CYPRUS v BULGARIA European Nations Cup, Div. 2C

16.03.2013

Venue: Paphos

Referee: Didier Welfring (Luxembourg)

Preview
This is the third feature match this weekend. I’ve chosen this game because of its historical significance. If Cyprus wins today it will hold a new world test rugby record.

There may be some debate as to whether Lithuania actually holds the record at 17, but officially it does. A win today will be Cyprus’ 18th test win.

Cyprus Record

29.11.2008	AZERBAIJAN	BAKU	WON	37 - 3	ENC 3D
06.12.2008	MONACO	EPISKOPI	WON	24 - 3	ENC 3D
14.03.2009	SLOVAKIA	EPISKOPI	WON	33 - 7	ENC 3D
21.03.2009	BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA	ZENICA	WON	8 - 6	ENC 3D
14.11.2009	MONACO	MENTON	WON	44 - 5	ENC 3D
06.03.2010	AZERBAIJAN	PAPHOS	WON	59 - 0	ENC 3D
27.03.2010	BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA	PAPHOS	WON	15 - 0	ENC 3D
20.11.2010	GREECE	ATHENS	WON	33 - 13	ENC 2D
12.03.2011	BULGARIA	PAPHOS	WON	55 - 8	ENC 2D
26.03.2011	FINLAND	PAPHOS	WON	70 - 10	ENC 2D
07.05.2011	LUXEMBOURG (1)	LUXEMBOURG	WON	50 - 0	ENC 2D
08.10.2011	LUXEMBOURG (2)	PAPHOS	WON	48 - 7	ENC 2D
28.04.2012	BULGARIA	PERNIK	WON	94 - 3	ENC 2D
26.05.2012	GREECE	PAPHOS	WON	72 - 5	ENC 2D
09.06.2012	FINLAND	HELSINKI	WON	52 - 5	ENC 2D
17.11.2012	AUSTRIA	VIENNA	WON	54 - 20	WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2C
08.12.2012	SLOVENIA	PAPHOS	WON	49 - 8	WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2C

Cyprus lost to Israel 14-22 just before the Azerbaijan game.

Cyprus has played Bulgaria twice in the above sequence and has won both comfortably. I can’t see any reason why that should change. I have not received a team list from Bulgaria despite my email so I can’t gauge their strength

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Cyprus 29th, Bulgaria 31st

IRB Ranking Points do not apply as Cyprus, despite playing 22 rugby test matches, is not ranked, whereas American Samoa, who was recently admitted and has played zilch number of tests, is. Go figure!

Prediction: Just can’t see Cyprus being beaten. Cyprus by 50 points.

Cyprus Squad
1. Stephan Eleftheriou - Woodford RFC, England
2. Tony Thoma (C) - Tarleton RFC, England
3. Stav Economou - Brighton RFC, England
4. Luke Frixou - Nottingham RFC, England
5. Kyri Antoniades - Old Whitgiftians, England
6. Constantinos Constantinides - Limassol Crusaders
7. Marko Mladenovic - University of West England, England
8. Chris Thoma - Pafos Tigers
9. Burhan Torgut - Cardiff Metropolitan University, Wales
10. Andrew Binikos - Currie RFC, Scotland
11. Tom Loizides - Esher RFC, England
12. Reno Ioannides – Montlucon, France
13. George Agathocleous - Pafos Tigers
14. Fidias Efthymiou – Univ. of Surrey and Guildford RFC, Eng.
15. Marcus Holden - Hilversum RFC, Netherlands
16. Dervis Devren - Larnaca Guardians
17. Dinu Floredan - Pafos Tigers
18. Stavros Charalambous - Pafos Tigers
19. Scott Lennox - Limassol Crusaders
20. Jack Bilton - Pafos Tigers
21. Dimitri Maratheftis - Pafos Tigers
22. Sam Burns - Pafos Tigers
23. Dan Thrasivoulou - Derby RFC, England

Coach: Paul Shanks
Manager: Theo Lenos

Cyprus squad thanks to coach Paul Shanks. Paul makes a few notes about this selection.

Captain Tony Thoma has played in every match (22 games) to date and will captain the side on Saturday for the 18th time. Dervis Devren becomes the first player to play for Cyprus from our newly formed club The Larnaca Guardians.

Bulgaria squad unavailable despite a request