The silver medal is on the line when Finland and Germany meet at the Myyrmäen Jalkapallostadion in Vantaa, Finland in the 2023/24 IFAF Women’s European Championships on Saturday.
A win for Germany (2-1) will secure second place after champions Spain completed a clean sweep of the three rivals jostling for second place overall, beating Finland 12-0, Germany 8-6, and Great Britain 21-16.
Hosts Finland (1-1) need to beat Germany and also win away to Great Britain (1-2) in August to finish second or can beat Germany and lose to Great Britain to force a three-way tiebreaker for silver. Sweden forfeited games against Spain and Germany having lost to GB and Finland.
“Securing the second place is imperative for Finland in this situation, ensuring a guaranteed spot in the upcoming IFAF World Championships,” said Finland head coach Samu Juppo. “Each player undoubtedly has high motivation when wearing the Finnish blue jersey.”
Watch live. Team Germany @ Team Finland, May 25, 11:00 CET (11 am, 5 am EDT)
Germany head coach Sebastian Ayernschmalz, who takes charge for the first time in this campaign said:
“We do know that we can achieve great results, therefore we are highly motivated and that’s why we want to play every game in such a way that we and our nation can be proud of us.
“Every game is important for us. Since we don’t take it for granted that we have a national team and can play, we wear the eagle with pride.”
Ayernschmalz stepped up from coaching the women’s national team’s running backs in December. He played for the Munich Cowboys and Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns and has coached at numerous levels from the Ingolstadt Dukes (U19) to the youth national selection BaWü Lions to the Cowboys Ladies and Starnberg Argonauts.
Finland will be without several of the key players who won the continental time last time around since linebacker Essi Saastamoinen, and Anni Alanko and DB Janika Nikander from the defensive line have returned to their club team the Washington D.C. Divas for the summer season in the United States. Saastamoinen was the top tackler at the 2022 IFAF Women’s World Championships.
Watch live. Team Germany @ Team Finland, May 25, 11:00 CET (11 am, 5 am EDT)
IFAF Women’s European Championships 2023/24 Standings
Nation W/L
Spain 4-0
Germany 2-1
Finland 1-1
Great Britain 1-2
Sweden 0-4
IFAF Women’s European Championships 2023/24 Results & Schedule
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, 1pm
Sweden 0 Finland 10
Solna, Sweden
Bergshamra IP
Saturday, August 26, 6pm
Spain 8 Germany 6
Calatayud, Spain
San Iñigo Football Field
Saturday, April 13, 6pm
Spain 21 Great Britain 16
Calatayud, Spain
San Iñigo Football Field
25 May 2024
Finland vs Germany
Vantaa, Finland
Myyrmäen Jalkapallostadion
Sweden vs Spain
Sweden forfeit / Spain awarded win
16-18 August 2024
Germany vs Sweden
Sweden forfeit / Germany awarded win
Great Britain vs Finland