RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: 2C & 2D

24.10.2015
Luxembourg 34, Austria 6 in Vienna (REC 2C)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
LUXEMBOURG	5	5	0	0	115	35	80	2	22
SLOVENIA	4	3	0	1	92	53	49	2	14
AUSTRIA	6	2	0	4	98	143	-45	3	11
SERBIA	4	3	0	2	50	109	-59	0	8
DENMARK	5	0	0	5	89	114	-25	5	5

Review
Luxembourg were too strong for the home side. They led 13-6 at halftime.

"Bonus point secured with a try on the last play of the game. Very proud of all the players and staff. "Jonathan Flynn

‘Tries from Browne, Vert, Rossa and Olsen with 14 points from the boot of Browne’. http://www.rugby.lu/fr/actualites/luxembourg-wins-vs-austria

Bulgaria 34, Finland 15 in Sofia (REC 2D)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
BOSNIA H.	6	6	0	0	174	81	93	2	26
NORWAY	5	3	0	2	99	75	24	2	14
BULGARIA	6	2	0	4	113	180	-67	4	12
FINLAND	6	2	0	4	92	117	-25	2	10
TURKEY	5	1	0	4	105	130	-25	3	7

Review
4 tries and a bonus point to Bulgaria. Finland and Turkey look like they will battle for relegation when they meet in April 2016.

BULGARIA v FINLAND: REC 2D

Venue: Sofia

Referee: Robert Diaconescu (Romania)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
BOSNIA H.	6	6	0	0	174	81	93	2	25
NORWAY	5	3	0	2	99	75	24	2	14
FINLAND	5	2	0	3	77	83	-6	2	10
TURKEY	5	1	0	4	105	130	-25	3	7
BULGARIA	5	1	0	4	79	165	-86	3	7

Preview
Bulgaria had a horrific start to this campaign but improved against Norway at home to lose by only one point. A revamped side and playing at home should see a vast improvement.They need this win to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.

Issac Visser has been named Finnish interim coach who replaces Robert Hussey. No reason has been given for this move.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Finland 35th, Bulgaria 38th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Bulgaria 30.76, Finland 29.15

Prediction: Bulgaria by 14 points. Score 30-16

 

Teams are not available

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)

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: REC 2C & 2D 25

25.04.2015
Serbia 25, Denmark 22 in Odense (REC 2C)
Slovenia 17, Austria 16 in Vienna (REC 2C)
Bosnia Herzegovina 29, Finland 7 in Zenica (REC 2D)
Turkey 28, Bulgaria 26 in Antalya (REC 2D)

Briefly
In a close game in Odense Serbia continued its amazing turnaround by defeating Denmark. Serbia is now looking a likely promotion candidate next season.

Slovenia just edged out home team Austria in another very close game. This is now Austria’s second loss in a row.

In Division 2D Bosnia Herzegovina were too good for visitors Finland whilst Turkey caused an upset defeating Bulgaria by two points. This was a second leg game meaning normally it would have been played next season.

REC 2D: FINLAND v BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA

25.04.2015

Venue: Stadion: Kamberović polje, Zenica

Referee: Serban Cristian (Romania)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
BOSNIA H.	2	2	0	0	93	37	56	1	9
FINLAND	1	1	0	0	32	10	22	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
These two teams are both undefeated with Finland having a game in hand.

Bosnia Herzegovina lost their promotion playoff against Austria last June and will spend another two seasons in Division 2D. They dominated this division last year except losing to Finland away. They have the home advantage and are always a tough opposition when they play at home.

Finland’s form is very much up and down. They struggle when playing away. I feel B&H will be too strong in that second half.

Previous Encounters
31.05.2014 Finland 29-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)
20.04.2013 Bosnia Herzegovina 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)

Bosnia Herzegovina Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
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)
19.04.2014 v Norway W 43-0 in Zenica (ENC 2D)

Finland Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
18.10.2014 v Norway L 12-20 in Oslo (REC 2D, 2nd leg)
04.10.2014 v Norway W 32-10 in Helsinki (REC 2D, 1st leg)
31.05.2014 v Bosnia Herzegovina W 29-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)
10.05.2014 v Luxembourg L 7-27 in Luxembourg (ENC 2D)
12.10.2013 v Norway L 12-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)

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

World Rugby Ranking Points
Bosnia Herzegovina 34.54, Finland 30.29

Prediction: Bosnia Herzegovina by 18 points. Score 31-13

TEAMS

Finland Squad

Forwards
Mikael Ahola UK
Kosti Eskola WRC
Karl Fitness JRC
Fred Harrison Tampere
Janne Heinanen JRC
Aro Katainen JRC
Matti Keranen Kuopo
Mauno Konttila JRC
Aleksi Laitinen Vaasa
Kevin McCarthy HRC
Marko Sallert HRC
Sauli Tyvi Vaasa
Kalle Valimaki Linna

Backs
Avea Avea Linna
Paul Davies Kuopio
Teemu Elomaa JRC
Thomas Finell WRC
Kalle Helin Vaasa
Antti Lammi WRC
Crispin Maenpaa Belgium
Henri Repo Joensuu
Danny Taylor UK
Valtteri Valtia WRC

Head Coach: Bob Hussey
Assistant Coach: Isaac Visser
Manager: Stephen Whittaker
https://www.facebook.com/suomenrugby

Bosnia Herzegovina

1.Ajanovic Semir
2.Fetic Mirsad
3.Nermin Selimbegovic
4.Pojskic Edin
5.Dario Petrusic
6.Sedad Tufekcic
7.Haris Oruc
8.Senad Turcinovic
9.Armin Zadic
10.Sabahudin Subasic
11.Ajkunic Zijad
12.Selmir Glavas
13.Adnan Hamzic
14.Fadil Spahic
15.Samed Smajlovic

Replacements
16.Danijel Keserovic
17.Sandro Mrgic
18.Elvis Tuka
19.Nejro Ahmic
20.Semir Topcic
21.Armin Kavazovic
22.Alem Haracic
23.Dario Gojkovic

https://www.facebook.com/ragbih

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND Part 1: European Rugby

25.04.2015
Switzerland v Malta in Valetta (REC 2A)
Israel v Czech Republic in Prague (REC 2A)
Latvia v Lithuania in Siaulai or Vilnius (REC 2B)
Serbia v Denmark in Odense (REC 2C)
Slovenia v Austria in Vienna (REC 2C)
Bosnia Herzegovina v Finland in Zenica (REC 2D)
Turkey v Bulgaria TBC

Briefly
A big weekend in European test rugby as the European Rugby Championship continues. For many teams this is the final competition game of the season. Competition points will carry over to next season being the final round.

Of the two games in Division 2A the Swiss v Malta game is between the No.2 and No.3 teams on the points table. Both have one loss each and sit below undefeated Czech Republic. The challenge to Czech Republic next season could well be one of these two teams.

The Division 2B games is a local derby between two Baltic nations. Last season Lithuania were relegated and for the first time in a while these two neighbours find them selves in the same league. Both share top spot on the table and both are undefeated.It will be an interesting clash.

Top team Czech Republic plays bottom placed Israel who are finding this competition very tough.

There are two games in Division 2C. Serbia’s turn around performance last week against Austria could well mean they keep Denmark at the bottom of the table. But how well will Serbia travel and can they travel with their best team. Two important factors at this level of competition.

The Slovenia-Austria test rugby match has some significance about it. Slovenia is tucked in behind competition leaders Luxembourg with one loss. Austria’s surprise loss to Serbia last weekend will be a cause for concern in Vienna.

In 2D Division Bosnia Herzegovina are the two undefeated sides and they clash in Zenica. Again it’s a case of what sort of team has Finland been able to pick and how well will they travel. Bosnia Herzegovina are a tough team to play on their home soil. A mouth watering clash. I’d love to be there!

I cannot confirm that the Bulgaria-Turkey match is scheduled for today. If it does we have the unusual situation in that they have already played each other this season and this would be a round two fixture. Very strange!

A fantastic weekend of test rugby in Europe will soon be upon us.

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!

EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP: Division 2D

31.05.2014
Finland v Bosnia Herzegovina in Turku (ENC 2D)

Preview

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	TL
LUXEMBRG	8	6	0	2	174	108	66	1	0	25
NORWAY	8	4	0	4	141	135	6	2	3	21
BOSNIA H.	7	4	0	3	162	103	59	1	3	20
GREECE	8	3	0	5	132	213	-81	0	1	13
FINLAND	7	2	0	5	99	149	-50	1	2	11

If Bosnia Herzegovina can take any points from this game they will draw ahead of Norway on the points table and take second place. That will give them a promotion playoff against ENC 2C side Austria.

Finland needs the win to move off the bottom of the table and put Greece down to the third division for the 2014-16 ENC tournament. Two bonus points in a loss would also place them ahead of Greece as Finland has a better points aggregate against the Greeks.

It’s all very mathematical but for both teams a lot hinges on this game. Finland lost by 5 points to Bosnia Herzegovina away in the first round. With so much to gain and the home advantage Finland could well upset the visitors.

The Bosnians demolished Norway in their latest outing at home so could well be too strong for the Finns.

Prediction: Bosnia Herzegovina by 2 points.