The pivotal weekend of games in the 2025/26 IFAF Women’s European Championships in tackle football features two critical clashes at the end of May as all four nations battle for a place in the final.

Finland (2-0) currently leads the standings as the tournament’s only unbeaten team with defending champion Spain (1-1) and Germany (1-1) on their shoulder while Great Britain (0-2) seeks a first win. In August, the top two teams will contest the gold medal while the third and fourth placed nations will play for bronze.

Spain vs Finland Municipal Football Field San Íñigo de Calatayud, Zaragoza Saturday, May 30, 5pm CET Watch Live: https://youtube.com/live/9vwH9qzp-e4?feature=share

Finland followed a 21-7 win over Germany, as quarterback Lea Kaszas threw two touchdown passes, with a narrow 6-3 overtime win away to Great Britain. They face a long journey to Calatayud to take on the reigning champion.

“I expect the match to be a very tight contest,” said Finland head coach Samu Juppo. “In the last European Championship series we lost to Spain in our home game. In the upcoming match, we will be looking to take revenge for that. The speed of the Spanish team is something we need to be able to match as a team, both offensively and defensively. We have strong confidence in our players that we can do this in Spain.

“The team was able to prepare very well for the upcoming match during the training camp, so expectations are high in that regard as well. There have been some changes in the squad since the match against Great Britain last year.”

Spain recovered from a 22-7 loss in Germany to open the defense of the title with a 26-22 home victory over Great Britain having recovered from a 13-point first quarter deficit and trailed twice more during a close contest.

“I can say that this game against Finland is much more than just another international matchup,” said Spain head coach Manuel Ibáñez. “It is an opportunity to compete for a place in the European Championship final against one of the strongest and most respected programs in women’s tackle football. Finland has a long tradition in this sport and enormous international experience, so we know the challenge ahead of us will be extremely demanding.

“At the same time, we strongly believe in the work this group has been doing over the last few years. Spain is the current European champion, and despite being in the middle of a generational transition, the players have shown incredible commitment, maturity and ambition every time they have stepped onto the field. This team represents the growth of women’s football in Spain and the effort of many athletes, coaches and clubs that continue pushing the sport forward every day.

“We know what is at stake on May 30th, but above all we want to show our identity, compete at the highest possible level and make everyone proud of this team. Playing a game of this magnitude is exactly the kind of challenge we have been working for, and we are convinced that our players are ready for it.”

The story so far:

Finland 21 Germany 7: Two-time European champion Finland opened with a 21-7 home victory over Germany. Quarterback Lea Kaszas threw two touchdown passes in the win to Aino Joro and Suvi Partanen after team MVP Oona Saarinen’s interception had edged the hosts ahead on the first play of the second quarter.

Great Britain 3 Finland 6 (OT): Finland secured a second straight win with a 6-3 overtime road win. After four scoreless quarters it was the hosts who broke the deadlock with a 27-yard field goal by Eilidh Currie. The 3-0 overtime lead challenged the Finns to match that score on its possession in reply and quarterback Pia Konsonen handed off three times for teenage running back Tytti Kuusinen to earn gains to the GB five-yard mark. She then took the ball to within a yard of the end zone before powering up the middle for the winning touchdown.

Germany 22 Spain 7: Running back Stella Elise Martin scored two touchdowns her first coming before Spain recovered a fumble to set up quarterback Victoria Ortega to hit Natalia Porras for a 30-yard touchdown to tie the game. Germany led 9-7 going into halftime through a Jennifer Gerndt field goal. Martin extended Germany’s lead with a 31-yard touchdown dash Maike Barnebeck put the result beyond doubt with a late touchdown catch from Deborah Joachim after a botched field goal attempt.

Spain 26 Great Britain 22: 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 scored two early touchdowns before a safety switched the momentum as Elena Munoz later went in untouched for a touchdown. 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.Eilidh Curry took the ball into the end zone to tie the game at 19-19 and a Curry field goal opened 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.

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

IFAF Women’s European Championships 2025/26