Flag Football Euros Kick Off With Israeli Teams Competing

Israel’s men’s and women’s national flag football teams kicked off their European Championship campaigns this week in Paris with their eyes on a historic goal: qualifying for the 2028 Olympics.

The men’s squad entered with momentum. Ranked 8th in the world, they opened the tournament with resounding victories: 66–6 over Slovakia and 50–6 over Sweden. Their next match would be against Hungary as group play continued.

The women’s team, ranked 17th, faced tougher opposition. They suffered close losses: 20–16 to Switzerland and 39–7 against Austria. Despite the setbacks, their fight on the field drew praise.

Steve Leibowitz, President of American Football in Israel, emphasized the moment’s magnitude: “Qualifying for the Olympics would be a historic moment for Israel and for flag football worldwide.” He added that such a feat would inspire future generations.

Supporting the teams, former NFL star Julian Edelman sent a video of encouragement. His message was clear: compete boldly, carry pride, and play for more than a scoreboard.

Here’s what’s at stake:

• The European Championship acts as a gateway to the World Championship, the event that will allocate the five Olympic berths in each gender (with the U.S. already qualified as host).

• Every play, every score, can shift the balance in Israel’s favor or against it.

• For the men especially, early blowouts boost confidence and positioning. For the women, narrowing margins and strong performances build momentum and belief.

Wherever this journey leads, all of Israel watches. Each touchdown, each defensive stop, brings the dream of Olympic glory a little closer.

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