Sweden captures historic silver at IFAF 2019 Women’s European Championships

Team Sweden set the tone from the opening kickoff and never let up earning a resounding 48-6 victory over Austria to capture a historic silver medal at the IFAF 2019 Women’s European Championships at John Charles Stadium in Leeds, England.

This was the first time a Swedish women’s American football team has won a medal of any kind in a major tournament.

Sweden needed to win by at least 35 points to have a chance at silver and they did that and more.

Karin Ullen returned the opening kickoff 73 yards for a touchdown and the rout was on. The Swedish defense did not surrender a point as Austria’s only points came from a fumble return.

Ullen added another touchdown in the first quarter, hauling in a 51 yard pass from quarterback Linda Johansson to extend the Swedish lead to 14-0. Austria got on the board when defensive back Teresa Müllebner scooped up a fumble and raced 62 yards to reduce the lead to 14-6.

The Swedes made no more mistakes.

In the second quarter, Anna Hedström and Minmin Zhao each ran for a touchdown to give Sweden a 28-6 halftime lead.

Fully aware of the urgent need for points, Sweden opened the second half with an onside kick. Johansson drove her team down to the three yard line and called her own number boosting the lead to 35-6. In the fourth quarter Sweden expanded the lead to 41-6, through a Sara Lidner touchdown, and then to 48-6 as Anna Hedström added a touchdown. Sabina Rydberg kicked all six extra points.

To earn silver, Sweden needed to win by 35 or more points in the event of a Finnish first place finish. Finland actually lost the final game of the tournament to Great Britain 18-14, creating a three-way tie for first between Finland, Sweden and the host nation.

The medals were decided first on points between the three and then on overall points which included each team’s win over Austria.

Finland took home the gold since Great Britain needed to beat them by six points or more.