Canada’s Northwind likes its chances as it enters into its final preparation for the 2008 International Cup. Speaking from Toronto, Northwind’s General Manager Martin Walter commented that the team’s management is very comfortable with where the team has been drawn. In a recent interview he commented "We have Finland up first on August 27th and we are now totally focused on that game, but at the end of the day, you have to beat them all and we believe we are capable of doing just that." This is Northwind’s 3rd International Cup tournament and, while they have not been that successful in the past, this year’s team has a new look to it. "We have a new Coach plus we have managed to get a number of strong corporate sponsorships for this year’s cup, especially from the mining industry such as companies like Foraco Drilling, Quantec Geoscience and Laramide Resources Inc, all of which have business on both sides of the Pacific" Walter said. "This has put the team into a strong financial position, and that allows us to bring the best football talent that the Ontario Australian Rules Football League and other Canadian leagues have to offer."
Canada is bringing a squad of 31 players along with ten support staff that have a combination of experience and youth and are the best that AFL Canada has ever brought to Australia. Last year the newly revamped Northwind silenced a lot of critics by beating USA’s Revolution in a game in Vancouver. The Country and Australian football Canada much like Australia is a geographically vast and ethnically diverse country, with a population of around 33 million people. Canada is a grand mosaic of peoples and traditions, ranging from its indigenous First Nations bands, French and British pioneers, and more recent immigrants from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Bounded by the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans, Canada is a land of extraordinary natural beauty, with dramatic land and seascapes, and vibrant cosmopolitan cities. AFL Canada originated in 1989 in Ontario and spread to the west coast of Canada. Australian football has expanded in Canada to include 17 clubs (including a 10-team league in Ontario), a junior development program comprising 14 teams (as well as a junior national side) and a senior national side, the Canadian Northwind. Strengths and Weaknesses The Canadians' strength is definitely their size and their athletic ability. Due to their sports upbringing most Canadian players find it quite easy to adapt well to the physicality and athleticism involved in Australian Rules football. Another area of strength is Canada’s extremely disciplined backline, many of whom are seasoned footballers not only domestically but internationally as well. The major weakness for the Canadians, which may be apparent for many other teams competing in the tournament, is their lack of regular international games. The Canadian side have tried to combat this though, by competing regularly against talented All-star sides filled with Australian competing here in Canada. Not having many players that grew up playing the sport is also a drawback shared with many other nations. Players to watch With many players having experience playing in domestic leagues in Australia and a good dose of international experience, there are many players to watch for the Canadian side.
Some names to look out for include Scott Flemming (who is currently playing in Australia), Aaron Falcione (who recently returned to Canada after playing in Australia this year), Tasos and George Dimacakos (the latter was invited to train with the Sydney Swans a few years back) and team captain Stefan Leyhane. Form Guide The two previous International Cups weren’t too kind to the Canadian team were they really didn’t live up to their potential. In 2002, the Northwind finished ninth with only one win out of five matches whilst in 2005 they improved their ranking finishing seventh. In their last official International game, the Canadians competed against the United States in Vancouver and defeated the Americans for the first time. Bottom Line This is a vastly improved and experienced Canadian side which is capable of beating most teams on their day. How Canada will fair in this year’s competition may all depend on their last group game against the Irish, win that and they're definitely in contention.
An Australian rules Football player 

The International Cup is Australian rules footballs world cup. The 2008 event is being held in Melbourne to celebrate  150 years of Australian rules football.

Currently the nation winning the International Cup is considered a distant second to Australia, who does not compete at the cup. This is because the difference in skill level between Australia and the next best country is quite considerate. The Australian Football League still names an All-Australian team anyway.
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===Group A===
New Zealand compete after playing against a touring Maffra side, who play in the West Gippsland Latrobe Football League. The match played in Auckland on August 2nd. The final result for this match was a win for the Maffra side 13 goals 13 behinds 91 to 3 goals 1 behind 19.

2005 Japanese captain Michito Sakaki was the first non-Irish internationally based player to play at AFL level.

New Zealand have been grouped with Samoa, Japan and cup debutant India.

===Group B===
2002 and 2005 runners up Papua New Guinea are set to play a trial game in Coolongatta before heading off to the cup. “Unless Mal Michael’s allowed to play, we’ve got no height” says coach Andrew Cadzow. Michaels plays for the Brisbane lions in the AFL.

The Peace Team, a combined Israeli-Palistinian team, is a cup debutant. It is being sponsored by The Pratt Foundation.

"It's going to be a very interesting team," said foundation chief executive Sam Lipski. "Trying to get Palestinian, Arab and Israeli kids together to play football, it's quite an achievement."

Great Britain come off the AFL Great Britain Northern Grand Final between Newcastle Centurians and Middlesborough Hawks. The match being won by the Centurions 11 goals 15 behinds 81 to 4 goals 13 behinds 37.

Plans are also in the works for a National Championship between The Centurions and southern Champions, the Southampton Titans.

PNG, The Peace Team and Great Britain have been grouped with Narau.

===Group C===
2005 third place getters the United States are generally considered the bench mark of this group. However the Danes enter the competition off the back of the national grand final.

With the Olympics in Beijing this year, the Beijing Bombers will play a demonstration match in the Chinese capital during the games. The Bombers will supply players to the Chinese national team for the Cup.

China, the USA and Denmark are joined in the group by South Africa.

===Group D===
"We have Finland up first on August 27th and we are now totally focused on that game, but at the end of the day, you have to beat them all and we believe we are capable of doing just that," Canadas General Manager Martin Walter has commented in a recent interview.

The Canadians bring a mix of experience and youth to their third International Cup. They are being financially supported by Foraco Drilling, Quantec Geoscience and Laramide Resources Inc; three of Canada's multi-national mining companies.

"This has put the team into a strong financial position, and that allows us to bring the best football talent that the Ontario Australian Rules Football League and other Canadian leagues have to offer," Walter says.

Canada are joined by inaugural champions Ireland, Sweden and Finland.