The Brussels Saints were newcomers to the European scene for 2004, with an impressive mix of experienced footballers and new recruits from a rugby background taking out the Central European AFL championship.

Luke White reviews their 2004 season and tells more about their plans for 2005.

As clubs in the northern hemisphere are coming out of their winter hibernation, players are hitting the training track and plans are being made for the 2005. World Footy News has recently had stories on how Spain and Germany are shaping up, now we're giving a sneak preview of some of the new developments in other leagues across Europe this year - including some new clubs, new structures and possibly a whole new league in Italy.

The only new nation to step up for the International Cup 2005, Spain is still a mystery to everyone but a few of the European sides such as Paris, Brussels and some of the German teams who have come up against them in the past year.

There are some promising signs from the nation, and as a Spanish national team largely organised by the Madrid Bears players prepares for the International Cup in Melbourne, a four-team league has resurfaced and is kicking on in the small Catalan town of Valls, 120km from Barcelona.

The AFL Germany has released its plans for season 2005, which will again see the five clubs from 2004 competing. Included is a nation-wide preseason training camp to be held during March in the picturesque city of Fulda, open to all payers, fans and officials from across Germany and hoping to help consolidate the league and the German national side.

Sydney Swans and Ireland International Rules star, Tadhg Kennelly, helped his old club Listowel Emmets win the North Kerry Gaelic football final while home for Xmas.

The Danish Australian Football League have released their upgraded website. It's the same address, www.dafl.dk, but has a new look and feel. You can choose from Danish and English by clicking the small flag at the top right of the site. Check out their great records database - something all established leagues should have.

On Saturday last a Redbacks selection took on an Irish team selection in an effort to boost awareness of Aussie Rules in Ulster (Northern Ireland). The Redbacks are currently considering a move from Belfast to the Mid-Ulster area where most of their player base are from and so players from all over the country descended upon Tyrone's County town, Omagh.

Aisake O hAilpin has admitted that the reason why he signed for Aussie Rules outfit Carlton Blues was because it offered him the chance to become a full-time professional sportsman.

The town of Birkerød could soon be home to Denmark's newest Australian Rules club, the Birkerød Bombers. Formed by members of the nearby Farum Cats, the Bombers probably won't be ready for the DAFL next season - but they could have a place in a new developmental league until they've grown to a level where they can compete with the established Copenhagen area clubs.

Aisake O’hAilpin (pictured, courtesy of Carlton FC) was officially placed on AFL club Carlton's international rookie list today. The young Irishman joins his brother Setanta, who has spent much of the past year on the list and is expected to step up to senior level sometime in 2005. Aisake has been given Anthony Franchina's old number 45. Franchina has been a great friend of Setanta in his stay at Carlton.