International Rugby: Ukraine Hosts Belgium

10.10.2009
Belgium v Ukraine in Kiev (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 2A)

Venue: Spartak Stadium

Referee: Laurent Valin (France)

Preview
Belgium, known as 'The Black Devils', is a team plagued by a list of injured players as it looks to its first competition match, in Kiev. Peter Plasman, Mathieu Verschelden, Dennis Eppe, Cyril Nana, Marote Simon and Carlos Fierro(who would have played his first test) are all unavailable. Nicolas Meeus is the only new cap. Belgium has won the last three encounters with the Ukraine. Demolder has been included in the starting lineup despite a shoulder injury.

The Ukraine is experiencing a surge of form. They have the advantage of a competition match already, a good 19-12 win at home against Poland. They have also lost the last three tests to Belgium and are looking to turn this around. A win here will place the Ukraine firmly at the top of the table and in line for a place in the next World Cup qualifying rounds. They are also experiencing injuries, notably to Jaba Malaguradze, but also Sergei Tserkovinyi, Alexander Lyuby, George Gegidze and Paul Masjukov. Unfortunately Ukraine has not published a squad list.

Last Five Encounters
01.11.2008 Belgium 9-8 in Brussels (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 2A)
24.11.2007 Belgium 18-15 in Feodosia (ENC 2A)
04.11.2006 Belgium 24-11 in Brussels (ENC 2A)
13.10.2001 Ukraine 21-10 in Kiev (FIRA/WCQ Europe R2; Pool A)
18.10.1997 Ukraine 48-5 in Kiev (WCQ Europe Pool 2, Rnd B)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Ukraine 13th, Belgium 16th

Prediction: Ukraine by 20 points.

Teams

Belgium
15 Sébastien Guns (Boitsfort)
14 Jérôme Cauwe (ASUB Rugby Waterloo)
13 Thibaut André (Soignies)
12 Dirk Haguedooren (Cap d’Agde, France)
11 Nicolas Meeus (Kituro)
10 Peter Duchau (Dendermonde)
9 Julien Berger (La Rochelle, France)
8 Charlie Fourneau (Lille, France)
7 Michaël Demolder (Boitsfort)
6 Bertrand Bili (Soignies)
5 Damien Godefroy (Lille, France)
4 Pierre Hendrikx (Boitsfort)
3 Jérôme Wey (Saint-Nazaire, France)
2 Norman Wende (Saint-Etienne, France)
1 Julien Massimi (Saint-Etienne, France)
Replacements
16 Jimmy Mulumba (Domont, France)
17 Thomas Dienst (Lille, France)
18 Alain Miriallakis (Domont, France)
19 Dries Bovijn (Boitsfort)
20 Aurélien Batardy (Soignies)
21 Victor Wartique (Frameries)
22 Frédéric Rongé (Kituro)

Head Coach: Richard McClintock

http://www.sportkipik.be/articles.php?id_article=6903

Ukraine
Squad unavailable
Head Coach: Vladamir Mucha