RUGBY TEST MATCH: European Nations Cup. Israel in Denmark

07.05.2011
Israel v Denmark in Odense (ENC 2C)

Venue: Atletikstadion

Referee: M.Welfring (Luxembourg)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
ISRAEL	2	2	0	0	43	23	20	0	0	8
DENMARK	2	1	1	0	35	34	1	0	0	6
HUNGARY	3	1	0	2	55	60	-5	0	1	5
AUSTRIA	3	1	0	2	40	54	-14	0	1	5
NORWAY	2	0	1	2	23	29	-6	0	1	3

Preview
This is the clash of the teams at the top of the points table at this stage of the competition. Both are undefeated with Denmark registering a draw. This could well be the result that decides this Division for 2010-11.

Israel has had an amazing run of form ever since they defeated Slovenia in a World Cup qualifying match in 2009. Although eventually being knocked out by Lithuania (no disgrace there) their form continued. They were promoted to this new division at the end of 2009-10 season and now find themselves at the top of the table.

Denmark has made their fans sweat in their last two competition games; a draw against Norway and a one-point win against Hungary. The Danes lost heavily to higher-ranked Sweden earlier last month. Even though this is a home game they will be treating Israel with the greatest of respect.

These two teams have met only one before.
04.05.1989 Denmark 16-6 in Tours, France (WCQ Europe)

Other previews
http://www.rugby.dk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1382&Itemid=2  (in Danish)
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/sports/rugby-israel-s-coach-makes-changes-for-challenge-in-denmark-1.360097  (Some team changes but no squad list)

Score updates at http://www.facebook.com/RUGBYdk

Denmark Last Five
09.04.2011 v Sweden L 15-55 in Stockholm (Friendly)
06.11.2010 v Hungary W 21-20 in Odense (ENC 2C)
16.10.2010 v Norway D 14-14 in Oslo (ENC 2C)
15.05.2010 v Slovenia L 12-14 in Ljubliana (ENC 3B)
24.04.2010 v Austria W 24-13 in Odense (ENC 3B)

Israel Last Five
09.04.2011 v Austria W 20-9 in Netanya (ENC 2C)
30.10.2010 v Hungary W 23-14 in Netanya (ENC 2C)
12.06.2010 v Finland W 13-6 in Helsinki (ENC 3C)
01.05.2010 v Luxembourg W 19-17 in Luxembourg (ENC 3C)
17.04.2010 v Greece W 39-0 in Netanya (ENC 3C)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Israel 29th, Denmark 30th

IRB Ranking Points
Denmark 41.17, Israel 40.44

Prediction: Israel by 3 points

Teams

Denmark
15 Andrew Grantham (Aalborg RK) 5 tests
14 Rasmus Mortensen (Aalborg RK) 15
13 Kristoffer Vandborg (Frederiksberg RK) 11
12 Andreas Robertson (UK club) 2
11 Peter Madsen (CSR/Nanok) 11
10 Peder Wilhelm Bjerrum (Aalborg RK) 1
9 Kenneth Steel (RC Odense) 15
8 Christian B. Nielsen (Holstebro RK) 3
7 Gaspard Nau Valbak (RCME) 1
6 Nathanael Smalley (RC Odense) 13
5 Nicolas Eegholm (CSR/Nanok) 6
4 Jonas Haaning (Frederiksberg RK) 36
3 Niels Gotfredsen (Aalborg RK) 9
2 Kasper Vad Pedersen (Aalborg RK) 29
1 Søren Brobyskov, Capt. (Lindø/Odense) 39
Replacements
16 Nicholas Ennis (Lindø/Odense) 1
17 Rasmus Dufke (Hamlet) 3
18 Kristian Riberholdt (Holstebro RK) 10
19 Emad Libis (CSR/Nanok) 2
20 Christian S. Jensen (Aalborg RK) 9
21 Jesper G. Jensen (Lindø/Odense) 25
22 Kevin Gadeberg (Lindø/Odense) 1
Head Coach: Ivan Andersen

Adapted from http://www.rugby.dk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1382&Itemid=2

Israel team list not available