Friday, March 15, 2013

CYPRUS v BULGARIA European Nations Cup, Div. 2C

16.03.2013

Venue: Paphos

Referee: Didier Welfring (Luxembourg)

Preview
This is the third feature match this weekend. I’ve chosen this game because of its historical significance. If Cyprus wins today it will hold a new world test rugby record.

There may be some debate as to whether Lithuania actually holds the record at 17, but officially it does. A win today will be Cyprus’ 18th test win.

Cyprus Record

29.11.2008 AZERBAIJAN BAKU WON  37 - 3  ENC 3D
06.12.2008 MONACO EPISKOPI WON  24 - 3 ENC 3D
14.03.2009 SLOVAKIA EPISKOPI WON  33 - 7 ENC 3D
21.03.2009 BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA ZENICA WON    8 - 6 ENC 3D
14.11.2009 MONACO MENTON WON  44 - 5 ENC 3D
06.03.2010 AZERBAIJAN PAPHOS WON  59 - 0 ENC 3D
27.03.2010 BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA PAPHOS WON  15 - 0 ENC 3D
20.11.2010 GREECE ATHENS WON  33 - 13 ENC 2D
12.03.2011 BULGARIA PAPHOS WON  55 - 8 ENC 2D
26.03.2011 FINLAND PAPHOS WON  70 - 10 ENC 2D
07.05.2011 LUXEMBOURG (1) LUXEMBOURG WON  50 - 0 ENC 2D
08.10.2011 LUXEMBOURG (2) PAPHOS WON  48 - 7 ENC 2D
28.04.2012 BULGARIA PERNIK WON  94 - 3 ENC 2D
26.05.2012 GREECE PAPHOS WON  72 - 5 ENC 2D
09.06.2012 FINLAND HELSINKI WON  52 - 5 ENC 2D
17.11.2012 AUSTRIA VIENNA WON  54 - 20 WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2C
08.12.2012 SLOVENIA PAPHOS WON  49 - 8 WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2C

Cyprus lost to Israel 14-22 just before the Azerbaijan game.

Cyprus has played Bulgaria twice in the above sequence and has won both comfortably. I can’t see any reason why that should change. I have not received a team list from Bulgaria despite my email so I can’t gauge their strength

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Cyprus 29th, Bulgaria 31st

IRB Ranking Points do not apply as Cyprus, despite playing 22 rugby test matches, is not ranked, whereas American Samoa, who was recently admitted and has played zilch number of tests, is. Go figure!

Prediction: Just can’t see Cyprus being beaten. Cyprus by 50 points.

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Cyprus Squad
1. Stephan Eleftheriou - Woodford RFC, England
2. Tony Thoma (C) - Tarleton RFC, England
3. Stav Economou - Brighton RFC, England
4. Luke Frixou - Nottingham RFC, England
5. Kyri Antoniades - Old Whitgiftians, England
6. Constantinos Constantinides - Limassol Crusaders
7. Marko Mladenovic - University of West England, England
8. Chris Thoma - Pafos Tigers
9. Burhan Torgut - Cardiff Metropolitan University, Wales
10. Andrew Binikos - Currie RFC, Scotland
11. Tom Loizides - Esher RFC, England
12. Reno Ioannides – Montlucon, France
13. George Agathocleous - Pafos Tigers
14. Fidias Efthymiou – Univ. of Surrey and Guildford RFC, Eng.
15. Marcus Holden - Hilversum RFC, Netherlands
16. Dervis Devren - Larnaca Guardians
17. Dinu Floredan - Pafos Tigers
18. Stavros Charalambous - Pafos Tigers
19. Scott Lennox - Limassol Crusaders
20. Jack Bilton - Pafos Tigers
21. Dimitri Maratheftis - Pafos Tigers
22. Sam Burns - Pafos Tigers
23. Dan Thrasivoulou - Derby RFC, England

Coach: Paul Shanks
Manager: Theo Lenos

Cyprus squad thanks to coach Paul Shanks. Paul makes a few notes about this selection.

Captain Tony Thoma has played in every match (22 games) to date and will captain the side on Saturday for the 18th time. Dervis Devren becomes the first player to play for Cyprus from our newly formed club The Larnaca Guardians.

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Bulgaria squad unavailable despite a request

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