A TOTAL of seven Coventry-based players struck gold for Great Britain’s women at the European Flag Football Championships in Paris, France.
Britain claimed a dramatic 34-33 overtime win against Austria in the final to claim back-to-back European titles after also winning the competition in 2023.
The game ended 27-all at the end of regulation time before Emily Kemp’s touchdown reception from quarterback Jessica Allen’s pass.
And safety Marta Matthews then delivered the crucial play as she broke up a two-point conversion attempt to thwart Austria and seal gold for Britain.
A total of seven players from two Coventry women’s clubs formed part of the GB squad.
Reigning British League champions Coventry Panthers provided four players – Emma Dedicoat, Hannah Elliott, Laura Carter and Abi Snelson.
And nine-time league champions Coventry Cougars provided three players – Allen, Grace Conway and Ellie Thorpe.
Allen said: “It was such a crazy game.
“We had a slow start, but our offence managed to pull it back and our defence got some really great stops.
“We’ve worked so hard for this, I’m very proud of the team.”
Britain’s men’s team finished fourth in Paris to achieve their best result since winning bronze in 2017.
Both Britain’s men’s and women’s teams have now qualified for the 2026 World Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Britain also hope to secure one of the six qualification spots available for the sport at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Flag football is a non-contact variant of American football where players pull off flags from the ball carrier instead of tackling them.
