We want to wish the very best of luck to the Cork Vikings and the Belfast Redbacks, who are heading over to Paris for the @AFLEurope Champions League!
The competition will look far different from the previous six outings, with a new location sure to bring exciting fresh challenges and experiences for players, coaches, volunteers, and organisers alike. Just outside the centre of Paris, France, is the beautiful Parc du Tremblay, which will play host to the 24 teams travelling from various cities in Europe and the UK on Saturday April 1st.
The competition will involve 15 men’s teams, and nine women’s teams, which is the biggest involvement the competition has seen since 2018, reflecting the impressive rebound since the two-year hiatus of the competition across 2020 and 2021. The Amsterdam Devils return ready to defend their 2022 title. However, without the home-country advantage they had in 2022, will they be able to achieve the same feat 310 miles south-west of home?
In the women’s division of the League, the Cork Vikings will be eager to remain European champions after their sheer dominance in 2022, remaining undefeated all day, topped off with a fierce victory in the grand final.
The Cork Vikings managed to win the competition outright last year and are hoping for two in a row! The team have been busy training and preparing since last year for this tournament with a practice match last weekend against a Banshees trial team. A team known to many and feared by many due to the speed, attack on the ball, superior hand passing and ability to perform under high pressure, this team has it all and can go all the way. Huge effort and time has gone into getting the team set up for Champions League success.
It will be Belfast Redbacks first ever Champions League attendance after taking out the AFL Ireland @NextVentur premiership 2022. As AFLI Premiers the Belfast Redbacks are set to take on Europes finest in the Champions League this weekend in Paris. The squad have been training since early January in preparation for the tournament and the mood in the camp is positive. The coaches and players want to wish all Irish teams the best of luck this weekend, and same to all teams across Europe. They can’t wait to meet up with some old friends, do battle on the field and catch up off the field. Wishing each and every one of you the best of luck for the competition.
From all of us at AFL Ireland we wish you, your team, your coaches and management the best of good luck!
With a fresh host city, new pool structure for the women’s competition and the rare opportunity to be crowned champions of Europe, be sure to follow all the action here, on the AFL Europe YouTube site, accompanied by commentary from our dedicated Croatian broadcast team. The first match begins at 8am, and presentations will start at 4:30pm IRISH TIME!
Watch the STREAM https://www.youtube.com/@afleurope1470