2013 European Nations Cup / Six Nations B

[barthelemy]

Thanks guys for keeping us up to date to this interesting 6th nation B ! I'm supporting Portugal I hope they will qualify for the world cup !

 

[Toko_11]

Correct me if I'm wrong but this I think is the most exciting ENC ever We have a fight for Championship, Repechage and Relegation... when was the last time that happen in a single tournament ?

so Georgia and Romania are leaders and We will have a final During the very last week of ENC.
3rd place favorites are Portugal and Russia so we will see them battle it out as well.
Relegation fight is between Belgium and Spain. Belgium can get vital points against Russia, but against Romania they don't stand a chance In my opinion.

Its very hard to predict at this point, but still i would predict the following
Romania win against Georgia with 1-5 points (I hope not but so far it looks Romania is in better form)

Portugal win against Russia (unless Russians learn the difference between football and rugby goals)

Belgium vs Spain we already saw and considering their schedules Belgium is the only one with a chance to get extra points vs Russia. Spain i think is not strong enough this year

So my "Objective" prediction

1.Romania
2.Georgia
3.Portugal
4.Russia
5.Belgium
6.Spain


My subjective prediction
1.Georgia
2.Romania

 

[norcalbuff]

I wouldn't count Russia out of the relegation battle. Belgium could easily take points from their match against the Romanians in Brussels. They defend very well and do not concede a lot of points, which makes getting losing bonus points easier.

 

[dragos03]

The competition is indeed very exciting this year, with a pretty close contest for all the positions that matter.

At the top, it's nice that Romania and Georgia meet in the last round, in a final-like game. Even if Romania has played better so far, I don't think we are the favorites. I'm sure that the Georgian players will focus and give 100% for this match, they will play much better than they did in the first three games. Anyone can win here and it will probably be decided in the very last minute (like it happened last year too).

I think that Portugal are the best of the rest, and the 3rd spot will probably go to the winner of the Portugal-Russia match next round.

Spain will probably finish bottom this year, they will get nothing in Georgia and are likely to lose against Portugal in the last round as well.

As for Belgium, I am actually kinda worried about Romania's match vs them next round. The Oaks will probably not have a full strength squad and Belgium is an aggressive team that really has got nothing to lose.

To be honest, it's a pity that one of the current six teams will be relegated at the end of next year and be replaced by a much weaker side like Germany or the Ukraine.

 

[racer0bv]

For sure it will be a hard game with Belgium, but i think we'll win it with +7 points. It all depends on the start of the game, if we make a good start then the forward pack will get the change to set the pace and grind down the opposition and maybe score some more points.

I am very amazed by the form Vlaicu is showing, based on his past games i really was worried that we won't have the right guy to get the 3 pointers, but to see him hittin' great shots from everywhere is a nice surprise. And i think this advantage will help in the game vs. Georgia. That one will be very tough, a 1X2 game, and i hope we'll win it.

 

[dragos03]

IRB Total Rugby HD highlights of Spain-Romania and Portugal-Belgium. A great solo try from Romanian fullback Catalin Fercu, but also a nice try of Spain's Cesar Sempere:

 

[DavidLg]

Belgian pre-selection for the game against Romania
Thibaut André (Soignies), Julien Berger (La Rochelle), Guillaume Brebant (Boitsfort), Alexis Cuffolo (Carcassonne), Kevin Dams (Boitsfort), Sep Debacker (Boitsfort), Thomas De Molder (Lyon), Mika De Molder (Boitsfort), Denis Eppe (Boitsfort), Carlos Fierro (Nice), Sébastien Guns (Boitsfort), Julien Hanchir (St Affrique), Vincent Hart (Durbell RC, Afrique du Sud), Maxime Jadot (Pau), Corentin Lecloux (Boitsfort), Simon Marote (ASUb, Alain Miriallakis, Julien Morelli (Bastia), Cyrille Nana (Anderlecht), Andrew Neill (Tournefeuille), Raphaël Olive (Périgueux), Guillaume Piron (Montpellier), Frédéric Rongé (Kituro), Eliott Van Trappen (Boitsfort), Bastian Vermeylen (Boitsfort), Mathieu Verschelden (Saint-Etienne), Norman Wende (La Voulte), Alan Williams (Montluçon)

 

[London_Italian]

Looking at the World Cup pools.......is it actually better for either Romania or Georgia to aim for second spot and therefore go in a pool with Italy, Ireland and France rather than with New Zealand and Argentina?

 

[dragos03]

It might be an easier group, but I want Romania to go for the first spot and take it if we can (and worry about the group later). I think it would be wrong to lose on purpose in order to get the easier group.

Anyway, here's the team for the match against Belgium:

1. Mihaita Lazar (Castres),
2. Andrei Radoi (Baia Mare),
3. Paulica Ion (London Welsh),
4. Vali Ursache (Oyonnax),
5. Marius Sarbe (Tarbes),
6. Viorel Lucaci (Steaua Bucuresti),
7. Mihai Macovei (Sporting Nazairien),
8. Daniel Carpo (RCM Timisoara),
9. Florin Surugiu (CSM Bucuresti),
10. Ionut Dimofte (Stade Rouen),
11. Dorin Manole (Orthez),
12. Florin Vlaicu (Steaua Bucuresti),
13. Robert Dascalu (Steaua Bucuresti),
14. Adrian Apostol (Farul Constanta),
15. Catalin Fercu (RCM Timisoara).

Reserves: 16. Eugen Capatana (RCM Timisoara), 17. Petru Tamba (Cardiff Blues), 18. Horatiu Pungea (RCM Timisoara), 19. Alin Coste (Bourg-en-Bresse), 20. Alexandru Mitu (CSM Bucuresti), 21. Ciprian Caplescu (Dinamo), 22. Csaba Gal (Baia Mare), 23. Ionut Niacsu (Baia Mare).

 

[djwizard84]

Well well, if Romania and Georgia win their match this weekend, we could have like a little Final game next weekend in Bucharest.
My teams for this weekends games are Georgia, Romania and Portugal.

 

[DavidLg]

Belgium-Romania will be broadcasted live here: http://www.e-k.tv/videos/299-belgian-rugby-belge/1887-belgium-romania-09-03-2013-tournoi-des-six-nations-b-trailer

 

[Nielsch]

Well well, if Romania and Georgia win their match this weekend, we could have like a little Final game next weekend in Bucharest.
My teams for this weekends games are Georgia, Romania and Portugal.

Unfortunately it won't be in the beautiful new stadium in Cluj-Napoca since Georgia refused to play there.

Georgia - Spain
Georgia completely demolished Spain today; 61-18 was the final score in Tblisi.

Belgium - Romania
Belgium put in a brave effort in Brussels but came up short against a strong Romania; 14-32

This means that we'll have a direct Grand Slam decider next week in Bucharest: Romania versus Georgia.

Portugal - Russia
Russia bounced back in the second half after trailing 8 points at half time: 23-31 is the final result.

2013 European Nations Cup standings after round 4 (of 5)

1. Romania 17 points
2. Georgia 17 points
3. Russia 9 points
4. Portugal 5 points
5. Belgium 4 points
6. Spain 3 points

Rugby World Cup qualifying / relegation standings after round 4 (of 10)

1. Romania 17 points
2. Georgia 17 points
3. Russia 9 points
4. Portugal 5 points
5. Belgium 4 points
6. Spain 3 points

 

[Croket66]

Stats after 4 days

Top points scorers (players)
1.Florin Vlaicu (Romania) - 65
2.Merab Kvirikashvili (Georgia) - 47
3.Alan Williams (Belgium) - 40
4.Pedro Leal (Portugal) - 40
5.Igor Klyuchnikov (Russia) - 23

Top tries scorers (players)
1.Tedo Zibzibadze, Dimitri Basilaia, Lasha Khmaladze, Tamaz Mchedlidze (all Georgia), Jaike Carter, Matias Tudela (both Spain), Gonçalo Foro (Portugal) and Thomas De Molder (Belgium) - 2 tries

Top tries scorers (teams)
1.Georgia - 15
2.Romania - 8
3.Russia and Spain - 6
5.Belgium - 4
6.Portugal - 3

 

[LittleGuy]

Romania and Georgia are starting to run away with the top two spots, things looking very good for them heading into next year and securing those RWC spots. Bit of a logjam in the rest of the table no one really standing out, Russia are ahead right now for 3rd but haven't looked that great.

Edit: Spain have also really come down from their last couple of good seasons, will they bring back some of those French based players?

 

[white bear]

Russia plays witgout "leg". Rachkov after RWC2011 is not called from France and Kushnarev after injury have not played. With Klyuchnikov, S. Yanyushkin and Sugrobov in 4 games for Russia 14 misses!
vs Spain - 3 pen
vs Romania - 1 pen, 1 con
vs Georgia - 8 pen
vs Portugal - 2 pen

(-44) points thanks redneck Russian Rugby Union who can not afford insurance for Rachkov...

 

[Croket66]

Romania - Georgia :

Romania :
1.Mihaita Lazar (Castres Olympique)
2.Andrei Radoi (CSM Baia Mare)
3.Paulica Ion (London Welsh)
4.Vali Ursache (US Oyonnax)
5.Marius Sirbe (Tarbes PR)
6.Viorel Lucaci (Steaua Bucuresti)
7.Mihai Macovei (capt, Sporting Nazairien)
8.Daniel Carpo (RCM Timisoara)
9.Florin Surugiu (CSM Bucuresti)
10.Ionut Dimofte (Stade Rouen)
11.Adrian Matei (USA Limoges)
12.Florin Vlaicu (Steaua Bucuresti)
13.Robert Dascalu (Steaua Bucuresti)
14.Marian Apostol (RCJ Farul Constanta)
15.Catalin Fercu (RCM Timisoara)

16.Andrei Ursache (US Carcassonne)
17.Eugen Capatana (RCM Timisoara)
18.Horaciu Pungea (RCM Timisoara)
19.Alin Coste (Bourg-en-Bresse)
20.Alexandru Mitu (CSM Bucuresti)
21.Ciprian Caplescu (Dinamo Bucuresti)
22.Csaba Gal (CSM Baia Mare)
23.Ionut Nascu (CSM Baia Mare)


Georgia :
1.Vasil Kakovin (Stade Toulousain)
2.Jaba Bregvadze (Stade Toulousain)
3.Davit Zirakashvili (ASM Clermont)
4.Giorgi Chkhaidze (Tarbes PR)
5.Kote Mikautadze (RC Toulon)
6.Vito Kolelishvili (ASM Clermont)
7.Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier HRC)
8.Dimitri Basilaia (Edinburgh Rugby)
9.Giorgi Begadze (Batumi XV)
15.Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Tbilissi)
14.Irakli Machkhaneli (capt, Armazi)
12.Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College)
13.Tedo Zibzibadze (CA Périgueux)
11.Tamaz Mchedlidze (Stade Montois)
10.Merab Kvirikashvili (AS St Junien)

16.Irakli Natriashvili (CA Brive)
17.Zurab Zhvania (Stade Français)
18.Davit Kubriashvili (RC Toulon)
19.Levan Datunashvili (Stade Aurillacois)
20.Shalva Sutiashvili (RC Massy)
21.Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi)
22.Davit Kacharava (Stade Rodez)
23.Beka Tsiklauri (Lokomotiv Tbilissi)

 

[Toko_11]

Romania - Georgia :

20.Alexandru Mitu

Not my favorite surname I Have to say....

 

[dragos03]

Not my favorite surname I Have to say....

How come?

 

[Toko_11]

How come?

Just some bad results associated with it <_<

 

[white bear]

Russia 43-32 Belgium (7-4 tries)

We again missed kicks from good positions, beat 4 from 7 con. And finally in 5 games missed 14 pen and 4 con (-50 points)...
Interestig how missed other teams in 5 gаmes ENC?