The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship rolls into its second day of action on Thursday, June 22 with 10 games across four time windows, as 20 teams make their debut.
All 10 games will be on ESPN+ in the United States.
10 a.m. PT
Israel vs. Sweden – SDSU Rady Field
Peru vs. Latvia – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
Pools C and F kick off action in the early window on Thursday. Israel, a top-ten finisher on home soil in 2018, faces off against Sweden, who recorded wins in the European Lacrosse Federation Qualifier over France and Poland, teams in the championship field.
Latvia and Peru face off in an intriguing Pool F matchup between two teams that battled through continental qualifiers. Latvia returns 15 players from the 2018 squad while Peru returns seven, looking to make a statement in its opening game.
1 p.m. PT
Denmark vs. Wales – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
Puerto Rico vs. Czech Republic – SDSU Rady Field
Japan vs. France – SDSU Sports Deck
Japan, the highest seeded team in the tournament outside of Pool A, will look to get out of the gate quickly against France in Pool B.
Wales meets Denmark in a rematch of ELF qualifying to continue action in Pool B. Wales finished first in the qualifying event and will look to build on its 14th place finish in 2018.
The stacked Pool C opens play with a battle between Czech Republic and Puerto Rico. Czech Republic posted an impressive undefeated qualifying campaign and will look to stun a Puerto Rico team that finished in the top ten in its first ever Men’s Championship in 2018.
4 p.m. PT
Mexico vs. Scotland – SDSU Rady Field
Hong Kong, China vs. Italy – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
Ireland vs. Netherlands – SDSU Morgan Stanley Field
Pool E gets underway with a contest between Mexico and Scotland, as Mexico will look to surprise Scotland, the 11th place finisher in 2018, with an improved squad and some local support.
Italy vs. Hong Kong, China is a high-stakes battle in Pool E between two teams with playoff aspirations that might come at the expense of one another. Italy’s roster features a handful of star talent, including PLL veteran Christian Cuccinello while Hong Kong, China boasts a seasoned roster with 21 players with world championship experience.
The Netherlands and Ireland will play in the second Pool F game of the day as Ireland aims for another strong start after finishing pool play undefeated in 2018. The Netherlands boasts its own experienced squad with 12 returners from 2018 and a group that went 4-1 in the ELF qualifier.
7 p.m. PT
Jamaica vs. Germany – SDSU Rady Field
New Zealand vs. Switzerland – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
Australia vs. England – USD Torero Stadium
Germany takes on Jamaica in one of the headlining matchups of day two with an early foothold towards the top of Pool D on the line. Both teams finished in the top 15 spots in 2018, but offer contrasting approaches to roster construction – nearly all of Germany’s team is based domestically while Jamaica’s team has over 10 players with NCAA Division I experience in the United State.
Switzerland and New Zealand also are competing in Pool D action with two similar profiles – they finished within a spot of each other in 2018 and both finished third in continental qualifying (albeit with different competition sizes). Both teams return double-digit players from their 2018 squads.
Australia and England feature in the second Pool A game of the tournament in a matchup between two teams that have competed against each other in every edition of the Men’s Championship. Australia edged England by one spot to a fourth-place finish in the final standings in 2018, and a rekindling of a classic rivalry should produce fireworks.
