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Player of the Week

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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! 🙂

 

What do the Axemen, Bloods, Devils, Hawks and Lions have in common?

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 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

Excitement brews a week out from Amsterdam

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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

Denmark Vikings Axios Euro Cup Champions

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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.

PT2_0734 PT1_8236

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

Denmark Vikings 17.7 (109) – Catalunya Llops 0.0 (0)
Goals:
Denmark: Victor Petersen 4, Mikkel Kjoge 3, Nicolai Secher 3, Nathan Campion 2, Morten Engsbye 2, Jakob Oversgaard, Aksel Bang, Jens Djernes
Best:
Denmark: Victor Petersen, Mathias Biron, Mikkel Kjoge
Catalunya: N/A

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

Croatian Knights 1.5 (11) – Denmark Vikings 2.5 (17)
Goals:
Denmark: Troels Ottensen, Nicolai Secher
Croatia: N/A
Best:
Denmark: Mikkel Kjoge, Troels Ottensen, Mathias Biron
Croatia: N/A

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PLATE

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

PT2_0001L

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

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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

Denmark Vikings 5.3 (33) – Welsh Dragons 3.2 (20)
Goals:
Denmark: Troels Ottesen 4, Jens Djenes
Wales: N/A
Best:
Denmark:Troels Ottesen, Jens Djenes, Thore Lauritzen
Wales: N/A

England Dragonslayers 2.5 (17) – Welsh Dragons 7.6 (48)
N/A

Swedish Elks 6.9 (45) – Italy Azzurri 2.2 (14)
N/A

SEMI AND FINALS EURO CUP

Croatian Knights 7.9 (51) – German Black Eagles 2.4 (16)
HT: Croatian Knights 4.4 (28) – German Black Eagles 1.0 (6)
Goals:
Croatia: Josip Kravar 3, Josip Habljak, Jan Dolezal, Tomislav Cvetko, Misel Lubina, Zvone Marinovic
Germany: Stefen Risse, Matthias Kluseman
Best:
Croatia: Josip Habljak, Josip Kravar, Ivan Lijovic
Germany: N/A 

Ireland Warriors 2.1 (13) – Denmark Vikings 7.10 (52)
HT: Ireland Warriors 1.1 (7) – Denmark Vikings 4.4 (28)
Goals:
Ireland: Roch Hamore 2
Denmark: Mikkel Kjoge 3, Nicolai Secher 2, Troels Ottesen, Mathias Biron
Best:
Ireland: Eoin O’Sullivan, Kevin O’Brien, Roch Hanmore
Denmark: Mikkel Kjoge, Troels Ottesen, Thore Lauritzen

Ireland Warriors 7.6 (48) – German Black Eagles 2.2 (14)
HT: Ireland Warriors 2.2 (14) – German Black Eagles 1.1 (7)
Goals:
Ireland: Coilin O’Londrian 3, Roch Hanmore 2, Kevin O’Brien 2, Gerard Walls
Germany: N/A
Best:
Ireland: Gerard Walls, Coilin O’Londrain, Ciaran Caffrey
Germany: N/A 

Denmark Vikings 6.4 (40) – Croatian Knights 2.4 (16)
HT: Denmark Vikings 2.3 (15) – Croatian Knights 1.1 (7)
Goals:
Denmark: Troels Ottesen 3, Nathan Campion, Mikkel Kjoge, Mathias Biron
Croatia: N/A
Best:
Denmark: Nathan Campion, Mikkel Kjoge, Mathias Biron
Croatia: N/A

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AEC Men's Scores