International Rugby: Germany v Portugal

21.02.2009
Germany v Portugal in Lisbon (WCQ Europe R1; ENC1)

Preview
These two teams last met ten years ago. Such has been the competition gap between these two European rugby nations that they have not met since.

At this stage of the competition this is the clash of the minnows. Both teams are languishing at the bottom of the points table although Portugal has both a match in hand and a draw to its credit.

Germany has struggled to compete since rising to this level of world rugby. They have lost to Spain, Georgia and Romania and although they've put up some stirring opposition they have not threatened the try line in the last two matches played.

Portugal were a little unlucky to draw against Georgia away. They had the game sewn up 20-13 on full time then conceeded a try at the death. That result would have been heartening for a team that captured the hearts of rugby fans around the world during the 2007 Rugby World Cup but who have failed to fire since. At home against a struggling team they should win and win comfortably.

Last Five Test Matches for Portugal
14.02.2009 v Georgia in Tblissi Drawn 20-20 (WCQ Euro R1; ENC 1)
07.02.2009 v Russia in Lisbon Lost 14-18 (WCQ Euro R1; ENC 1)
30.01.2009 v England Saxons in Sale Lost 0-66 (Friendly)
01.11.2008 v Canada in Lisbon Lost 13-21 (Friendly)
10.05.2008 v Spain in Madrid Lost 17-21 (ENC 1)

Last Five Test Matches for Germany
14.02.2009 v Romania in Heidelberg Lost 0-22 (WCQ Euro R1; ENC 1)
07.02.2009 v Georgia in Heidelberg Lost 5-38 (WCQ Euro R1; ENC 1)
15.11.2008 v Spain in Madrid Lost 11-22 (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 1)
08.11.2008 v Welsh Clubs XV in Berlin Lost 14-27 (Friendly)
26.04.2008 v Netherlands in Amsterdam Won 27-17 (ENC 1)

Last Five Encounters Germany v Portugal
04.04.1998 Portugal 30-6 in Lisbon (WCQ Europe Pool 3)
14.05.1995 Portugal 26-16 in Heidelberg (FIRA A2)
17.04.1994 Germany 20-18 in Lisbon (FIRA A2)
30.04.1989 Germany 30-15 in Hanover (FIRA B2)
17.04.1988 Portugal 13-9 in Arcos Valdevez (FIRA B2)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Portugal 8th, Germany 12th

Prediction: Portugal by 32 points.

Teams

Portugal Squad
Antonio Aguilar (GD Direto) Age 30, 56 tests
Pedro Cabral (CR Madrid, Spain) 25, 17
João Correia, Capt. (GD Direto) 27, 41
David Dos Reis (RC Nimes, France) 31, 2
Bernardo Duarte (AEIS Agronomia) 25, 6
Valter Ferreira (OS Belenenses) ?, New cap
Gonçalo Foro (CD University Lisboa) 26, 13
Diogo Gama (SL Beneficia) 27, 15
Tiago Girão (CR Madrid, Spain) 23, 16
João Junior (CD University Lisboa) 22, 3
Pedro Leal (GD Direto) Age 24, 30
David Mateus (OS Belenenses) 28, 27
Diogo Mateus (OS Belenenses) 28, 62
Juan Murre (Sporting Nazairien Rugby, France) 28, 12
Salvador Palha (GD Direto) 24, 7
Duarte Pinto (AEIS Agronomia) 26, 38
Jose Pinto (Rugby Roma Olimpia, Italy) 27, 38
Jorge Segurado (GD Direto) 24, 4
Juan Severino (AEIS Agronomia) 26, 20
Pedro Silva (OS Belenenses) 24, 4
Cristian Spachuck (FC Auch, France) 27, 28
Gonçalo Uva (Montpellier RC, France) 23, 39
João Uva (OS Belenenses) 28, 42
Vasco Uva (GD Direto) 25, 52
Head Coach: Tomaz Morais

Germany
15. Edmorre Takaendesa (RG Heidelberg) aged 28, 6 tests
14. Benjamin Brierley (SC Frankfurt 1880) 22, 2
13. Colin Grzanna (Berliner RC) 28, 24
12. Lars Eckert (SC Neuenheim) 25, 23
11. Clemens von Grumbkow (RC Orléans) 25, 22
10. Kieron Davies (Ampthill RFC, England) 28, 25
9. Mustafa Güngör (RG Heidelberg) 27, 24
8. Manuel Wilhelm (RG Heidelberg) 28, 23
7. Alexander Hug (TSV Handschuhsheim) 24, 3
6. Timothy Kasten (Southend RFC, England) 26, 11
5. Bobo Sieber (Univ. of Capetown RFC, South Africa) 30, 19
4. Jens Schmidt, Capt. (TSV Handschuhsheim) 27, 37
3. Pierre Faber (RG Heidelberg) 30, 20
2. Timothy Coly (RG Heidelberg) 29, 33
1. Alexander Widiker (RC Orléans) 26, 33
Replacements
16. Benjamin Krause (SG 78/08 Hannover) 26, 26
17. Marcus Trick (SC Neuenheim) 32, 17
18. Benjamin Danso (DRD Hannover) 25, 12
19. Kehoma Brenner (RG Heidelberg) 23, 78
20. Rolf Wacha (SC Frankfurt 1888) 27, 3
21. Thorsten Wiedemann (TSV Handschuhsheim) 23, 4
22. Christopher Liebig (Heidelberger RK) 22, New Cap
Head Coach: Rudolf Finsterer

With help from http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/die_deutsche_formation_gegen_portugal/ and http://www.totalrugby.de/index.php?option=com_joomleague&func=showPlayers&p=6&ttid=285&Itemid=250