Irish import Jamie O’Reilly will make his senior debut this weekend for the Richmond Tigers in their clash with Carlton. It comes as no surprise as O’Reilly was promoted to the senior panel a few weeks ago and has put in impressive performances all year for Coburg in the VFL.

With the Tigers well short of making the finals, coach Damien Hardwick has made good on his promise to blood as many youngsters as possible. The former Co. Down player will be the 10th Richmond player to make his AFL debut this year when he lines out at half back. O’Reilly has shown remarkable ability to learn a new sport in his first year at Tigerland having joined on a two year rookie deal in December.

Coincidentally round 20 last year was the first live match of AFL that O’Reilly ever saw. At the time he was on trial with the Tigers and round 20 will see him step out on the MCG for his debut. Speaking to the Herald Sun he could scarcely believe how far he has come in such a short time. “I was here in Round 20 last year watching Richmond play Collingwood and was sitting with all the other development players," he said. "A year on I am in the team playing Carlton at the MCG. It's been an incredible journey.”

Quarter-by-quarter scores from the Finals of the European Championship in Australian Football, courtesy of The Footy Record and the EC2010 organizing committee, updated as close to live as we can manage!

Last night the Irish Warriors showed exactly why they are favourites to take out the European Championships, with a clinical demolition of hosts Sweden: Sweden 2.4 (16) to Ireland 13.21 (99).

A crowd of around 400 turned up to Limhamnsfältet in Malmö to watch the home nation play arguably the best team in Europe in what was effectively a semi-final for the tournament.

Despite kicking against the wind in the first quarter, the Irish got an early lead through goals from Maghnus Breathnach and Rob Armstrong. Very little separated the two sides in terms of possession, however Sweden’s inability to convert their chances cost them. Lars Hagberg and Mattias Fagersson both missed set shots before Leo Nilsson kicked a goal from open play.

Just before quarter time, Ireland’s big forward Breathnach took a mark on the edge of the goal square to kick his second and give the Warriors a 13-point lead.

In the second quarter Sweden looked solid in defence and held out well against constant waves of attack from an Irish side now kicking with the wind. However, despite having plenty of possession, Sweden couldn’t push into their own forward fifty, and failed to score all quarter. The Irish were able to extend their lead through goals from John Tierney and a snap shot from Vincent Manning.

This report courtesy of the EC2010 organisers, photos by Morten Christensen.

With a place in the European Championships grand final on the line, the highly fancied Great Britain team took on host nation Denmark at Farum, in warm, sultry conditions in front of 350 spectators.

Those who came witnessed a hard contest played in good spirit, as has been the norm in these inaugural European championships.

Denmark opened their account early with goals to Secher and Ottesen and took a slight 7 point lead into the first break. In the secord term, the Danes started to use the width of the field to great effect which lead to a couple of mark-and-goals by dominant forwards Norlander and Ottesen.

With everything on the line, Great Britain came out focused in the third quarter and locked the ball in their own attacking half for long periods. This resulted in goals to Tarn and Todd, while keeping the locals to a single point.

Taking a slim 9 point lead into the final quarter and with everything to play for, Denmark lifted a gear with a fine left footed running goal to World XVIII representative Mathias Biron and two quick goals to Norlander thereby sealing the victory.

Despite the tenacity and defensive pressure shown by Great Britain, Denmark displayed great skill and poise to finish comfortable winners, and now head to Saturday's final against tournament favourites Ireland. Great Britain will take on host nation Sweden in the 3rd place play-off game.

This report courtesy of the EC2010 organising committee.

In the third round of the EC2010 held on Thursday, August 5th, Iceland took on Finland in the first match of the day at Farum, Denmark in steamy conditions in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 100 spectators.

After a slow start from both teams, the game lifted in tempo as the running players from both teams started to find time and space out on the flanks, resulting in some exciting and skillful passages of play.

In the second quarter, Iceland started brightly with some inside 50 mark and goals from Palli Finnsson and Bjarni Sigurjonsson, however Mika Kupila scored two quick goals to keep the Finns within touch at the main break.

After half time, Finland continued to pile on the tackle pressure on the key Icelandic playmakers and started to dominate possession, thanks to the hard ball getters Jani Saarinen, Fernando Leon and Jukka Reiman.

In the final quarter, Iceland showed its class with a brace of goals to Pavel Velikov and veteran Palli Finnson to seemingly put the game beyond Finland. In response, the Finns replied with late goals to Juho Leino and Jusso Timosaari to keep the game within reach and set up for an exciting conclusion.

However, it was not to be for Finland as Iceland hung on to record its first ever victory in full-format footy, setting them up for a juicy 5th place classification playoff against Croatia in Malmö, Sweden on Saturday.

This report courtesy of the EC2010 organising committee.

Croatia won the toss and elected to kick to the beach end aiming to take advantage of a strong breeze. With their cheer squad in full voice the Knights would have been expecting a solid start.

However, it was the Germans who proved to be more attacking in the early stages running and carrying the ball, with Beyer providing a strong option up forward. Although the conditions were tough, both teams were able to put together good passages of play. Unfortunately for the Germans they could not covert this pressure into a score on the board.

As the quarter progressed, the Knights were able to push the ball forward, with Cvetko kicked beautiful check side goal from the forward pocket, Cudina then kicked another for Croatia after a great centre clearance. When Cudina kicked his 2nd with a quick snap after some great ruck work the Croatians had a handy lead. The Knights then began dominating the clearances and with their bigger bodies were able to move the ball forward to create scoring opportunities. At quarter time Croatia led by 32 points.

This report courtesy of the EC2010 organising committee.

Quarter-by-quarter scores from round 3 of the European Championship in Australian Football, courtesy of The Footy Record and the EC2010 organizing committee, updated as close to live as we can manage!

After the second round of matches in the 2010 European Championship in Australian Football, host nations Denmark and Sweden have ensured they will qualify for the top four.

Sweden ensured qualification after recording their second win over a spirited German side in front of around 500 people in Malmö: Sweden 8.14 (62) to Germany 4.2 (26). In the first half the Germans offered stiff resistance against the home team and were only a point down at half time. However, a lack of interchange players made it difficult for Germany, and allowed the Swedes to assert control in the second half to run away winners.

In the day’s earlier match, Ireland comfortably defeated an under resourced Croatia side: Ireland 20.21 (141) to Croatia 1.1 (7). The Croatians must be commended for their commitment and refusal to give up despite the scoreboard, but Ireland’s clinical efficiency and work rate showed exactly why they are the tournament favourites.

Across the Öresund strait in Farum, Denmark, Great Britain defeated Iceland to ensure their passage to the top four. Iceland won praise for their competitive spirit, but in the end Great Britain’s experienced playing squad prevailed to earn them an important win. Great Britain 11.20 (86) defeated Iceland 4.12 (36)

However, the team that impressed most was co-host Denmark, who defeated Nordic neighbours Finland. After a shaky start, Finland regrouped and recovered well, but the nature of Denmark’s win means many are now labelling them a real chance to take the gold. Denmark 14.20 (104) defeated Finland 2.1 (13)

Images courtesy of Morten Christensen.

Quarter-by-quarter scores from round 2 of the European Championship in Australian Football, courtesy of The Footy Record and the EC2010 organizing committee, updated as close to live as we can manage!

The 2010 European Championship in Australian Football opened today with the first round of pool matches at Stefan Boldklub in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Clear skies and sunny weather greeted the teams as they assembled in front of a crowd of more than 700 spectators for an historic opening day's play in the first ever championships in Europe.

Co-hosts Sweden opened their account in a commanding fashion against a committed Croatian side, who were keen to leave a positive initial impression in their first ever full-format match. In the end, the Swedes ran out comfortable winners by 96 points: Sweden 16.17 (113) d Croatia 2.5 (17)

Great Britain took on Finland in the second game and were well held for the first three quarters, before kicking away to a comfortable 74 point win: Great Britain 11.16 (82) d Finland 1.2 (8)

Tournament favourites Ireland were never in doubt in their tie against Germany. In an often fast paced and highly skilled encounter, Ireland showed their pedigree against a tiring German side: Ireland 18.10 (118) d Germany 0.0 (0)

The day's final encounter featured home team, Denmark, against North Atlantic neighbours and newcomers Iceland. Despite a quick opening goal by the Icelanders, Denmark was never troubled for the rest of the day and finished clearly ahead: Denmark 19.16 (130) d Iceland 2.1 (13)