Known for its winter sports and soccer, Austria appears to be fast learners on the gridiron as well.

The small country of roughly 8.47 million in Central Europe will find out just how fast and how far it has come in the American version of football today, the day of our country's independence.

Austria takes on the U.S. 8 p.m. today at Burger Stadium in Austin Texas in a IFAF Under-19 World Championship semifinal game. The winner will take on the 5 p.m. contest between Japan and Canada Saturday for the championship.

All games will be stream live on USA Football’s YouTube channel and archived for future viewing at www.YouTube.com/usafootballeducation.

Team USA will be will be dealing with a team that opened with a 40-0 win over Panama.



Austria quarterback Adrian Platzgummer and Christoph Gubish were utterly efficient, combining to go 10 of 13 for 230 yards and four touchdowns. Andreas Hofbauer and Platzgummer combined for 104 yards rushing and the Austria defense forced four turnovers.

Team USA opened with a 27-6 win over American Samoa as quarterback Brayden Scott was 13-for-20 for 196 yards and a touchdown. That was hauled in by Demarcus Ayers, who had seven catches for 115 yards.

Jesus Wilson returned the opening kickoff for a 75-yard touchdown and Tarean Folston had 70 total yards. Reggie Chevis led a defense with seven tackles and a fumble recovery.

NOTES: Cameron Birse, an incoming senior at San Ramon Valley (Danville, Calif.) was added to the USA roster to help out at quarterback. Birse (6-2, 205) is an interesting story because he took few snaps last year behind Zach Kline, considered one of the nation's best who earned a full ride to Cal. ... Birse threw for 3,782 yards, 43 touchdowns and just three interceptions while leading San Ramon Valley to a 15-2 record at the freshman and JV levels. ... In consolation play on Tuesday, France defeated Sweden 41-0 and American Samoa shut out Panama 51-0. ... There has been nothing but blowouts in the first six games of the tournament as the winners have outscored the losers 234-12. ... American Samoa outgained Panama 606-8 led by Bruce Scanlan with six carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns.



Here are scores and schedules of games (all times CT): 

Saturday, June 30
Austria 41, Panama 0
Japan 27, France 6
Canada 43, Sweden 0
United States 27, American Samoa 6

Tuesday, July 3
France 41, Sweden 0
American Samoa 51, Panama 0

Wednesday, July 4
Japan vs. Canada, 5 p.m.
Austria vs. USA, 8 p.m.

Friday, July 6
Sweden vs. Panama, 5 p.m.
France vs. American Samoa, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 7
Bronze medal game, 5 p.m.
Gold medal game, 8 p.m.



USA ROSTER

Darrius Sims
Whitehaven (Memphis, Tenn.)
Height/Weight: 5-10, 170
Position: DB
College: Vanderbilt

Jesus Wilson
Columbus (Miami)
Height/Weight: 5-10, 170
Position: WR
College: Florida State

Cameron Walker
Loyola (Los Angeles)
Height/Weight: 5-10, 180
Position: DB
College: Uncommitted

Cameron Birse
San Ramon Valley
Height/Weight: 6-2, 205
Position: QB
College: N/A

Tyler Willis
Indianapolis Cathedral
Height/Weight: 5-11, 190
Position: DB
College: N/A

Rashad Kinlaw
Absegami (Galloway, N.J.)
Height/Weight: 6-2, 180
Position: WR
College: Notre Dame

Dajuan Drennon
Timber Creek Regional (Erial, N.J.)
Height/Weight: 6-3, 230
Position: DE
College: Uncommitted

Rodney Adams
Lakewood (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
Height/Weight: 6-1, 170
Position: WR
College: Florida

Desmond Wyatt
Round Rock Westwood (Austin, Texas)
Height/Weight: 5-11, 170
Position: WR
College: N/A

Dashon Hunt
Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Height/Weight: 5-10, 175
Position: DB