AFL Toyota Premiership 2011

Denmark Vikings

Ranking: 10
IC08 Placing: 11

The Denmark Vikings participated in previous International Cups in 2002 and 2008, finishing eleventh during their last visit.

This year, they're fielding a young squad who've been playing football for ten years, since they were juniors. Consequently, the Vikings will play a very quick and skilfull game, with a lot of focus on running. The team showed off this approach during the 2010 European Championship final, losing to favourites Ireland by only three goals. 
 

Denmark's Road to IC11
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Message from the Danish Ambassador

 
It is with pleasure that I welcome the Danish Vikings National AFL team to Australia to compete in the AFL International Cup 2011.

They have previously competed in the International Cup in 2002 and 2008 and we are hoping that with their young and vibrant team they can show us all that Denmark mean business in football.

The National Team, the Denmark Vikings were runners up in the 2010 European Cup against the favourites Ireland. They play a particularly quick and skilful game focusing on running. The majority of their squad have come up through the junior competition in Denmark and have been playing for the last 10 years.

I would love to be able to come and support the players but unfortunately I will be back in Denmark during the Cup, but I know that with players like Mathias Biron who has played in both the Europe teams against the AIS and has taken part in the 2011 NAB AFL U16 Championships with the World XVIII; and Jonas Nielsen who is relatively new to the game, yet was one of last year’s European Championships best players will bring a lot of excitement to this year’s AFL International Cup.

I am anticipating there will be a great number of Danes who will come and support the Denmark Vikings in their endeavours in Sydney and Melbourne.

Susanne Shine
Ambassador of Denmark

Players to Watch
 

Mathias Biron
Having played football more than two thirds of his life, 19-year-old Mathis Biron has a rare combination of youth and experience. He is renowned for his hard attack on the ball and courage.

His great skills earned him selections in both the Europe teams that took on the AIS, and the World XVIII that competed in the 2011 NAB AFL U16 Championships. The hardnosed on-baller, despite his age, is an integral part of the Denmark Vikings.

Jonas Nielsen
At the time of last year’s inaugural European Championships, Jonas Nielsen had only played football for five months. Despite this, the then 19-year-old, who played for the Jutland Shinboners, was one of the Vikings’ best players throughout the tournament.

The former basketballer has an impressive stamina and agility, and although he is only new to the game, he reads the play well. The big ruckman is equally good in the air as he is on the ground and he should generate plenty of excitement.