Luxembourg, Paris, Rennes, Budapest win at European Gaelic Football Finals
Luxembourg are Men’s Gaelic Football Champions of Europe, having been runners-up 4 times in the last 5 years.
2007 European Ladies Gaelic Football Champions are Paris.
Rennes from Brittany, have impressively won the 2007 Men’s Shield, after extra time.
Barcelona Gaels hosted the last round of the European Championships today.
In the Men’s Championship, Budapest Rangers stole the show.
It was supposed to be a 3-horse affair with Den Haag, Paris and Luxembourg. Budapest had not read the script, and after travelling 1500km, started the day with a shock comprehensive 2-09 to 0-05 win over Paris Gaels, before defeating favourites Den Haag 0-06 to 0-05.
Luxembourg and Budapest Rangers reached Final, ensuring that Luxembourg secured the overall 2007 European Championship. But the Barcelona Championship tournament went to Budapest in the Final, Rangers winning by 2 points, in a scoreline 1-3 to 0-4. I guess they were just more Hungary!
2007 European Ladies Gaelic Football Champions are Paris.
Paris comprehensively defeated Luxembourg in the Final 2-14 to 1-6, but it was their group displays of courage and skill with 1 point wins over Holland and Luxembourg earlier in the day which really secured Paris this title.
Holland and Paris were tied for the overall European Championship coming into this Tournament, leading 3rd place Maastricht, and the 2006 champions Luxembourg. Munich, Vienna, Barcelona, Rennes and Madrid Ladies have all contributed in no small measure to this thrilling skilful 2007 Championship.
Rennes from Brittany have impressively won the 2007 Men’s Shield, defeating Copenhagen from Denmark by just 1 point, after extra-time, in the Final.
Maastricht (Holland), 2006 Shield Champions could only manage 3rd place this year. Barcelona, Madrid, Nantes, Pamplona and Valencia picked up valuable points and experience for the future, in this year’s Championship, many making their debut here today.
A few of the GAA teams playing today had no Irish players at all - Rennes, Barcelona and Maastricht teams are made up of predominantly non-Irish players.
It will be remembered as the day Budapest came to town and stole the crown, Luxembourg did enough to win the Men’s Championship, Paris secured the Ladies Championship, winning the Final in style, and Rennes came from behind to win the Final and win the 2007 Shield.
Men’ Championship Finals Results
Paris
Luxembourg
Den Haag
Budapest
Final
Budapest Rangers 1-3 0-4 Luxembourg
Group Matches
Luxembourg 0-4 0-5 Den Haag
Paris 0-5 2-9 Budapest
Den Haag 0-5 0-6 Budapest
Luxembourg 1-12 1-2 Paris
Luxembourg 3-6 1-10 Budapest (1 point win for Lux)
Den Haag 3-4 0-4 Paris (also 3rd place playoff)
Ladies Championship Final Tournament Results
Final
Paris Gaels 2-14 1-6 Luxembourg
Semi Final
Luxembourg 1-5 1-3 Barcelona
Paris Gaels 2-14 0-1 Maastricht
Group matches
Paris 2-2 1-3 Holland
Luxembourg 4-7 0-1 Rennes
Barcelona 2-7 1-1 Munich
Maastricht 2-2 0-1 Madrid
Holland 4-6 0-1 Rennes
Paris 1-6 1-5 Luxembourg
Munich 0-2 1-4 Madrid
Barcelona 0-11 1-2 Maastricht
Paris 2-4 0-1 Rennes
Holland 3-6 4-4 Luxembourg (1 point win for Lux)
Barcelona 1-5 0-1 Madrid
Munich 1-1 3-2 Maastricht
Men’s Shield 2007
Barcelona Amsterdam
Maastricht Rennes
Copenhagen Madrid
Valencia Pamplona
Final
Copenhagen 0-12 2-07 Rennes
(1 point win for Rennes after Extra Time)
Semi Final
Copenhagen 1-6 2-0 Amsterdam
Barcelona 1-5 2-3 Rennes (1 point win for Rennes)
Other playoff results include debuts by
Pamplona 5-3 2-3 Valencia
##
