Ireland and Czechia claimed semifinal wins on Saturday at the Women’s European Sixes Qualifier for The World Games 2025, booking their spots for the sixes competition in Chengdu, China in August.
Ireland defeated Israel in a thriller, 11-10, as qualification come down to an overtime walk-off winner, while Czechia ran away from Germany, 15-5. Ireland and Czechia will face off in the final of the qualifier on Sunday at 2 p.m. GMT.
The eight-team field for the women’s sixes competition at The World Games 2025 is now set with Ireland and Czechia joining Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, United States and China. The tournament will be held from August 7-11.
Czechia returns to the The World Games after competing in the sixes competition in 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. Ireland will make its debut in the event after a strong year for its various women’s teams, participating in the European Women’s Lacrosse Championship, the World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship and the World Lacrosse Women’s Box Championship.
Ireland outlasted Israel in a thrilling sixes contest. Israel took a 3-0 lead within five minutes, only for Ireland to respond in the next three minutes to tie the game.
Israel led 5-3, 6-5, 8-6, and ultimately 9-8 with a goal from Brooke Frishman just under two minutes into the final quarter.
Ireland found an extra gear and took its first lead of the morning on a goal from Aisling Boyd to make it 10-9 with 90 seconds left. But in a stunning last minute, Rachel Rosenberg tied the game with 30 seconds left.
A minute into overtime, Mairead Durkin found the winner for Ireland in a dramatic conclusion to the qualifying saga.
Kendra Harris finished with three goals for Ireland, while Lucie Poulin, Gabby Rosenzweig and Durkin added two goals each. Haley Crosson was in net for Ireland.
Czechia flew out of the gates to set the tone against Germany, scoring six goals in the opening 10 minutes to lead 6-2. Another five goal run across the second and third periods put Czechia comfortably ahead at 10-3 on the way to a 15-5 victory.
Michaela Srchova continued her blazing form for the Czechia attack with four goals and an assist, and Czechia also received three-goal outings from Isabella Keyes, Barbora Koderova and Marketa Malinovska. Katerina Najemnikova was in goal for the win.
