IFAF Women’s EC: Defending champion Finland blanks Team Sweden to stay in contention

Defending champions Finland got their quest to retain the IFAF Women’s European Football Championship back on track with a 10-0 win over Sweden in Stockholm.

Both teams’ defenses dominated, and Finland broke the deadlock in the second quarter through an Annika Kyröläinen field goal. In the third quarter, quarterback Essi Söderholm increased Finland’s lead to 9-0 with a touchdown run and Kyröläinen added a successful extra point attempt. Söderholm was forced to leave the game in the fourth quarter due to injury, but Nea Törmänen came in under center to see out the victory.

Defensively, Anni Alanko was named Finland’s MVP and contained Sweden’s offensive threat along with Essi Saastamoinen. Nelli Malk and Oona Tuomi both broke up key passes, and Tiia Jansen came up with a fourth quarter interception.

The win was the first for head coach Samu Juppo, after a surprise opening game loss to Spain, and his Finland (1-1) team now faces Great Britain (1-1) and Germany (1-1), who lost to Spain (2-0) on Saturday, in 2024 knowing that a repeat title is still within reach.

IFAF Women’s European Championships 2023/24

Saturday, April 15

Great Britain 40 Sweden 0

Worcester, England
Sixways Stadium

Saturday, May 27

Finland 0 Spain 12

Vantaa, Finland
Myyrmäen jalkapallostadion

Sunday, May 28

Germany 23 Great Britain 22

Düsseldorf, Germany
Solingen Walder Stadium

Saturday, August 26

Sweden 0 Finland 10

Solna, Sweden
Bergshamra IP

Saturday, August 26, 6pm

Spain vs Germany
Calatayud, Spain

San Iñigo Football Field

April 12-14, 2024

Spain vs Great Britain

May 24-26, 2024

Finland vs Germany

Sweden vs Spain

August 16-16, 2024

Germany vs Sweden

Great Britain vs Finland