Karlstad Eagles AFC

The mighty Karlstad Eagles were beaten by Oslo's Australian football team, the Oslo Crows, at the season opener for the AFL Sweden West league under windy and rainy conditions on Ekebergsletta east of Oslo on Saturday.

The home team kicked ten goals and nine points for a total of 69 points (goals are worth 6 points) to Karlstad's four goals and six points (total 30 points). The 39 point loss was a great result for a team that featured many locals and against a side with many top Australians. Especially respectable in comparison to last years' defeats by more than 100 points.

'It was a great result for Karlstad and a very enjoyable game,' said Karlstad Eagles president Jimmy Ljunggren.

'Our Swedish players did a fantastic job, especially new recruit Peter McCormack, and we hope that we can recruit many more in the next weeks and months.' he said. The Karlstad Eagles will host the Gothenburg Berserkers in the AFL Sweden West, the week after participating in the Swedish Cup in Gothenburg on June, 12. Australian football is catching on in Scandinavia with Sweden, Denmark and Finland all fielding full-strength sides in international competitions. With the advent of regular training and games, Norway is hopefully to catch up.

Final results:
Oslo Crows 10.9 (69) - Karlstad Eagles 4.6 (30)

Best players for Karlstad were Damion Miller, Jimmy Ljunggren and David Sweet
Best players for Oslo were Erik Svela, Paul Swanston and Amund Lundesgaard