Missed PAT proves the difference in narrow 7-6 loss to Canada TEAM EUROPE surrendered its Red Oaks Farms Global Junior Championships IV title by the narrowest of margins when a failed extra point cost the defending champion victory and allowed Canada to steal a 7-6 victory. Defeated Team Europe head coach TONY ALLEN, whose team beat Mexico at the third attempt to win the title last year, said afterwards: “I’m proud of the guys. They hung in there and showed great heart and they performed beyond my expectations. We had a relatively inexperienced team compared with last year and despite the conditions they battled hard.” In bitterly cold conditions at McEachern High School’s Walter Cantrell Stadium High School in Atlanta, Team Europe took a 6-0 halftime lead in the Gold Medal Championship Game when German quarterback LENNART ARMBRUSTER hit compatriot SEBASTIAN JUDIS for a touchdown. A failed extra point following a bad snap denied Team Europe the extra point – a miss that would prove costly. Spectators were forced to light fires to keep warm as rain, ice and snow provided conditions in stark contrast to the game being played the following evening inside the warmth of the Georgia Dome – Super Bowl XXXIV between the St Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans. Canada levelled in the second half when quarterback MIKE FOULDS connected with wide receiver FRANCOIS BROUCHU from 17 yards out to cap a 74-yard fourth quarter scoring drive, then kicker STEPHAN LARIOSILIERE nailed the decisive extra point with eight minutes remaining. In a hard-hitting battle the Team Europe offense that scored 20 unanswered points against Panama in the semi final was held to just 59 total yards, 23 of which came on the ground from 12 carries by Scottish running back JON SUTHERLAND. German wide receiver JOHNNY SCHMUCK led Team Europe in receiving with 3 grabs for 13 yards. “It was really disappointing to lose,” said Sutherland. “We held the lead almost all the way through the game, but Canada just played better than us. Our defense did a really good job for us, we just couldn’t make yardage on offense. The weather was severe which made things really difficult. At the end of the day the better team won.” Team Europe quarterback Armbruster completed 2 of 5 attempts for 9 yards and his team’s only touchdown, while starter TOBI SCHMIDT was 4 of 9 for 27 yards and an interception. In the consolation Bronze Medal game, losing semi finalists Team USA dealt Panama a 38-0 defeat, keeping the Panamanians scoreless for the tournament. For further information please contact Mike Preston or David Tossel prestonm@nflp.co.uk or tosselld@globalnet.co.uk Tel: 44-(0)171 225 3070 / Fax: 44(0)171 376 5070 All releases and breaking news will be posted on www.NFLeurope.com