Photo Credit: AEFA

On May 29 in Barcelona Spain, the Sweden's Women's national team, led by head coach Mike Plass, showed their experience and talent on the football field defeating Spain in their international debut 36-14. 

The Swedish national team was established in 2008, and played their first-ever international friendly match against Finland in October of 2008, which is now an annual event. Sweden also hosted and competed in the first-ever IFAF Women's World Championship which featured six countries: Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Sweden and the United States. While the United States took home gold beating Canada in the Gold-Medal game, Sweden placed fifth defeating Austria 20-18 in Stockholm, Sweden. 

The team that traveled to Spain featured eleven players who also competed at the IFAF Women's World Championship including Erika Hinders and Pillan Plass who scored three of the team's six touchdowns for Sweden. 

The young Spanish team was led by head coach Sergio Diaz and showed a lot of potential and desire which kept Sweden working hard throughout the entire game. Spain started the game strongly taking an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter as quarterback Monica Rafecas connected with receiver Gabi Quitana for a 18-yard touchdown.

But then the Swedes demonstrated their physical superiority as Kirsten Sjösteen and Erika Hinders continually found and forced gaps for big gains and at the end of the first half, Sweden held a 20-6 lead.

In the third quarter, Spain proved they would not give up as Raquel Diaz recovered a fumble and returned the ball 52 yards for a touchdown cutting the lead to 20-14. But Sweden quickly countered as Erika Handers again found some running room scoring on a 50-yard touchdown increasing the lead to 26-14.

Sweden successfully went for two as Kristen Sjosten found the endzone to make the score 28-14 ending the third quarter.

Spain's defense continued to put pressure on Sweden, as Jamie Quintana came up with an interception but Spain was unable to capitalize as Sweden came up with an interception of their own returning the ball for the final touchdown of the game to give Sweden a 36-14 win.

The powerful Swedish running back Kirsten Sjösteen was named game MVP.

IFAF would like to congratulate and honor Sweden's Women National Team on their victory by naming the team IFAF.org May 2011 Team of the Month.

Sweden Roster: