USA, Great Britain and Samoa big winners
USA, Samoa and Great Britain were the big winners from the second round of games for the 2008 International Cup at Royal Park, Melbourne.
Proving to be one of the favourites of the tournament, USA 11.6 (72) defeated Denmark 1.4 (10) but the loudest roar of the day came when the Danes scored their only goal. Great Britain and the Peace Team, consisting of Palestine and Israeli members, played in front of a large crowd at Ransford Oval. The Peace Team scored their first goal ever in the International Cup through Moshe Lagisa, however, Great Britain proved far too strong winning 20.15 (135) to the Peace Team's 1.2 (8). In the other match Samoa defeated India, another first-timer to the International Cup, by 110 points -- 16.20 (116) to 1.0 (6). The third round of matches begin at 3pm are South Africa v China at McAlister Oval and Papua New Guinea v Nauru at Ransford Oval. Click here for the detailed results of all International Cup matches.
8/27/2008 - Tony Abate
Melbourne Day 3: 1 down 4 to go Today was fantastic. It's why we play the game. My first International Cup experience was flat out fun. Every now and then we have to remind ourselves of why we play the game - it's because we love the game. We train hard day in and day out, grind out the games in hot weather back home, run the track by ourselves when no one else is watching or joining. But this is what it is all about - playing a game you love.
The weather was footy perfect. Around 60 degrees and sunny. A little cross wind, but nothing to make a difference or anythign to alter a shot.
Nerves were running high throughout the team. The vets were cool as ice, the rookies jumpy and nervous as expected. The line up was a solid mix of experience and ready-to-go-out-the-gate newbies. We played 4 quarters of 17 (no one knows why) on a field that was VERY long and super wide (hard to see the other side of the field wide). It seemed as if you could fit the whole 3 field US National Tournament on the one field itself.
After a first few minutes of jitters we settled down and played our ball. Hard at the footy and beat your opponent. There was not one mark uncontested or a 50/50 ball that was not ours. The overall effort was outstanding.
The backs worked extremely hard and efficient, marking, clearing and punching everything that came in the defensive 3rd. Kurth "KB" Nelson at the back lead the way with Brandon "Brando" Blankenship and Bruce Beilfuss on the pockets. Captain Donnie Lucero led the halfback line with solid leadership and composure, laying down his law when anyone came to visit. Dan "Sars" Sarbacker ran wild all game, providing the most energy, picking up loose balls, grabbing marks, making his usual winger runs and hitting the forwards with on-the-mark disposals. In one sequence, Pat Miller grabbed a loose ball on the edge of the box, hand-balled to a streaking and clothed Sars, who then hit George "Kidney" Lakomy for an easy 20 yard set shot. Kidney had a fantastic game - with 5 goals. He frequently outmarked the foot shorter defense man. When Denmark switched up the bigger back on Kidney, Justin "JV" Valley had his way with the short. That didn't last long. The game ended 11.7 (72) to 1.4 (10) in favor of the USA.
The post game was spent dipping for a chilly 20 minute ocean walk in the Port Phillip bay. Lots of cold blokes running and walking back and forth. Water temps estimated at 50 degrees by Big Country. We are all hoping it makes a difference tomorrow when we wake.
The competition looks good overall, with NZ, PNG, Ireland, South Africa and Great Britain all posting big margin wins. Friday against China will let the rest of the guys get their jerseys dirty before we match up against South Africa.
Tomorrow we are honored to watched the Western Bulldogs practice, and then get to train on their ground. It will be great to see how an AFL team prepares on a daily basis. No doubt it will be intense and sharp.
Courtesy of USFootyNews.com
8/27/2008 - Andy Vanica
International Cup Round 1 Results 
8/27/2008 - Office Manager
Spirit of the Revo’s Live It has been a three year wait for the American Revolution. For many of the players that time had passed in a blink of an eye, but for the new members of the Revolution it had been an eternity. The thrill, excitement and pride of representing your country had been bottled up through training camps, selection trails and tryout matches. The wait was now over and they were in a position that no Australian can find themselves – representing their country on the Australian Football field.
For the Danes the wait had been even longer. The Vikings competed in the inaugural Cup in 2002 and finished a credible forth – one step higher up the ladder than the Americans – but were unable to make the 2005 edition due to finances.
It was this break from International play that most concerned USA Coach, and former USAFL League President, Robert Oliver, “They are an unknown quality and we cannot afford a let down in our first match”. It was the unknown qualities of the Danish back in 2000 that led to the Revolutions first ever defeat during the Atlantic Alliance Cup in London. This was the only previous results between the teams and the Danes lead the series 1-0. Coach Oliver said his team strength was intensity of the Revo’s and that they would never be beaten for effort. He felt this was a recipe to deal with an unknown quality.
Click HERE to read more.
8/27/2008 - Paul “Plugger” O’Keeffe
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