REC Division 3: Final Day

14.04.2015
Slovakia 31, Montenegro 3 in Budva (REC 3, Final)
Estonia 106, Montenegro ‘B’ 0 in Budva (Friendly)

Review
Slovakia were too strong for the host nation in todays REC 3 final. This was Montenegro’s second test match as one of the world’s newest international rugby nation.

Points from this tournament will be carried over to the 2015 Tournament. The winner overall will be eligible to promotion to REC 2D for 2016-18.

RUGBY EUROPE DIVISION 3

14.04.2015
Montenegro v Slovakia in Budva (REC 3, Final)
Estonia v Montenegro ‘B’ in Budva (Friendly)

Preview
Montenegro and Slovakia will do battle on the rugby field Tuesday to decide the winner of the 2015 REC 3. This tournament will be repeated in 2016 to decide who will gain promotion to REC 2D. The points gained from this tournament will be carried over in the same way as other REC divisions.

Predictions
Montenegro by 3 v Slovakia
Estonia by 60 v Montenegro ‘B’.

A review of Saturday’s games in Montenegro below
http://www.rugbyeurope.eu/article-760.htm

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 3

11.04.2015
Montenegro 29, Estonia 27 v in Montenegro (REC 3, Semi-final )
Slovakia 82, Montenegro ‘B’ 0 in Montenegro (Friendly)

Briefly
Montenegro were ahead 22-10 at one stage. Estonia fought back with 3 tries to lead 27-22 for Montenegro to score a converted try with five minutes to go.

Greece failed to turn up.

Tuesdays Games
Montenegro v Slovakia (Final)
Estonia v Montenegro ‘B’ (Friendly)

RUGBY EUROPE DIVISION 3

Image thanks to https://www.facebook.com/pages/HELLENIC-RUGBY-FEDERATION/261424277315985

Image from https://www.facebook.com/pages/MONTENEGRO-RUGBY/140690896036916

11.04.2015
Estonia, Slovakia, Montenegro, Montenegro B

Venue: Montenegro

Preview

11/04: At Stadium FK Mornar, Bar
          Estonia v Montenegro
          Slovakia v Montenegro B

14/04: At Stadion Fk Mogren, Budva
          Winner v Winner
          Loser v Loser

Greece pulled out at the last minute. Only Slovakia has a history of competition play in the Rugby Europe international test competitions. Estonia has only played a handful of friendlies except to defeat Belarus 59-12 in a preliminary contest to qualify for this tournament. For Montenegro they will be making their test rugby debut.

Montenegro was part of Yugoslavia from 1945. They stayed united with Serbia until declaring their independence in 2006.

TEAMS

Slovakia

Vereš Ľudovít, Rabara Andrej, Mihálik Martin, Mihálik Michal, Puha Daniel, Náter Andrej, Douez Nicolas ( všetci 1.RC Slovan Bratislava), Želinský Tomáš, Morgan Sam, Ľoch Patrik ( všetci Slávia TU Košice), Kalina Peter, Jung Ján, Násse Sebastian ( všetci RC Praga Praha), Székely Ján, Tažký Michal ( všetci RC Spartak Trnava), Mana Marcel, Poledna Patrik ( všetci RC Olomouc), Kozubík Pavol, Kozubík Peter ( všetci RC Havířov), Múdrik Marián, Veselý Martin ( RC Slávia Praha), Hodáň Vlastimil ( RC Brno Bystrc), Fouillade Théo ( CA Brive), Májovský Martin ( RC Brightone Blues).

Realizačný tím: Hlavný tréner: Fišer Jozef. Asistenti: Lištván Pavel, Kubala Vladimír. Manažér reprezentácie: Krutzner Eduard. Fyzio: Čermák Ján.

http://www.slovakrugby.sk/reprezentacia/konecna-nominacia-na-enc/

Estonia Squad

Taavi Ermel
Lauri Laaniste
Ragnar Toompere
Rain Kurg
Rasmus Toompere
Harles Tiitsma
Kaarel Kokemägi
Karmo Lomp
Mihkel Pärn
Andre Astre
Jaan Lorens
Mark Zuhhovitski
Matis Sangla
Kimmo Kokemägi
Kullar Veersalu
Marten Martinson
Roland Kalso
Maati Pallas
Karl Pallas
Kristjan Kotkas
Luke Veebel
Kristjan Seiman
Aivars Lohmus

http://www.estonianrugby.com/news.html

Team nearly did not make the tournament. Due to funding problems players were asked to self fund the trip

Montenegro Squad

Janko Milović, Budimir Andrić, Luka Lučić, Nikola Vuletić, Aleksandar Mecikukić, Vladimir Tomović, Boris Mijušković (Capt.), Aleksandar Milosavljević, Nikola Jovanović, Srđan Popović, Aleksandar Bulatović, Danilo Adžić, Dušan Vučićević, Marko Andrić, Boško Mirjačić, Mijo Martinović, Dimitrije Čvorović, Marko Jaredić, Mirko Garčević, Igor Adžaip, Miloš Kuvelja, Aljoša Marinković, Marko Novaković i Vladan Čelebić.

Head Coach: Marti Lastiano

Adapted from http://www.vijesti.me/sport/ragbi-selekcija-sjutra-sa-estonijom-u-evropskom-kupu-nacija-828330

Montenegro B Squad Not available

Predictions
Estonia by 7 v Montenegro. Score 17-10
Slovakia by 30 v Montenegro ‘B’. Score 35-5

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

11.04.2015
Paraguay v Uruguay in Montevideo (CONSUR A)
Czech Republic v Croatia in Croatia (REC 2A)
Greece v Estonia in Montenegro (REC 3, Semi-final 1)
Slovakia v Montenegro in Montenegro (REC 3, Semi-final 2)
Mexico v Cayman Islands in Grand Cayman (Caribbean Championship, North)
Guyana v Trinidad Tobago (Caribbean Championship, South)
St Lucia v Curacao in Castries (Caribbean Cup, South)

Briefly
CONSUR A 2015 competition begins with Paraguay travelling to Montevideo. This round is to find the qualifiers for the 2016 CONSUR Cup, the elite level of South American rugby.

Montenegro will become the latest member of the test rugby family when they host the REC Division 3 competition this weekend. The finals will be played next week mid-week.

The Caribbean Championship and Cup competitions continue. Mexico and Cayman Islands will be virtually playing for the North title, the winner facing the South winner. That will be either Guyana or Trinidad Tobago who also play this weekend. The surprise is the USA South is already out of the competition and will in fact have to face the Cup North winner in a promotion-relegation match later.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 28 September

28.09.2013
South Africa 28, Australia 8 in Capetown (Rugby Championship; Mandela Cup)
New Zealand 33, Argentina 15 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)
Finland 35, Greece 20 in Turku (ENC 2D)
Estonia 24,Finland ‘A’ 17 in Turku (Friendly)

Briefly
For South Africa to win the 2013 Rugby Championship they need to defeat New Zealand in Johannesburg next Saturday and score a bonus point. New Zealand need a win or a draw.

New Zealand’s bonus point win over Argentina has placed them in a good position to retain the Rugby Championship. Australia’s loss to South Africa will mean they face Argentina in Rosario next weekend to avoid the competition ‘Wooden Spoon’.

Finland dragged itself off the bottom of ENC 2D with a bonus point win over the visiting Greek side in Turku up the road from Helsinki.

Estonia announced it is ready for their entry into the ENC competition defeating Finland ‘A’ also in Turku.

FINLAND A v ESTONIA

28.09.2013

Venue: Paavo Nurmi stadium in Turku

Referee:

Preview
Estonia has played three test rugby matches since 2010.
22.05.2010 v Finland in Viismi L 15-22
02.10.2011 v Finland in Helsinki L 5-55
12.05.2012 v Turkey in Tallinn L 5-47

All the above matches were friendlies. Estonia is gradually moving towards inclusion in the ENC Division 3 championship.

This match is the curtainraiser for the Finland v Greece ENC match.

Prediction: Finland ‘A’ by 25 points

Finland A Squad
1. Jesse Metsanen (Tampere)
2. Mauno Konttila (VC) (JRC)
3. Aleksi Aalto (Tampere)
4. Antti Virtanen (Vaasa)
5. Karl Filtness (JRC)
6. Ari Tikkanen (C) (Kuopio)
7. Joonas Manni (Turku)
8. Mikael Ahola (UK)
9. Christiaan Freeman (Tampere)
10. Alex Bannatyne (Porvoo)
11. Henrico Harnoster (Linna)
12. Markku Kiviniemi (Turku)
13. Kalle Helin (Vaasa)
14. Joonas Nevakivi (Helsinki)
15. Valtteri Valtia (Warriors)
16. Antti Pappila (Warriors)
17. Antti Bjorkvist (JRC)
18. Kalle Valimaki (Linna)
19. Kalle Salminen (Turku)
20. Matti Keranen (Kuopio)
21. Jaakko Kanniainen (Turku)
22. Mika Takala (Helsinki)
23. Tony Lappi (Kuopio)

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4374

Estonia

Squad not yet released

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 11-12 May

12.05.2012
Japan 52, Korea 8 in Seoul (Asia5Nations)
Armenia v Slovenia-Forfeit to Slovenia
Turkey 49, Estonia 5 in Tallinn (Friendly)

11.05.2012
United Arab Emirates 46, Kazakhstan 31 in Dubai (Asia5Nations)

Briefly
Japan scored three tries during the 10 minute sin binning of a Korean player in the second half. This blew out the score against the Koreans. Japan were held 14-0 at halftime as the Koreans, as expected, brought a physicality to the game and shut the Japanese attacks down. This would be a disappointing result for Korea but it does signify that they are back in Asia5Nations to satay.

On Friday UAE had to hold a determined Kazakhstan team in the second half as the visitors stormed back in a last attempt for victory. The Kazakh’s very nearly succeeded. Kazakhstan are now the team in danger of relegation.

In the Baltic nation of Estonia Turkey, without some key players, proved to quick and polished for the local side. This is Turkey’s second win in two test matches, both friendly. They defeated Slovakia 31-5 last month. They look a certainty to start in the 2012-14 European Nations Cup competition.

INTERNATIONAL TEST RUGBY: Turkey v Estonia

12.05.2012
Turkey v Estonia in Tallinn (Friendly)

Venue: Suur-Rannavärav,

Referee:

Preview
These two teams have never met before. This is Turkey’s second rugby test match whilst Estonia have only played two friendly tests against Finland.

This game is crucial in the development of rugby across Europe. Neither team participates in the European Nations Cup. These friendly test matches are a measure of where each nation is in its rugby development. There is so much required and standards to be met by the European governing body.These are in the areas of administration, club rugby, test match hosting facilities and organisation, and junior rugby. All the boxes must be ticked before a team can enter test rugby competition. The recent disqualification of Armenia has sent out a strong message to developing rugby nations.

This will be a difficult match for Turkey to win. They are without three of the France-based professionals, including Kuzucu the captain against Slovakia. The other two were their props! So this is a weaker side than that which played Slovakia. It includes four new caps.

I can’t find anything about the Estonian team.

Turkey Only Result
29.04.2012 v Slovakia W 31-5 in Bratislava

Estonia Past Results
02.10.2010 v Finland L 5-55 in Helsinki
22.05.2010 v Finland L 15-22 in Viismi

GWC Rugby Rankings do not apply as Estonia is unranked

Prediction: Difficult to judge. Going on the fact that the visitors are without key players. Turkey by 7 points

Turkey Squad
İbrahim Timbale Akay *
Murat Altun
Salim Çavuş
Tamer James Çelikbaş
Bahri Dağlı
Atilla Demir
Erkut Levent Durmuş
Doğu Eroğlu
Mehmet Akif Ersoy
Kerim Galal
Roman Güllübağ *
Ertuğrul Günday
Abdullah Güneş
Kemal Ege Gürkan
Samet Karaca *
Dinçhan Kilercioğlu
Ramazan Kılıçkaya
Yavuz Kocaer
Selçuk Kozlu
Deniz Krom
Mustafa Kemal Kurt *
Ali Bökehan Sürer
* New caps

Head Coach: Niall Doherty

Estonia Squad not available

TEST RUGBY: Finland v Estonia

02.10.2010
Estonia v Finland in Helsinki (Friendly)

Venue: Myllypuro Sports Park,

Referee:

Preview
It's Finland's turn to host this match. They prepare for next weekend's clash with Luxembourg. Estonia, a fledging union on the European rugby scene, will be looking for a convincing performance and entry into the European competition.

Previous Encounter
22.05.2010 Finland 22-15 in Viimsi

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Finland 37th, Estonia 42nd

Prediction: Finland by 20 points

Teams

Finland Squad

Forwards:
Andras Devenyi (Helsinki Rugby Club)
Jussi Keskinen (Helsinki Warriors)
Mauno Konttila (Tampere Rugby Club)
Mehdi Marami (Helsinki Rugby Club)
Erik Pekkola (Helsinki Warriors)
Juha Rainvuori (Helsinki Warriors)
Semu Salmivalli (Turku Eagles)
Ville Siiskonen (Helsinki Rugby Club)
Christian Skogholm (Spartacus Rugby Club)
Ari Tikkanen (Jyväskylä Rugby Club)
Olli-Pekka Tuomaala (Vaasa Wolves)
Jaakko Vilen (Helsinki Warriors)
Stephen Whittaker (Helsinki Rugby Club)

Backs:
Rami Aro (Enköping, Sweden)
Simon Elliott (Helsinki Rugby Club)
Thomas Finell (Helsinki Warriors)
Petri Pallari (Helsinki Rugby Club)
Patrik Pietilä (Lahti Sisu)
Galen Rangiawha (Turku Eagles)
Joonas Santala (Helsinki Rugby Club)
Mika Takala (Helsinki Rugby Club)
Ilkka Tuomaala (Turku Eagles)

http://rugby.fi/en/content/men

Estonia

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: Take 2

Looks like Finland v Greece has been postponed. Instead we have...

Estonia v Finland in Helsinki (International Rugby Partnership Shield)

Test match poster. Image from http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3574

Estonia is the newest international rugby team in Europe. They played their first game in the autumn, against Finland at home , and lost 15-22. Estonia is yet to take part in the European Nations Cup competition.

More later.

No word as yet as to when the Greece v Finland game will take place.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS Saturday 22 May

22.05.2010
Japan 94, Hong Kong 5 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia R2; Asia5Nations)
Kazakhstan 32, Korea 25 in Incheon (WCA Asia R2; Asia5Nations)
Romania 33, Ukraine 3 in Kiev (WCQ Europe R5 Playoff, 1^st leg)
Slovenia 16, Norway 13 in Oslo (ENC 3B)
Finland 22, Estonia 15 in Viismi (Friendly. Estonia’s first test match

Briefly
Japan is going to the 2011 Rugby World Cup finals in New Zealand. Sounds like a big announcement and it is. It's just that that fact was known long ago as Japan is light years ahead of any Asian rivals, as this years Asia5Nations results prove. Japan were too good for a Hong Kong team who needed a bonus point to keep their 2nd Asia spot. It wasn't to be because fireworks were happening across the water in Korea.

Kazakhstan came from being down 25-13 to mount the mother of a comeback to gain all the points needed (including a bonus for 4 tries, 3 to a certain Anton Rudoy!) and snatch that second place away from Hong Kong. What a game they tell me. I said it would be a cracker!

Romania, with a number of stars absent, rumbled their way over Ukraine to gain a decisive 33-3 win. Romania look to have Europe R5 sewn up with a home game second leg fixture against Ukraine in Bucharest next month.

Slovenia will play in ENC 3A for 2010-12 with a close 16-13 win in Oslo, whilst Estonia kicked off their international rugby with a respectable loss to Finland in Estonia.

We, players and media, have an international rugby rest next weekend as there are no, as far as I'm aware, test matches scheduled for the 29th. Which is just as well as I'm running a stamp and coin fair in my home town here in Tasmania.

FIRST RUGBY TEST MATCH FOR ESTONIA

22.05.2010
Finland v Estonia in Viimsi (Friendly)

Venue: Viimsi Stadium

Referee:

Preview
This match is a semi-official test match as it has not been sanctioned by FIRA-AER. This is probably because Estonia is yet to be a member of the European rugby body. Nevertheless, my Finnish source informs me that both sides will only field eligible players.

Despite that in real terms this will be Estonia's first international rugby test match. Estonia has five clubs listed on their new web site http://www.ragbi.ee/. RFC Märjamaa, which has a very flash and informative web site, Paide RFC, Tallin Sharks, Tartu Lelo and the Uudeküla Bulldogs.

In the past Estonia has been more involved with rugby league although the Tallin Sharks has also played rugby union. Last year Latvia played the English Deaf side in Folkstone (where I believe a number of Estonians have established themselves) and lost 21-36.

It is difficult to predict a result, especially as the strength of the Finnish side is not known, although I would be surprised if Finland turned up with their strongest side. Finland came last in FIRA-AER 3C and will play in 3D for 2010-12, the level that Estonia would enter once they are affiliated.

Prediction: Finland by 12 points.