2023 Champions League Team Previews: Part Three

/in /by

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 our youtube channel here.

In part three of the previews, the teams featured include  Oileán Hounds, Northern Griffins and Belfast Redbacks.

Women’s Competition:

Oileán Hounds

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

It has been great. We have big numbers at training. The intensity has been high and the girls are ready to play on April 1st.

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

We have a very strong squad this year. There will be quite a few of our players showing off their skills.

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

One player sustained an injury a few weeks back that has ruled her out of competing in the blitz. But she is determined to make the trip regardless and will be a massive support from the sidelines for the hounds. We have a big squad with talented reserve players so our squad still stands at 16 strong.

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

Amsterdam was a great location but it is nice to visit a new City. The team is very excited as the facilities look amazing in Paris.

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

To enjoy every moment of the experience and to finish off the tournament as CL Winners for 2023.

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

Getting to meet other teams from all over Europe and to share this amazing experience with each other.

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

It all depends who is in the best position to take the shot in that moment. I trust any of our players to take that shot and score.

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

There are a lot of teams who we have not seen play this year so there is potential for any team to be a threat. We will not be complacent. One game at a time, one team at a time until the very end.

Northern Griffins

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

The French season runs over winter, so we’re coming to the business end of the season here. We had the Gallia Cup in early March, fielding separate Paris and Lyon teams, this is our first game back as the Northern Griffins!

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

Apart from Pauline, our ruck Manon-Gabrielle Jarasse is gaining experience and a real force to reckoned with. Look for Lucie Simoneau off the half-back line, give her an inch and she’ll take a bounce or two!

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

This is the first time our team will be present under the banner of the Northern Griffins. The unit of players has grown in both Lyon and Paris, pushing the women’s competition in France to the next level!

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

As hosts, we are delighted to welcome all the best teams in Europe to play on our home turf. This is our first foray at the CL, but we’re hoping to be back many times in the future! The change to Paris certainly makes it easier for us to get here on the day!

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

We just wanna kick goals and have fun playing the very best footy we can. If we can get some wins on the board and take on the more experienced teams in the afternoon, that would be a huge result!

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

Being able to play against so many different teams! For now, we only have 2 women’s teams in France, so a change of opponent is always appreciated as it is a great opportunity to improve

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

Pauline Clément, she kicked 6 goals in the Gallia Cup tournament, she knows where they are, and can give the ball a roost!

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

Cork Vikings, the Irish lasses are always dangerous and that’s certainly true of the Cork teams we’ve seen.

Men’s Competition:

Belfast Redbacks

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

We have been training as a squad since mid-January and had a number of in-house trial games. Training sessions have seen good consistently high numbers and we feel preparation to date has gone very well.

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

Every player. Hopefully we can display some of our exciting football skills and we look forward to seeing all other teams and getting to watch as many teams play as possible.

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

No.

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

We love visiting cities in Europe for tournaments and we hope for the chance to return to Amsterdam in the future. We like the idea of European tournaments rotating through many of its participants capitals and beautiful cities. This is a great chance for our players to play some footy in Paris again and we are really looking forward to the weekend.

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

We would love to go all the way to the Grand Final at this years tournament, but we know that with the current standard of footy in Europe this is a monumental task to achieve. We have somehow ended up in a very difficult group and do not underestimate the challenges we will face in the group stages. We will have to be at our very best to qualify for a top 4 chance in semi-finals.

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

Everything about it! Getting to see all the other teams play, meeting other players and coaches, appreciating the level and standard of footy we have the opportunity to play against as champions of AFL Ireland, it’s the most prestigious AFL club tournament outside of Australia.

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

Any player… everyone has nerves of steel in our team!

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

There are too many to highlight one, it will be a very tough competition.