Latvia's Women's Lacrosse Team Suffers Heavy Defeat to Israel at European Championship

Latvia's women's sixes lacrosse team suffered a heavy defeat on Wednesday at the European Championship in Spain, losing 3-26 to Israel in its third Group A match. The result matters because the tournament is the first qualifying stage for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where sixes, a six-a-side format of lacrosse, is on the programme.

The quarter scores were 0-6, 0-6, 2-7 and 1-7. Latvia's goals came from Jamie Lasda, Suzanna Peniķe and Estere Urbanička, who also recorded an assist. For Israel, Kendall Halpern scored six goals.

Group standings

Poland has three wins from three matches in Group A, and Israel has two wins from two. Latvia and France each have one win from three games, while Portugal has lost all three. Earlier, Latvia beat France 14-6 and lost to Poland 14-15. Latvia's final group match is against Portugal on Thursday at 12:00 Latvian time.

Tournament format and what is at stake

Eighteen teams are competing at the European Championship, split into four groups: two of five teams and two of four. The top two teams in each group reach the quarterfinals, and all four semifinalists automatically qualify for the 2027 World Championship. Teams that lose in the quarterfinals will play on for fifth place, and the winner of that path earns the last berth to the World Championship. After the group stage, knockout and placement matches run from Friday to Monday.

The World Championship is the second qualifying stage, and the five best European teams will advance to it. Four Olympic berths will be decided there, and the Games will feature six men's and six women's teams. The United States, as hosts, is guaranteed a place, while the final berths will be contested at a special qualifying tournament in early 2028.

Latvia's team at the tournament is led by coaches Gretchen Lasda, Ieva Vilks, Lea Saks and Inga Ametere.