The German city of Cologne will this weekend host its first match of Australian Football, with the Düsseldorf Lions moving their home match against the Frankfurt Redbacks to the nearby city for demonstration purposes.

In the latest installment of Sweden's hottest domestic rivalry, the E4 Cup, the South Sweden Saints defeated the Stockholm Dynamite in Stockholm 14.7.91 to 4.5.29.

The Clare Crows find themselves after three rounds of the ARFLI competition on top of the ladder. This is the first time in the club's short history that they find themselves in this lofty position at any stage of a season.

In a press release, the AFL have announced that the two Western Australian sides, both doing very well in 2005, with the WC Eagles undefeated atop the ladder, will clash in the traditional end-of-season match at "The Oval" (now called Brit Oval) in England. Hopes are high that the AFL will be able to stage matches in Los Angeles and New Zealand in the near future too. The release follows.

On June 11th, 2005, Denmark and Sweden will clash for Scandinavian footy's bragging rights. The Swedish and Danish national sides have only met once before, in 1997, and the rivalry is set to become one of the hottest in international footy.

"Toros de España", themesong of the Spanish Bulls by group The Homeless Bones, is now available from World Footy News by clicking here. The Homeless Bones are happy for anyone to download the song, but would appreciate you dropping them a line (particularly anyone with connections to potential sponsors!) at knboutijar@yahoo.es

The 1st Contact 2005 BARFL Premiership kicks off on Saturday (today) with the first round matches and a new major sponsor. The highlight of the round is a replay of the 2004 BARFL Grand Final between the West London Wildcats and the Wimbledon Hawks. In other premiership games, Reading Kangaroos play their inaugural Premiership match against last year’s new comers the Putney Magpies. The final match is between the Sussex Swans and Wandsworth Demons.

Irishman Setanta O'hAilpin today (Saturday May 7, 2004) debuted for Carlton at the MCG. Setanta was elevated onto the senior list during the week and was named as an emergency, but came into the team to play Richmond as Chambers withdrew late.

Carlton's Irish recruit Setanta O'hAilpin continues his development with Carlton's VFL feeder club the Northern Bullants. In our last update he'd had an impressive pre-season and opening match. That form has continued.

The Farum Cats have traditionally had the strongest juniors program in Denmark, and 2005 is shaping as another year of strong growth for the club. The Danish football league has restructured its format with the establishment of a super league comprising of five regional teams, each team having its own regional leagues as feeders. Farum Cats FC is one of two original clubs who have entered a super league team in their own right.

This report courtesy of Jim Campion.