World Footy News

The 2006 Scania Cup saw 12 sides from across Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Britain and Ireland converge on the southern Swedish town of Landskrona last Saturday, July 22. Nine hours of solid tournament footy later, the Reading Roos defeated the South Dublin Swans by 8 points to take home the trophy for the third year in a row.

DAFL and SAFL officials were happy with the event, which saw no forfeits apart from the wooden-spoon match between last year's EU Cup champions the Brussels Saints and Swedish newcomers Goteborg.

Hosts Landskrona missed the finals by just a kick, losing to North Copenhagen by four points. On the way they had also caused the biggest upset in the cup, defeating the Young Guns of Farum by two points.

In the other group, Jutland got through the finals despite having only four of their own players. Because the team had borrowed players all day it was agreed that they merged with the fourth placed team, Malmo to become the Mutland Mongrels in the finals.

The other teams to go through were Farum Young Guns, North Copenhagen Barracudas and Stockholm Dynamite. Qualifying directly to the Prelimary finals were undefeated the Reading Roos and South Dublin Swans.

In the Semi finals, the Barracudas disposed of Mutland in a close game, while Stockholm upset the Young Guns by less than a kick. The first preliminary saw South Dublin show its class and thrash the Barracudas by over 10 goals. Reading had a harder time with Stockholm, hanging on to win by seven points. In a classy Grand Final, Reading won by around 8 points over the Swans.

The following report courtesy of South Dublin's Michael Oakes.

On Saturday the 22nd of July the South Dublin Swans entered a team in the Scania Cup 9 a-side competition run by the Scandinavian Australian Football League. Twelve players of the Swans list made the journey and were keen to make a lasting impression.

The competition had twelve teams divided into two groups. The mighty Swans team included Craig Wood (Coach), Steve Waugh (Captain), Adam McManus, Michael Oakes, Paddy Finnegan, Bryce Fraser, Dom Hoban, Jase Soncock, Martin Ryan, Damo Herbert, Fast Eddy Warren and Sleepy Simon Cately.

The Swans played good footy and went through there side of the draw without losing a match. With five straight wins on the board the Swans finished on top of their group and gained automatic entry into the first semi-final.

The semi was contested against the North Copenhagen Barracudas. Without batting an eyelid the boys showed true class and after hitting the ground running took out the semi final with an impressive ten goal win. This put the Swans into the final of the Scania Cup against last year's winners Reading.

Despite their best efforts the Swans could not muster the same energy and resolve they showed in the semi. After Reading scored the opening two goals in the first half, the Swans fought back valiantly to make it all equal at half time. After starting the second half with promise, inaccurate kicking and lack of commitment at the ball cost the Swans and with no more left in the tank the boys just missed out going down by eight points.

Despite the disappointment the boys should feel proud that they put in a big day playing seven games in total with only twelve players and showing what they are capable of. To put a bit of gloss on the day the Swans coach Craig "The Brainchild" Wood took one of the day's top honours, being awarded Player of the Tournament.