World Footy News

Each year at the AFL Europe Axios Euro Cup one team seems to have its moment in the sun – a year where they reach a new height which surprises some but thrills many. In 2014, Wales finished fifth when they surprised England in their playoff. In 2013 the story was host nation France reaching the final. Norway had the European footy world talking when they won the Euro Plate in their debut year.

The “feel good” story from the 2015 event in Umag, Croatia, could well be Austria. Their seventh placing overall was their best performance ever at a Euro Cup. Michael Jud, captain of the Austrian Avalanche national team has been through the lows in the past, but was delighted to talk about this high.

“Before the Euro Cup we didn't know how to feel about it, because our year was not the best one when it comes to training and games because we had to cancel a lot of sessions due to heavy rain. Furthermore, quite a lot people were almost fully booked with working, studying and becoming fathers.”

“We had some really tough games again in the CEAFL against the Croatians, but I think the gap between their 3rd place and our 7th place[in this Euro Cup] is not that big in the league.”

“The Euro Cup - our group with Denmark and the Peace Team seemed to be quite hard for us. Nobody knew how exercised and skilled they [the Peace Team] are, but we for ourselves knew that this game would be the key for a good tournament, so we put everything we got into that game - passion, toughness, skills and our fabulous team spirit. As the result shows it worked out quite well.”

“The game against the Danish guys we lost as expected, but we were able to score two goals and demanded way more from them than [the corresponding game] in London last year.”

“In the game against the French guys nothing worked out as we planned it before. Plus the French guys played a really good game. Of course we were disappointed, but we still had the chance to improve our best ever finished place (which was 9th and after the win against the Peace Team was already 8th).”

“Like in the game against France, we lost the toss and had to play the first half against the extremely heavy wind. Even though the Scottish guys played a really good game, we managed to just get one point from them due to the fantastic game of our backs, especially Martin Schittegg, and score a goal. With the 6 to 1 lead at half time and the wind in our backs for the second half we played our game and won in the end.”

“It's still unbelievable that we as a country with just one team managed to end 7th out of 12, I am so proud of my teammates and for me as the skipper it's an honour leading that fantastic team into every game.” Certainly, credit goes to the lads at the Styrian DownUnderDogs, Austria’s only ongoing team (the Vienna Kangaroos has not yet reappeared in any on-field capacity). Maybe, just maybe, this performance might inspire a more permanent second team in Austria. Stranger things have happened.

“I think we did not reach our peak yet, there is still a lot to improve and I know we can do better and also tease the big nations. We hope that we can recruit new players for the next season and we would also love to welcome Aussie players and coaches to our team.”

So, there is the invitation to players and coaches worldwide. Austria has come a long way on the European footy scene, but plans are there to get bigger, bolder and better.

To borrow a line from Oscar Hammerstein II, these Austrians continue to Climb Every Mountain.