RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2C

14.11.2015
Slovenia v Denmark in Ljubliana (REC 2C)
Luxembourg v Serbia in Luxembourg (REC 2C)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
LUXEMBOURG	5	5	0	0	115	35	80	2	22
SLOVENIA	5	4	0	1	127	70	65	3	19
AUSTRIA	6	2	0	4	98	143	-45	3	11
SERBIA	5	3	0	3	67	142	-75	0	8
DENMARK	5	0	0	5	89	114	-25	5	5

Preview
Slovenia shouldn’t have too many problems winning against Denmark at home. They won away the first leg match 16-10 and were very strong against Serbia last weekend. A win is essential if they are to close in on Luxembourg at the top of the table.

Serbia showed spirit against Slovenia last weekend and nearly scored a fourth try towards the end of the match. Their task against Luxembourg away will be very difficult as the North European team is riding a high and is at home.

Predictions
Slovenia by 22 v Denmark: Score 31-9
Luxembourg by 20 v Serbia. Score 32-12

TEAMS

Slovenia Squad

- Tit Hočevar (Germany - RGH Heidelberg)
- Sebastjan Rman (RAK Olimpija)
-Jernej Šercer (RK Ljubljana)
- Žiga Vrhunec (Scotland - GHA Rugby Club)
- Mirt Suljič (RK Ljubljana)
- Max Skofič (England - Waterloo)
- Lewis Popadec(England - Winscombe RFC)
- Peter Kavčič (RK Ljubljana)
- Jaka Sajevic (RK Ljubljana)
- Žiga Burnik (RK Ljubljana)
- Grega Miljuš (RK Ljubljana)
- Jack Skofič (England - Tarleton RUFC)
- Anže Troppan (RK Ljubljana)
- Rok Zaletel (RK Ljubljana)
- Andrej Šubic (RK Ljubljana)
- Blaž Pilko (RK Ljubljana)
- Domen Dobnikar (RK Ljubljana)
- Guillaume Trôu-poh Delmas (France - USO Massif Central Paris)
- Blaž Habjanič (RK Ljubljana)
- Gal Okič (RK Ljubljana)
- Matic Martinjak (RK Maribor)
- Marko Udovč (RK Ljubljana)
- Luka Medved (RK Maribor)
- Dali Suljič ( New Zealand - Marist Saints RLC )
- Frankie Skofic (England - Leeds met university)
- Goran Jelinčič (England - Beverley RUFC )

Thanks to ‘mili368’ at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=740

Denmark Squad

Rasmus Dufke, Hamlet (Captain)
Jeppe Maagaard Holm, Speed
Emil Bentzen, Speed
Johannes Mackeprang, Speed
Richard Groom, FRK
Tomas Mayne, FRK
Gerard Hounou, Speed
Ruben Garcia Pedersen, Speed
Simon Magaard Holm, Speed
Malte Madsen, Speed
Sebastian Vernon, CSR/Nanok
Yuriy Byelskyy, CSR/Nanok
Jonathan Egholm Nexmand, Cowbridge/Hundested
Emil Enna, Speed
Birk Mygind Grønfeldt, FRK
Michael Friis Larsen, Aalborg
Chrsitian Ørskov Olsen, Aalborg
Niels Gotfredsen, ARK
Mikkel S. Jensen, ARK
Andreas Robertson, Esher RFC
Joshua Jensen, Swindon
Christian Melgaard, Oslo
Gaspard Nau Valbak, VGA Saint Maur

http://www.rugby.dk/nyheder/landshold/9 ... -slovenien

Serbia Squad

1. Vladimir Đukić, 1988, Rad, 24 caps
2. Istok Totić, 1995, Ardrossan Academicals - Scotland, 5
3. Vlastimir Sretenovic, 1991, Crvena zvezda, 14
4. Mirko Rankovic, 1994, Rad, 2
5. Vlado Radeka, 1995, Rad, 6
6. Aleksandar Mađanovic, 1993, Crvena zvezda, 7
7. Predrag Keglic, 1996, Crvena zvezda, 2
8. Boris Martic (c), 1987, Crvena zvezda, 28
9. Julien Matijasevic, 1994, Stade Langonnais - France, 1
10. Andrija Jankovic, 1985, Crvena zvezda, 10
11. Aleksandar Nedeljkovic, 1994, Crvena zvezda, 6
12. Luka Kecman, 1994, Partizan, 3
13. Miladin Živanov, 1988, Rad, 24
14. Vitor LJubičić, 1991, 9
15. Igor Dejanović, 1988, Partizan, 16
16. Predrag Vraneš, 1986, Rad, 14
17. Aleksandar LJubičić, 1995, Partizan, 1
18. Đorđe Preradojević, 1995, Partizan, 3
19. Aleksa Sosic, 1996, Krusevac, -
20. Novica Miovcic, 1988, Crvena zvezda, -
21. Miloš LJubičić, 1996, Partizan, 1
22. Uros Babic, 1990, Rad, 14
23. Marko Isailovic, 1996, Rad, 1
24. Petar Bucan, 1990, Crvena zvezda, -
25. Uros Martinovic, 1995, Rad, 1
Coach: Michel Milovic
Starting line up average age is 23 years 8 months! Probably the youngest team in history of Serbian rugby.
Twelve od 23 players are younger than 21 !!

Thanks to ‘Luka37’ at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=739

Luxembourg Squad

Saman Rezapour (captain)
Benjamin Blanchet
Phillip Barnard
Yannick Boone
Adam Marcus
John Fitzpatrick
Flavien Grimmer
Christian Olsen
Sean Carroll
Jean-Baptiste Vert
Romain Kimmel
François Simon
Thomas Kremmer
Will Dennis
Scott Browne
Max Dozin
James Clarke
Yared Ketema
Tertius Barnard
Christopher Rossa
Philippe Vimond
Adrien Timmermans
Ciaran Keane

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP

07.11.2015

Division 1B

Moldova 25, Sweden 7 in Malmo

Sweden were considerably weakened by the decision of a number of leading players to represent Sweden in a sevens tournament. Even so they did well to hold the much respected Moldovan side who seriously underperforms away from home, usually because a number of top players are usually unavailable.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
BELGIUM	7	6	0	1	146	112	134	4	28
UKRAINE	7	5	0	2	155	111	44	2	22
MOLDOVA	6	4	0	2	180	90	90	4	20
POLAND	7	3	0	4	146	187	-41	2	15
NETHERLANDS	5	2	0	3	81	74	3	2	10
SWEDEN	8	0	0	8	87	319	-211	0	0

Division 2A

Croatia 26, Israel 21 in Netanya

Israel failed to take advantage of their home ground against Croatia although they did get a bonus point.

Israel’s next game is a very tough one away to Switzerland. They’ll be hoping for a repeat performance against front contender Czech Republic when they drew 26-26 in Prague. Croatia will host Malta next weekend.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
SWITZ.	5	4	0	1	126	99	27	2	18
CZECH REP	5	3	1	1	106	82	26	3	17
CROATIA	5	4	0	3	112	124	-12	4	12
MALTA	4	2	0	2	80	89	-9	1	9
ISRAEL	5	0	1	4	98	129	-31	2	4

Division 2B

Latvia 31, Cyprus 3 in Paphos

The once invincible Cyprus team, and world record holder of the most consecutive test rugby wins, has fallen on hard times in this division. They were promoted last season but have failed to fire against the stronger opposition in this division.

Neither team is playing next weekend.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
LITHUANIA	6	6	0	0	230	107	123	6	30
LATVIA	6	4	0	2	141	108	33	3	19
CYPRUS	5	2	0	3	90	121	-25	1	9
ANDORRA	5	2	0	3	79	136	-57	0	8
HUNGARY	6	0	0	6	101	170	-69	4	4

Division 2C

Slovenia 33, Serbia 17 in Belgrade

This was the third match in the REC games this weekend in which the home side lost. Serbia were outplayed by their northern rugby rivals despite nearly scoring a fourth (and bonus) try towards the end.

The Serbs will have a tough away game against Luxembourg next weekend whilst Slovenia hosts Denmark at home.

SERBIA v SLOVENIA: REC 2C

07.11.2015

	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

Venue: SC Makis, Belgrade

Referee: Mario Jelavic (Croatia)

Preview
Serbia has made a huge improvement so far this season compared to their dreadful results of last. At home they will be a handful.

Slovenia has made steady progress over the last few seasons but may not have enough points to overhaul Luxembourg.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Serbia 29th, Slovenia 30th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Slovenia 38.80, Serbia 36.82

Prediction: Serbia by 3 points. Score 12-9

TEAMS

Slovenia Squad

Žiga Burnik (RK Ljubljana)
Domen Dobnikar (RK Ljubljana)
Blaž Habjanič (RK Ljubljana)
Tit Hočevar (RGH Heidelberg, Germany)
Peter Kavčič (RK Ljubljana)
Matic Martinjak (RK Maribor)
Luka Medved (RK Maribor)
Grega Miljuš (RK Ljubljana)
Gal Okič (RK Ljubljana)
Blaž Pilko (RK Ljubljana)
Lewis Popadec(Winscombe RFC, England)
Sebastjan Rman (RAK Olimpija)
Enej Radelj Šemrov (RK Ljubljana)
Jaka Sajevic (RK Ljubljana)
Jernej Šercer (RK Ljubljana),
Jack Skofič (Tarleton RFC, England)
Max Skofič (Waterloo RFC, England) ,
Andrej Šubic (RK Ljubljana)
Mirt Suljič (RK Ljubljana)
Anže Troppan (RK Ljubljana)
Guillaume Trôu-poh Delmas (USO Massif, France)
Marko Udovč (RK Ljubljana)
Žiga Vrhunec (Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians RFC, Scotland)
Rok Zaletel (RK Ljubljana)

Thanks to mili678 at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=724

Serbia Squad

1. Vladimir Đukić, 1988, (RK Rad Belgrade) 23 test caps
2. Istok Totić, 1995, (Ardrossan Academicals – Scotland) 4
3. Uroš Martinović, 1995, (RK Rad Belgrade) 0
4. Danilo Bulatović, 1982 (Dubai Sharks, UAE) 24
5. Vlado Radeka, 1995, (RK Rad Belgrade) 5
6. Aleksandar Mađanovic, 1993, (Belgrade RK Crvena Zvezda) 6
7. Milan Marinkovic, 1993, (Ardrossan Academicals, Scotland) 4
8. Boris Martic (c), 1987, (Belgrade RK Crvena Zvezda) 27
9. Julien Matijasevic, 1994, (Stade Langonnais, France) 0
10. Andrija Jankovic, 1985, (Belgrade RK Crvena Zvezda) 10
11. Aleksandar Nedeljkovic, 1994, (Belgrade RK Crvena Zvezda) 5
12. Miladin Živanov, 1988, (RK Rad Belgrade) 23
13. Aleksandar Đorđević, 1989, (Belgrade RK Crvena Zvezda) 21
14. Igor Dejanović, 1988, (RK Partizan) 15
15. Vitor LJubičić, 1991, (?) 8
16. Aleksandar LJubičić, 1995, )RK Partizan) 0
17. Predrag Vraneš, 1986,(RK Rad Belgrade) 13
18. Vlastimir Sretenović, 1991, (Belgrade RK Crvena Zvezda) 13
19. Aleksandar Krstić, 1984, (RK Partizan) 17
20. Đorđe Preradojević, 1995, (RK Partizan) 2
21. Predrag Keglić, 1996, (Belgrade RK Crvena Zvezda) 1
22. Luka Kecman, 1992, (RK Partizan) 2
23. Miloš LJubičić, 1996, (RK Partizan) 1
Coach: Michel Milovic

‘Serbia missed for this game Marko Gvozdenović (Massy RC, France) who broke hand two weeks ago. Julien Matijasevic from Federal 1 side Stade Langonnais is the first time is Serbian team.

This game is debut for new national coach Michel Milovic. As player he played for Narbonne, Lyon, Stade Francais, Oyonnax, Strasbourg, Nimes and France U21. Coached different clubs in Southern France and Montenegro national team.’

Thanks to ‘Luka37’ at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=724

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

07.11.2015
Sweden v Moldova in Malmo (REC 1B)
Israel v Croatia in Netanya (REC 2A)
Cyprus v Latvia in Paphos (REC 2B)
Serbia v Slovenia in Beograd (REC 2C)

08.11.2015
Colombia v Ecuador in Lima (CONSUR B)
Venezuela v Peru in Lima (CONSUR B)

Briefly
As the dust settles on the 2015 Rugby World Cup final last weekend the test rugby elsewhere continues. This month you wont be seeing the Southern Hemisphere teams touring north as they need a good rest after the tournament.

The Rugby Europe Championship continues with four tests on Saturday. On Sunday sees the start of CONSUR B, or South American Championship, Division B. That tournament, being held in Lima, Peru, is the second tier of South American rugby behind Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil and Paraguay.

Later in November Germany will visit Brazil for a test match. December will be busy with CONSUR C being held in San Salvador whilst in early December Germany will play their second test in Brazil.

This weekend
Sweden faces front runner Moldova in an attempt to improve on its earlier results this season against Belgium and Poland. It wont be enough to avoid relegation.

Israel and Croatia will battle to avoid the relegation area. Israel drew with Czech Republic away in their last match and are beginning to adjust to this new level of European test rugby. Croatia won the first leg match against Israel but could struggle playing away. Croatia warmed up with a 5-39 loss to Oxford University last weekend.

Cyprus and Latvia clash in Cyprus in a Division 2B test match. Cyprus, holder of the world record of 24 consecutive test match wins up to 2014, were promoted from Division 2C the same season. Their results at this level have been mixed. Latvia has also had a mixed season, have played one more test than Cyprus. Neither team fared well against competition Lithuania who are unassailable at the top of this division.

Balkan rugby rivals Slovenia and Serbia clash in Beograd. Serbia had a disastrous start to the 2014-15 season but a change of management after Christmas has seen them win against Denmark and Austria.Slovenia is tucked just behind the undefeated Luxembourg ( to whom they lost to in the first leg) but has a game in hand. I expect this to be a close result.

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 2C: SLOVENIA v AUSTRIA

25.04.2015

Venue: Vienna

Referee: Dejan Stiglic (Serbia)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
LUXEMBOURG	3	3	0	0	68	24	44	1	13
SLOVENIA	3	2	0	1	75	27	48	2	10
AUSTRIA	3	1	0	2	45	67	-22	1	5
SERBIA	3	1	0	2	25	87	-62	0	4
DENMARK	2	0	0	2	37	45	-8	2	2

Preview
This is the first of two test matches in this division being played today. Slovenia is tucked in behind the division leaders Luxembourg. Austria suffered defeat by Serbia last weekend and slipped back to third place.

These neighbours have always up and down results against each other. Austria has the home advantage but will need to improve on their performance last weekend.

It will be a very close game. Nothing in it!

Last Five Encounters
03.05.2014 Austria 20-8 in Vienna (ENC 2C)
20.04.2013 Slovenia 22-10 in Ljubliana (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2C)
14.04.2012 Austria 19-5 in Ljubliana (Friendly)
17.10.2009 Austria 15-13 in Ljubliana (ENC 3B)
08.11.2008 Slovenia 18-9 in Vienna (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 3B)

Slovenia Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
18.04.2015 v Luxembourg L 11-14 in Ljubliana (REC 2C)
25.10.2014 v Denmark W 16-10 in Odense (ENC 2C)
18.10.2014 v Serbia W 48-3 in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
03.05.2014 v Austria L 8-20 in Vienna (ENC 2C)
12.04.2014 v Bulgaria W 43-17 in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)

Austria Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
18.04.2015 v Serbia L 3-22 in Belgrade (REC 2C)
08.11.2014 v Luxembourg L 13-18 in Luxembourg (REC 2C)
11.10.2014 v Denmark W 29-27 in Vienna (REC 2C)
07.06.2014 v Bosnia Herzegovina W 26-12 (ENC 2C Playoff)
03.05.2014 v Slovenia W 20-8 in Vienna (ENC 2C)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Austria 30th, Slovenia 31st

World Rugby Ranking Points
Slovenia 38.99, Austria 38.61

Prediction: Austria by 1 point Austria 15-14

TEAMS

Austria

Image thanks to https://www.facebook.com/rugbyaustria

Slovenia

1. Tit Hočevar - kapetan 2. Samuel Vrhovec 3. Sebastjan Rman 4. Jernej Šercer 5. Žiga Vrhunec 6. Mirt Suljič 7. Max Skofič 8. Archie Skofič 9. Lewis Popadec 10. Peter Kavčič 11. George Skofič 12. Jaka Sajevic - podkapetan 13. Frankie Skofič 14. Dragan Jovanovič 15. Žiga Burnik 16. Gregor Miljuš 17. Maks Zukič 18. Igor Okič 19. Jack Skofič 20. Damijan Jovič 21. Anže Troppan 22. Enej Radelj Šemrov 23. Rok Zaletel

http://www.rugby.si/sl/content/postava-za-tekmo-proti-luksemburgu