Team England have claimed the title of European Champions after a 160* - 140 win against Germany at the IQA European Games in Limerick. The final match, played to a set score, was just one of the highlights from a weekend of European quidditch.
The European Games saw each of the UK’s national teams - England, Scotland and Wales - take the stage together for the first time, with Wales competing in Group B and England and Scotland in Group D for the day 1 group stages.
Wales placed 16th over the weekend, and manager Lucy Nicholls stated that they’re “So proud of everything that Team Wales achieved this weekend.” Along with Head Coach Chazz Mcleod, Nicholls “turned [the Welsh] team around in just seven months.”
It was the first time all three UK teams have had the chance to compete together on an international stage, and for the Welsh team it was also their first tournament as a national team. “To get on the pitch against some of the best players in the world and give everything on the pitch like they did, shows the true grit and spirit of the players we have,” stated Welsh Captain Sam Davies. All the Welsh management are looking forward to the future of Welsh quidditch, with Nicholls claiming that this is “just the start” for the team.
Team Scotland also saw success at the weekend, placing 15th in their second ever European games. Scotland faced off against both England and Wales - where they saw a nail biting 150* - 140 final set score after Scotland caught the snitch. Scottish Captain, Samantha Frohlich, expressed her pride in “how the team grew and developed over the weekend,” as well as echoing Wales’ excitement for what the Scottish team can do next.
On Saturday Team England competed with Netherlands, Czechia and Scotland, as well as a pool play loss to Germany - who they would go on to meet in the final the next day. For England, Sunday began with a match against Poland, followed by France - defending European Champions. Wins in both of these matches saw England through to the semi-final against Norway, where the 180* - 40 victory carried them on to the final. Germany’s win against Australia would see Germany as England’s competition for the title of European Champions.
After a snitch catch from English seeker Jordan Garvey Aymer-Jeffrey, England played to the set score and won the title with a tight final score of 160* - 40. Team England Head Coach Alice Walker is reportedly “thrilled with the result” and “even more pleased with how the team performed.” She went on to say “There were a lot of excellent individual and team plays and we really showed the depth of talent we have on Team England. I’m excited to be leading this team to the World Cup next year!”
The 2023 World Cup will be held in Richmond, Virginia USA, and QUK are excited to follow our teams on the road to Richmond.
Photos courtesy of Team England, Team Scotland, and Team Wales.
