Great Britain have claimed the silver medal in the 2023/24 IFAF Women’s European Championships by beating Finland 21-14 in the final match. The seven-point victory margin at the Sixways Stadium, Worcester secured second place at the expense of both Finland and Germany.
Multiple permutations could have been necessary to separate the teams eyeing bronze, but the result meant that Great Britain won the head-to-head tiebreaker along with silver, while Finland settled for bronze with Germany fourth overall. GB’s Becky Martin – who plies her trade in Finland with Seinäjoki Crocodiles – blocked a fourth quarter field goal that would otherwise have earned silver for Finland based on the points differential tiebreaker. Finland hurt their chances with four turnovers, including three interceptions.
Phoebe Schecter signed off from her GB Contact Football career with the game winning score as she stripped the ball loose and returned a forced fumble for the all-important touchdown. Her heroics earned her MVP – a fitting send-off.
It was Finland that started the game in the ascendency – taking a first quarter 7-0 lead on a fourth down conversion with a pass over the middle from Milla Korhonen to Lea Kaszasin and a Laura Pulkkiselle point after. However Anna Page reeled in a pass to the end zone from Rachael Tumelty to level the score before the end of the opening quarter. Tumelty then connected with Siobhan Walker, who broke tackles to race for a touchdown and a 14-7 halftime lead.
Finland bounced back from an interception by the Lions’ Emily Mullen to again level the contest as Tia Jansen caught a pass unopposed in the end zone. But Schecter’s determined third quarter defensive touchdown, and the critical blocked field goal then secured victory and the silver medal for the hosts.
Solent Thrashers’ Eilidh Currie was in sublime kicking form – by securing all three extra points she not only consolidated GB’s advantage on the day, but also ensured that the margin of victory was wide enough to bring home silver.
