The silver medal is on the line when Finland and Germany meet at the Myyrmäen Jalkapallostadion in Vantaa in the 2023/24 IFAF Women’s European Championships on Saturday at 12pm local time.

A win for Germany (2-1) will secure second place after champions Spain completed a clean sweep of the three rivals jostling for second place overall, beating Finland 12-0, Germany 8-6, and Great Britain 21-16.

Hosts Finland (1-1) need to beat Germany and also win away to Great Britain (1-2) in August to finish second or can beat Germany and lose to Great Britain to force a three-way tiebreaker for silver. Sweden forfeited games against Spain and Germany having lost to GB and Finland.

“Securing the second place is imperative for Finland in this situation, ensuring a guaranteed spot in the upcoming IFAF World Championships,” said Finland head coach Samu Juppo. “Each player undoubtedly has high motivation when wearing the Finnish blue jersey.”

Germany head coach Sebastian Ayernschmalz, who takes charge for the first time in this campaign said: “We do know that we can achieve great results, therefore we are highly motivated and that's why we want to play every game in such a way that we and our nation can be proud of us.

“Every game is important for us. Since we don’t take it for granted that we have a national team and can play, we wear the eagle with pride.”

Ayernschmalz stepped up from coaching the women’s national team’s running backs in December. He played for the Munich Cowboys and Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns and has coached at numerous levels from the Ingolstadt Dukes (U19) to the youth national selection BaWü Lions to the Cowboys Ladies and Starnberg Argonauts.

Finland will be without several of the key players who won the continental time last time around since linebacker Essi Saastamoinen, and Anni Alanko and DB Janika Nikander from the defensive line have returned to their club team the Washington D.C. Divas for the summer season in the United States. Saastamoinen was the top tackler at the 2022 IFAF Women’s World Championships.

IFAF Women’s European Championships 2023/24 Standings Spain 4-0 Germany 2-1 Finland 1-1 Great Britain 1-2 Sweden 0-4

IFAF Women’s European Championships 2023/24 Results & Schedule

Saturday, April 15 Great Britain 40 Sweden 0 Worcester, England Sixways Stadium

Saturday, May 27 Finland 0 Spain 12 Vantaa, Finland Myyrmäen Jalkapallostadion

Sunday, May 28 Germany 23 Great Britain 22 Düsseldorf, Germany Solingen Walder Stadium

Saturday, August 26, 1pm Sweden 0 Finland 10 Solna, Sweden Bergshamra IP

Saturday, August 26, 6pm Spain 8 Germany 6 Calatayud, Spain San Iñigo Football Field

Saturday, April 13, 6pm Spain 21 Great Britain 16 Calatayud, Spain San Iñigo Football Field

25 May 2024 at 12pm Finland vs Germany Vantaa, Finland Myyrmäen Jalkapallostadion

Sweden vs Spain Sweden forfeit / Spain awarded win

16-18 August 2024 Germany vs Sweden Sweden forfeit / Germany awarded win

Great Britain vs Finland TBC