Day Five: Turku Heats Up

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Michael E. Iacovella

In Open division action, Finland was almost able to catch the USA off-guard in their quarterfinal game late yesterday. Down by two or three points for most of the game, Finland rallied to 16-15 in favor of the USA, trapping the US a few meters from the back of their endzone. Several pick, foul and travel calls later, USA finally worked an offensive point upfield. USA meets Australia, and Canada plays Sweden in semis today.

In the Women’s division – the only division besides Guts where a USA-Canada final isn’t possible – the USA meets Canada in semis in a rematch from Round 1. Japan and Finland also meet in a rematch of Tuesday night’s feature game.

Today’s mixed semifinals pit the USA against Germany, and New Zealand against Canada. The mixed final is played tonight at 19:00 at Kupittaa 3.

In the Masters division semis, Canada meets Sweden, and the USA plays Great Britain. The finals are tonight 17:00 at Kupittaa 2.

Finland meets the USA, and Germany plays Canada in the Junior Open semifinals this morning. The final will be played tonight in Veritas Stadium at 17:00.

USA beat Sweden, and Canada bested Japan in yesterday’s Junior Women semifinal action. The final will be played today at 13:00 at Kupittaa 1.

In Guts action, Finland will meet top seed Japan 1 in semis today. Japan 2 and 2nd seed Republic of China meet in the other semifinal.