Germany 9 Ireland 4 European Women's Box Lacrosse Championship, Prague, 25 June 2026
Ireland's senior women opened their European campaign against Germany and led into the second quarter before Germany's firepower told. Germany won 9-4, but the scoreline hides a competitive first half.
Ireland started fast. Haley Price scored inside the first minute, and after Germany hit back, Ireland edged in front again at 3-2 and then 4-3 through the opening 22 minutes. Issy Keane, Amy Bolton and Reese Boylan all found the net. For that spell Ireland matched one of the tournament favourites blow for blow.
Then the game turned. Germany scored the next six goals to lead 8-4, then added a late ninth. Tessa Helf led the German attack with three goals, and Ireland could not find a way back once the deficit opened up.
Kiera Roberts was Ireland's busiest player, making 31 saves as Germany fired 63 shots to Ireland's 39. The shot count told the story of a side pinned back for long stretches once Germany found their rhythm. Germany also dominated the ground-ball battle, 30 to 13, and the face-off dot, winning 13 to Ireland's 4.
Melissa Rausch's side had shown they could trouble a strong Germany team for a half. The margin at the final horn was a marker of the work ahead. Four group games remained, and a first result to chase.