EU Cup
The inaugural EU Cup took place in London on 9 October 2005.
The EU Cup was played under the rules of 9-a-side football (full contact) on fields conforming to standardised Rugby or Soccer dimensions (approx 100m x 65m). The primary intention of the tournament was to showcase Aussie Rules with a reduction in the number of players, held on sporting fields that are readily found in nearly every corner of Europe; without any loss in the excitement, skill or quality of the 18-a-side version of our great game.
The 10 competing teams were Israel, Catalonia, Germany, Belgium, Austria, England, Sweden Scotland, France and the Netherlands. The tournament was a huge success, with Belgium defeating Sweden in the grand final.
The 2007 EU Cup took place in Hamburg, Germany on the weekend of 15/16 September. The 12 competing teams were Sweden, Germany, England, Spain, Catalonia, Finland, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Austria and the EU Crusaders. Sweden defeated the host nation Germany in the final.
In 2008 the event was held in Prague, Czech Republic. Twelve countries again participated, with England defeating Croatia in the final.
ARI invites the AFL to support the event in 2009, which will be held in Zagreb, Croatia.
