Team Sweden built a 29-0 third quarter lead and then cruised to a 36-14 victory in Kristianstad, Sweden over the visiting British Lions to advance to the final four in the IFAF 2020 European Championships.
With the win, Sweden joins Italy and Finland as one of the final four teams that will decide the European champions next year.
On a muddy field in Kristianstad Arena field, Sweden took control early and never let Team Great Britain into the game until late in the contest.
Team Sweden head coach Billy Kennedy:
“We feel like we had a great group of players who were determined in this game. They never let up and played excellent football throughout the game. Both sides of the ball were superb. Now it’s on to the final four.”
Swedish quarterback Phil Juhlin threw three touchdown passes and ran another one in himself. Per Lindelöf, Robin Juhlin and Kevin Börzsei all caught scoring passes while Emil Knutsson added a touchdown in the fourth quarter. David Nyhlén kicked a field goal and three extra points.
Photo: Jonas Domfors
For Great Britain, Andrew Owusu scored a rushing touchdown while running back Thomas Campbell caught a touchdown pass.
The Swedish defense made its presence known early, shutting down Britain on the opening possession with the offense reaching the red zone twice. Nyhlen kicked a field goal to give Sweden a 3-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
Juhlin then marched Sweden down to the Lions 14 yard line and then got outside and scampered in for the game’s first touchdown and Sweden extended the lead to 9-0 with eight minutes left in the half. With the defense keeping Great Britain neutralized, Sweden increases the lead to 16-0 when Juhlin connects with a wide open Lindelöf and the Swedes went into the break leading 16-0.
The second half starts as the first one ended, with the Swedish defense playing excellent football and the Swedish offense producing points. A long pass from Julin to Börzsei taking the ball down to the British 1-yard line. Three plays later, Juhlin finds the other Juhlin, Robin in the end zone to increase the lead to 23-0.
When Juhlin passes hits Börzsei with a 38 yard touchdown pass with two minutes to go in the third, the game look decided.
Photo: Jonas Domfors
But the Lions came alive. First Owusu scored following a pass interference call deep in Swedish territory to close the gap to 29-6. Then Campbell added another touchdown on a touchdown reception and suddenly Great Britain had narrowed the lead to 29-14.
However, Knutsson found a seam and raced 37 yards to finalize the score.
The two stable victories against Russia and the UK in the European Championship qualification mean that the Swedish men’s national team is ready for the European Championships 2020, where they will face Finland, Italy and the winner between France and Serbia.