Countdown to Global Junior Championship IV
Four competing nations reveal 36-man rosters as countdown to Global Junior Championship begins.THE FOUR teams that will contest the Global Junior Championship VI in New Orleans as part of the build up to Super Bowl XXXVI have selected their 36-man rosters for the competition, which kicks off in three weeks time. Coaches from USA, Europe, Canada and Japan concluded months of scouting and testing their nations most promising football players to submit the names of those who will fly their countrys flag in the sixth annual tournament. Canada meets Japan in the first semi final at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, at Hahnville High School, the venue for all four games. Europe takes on reigning champion USA in the tournaments second semi final at 7:00 p.m., then the winners meet in the Championship game at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 3. The Bronze medal game takes place at 12:00 p.m. New Orleans Saints stars LAROI GLOVER and JAKE DELHOMME, who both have strong connections to international football having made their mark in NFL Europe before emerging in the NFL, are the tournaments Honorary Chairmen. Europe, winners in 1999, will hold a four-day mini camp in the sun of Orlando, Florida, from January 24 before heading to New Orleans and head coach TONY ALLEN, who has led his team into battle on all five previous occasions and has selected players from 10 different countries across the continent to represent Europe. "Language is a natural barrier before we even get past the hurdle of having only a limited time to prepare," said Allen. "Getting these youngsters from all over Europe together for mini camp and practice sessions is a major operation, but were looking forward to taking on the best juniors from across the world and this is the experience of a lifetime for these kids." Several veterans from the 2001 campaign in Tampa Bay return, including quarterback CHRIS FREIJ from Sweden and German defensive lineman BASTIAN SCHOBER, whose performances last year helped him realise his dream of playing high school football in Texas. Europe is represented by players from Austria, England, France, Finland, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Netherlands, Scotland and Spain. "This is the perfect platform for a young player to put himself firmly in the minds of college and high school coaches who will attend the games to scout for talent," said event organiser PATRICK STEENBERGE of Global Football. "One of our alumni CONSTANTIN RITZMANN was a three-time MVP for Europe and has just won the Citrus Bowl with Tennessee. "He will play his senior year in the fall and could make the transition from junior football in Germany to the NFL through the Global Junior Championship stage." A squad of high school all-stars from the New Orleans area takes over the mantle from Tampa Bays under 19-year-olds, who secured USAs first championship with victory over Canada last year. USA head coach DON WATTIGNY and his staff boast more than 300 years of combined coaching experience and begin their preparations at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21 at Muss Bertolino Stadium in Kenner, Louisiana. 
Canadian quarterback MIKE FOULDS returns to the tournament as a name to watch. The St. Andrews College star is a highly rated prospect considered to have a bright future.
Japan may be small in stature compared with the heights and weights listed on the other three teams rosters, but will again pose a threat and look to improve on the third place they claimed in 2001 by beating Europe in the Bronze Medal Game.
Head coach KAZUNARI NAKAZAWA learned his football at Arizona State, having played as a lineman for Tokai University and among his assistants is American DAVE POWROZNIK, a former quarterback at USC, who now coaches Tokai University. Japans roster was compiled from 100 athletes selected from 20 colleges.
All four rosters will be posted on NFLEurope.com under the GJCVI section, which will feature daily updates on the Global Junior Championship VI during the week leading up to Super Bowl XXXVI.
GLOBAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP VI SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Monday, January 21 USA practice begins at 10:00 a.m. at Muss Bertolino Stadium, Kenner, Louisiana.
Saturday, January 26 / Team practices begin at local high schools / Europe practice at
Sunday, January 27 University of Central Florida, Orlando
Monday, January 28 Team practices / Europe arrives in New Orleans
Tuesday, January 29 Team practices / New Orleans city tour
GJCVI Press conference at NFL Super Bowl Media Center (time tbc)
Welcome Banquet for all teams, media, sponsors and VIPs
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Jerusalem Center, Destrehan, Louisiana
Wednesday, January 30 Canada vs. Japan 4:00 p.m. Hahnville High School
USA vs. Europe 7:00 p.m. Hahnville High School
Thurs Jan 31 / Fri Feb 1 Team practices
Saturday, February 2 Bronze Medal Game 12:00 p.m. Hahnville High School
Championship Game 3:00 p.m. Hahnville High School
ends.