CEAFL Central European Australian Football Championship 2007

09.06.07 Central European Cup
Finland goes Back to Back

Vienna set the perfect backdrop and playing conditions for the 2007 Central European Australian Football League (CEAFL) Championships.

Finland turned up to defend their crown, with teams from Austria, Croatia and Czech Republic all ready to battle it out for CEAFL bragging rights. Also on offer was the first leg of the 2007 Tri-Nations tournament, the Schnitzel Cup, played off between Austria, Croatia and Czech Republic.
Game 1:
Austria vs Finland

The championship opener saw the defending champions Finland pitted against the hosts Austria. In almost perfect playing conditions, both teams battled hard in a fast game which saw the teams equal in goals kicked and only 2 points separating the teams at the final siren. Thanks to the handicap system, the Austrians came away with the win. Goals Behinds Total Handicap Score
Austria 11 6 72 50 122
Finalnd 11 8 74 32 106

Game 2:
Czech Republic vs Croatia

Game 2 saw the first game of the Schnitzel Cup between defending Tri-Nations champions Croatia battle it out against the lads from the Czech Republic. In a closely contested match, Croatia did enough to get the job done against a courageous Czech Republic outfit, coming away with a well earned win. Goals Behinds Total Handicap Score
Croatia 11 5 71 40 111
Czech Republic 9 5 59 12 71

Game 3:
Finland vs Croatia

Croatia pitted themselves against a Finnish team that started to hit its straps. With the heat starting to become a factor a brave Croatian team, backing up from the previous game took it to the Fins. Unfortunately for the Croatians, the defending champions proved too strong and ran out comfortable winners.
Goals Behinds Total Handicap Score
Finnland 15 13 103 32 135
Croatia 6 4 40 40 80

Game 4:
Austria vs Czech Republic

Coming off their first win the Austrians came into game 4 against the Czech Republic with high hopes. The Czechs wanting to put the disappointment of their first match behind them came out full of run. The battle in the centre was telling with the Czechs getting the ascendance. Although the Czechs finished the game 5 goals in front, the Austrian team had done enough to get the win. Goals Behinds Total Handicap Score
Austria 7 1 43 50 93
Czech Republic 12 6 79 12 90

Game 5:
Austria vs Croatia

Game 5 saw the Austria and Croatia play off for the Schnitzel Cup. In a hard game Croatia showed their determination and skillful running game to overpower the Austrians. Winning the game and in the process taking out the first leg of the Tri-Nations tournament by 4 points. Goals Behindes Total Handicap Score
Croatia 9 5 59 40 99
Austria 5 14 44 50 94

Game 6:
Finland vs Czech Republic

Game 6 saw red hot Finland take on the Czech Republic. In a fiercely competitive and free scoring affair, the Fins showed why they were the defending champions and secured the victory. Goals Behinds Total Handicap Score
Finland 15 7 97 32 129
Czech Republic 11 6 72 12 84

Final Table after regular matches:
Played Wins Loses For Against %
Finland 3 2 1 370 286 109,3
Austria 3 2 1 309 295 104,7
Croatia 3 2 1 290 300 96,6
Czech Republic 3 0 3 245 333 91,2

Grand Final: Austria vs Finland

With 3 teams locked on 2 wins each, only percentage separated Finland, Croatia and Austria for a spot in the Grand Final. In the end only 2 could go through. With Finland the clear cut highest scoring team in the competition safely securing their place. Austria got second at the end of the day and got the second spot in the grand final.

With all players feeling the fatigue from a full days play in the hot sun, the two teams were almost neck a neck going into the half time break. The second half saw Finland find that little bit extra to dig deep and use a highly skilled brand of footy out of the middle, overpowering Austria in the end to go back and take home the CEAFL Cup.


Grand Final Goals Behinds Total Handicap Score
Finland 11 9 75 32 107
Austria 5 4 34 50 84


The CEAFL Championships are a testament to the development of Aussie Rules in Europe, not only as a sport, but as way of bringing like minded people from around the globe together.

The organizing committee of the tournament would like to express their thanks to the sponsors of the day, Wombats Youth Hostel, Vienna and AT2Steel, Austria. Without their continued support the day could never have happened.

Special thanks must be reserved for Ben, Ash, Rooster, Izzy and Kolja for organizing their respective teams and making the 2007 CEAFL championships a fun, action packed and successful day.

MORE INFOS: www.vienna-kangaroos.at.tt

Special Thanks to ORF and to David Krutzler for this awesome report.
Recorded from ORF 1 "Wie Bitte" (www.orf.at)13.06.2007

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Australian
• Football
• Europe
• Austria
• Aussie
• Rules
• Vienna
• Kangaroos
• CEAFL
• 2007
• ORF
• David
• Krutzler
• Wie
• Bitte

[mooneepondskid]

Why is he showing an american football at the start?

[pintara79]

They didnt had the right footy at the Austrian TV Station. (And didnt asked us)

[tragic8ball]

probably a bit tricky to find a Sherrin in Vienna mate.

[pintara79]

there are more Sherrins in Vienna then many people expect :-)

[pintara79]

A great bunch of people. Boing Boing

[codyBRUZ]

It's good to know our sport is more recognised globally. Not many fit guys there? Not even an oval shaped field? Maybe if a few of us Aussie's went there and helped them out that would be cool! I play ice hockey and american footy. I know there are gridiron leagues in Finland but can't translate it. I would like to play there anyone know any English sites?

[ahtartersauce101]

@markyfrenzal

I know right where's the skills man? "Too soft?" Watch our American Football and see soft which it totally is. Then what is rougher than AFL? Definetely aint Rugby and surely not soccer (oh I'm sorry football). The Jubulani ball sux NASA has proved it.  Maybe stand in front of a dart board the bulls-eye is literally your eyes D__:

[ahtartersauce101]

@harnegieproductions

What pressure? knee it down three times punt it play defense make them punt and repeat then on the final drive of the game go down the field and bomb a FG easy win. Australian football you need skill with hand passes and kicking it on the run, WR's just need to catch a six year old girl with an eye patch and a cabbage patch kid in her arm can do that.

[ozepaul]

whats going on with the gridiron ball WRONG. Wher's the sherrin

[markyfrenzal]

man thats horrible. the only thing they seem to be good at in our footy is tackling haha.

[trunkeight]

Bugger me... Guess I'll have to get the Villach/Kärnten team together finally! nice one fella's!

[fishboy1989]

well their playing on a soccer field, dont know if they realise they need an oval, but spose there aint many ovals in Austria. lol