Three great finals are on tap after another exciting day in Spain.
July 17, 2026 by Rhea Patney in Recap
Even with fewer games on the livestream, the drama stayed peak in Logroño, Spain as the final six teams were set. Let’s dive right into the semifinals.
Women’s Division
Both games in the women’s division went down to tight universe point showdowns. Each team had proven in quarterfinals that they had what it took to go all the way, and teams expended nearly their entire arsenal in attempts to secure a medal by reaching the final.
Canada rocked Italy’s world when they broke twice to start the game. Canada took this early momentum to a 7-4 lead. Eva Manzi was all over the statsheet during the first half with three goals and an assist, and Italy looked like they had completely fallen out of it.
And then the tide turned. Marta Rota put up back to back assists out of halftime to bring the game within one, and despite a Canadian break to regain their two point advantage, Italy put up three straight featuring an incredible catch from Arianna Ascari. With trailing defenders forcing Ascari to go up early, the disc seemed to have been batted away. But a “never say die” bid to save it forced universe point, despite contact to the head from Daphne Bell as the two fell over each other near the sideline. The catch kept Italy alive, but the contact to the head would force Ascari to only spectate the universe point rather than play.
At first it felt that Italy’s 4-2-1 zone was going to force the turn. The wall in front of the disc was denying downfield looks and limiting swings, and the athleticism from the wall discouraged continuation throws. But finally Ély Ngo Duy hit a blade downfield before the wing could drop back, and Canada was off to the races. A scoober from Manzi to Ngo Duy opened up the zone enough for an inside backhand to hit Liza Ng to hold for the win.
Manzi finished the game with a 2G/3A statline, and led the charge alongside Ngo Duy’s 1G/2A and Sandrine Beaudin-Tran’s 2G/1A. Agata Benzi (2G/2A), Arianna Ascari (2G/1A), and Marta Rota (1G/2A) rallied for Italy until the very end.
While that semifinal was all about runs, France vs. Japan was much closer the entire match. Japan and France held all the way until Japan took the lead at 6-5. Japan’s zone went to work the following point, and while France found the weak spot and went to expose it, French star Gaétane Le Pézennec was unable to come down with it. Japan’s offense took a moment to find their groove, but once Ikuho Yoshida got the disc on the breakside, their was no hesitation from Yuna Tsugane cutting deep. A lurking Le Pézennec forced Tsugane to take an aggressive angle denying the goal at first, but a quick dish to Saki Yoneda was enough to take half.
After both teams held out of half, Le Pézennec went for two straight scores to tie the game at 8-8. The second score for the break came in the form a floaty hammer from Ella Maillard, but Le Pézennec was up for the task with a skying grab. Another pair of holds got the French D-line back out on the field, when the game changed in the defending champion’s favor.
Japan worked the disc all the way into the red zone before a drop from Yotsuba Anabuki gave France a lifeline. Maillard saved possession with a layout grab, and eventually Camille Larivière found Zoé Poisson for the score. For the first time all game, France held the lead. Things went from bad to worse for Japan, as they once again worked the disc all the way down to the red zone before giving it up. This time, Ai Imamoto was open in the end zone but a flick sailed too far. A drop from Josephine Dollet gave Japan hope, but incredible team defense from France forced Nozomi Sawayama’s around to go wide. Japan get one more look on offense after a French red zone possession couldn’t be finished, but a huck came up short and this time France was able to punch it in with Le Pézennec finding Larivière.
Japan was not done just yet however: after getting the hold, an around shot to Le Pézennec was too high. Japan worked it down the field before a floaty flick was brought down by Saki Yoneda. On universe point, France went work. France found their flow and while a flick popped up in the air, Maillard’s patience came down with it as Anabuki went up too early. A few swings later, Larivière got the disc off a swing and quickly continued to Anouk Lebertre for the win. Le Pézennec (3G/4A) and Larivière (3G/2A) led France to the final against Canada, while Anabuki (4G/3A) put up a valiant effort for Japan.
Open Division
A rematch fans were waiting for: Canada will face off against the United States in the final. Canada dispatched Japan 13-5 while the United States took down New Zealand in a similarly dominant fashion winning 13-8. New Zealand kept it close in the first half, notching a break of their own to keep the game within two by halftime at 7-5. But the defensive pressure from the United States and a greatest score from Reggie Masket to Evan Benoit was simply too much. Stefan McCall (6G/1A) led the charge for the United States, while James Bowen (5A) also put up over half of New Zealand’s scores.
After going up 7-2 at halftime, Canada was in clear control. Hubert Gauthier (5G) and Lucas Arial (5A) were the frontrunners statwise, while Yushin Wada (1G/4A) ended the game being involved with every Japanese score. Both Japan and New Zealand walk away from the tournament with incredible seed-breaking performances, with Japan finishing with bronze after beating New Zealand 13-9. Japan’s Sohei Udo (6G/2A) and New Zealand’s James Bowen (1G/7A) were the top performers.
Mixed Division
Nino Stauffer and his Swiss mates’ run finally came to an end, as Canada beat Switzerland 13-9. Canada recognized the Swiss’ dependability on Stauffer and did an excellent job limiting him and the other male-matching Swiss efficiency. Stauffer being focused on like this was not enough to completely shut him out, as he still finished with three goals and two assists. But Canada’s ability to put the game more in the hands of their female matching players proved to be the key. Players like Naomie Lechasseur and Camille Tremblay (both 2G/1A) complimented Ludovikc Mailhot (2G/3A) well, while Tim Rohrer (3A) helped keep Swizterland in the game for the first hafl.
On the other side of the bracket, the United States beat France 13-7. Once again the first half was close, with France only surrendering two breaks. But coming out of the second half, the United States seized full control. Three breaks, including two back to back to win the game, proved to be too much, and the United States earned another shot against their northern neighbors. Sarek Mallareddy (3G/1A) was backed up by Ellen Cymrot (2G/1A) and Walter Hipps (3A), while Timothé Ameur and Thomas Lacoste (both 2G/2A) rallied for France. In the bronze medal match, Louna Guennoune (4G/2A) took point for France, but was unable to keep up with Stauffer (2G/5A). The Swiss secured a medal with a 13-9 win in consolation.
