World Footy News

In the third and final installment of WFN's preview of this year's EU Cup, we spoke to team managers from the England Dragonslayers, Scottish Puffins and Austrian Kangaroos.

The Dragonslayers have performed well at EU Cup in the past, and will be keen to be back towards the top of the table. A large contingent of their team is drawn from the ARUK Southern league, who surprised many with a strong showing at this year's Brit Cup in London. They will also have the services of Christian Lloyd, who travelled with the GB Bulldogs to this year's IC in Melbourne.

The Puffins are coming to Prague after a disrupted 2008 season, with problems in player numbers and availability of Victoria Park getting in the way of conducting their regular league structure. However, management in Scotland are confident the SARFL will be back on track for business as usual in 2009.

The Austrians will again be drawn from the Vienna Kangaroos club, with the expansion side in Graz still yet to get off the ground. The side has had a few hit outs this year, including their regular local show downs against Croatia and the Czech Republic, and the clash of the Kangaroos against Munich.

England

With the geographical distances and the fact many players are students, Dragonslayers coach Rob Fielder tells us it has been very difficult getting everybody together for a squad session. However, he adds "we had a practice match on Saturday in Southampton and we're looking in good shape. We are much more balanced as a side this year with talls and smalls. We have another year's experience and there are some really good young players coming through."

Eleven of the team played together in the Brit Cup in July, as composite side ARUK-South. Fielder says, "It was an excellent opportunity to see the how the potential players responded to a tournament and each other. We finished second to West London Wildcats, surprised a lot of people and learnt a great deal."

"There are a number of experienced coaches at the clubs. We all observe players in matches and come up with a list of the best current ones. As previously mentioned, the best crop are entered as a composite side in certain tournaments to see if they are able to cope with the pressure and perform well. Naturally this can change and we encourage any players outside of the squad to work hard at their weaknesses, in order to force their way into the side in the future."

As is now becoming the majority at the EU Cup, the Dragonslayers are an all-local outfit. As Fielder says, "There has been an influx of new young players at the clubs. For many of them it will take a while to learn the skills and requirements of the game."

"However, with much good work in schools and at Rugby clubs, the game is growing well. Rick Shrowder is doing a fantastic job in the North East. We expect that area to grow well in the next couple of years and will look to follow his example."

So far, most coaches and managers we've spoken to have been fairly reserved in their predictions. Fielder however puts out the call that "We want to win!"

On the subject of standout players, he says "Ramsay Ilyat, Will Worthington and Matt Bradford are all well-balanced and talented onballers. Captain Adam Ballard is a dominating ruckman and skilful too! Mark Todd and Robert Kerr - Proven goal kickers and match winners. Dan Marchant is devastatingly quick and a destructive defender." Vice Captain Christian Lloyd is the only member of the squad who went to the International Cup with the GB Bulldogs, with the Dragonslayers more of a development side. According to Fielder, Lloyd can play every position well, except ruck.

Scotland

As said before, the Scottish season was more a case of organising matches when they could than running a full season. Adam Kelly is managing the team, saying "We played a scratch match about three weeks ago, but apart from that no preparation has been done. Our selection process was first-in-played until we had enough numbers, with the date change we had a few people drop out, which meant that everyone who still wanted to play will get a chance."

"We have Scottish, English, Irish, Kiwis and some Aussies in there for a good old mix, the sport is growing up here and we are now starting to get a lot more nationalities trying it out and enjoying which is brilliant for the future."

"We are just going across to have a good time and play some footy, we will be quite happy where ever we finish."

"A few players to watch out for would be Ross Calderwood, who has developed into a very good ruckman come full forward with a fantastic long kick, with Ross Thomson and Al Lindop in the centre. These three will cause hopefully a few headaches for the opposition."

Austria

Down in Vienna, the Kangaroos have been training once a week as usual. Team manager James Boardman tells us however, that the intensity in training in the lead-up to the Cup has stepped up a few levels. "Participation has been the key, with most people turning up which gives us a good hit out."

"Unfortunately, given the time of sunset these past few weeks, we have not had the chance to use the full time allotted to us at the training oval and we are usually finishing in total darkness."

"Selection has been red hot this year. We have requested those who have nominated for the team to turn up to all trainings without fail, which has been good. For the 15 places on offer, all 15 who nominated have been selected."

The team will consist of both Austrian and Australian players, with Boardman simply responding "1st" to the question of where they will finish in the final wash-up.

As far the stars to watch, Boardman says "Captain Raoul Himberger for his pack busting chest marks in front of goal. Stuey McAlpine to give us some much needed lift and Hartwig “Chopper” Schandl, who will be entered into this year’s best beard/mo competition."

The Bottom Line

This year's competition could be very close, but this year's form suggests Croatia could give a few experienced hands a fright. Germany, Sweden and the England Dragonslayers would be the other favorites going on experience and results as a team. The French will also be out to show that winning at the World 9s in Barcelona wasn't a fluke.

As few teams may have come and gone, but overall Footy in Europe is definitely on a growth spurt. The crop of new clubs in new cities bodes well for the next few years.