2023 Euro Cup Team Previews – Part Two

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With less than a month to go until the Euro Cup, the excitement and anticipation is building for the 16 countries that will venture out to our new location in Kiel, Germany, vying for the opportunity of becoming the best country in Europe at Australian Rules Football. In an extraordinary story that will play out across the day, two countries will be looking for a four-peat – an unprecedented feat that may never be seen again. The Irish Banshees, dominant in the grand final last year, will be vying for glory again, but there will be nine other sides hungry to stop them in their tracks. In the men’s side of the draw, the England Dragonslayers will be desperate to repeat their last three contests at the Euro Cup, but 14 determined countries will be fighting for a change at the top.

As is the common approach for AFL Europe’s biggest tournaments, we love to get an insight into the build-up and preparation for the teams competing, as well as the history of these sides, and we continue our team previews with the Irish Banshees, and the two Swiss sides, Heidis (women’s) and Wolves (men’s).

Irish Banshees

Undoubtedly the strongest side of the competition over the last decade of Euro Cup competition, the Irish Banshees are looking to make it four in a row when they depart for Kiel. The Banshees have had three of their players debut in the VFLW in Australia, an incredible achievement and something we can continue to look forward to as the standard of Aussie Rules rises in Ireland according to the coaching team. Speaking with AFL Europe, team manager Shane Beggan stated the team had one thing on their mind come the morning of July 8; ‘winning’. If the Banshees were to win again in 2023, it would mean a sixth title since 2010!

 

Swiss Heidis and Swiss Wolves

The Swiss Heidis haven’t been overly successful in their two attempts at winning the Euro Cup, however they come into the 2023 tournament with ‘well-attended’ training sessions and ‘high morale’. The excitement to build on last year is clear and having only recorded one win in 2019 and none in 2022, their main goal is to either match their 2019 result or better. Since 2017, the Swiss Wolves have competed in every Euro Cup, and have shown positive progression in the six years. Two last places began their Euro Cup experience, but since then have managed to record several wins which they see as their main goal this year. Similar to the Heidis, strong training numbers and a hunger to rectify their last place finish in 2022 will see a fit and firing Wolves side in Kiel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Sam Briggs, AFL Europe