World Footy News

The Copenhagen Giants created Danish Australian Rules football history this weekend, on a weekend where victory by either team would have written a new chapter. Taking on the Aalborg Kangaroos for the 2015 flag, neither side had previously won a premiership. But after a remarkable last quarter charge it was the Giants that etched their name in Danish footy folklore.

The script favoured the Kangaroos early. Former Greater Western Sydney player, Aksel Bang, got the ball rolling with the first goal for Aalborg just three minutes into the first quarter. It was one of four for the Kangaroos. The Giants had Samuel Kilworth to thank with two goals for the quarter, the second just prior to the quarter time siren keeping the scoreboard respectable and giving the Giants a little faith. Scores: Aalborg 4 2 26 v Copenhagen 2 1 13

The second quarter started with three goals in the opening four minutes to the Kangaroos, all but sealing the game as they raced to a 31 point lead. But then the game began to change and the Giants found belief. They kicked four of the next five goals before halftime to suggest a strong comeback on the cards and reduce the deficit to just 11 points, winning the quarter. Scores: Aalborg 8 3 51 v Copenhagen 6 4 40
A goal five minutes into the premiership quarter to the Giants bought them to within four points but they could not edge in front of the Kangaroos. But a goal to Mathias Biron saw the Giants level the scores by the 16 minute mark of the quarter. A goal to Aalborg inside the final minute of the quarter saw them steady, but the seeds of confidence had been planted for the Giants. Scores: Aalborg 10 5 65 v Copenhagen 8 9 57

The final quarter saw the Giants unleashed. Goals to Kilworth (2), Palsgaard and Wilton for the quarter saw the Giants come home with a wet sail. From an eight point three-quarter time deficit they ran over the top of the Kangaroos to win an amazing come-from-behind premiership. For a club that barely reached the finals, largely on a superior percentage to the fifth placed team after losing their final three home and away games, this day was an amazing fairy tale like finished to a season.

Final scores: Copenhagen Giants 12 11 83 d Aalborg Kangaroos 11 6 72

Congratulations go to the Giants for winning their first ever premiership after coming into existence in 2013, initially as the FC Demons made of former Farum Cats players that were then based in Copenhagen. Almost an irony that it was the Giants that bought to an end the run of our successive flags for the Farum Cats from 2011-2014. This was certainly an impressive effort to come this far so quickly.

The Aalborg Kangaroos should also be proud of their efforts in 2015 to reach the grand final for the first time in the club’s history that goes back originally to the 1993 season (though the "Jutland" team that lost the 2006 Grand Final was a merged entity of Aalborg and the then Århus Bombers). The Kangaroos will learn a great deal from their 2015 experiences and come back even stronger for 2016.

Danish attention will now turn to the upcoming Axios Euro Cup in Umag, Croatia, next month where they have the chance to defend the title won so convincingly in 2014.



Picture: Happy Giants (left to right: Chris Campion, Mathias Biron & Nathan Campion - sons and nephew of Danish footy legend Jim Campion)