By Jeremy Darke
It was the Oslo Crows who outlasted the competition, stealing the silverware and taking home the 2014 Swedish Cup on a picturesque day for Australian Rules football in Jonkoping, on Saturday.
Players and clubs from Sweden and Norway came together in a jam-packed day of footy, delighting all the families and fans with a display of strength, skill and endurance in this unfamiliar sport that has captured the hearts of so many Swedes.
“It is great to see that so many players made the effort to be a part of this fantastic spectacle of footy in Sweden,” said Swedish Elks manager, Ryan Tucker.
“The weather turned on for us and made it once again another unforgettable day for aussie rules in this beautiful country.”
After four round-robin matches against the Norrtalje Dockers, Helsingborg/Karlstad Eagles, Sodermalm Blues and Arsta Swans, the Oslo Crows powered through their semi-final against the Sodermalm Blues, to take on Arsta Swans in the final for the Swedish Cup.
In what was a brutal final match in the burning Swedish summer sun, the Crows dominating the proceedings, taking away what was rightfully theirs on the day, the Swedish Cup, beating the Swans, 5.3 (33) to 2.3 (15).
Oslo showed up all of their Swedish rivals with their pristine football skills and ability to dig deep for each other when the going got tough and their legs began to tire.
“On such a day like the Swedish Cup you have got to play four or five games, it is going to be the team that is willing to stick in there and break through the pain barrier and really go for it.”
“It feels good. We gave it everything we got, continues Oslo acting coach Adam O’Toole.
“We are pretty sore now but it is always easier to handle the pain when you go home with a win.”
Rob Young from the Arsta Swans was voted the tournaments player’s player, consistently being a handful for his opposition throughout the day, getting his hands on the ball as often as possible and dictating his sides offensive play.
The annual event was once again a big success, bringing together players from Skane, Stockholm and Oslo to celebrate the game that is loved by everyone involved, making all of the volunteers, families and friends inconceivably proud.
The match results were:
Swans 5.5 (35) vs. Eagles 1.6 (12)
Crows 6.6 (42) vs. Dockers 1.0 (6)
Blues 3.2 (20) vs. Swans 5.4 (34)
Eagles 0.6 (6) vs. Crows 5.4 (34)
Dockers 3.2 (20) vs. Blues 3.5 (23)
Swans 6.4 (40) vs. Crows 4.3 (27)
Eagles 6.3 (39) vs. Dockers 2.1 (13)
Blues 2.4 (16) vs. Eagles 1.4 (10)
Dockers 2.0 (12) vs. Swans 4.6 (30)
Crows 7.6 (48) vs. Blues 2.2 (14)
1st Semi-final
Swans 7.0 (42) vs. Eagles 5.3 (33)
2nd Semi-final
Crows 4.5 (29) vs. Blues 1.3 (9)
Final
Crows 5.3 (33) vs. Swans 2.3 (15)
