World Footy News

The 2015 Euro Cup is now but a memory and the players, officials, supporters and families have started the journeys home. In another year from now we will start again, somewhere. But now we have a chance to look at how each nation performed at the event.

 

Denmark:

As close to faultless as a team could get. Won their Pool B matches against Austria and the Peace team by huge margins, then mauled the host team, Croatia, in the semi-final stage. Gave England a decent headstart in the final before powering home and away by 21 points. Little more could have gone right to make this two years of Danish dominance.

 

The women’s team fell only at the final hurdle, proving too good for Norway, Croatia and France, However, they went down heavily in the final to England suggesting a gulf between their own best and the best women in Europe.

 

England:

Made short work of the European Crusaders and Scotland in the Pool C matches before a tougher semi-final hitout against Ireland. Played well to win through to final, and started well until the Danes overran  them. Certainly an improvement on 2014 where they finished sixth, but would be disappointed they let this chance slip.

The England Vixens were far too powerful for all opponents, dominating the series. On that form they would have likely beaten the Irish Banshees had they been there, such was their power and structure. Their closest game was the 48 point win in the final. An ominous display.

 

Croatia:

Pummelled their Pool D rivals in France and The Netherlands before going down to the Danes in the semi-final by a 43 point margin. Played in a cracker of a playoff for third place, eventually holding off the Irish team by just three points. As hosts, Croatia possibly expected better, but still a good result overall.

For the Croatian Queens this tournament was very much a starting point for development. On that basis the women tried hard and proudly and will have learned a great deal. Winless but competitive.

 

Ireland:

Topped Pool A with a big win against Norway before playing well to down a resilient German team by 15 points. Two tough losses in the semi-final and final stage, downed by England by 14 points then by Croatia in a thriller by three. Would be a touch disappointed, but are still building nicely after a surprising 5th place in Bordeaux two years ago.

 

Germany:

Defeated Norway but lost to Ireland in their pool to make it a shaky start. From there they proceeded to record a strong win against Scotland and held their nerve against a fast finishing France to hold on to fifth place and the Euro Bowl. Overall, three wins for the day was a good result for the Black Eagles and proves they are still a team to be respected.

 

France:

Went on something of a rollercoaster ride on the day. A first up win against The Netherlands was followed by a heavy loss to Croatia. Followed up with a big win against Austria before going down by just three points to Germany in the playoff for fifth. Inconsistent but generally played well.

The French women started well with a win against Sweden before back to back losses to both England and Denmark. A good win against Croatia saw them finish third with 2 wins and 2 losses so overall a good effort and a huge improvement on last year when they went winless and bottom of the standings.

 

Austria:

A fantastic result  for the Austrians. Their seventh place at this event far exceeds any previous efforts at a Euro Cup.  Did not come home with any silverware, but had already made their point. Wins against the Peace Team and Scotland set up the result. The Austrian team should be very proud and are probably proving that somewhere right now.

 

Scotland:

Won their first game against the Crusaders by three points. After that they had a tough draw, going down to both England and Germany. Austria were too good for them in the playoff for seventh place. Have performed better in the past but eighth place was still a good return for the Scotland team. Will benefit from the tough games in the long run and will be harder to beat in 2016.

 

The Netherlands:

Took out the Euro Plate on the strength of back to back wins against the Peace Team and the European Crusaders after having lost their opening games heavily to both France and Croatia. Their resilience showed through to keep playing out the tournament with heads high, securing those important wins. A huge improvement on their 15th place in London, proving the Dutch are on the way back up.

 

European Crusaders:

In effect the team was not a reality until the day before the event, meaning they played under the pressure of little to no opportunity to play as one. Nevertheless, they did secure a narrow win against Norway and pushed hard in the playoff for ninth place against The Netherlands. Played their role giving players a chance to be a part of the tournament, so more than successful again.

 

Norway:

A case of peaking too late, perhaps. Norway lost their Pool A games heavily to both Germany and Ireland before losing by the narrowest of margins to the Crusaders. Finished on a high with a win against the Peace Team, but can only dream what might have been if they had won against Crusaders.

The women’s team struggled bravely with injuries which saw them perform well with two wins against both Croatia and Sweden but a loss to Denmark. Stood aside to allow Croatia to play off for third place as their injury toll mounted. Overall, a good performance to be built on for next year.

 

Peace Team:

Went through tournament without a win but were competitive in most games. Will have learned an enormous amount from the matches and will be far better versed and prepared when they come back next year…we hope. Cannot be said to have lost when they won the hearts and respect of most people for just being there and playing with a united spirit.

 

Sweden:

The Ravens found the going tough, but represented their country bravely. Unable to taste victory in a game sense but will have come away with so many victories in terms of learning the game and displaying their passion. Like France from last year to this year, Sweden might find a huge improvement in just twelve months when they hopefully return to battle at the 2016 Euro Cup.