Euro Cup 2017 – Team Previews
EURO CUP 2017 – TEAM PREVIEWS
The Euro Cup, co-hosted by the CNFA and Bordeaux Bombers, is fast-approaching. In the lead up we’ll be taking a quick look at the teams who’ll be competing for the title of Euro Cup champions. The one-day tournament is being held at Stadium Robert Monseau, 5 rue Charles Capsec, 33 160 Saint Médard en Jalles with full event details able to be found at on the official event Facebook page (http://bit.ly/2xqKAhd).
Next up in our previews from the men’s side of the draw we have the England Dragon Slayers, the Flying Dutchmen and the Czech Republic Dragons, and from the women’s competition we have the Scottish Sirens and the Welsh Wyverns/Danish Valkyries.
England Dragonslayers
How have preparations for the Euro Cup in Bordeaux been tracking?
With a new coaching line up, the squad was named following a training camp based in Sheffield, in which the players were fitness tested. The camp also had a focus on game play and developing each players skill set. This year there is a blend of both new and experienced players. This squad also has some of the Great Britain Bulldogs who competed in the International Cup this year in Melbourne. This will certainly be a very exciting squad to watch.
The squad has warmed up with a game against the AFLCNE Northern Storm, which has enabled the squad to get used to playing together again. With most of the squad coming from the AFLCNE or having experience in that league they are all well averse with playing 9 a side footy. It will be good to see how they can transform their club form onto the international stage.
Who is your team’s player to watch?
Luke Booth – Huddersfield Rams – He has the ability to turn a game in the drop of a hat. He always works hard for the team and with his great movement both with and without the ball, is able provides accurate ball into the forward line. This will be his last Euro Cup, as he leaves us to play footy in Australia, will he be able to secure the Dragon Slayers the title??
Myles Hudson – Wimbledon Hawks – A very talented defender, who is great under the high ball as well as on the ground. He reads the game very well and will be pivotal for the England Dragon slayers. His distribution is very accurate giving good possession to his team mates.
Andrew Cochran – Manchester Mosquitoes – This guy will be everywhere, his work ethic means that he is always in and around the ball. He has the ability to win the tap in the ruck and then reclaim the ball when it falls to the floor. Look out for his strong leads and his aggression around the ground.
What is your team’s best Euro Cup moment?
Winners: 2008 (Czech Republic), 2009 (Croatia) and 2013 (France)
Even in between the successful years of 2009 and 2013, the Dragonslayers never finished outside of the top four in Europe, including two third place finishes in 2011 and 2012. More recently the boys were just pipped at the post by the Danes, coming 2nd in the 2015 Euro Cup.
Coach’s/Team Managers thoughts on Euro Cup 2017?
As usual the Dragon Slayers will be eyeing match ups against Croatia, Ireland and Denmark and will need to be at their very best if they want to overcome these opponents to take home the trophy. They will need to make sure that they take it one game at a time if they are to succeed within this tournament.
We have high expectations every time we go to the Euro’s. With good player management and a solid game plan I believe we can be the best team on the day and win the competition! We have the skill, strength and stamina to go all the way in 2017!
Welsh Wyverns/Danish Valkyries
How have preparations for the Euro Cup in Bordeaux been tracking?
The Welsh Wyverns have been working hard to form a squad for Euro Cup 2017 with Wales having only set up women’s AFL 3 months ago. In light of this we have gladly joined forces with the Danish Valkyries to form a full squad. It is great to be working alongside these ladies to ensure both countries are represented at Euro Cup.
The ladies have been training with the WARFL league men’s teams and Wales were lucky enough to also have a warm-up game alongside the England Vixens in London; Whereas the Danish girls have played matches against Sweden during the fall to prepare for the tournament and get some game experience.
Who is your team’s player to watch?
Mette Brøndserud is definitely a player to watch. She began her footy career only this year, and has already shown great skills in tackling, being first on the ball and an extremely fast player!
What is your team’s best Euro Cup moment?
Being the first time the Welsh Wyverns have entered Euro Cup, we are looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere, learning a lot and playing against some quality opponents! Then partying afterwards!
Coach’s/Team Managers thoughts on Euro Cup 2017?
It has been been a challenging task to set up Women’s AFL in Wales and get a team to attend Euro Cup within 3 months of starting but we are extremely pleased that we have made it! We are really looking forward to playing as a team and learning lots throughout the tournament to enable us to grow! Particular thanks must go out to Lisa Wilson, Amanda Teglhus, AFL Europe and O’neills sportswear for helping with the preparations leading up to Euro Cup and also getting us to Euro Cup 2017!
Czech Republic Dragons
How have preparations for the Euro Cup in Bordeaux been tracking?
We’ve been working on forming the squad during the last few weeks and now the final team list is complete. Leading up to the Euro Cup we’ve intensified the trainings and have added in practice matches to each of our training sessions. Last weekend we played a warm up game against the Dresden Wolves in Germany, and most of our players play regular season games in the CEAFL (Central European Australian Football League).
Who is your team’s player to watch?
This year, the Dragons’ player to watch is Marian Pliestik. Marian plays defence and will be bringing plenty of experience with him to his third Euro Cup.
What is your team’s best Euro Cup moment?
There are a few that stand out – some close victories against Finland and Iceland and a vigorous game against Spain in the Edinburgh Euro Cup, and an extremely memorable after party in the London Euro Cup.
Coach’s/Team Managers thoughts on Euro Cup 2017?
This year we think one of the toughest opponents will be the Croatian Knights. It’ll be a tough competition but we’re aiming to make it into the top 8 teams, and mostly looking forward to returning to Euro Cup after a few years off.
Scottish Sirens
How have preparations for the Euro Cup in Bordeaux been tracking?
The Scottish Sirens squad for The Euros was announced on Saturday 16th September. The Scottish based players have been meeting for regular training sessions in the lead up to the tournament. With limited domestic opportunities for women in Scotland, members of the squad have been travelling down to London to compete in the Women’s league along with their London based Scottish teammates. The majority of the squad also took part in the Haggis Cup in Glasgow earlier this year playing for the Glasgow Sharks and Giants/Hawks with some members of the team also travelling to the Leprechaun Cup in Belfast and the Champions League in Amsterdam. The Sirens squad also boasts 9 members of the GB Swans team who finished 3rd at last months International Cup in Melbourne and won this years Pre-Season Cup.
Who is your team’s player to watch?
Laura ‘Speedo’ Park will be coming into her second Euro Cup vastly improved from the player she was in Lisbon. She has improved the physical aspect of her game this year and has developed into a hard hitting forward who puts the back line under pressure. Speedo will be going to Bordeaux full of confidence after a great IC with the GB Swans where she was named best on ground against Canada.
What is your team’s best Euro Cup moment?
The Scottish Sirens have competed at two previous Euro Cups (London 2014 and Lisbon 2016). Highlights from previous tournaments include finishing 3rd in 2014 and competing in 2016 (after not being able to travel to Croatia) where the Sirens competed strongly and finished 6th.
Coach’s/Team Managers thoughts on Euro Cup 2017?
Head Coach Ian Mitchell shares his thoughts on the upcoming tournament “We can never look too far from home for competitiveness with the Banshees and the Vixens usually performing pretty well. We also expect the French to be strong on home soil.
Our key players will be our GB Swans contingent but we are also expecting big performances from Rachel Kilmartin and a few of the new girls.
We are expecting opponents to come away knowing they have been in a game! We will be physical and are aiming to be hard to break down and clinical in front of the sticks.
We are excited just to get out to France and for the first ball up.”
Team manager and co-captain Stacey Hughes added “The squad are looking forward to going out to Bordeaux and competing against some strong opposition. We are excited to again compete at a European level and we have some new players in the squad who are very excited to pull on the Scotland guernsey for the first time. With so many of our squad part of the GB Swans team our game against our English counter parts will be an interesting affair when teammates become opponents.
Flying Dutchmen
How have preparations for the Euro Cup in Bordeaux been tracking?
The squad was announced on 11th August 2017. Specific Dutch training sessions were set up and well attended during the season and these have ramped up in intensity from the end of July in preparation for Euro Cup in October.
We have only been able to arrange one warm up game for the Flying Dutchmen in the build up to Euro Cup, which took place on September 23 against Amsterdam Devils. Two solid games on the day and the Flying Dutchmen claimed victory in two very close games.
Who is your team’s player to watch?
We have a number of new players to the sport this year who started playing Australian Rules Football during the AFL Netherlands 9s tournament mid-season. We are really looking forward to how these guys perform at Euro Cup after spending some time learning the game from the more experienced Dutch players.
What is your team’s best Euro Cup moment?
The Flying Dutchmen have achieved a runner up position in the 2010 EU cup after a very close final. One ‘veteran’ is still playing today in the current team bringing good memories, precision and good football.
Coach’s/Team Managers thoughts on Euro Cup 2017?
Coming back each year to EU cup is an overall great experience for the Flying Dutchmen. This event has many similarities of a great tournament and quality football as to it’s ‘brother-event’ the Champions League that the Dutch are proud to host for the past three years. Having these great events throughout the year really connects Australian Football on European grounds with a wide variety of Aussie Rules Football players.
