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| With
over 20 clubs across Europe, from Finnish hurlers in the frozen north to
Costa del Sol footballers in the sizzling south, European GAA is developing
strongly, as Irish emigrants spread the games and enthusiastic locals take
to the sports rapidly.
Such numbers saw the birth in 2002 of the Euro League, an inter-club competition played throughout the continent between February and November. From 2006 a new regional format was introduced, with the competing clubs split into 4 groups: Iberia, France & Channel Islands, Benelux and Central & Eastern Europe. Each group
sends 2 teams to participate in 4 title-deciding tournaments, with the
European Championship winner determined on the basis of the position achieved
in each of the tournaments. 2006 saw Den Haag crowned as European champions
after 4 pan-European rounds were disputed, in Munich, Paris, The Hague
and Barcelona. |
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| Madrid
Harps took their first steps on the European stage in September 2004 when
some members made the trip to Barcelona, joining forces with the Barcelona
Gaels' second squad, to form the "B Specials" for the day
2005 saw us reach a European tournament final in Gernika, beating Paris, Barcelona and the hosts on route, but ultimately losing out to the French in the final. 2006 saw
us finish second, behind Costa del Sol, in the Iberian Regional Championship,
winning our home tournament comfortably. Having qualified for Europe we
made the trips to The Hague and Barcelona, but were given a harsh introduction
to that level of football! Results did not match performances, and the
wooden spoon came our way, but experience was gained and the appetite
was whetted for the 2007 campaign!! |
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