Each week AFL Europe is profiling a European player and finding out how they got into the great game of Aussie Rules and a bit about themselves. If you’d like a profile or know of someone who would, then email admin@afleurope.org to receive a question sheet.
This week we’re taking a look at one of the longest serving Croatian players to date. Tomislav Cvetko started out in 2007 and quickly made a name for himself. He’s a multiple Croatian League MVP, captain of the Knights for the past 6 years and a regular in Team of the Tournaments. Regarded by many as the best forward in Europe, have a read of what got the big man into our great game.
Name:
Tomislav Cvetko
Club:
Zagreb Cvjetno Dockers
Nationality:
Croatian
What position do you play?
Forward mostly
AFL team you support:
Dockers, Swans, Hawks
Favourite AFL player:
Buddy Franklin
How did you find out about AFL?
Through a friend who lived in Australia in his younger age
How long have you been playing for?
10 years, since 2007.
What is your memory of your first Aussie Rules game?
3 Nations Cup 2007 in Wien. Brilliant weekend, immediately fell in love with the game and the people around it!
Best AFL moment?
I have so many, it’s hard to pick just one, but if I have to name a few: 2008 EU Cup in Prague – Silver medal (Croatian first EU Cup), 2010 EU Cup in Milan – Gold medal and EU Cup gold in Lisbon just now.
Any other interesting information, quirky stories or interesting things about yourself?
I don’t like clothes! 🙂
afleuropehttp://afleurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/afl-logo.pngafleurope2016-11-16 12:47:522016-11-16 12:47:52Player of the Week
The draw has now been realised for the Champions League tournament this coming Saturday 21 March 2015 in Amsterdam.
Coding creedhttp://afleurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/afl-logo.pngCoding creed2015-03-18 16:18:042015-03-18 16:18:04The final draw for the Inaugural Champions League in Amsterdam!
The Solna Axemen, Edinburgh Bloods, Toulouse Hawks and Rhienland Lions will land in Amsterdam this coming Saturday to join us, and co-hosts Amsterdam Devils, for the Inaugural AFL Europe Champions League. With the tournament looming and the need to take home the cup becoming stronger, AFL Europe headquarters caught up for a chat with five of the ten teams hitting the turf this Saturday.
Alan “Sparro” McSparron and the Bloods are making their way from Edinburgh to Amsterdam to test the standards of football around Europe. With great excitement and a constantly growing Scottish League, the Bloods are looking forward to measuring themselves against these top European Teams.
Along with the Bloods come the Rhienland Lions heading west from Germany to show Europe why they won AFLG Championship. Being named after the region of Rhienland due to rivalry between the cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf, the team boasts players from both these cities. With friendly game experience against teams from the UK, Netherlands, France and Denmark the Lions are raring to show they’re a force to reckon with.
It was an easy decision for the Solna Axemen to head to Amsterdam for the first ever AFL Europe Champions League. The excitement has been building since receiving the invitation. The Stockholm Australian Rules Football Federation (SAFF) began in 2007 and the Solna Axemen have cemented their invite after winning 6 from 8 premierships, including back to back in 2013 and 2014. Not only are the Axemen excited to play against new teams and test their skills, they’re ready to meet other players from around Europe and a few, hopefully celebratory, beers after the Tournament.
Being founded in 2008 by only 5 French players, the Toulouse Hawks quickly moved up the French Championship ladder and managed to snag a few key players from the French National Team. Winning the French Championship and being undefeated in the both the 2013 and 2014 seasons, the Toulouse Hawks are definitely one of the teams to watch in the Champions League. They are excited to participate in the Inaugural Champions League and looking forward to some international exposure all the while hoping to take home the cup!
The host of the first inaugural Champions League, the Amsterdam Devils were founded in 2010 and proudly took out the Dutch league in their first year and every year since! With a combination of Dutch and Australian at the heart and soul of the Devils, and strong British and South African legs the home team is ready to put up a good fight to keep the Cup on home soil. New star recruit, Nick Moran and the team and ready to compete with the best teams from Europe.
Follow the Tournament at @AFL_Europe, #AFL_Europe and #ChampionsLeague
Sarah Ongarello
Coding creedhttp://afleurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/afl-logo.pngCoding creed2015-03-18 15:52:142015-03-18 15:52:14What do the Axemen, Bloods, Devils, Hawks and Lions have in common?
Here at AFL Europe headquarters we had a chat to three of the ten qualifying teams participating in the Champions League in Amsterdam next Saturday 21st March.
On behalf of the West London Wildcats, Nathan Costley, was able to shed some light on the excitement down at the club. The Wildcats are bringing probably the most diverse team of the bunch, with nationalities ranging from Welsh, Irish, Kiwi and Australian. This variety could mean some fierce competition en route to Amsterdam next week!
With similar excitement Zagreb Hawks President, Josip Kraver, enlightens us that the Hawks are coming off a turnover of players due to the unique and specialised draft/trade system in Croatia and is ready to showcase some fresh legs and talent. A special mention to young gun and Croatian National, Tomislav Cvetko, who has returned to his local club the Zagreb Cvjetno Dockers. The Champions League is giving this Croatian team a good opportunity to show their skills and head back to Croatia to continue their domination of the SANH.
Finally, William English and The Malmö Red Eyes are excited to be joining us in Amsterdam after having dominated The SAFL for the past 6 years. Forming in 2006, the Red Eyes won 5 straight SAFL premierships then their 6th in 2014. The Red Eyes will be the first team from Skåne to participate in the AFL Europe Champions League!
Count down is on! One week to go!
Sarah Ongarello
Coding creedhttp://afleurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/afl-logo.pngCoding creed2015-03-14 13:00:422015-03-14 13:00:42Excitement brews a week out from Amsterdam
After a mostly cloudy and wet day of competition on October 4th at The London Irish’s Hazelwood Centre facility, an almost faultless performance throughout the tournament by the Denmark Vikings gave them the 2014 Axios Euro Cup.
Although they did not compete in last year’s edition in Bordeaux, France, the Danes were looking to avenge their one point loss in the finals two years ago in Edinburgh to Ireland. The hard-fought Grand Final against the usually dominant Croatian Knights was an offensive display from Troels Ottesen, who scored half his team’s goals.
The Vikings dominant showing was showcased by a 109-point shutout over bottom but courageous Catalunya, which included 17 goals and 7 behinds, meaning The Vikings scored once every minute during the 25-minute game. Their defense was strong as well, as only the Welsh Dragons were able to score more than 2 goals on them.
Many attribute Denmark’s dominance to their youth development. Their competitive league begun in 1991. Only two other countries, Canada and Great Britain, had competitive football before Denmark. Now 23 years later, some of Denmark’s players have been playing since their childhood, something rare for European AFL athletes. This was undoubtedly the strongest team in their history. Performances of the European Legion talents Danes Mikkel Kjoge and Aksel Bang as well as Croat Josip “Pain Train” Habljak were congratulated.
16 Men’s team participated in this year’s cup. The German Black Eagles, Swedish Elks, Scottish Clansmen, Welsh Dragons, and champion Denmark Vikings all returned to this year’s competition after missing out in Bordeaux. The Netherlands Flying Dutchmen returned for the first time since 2011. Players from Czech Republic, Finland and Iceland were represented in the Crusaders team that was topped off by additional English players. We hope those teams return to the future Euro Cups.
Scores of the 2014 Axios Euro Cup:
Prince Charles Group
Italy Azzurri 5.6 (36) – Netherlands Flying Dutchmen 1.4 (10) Goals: Netherlands: BGC van Schie Italy: Denis Conte, Filippo Bolognese, Luigi Arnulfo, Andrea Lorenzi, Filippo Allosio Best: Netherlands: Daniel van Der Putten, MIchael van Eijk, Miguel Zuidberg Dos Martires Italy: Daniele Gennara, Filippo Allosio, Andrea Lorenzi
France Les Coqs 4.4 (28) – German Black Eagles 5.5 (35) Goals: Germany: Matthias Kluseman 3, Jakob Friedman 2, Johannes Mast France: Henry Tiefenbach 2, Loïc Besnard-Gonthier, Pierre-Etienne Dandaleix Best: Germany: Ruben Stricher, Simon Assmus, Gannon Borchers France: Pierre-Etienne Dandaleix, Pierre Boscart, Loïc Besnard-Gonthier
Italy Azzurri 2.2 (14) – German Black Eagles 5.5 (35) Goals: Germany: Martin Schettoff 2, Jakob Friedman 2, Matthias Kluseman Italy: Luigi Arnulfo, Federico Bernasconi Best: Germany: Martin Schettoff, Ruben Stricher, Florian Naumann Italy: Federico Bernasconi, Luigi Arnulfo, Denis Conte
Netherlands Flying Dutchmen 0.0 (0) – France Les Coqs 3.2 (20) Goals: France: Loïc Besnard-Gonthier 2, Julien Dagois Best: France: Pierre–Etienne Dandaleix, Loïc Besnard-Gonthier, Alban Schieber Netherlands: Michael van Eijk, Daniel van der Putten, BGC van Schie
German Black Eagles 7.4 (46) – Netherlands Flying Dutchmen 0.1 (1) Goals: Germany: Matthias Kluseman 3, Martin Schettoff 2, Ruben Stricher, Simon Assmus Best: Germany: Martin Schettoff, Gannon Borchers, Simon Assmus Netherlands: Michael van Eijk, Daniel van der Putten, Renier J.M Vriend
Italy Azzurri 4.6 (30) – France Les Coqs 3.4 (22) Goals: Italy: Denis Conte, Christian Tiranti, Andrea Lorenzi, Daniele Gennara France: Henry Tiefenbach, Simon Mondin, Loïc Besnard-Gonthier Best: Italy: Andrea Lorenzi, Christian Tiranti, Denis Conte France: Pierre–Etienne Dandaleix, Alban Schieber, Julien Gil
Winston Churchill Group
Ireland Warriors 6.3 (39) – Scotland Clansmen 0.3 (3) Goals: Ireland: Gavin Murray 3, Coilin O Londrían 2, Cillian Conboy Best: Ireland: Gavin Murray, Declan Alder, David Miller Scotland: N/A
Swedish Elks 7.8 (50) – Norwegian Trolls 1.3 (9) Goals: Norway: Jorgen Boro Sweden: Michael Larsson 5, Johan Lantz 2 Best: Norway: Tobias Limseth, Brage Blomdal, Jorgen Boro Sweden: Michael Larsson, Max Larsson, Tobias Slahl
Ireland Warriors 9.8 (62) – Norwegian Trolls 1.3 (9) Norway: Andre Michaelsen Ireland: Cillian Conboy 2, Coilin O Londrían 2, Richard MacSweeney, Padraic O’ Connell, Ronan Moran, Declan Alder, Roch Hanmore Best: Norway: Anders Thomt, Andre Klaffmo, Klas Harris Ireland: Kevin O’ Brien, Gerard Walh, Declan Alder
Swedish Elks 2.13 (25) – Scotland Clansmen 2.1 (13) Goals: Scotland: Cameron Goodall, Scott O’Hara Sweden: Michael Larsson, Johan Lantz Best: Scotland: Ross Thomson, John McIntyre, Alexander Clark Sweden: Max Larsson, Michael Larsson, Johan Lantz
Norwegian Trolls 0.3 (3) – Scotland Clansmen 3.8 (26) Goals: Scotland: Alex Young 2, John McIntyre Best: Scotland: Alex Young, Cameron Goodall, Daniel Connor Norway: Anders Thomt, Haarkon Molvig, Atle Brevik
Ireland Warriors 7.7 (49) – Swedish Elks 1.2 (8) Goals: Ireland: Kevin O’Brien 3, Ciaran Caffrey, Roch Hanmore, Declan Alder, Cillian Conboy Sweden: Jacob Lantz Best: Ireland: Kevin O’Brien, Rock Hanmore, Eoin O’Sullivan Sweden: Max Larsson, Michael Larson, Jacob Lantz
Captain Cook Group
England Dragonslayers 11.12 (78) – Crusaders 0.0 (0) Goals: England: Sam Willatt 2, Luke Booth 2, Ash Swift, Graham Bickerdike, Myles Hudson, Ross Ashman, Matt Whiteley, David Hastie, Luke Murchie Best: England: Will Worthington, George Dibble, Dave Hastie Crusaders: James Clayton, Tomas Nemec, Jens Lofbancica
Spanish Bulls 0.1 (1) – Welsh Dragons 13.6 (84) Goals: Wales: Andrew Atack 4, Chris James 3, Sam Jones 3 Best: Wales: David Saunders, Christopher James, Liam Payne Spain: N/A
England Dragonslayers 3.3 (21) – Welsh Dragons 2.5 (17) Goals: Wales: Quad Boal, Chris James England: N/A Best: Wales: David Saunders, Tort Case, Quad Boal England: N/A
Spanish Bulls 1.1 (7) – Crusaders 2.9 (21) Goals: Spain: Pedro Hernando Crusaders: Joni Kinnari, Alex Overton Best: Spain: Pablo Màs, Juan Jose Martin de Cabo, Pedro Hernando Crusaders: James Clayton, Alex Overton, Kristjan Blondal
Welsh Dragons 9.11 (65) – Crusaders 1.0 (6) Goals: Wales: Chris James Crusaders: N/A Best: Wales: David Saunders, Nick Lewis, Quad Boal Crusaders: Alex Overton, Tomas Nemec, Warmon Pliestlic
England Dragonslayers 8.12 (60) – Spanish Bulls 1.0 (6) Goals: Spain: Juan Palencia de Sarria England: N/A Best: Spain: Juan Palencia de Sarria, Juan Jose Martin, Pablo Màs England:N/A
Adam Goodes Group
Croatian Knights (50) – Catalunya Llops (0) FORFEIT
Denmark Vikings 13.10 (88) – Austrian Avalanche 0.0 (0) Goals: Denmark: Victor Petersen 3, Jonas Nielsen 2, Morten Meroj 2, Nicolai Secher 2, Mathias Biron, Mekkel Kjoge, Troels Ottensen Best: Denmark: Morten Meroj, Mikkel Kjoge, Jonas Nielsen Austria: Markus Mayer, Lukas Holzegger, Konrad Traby
Croatian Knights 4.9 (33) – Austrian Avalanche 1.4 (10) Goals: Austria: Markus Mayer Croatia: David Lazanin, Tomislav Tonsetic, Josip Kravar, Zvonimir Marinovic Best: Austria: Martin Schittegg, Bernhard Voller, Markus Mayer Croatia: Ivan Molnar, Zvonimir Murkovic, Josip Kravar
Austrian Avalanche 13.9 (87) – Catalunya Llops 0.0 (0) Goals: Austria: Erwin Shober 4, Bernhard Voller 2, Richard Claassen, Michael Jud, Lukas Holzegger, Martin Schitegg, Daniel Hansmann, Robert Greimer Best: Austria: Martin Schittegg, Daniel Hansmann, Erwin Shober Catalunya: N/A
Norwegian Trolls 3.9 (27) – Netherlands Flying Dutchmen 1.3 (9) Goals: Norway: Rene Jensen, Amund Lundesgaard, Anders Thomt Netherlands: Renier J.M Vriend Best: Norway: Rene Jensen, Anders Thomt, Amund Lundesgaard Netherlands: Jort Kolman, Michael van Eijk, Gerrit Blanken
Spanish Bulls 5.4 (34) – Catalunya Llops 3.6 (24) Goals: Spain: Jose Domingo Fernandez Diaz 3, Pedro Palencia de Sarria Catalunya: N/A Best: Spain: Jose Domingo Fernandez Diaz, P. Palencia de Sarria, J. Palencia de Sarria Catalunya: N/A
Norwegian Trolls 8.14 (62) – Spanish Bulls 0.0 (0) Goals: Norway: Andreas Berge 2, Rene Damborg Jensen, Jorgen Boro, Klas Harris, Liam Hardy, Tobias Limseth, Haakon Molvig Best: Norway: Anders Thomt, Rene Damborg, Tobias Limseth Spain: Juan Jose Martin de Cabo, Pablo Màs, Joaquin Campuzano Gomez
Catalunya Llops 7.8 (50) – Netherlands Flying Dutchmen 1.6 (12) Goals: Netherlands: Jort Kolman Catalunya: N/A Best: Netherlands: Jort Kolmn, Pedro Miguel Zuidberg Dos Martires, Michael van Eijk Catalunya: N/A
BOWL
France Les Coqs 5.5 (35) – Scotland Clansmen 1.6 (12) Goals: France Goal: Henry Tiefenchach 2, Jeremy Sardim 2, Clement Bouchet Scotland: Daniel Connor Best: France: Jeremy Sardim, Julien Dagois, Gregoire Chatel Scotland: Cameron Goodall, David Gramble, Michael Douglas
Austria Avalanche 9.6 (60) – Crusaders 2.3 (15) Goals: Austria: Erwin Shober 3, Andreas Jauk 2, Michael Jud 2, Markus Mayer, Richard Claasen, Bernhard Plank Crusaders: Tomas Nemec 2 Best: Austria: Bernhard Plank, Michael Jud, Andreas Jauk Crusaders: Tomas Nemec, Dominic Meny, Alex Overton
Austria Avalanche 4.1 (25) – France Les Coqs 4.8 (32) HT: Austria Avalanche 4.0 (24) – France Les Coqs 1.2 (8) Goals: Austria: Erwin Shober 2, Michael Jud, Markus Mayer France: Julien Gil, Pierre Boscart, Gregoire Chatel Best: Austria: Markus Mayer, Erwin Schober, Michael Jud France: Pierre–Etienne Dandeleix, Gregoire Chatel, Alban Schieber
Crusaders 0.1 (1) – Scottish Clansmen 8.12 (60) Goals: Scotland: Daniel Connor 2, Scott O’Hara 2, Ross Thomson, Alex Young, Gus Thomson Best: Crusaders: James Clayton, Tomas Nemec, Warmon Pliestic Scotland: N/A
QUARTER FINALS EURO CUP
German Black Eagles 4.2 (26) – Swedish Elks 1.4 (10) Goals: Germany: Matthias Kluseman 3, Florian Naumann Sweden: Jacob Nilsson Best: Germany: Florian Naumann, Martin Schettoff, Johannes Mast Sweden: Hampus Olsson, SIgurd Kristisansen, Jens Ebbesson
Croatian Knights 4.1 (25) – England Dragonslayers 3.4 (22) Goals: Croatia: Tomislav Cvetko 2, Lovre Cudina, Josip Kravar England: N/A Best: Croatia: Tomislav Cvetko, Josip Kravar, Tompa England: N/A
Italy Azzurri 0.1 (1) – Ireland Warriors 5.10 (40) Goals: Ireland: David Miller, Roch Hanmore, Cillian Conboy, Gareth Carragher, Gavin Murray Best: Italy: Filippo Allosio, Andrea Lorenzi, Thomas Diana Ireland: David Miller, Gareth Carragher, Ciaran Caffrey
Coding creedhttp://afleurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/afl-logo.pngCoding creed2014-10-17 11:44:122014-10-17 11:44:12Denmark Vikings Axios Euro Cup Champions
