Flag Football

Great Britain U17 girls crowned European champions

An undefeated tournament ended with a 33–7 final victory over Germany, according to BAFA.

Sideline reporter

American football Football Europe Sideline reporter

Great Britain’s U17 girls won the 2026 IFAF European Youth Flag Football Championships on Saturday, September 26, defeating Germany 33–7 in the final, the British American Football Association (BAFA) reported.

The team went undefeated, beating Finland, Germany and Austria in the group stage before overcoming Spain in the semifinal. Quarterback Lydia Whitestone was named the tournament’s U17 Girls MVP.

A decisive final against Germany

Great Britain had edged Germany 26–25 in their group-stage meeting. In the final, Whitestone threw first-half touchdown passes to Anaiah Kasenge and Izzy Olerenshaw.

BAFA reported that interceptions by Caitlin Brown and Emily Challinor, one on either side of halftime, helped maintain Great Britain’s advantage. Whitestone later connected with Olerenshaw and Hannah Winter for second-half touchdowns. Germany scored late in the game.

Undefeated path to the title

The championship run included group-stage wins over Finland, Germany and Austria, followed by a semifinal victory over Spain. The final completed an unbeaten tournament for the U17 girls.

Great Britain’s U17 boys placed seventh, while the U15 mixed team finished 10th, according to BAFA.

British flag football success

BAFA placed the U17 girls’ title alongside recent results for the Great Britain women’s team, which won European Championships in 2023 and 2025 and finished fourth at the 2026 World Championships.

The association also reported that veteran players Brown, Ruby Rowlands and Challinor contributed defensively in the final, while blitzer Mia Samuels and two-way player Winter made key contributions.

Newsroom

The 33–7 result gave Great Britain’s U17 girls the European title after a tournament without a loss.

Byline

Noah Walker

Sideline reporter

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