Japan clinched third place in the Red Oak Farms Global Junior Championship V with a narrow 14-7 victory over Europe at Clearwater High School Stadium on the eve of Super Bowl XXXV.

Europe pressed to force overtime with one final fling as the clock ticked down, but German quarterback Dennis Zimmermann was intercepted by MVP Yusuke Miyazaki inside the two-minute warning.

Following a quiet first quarter Japan scored the only touchdown of the first half when with 9:37 remaining Miyazaki intercepted Swedish Europe passer Chris Freij and returned the ball 85 yards for a 7-0 lead.

Freij then fumbled away the next possession, but as Japan looked to increase their lead before the break Cunyet Ozkan came up with a pick at the 35-yard mark to halt their progress.

Europe's running game started to make headway down each flank and Bjorn Dreier broke free 41 yards down the left sideline, only for the play to be called back for holding, but Bastian Moller made up for the penalty as he tore 30 yards over right end.

Mao Ozawa sacked Zimmermann and Moller's next rush came up short, forcing Europe to punt, then defensively they stifled Japan as Markus Mutz came up with a crucial pass break with open field at wide receiver Michihiro Ogawa's mercy.

Milan Misic sacked Shinji Yamaki earning Europe good field position for their next drive, which saw them eat up the yards on the ground for Sweden's Johan Winberg to charge in from eight yards out, then Andrew Boyle's extra point tied the game.

Ogawa narrowly failed to claim a big reception before grabbing a nine-yard gain, to keep alive what turned out to be a scoring drive. Ogawa reeled in a 13-yard gain, before Taro Yoshino juggled and agonisingly failed to hold a ball lofted into the endzone on what would have been a 32-yard score. Running back Hidek Takita eventually found a way through with a 12-yard touchdown run with 8:36 remaining and Koichiro Amaono tagged on the PAT for a 14-7 fourth quarter lead.

Winberg failed to pick up a squibbed kickoff and left Europe starting from its own six-yard mark, then they went three and out. Ogata collected a crucial reception as Japan mounted a confident drive, but Misic forced a fumble that was recovered by Russell Goodall, but again Europe's possession ended with a punt.

Japan should have gained a crucial first down with the clock ticking, but Ogawa let a pass slip through his hands, then with Europe driving to pull level Marcel Duft did likewise. Zimmermann's next pass went through tight end Thomas Knaak's hands then a rush was stifled, brining up a critical third down and eight with less than three minutes remaining. Fourth down saw cornerback Yusuke intercept Zimmermann at the three-yard line.

The ball game came down to 57 seconds to go and the ball at the halfway mark with Europe in possession. Zimmermann's pass on first down went beyond Boyle then to confirm victory and his MVP status Miyazaki produced his third interception of the night.