2023 Champions League Team Previews: Part Five

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With an exciting new location for the 2023 Champions League, final preparations are underway amongst all teams fighting to become champions of Europe in Paris, France. 15 men’s teams and 9 women’s teams will battle it out in their respective competition formats across five pitches at Parc du Tremblay on Saturday April 1st, in what is set to be a massive day for all teams across Europe, UK and Ireland.

In the competition’s seventh format, the level of play continues to grow, and you will be able to catch all the action throughout the day on the AFL Europe YouTube channel here.

In part five we preview the Norrtälje Dockers women’s and men’s sides, and Sesvete Double Blues.

Women’s Competition

Norrtälje Dockers

How has the lead-up to the Champions League been for your team this year?

Since the Swedish winter means that we cannot play/train outdoors, we have been playing indoors. There has been both tournaments and matches this year, which is fun. But of course we look forward to having a  kick outside and stretch our legs.

Which players should we be on the look-out for during the tournament?

There are so many good players in the team, it’s guaranteed to be great entertainment no matter who you’re watching.

Are there any major changes in terms of players or coaching staff that will impact your team’s performance?

We had a great team last year that played beyond our expectations. This year’s team consists of half of the same players, the other half are new players who have never played at this level before. It will be very exciting to see them walk out onto the oval and give it their all.

How does your team feel about the change in location from Amsterdam to Paris for this year’s tournament?

A new destination is exciting. Last year was the first time our women’s team qualified for the champions league and the tournament that Amsterdam arranged was fantastic. We look forward to seeing what Paris has to offer.

What are the ambitions for your team at the 2023 Champions League?

Our goal is to improve last year’s position and continue to show what a small town in Sweden can offer on the oval.

What is your team’s favourite part about competing in the Champions League?

Getting to travel abroad and compete against the best.

Which player in your team would you trust the most to kick a goal after the siren to win the tournament?

The one who plays in the Norrtälje Dockers guernsey!

Which team do you consider the biggest threat to your chances of winning the Champions League?

We play every game like it’s a final, we’re ready to go through all of them.

Men’s Competition:

Norrtälje Dockers

How has the lead-up to the Champions League been for your team this year?

It has been okay, we have had semi regular indoor training since november/december and about a month ago we started to brave the snow and below zero temperatures out on the astro turf. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to plan any warm up matches about from an indoor tournament in February.

Which players should we be on the look-out for during the tournament?

This is a trade secret but it won’t be long until he makes an impact! Our very own Luke Jackson.

Are there any major changes in terms of players or coaching staff that will impact your team’s performance?

We have a few players that will be making their Champions League debut in Paris. It will be exciting to see how they can handle the European level of playing compared to here in Sweden. On the coaching side one of our most influential players from previous tournaments Robin Åberg sustained an ACL injury last season so will be coaching together with seasoned vet Christer Rosendahl.

How does your team feel about the change in location from Amsterdam to Paris for this year’s tournament?

We have nothing but positive memories of Amsterdam but we are also looking forward to a new country and a new city to play footy in.

What are the ambitions for your team at the 2023 Champions League?

Our ambition is to put up a good fight in all of our games. We have come last in our group the past two tournaments and will be looking to change that this year.

What is your team’s favourite part about competing in the Champions League?

The opportunity to meet people and play against people from around Europe. The game is still small in Sweden so it is a fantastic chance for us as a team to continue developing.

Which player in your team would you trust the most to kick a goal after the siren to win the tournament?

Nicklas Andersson.

Which team do you consider the biggest threat to your chances of winning the Champions League?

There are a number of teams that will be able to give the championship a run on their day. As long as we beat our neighbours Oslo then we have done something right!

Sesvete Double Blues

How has the lead-up to the Champions League been for your team this year?

It was great. We started our preparations very early, in the middle of January. Firstly we started with our conditioning trainings, and then with tactical trainings with a ball in February.

Which players should we be on the look-out for during the tournament?

You should definitely look-out for Josip Motik because he is our best player by far. Domagoj Lisak has some phenomenal energy on the field and he loves to have a good tackle. Matej Žgela has great marks and we expect many goals from him.

Are there any major changes in terms of players or coaching staff that will impact your team’s performance?

There are no major changes in our team. Our team is pretty much build up from guys that are playing many years in our club and our coach is now third season on this position. We have just a few players that are playing for just over a year.

How does your team feel about the change in location from Amsterdam to Paris for this year’s tournament?

Feelings are kind of mixed up, but probably little more excited than it would be for Amsterdam, because almost every one of us was already playing there couple of times and we would like to see how it will go in a new surrounding. Also, Paris is great city and we are excited to go on city tours.

What are the ambitions for your team at the 2023 Champions League?

Our ambitions would be to go to the knockout stage and maybe win some medal. Final four would be the greatest achievement for some Croatian club in European competitions. We think that it is possible but we would be satisfied even with a battle for fifth place.

What is your team’s favourite part about competing in the Champions League?

The favourite part is participating in such a big tournament, because it is very competitive and has many great players and Aussies. We get much experience from this kind of competition and we also love to travel together and fight together in big games.

Which player in your team would you trust the most to kick a goal after the siren to win the tournament?

I would trust Josip Motik the most to kick a goal after the siren. He has very precise and firm kick.

Which team do you consider the biggest threat to your chances of winning the Champions League?

The biggest threat could probably be Amsterdam Devils, Copenhagen Barracudas, and West London Wildcats.