RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP

07.11.2015

Division 1B

Moldova 25, Sweden 7 in Malmo

Sweden were considerably weakened by the decision of a number of leading players to represent Sweden in a sevens tournament. Even so they did well to hold the much respected Moldovan side who seriously underperforms away from home, usually because a number of top players are usually unavailable.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
BELGIUM	7	6	0	1	146	112	134	4	28
UKRAINE	7	5	0	2	155	111	44	2	22
MOLDOVA	6	4	0	2	180	90	90	4	20
POLAND	7	3	0	4	146	187	-41	2	15
NETHERLANDS	5	2	0	3	81	74	3	2	10
SWEDEN	8	0	0	8	87	319	-211	0	0

Division 2A

Croatia 26, Israel 21 in Netanya

Israel failed to take advantage of their home ground against Croatia although they did get a bonus point.

Israel’s next game is a very tough one away to Switzerland. They’ll be hoping for a repeat performance against front contender Czech Republic when they drew 26-26 in Prague. Croatia will host Malta next weekend.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
SWITZ.	5	4	0	1	126	99	27	2	18
CZECH REP	5	3	1	1	106	82	26	3	17
CROATIA	5	4	0	3	112	124	-12	4	12
MALTA	4	2	0	2	80	89	-9	1	9
ISRAEL	5	0	1	4	98	129	-31	2	4

Division 2B

Latvia 31, Cyprus 3 in Paphos

The once invincible Cyprus team, and world record holder of the most consecutive test rugby wins, has fallen on hard times in this division. They were promoted last season but have failed to fire against the stronger opposition in this division.

Neither team is playing next weekend.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
LITHUANIA	6	6	0	0	230	107	123	6	30
LATVIA	6	4	0	2	141	108	33	3	19
CYPRUS	5	2	0	3	90	121	-25	1	9
ANDORRA	5	2	0	3	79	136	-57	0	8
HUNGARY	6	0	0	6	101	170	-69	4	4

Division 2C

Slovenia 33, Serbia 17 in Belgrade

This was the third match in the REC games this weekend in which the home side lost. Serbia were outplayed by their northern rugby rivals despite nearly scoring a fourth (and bonus) try towards the end.

The Serbs will have a tough away game against Luxembourg next weekend whilst Slovenia hosts Denmark at home.

CYPRUS v LATVIA: REC 2B

07.11.2015

Venue: Paphiako Stadium, Paphos

Referee: Nicolas Vandecauter (Belgium)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
LITHUANIA	6	6	0	0	230	107	123	6	30
LATVIA	5	3	0	4	110	105	5	2	14
CYPRUS	4	2	0	2	87	90	-3	1	9
ANDORRA	5	2	0	3	79	136	-57	0	8
HUNGARY	6	0	0	6	101	170	-69	4	4

Preview

Neither side will be able to challenge Lithuania for the title of this division. Cyprus will need the win to avoid the relegation end of the competition.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Latvia 26th, Cyprus 27th

World Rugby Rankings do not apply. Cyprus is not a full member.

Prediction: Cyprus by 6 points. Score 29-23

TEAMS

Latvia

Two changes - Raimond Krūmiņa and Davis Bajārs are replaced by Valters Rankis and Andris Andersons.

1 Guntis Cirša
2 Gundars Grieķis
3 Sandris Jauntēvs
4 Santis Podāns
5 Māris Streikišs
6 Mārtiņš Bērziņš
7 Viktors Silvoniks, (Capt.)
8 Leno Bramanis
9 Norberts Bekmanis
10 Ruslans Kotļevs
11 Vigo Valdavs
12 Krists Krūskops
13 Dāvis Jansons
14 Mārtiņš Bokišs
15 Roberts Davidsons

16 Emīls Balodis
17 Ingus Aivars
18 Elmārs Imbrass
19 Toms Asejevs
20 Kārlis Garokalns
21 Valters Raņķis
22 Andris Andersons
23 Nauris Bērziņš

http://rugbylatvia.com/?p=11281

Cyprus Squad

15. Marcus Holden
14. Steve Awah
13. Alex Zavallis-Roebuck
12. George Agathocleous
11. Phillip Tsangari
10. Michael Asprou
9. Burhan Torgut
1. Stylianos Theoklitou-Panagiotou
2. Marios Zakakiotis
3. Christos Kasabi
4. Frank Stavrou
5. Alexandros Philiotis
6. Jack Bilton
7. Marko Mladenovic (c)
8. Demetris Christopher
16. Demetris Gregoriou
17. Alexandros Ioannou
18. Solomone Tuipulotu
19. Dan McFarlane
20. Constantinos Constantinides
21. George Shaouna
22. Panagiotis Nikolaidis
23. Costas Pavlou

https://www.facebook.com/CyprusRugby/

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

07.11.2015
Sweden v Moldova in Malmo (REC 1B)
Israel v Croatia in Netanya (REC 2A)
Cyprus v Latvia in Paphos (REC 2B)
Serbia v Slovenia in Beograd (REC 2C)

08.11.2015
Colombia v Ecuador in Lima (CONSUR B)
Venezuela v Peru in Lima (CONSUR B)

Briefly
As the dust settles on the 2015 Rugby World Cup final last weekend the test rugby elsewhere continues. This month you wont be seeing the Southern Hemisphere teams touring north as they need a good rest after the tournament.

The Rugby Europe Championship continues with four tests on Saturday. On Sunday sees the start of CONSUR B, or South American Championship, Division B. That tournament, being held in Lima, Peru, is the second tier of South American rugby behind Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil and Paraguay.

Later in November Germany will visit Brazil for a test match. December will be busy with CONSUR C being held in San Salvador whilst in early December Germany will play their second test in Brazil.

This weekend
Sweden faces front runner Moldova in an attempt to improve on its earlier results this season against Belgium and Poland. It wont be enough to avoid relegation.

Israel and Croatia will battle to avoid the relegation area. Israel drew with Czech Republic away in their last match and are beginning to adjust to this new level of European test rugby. Croatia won the first leg match against Israel but could struggle playing away. Croatia warmed up with a 5-39 loss to Oxford University last weekend.

Cyprus and Latvia clash in Cyprus in a Division 2B test match. Cyprus, holder of the world record of 24 consecutive test match wins up to 2014, were promoted from Division 2C the same season. Their results at this level have been mixed. Latvia has also had a mixed season, have played one more test than Cyprus. Neither team fared well against competition Lithuania who are unassailable at the top of this division.

Balkan rugby rivals Slovenia and Serbia clash in Beograd. Serbia had a disastrous start to the 2014-15 season but a change of management after Christmas has seen them win against Denmark and Austria.Slovenia is tucked just behind the undefeated Luxembourg ( to whom they lost to in the first leg) but has a game in hand. I expect this to be a close result.

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2B

31.10.2015
Lithuania 49, Andorra 17 in Vilnius (REC 2B)
Latvia 39, Hungary 10 in Riga (REC 2B)

Review
Easy wins for the Baltic nations at home. Lithuania cannot be overtaken with the remaining games to play.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
LITHUANIA	6	6	0	0	230	107	123	6	30
LATVIA	5	3	0	4	110	105	5	2	14
CYPRUS	4	2	0	2	87	90	-3	1	9
ANDORRA	5	2	0	3	79	136	-57	0	8
HUNGARY	6	0	0	6	101	170	-69	4	4

To Play
07.11.2015 Cyprus v Latvia in Paphos
28.11.2015 Andorra v Cyprus in Andorra La Vela
26.03.2016 Andorra v Latvia in Andorra La Vela
09.04.2016 Cyprus v Hungary in Paphos
16.04.2016 Latvia v Lithuania in Riga
23.04.2016 Lithuania v Cyprus in Vilnius
14.05.2016 Hungary v Andorra in Hungary

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2B

31.10.2015
Lithuania v Andorra in Vilnius

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
LITHUANIA	5	5	0	0	181	90	101	5	25
CYPRUS	4	2	0	2	87	90	-3	1	9
LATVIA	4	2	0	4	71	95	-24	1	9
ANDORRA	4	2	0	2	62	87	-25	0	8
HUNGARY	5	0	0	5	91	131	-40	4	4

  

Preview

Notwithstanding a major disaster in the Lithuanian rugby camp it is difficult not to expect that they will be promoted for the 2015-16 Rugby Championship. Playing at home to Andorra should see the locals chalk up another victory and retain their unblemished record.

Andorra has won its last two games in this competition. The win away against Latvia was most impressive.

Andorran National Rugby Team. Image thanks to http://vpcandorra.com

Previous Encounters
18.10.2014 Lithuania 34-15 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
10.10.2009 Lithuania 40-12 in Siuilia (ENC 3A)
08.11.2008 Lithuania 26-10 in Andorra La Vela (WCQ Europe R2; ENC 3A)
19.10.1996 Andorra 54-24 in Andorra La Vela (WCQ Europe Pool 3, Rnd A)

Andorra Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
12.05.2015 v Latvia W 14-5 in Riga (REC 2B)
04.04.2015 v Hungary W 23-18 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
01.11.2014 v Cyprus L 10-30 in Paphos (REC 2B)
18.10.2014 v Lithuania L 15-34 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
12.04.2014 v Israel L 16-20 in Netanya (ENC 2B)

Lithuania Last Five P 5, W 5
24.10.2015 v Hungary W 37-15 in Esztergom (REC 2B)
02.05.2015 v Cyprus W 26-20 in Paphoa (REC 2B)
25.04.2015 v Latvia W 46-11 in Riga (REC 2B)
25.10.2014 v Hungary W 38-29 in Siauliai (REC 2B)
18.10.2014 v Andorra W 34-15 in Andorra La vela (REC 2B)

Lithuania has won its last 6 rugby test matches.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Lithuania 23rd, Andorra 25th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Lithuania 48.64, Andorra 43.10

Prediction: Lithuania by 20 points. Score 35-15

TEAMS

Andorra Squad

Peter Ambor
Marc Arasanz
Bruno Comas (Primera selecció)
Matt Dawson
Esteve Dolsa
Eduard Estevenet
Joan Fité
Roger Fité
Jonathan Garcia
Julien Ginesta
Edisher Jamrulidze
Liam Jordan
Kim Jordan (Primera selecció)
Tiago Macedo
Joan Martí (Primera selecció)
Gerard Menardia
Daniel Raya
Giorgii Rekhviashvili
Eric Risco
Gerard Soteras
Marc Torrent
Stefano Tosatti
Marc Vilella (Primera selecció)

http://vpcandorra.com/2015/10/27/llistat-de-seleccionats-pel-partit-dels-isards-contra-lituania-el-31102015/

Lithuania Squad not available

Latvia v Hungary in Riga

Hungary have a difficult away game against middle of the table Latvia. Hungary may face relegation back to REC 2C at the end of the season unless they can pick up a few more wins. Latvia defeated Hungary 16-14 in Hungary in round 1.

Latvia to win by 15 points. Score 31-16.

Team lists not available