Israel 11 Ireland 4 European Women's Box Lacrosse Championship semi-final, Prague, 3 July 2026
Ireland's run to the medal rounds met its match in Israel. The only team to come through the round robin unbeaten controlled the semi-final from the start and won 11-4 to book their place in the final.
Israel led 2-0 inside four minutes and never let Ireland settle. Bridget Hamlin pulled one back, but Israel restored the buffer each time, stretching the lead to 5-1 by the midpoint of the second quarter. Ireland kept working and found goals through Haley Crosson, Hillary Grehan and Issy Keane, yet Israel always had an answer. Julia Rowland, Samantha Smith and Racheli Levy-Smith each scored twice.
The pressure on the Irish goal was relentless. Israel fired 70 shots to Ireland's 38 and dominated the ground-ball count 75 to 43, the numbers of a side that spent most of the game in possession. Kiera Roberts made 28 saves before Ashley Price took over in the final quarter and added eight more.
There was no shame in the defeat. Israel were the best team in the group stage and looked it again here. For Ireland it was a step too far on the day, but not the end of their tournament. A bronze medal game against a familiar opponent is still to come, and a chance to finish the week on the podium.