Team GB’s U15s mixed and U17s boys squads got off to a blistering start at the 2024 IFAF European Junior Flag Football Championships both winning their back-to-back opening day matches.
Meanwhile U17s girls found the going a little tougher – having got a target on their back as reigning European Champions.
Live streaming of the tournament is available here.
In total, 28 teams from 12 nations are competing at the tournament which is taking place Serbia. The U17s boys tournament features two groups with Team GB U17s boys drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Israel, Finland and also Spain and Czechia – who they defeated today 34-33 and 39-27 respectively. They are already well placed to feature among the top two teams in the group and therefore advance to the semi-finals.
In the U15s mixed competition, GB avoided facing the 2023 defending champions Italy in the group stage by virtue of being drawn in Group B. – which did feature last year’s silver medallists Czechia. However Team GB were unfazed and despatched their opponents 13-6 and also recorded victories against hosts Serbia (21-12) and Ukraine (27-20) to put themselves in a commanding position to progress with games against Switzerland and Austria to complete the group.
GB U17s girls had impressed all-comers 12 months ago with their impressive showing to win the title in Grossetto, Italy and clearly other teams have raised their game. On Day One, GB lost to 12- 28 to Finland and 6-28 Austria.
However U17s girls feature in a single league of seven teams – and an improved showing on Day Two will mean a top four finish in the final standings is still on the cards.
Hear the thoughts of U17s players Matteo and Isla-Rose in the build up to the tournament.
