TEST RUGBY: European Nations Cup Div.2A

07.05.2011
Malta v Sweden in Stockholm (ENC 2A)

Venue: Enköping, Korsängens IP

Referee: V.Volovik (Russia)

Preview
In this the second ENC 2A match of the weekend, Malta could well surprise the locals in Stockholm. Malta secured an important win over Croatia last weekend at home and will be encouraged by that performance.

Sweden is riding a high at present. They remain undefeated so far this season, adding a 55-15 recent win over Denmark in a friendly test match. One of their two wins was against the famous Lithuanian side that created a world record 18 test wins in a row last season. Sweden is tucked in second behind the Lithuanians on the points table but they have a game in hand.

Malta is third on the points table after their good win against Croatia last weekend. Their chances of catching either Sweden or Lithuania look remote as both the top teams have easier games ahead, although the Lithuania-Croatia match in Croatia could be interesting. Still, it’s important to be placed well at the end of the first round before the 2011-12 second round gets underway later in 2011.

Malta secured an important win last weekend against Croatia. Photo Alan Carville

Other Previews
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110504/rugby/Destiny-back-in-our-hands-Neill.363496

Previous Encounters
07.11.2009 Malta 25-23 in La Valette (ENC 2B)
01.11.2008 Malta 9-6 in Vanesborg (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2B)

Malta Last Five
30.04.2011 v Croatia W 21-14 in La Valette (ENC 2A)
06.11.2010 v Latvia L 26-33 in La Valette (ENC 2A)
30.10.2010 v Lithuania L 6-9 in Siauliai (ENC 2A)
24.04.2010 v Latvia W 27-10 in Paola (ENC 2B)
17.04.2010 v Netherlands L 0-19 in Amsterdam (ENC 2B)

Sweden Last Five
09.04.2011 v Denmark W 55-15 in Stockholm (Friendly)
06.11.2010 v Lithuania W 26-22 in Trelloburg (ENC 2A)
23.10.2010 v Croatia W 32-13 in Split (ENC 2A)
01.05.2010 v Croatia W 17-14 in Enkoping (ENC 2B)
17.04.2010 v Latvia L 27-31 in Riga (ENC 2B)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Sweden 18th, Malta 20th

IRB Rugby Ranking Points
Sweden 49.71, Malta 45.51

Prediction: Sweden by 11 points

Teams

Sweden Squad
Thomas Arvidsson (Fredriksberg, Denmark)
Ivar Bengtsson (Hammarby IF)
Mathias Björkebäck (Hammarby IF)
Peter Blaha (IF Attila)
Tobias Borg (Enköpings RK)
Andrew Daish (Nuneaton RFC, England)
Hannes Eriksson (Hammarby IF)
Robin Fransson (Vänersborgs RK)
Ian Gowland (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
Rickard Johansson (Hammarby IF)
Timothy Johansson (Enköpings RK)
Magnus Karlsson (Hammarby IF)
Eirik Lundquist (Enköpings RK)
Robert Nave (Enköpings RK)
Stefan Obradovic (IF Attila)
Rickard Örnberg (Vänersborgs RK)
Sami Paulsson (Enköpings RK)
Lee Sandberg (North Walsham RFC, England)
Henrik Shengor (RK Speed, Denmark)
Paul Sullivan (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
Alexander Taylor (Nuneaton RFC, England)
Sebastian Taylor (Nuneaton RFC, England)
Lars Tunestål (Pingvin RC)
Timothy Wetterström (Enköpings RK)
Peter Wiklund (Vänersborgs RK)
Matthew Youngman (Enköpings RK)
Head Coach: Mike Tatu

Adapted from http://iof3.idrottonline.se/SvenskaRugbyforbundet/Landslagen/Herrlandslagen/Aktuellt/HerrXVtruppentillmatchenmotMalta/

Malta squad not available