The FIL tournament has come to a close with Canada as the new champions. However, while the top three teams medaled as expected, other teams have improved and we have seen the rise of some international players.
Final Placement
1. Canada
2.USA
3. Iroquois Nationals
4. Australia
5 England
6 Scotland
7 Israel
8 Japan
9 Germany
10 Ireland
11 Sweden
12 New Zealand
13 Finland
14 Czech Republic
15 Switzerland
16 Netherlands
17 Wales
18 Italy
19 Latvia
20 Poland
21 Hong Kong
22 Turkey
23 Mexico
24 Bermuda
25 Norway
Most Improved Teams
Scotland- Scotland from seventh place to sixth in four years, and it was enough to get them into the Blue Division. The Scottish knocked off Japan to be eligible to play in the top division in 2018.
New Zealand- In 2010 New Zealand finished fifteenth and they moved up to twelfth along with getting better on the field. Led by players like John and Andrew Clayton and a strong performance from Casey McLain in net, New Zealand drastically improved from the last tournament.
Italy- The Italians only moved up one spot but they have so much more talent than four years ago. John St. John and Jordan Vettoretti averaged more than two assists per game which was third in the tournament, and they were one of the reasons Italy improved.
Teams to Watch (Non-Blue Division)
Israel- Israel was one win away from advancing to the Blue Division in their first tournament. That is a baffling thought, and Israel’s talent is also baffling. They are just going to continue to get better with players like Ari Sussman and Matthew Cherry.
Germany- The Germans actually fell a spot but that is because in 2010 they were forced into a Blue Division they were not ready for. Simon Giourmetakis is an impressive player for them with 2.75 goals per game Philipp Maas was the eighth best goalie in the tournament.
Ireland- Ireland moved down a spot but they are still a very good club. Ryan Licht was dominant on defense and Brian Gillis is a young player that will be with them for a while.
Players to Watch (Non Blue Division)
There are plenty of top talent like Jordan McBride and Kyle Buchanan here, but they also play in the NLL so this will focus on the top international players not in the pro ranks.
Ryan Licht (Ireland)- Licht was named to the President’s team and he made a name for himself on the international stage defensively. The former Rhode Island Kingfish helped Irish goalie Connor Sweeney keep goals off the board in some tough games.
Scott Janssen (Netherlands)- Every game Janssen seemed to have four to six goals. It turned out his points per game total was 3.43 and he sure was impressive for a Netherlands team that fell in ranking.
Tyler Buchan (China)- The Wheeling Jesuit player led the tournament in goals per game and points per game for the new Chinese team. His talent brings hope for that new program as they continue to improve.
