2019 Champions League Team Previews: Part Five
The annual AFL Europe Champions League is just around the corner, returning to Amsterdam once again for what is set to be a competitive day of football as the best club teams from around Europe battle it out.
This will be the fifth time the tournament has taken place, as this year will see all the games take place on Saturday the 6th of April. As part of the buildup, AFL Europe will be previewing all the teams competing. For part five of our team previews, we will be taking a closer look at the Wandsworth Demons and the Prague Dragons in the Men’s side of the draw, and the Zagreb Panthers in the Women’s.
Men’s Competition:
Wandsworth Demons
Frank Caldow – Wandsworth Demons coach
How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?
We qualified for the Champions League by winning the 2018 AFL London Premiership division for the second year running, winning by the smallest of margins.
Have you been involved with any pre-season tournaments? If so, how did that go? If not, have you had the chance to play any other teams recently in preparation?
We went up to play in the Movember Cup again back in November, which we love doing, as it’s our third time now! It’s a great tournament for a worthy cause. We were knocked off in the finals by the Manchester Mosquitoes who have a strong team, wishing them all the best at the Champions League.
We then hosted the Amsterdam Devils in the first weekend of March which was a good hit out for both teams. Our Champions League Squad won the first match but was beaten in the last match by a well organised Devils outfit.
Our pre-season training has been heavily focused on the 9-a-side format which we hope will hold us in good stead come April 6th.
What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?
We have a healthy mix of new and old players at the club. Six of our squad are returning from last years team that bowed out in the Semi-Finals. We are a much shorter side than last year as we feel the 9’s game suits teams who can run, carry and use the ball effectively.
Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?
Only one club has won the tournament and it is effectively the pinnacle of Aussie Rules in Europe. Going up against the best teams in Europe opens up to a much more broad competition and it’s exciting to be able to see how footy outside of AFL London is developing. We’ve had success recently in AFL London so being able to transfer that to Europe would be amazing.
Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, any funny or interesting stories from past years?
In 2018 we had a really successful season at league level where we were grand finalists in every division and managed to win four out of five Premierships.
We fell over the line against the West London Wildcats in the Premier Division Grand Final winning by a solitary point. This was off the back of a three-point victory in 2017 so we are very much counting our lucky stars to be in the tournament again!
Prague Dragons
Paul Briedis – Prague Dragons coach
How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?
It was quite difficult actually. We are the only team in Prague and the Czech Republic, so we simply needed to pull a team together!
Have you been involved with any pre-season tournaments? If so, how did that go? If not, have you had the chance to play any other teams recently in preparation?
We will be playing a pre-season tournament against Denmark one week prior to the Champions League Tournament. They won last year’s Euro Cup in Cork so they will be a solid test. It turns out Vikings can kick an Aussie Rules football.
What can we expect to see from you this Champions League?
Consistent performance across the whole day. We struggled with fitness last year, so good preparation and maintaining our aggression across the whole day is our goal for Amsterdam.
Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?
We are certainly mid-table. With only a small number of Aussie Rules players to form a team, we are always going to be on the weaker side of things, however, when our key position players are on song, we can certainly challenge the more powerful teams.
Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, any funny or interesting stories from past years?
Several of our players walked 100km to a friendly match played in Germany three years ago. They wanted to trek across the mountains as an expedition before the match. Over the three day journey, one player got lost and we couldn’t track him down for another two days, and another lost a finger after being bitten by a dog. The third player played the game and pulled a hamstring in the first five minutes. Great team result…
Women’s competition:
Zagreb Panthers
Dinko Irsag – Zagreb Panthers Coach
What will your team bring to the Champions League in 2019?
Croatians are a passionate nation and that is reflected in their game. No doubt the Panthers will show that passion for the sport and for a win during the Champions League.
What are you hoping to get out of the experience as first-time participants at the Champions League?
Simply the experience of playing at a tournament of this calibre. The only time the girls manage to play something similar is at the EuroCup, so being able to play a tournament like this on a club level is going to boost the experience of all of the girls.
Where will the opportunity to play in the Champions League take the Zagreb Panthers in the upcoming season’s?
With the beginning of this season, another female club is active in the Croatian League and playing in the Champions League will definitely increase the rivalry between these two clubs. Having the Zagreb Panthers competing in the Champions League will definitely give them a slight edge on the home front.
How has the club promoted playing in the Champions League to help its growth?
Mostly through social media and university presentations. Having a club play a tournament like the Champions League has increased the popularity of the club and a number of new players have joined because of the opportunity to play on an international level.
