Austria and Mexico won goal at the 2012 IFAF Flag Football World Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Sunday as the United States were defeated in both the men's and women's finals.
Austria 47 USA 40
USA led Austria 13-0 and 19-7 and had the upper hand at halftime in the men's final, but the Austrians hit back, taking advantage of turnovers to score 19 unanswered points to lead 26-19. USA tied the score and with Austria a squad member down after an ejection due to illegal contact, looked to be about to defend the title won in 2010 in Canada.
The teams exchanged touchdowns and Austria led 33-32 after a failed USA extra point play then with two minutes remaining, after each team had scored again, USA tied the game at 40-40. Austria scored the final and decisive seven points and held out as the clock expired to claim a famous victory.
Mexico 33 USA 32 (OT)
Mexico opened the scoring, but USA hit straight back and the teams continued to exchange scores with Mexico taking the lead each time until the scores were tied at 20-20 and then at 26-26 as both sides failed to convert what would have been a game-winning extra point.
Mexico drove downfield in search of the win with less than a minute remaining, but USA forced overtime with an interception in the end zone as Mexico threatened to steal victory. The drama continued as USA also failed in a last second attempt to break the deadlock.
In overtime, both teams had an opportunity to possess the ball at midfield to score and USA put the pressure on Mexico with a touchdown to lead 32-26, but failed on the extra point conversion. Mexico was spectacular in reply as the first play from scrimmage went for a touchdown and the all-important one-point conversion pass sealed a 33-32 victory.
