The stage is set for a thrilling finale at the Men’s U20 European Championship in Wroclaw, Poland, as Ireland and England prepare to clash for the gold medal. Lacrosse enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the showdown on Saturday at 5 p.m. local time, where one team will be crowned the euro champion.
Irish lacrosse team celebrates a victory at the Men's U20 European Championship.
Ireland secured their place in the final after a dominant 11-3 victory over Sweden in the semifinal. They started strong, surging to a 9-0 lead, leaving Sweden struggling to catch up. Christopher Burnetta was instrumental in Ireland’s success, delivering a stellar performance with four goals and three assists. Notably, he achieved a hat trick within the first eight minutes of the game and provided three assists to Sean Horkan during Ireland’s initial scoring spree.
English lacrosse team in action during the Men's U20 European Championship semi-final match.
England also demonstrated their championship caliber in their semifinal match against Germany, pulling away for a decisive 16-6 win. After a tightly contested first half, England unleashed an impressive 11-0 run to begin the second half, effectively sealing their spot in the final. George Shonfeld led the charge for England, contributing an impressive seven goals.
Before the highly anticipated euro champion decider, Sweden and Germany will compete for the bronze medal in a match scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. local time. Their matchup promises to be a competitive contest as both teams aim to secure a podium finish in this prestigious tournament.
The journey to the finals saw intense competition throughout the week. In the quarterfinal round, Ireland demonstrated their strength with a convincing 10-3 win over the Netherlands. Germany showcased their defensive prowess in a 7-2 victory against Israel, with Tim Weiss delivering an outstanding performance as goalkeeper, making 11 saves. England advanced to the semifinals with a solid 14-7 win against the Czech Republic, while Sweden and Poland engaged in a thrilling back-and-forth game that saw Sweden narrowly win 10-9. Mack Barry was the standout player in that game, scoring six goals for Sweden, including the crucial final four.
This year’s Men’s U20 European Championship, held in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 20-27, features 13 national teams. These teams were divided into three groups for the initial phase of the tournament, competing across a total of 45 games. The top teams from each group advanced to the playoff stages, culminating in the upcoming medal matches.
The inaugural Men’s U20 European Championship took place in Prague in 2019, where England emerged as the first-ever euro champion, narrowly defeating Germany in the final. Many of the teams competing in Wroclaw also participated in the 2022 World Lacrosse Men’s U21 Championship in Limerick, Ireland, providing these young athletes with valuable international experience. As the final approaches, the lacrosse world is keen to see who will be crowned the new euro champion in Wroclaw.
