2014 European Nations Cup Division 1: Round Two. 08/02/14

[LittleGuy]

Just getting this thread up while I had a ton of spare time on a day that's too cold to work on outside, I'll add talking points and a list of the points table when the 1st round is completed.

Standings:

Georgia 24 points
Romania 23 points
Russia 18 points
Portugal 7 points
Spain 6 points
Belgium 5 points

 

[Toko_11]

An interesting round this one. Portugal are known as the most uncomfortable opposition for Georgia, and they are known for the upsets they have caused (or almost caused) during their time in ENC. Georgia a strong favorite but if(god forbid)we start experimenting again we could find ourselves in quite a bit of trouble. however based on the recent performances and some of the comments from the upper levels of Georgian rugby this year should be completely different from the last one. so i expect a comfortable win with 13+ point difference.

For Russia this would be the last chance of grabbing one of the Euro qualifying spots, so if they have anything to offer us they would surely do it on this day of all days. Home vs Oaks with Russian winter on their side. Oaks on the other hand would want to secure their Euro spot and concentrate on the final against Georgia later on. This is a game with big stakes for both countries so i hope we will witness an exciting match... or read about it, depending on weather they decide to broadcast it or not.


normally we wouldn't be talking much about newly promoted teams but in that regard this is not a normal season, Belgians have shown they've got what it takes to compete on top level so now they've got to prove it to everyone, this game would probably be the single most important game for Belgian rugby in the next 4-5 years.

I will talk more after 1st round is complete and we see how well prepared all the teams are for this season

 

[zakro4]

Good luck to georgia!

but Georgia will start the second round with Belgium

 

[racer0bv]

i hope we will witness an exciting match... or read about it, depending on weather they decide to broadcast it or not.

the game will be broadcasted by tvr1, the national television, so they'll have it online too, on thier site: tvrplus.ro.

I remember the last game vs Russia in Krasnodar, 25-0 for Romania, in a big mud hole. I hope we'll have a similar match, a win is crucial, a bp would be nice also. With the recent form of the Oaks and some comments i've read about the spain v. russia game, i'd say a win by 12+points.

 

[PhotoScrum]

Some Pictures of Spain VS Russia.

http://www.photoscrum.com/espana-vs-rusia-4/

 

[dragos03]

It is uncertain if the Russia vs Romania match will be played and where. Russia has not announced a definitive venue and start time for the match yet. I suspect that the Russians are trying to get the match postponed, in which case it would be replayed later in the spring, outside the IRB release window. This would heavily help Russia since Romania would be forced to use a weakened team without most of the professional players from France and the UK.

The match was supposed to be played in the town of Krasnodar but the hosts claim it has to be relocated due to the pitch being frozen (according to the latest online forecast,, there will be +5 degrees on match day so that shouldn't be an issue). They have proposed a number of other possible venues, hundreds of kilometers apart. The lastest proposal is a training field in the village of Nebug, that looks like this (in the summer, God knows how it looks now):

 

[Toko_11]

WoW.... we have better equipped fields on kids playgrounds around here


Edit: so which tree are they gonna hang the camera from ?

 

[LittleGuy]

It is uncertain if the Russia vs Romania match will be played and where. Russia has not announced a definitive venue and start time for the match yet. I suspect that the Russians are trying to get the match postponed, in which case it would be replayed later in the spring, outside the IRB release window. This would heavily help Russia since Romania would be forced to use a weakened team without most of the professional players from France and the UK.

The match was supposed to be played in the town of Krasnodar but the hosts claim it has to be relocated due to the pitch being frozen (according to the latest online forecast,, there will be +5 degrees on match day so that shouldn't be an issue). They have proposed a number of other possible venues, hundreds of kilometers apart. The lastest proposal is a training field in the village of Nebug, that looks like this (in the summer, God knows how it looks now):

Another reason why the Russian Union is the worst run in the Top 25 IRB Countries(if not even lower). What a gong show, either it's as you say a deliberate attempt to avoid the match or just sheer incompetence, neither of which would surpise me. It's insulting even to their own players who are hard working and passionate players who I'm sure would be willing to take on Romania in any conditions or venue.

What is the deadline on when this has to be decided surely Romania have to fly out to Russia tommorow or Thursday at the later.

 

[LittleGuy]

The Russian Union just tweeted this.....I can somewhat sympathize with the fact the pitch won't unfreeze in time but than why schedule a game in a place where this is a distinct possibility at this time of year.

https://twitter.com/russiarugby/status/431102753553653760

 

[dragos03]

They lie even in that tweet, as there will be +2/3 degrees on Friday and not -8 as they claim.

But anyway, it looks like Romania has agreed to play in Nebug even if that means our team will have to travel by bus from Krasnodar before and after the match. I think this is the right choice, we should ignore their attempts to postpone the match and just play them anywhere.

The match will be played at 12.00 Romanian time but there will be no TV broadcast since Russia is the only ENC nation unable to provide coverage of their home games.

 

[djwizard84]

The match will be played at 12.00 Romanian time but there will be no TV broadcast since Russia is the only ENC nation unable to provide coverage of their home games.

This is so unprofesional from the russian rugby union, it looks like they really don't care about the sport. If you are already at this level, all unions should be demanded to have some standards. specially when we are in the middle of a WC-Qualification process.

 

[dragos03]

Russia - Romania 3-34

The Oaks also got a bonus point and it looks like the Russian harassment didn't help them at all. This result also means that Romania and Georgia are 99% qualified for the RWC (unles Georgia gets beaten by Portugal later today, but even in that case it's extremely unlikely that Russia could win in Tbilissi).

 

[LittleGuy]

Russia - Romania 3-34

The Oaks also got a bonus point and it looks like the Russian harassment didn't help them at all. This result also means that Romania and Georgia are 99% qualified for the RWC (unles Georgia gets beaten by Portugal later today, but even in that case it's extremely unlikely that Russia could win in Tbilissi).

Surprised at the margin I was expecting an Oaks win but Russia's woes continue. A clear seperation in quality between Romania and Georgia and the other four teams. Very difficult to disagree with your assesment that this pretty much clinches the RWC spots barring some sort of epic Georgian collapse which seems extremely unlikely. Battle for seeding still continues though and maybe today opens up a very slim chance of a team catching Russia in the 3rd spot.

 

[LittleGuy]

34-9 Win for Georgia at Portugal but they crucially miss out on the try bonus point with only three tries. Tied now in the standings at the top of the table with Romania though a little ahead of point differential.

Edit: Georgia and Romania have clinched at least 3rd place in the combined table and therefore will at least advance to the next round of RWCQ'ers.

Edit Edit: Spain have pulled out a narrow 11-6 win over Belgium absolutely massive for their hopes to avod relegation, and Belgium have essentially no chance of advancing in the RWCQ'ers.

 

[dragos03]

Russia - Romania 3-34 highlights: