Both Great Britain teams reached the last 16 of the Flag Football World Championships on Wednesday, but the men’s medal hopes were then dashed.

Both won their final group game to progress as group winners with a 100% record.

The men then played their last-16 game against France and despite scoring five touchdowns, turnovers proved costly as they were beaten 37-36.

Although that is not their last game in Finland, it has ruled them out of contention for a top-eight finish.

Despite earning a 34-20 win over Germany to top their group earlier, they are now competing for a place between ninth and 16th on Thursday.

The women, however, can still reach finals day on Friday after coming from behind to earn a nail-biting 28-27 win over Panama.

Having won last year’s European Championships, GB came into the first global tournament since flag football became an Olympic sport for 2028 ranked fourth in the world.

Wednesday’s game was their first ever game against non-European opposition and Panama, the 2016 world champions, raced into a 13-0 lead.

GB had edged in front by half-time through two Emily Kemp touchdowns, before Panama scored either side of another Kemp touchdown.

But GB managed to produce a game-winning drive at the death, Grace Conway claiming the decisive score.

They will now face Switzerland in the last 16 on Thursday, then either Australia or Japan, to determine who progresses to finals day.