Canada beats Italy 20-17 in first Gridiron Nations Championship game

Canada beat Italy 20-17 at Velodromo Vigorelli in Milan which was the first game of the Gridiron Nations Championship.

Italy almost forced overtime but missed 42-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

Italy fielded a stronger roster than when Canada beat them 56-0 in April.

Former McMaster Marauders kicker Adam Preocanin made 42-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3 after the opening 15 minutes. In the second quarter former Manitoba Bisons star Jamel Lyles scored a touchdown to give Canada a 10-3 lead. Two-way Italian Ryan Minniti intercepted former CFL quarterback Michael O’Connor to take aways points on a pass intended for Rysen John.

Canada led 10-3 at halftime and were looking to add to the lead, but Minniti intercepted O’Connor again and stayed on the field for offence to score on an eight-yard touchdown run. That tied the game 10-10. Later in the third quarter, O’Connor connected with John to setup Lyles’ second TD, fifth in his last two games against Italy, to give Canada a 17-10 lead.

To begin the fourth quarter, Italy QB Luke Zahradka hit Andrea Volonnino for a touchdown to tie the game 17 all. Later in the frame, Preocanin made good from 35 yards which held up as Canada’s margin for a 20-17 victory.

Canada travels to Germany for another international friendly on Sunday, November 16 with kickoff at 4 p.m. CET in a game that will decide who wins the Gridiron Nations Championship trophy.

*With files from IFAF.