preparing to kick off the NFL Flag Football World Championship on Thursday hit the practice field to polish their skills and fine tune game plans. Coaches put players through their paces and afterwards there was time for the youngsters to chat with 20-year NFL veteran Ray Brown.
Defense is the name of the game for Team USA, Japan jumps high, and Team Mexico meets Ray Brown
Two nations who have come close to winning the FFWC in recent years, Mexico and Canada, practiced side by side, keeping an occasional eye on the other's progress. Las Aguilas from Monterrey finished second in Vancouver 2004 and third in Beijing last year. Coach Richard Yanez has a completely new team this time around, but believes his time has come to win the championship.
“I think this is my year because after three years it really has to be a good result for Mexico," he said. “I saw teams like Japan and China here that look good, but we are good enough to win. I hope that will happen.
“All the players are new, so this is a new experience for all these six players. I talk with them about the last two tournaments and that way they have an insight into the games and they know what to expect. Right now they are only thinking win, win, win.
“We have problems with the offense and that means I must talk with them all day to improve the offense if they want to win this tournament. Our strength is our defense, which is great. Now if we can make the offense that good we will be ok.”
Representing Canada for the first time is the Ecole River Heights school team from near Winnipeg. One of three coed teams, along with Thailand and the Netherlands, Canada also has high hopes of going home with gold medals.
“I think it’s going to be a really good competition and that the games will be really competitive and high scoring," said coach Tim Holfeld. "I’m confident in our team. I think that we’re going to do well and it’s whoever makes the plays that will win.
“In our country girls are involved in the whole flag program, which is great because more often than not boys are already into football, and the whole idea is to promote the sport and reach a gender that might not be interested in football. We have such phenomenal athletes who can play this game and they’re going to prove it this week.”
His fellow Canadian coach Shawn Gretchen added: "The biggest thing our kids have is their chemistry and their composure. We were in really adverse situations and we won the national championship on the final play of the game and whenever we’ve needed a score they’ve come through. This team is 17-0 and they’re a group of clutch players.”
On Wednesday night the teams will learn their opponents when the group draws are made during a welcome dinner that will be attended by 200 guests, including VIPs, media, family and friends.
Event schedule:
Wednesday August 23
Team practices
Phantasialand Visit (amusement park)
Welcome Reception and Team Draw
Thursday August 24
Opening Ceremony
Preliminary Round of Competition
Rhein River Boat Tour & Dinner
Friday August 25
Second Round of Competition
City Tour of Cologne
Saturday August 26
Final Round of Competition
Medal Ceremony
Farewell Party
Sunday August 27
All Teams Depart