Playoff and placement games set after five days at 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship Division II

Box Scores and Galleries: NED-ESP | RSA-KOR | SUI-ITA | MEX-NOR | NZL-LAT | POL-HKG

After five days of the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship Division II in Wroclaw, the playoff bracket is set.

The top two teams from each pool have advanced to the semifinals on Thursday, which feature New Zealand vs. Italy at 4:30 p.m. CET and Mexico vs. Korea at 7 p.m. CET. The medal round will take place on Saturday, beginning with the bronze medal game at 3:15 p.m. CET.

The updated schedule for the rest of the tournament can be found here.

In other action on day five, Poland pulled off the most memorable comeback of the tournament to defeat Hong Kong, China in overtime after trailing by four goals in the fourth quarter.

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Box Score

Spain picked up its second win of the championship in an important battle for final placement against the Netherlands on the last day of pool play. Spain improved to 2-3 and will compete in the bracket for 5th through 8th with its last two games.

The Netherlands pulled off an four goal rally in the third quarter to lead by one, but Spain responded with seven goals in a row in the last 18 minutes of the game.

Olivia Docal had one of the standout performances of the championship with five goals and two assists while Yolanda Gradillas Goddard added three goals. Kristen Russell was key in Spain’s defense and was named player of the match.

Spain will face Poland in placement play on Friday. The Netherlands will face Norway.

Box Score

Korea handled a spirited challenge from South Africa to improve to 4-1 and solidify its grip on second place in Pool A. With New Zealand’s win, Korea clinched its spot in the playoffs and will face Mexico in the semifinals on Thursday.

South Africa tied the game at five-all in the third quarter, but Korea found an answer with four goals over the next 15 minutes, including two from Phoebe Kim. South African cut it to within two late, but Korea was able to ice the game.

Kim and Helen Bae each recorded four points. Abigail Cheun added a goal and was named the player of the match.

South Africa will face Switzerland in placement play on Friday.

Box Score

Italy wrapped up its pool play campaign with a convincing win over Switzerland to improve to 4-1 and clinch its semifinal berth. Italy will face the winner of Pool A on Thursday.

Five different players scored multiple goals for Italy, led by Elise Fawcett with three goals and two assists. Haley Mario racked up two goals, an assist, five ground balls and three draw controls and was named the player of the match.

Switzerland will South Africa in placement play on Friday.

Box Score

Mexico completed its sweep of Pool B with a win against Norway and will head into the playoff round at 5-0. Mexico will face the second-place team in Pool A in the semifinal round on Thursday.

Lola Aguirre Moon paced Mexico with three goals, while Sophia Lima added three points.

Norway will face the Netherlands on Friday in placement play.

Box Score

New Zealand put a stamp on its pool play campaign by breezing through its contest with Latvia to move to 5-0 and securing the top spot in Pool A. New Zealand will face Italy in the semifinals on Thursday.

Latvia fell to 3-2 and will play in the placement bracket for fifth through eighth place, beginning with a matchup on Friday against Hong Kong, China.

Bella Pellet stepped up among New Zealand’s talented attacking cast with four goals and an assist. Sophia Webb added a hat trick and eight draw control wins and was named the player of the match.

Box Score (OT)

Poland pulled off an improbable comeback to stun Hong Kong, China, 8-7, after trailing 7-3 to start the fourth quarter. Poland cut the lead to one with four minutes to play and in a final frantic minute, finally converted a free position shot from Olga Narczewska with five seconds left to tie the game.

Hong Kong won possession first in overtime, but the Poland defense forced a missed shot and the attack set up Maria Grala at point blank range for a clever finish to spark joyous celebrations for the home team.

Poland improved to 3-2 while Hong Kong fell to 2-3, and both teams will play in the bracket for fifth through eighth place, where they could theoretically meet again.

Narczewska led Poland with three goals and was named the player of the match, while Nikola Debicka also added a hat trick.