Team USA showcased their skill in dominating fashion at the inaugural IFAF Women's World Championship held in Stockholm, Sweden. USA claimed the Gold medal on Saturday, July 3 defeating Canada 66-0 and did not concede a point throughout the tournament, another team also shocked the world with an impressive run in the first-ever women's tournament - Team Finland.

The inaugural tournament was held at the Zinkensdamms IP Stadium in the capital of Sweden where six countries from two continents competed against some of the best female American football players from around the world.

While favored USA claimed the gold medal, the national team from Finland surprised the world triumphing to a Bronze medal finish defeating European powerhouse Germany 26-18 in the Bronze medal game on Saturday, July 3.

Finland came into the tournament ranked fifth, but with impressive performance against Austria, a valiant effort against USA, and an astounding victory against Germany moved Finland to third - the biggest jump for a team in the IFAF Women's World Championship.

In their opening game of the tournament, Finland faced fellow European nation Austria - a team who was looking for redemption after a tough loss to the United States. 

Finland cruised to a 50-16 victory thanks to an impressive display of first half offensive fireworks. The Finns found success during a free-scoring first half by employing an I-formation with receivers split effectively to either side and raced to a 44-16 halftime lead.

The Finland defense was stifling as they forced the Austrians into three turnovers who struggled to execute when within striking distance of the end zone.

Merita Braun led the running game for Finland collecting 120 yards including two long touchdown runs of 45 yards and 49 yards in the first half.

With a balanced attack, Finland showcased one of the most impressive passing games of the tournament as quarterback Jenni Wahlberg connected on six of ten passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns.  Wahlberg connected with Sari Kouosmanen for an 81-yard bomb and a 32-yard touchdown reception to ensure Finland's first victory of the tournament.

"On offense we did exactly what we planned," said Finnish coach Kuusistoof. "We have a great offense at quarterback position and we really did not have any problems all day."

"We did not make any mistakes on defense, but we need to make more tackles, but saying that we were still able to stop Austria's long drives."

Finland faced a tough and very talented Team USA in their second game of the tournament. Despite an early and large deficit, the team never relented as they fought to the final whistle of the 72-0 defeat.

Merita Braun again led the running game, recording a hard earned 55 yards against the powerful USA defense.

With a 1-1 record, Finland earned a spot in the Bronze medal game where they faced Germany who entered the tournament ranked third.

Finland took an early lead having forced Germany to punt away the game's opening possession. Backed up at the eight-yard mark, Merita Bruun took the hand off finding a hole running the distance for a 88-yard touchdown run to earn Finland an instant 6-0 advantage.

Braun's hard running gained ground for the Finns and then Wahlberg avoided a couple German defenders on the bootleg for Finland's second touchdown of the first quarter.

Germany added to their own woes by throwing an interception and Finland scored quickly in reply to make it 20-0.  A Germany punt on the next possession again stifled by the Finland defense, led by Katri Laine with 8.5 tackles, was followed by a first play, 76-yard touchdown run by Bruun, earning Finland a convincing 26-point advantage to end the first half.

In the second half, Germany's offense was awoken as they scored 18 unanswered points and nearly forced overtime with Germany reaching Finland's 29-yard mark with 43 seconds remaining in the game. But German running back Susanne Erdmann was stopped on a third down draw and then on fourth and seven the decisive pass fell incomplete allowing Finland's offense to take a knee and with it the bronze medal.

Merita Braun finished the game with 263 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns of 88 yards and 76 yards. Braun averaged nearly 20 yards per carry.

With Finland's extraordinary performances throughout the tournament not going unnoticed, the team had 10 players selected to either the first or second All-Tournament teams which is the second most with the only team with more nominations was the United States.

Head Coach Teemu Kuusisto was also named All-Tournament Second Team Head Coach.

Through hard work and determination, Finland claimed the Bronze medal and was the top European country at the inaugural IFAF Women's World Championship and IFAF.org would like to honor the team's accomplishments by naming Finland's Women's national team IFAF.org July 2010 Team of the Month.