The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship has settled into a rhythm ahead of its third day of action on Friday, June 22 with 12 games across four time windows, as the final six teams that have yet to play make their tournament debut.
All 12 games will be on ESPN+ in the United States.
10 a.m. PT
Ireland vs. Korea – SDSU Rady Field
Japan vs. Uganda – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
Mexico vs. Italy – SDSU Morgan Stanley Field
Korea makes its debut against an Ireland team that looks poised for a deep run after an impressive 12-6 win over Netherlands in Pool F. Korea had a strong qualifying campaign as the hosts in Asia, going 4-1 with wins over the Philippines, New Zealand and Hong Kong, China.
Uganda also makes its debut in the tournament as the lone team from Africa after winning a qualifier against Kenya in triple overtime. It faces a stern opening test against Japan, which showed no signs of rust in a 15-2 victory over France to open Pool B play.
Mexico showed it can compete with talented European teams by taking Scotland, 11th place finisher in 2018, to the wire in a heartbreaking 9-8 defeat in Pool E. It will have to rebound quickly against a star-studded Italy team that flexed its muscles in a convincing 13-5 win over Hong Kong, China.
1 p.m. PT
Germany vs. Poland – SDSU Rady Field
Netherlands vs. Peru – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
Israel vs. Philippines – SDSU Sports Deck
Germany already has its back against the wall if it wants to make the playoffs and build on its top-ten finish from 2018 after a narrow 5-3 loss to Jamaica in Pool D. Germany will have to right the ship against neighbors Poland, making its debut in the tournament and returning eight players from 2018, as well as welcoming six players from the 2022 U21 squad.
The Netherlands and Peru will both look to bounce back after losses in their opening Pool F matches. Peru was stung by a last-second Latvia winner in a 7-6 thriller after fighting to take the lead in the final minute. Peru’s mettle sets up an exciting encounter with a hungry Netherlands team.
The Philippines enters the tournament in a loaded Pool C looking to catch up to Israel and Puerto Rico, who both recorded wins on day two. The Philippines has the opportunity to strike first among the talented trio of top ten finishers from 2018 in one of the the most anticipated games of day three. Israel took care of business in its opening game, defeating Sweden 10-3.
4 p.m. PT
England vs. Haudenosaunee – USD Torero Stadium
Sweden vs. Puerto Rico – SDSU Rady Field
Jamaica vs. Switzerland – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
The Haudenosaunee, recipients of consecutive bronze medals in 2014 and 2018 will make their tournament debut against England in an exciting Pool A matchup at Torero Stadium. The Haudenosaunee boast a litany of PLL and NLL talent, and always deliver a special atmosphere. England will have to pull out all the stops to even its record after an 8-4 loss to Australia on Thursday.
Puerto Rico has can bank its second win in Pool C after handling the Czech Republic, 14-6, on Thursday. Sweden will look to bounce back from its loss to Israel and claim a signature win.
Jamaica put itself in the driver’s seat in Pool D with a hard-fought 5-3 win over Germany. It will look to keep its momentum going against Switzerland, who pushed New Zealand for the better part of four quarters before falling to an eventual 12-6 loss.
7 p.m. PT
Scotland vs. Austria – SDSU Rady Field
France vs. Denmark – SDSU Wold/Epoch Field
United States vs. Australia – USD Torero Stadium
Scotland scored one of the three thrilling victories on day two against Mexico, but has no time to rest with Austria looking to the enter the tournament with a bang in Pool E. Austria has an experienced squad with 10 players returning from the 2018 Men’s Championship and will look to test a Scotland team coming off an intense battle.
Denmark suffered an agonizing loss to Wales after sending the game to overtime with a late equalizer. It will look to pick itself up against France, who went up against a strong Japan team in its Pool B opener. The two teams finished in similar spots in the 2018 championship and in the ELF qualifier, so another nailbiter could be in store.
The United States and Australia each have one win in Pool A, so the winner of Friday’s matchup can take a massive step towards the first overall seed in the playoffs. Australia’s goalkeeper Sean Aaron was outstanding against England, and will need his best heroics to slow down the explosive American attack.
