AFNORTH freshman Marta Diaz Hernandez shoots on goal against Brussels keeper Maci Carmack during the second day of the 2026 DODEA European Division III championships in Landstuhl, Germany, May 19, 2026. Defending champion AFNORTH will play Spangdahlem in Thursday’s championship game. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
LANDSTUHL, Germany — The championship picture is starting to take shape after Day 2 of the 2026 DODEA-Europe Division III soccer championships at the Am Rothenborn sports complex.
And while AFNORTH is in a strong position to sweep the small schools division, the titles are still up for grabs.
The Lions captured a crucial 2-1 win against defending champion Ansbach in a physical and emotionally charged game that saw the teams rack up a collective seven yellow cards. AFNORTH’s win made the team a likely shoe-in for the championship game on Thursday, but the victory came at a cost.
Refs carded the Lions five times in the contest – including two yellow cards for sophomore midfielder Yanislav Panayotkov, who will have to sit out tomorrow’s final two games.
AFNORTH junior Alex Teichl said his team needs to stay disciplined.
“I think it’s completely unnecessary,” Teichl said of the team infractions. “We’ve got to keep our mental strength in our heads.”
Nevertheless, the Lions remain confident they are strong contenders for this year’s tournament. A single win in either of their two matches Wednesday against Brussels and Baumholder should lock down a championship berth.
“It’s been a difficult tournament,” third-year head coach Manny Duarte said following Tuesday’s game. “We just need to make sure everyone’s healthy, there’s no injuries, and we play as best as we can manage.”
The Cougars bounced back in their second game of the day, taking down Spangdahlem 2-0.
Hohenfels, however, could put an end to Ansbach’s hopes of a repeat. The Tigers shut out Baumholder 3-0 in their single contest. A win over Ansbach Wednesday morning would catapult the team to the championship game.
It’s a respectable performance for one of Division III’s co-ed teams.
“We’re going to have our best 11 out there,” Hohenfels coach Joe Dreger said of Wednesday’s contest. “We just have players; we don’t see it as co-ed.”
That includes junior Grace Dermody, who scored against Baumholder.
“We don’t have enough girls playing the game, so she’s stuck with the boys,” Dreger said. “She’s one of the best [female] players in DODEA.”
Brussels finished the day with a 3-0 win over Baumholder as senior Tamaz Kapanadze recorded a hat trick.
The Brigands are a long shot to take the crown, but there is one scenario that could see them face off against Ansbach if they manage a win over AFNORTH and get some assistance from the rest of the field on the final day of round-robin play
AFNORTH’s Patrick Stevens and Ansbach’s Orlando Roman fight for control of the ball near Ansbach’s goal during the second day of the 2026 DODEA European Division III championships in Landstuhl, Germany, May 19, 2026. AFNORTH won the game 2-1. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Spangdahlem defender Jonathan Saeteurn and Ansbach freshman Aidan Bowyer run for the ball during the second day of the 2026 DODEA European Division III championships in Landstuhl, Germany, May 19, 2026. Ansbach won the game 2-0. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels junior Grace Dermody dribbles under pressure against Baumholder during the second day of the 2026 DODEA European Division III championships in Landstuhl, Germany, May 19, 2026. Dermody scored a goal in Hohenfels’ 3-0 victory. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Brussels senior Tamaz Kapanadze shoots on goal against Baumholder during the second day of the 2026 DODEA European Division III championships in Landstuhl, Germany, May 19, 2026. Kapanadze recorded a hat trick in his team’s 3-0 win. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach goalkeeper Jack Lovallo leaves the net for a free kick deep in AFNORTH territory during the second day of the 2026 DODEA European Division III championships in Landstuhl, Germany, May 19, 2026. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
The championship game is already set as AFNORTH and Spangdahlem cruised to victory with 4-1 and 4-0 wins over Brussels and Ansbach, respectively.
The Lions and Sentinels, however, will still square off Wednesday for their final round-robin game.
While the result of the game won’t ultimately matter for the championship, it will give the teams an opportunity to feel each other out and build momentum for Thursday’s finale.
AFNORTH junior Emery Koger said her team is ready, cohesive, and powered by friendship on its way to a third straight championship
“We know what we want, and our whole goal is to get there,” Koger said. “We really have the chemistry to push us forward.”
Head coach Christy Wise said aside from focusing on passing accuracy and fine tuning AFNORTH will continue witha tried-and-true game plan.
“We don’t change our strategy based on who we’re facing,” Wise said. “We just always come with our best intentions and best preparation we can have.”
Spangdahlem remains confident it can topple the champions, but Koger said the Lions are just as ready for a two-day fight.
AFNORTH senior Victoria Hellebust shoots on goal against Brussels during the second day of the 2026 DODEA European Division III championships in Landstuhl, Germany, May 19, 2026. AFNORTH won the contest 4-1. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Spangdahlem senior and team captain Aniya Robinson dribbles the ball under pressure against Ansbach during the second day of the 2026 DODEA European Division III championships in Landstuhl, Germany, May 19, 2026. Spangdahlem will face AFNORTH in the 2026 championship game Thursday. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach senior Victoria Ortiz defends against Spangdahlem senior Alexis Lauer during the second day of the 2026 DODEA European Division III championships in Landstuhl, Germany, May 19, 2026. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
