Defending champion Spain came from behind to defeat Great Britain 26-22 in a thrilling clash in the 2025/26 IFAF Women’s European Championships.

The home victory means that when the tournament resumes in May of next year, Finland (2-0), Germany (1-1) and Spain (1-1) will all be fighting for a place in August’s gold medal decider, while Great Britain will contest bronze.

Spain recovered from a 13-point first quarter deficit and trailed by four points at halftime and again late in the game before scoring a 65-yard touchdown for the victory.

GB running back Siobhan Walker rushed down the left sideline avoiding tackles and outpacing all pursuers to open the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown and Eilidh Curry tagged on the extra point for an early 7-0 lead.

A second score from Walker, this time a scoring rush over right end, opened a two-score lead after a dominant opening quarter.

Spain put two points on the board with a safety which switched the momentum as Natasha Ramirez took a handoff and produced a long run from midfield down to the visitors’ two-yard mark. From there Elena Munoz went in untouched for a touchdown and the extra point closed the gap to four points.

Inside the final two minutes of the first half, Spain produced a big 45-yard pass over the middle from Noa Cortes to Paula Terol but turned the ball over on downs before the interval.

Spain capitalized on Nuria Ortega recovering a fumbled punt return at the Great Britain 35-yard mark as Cortes hit Natalia Porras for a 20-yard touchdown catch to take a 16-13 lead as the hosts led for the first time.

Spain turned the ball over almost on their own goal line as GB’s Christi-Rose Pretorius blocked a punt from the end zone and quarterback Curry took the ball into the end zone to tie the game at 19-19 but a bad snap prevented an extra point from taking the lead.

In the fourth quarter, Great Britain receiver Truva Strom took a reverse to within touching distance of the end zone. Spain’s Lidia Sanchez came up with a timely sack of Curry, whose pass on the next play went through the hands of Kathryn Stanley in the end zone, and GB had to settle for a Curry field goal and a 22-19 lead.

Spain’s response was spectacular as a 60-yard touchdown pass to Terol reclaimed the lead at 26-22 and the home defense held at the end to preserve victory.

IFAF Women’s European Championships 2025/26

Standings: Finland 2-0 Germany 1-1 Spain 1-1 Great Britain 0-2