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