RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2D

03.10.2015
Finland v Bosnia Herzegovina in Helsinki (REC 2D)

Image thanks to http://zeragbi.blogspot.co.uk/

Referee: Mike Hawkins (Denmark)

Preview
Home advantage says a lot at this level of international rugby. B-H never travel well so will find Finland a handful at home.

Previous Encounters
25.04.2015 Bosnia H. 29-7 in Zenica (REC 2D)
31.05.2014 Finland 29-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)
20.04.2013 Bosnia H. 19-15 in Sarajevo (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
17.05.2008 Drawn 3-3 in Helsinki (ENC 3C)
07.10.2006 Finland 14-7 in Zenica (ENC 3C)

The above are all the games played between these two teams

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Bosnia Herzegovina 34th, Finland 35th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Bosnia Herzegovina 35.43, Finland 29.89

Prediction: Bosnia Herzegovina by 1 point. Score 17-16

TEAMS

Bosnia Herzegovina Squad

Subašić Sabahudin, Oruč Haris, Alić Edib, Hamzić Adnan, Spahić Fadil, Gojković Dario, Zadić Armin, Suljić Ammar, Garanović Vedad, Topčić Semir, Keserović Danijel, Tuka Elvis, Mrkaljević Muhamed, Begić Haris, Ahmić Nejro, Turčinović Senad, Glavaš Selmir, Jovanović Damir, Petrušić Darijo, Stanković Zeid, Tufekčić Sedad, Pašanbegović Nusret i Ajanović Semir.

http://zeragbi.blogspot.co.uk/

Finland Squad not available

Bulgaria v Norway in Burgas (REC 2D)

Venue: Stadium Chernomorets

Referee: Norbert Mátrai (Hungary)

Preview
Bulgaria were simply awful and undermanned in their last away game against Norway. However at home they are usually too much for the opposition and I’d expect them to come un trumps.

Last Five Encounters
23.05.2015 Norway 43-0 in Bergan (REC 2D, 2nd leg)
10.05.2008 Norway 44-21 in Stavanger (ENC 3B)
19.05.2007 Bulgaria 25-10 in Sofia (ENC 3B)
26.10.2002 Bulgaria 21-12 in Sofia (ENC 3C)
04.05.2002 Bulgaria 11-3 in Sofia (FIRA Div. B, Pool C)

These two teams first met in 1997.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Norway 37th, Bulgaria 38th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Norway 32.78, Bulgaria 31.98

Prediction: Bulgaria by 16 points. Score 28-12

TEAMS

Norway

Image thanks to http://www.rugby.no/bulgaria-norge-3-oktober/

  

Bulgaria team not available

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE

30.05.2015
Netherlands 24, Sweden 14 in Amsterdam (REC 1B)

23.05.2015
Ukraine 18, Netherlands 10 in Odessa (REC1B)
Finland 20, Turkey 12 in Helsinki (REC 2D)
Norway 43, Bulgaria 0 in Bergen (REC 2D)

NORWAY v BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA: REC 2D

09.05.2015

Venue: Kamberovic Polje, Zenica

Referee:Csaba Priskin (Hungary)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
BOSNIA H.	3	3	0	0	122	44	78	2	14
FINLAND	2	1	0	1	39	39	0	1	5
BULGARIA	2	1	0	1	38	78	-40	1	5
TURKEY	2	0	0	2	44	60	-16	2	2
NORWAY	1	0	0	1	10	32	-22	0	0

Preview
Bosnia Herzegovina are firmly in place at the top of the table and Norway at the bottom. I don’t see that situation changing at the end of this rugby test match.

When these two teams last met in 2014 the visitors were put to the sword. Even with the withdrawl of two players Bosnia Herzegovina is a team going places and I can’t see Norway getting anywhere near close.

Previous Encounters
19.04.2014 Bosnia Herzegovina 43-0 in Zenica (ENC 2D)
03.11.2012 Norway 11-9 in Bergen (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)

Norway Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
18.10.2014 v Finland W 20-12 in Oslo (REC 2D, Round 2)
04.10.2014 v Finland L 10-32 in Helsinki (REC 2D, Round 1)
10.05.2014 v Greece W 45-23 in Bergen (ENC 2D)
19.04.2014 v Bosnia Herzegovina L 0-43 in Zenica (ENC 2D)
19.10.2013 v Luxembourg L 7-9 in Oslo (ENC 2D)

Bosnia Herzegovina Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
25.04.2015 v Finland W 29-7 in Zeniva (REC 2D)
25.10.2014 v Turkey W 34-25 in Edrine (REC 2D)
04.10.2014 v Bulgaria W 59-12 in Zenica (REC 2D)
07.06.2014 v Austria L 12-26 in Tesanj (ENC 2C-2D Playoff)
31.05.2014 v Finland L 24-29 in Turku (ENC 2D)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Bosnia Herzegovina 34th, Norway 37th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Bosnia Herzegovina 35.05, Norway 31.82

Prediction: Bosnia Herzegovina by 38 points. Score 45-7

TEAMS

Bosnia Herzegovina

15- Sabahudin Subašić Age 29
14- Adnan Hamzić 23
13- Selmir Glavaš 24
12- Sedad Tufekčić 30
11- Fadil Spahić 21
10- Armin Vehabović 29
09- Armin Zadić 26
08- Senad Turčinović 25
07- Danijel Keserović 33
06- Haris Oruč 21
05- Alem Haračić 24
04- Edin Pojskić 16-Born 19.12.1998!
03- Nermin Selimbegović 30
02- Mirsad Fetić 35
01- Semir Ajanović 29
Replacements
16- Adis Bašić 36
17- Emir Čerim 20
18-Muhamed Mrkaljević 17-Another young player
19- Nejro Ahmić 22
20- Semir Topčić 18-And another
21- Elvis Tuka 25
22- Sandro Mrgić 23
23-Haris Begić 17-yet another!
Head Coach: Kenan Uzunović

Adapted from http://www.zeragbi.blogspot.fr/ and from email from RAGBI SAVEZ BiH

Two players are missing from original line up. Not sure which one but withdrawl due to death in the family.

Pojskić. If his DOB is correct at 16 years of age he would have to be one of the youngest test players in 2015. And he is a lock! I don’t have his measurements. We had a 67 year old Curacao player last weekend.

Norway squad not available

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: ENC 2B, 2C & 2D

18.10.2014
Lithuania 34, Andorra 15 in Andorra La Vela (ENC 2B)
Slovenia 48, Serbia 3 in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
Norway 20, Finland 12 in Oslo (ENC 2D)

Reviews
Lithuania were too strong for Andorra away. They led 20-8 at halftime. This was a good start to Lithuania’s campaign to regain their place in ENC 2A.

Slovenia caused a major upset by defeating Serbia 48-3. They led 22-0 at halftime. Serbia had just been relegated from ENC 2B and were expected to be one of the stronger teams in this division.

Norway turned the tables on Finland and avenged their earlier defeat to the Fins. Strangely this was a Round Two ENC 2D match for the 2015-16 season!

TEST RUGBY RESULTS 19 APRIL

19.04.2014
Croatia 25, Lithuania 21 in Zagreb (ENC 2A)
Bosnia Herzegovina 43, Norway 0 in Zenica (ENC 2D)

ENC 2A

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
NETHERL.	8	7	1	0	255	124	131	5	0	35
SWITZ.	7	4	1	2	152	135	17	2	0	20
MALTA	8	4	0	4	162	179	-17	1	1	18
CROATIA	8	2	0	6	145	221	-76	2	1	11
LITHUANIA	7	1	0	6	124	181	-57	0	1	5

Croatia caused a mild upset over Lithuania in Zagreb. Lithuania were expected to win and avoid relegation. But it was not to be.

Lithuania led 8-3 at half time but Croatia sped away to lead 25-11 in the second half only for Lithuania to claw there way back and nearly steal the win.

With one game to play (Lithuania v Switzerland) the outcome of all places is finalised. Lithuania is automatically relegated but Croatia will have to play 2nd placed ENC 2B to stay in ENC 2A. At this stage that opponent will be either Latvia or Denmark.

At the top end the Netherlands will be automatically promoted to ENC 1B. There is no second place playoff.

ENC 2D

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	TL
BOSNIA H.	7	4	0	3	162	103	59	1	3	20
LUXEMBRG	6	4	0	2	95	93	2	0	0	16
NORWAY	7	3	0	4	96	112	-16	0	3	15
GREECE	6	3	0	3	101	116	-15	0	1	13
FINLAND	6	2	0	4	92	122	-30	1	2	11

Bosnia’s huge home win over Norway was most unexpected in what has been a very even competition. The win pushes Bosnia Herzegovina into first spot but by no means making that place secure. However Bosnia’s next and final game is against lowly Finland so they certainly have the inside running.

Remaining Matches-Home team first
26/04 Greece v Luxembourg in Thessalonica
10/05 Norway v Greece in Bergen
10/05 Luxembourg v Finland in Luxembourg
31/05 Finland v Bosnia Herzegovina in Turku

NORWAY v BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA; ENC 2D

19.04.2014

Venue: Stadion Kamberovic Polje Ulaz Slobodan

Image thanks to Welsson at http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15096832

Referee: Afonso Nogueira (Portugal)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	TL
LUXEMBRG	6	4	0	2	95	93	2	0	0	16
NORWAY	6	3	0	3	96	69	27	0	3	15
BOSNIA H.	6	3	0	3	119	103	16	0	3	15
GREECE	6	3	0	3	101	116	-15	0	1	13
FINLAND	6	2	0	4	92	122	-30	1	2	11

Preview
There are three test matches to play after this game in this division. So far this division has been wide open so anybody can win it although Finland has struggled more than most.

The composition of the ENC teams before and after Christmas can be very different, especially in these lower divisions. The team that can be held together over the long mid-winter break is crucial.

Bosnia’s last test match was a very disappointing loss to Greece at home. The home advantage should be major at this level but that loss in Bihac set Bosnia’s hopes back. They will need to win this game and stay with the leading pack.

Norway also suffered a home defeat in their last test match. Pacemaker Luxembourg did the business on that day back in October. Prior to that Norway lost to both Greece and Luxembourg with a win against Finland the only positive result. They did defeat Bosnia at home back in December 2012.

The result will be close and I’m going for the home side to win.

Previous Encounters
03.11.2012 Norway 11-9 in Bergen (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
03.06.2006 Norway 35-23 in Oslo (ENC 3C)

Norway Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
19.10.2013 v Luxembourg L 7-9 in Oslo (ENC 2D)
12.10.2013 v Finland W 24-12 in Turku (ENC 2D)
13.04.2013 v Greece L 14-21 in Athens (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
10.11.2012 v Luxembourg L 8-15 in Luxembourg (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)03.11.2012 v Bosnia Herzegovina W 11-9 in Bergen (WCQ Eur. R1; ENC 2D)

Bosnia Herzegovina Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
12.10.2013 v Greece L 17-20 in Bihac (ENC 2D)
20.04.2013 v Finland W 19-15 in Sarajevo (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
13.04.2013 v Luxembourg W 33-23 in Tesanj (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
17.11.2012 v Greece L 17-22 in Thessalonika (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
03.11.2012 v Norway L 9-11 in Bergan (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Bosnia Herzegovina 34th, Norway 37th

IRB Ranking Points
Bosnia Herzegovina 35.41, Norway 32.71

Prediction: Bosnia Herzegovina by 4 points

Teams

Bosnia Herzegovina Squad

Senad Turčinović
Mirsad Fetić
Zeid Stanković
Adis Bašić
Danijel Keserović
Edin Pojskić
Armin Kavazović
Vedran Izić
Kenan Uzunović
Durgut Dženan
Damir Jovanović
Emir Čerim
Armin Zadić
Samed Smajlović
Armin Vehabović
Melvin Baručija
Sabahudin Subašić
Haris Oruč
Adnan Hamzić
Fadil Spahić
Zijad Ajkunić
Krešimiri Marković
Nejro Ahmić

Adapted from http://zeragbi.blogspot.co.uk/

Norway Squad

Samuel P E Barnes (Tring RFC)
Thomas Barnes (University of Exeter RFC, England)
Nicolas Barrel (Oslo RK)
Kristoffer Borsheim (Esbjerg RK)
Thomas Bichard Breaud (Oslo RK)
Tomas D (Blindern RK)
Shelton Davis (Tønsberg RK)
Anthony Duchene (Oslo RK)
Kristian Elgheim (University of York RFC, England)
Even Ellingsen (Blindern RK)
Marcin Gadzinski (Bergen Fana RK)
Robert Gannon(captain) (Oslo RK)
John Knutsen (Bergenhus RK)
Eirik Salvesen Lie (FanaRK) (Bergen Fana RK)
Ezra Mcintyre (Stavanger RK)
Nicolay Sæby (Aberyswyth RFC, Wales)
Kasper Solli (RK Vestfold Studentsamfunns)
Stefan Svellingen (BergenhusRK)
Erlend Meldalen (Blindern RK)
Alastair Reed (Oslo RK)
Aleksandser Rønning (Fredrikstad RK)
Anders Teigland (Bergenhus RK)
Michal Urbanski (Bergen Fana RK)

Adapted from http://www.norgesrugby.no/national-teams/1044-2014-men-selection-19th-april-bosnia-herzegovina

NORWAY v LUXEMBOURG: ENC 2D

19.10.2013

Image thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4392

Venue: Bislett Stadion, Oslo

Image thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4392

Referee: Karlis Sarkans (Latvia)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	TL
NORWAY	5	3	0	2	89	60	29	1	1	14
GREECE	6	3	0	3	96	116	-20	0	1	13
LUXEMBRG	4	3	0	1	74	62	12	0	4	12
BOSNIA H.	5	2	0	3	95	90	5	0	2	11
FINLAND	6	2	0	4	91	122	-29	1	2	11

Data from www.rugbyinternational.net

Preview
This is a show-down rugby test match between two of the leading contenders for the competition title and a chance at promotion to ENC 2C for 2014-16.

Luxembourg put up some stiff resistance when it took on Israel last week in a World Cup qualifying match. Israel is playing at a higher level and had to work hard to keep the locals under control. Luxembourg can take great heart from that performance. The gain in confidence will certainly be an advantage when playing away.

Norway put themselves into title contention in this very even competition with an impressive 24-12 win away over Finland. They will find Luxembourg a difficult side to defeat.

Previous Encounters
10.11.2012 Luxembourg 15-8 in Luxembourg (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
06.05.2006 Norway 25-8 in Cessange (ENC 3C)
23.09.2000 Luxembourg 41-9 in Oslo (WCQ Europe R1; FIRA Pool 2)
15.04.2000 Luxembourg 78-12 in Luxembourg (FIRA Div.3)

Norway Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
12.10.2013 v Finland W 24-12 in Turku (ENC 2D)
13.04.2013 v Greece L 14-21 in Athens (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
10.11.2012 v Luxembourg L 8-15 in Luxembourg (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)03.11.2012 v Bosnia Herzegovina W 11-9 in Bergen (WCQ Eur. R1; ENC 2D)
20.10.2012 v Finland W 32-3 in Oslo (WCQ Euro.R1; ENC 2D)

Luxembourg Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
05.10.2013 v Israel L 12-26 in Luxembourg (WCQ Europe R2 Playoff)04.05.2013 v Slovenia W 22-10 in Luxembourg (WCQ Europe R1 Playoff)
20.04.2013 v Greece W 20-7 in Luxembourg (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
13.04.2013 v Bosnia Herzegovina L 23-33 in Tesanj (WCQ Euro.R1; ENC 2D)
10.11.2012 v Norway W 15-8 in Lux’bourg W 15-8 (WCQ Euro.R1; ENC 2D)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Luxembourg 32nd, Norway 36th

IRB Ranking Points
Luxembourg 34.93, Norway 33.90

All data from www.rugbyinternational.net

Prediction: Luxembourg by 5 points

TEAMS

Norway

After the win in Finland last weekend the following players have been selected by coaches Karl Frisch and Glenn Collins for the game against Luxembourg in Oslo on Saturday:

Rob Gannon (Captain) - Oslo Rugbyklubb
Andreas Fyri (Vice Captain and Pack Leader) - Oslo Rugbyklubb
Dave Noonan - Oslo Rugbyklubb
Alastair Reed - Oslo Rugbyklubb
Even Ellingsen - Blindern Rugbyklubb
Sondre Gundersen - Stavanger Rugbyklubb
Pascal Raclin - Oslo Rugbyklubb
Alex Diessner - Stavanger Rugbyklubb
Kristian Elgheim - Blindern Rugbyklubb
Shelton Davis - ECB Rugby
Anders Teigland - Bergen Rugbyklubb
Kim Robin Pettersen - ECB Rugby
Frederik Skovly - Oslo Rugbyklubb
Thomas Bichard Breaud - Oslo Rugbyklubb
Simen Hammer - ECB Rugby
Kristoffer Borsheim - Erritsø Rugbyklubb
Michal Urbanski - Bergen Rugbyklubb
Erlend Laukvik - NTNUI Rugby
Axel Wilhelmsen - Oslo Rugbyklubb
David Hume - Bergen Rugbyklubb
Marcin Gadzinski - Bergen Rugbyklubb
Alexander Rønning - Oslo Rugbyklubb
Andre Slaata - Bergen Rugbyklubb
https://www.facebook.com/norgesrugbyforbund

Luxembourg
Squad not yet published