Latest news | Find your nearest club Latest AFL Explained Get Involved Competitions Partners About Shop ANZAC Cup June 25, 2018 Commemorating the anniversary of the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux that took place during WW1, the men’s and women’s Australian ‘Spirit’ sides go head-to-head with the French national teams to contest the ANZAC Cup. The match honours those Australian’s who fought to reclaim the town from German occupancy on the night of April 24th, 1918, in a victory that was described as the turning point in the war by Sir John Monash. Villers-Bretonneux had been a key post for the Allies prior to the Germans successfully breaking through defensive lines and taking the town on the 24th as part of their Spring Offensive. This was a considerable victory given the towns vantage point over the city of Amiens which was of significant tactical importance to both sides. As such, the Australian lead counter-attack was an imperative move to be made and was quickly ordered to commence on the night of the 24th, with the 13th, 14th & 15th brigades waiting for the cover of darkness before launching their response at 10pm local time. Their efforts were successful and the town was handed back to the villagers on April 25th – exactly three years after the landing at Gallipoli – but tragically not before 2,473 Australian lives were lost. The match is now a focal point in the ‘Australia Week’ celebrations organised by local authorities that recognise this sacrifice made by the Australians who retook Villers-Bretonneux. Played since 2009, the 32 Australian men and women selected to represent their country in the ANZAC Cup are done so based on their own personal or family connection to the armed forces rather than their specific footballing experience or ability, placing extra importance on the already momentous honour of pulling on the green and gold. Players are hosted by adoring local families and spend time in the lead up to the game engaging with their opposition by running community footy clinics, sharing a dinner and guernsey presentation, taking part in a street parade and holding a combined training session, before attending the dawn service at the Australian National Memorial where the names of 10,733 Australian’s who lost their lives on the Western Front are listed. Location: Villers-Bretonneux, France Date: April 23-25, 2022 Current Holders: French Coqs (Men), Australian Spirit (Women) Previous Winners: Men 2009 – Australia by 119 points 2010 – France by 24 points 2011 – Australia by 133 points 2012 – France by 69 points 2013 – France by 41 points 2014 – Australia by 229 points 2015 – Australia by 49 points 2016 – Australia by 85 points 2017 – Australia by 39 points 2018 – Australia by 17 points 2019 – France by 42 points 2020 – Cancelled 2021 – Cancelled 2022 – TBD Head to Head – Australia 7, France 4 Women 2016 – Australia by 102 points 2017 – Australia by 43 points 2018 – Australia by 53 points 2019 – Australia by 6 points 2020 – Cancelled 2021 – Cancelled 2022 – TBD Head to Head – Australia 4, France 0 Share this entry Contact Us Have questions about AFL? Please contact us using our details below, our team are happy to help guide you in the right direction. admin@afleurope.org 3rd Floor, Australia Centre Strand, London WC2B 4LG Stay up to date by subscribing to our monthly newsletter Stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter: AFL Europe Official Partners © AFL Europe 2021. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Website by Coding creed