Opposing fortunes for England teams on Euros day two
The England teams experienced opposing sides of the overtime coin yesterday as England Women claimed a narrow 6-5 victory over Germany while England Men tasted an agonising 13-12 defeat to Finland on day two at the 2026 European Box Lacrosse Championships.
Back in Malešice, the scene of their big 26-0 win over Finland on opening day, England Women started slowly and headed into first quarter time 1-0 down after a Lotte Barker goal for Germany.
This was followed by a tough second quarter in which England conceded three from Tessa Helf, Mirjam Bieber, and Marlene Steyer.
Despite the scoreline, England took 25 shots on the Germany goal in the first half and there was a sense that if they could grab the next goal it may start a comeback.
Enter Leah Catton, who showed her top quality to hit England’s first just over two minutes into the third quarter, halting Germany’s momentum in the process.
The huge numbers of spectators in the arena had to wait almost 10 more minutes until another goal was scored but when it came it was a second England goal thanks to Torz Anderson.
As third quarter time came and went, England were the team in the ascendency and made it a one-goal game when Rosie Bathurst played in Lauren Lewis behind the goal, who dove over the crease, around the net, and snuck the ball past the flailing goalie, Romina Erhardt.
With England pushing for an equaliser, Germany hit back through Helf to make it 5-3 which could have knocked the wind out of the England sails, but this team is built different.
Two goals within two minutes from Lewis and Catton saw England level and heading for sudden-death over-time for the first time at this inaugural Euros.
And with almost two minutes gone in over-time up stepped Laura Beaman, the scorer of England’s first ever goal at a major tournament in Utica two years ago, who, having received the ball from Catton in front of goal, hit a first time shot past the Germany goalie to seal another famous victory.
Over in Radotín, England Men were looking to back up their opening day win over the Netherlands with another over Finland.
England started well and with clear determination, pulling 4-1 ahead in the first quarter with goals from Jack Bucknell (x2), Zack Gignac, and Matt Tatton.
A tight second quarter saw England score the only goal through Michael Blaymires to head into the second half with a healthy 5-1 lead.
This Finland team are no pushovers, however, having defeated a strong Ireland team in over-time in their opening game, and came out in the third fighting.
In a frenetic 15-minute period, England scored five with Finland scoring six in reply to take the game into the fourth quarter at 10-7 to England.
Buoyed by their third quarter performance, Finland peppered the England goal, getting past England goalie Cam MacLeod another five times with only two scored through Buchanan and Blaymires to take the game into over-time at 12-12.
And it was Finland who carried their momentum into the over-time period, with Roope Jokela scoring the sudden-death winner after almost two minutes.
Watch every minute of every England game live on YouTube HERE.
England Women Scorers | Torz Anderson (1G, 3A), Lauren Lewis (2G, 1A), Leah Catton (2G), Laura Beaman (1G, 1A).
England Men Scorers | Jack Bucknell (2G, 4A), Michael Blaymires (3G, 1A), Zack Gignac (3G), Will Prescott (1G, 2A), Tom Bracegirdle (2A), Ben Buchanan (1G), Tom Roper (1G), Matt Tatton (1G), Jude Krommenhoek (1A).
Next Up
28.06 | England v Israel | 12:30 (UK) | Women
29.06 | England v Ireland | 15:30 (UK) | Men
29.06 | England v Ireland | 18:30 (UK) | Women