Finland won the IFAF Women’s European Championships for a third time with a 6-0 victory over Germany as MVP running back Tytti Kuusinen scored the game’s decisive touchdown on a 45-yard run.

Finland’s adds the 2025/26 gold medal to IFAF European Championships won in 2015 and 2019 while Germany improves from finishing fourth two years ago by winning silver. Spain finished in third place ahead of Great Britain.

Defenses were on top at the Myyrmäen Jalkapallostadion in Vantaa, Finland, as heavy rain contributed to 18 total turnovers.

Kuusinen’s 45-yard scoring charge came in the fourth quarter as she exploited gaps created by great blocking from the Finland offensive line and outpaced four pursuers for a touchdown. The resulting extra point attempt was blocked. Kuusinen had scored three rushing touchdowns in a 31-13 win over defending champion Spain that clinched Finland’s place in the gold medal game back in May.

Germany refused to concede defeat and having previously been unable to move the ball in the air, relied on quarterback Deborah Joachim to mount a comeback attempt. She carved up the home secondary with passes to Lucie Erdmann and Jule Hollerbaum for first downs, but with 2:40 remaining on the clock, was intercepted. Nelli Malk rose high to claim her second pick of the game after Sarah Chime had tipped the ball as Finland blitzed to pressure Joachim.

Anna-Lena Kronenberg was named Germany’s most valuable player having led the game with 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

On the opening play of the game Finland had fumbled away possession, setting the tone for a series of turnovers as both defenses dominated and deteriorating conditions played a major part.

In a scoreless first quarter, Germany was unable to capitalize on the early turnover then Finland was denied on fourth and inches before the home defense thwarted the visitors. The second period followed a similar pattern with Germany defensive back Pia Mende and Finland’s Malk producing interceptions on back-to-back-plays.

Torrential rain greeted the teams as they returned from halftime and Kuusinen later reeled off her 44-yard decisive score as Finland chose to keep the ball on the ground.

Germany was determined to wipe out the brittle 6-0 lead as Maike Barnebeck produced two key receptions with the offensive line providing great protection for quarterback Lena Burg, but the home advantage remained in place going into the fourth quarter.

Germany then moved the ball to the edge of the Finland red zone but turned the ball over on downs. When a fourth Finland fumble gave the ball back immediately, the visitors were unable to capitalize.

Ronja Kemppainen’s impressive punt pinned Germany back at their own 15-yard line but there was still life in Germany late in the game, but a do or die pass on fourth down ultimately fell short.

Final Standings:

1. Finland
2. Germany
3. Spain
4. Great Britain

Group Standings:
Finland 3-0
Germany 2-1
Spain 1-2
Great Britain 0-3

IFAF Women’s European Championships 2025/26

Photo: Jari Turunen