Belushi’s Presents: Player Spotlight – Amine Ramdani

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Belushi’s Presents: Player Spotlight

Amine Ramdani

Each week, AFL Europe in combination with Belushi’s will take a look at one of our star players competing in fixtures across the continent in Player Spotlight. 

Will Taylor – AFL Europe

An IT Engineer by trade yet a spirited sporting star come game day, Amine Ramdani is not your typical Australian Rules footballer.

After travelling to Australia in 2010 where he was exposed to the nation’s most popular football code, the Parisian wanted to give the sport a chance in his home country.

“I was impressed by the game in general, the atmosphere playing 100% to win the game. So once I came back to France and I heard about footy, I gave it a try.”

Representing the Paris Cockerels, Amine soon found his place in the game through his impressive aerobic capacity.

Using his stamina as one of his strengths, the 27-year old has developed a liking for playing in the forward line using both his pace and class to his advantage.

It’s this advantage he has used for not just the Paris Cockerels but for the multiple sides he has represented.

“I usually play as a forward and can be faster than taller guys. I played for a year in Finland with the Helsinki Heatseekers, so discovering travelling around the country was nice. We played against different team with different level but we always have fun at the end.”

“I had the privilege to play for the Australian team at Villers Bretonneux for the ANZAC Cup with my Aussie friends, and this is one of the best memories I have so far.”

Now a North London Lion, there is no doubt that Amine has been able to experience the game on a truly international scale.

But despite all his experiences and time within the game, 2018 has been a very special year for North London’s star recruit.

In challenging circumstances playing in a competitive competition, Amine has shown some incredible physical and mental strength to play the game during an important period on his calendar.

“This year has been special as I played my first entire game while fasting”

“During one month (Ramadan), Muslims have to fast (no food/no water) from the sunrise to the sunset. We try to not change our habits during this month and that’s why I wanted to play.”

“It has been tough though without water but I made it and even scored my first goals.”

It is this commitment to the game that makes Amine such a popular and well-respected individual wherever he goes in the AFL Europe community.

As his coach Chris Dobson explains, Amine is an absolute professional both on and off the field.

“Amine has been a great addition to our club, both on the field as a player and off the field educating our players and coaches about his culture and religion.”

“To play the way he did while fasting was a credit to him, he didn’t want to miss out on any action! The North London Lions are lucky to have him!”

Is there someone at your club with an outstanding football story that deserves to be recognised? Get in touch, riley.brettell@afleurope.org

 

 

 

 

PSS Presents: Around the Grounds

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PSS Presents: Around the Grounds

Each week, AFL Europe will take a look at some of the football highlights around the continent in Around the Grounds presented by PSS International Removals. Here are the standout performances from the weekend’s action.

Will Taylor – AFL Europe

 

A new powerhouse in women’s footy?

In a dominant display in the Scottish capital, the Glasgow Giants proved themselves a team to be feared with a convincing 63-point victory over the Port Malmö Lynx. With 7 individual goal kickers, the Scotts were too good for the Swedes in this international friendly at the GHA Rugby Club. Despite coming off some good form in 2018 with a win in the Swedish Cup and a solid performance in the AFL Europe Champions League, the Lynx struggled to find the scoreboard due to a very impressive defensive performance from the hosts.

Final Score:

Glasgow Giants 14.9 (93) defeated Port Malmö Lynx 5.0 (30)

When the sequel is just as good as the original!

In another tough and tight contest, it was the Amsterdam Devils victorious in another terrific Dutch Derby. In a close first half, the Blues pushed the visitors and took plenty of momentum into the major break. After the half-time however, Amsterdam f

ound their straps to take the game away from Delft in the third term. In a strong last quarter, the Blues pushed the margin back to just 7-points when the full-time siren sounded. The Devil’s success marks the first win of the AFLNL Championship to take place throughout the European summer.

Final Score (AFLNL Championship)

Amsterdam Devils 10.9 (69) defeated Delft Blues 9.8 (62)

 

Hamburg celebrate after their big win

Hamburg bounce back to lead AFLG

After suffering a heartbreaking one-point loss to arch rivals Berlin Crocodiles in Round 6, the Hamburg Dockers put on one of their better performances for the season with a thumping 128-point victory over the Rhineland Lions. Playing in Cologne, the Dockers led from start to finish to take home the four points. The win gives first place on the ladder back to Dockers, who lead the Munich Kangaroos by just percentage on top of AFLG. The Dockers will now enjoy a month off before setting themselves for revenge on the Crocodiles when the teams meet again in Round 8.

Final Score (AFLG):

Hamburg Dockers 21.18 (144) defeated Rhineland Lions 2.4 (16)

 

Fantastic Farum fly high in Lyngholmskolen

It’s been another fantastic season for the Farum Cats and even without superstar Mikkel Norlander, the boys from Denmark continue to reign supreme in the 2018 DAFL. Facing the Barracudas on Saturday, the Cats were tested but proved too strong for a valiant Copenhagen outfit. A massive seven goal to one opening term was the difference between the two sides as the Cats won the fixture by 32-points.

Final Score (2018 DAFL)

Farum Cats 12.15 (87) defeated Copenhagen Barracudas 8.7 (55)

 

GB Squad takes shape

The GB Bulldogs have named their squad to play an international friendly against the Flying Dutchman (Netherlands), ahead of a huge eighteen months of representative football that will see much of the GB squad represent their respective countries at Euro Cup in October 2018 and again in June 2019, before rejoining under the GB banner for the European Championships late in 2019. The Bulldogs have named North

London Lion Ross Denton as their skipper as well as ten fresh faces for the important match to be played at Motspur Park, London.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PSS International Removals have helped people move from UK to Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere in the world for over 36 years. They offer friendly advice, no matter whether you’re sending a few boxes or a whole house removal including car. For more information call 020 8686 7733 or visit https://www.pssremovals.com/afleurope

AFL Europe Talent Combine

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The talent combine brings together some of the most exceptional footballing prospects from right around Europe for athletic testing, skill analysis & mental profiling, in the mould of the AFL Draft Camp. 

All players’ height, weight, skinfolds, arm length and hand span are recorded at the combine to form their sporting profile that is viewed by prospective clubs, before a three-part fitness assessment involving a speed test, agility run and a running and vertical jump test. This block of testing is followed by a beep-test and skills session, with a personality profiling assessment also completed to provide an insight into the players mindset.

Location: Dublin, Ireland

European Championships

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The premier full scale, 18-a-side Australian Football event held in Europe runs across three-days triennially and is a major part of national team preparations ahead of the AFL International Cup that occurs the following year.

Location: University of Zagreb Sportground, Zagreb, Croatia

Dates: October 5th-8th, 2022

Current Champions: Great Britain (Men) and Ireland (Women)

Previous Winners: 

Men

2013 – Ireland

2016 – Great Britain 

2019 – Great Britain

 

Women

2016 – Great Britain

2019 – Ireland

AFL Europe Grand Final Lunch

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Hosted by AFL Europe in conjunction with the Office of the Agent General for South Australia & Adelaide Crows at Australia House in London, the lunch brings together over 200 guests each year to preview the AFL Grand Final a day before the big one takes place in Melbourne.

Guests are treated to a three-course meal, drinks, a stellar line-up of esteemed specials guests and entertainment in one of Australia’s finest venues away from home.

Recent special guests at the event have included comedian Adam Hills, tennis legend Pat Cash as well as AFL & AFLW stars Daniel Jackson, Cora Staunton, Lauren Spark and David Zaharakis.

Stay tuned for more information regarding our next Grand Final Lunch.

Location: Australia House, London, England

Date: TBC

International Cup

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The biggest event for the sport internationally brings together national teams from around the world to compete in a full-scale Australian Football tournament, and is next to be hosted on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia. European teams have a rich history of success and will be eager to add to that at the next International Cup, with Grand Finals played at The Gabba in Brisbane.

Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia

Dates: TBC

Current Champions: Papua New Guinea (Div. 1 Men), Croatia (Div. 2 Men), Ireland (Women)

Previous Winners: 

Men

2002 – Ireland

2005 – New Zealand

2008 – Papua New Guinea

2011 – Ireland (Div. 1), Fiji (Div. 2) 

2014 – Papua New Guinea 

2017 – Papua New Guinea (Div. 1), Croatia (Div. 2)

2020 – Postponed

 

Women

2011 – Ireland 

2014 – Canada

2017 – Ireland

2020 – Postponed

Euro Cup

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The annual 9-a-side tournament see’s European national sides face off to contest for the title of champions of Europe, with England and Ireland the current champions in the men’s and women’s divisions respectively.

Location: Edinburgh Leisure, Edinburgh, Scotland

Date: June 18th, 2022

Current Champions: England (Men) & Ireland (Women)

2022 Event information: https://eurocup2022.mystrikingly.com/

Previous Winners: 

Men

2010 – Croatia

2011 – Ireland

2012 – Ireland

2013 –  England

2014 – Denmark 

2015 – Denmark 

2016 – Croatia

2017 – England 

2018 – Denmark

2019 – England

2020 – Cancelled

2021 – Cancelled

2022 – TBD

 

Women

2014 – Ireland 

2015 – England 

2016 – Ireland

2017 – England

2018 – Ireland 

2019 – Ireland

2020 – Cancelled

2021 – Cancelled

2022 – TBD

ANZAC Cup

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Commemorating the anniversary of the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux that took place during WW1, the men’s and women’s Australian ‘Spirit’ sides go head-to-head with the French national teams to contest the ANZAC Cup. The match honours those Australian’s who fought to reclaim the town from German occupancy on the night of April 24th, 1918, in a victory that was described as the turning point in the war by Sir John Monash.

Villers-Bretonneux had been a key post for the Allies prior to the Germans successfully breaking through defensive lines and taking the town on the 24th as part of their Spring Offensive. This was a considerable victory given the towns vantage point over the city of Amiens which was of significant tactical importance to both sides.

As such, the Australian lead counter-attack was an imperative move to be made and was quickly ordered to commence on the night of the 24th, with the 13th, 14th & 15th brigades waiting for the cover of darkness before launching their response at 10pm local time. Their efforts were successful and the town was handed back to the villagers on April 25th – exactly three years after the landing at Gallipoli – but tragically not before 2,473 Australian lives were lost.

The match is now a focal point in the ‘Australia Week’ celebrations organised by local authorities that recognise this sacrifice made by the Australians who retook Villers-Bretonneux.

Played since 2009, the 32 Australian men and women selected to represent their country in the ANZAC Cup are done so based on their own personal or family connection to the armed forces rather than their specific footballing experience or ability, placing extra importance on the already momentous honour of pulling on the green and gold.

Players are hosted by adoring local families and spend time in the lead up to the game engaging with their opposition by running community footy clinics, sharing a dinner and guernsey presentation, taking part in a street parade and holding a combined training session, before attending the dawn service at the Australian National Memorial where the names of 10,733 Australian’s who lost their lives on the Western Front are listed.

Location: Villers-Bretonneux, France

Date: April 23-25, 2022

Current Holders: French Coqs (Men), Australian Spirit (Women)

Previous Winners: 

Men

2009 – Australia by 119 points

2010 – France by 24 points

2011 – Australia by 133 points

2012 – France by 69 points

2013 – France by 41 points

2014 – Australia by 229 points

2015 – Australia by 49 points

2016 – Australia by 85 points

2017 – Australia by 39 points

2018 – Australia by 17 points

2019 – France by 42 points

2020 – Cancelled

2021 – Cancelled

2022 – TBD

Head to Head – Australia 7, France 4

 

Women

2016 – Australia by 102 points

2017 – Australia by 43 points

2018 – Australia by 53 points

2019 – Australia by 6 points

2020 – Cancelled

2021 – Cancelled

2022 – TBD

Head to Head – Australia 4, France 0

 

Champions League

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The premiers of each Australian Football league from right around Europe compete for the crown of Europe’s leading club, on a day that sees close to 400 players play across 50+ matches throughout the day. 

Held annually, the 9-a-side event is one of Australian Footballs premier international spectacles for men’s and women’s club sides.

Location: Sportpark De Eendracht complex in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Date: April 9th, 2022

Current Champions: Amsterdam Devils (Men), West Clare Waves (Women)

Previous Winners: 

Men

2015 – West London Wildcats

2016 – West London Wildcats

2017 – West London Wildcats

2018 – West London Wildcats

2019 – Amsterdam Devils

2020 – Cancelled

2021 – Cancelled

2022 – TBD

 

Women

2017 – Wimbledon Hawks

2018 – West Clare Waves

2019 – West Clare Waves

2020 – Cancelled

2021 – Cancelled

2022 – TBD

 

2018 Highlights:

Fitzpatrick Cup

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The annual 9-a-side tournament is AFL Europe’s premier event for university teams, which see’s sides from throughout Europe travel to compete on one jam-packed day of Australian Football. 

Location: St. Peter’s Rugby Club, The Harlequins Playing Fields in Cardiff

Date: February 5th, 2022

Current Champions: UCC Bombers (Men) & Cambridge University (Women)

Previous Winners: 

Men

2013 – UCC Bombers

2015 –Birmingham 

2016 – Birmingham

2017 – UCC Bombers

2018 – UCC Bombers

2020 – UCC Bombers

2021 – Cancelled

2022 – TBD

 

Women

2016 – UCC Bombers

2017 – UCC Bombers 

2018 – UCC Bombers

2020 – Cambridge University

2021 – Cancelled

2022 – TBD