World Footy News

After much discussion and speculation over the past twelve months, the Danish AFL and AFL Sweden have announced that they are preparing to host Europe's first full-scale, all-local International Championship series in the Øresund Region of Denmark and Scania.

AFL Sweden president Jörg Pareigis stated in correspondence to European league committees during the past week that the tournament will be played under IC eligibility rules, meaning all local players, with each team playing four full-length 16-a-side matches over the week from July 31st to August 8th next year.

Assuming that eight European nations are able to mount a squad on the required scale, the teams are to be separated into two divisions of four sides, one division playing its matches in the Copenhagen area, the other over the bridge in Sweden.

In a statement issued this week, Pareigis said "This year, the EU Cup will be conducted for the fourth time. We applaud the organizers for continually bringing together as many as 12 European countries at one event."

"Europe has seen a tremendous growth in Australian Football and we have many established leagues, dating back more than a dozen years. Last year, five European countries travelled to the other side of the globe to compete in the International Cup, showing significant commitment and spending a considerable amount of money.

"For quite some time there have been discussions in various channels about a European Championship on full-sized fields."

So far, France, Finland, Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Croatia and the Netherlands have been contacted, making ten including the hosts, although organisers are aiming for a final number of eight sides as a realistic target. Organisers have also discussed the question of Spain versus Catalonia and have decided their preference is for a united team.

Organisers see the region as ideally placed in Europe to host the event, with two established football leagues, major cities with accommodation options, two international airports and five full-sized football fields within a 40km radius.

Pareigis is confident in their ability to make the event work. "In all, we are convinced that we can host such an event, combining the manpower, experience, and enthusiasm of two established national bodies, enabling a smooth and professional tournament, while keeping the costs for participating teams low."

"We feel that the format and rules of the tournament should be similar to the International Cup. Concerning eligibility, the rules shall be kept identical to the International Cup rules, e.g. full local squads. The tournament should also provide the chance for conferences, social events and sight-seeing with only having to take five days of vacation."

"Not only will the European Championships provide countries with a trial one year before the IC2011, but also cater for the opportunity to bring the established footy playing countries of Europe closer together, developing our great sport off the field."

"There are definitely several questions unanswered. Nevertheless, we feel that the opportunity is there, we just have to take advantage of it."

If all goes according to plan, the tournament will be the first to crown the true Champions of Europe and be the largest-scale event in international Aussie Rules outside the IC.

In keeping with the 21st century, a Facebook group has been set up for all interested parties to get on board and start some debate. An official tournament website is also under construction and should go live within a few days.