World Footy News

In the next of our series of articles looking at the preparation and prospects of the various nations competing at this year’s Axios Euro Cup in Bordeaux, we look at the story of the Norway Trolls. David Stone, General Manager of AFL Norway, gives us his insights.

The Journey:

“The game is growing, and improving. The Australians in Norway are getting good at working with the newer Norwegian players and getting them up to speed, but as with every country, we're always looking for more players.”

“The Ås team continues to attract good Norwegian talent due to their connection with the university out there. We've uncovered some good local players here in Oslo too, but we have to work a little harder to find them. We've just done a deal with Oslo's biggest gym to play indoors during winter - with the gym's members invited to learn and join in - so that should gain us a few good new players.”

"In terms of expansion, a few guys have started kicking the ball around in Bergen, which may turn into something, and one of our key Oslo players has just relocated. We'll be working on him to set up a team in his new city.

The Preparation:

“We've been playing since the snow melted in April, and have seen a definite improvement in the standard of our domestic competition, the Kenguru Cup. Our team in Ås unearths some good Norwegian talent each year, and the newer Norwegian players have been improving with every game. Some of them are heading to Bordeaux, which is exciting. Fielding a strong team at the Euro Cup has been our goal all year.”

“2012 was our first ever Euro Cup, and we were proud just to be there. At the same time we knew our guys had learned the game pretty well, and they could compete.”

The Squad:

“We're an even team, without any one obvious superstar. Some of our second year guys like Brage Blomdal have improved a lot this year and should do well. Eivind Myrvold from Ås is turning into a very good player, and Andreas Kristoffer Berge is playing the 9s tournament in Algarve so he'll be in form! Our full back Atle Mengshoel Brevik is under an injury cloud, but our fingers are crossed for him. Tor Ivar Amundsen was a late withdrawal last year, but should add some strength to the team this year.”

The Goal:

" At Euro Cup 2013, we have two goals. First, we want to get as much experience as we can playing the best teams during the pool games. We want to see how well we can match them. Second, we want to equal or exceed the two wins we had at Euro Cup 2012. We placed 13th last year, and we'll be trying really hard to top that."

"One of our big goals is to send a team to Melbourne for the International Cup in 2014. To do that we'll likely need a few more home-grown players. With the new talent coming out of Ås and our offseason deal at the Elixia gym in Oslo, we will hopefully get there."

The Final Word:

Norway’s initial introduction to last year’s Euro Cup was a rude awakening with heavy losses to Scotland, Denmark and England in a tough draw. But the team regrouped and would have been heartened by the victories over Austria and Iceland to take out the Euro Plate at their first ever Euro Cup. Since then the game back in Norway has taken enormous steps forward. It would not surprise to see the Trolls snare a pool game and advance further up the ladder at this year’s event.