It was a big weekend in Aussie rules internationals played under sunny skies while Melbourne froze. The 2010 European Championship in Australian Football opened on Sunday with the first round of pool matches at Stefan Boldklub in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Under clear skies and the summer sun the teams assembled in front of a crowd of more than 700 spectators for a historic opening day’s play in the first ever championships in Europe. These internationals are played in a 16-a-side format on full size fields over four quarters. There are no Australian’s playing with eligibility requirements being the same as for the International Cup which is held in Australia every three years. Croatia, Germany and Iceland playing in the full size format for the first time at International level.
Co-hosts Sweden opened their account in a commanding fashion against a committed Croatian side, who were keen to leave a positive initial impression in their first ever full-format match. In the end, the Swedes ran out comfortable winners by 96 points: Sweden 16.17 (113) d Croatia 2.5 (17)
Great Britain took on Finland in the second game and were well held for the first three quarters, before kicking away to a comfortable 74 point win: Great Britain 11.16 (82) d Finland 1.2 (8)
Tournament favourites Ireland were never in doubt in their tie against Germany. In an often fast paced and highly skilled encounter, Ireland showed their pedigree against a tiring German side: Ireland 18.10 (118) d Germany 0.0 (0). Maghnus Breathnach with 6 goals for the Irish leads the tournament goalkicking after the first round.
The day’s final encounter featured home team, Denmark, against North Atlantic neighbours and newcomers Iceland. Despite a quick opening goal by the Icelanders, Denmark was never troubled for the rest of the day and finished clearly ahead: Denmark 19.16 (130) d Iceland 2.1 (13). Troel Ottesen kicking four for the Danes.
The tournament continues with a split round of games in Stenvadskole in Farum, Denmark and at Limhamnsfältet in Malmö, Sweden on Tuesday, August 1 , 2010 at 17:00 noon. The gold medal game will take place on Saturday, August 7 , at 5:00 p.m. (GMT+1) in Limhamnsfältet, in Malmö, Sweden, with the Awards ceremony taking place thereafter.
In Toronto, Canada on Saturday the US Revolution took out the 2010 49th Parallel Cup with a solid 34 point win after the Canadian Northwind led at half time.
Canada 5.2 (32) def by USA 9.12 (66)
Goal Kickers(USA): D. Jones 3, R. Wheelock, S. Moore, D. Hansen, J. Levesque, A. Vanica, S. Moore
Goal Kickers (Canada): Aaron Falcioni 3, Ash Steir 1, Oliver Hayward 1,
Best Players (USA): D. Jones, D. Lucero, N. Jehangir, B Purcell, J. Purcell, S. Tyebjee
Best Players (Canada): George Dimacakos, Jimmy Oertel, Kevin Minaker, Tasos Dimacakos, Frank Luisser, Manny Matata
In other results on the day the OAFL Awfuls’ poor kicking let them down in a 17 point loss to the Boston Demons that saw them kick 2.15 in their exhibition match, the Canadian Northern lights upset the favoured US Freedom in their women’s international by 23 points and the US Under 23 side easily defeated the Canadian Under 23 team by 68 points. On Sunday the Northern lights again defeated the Freedom, this time by 21 points.
And in Asia the big international clash (although in this case the teams are mostly made up of expats) on Saturday was in Phnom Penh where the Vietnam Swans played the Cambodian Cobras and won 13.21 (99) to 1.9. (15). The (Swans) Bloods’ B.O.G., Brett Jota, received the Rick Trewavas Medal.
Footnote: Further rounds of the European Championships will have live quarter by quarter scores up at www.worldfootynews.com
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