AFL Europe Championship Finals – Sweden vs Denmark
Denmark has won the battle of the Scandinavian countries by beating Sweden 48 – 32 to claim 3rd place in the 2013 AFL Europe Championships.
In what was an entertaining battle between two of the most skilful midfields in Europe with Sweden’s talented trio of Johan Lantz, Eric Salin and Emil Aberg getting on top early, aided by some strong work in the ruck from David Wahlberg. The Swede’s were up at quarter time thanks to goals to David Verngren who has had a great tournament. Things started tightening up in the 2nd quarter and it was 3.2.20 apiece headed into the half time break.
It was Denmark who started getting the upper hand around the midfield in the 3rd quarter led by their brilliant midfielders in Christopher Campion, Mathias Biron, Aksel Bang, Mikkel Kjoge and William Anderson, who managed to kick 3 goals for himself in the match including a nomination for goal of the tournament from a running shot from outside 50 metres.
Denmark’s defence also started standing up to the challenge and led by Rene Toft Palsgaard and Troels Ottesden, were able to start turning defence into attack. Sweden were missing the drive of Tony McLoughlin from their half back line with the solid defender not able to play this match. They were well served however by lively contributions from Joel Sprang, Gaetan Blondeau and Chris Martensson, but it was not enough to give them their second win of the tournament.
The Swedish team played some formidable football throughout the tournament and were unlucky not to have beaten the Irish in their earlier encounter. They will be left to ruminate on what may have been before preparing themselves for their next international foray.
For Denmark, the signs are extremely positive that they are closer to winning an international trophy sooner rather than later and if they are able to keep the nucleus of their young, exciting, skilful midfield brigade they will become one of the most formidable teams in Europe.
Final Scores
Denmark: 7.6.48
Sweden: 5.2.32
Goals
Denmark: Andersen 3, Norlander 2, Nielsen, Ottesen
Sweden: Verngren 3, Sorenson, Sahlin
Best Players
Denmark: Palsgaard, Andersen, Bang, Rose
Sweden: Lantz, Verngren, Blondeau, Martensson
