2008 Men's U-19 World Lacrosse Championship

Teams

The 2008 tournament saw twelve nations competing in the championship. Teams were split into two divisions: the elite "Blue Division" and the "Red Division" consisting of nations where lacrosse is still developing. The tournament consisted of round robin play within a team's division, where each team played every team in its division once. Round robin play established seedings for the following series of single elimination play-in games to compete in the semi-final round.

The Blue Division was composed of the following six teams: the United States had won each of the ILF's Under-19 World Lacrosse Championship tournaments since its inception in 1988; Canada led by head coach Gary Gait; Iroquois Nationals, the Nationals are the only First Nations/Native American team to compete in international competition; the up-and-coming England team; Australia, who won the bronze medal in 2003; and Japan, who moved up to the Blue Division after going undefeated in the Red Division in 2003.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915073257/http://insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=191022 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 15, 2008

The Red Division included three nations making their first appearance in an Under-19 World Lacrosse Championship tournament:{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915073302/http://insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=191023 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 15, 2008

Round Robin results

The round robin portion of the tournament determined seeding for the semi-finals and the placing games. The top two teams in the Blue Division were awarded automatic semi-final berths, while the third and fourth place teams from the Blue Division met with the first and second place teams from the Red Division in two semi-final "play-in games".

Two teams went undefeated in their divisions. In the Blue Division, the United States defeated all five opponents in their division to gain the top seed in the semifinals. In the Red Division, Germany won its five round robin games. Prior to this tournament, Germany had never won an international U-19 contest.

In the Blue Division there were a number of highly contested games. Canada defeated the Iroquois Nationals in a close game 15–12. England defeated Australia in an overtime game 12–11.

The United States earned one of the automatic semi-final berths by winning the division, while Canada earned the second spot based on its 4–1 record. The remaining two semi-finals spots were earned by two play-in games.

The "play-in games" featured the top-ranked Red Division Germany team facing up against Team England. The English defeated Germany 16–2. The Iroquois Nationals met Team Scotland, and were victorious with a final score of 28–2. The Iroquois Nationals advanced to the semifinals.

Semi-finals

The July 10 semifinals saw the United States face England, and the Iroquois Nationals face Team Canada. The United States defeated England 25–5, extending their all-time Under-19 tournament record to 35-0. Team Canada defeated the Iroquois Nationals 23–12 on the play of attacker Mark Cockerton, son of Hall of Famer Stan Cockerton, who scored five goals in the contest.

Finals

The finals took place on July 12, 2008, the United States defeated Canada 19–12. It was the United States' sixth gold medal, and their third consecutive finals victory over Team Canada. The United States was led by the play of goalkeeper Adam Ghitelman and three goals by captain Craig Dowd.

In the bronze medal game, Iroquois Nationals defeated England.

Final standings

All tournament awards

References

References

1. Germany was granted a waiver by the ILF and fielded a team consisting of Under–21 year olds in 2008.
2. (September 2016). "2008 International Lacrosse Federation U–19 World Lacrosse Championships Schedule Playdowns". 2008worldlax.com.
3. "US Men's U–19 National Team History". US Lacrosse.
4. Fryling, Kevin. (2006-07-27). "Nike deal promotes Native American wellness, lacrosse". University of Buffalo Reporter.
5. (September 2016). "Team Germany". 2008WorldLax.com.
6. (July 8, 2008). "U.S. finishes U-19 pool play unbeaten; semifinals next". Inside Lacrosse.
7. (July 9, 2008). "Germany U-19/21: Undefeated in Round Robin play". Inside Lacrosse.
8. (July 6, 2008). "Canada wins thriller over Iroquois Nationals at U-19 Worlds". Inside Lacrosse.
9. (July 6, 2008). "England edges Australia at U-19 Worlds". Inside Lacrosse.
10. (July 8, 2008). "Canada routs Japan to earn semifinal berth in U-19 Worlds". Inside Lacrosse.
11. "England vs. Germany Box Score". 2008worldlax.com.
12. "Iroquois vs. Scotland Box Score". 2008worldlax.com.
13. (July 10, 2008). "USA, England to square off in ILF U-19 semifinals". Inside Lacrosse.
14. Kojima, Steve. (July 9, 2008). "Lacrosse, more than a game for the Iroquois". NLL Insider.
15. "Team USA now 35-0 in U-19 play; Will play in Gold medal game". 2008worldlax.com}}{{dead link.
16. "Team Canada will play for Gold Medal vs. USA". 2008worldlax.com}}{{dead link.
17. "USA Wins Gold, Still Perfect after 19-12 Victory over Canada". 2008worldlax.com.
18. (July 12, 2008). "U.S takes U-19 championship, tops Canada 19-12". Inside Lacrosse.
19. "Iroquois Nationals Capture Bronze Medal with 19-10 win over England". 2008worldlax.com.