2008 Hannover Sevens
Encyclopedia
The 2008 European Sevens Championship was a rugby sevens
competition, with the final held in Hanover
, Germany. It was the seventh edition of the European Sevens championship and also functioned as a qualifying tournament for the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens
. The event was organised by rugby's European governing body, the FIRA – Association of European Rugby (FIRA-AER).
decided to award the finals tournament to Hanover, beating bids from Russia, Greece and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the process.
, the governing body of European rugby, has been organising an annual European Sevens Championship tournament. A number of qualifying tournaments lead up to a finals tournament, which functions as the European championship and, in 2008, also as the qualifying stage for the Sevens World Cup.
The first European Championship was held in 2002 in Heidelberg
, Germany, and was won by Portugal, the team that won every championship since except 2007, when Russia won.
The next year, the tournament was again held in Heidelberg and in 2004, Palma de Mallorca
, Spain was the host.
From 2005 to 2007, Moscow was the host of the tournament.
Hanover held the tournament for the first time in 2008 and will do so again in 2009.
The finals tournament was held at the AWD-Arena
in Hanover, home ground of the football club Hannover 96
. The stadium holds 50.000 spectators, 43,000 of them on seats, the rest standing.
The tournament was seen by over 30,000 spectators, a good turn out in a country like Germany, were rugby is not a mainstream sport. After selling more than 35,000 tickets in advance, mostly within Germany, the organisers were forced to open up the upper tier of the stadium to meet demand.
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Key: Con = conversions; Pen = penalties; Drop = drop goals
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Tomaz Morais
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Claude Saurel
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Gareth Baber
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Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
competition, with the final held in Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
, Germany. It was the seventh edition of the European Sevens championship and also functioned as a qualifying tournament for the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens
2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens
The 2009 Rugby Sevens World Cup was the fifth edition of the Rugby sevens world cup. The International Rugby Board selected Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as the host venue for the tournament ahead of bids from four other countries. The format included nine direct qualifiers and a further...
. The event was organised by rugby's European governing body, the FIRA – Association of European Rugby (FIRA-AER).
Outcome
The finals tournament held in Hanover, Germany on 12 and 13 July 2008, as well as being the European Sevens Championship, functioned as a qualifying tournament for the world cup. England, France and Scotland had already qualified through their past performance. The five best nations out of the twelve participating ones qualified for the Dubai tournament. Teams finished in the following order:| Place | Country |
| 1st | |
| 2nd | |
| 3rd | |
| 4th | |
| 5th | |
| 6th | |
| 7th | |
| 8th | |
| 9th | |
| 10th | |
| 11th | |
| 12th |
Bid
On 16 June 2007, the FIRA congress in MonacoMonaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
decided to award the finals tournament to Hanover, beating bids from Russia, Greece and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the process.
Tournament history
From 2002, FIRAFIRA
FIRA is a four-letter acronym used for:* FIRA - Association of European Rugby* Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations* Foreign Investment Review Agency * Federation of International Robot-soccer Association...
, the governing body of European rugby, has been organising an annual European Sevens Championship tournament. A number of qualifying tournaments lead up to a finals tournament, which functions as the European championship and, in 2008, also as the qualifying stage for the Sevens World Cup.
The first European Championship was held in 2002 in Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, Germany, and was won by Portugal, the team that won every championship since except 2007, when Russia won.
The next year, the tournament was again held in Heidelberg and in 2004, Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca
Palma is the major city and port on the island of Majorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. The names Ciutat de Mallorca and Ciutat were used before the War of the Spanish Succession and are still used by people in Majorca. However, the official name...
, Spain was the host.
From 2005 to 2007, Moscow was the host of the tournament.
Hanover held the tournament for the first time in 2008 and will do so again in 2009.
Stadium
AWD-Arena
The AWD-Arena is a football stadium in the district Calenberger Neustadt in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, and competition venue of the German Bundesliga football club Hannover 96....
in Hanover, home ground of the football club Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
. The stadium holds 50.000 spectators, 43,000 of them on seats, the rest standing.
The tournament was seen by over 30,000 spectators, a good turn out in a country like Germany, were rugby is not a mainstream sport. After selling more than 35,000 tickets in advance, mostly within Germany, the organisers were forced to open up the upper tier of the stadium to meet demand.
Qualifying
Twelve teams qualified through the seven qualifying tournaments, held at the following locations:| Location | Country | Date | Winner | Runner-up |
| Odense Odense The city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark.Odense City has a population of 167,615 and is the main city of the island of Funen... |
Denmark | 10–11 May | ||
| Sopot Sopot Sopot is a seaside town in Eastern Pomerania on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Poland, with a population of approximately 40,000.... |
Poland | 24–25 May | ||
| Zagreb Zagreb Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city... |
Croatia Croatia Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ... |
31 May-1 June | ||
| Tbilisi Tbilisi Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936... |
Georgia Georgia (country) Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of... |
7–8 June | ||
| Ostrava Ostrava Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the... |
Czech Republic Czech Republic The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest.... |
14–15 June | ||
| Corfu Corfu Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The... |
Greece | 20–21 June | ||
| Moscow | Russia | 28–29 June |
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Group stage
The tournament was divided into a group and a finals stage. In the group stage, two groups of six teams were drawn. Within each group, each team played each other once. The top two teams went to the Cup stage of the tournament while the third and fourth placed team qualified for the Plate stage. Five and six went to the Bowl finals.| Qualified for the Cup stage |
| Qualified for the Plate stage |
| Qualified for the Bowl stage |
Group A
| POR Portugal national rugby union team (sevens) The Portugal national rugby union team represent Portugal in international rugby sevens. The team has played for the first time in 1992, at the Catania Sevens, World Cup 1993 European Qualifier.... | GEO Georgia national rugby union team (sevens) The Georgia national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2007 London Sevens:-2007 Edinburgh Sevens:-External links:*... | ESP Spain national rugby union team (sevens) The Spain national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2008 Hannover Sevens:Group A matches --Current Squad:Squad to 2011 Hong Kong Sevens*Victor Gomez*Carlos Blanco*Federico Negrillo*Pablo Feijoo*Facundo Lavino*Martin Heredia... | GER Germany national rugby union team (sevens) The German Sevens team is the national team of Germany in the sport of Sevens rugby.Germany's aim is, to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics sevens tournament.-Punta del Este and Paris:... | RUS Russia national rugby union team (sevens) The Russia national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, and Rugby World Cup Sevens.-Current Squad:12-man squad for 2010–11 IRB Sevens World Series :#Vladimir Ostroushko#Nikolay Goroshilov#Yury Gostyuzhev... | ROM Romania national rugby union team (sevens) The Romania national rugby union sevens is a national sevens side. It has competed in the Hong Kong Sevens and it is currently competing in the European Sevens Championship.... |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal Portugal national rugby union team (sevens) The Portugal national rugby union team represent Portugal in international rugby sevens. The team has played for the first time in 1992, at the Catania Sevens, World Cup 1993 European Qualifier.... |
– | 26-10 | 28-5 | 14-12 | 45-5 | 38-0 |
| Georgia Georgia national rugby union team (sevens) The Georgia national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2007 London Sevens:-2007 Edinburgh Sevens:-External links:*... |
– | – | 28-5 | 26-0 | 5-0 | 12-0 |
| Spain Spain national rugby union team (sevens) The Spain national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2008 Hannover Sevens:Group A matches --Current Squad:Squad to 2011 Hong Kong Sevens*Victor Gomez*Carlos Blanco*Federico Negrillo*Pablo Feijoo*Facundo Lavino*Martin Heredia... |
– | – | – | 26-22 | 7-29 | 14-0 |
| Germany Germany national rugby union team (sevens) The German Sevens team is the national team of Germany in the sport of Sevens rugby.Germany's aim is, to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics sevens tournament.-Punta del Este and Paris:... |
– | – | – | – | 17-12 | 24-21 |
| Russia Russia national rugby union team (sevens) The Russia national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, and Rugby World Cup Sevens.-Current Squad:12-man squad for 2010–11 IRB Sevens World Series :#Vladimir Ostroushko#Nikolay Goroshilov#Yury Gostyuzhev... |
– | – | – | – | – | 19-19 |
| Romania Romania national rugby union team (sevens) The Romania national rugby union sevens is a national sevens side. It has competed in the Hong Kong Sevens and it is currently competing in the European Sevens Championship.... |
– | – | – | – | – | – |
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 151 | 32 | 15 | ||
| 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 81 | 31 | 13 | ||
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 57 | 107 | |||
| 9 | ||||||||
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 75 | 99 | |||
| 9 | ||||||||
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 74 | 100 | |||
| 8 | ||||||||
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 31 | 100 | |||
| 6 |
Group B
| WAL Wales national rugby union team (sevens) The Wales national rugby union sevens team is the international rugby sevens side for Welsh rugby union players. They currently compete in the IRB Sevens World Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and in the Commonwealth Games.... | IRE Ireland national rugby union team (sevens) The Ireland national rugby union sevens team have previously competed in the IRB Sevens World Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens. Although there is no permanent team at present, there may well be in the future.-Results:... | ITA Italy national rugby union team (sevens) The Italy sevens national rugby union team is Italy's national rugby union sevens team. They compete in the IRB Sevens World Series, and have done so since the series' was introduced in 1999. Although they do compete in the series, they do not participate in every leg... | UKR Ukraine national rugby union team (sevens) The Ukraine national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2008 Hannover Sevens:Group B matches --Ukraine:Head coach: Michel BishopSource:... | POL Poland national rugby union team (sevens) The Poland national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2008 Hannover Sevens:Group B matches -... | Bel Belgium national rugby union team (sevens) The Belgium national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2008 Hannover Sevens:Group B matches --Belgium :Head coach: Neil Massinon... |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales Wales national rugby union team (sevens) The Wales national rugby union sevens team is the international rugby sevens side for Welsh rugby union players. They currently compete in the IRB Sevens World Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and in the Commonwealth Games.... |
– | 26-14 | 33-12 | 21-17 | 38-7 | 33-12 |
| Ireland Ireland national rugby union team (sevens) The Ireland national rugby union sevens team have previously competed in the IRB Sevens World Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens. Although there is no permanent team at present, there may well be in the future.-Results:... |
– | – | 17-12 | 26-7 | 17-7 | 31-0 |
| Italy Italy national rugby union team (sevens) The Italy sevens national rugby union team is Italy's national rugby union sevens team. They compete in the IRB Sevens World Series, and have done so since the series' was introduced in 1999. Although they do compete in the series, they do not participate in every leg... |
– | – | – | 31-15 | 40-0 | 17-10 |
| Ukraine Ukraine national rugby union team (sevens) The Ukraine national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2008 Hannover Sevens:Group B matches --Ukraine:Head coach: Michel BishopSource:... |
– | – | – | – | 21-14 | 22-12 |
| Poland Poland national rugby union team (sevens) The Poland national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2008 Hannover Sevens:Group B matches -... |
– | – | – | – | – | 21-19 |
| Belgium Belgium national rugby union team (sevens) The Belgium national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2008 Hannover Sevens:Group B matches --Belgium :Head coach: Neil Massinon... |
– | – | – | – | – | – |
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 151 | 64 | 15 | ||
| 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 105 | 54 | 13 | ||
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 114 | 75 | 11 | ||
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 84 | 104 | |||
| 9 | ||||||||
| 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 49 | 135 | |||
| 7 | ||||||||
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 53 | 124 | |||
| 5 |
Finals
Three separate rounds of finals were held, Bowl, the lowest, Plate and Cup. The semi final winners of each group went on to the final while the losers played each other. All teams from the Cup stage were qualified for the next sevens world cup and also the Plate winner.Bowl
Winner: RussiaPlate
Winner: Italy (qualified for the 2009 Sevens world cup)Cup
Winner: Portugal (all four teams qualified for the 2009 Sevens world cup)Top point scorers
| Points | Name | Team | Tries | Con | Pen | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedro Leal Pedro Leal Pedro Leal is a Portuguese international rugby player and a regular on the International Rugby Board World Sevens circuit.... |
6 | 22 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Merab Kvirikashvili Merab Kvirikashvili Merab Kvirikashvili is a Georgian rugby union footballer. He made his debut for Georgia in 2003, and was selected for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Playing at scrum-half and fly-half he has played 21 times for his country and scored 65 points. He often has the goal kicking duties for his team... |
6 | 11 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Martin Roberts Martin Roberts Martin Roberts is a Wales international rugby union footballer who currently plays at scrum-half for the Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.... |
5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Ian Keatley Ian Keatley Ian James T. Keatley is an Irish rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. He was capped by Ireland on their 2009 tour to North America when he lined out against Canada on 23 May 2009.... |
4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Mustafa Güngör Mustafa Güngör Mustafa Güngör is a German international rugby union player, playing for the TV Pforzheim in the Rugby-Bundesliga and the German national rugby union team. He is the current captain of the German Sevens team, and, in 2009–10, he was also the German XV captain.... |
4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Oleh Kvasnytsya | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Andrew Maxwell | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Alexander Gvozdovskiy | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Juan Cano | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| César Sempere César Sempere César Sempere is a Spanish rugby union player. He plays as a Fly-half or Fullback for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership. Sempere playes also for Spain.-External links:* *... |
3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Matthieu Franke Matthieu Franke Matthieu Franke is a German international rugby union player, playing for RC Orléans in the Fédérale 1 and the German national rugby union team... |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Key: Con = conversions; Pen = penalties; Drop = drop goals
Belgium
Head coach: Neil Massinon| Player | Club |
| Mathieu Verschelden |  ASUB Waterloo |
| Alexandre Van Pestel | Anderlecht |
| Johann Bombaerts | ROC Ottignies |
| Frédéric Gruel | Beauvais |
| Kevin Williams | Seapoint |
| David Nemsadze | Domont |
| Shane Massinon | Brussels Barbarians Brussels Barbarians The Brussels Barbarians Rugby Football Club are a Rugby Union club in Belgium. The club consists of two men's teams and one women's team.... |
| Morgan Croisy | ASUB Waterloo |
| Jérôme Cauwe | ASUB Waterloo |
| Simon Marote | Arras |
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Georgia
Head coach: Kakhaber Alania| Player | Club |
| Shalva Sutiashvili | AC Bobigny 93 Rugby AC Bobigny 93 Rugby AC Bobigny 93 Rugby is a rugby union team from Île-de-France which plays in Fédérale 1 . The club is based in Bobigny, Seine-Saint-Denis.... |
| Simon Maisuradze | ASM Clermont Auvergne ASM Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club... |
| Giorgi Chkhaidze | Massy |
| Bidzina Samkharadze |  FC Farul ConstanţaFC Farul Constanta FC Farul Constanţa is a professional football club from Constanţa, Romania. Established in 1949, Farul is currently competing in Liga II ,after being relegated at the end of Liga I 2008-09. The club has yet to win a Romanian title... |
| Merab Kvirikashvili Merab Kvirikashvili Merab Kvirikashvili is a Georgian rugby union footballer. He made his debut for Georgia in 2003, and was selected for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Playing at scrum-half and fly-half he has played 21 times for his country and scored 65 points. He often has the goal kicking duties for his team... |
Section Paloise Section Paloise Section Paloise is a French rugby union club from Pau in Pyrénées-Atlantiques currently competing in Rugby Pro D2, the second level of the French league system.-History:... |
| Alexander Todua |  Lelo |
| Giorgi Shkinini | Hooligana |
| Jaba Bregvadze | Kochebi |
| Lasha Khmaladze | Lelo |
| Alexander Nizharadze | Kochebi |
| Beka Tsiklauri | |
| Irakli Gundishvili | Périgueux |
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Germany
Head coach: Lofty Stevenson| Player | Club |
| Franck Moutsinga Franck Moutsinga Franck Moutsinga is a German international rugby union player, playing for the Berliner RC in the Rugby-Bundesliga and the German national rugby union team.-Biography:... |
 Berliner RCBerliner RC The Berliner Rugby Club is a German rugby union club from Berlin, currently playing in the Rugby-Bundesliga.-History:The club was formed in 1926.While very successful in its youth department, it has not managed similar achievements on the senior level.... |
| Mustafa Güngör Mustafa Güngör Mustafa Güngör is a German international rugby union player, playing for the TV Pforzheim in the Rugby-Bundesliga and the German national rugby union team. He is the current captain of the German Sevens team, and, in 2009–10, he was also the German XV captain.... |
RG Heidelberg RG Heidelberg The RG Heidelberg is a German rugby union club from Heidelberg, currently playing in the Rugby-Bundesliga. Apart from rugby, the club also offers the sport of rowing.-History:The club was formed on 4 June 1898 as a rowing club... |
| Tim Kasten Tim Kasten Tim Kasten is a German international rugby union player, playing for the Heidelberger RK in the Rugby-Bundesliga and the German national rugby union team.He plays rugby since 1986.... |
 Southend RFC |
| Markus Walger Markus Walger Markus Walger is a German international rugby union player, playing for the RK Heusenstamm in the Rugby-Bundesliga and the German national rugby union team.... |
RK Heusenstamm RK Heusenstamm The RK Heusenstamm is a German rugby union club from Heusenstamm, currently playing in the Rugby-Bundesliga.-History:The club was formed in 1979, much later then most other current Bundesliga clubs, in Heusenstamm, Hesse.... |
| Clemens von Grumbkow Clemens von Grumbkow Clemens von Grumbkow is a German international rugby union player, playing for the Rugby Club I Cavalieri Prato in the Italian Super 10.-Biography:... |
RC Orléans RC Orléans Rugby club Orléans is a semi-professional French rugby union team, from Orléans. They currently play at Fédérale 1.-German players:The club has recently provided a number of players for the Germany national rugby union team with Alexander Widiker and the brothers Guillaume and Matthieu Franke... |
| Christopher Weselek Christopher Weselek Christopher Weselek is a retired German international rugby union player, having last played for the RG Heidelberg in the Rugby-Bundesliga and the German national rugby union team.... |
RG Heidelberg |
| Matthieu Franke Matthieu Franke Matthieu Franke is a German international rugby union player, playing for RC Orléans in the Fédérale 1 and the German national rugby union team... |
RC Orléans |
| Alexander Pipa Alexander Pipa Alexander Pipa is a retired German international rugby union player, playing for the TSV Handschuhsheim in the Rugby-Bundesliga and the German national rugby union team.He has been playing rugby since 1996.... |
TSV Handschuhsheim TSV Handschuhsheim The TSV Handschuhsheim is a German rugby union club from Heidelberg, currently playing in the Rugby-Bundesliga. Apart from rugby, the club also offers other sports like association football, handball and tennis.-History:... |
| Benjamin Simm Benjamin Simm Benjamin Simm is a German international rugby union player, playing for the DSV 78 Hannover in the Rugby-Bundesliga and the German national rugby union team.... |
DSV 78/08 Ricklingen DSV 78/08 Ricklingen The DSV 78/08 Ricklingen was a German rugby union team from the Ricklingen suburb of Hannover, playing in the 2nd Rugby-Bundesliga North/East in 2008-09. The team was an on-the-field union of DSV 78 Hannover and SV 1908 Ricklingen, two successful clubs in themselves... |
| Mike Härtel | TSV Victoria Linden TSV Victoria Linden The TSV Victoria Linden is a German rugby union club from the Linden suburb of Hannover, currently playing in the 2nd Rugby-Bundesliga. Apart from rugby, the club also offers other sports, such as triathlon and athletics.... |
| Stefan Kunde | SC 1880 Frankfurt SC 1880 Frankfurt The SC 1880 Frankfurt is a German rugby union club from Frankfurt am Main, currently playing in the Rugby-Bundesliga. Apart from rugby, the club also offers other sports like lacrosse, tennis and field hockey.... |
| Benjamin Krause Benjamin Krause Benjamin Krause is a German international rugby union player, playing for the DSV 78 Hannover in the Rugby-Bundesliga and the German national rugby union team.He plays rugby since 1993.... |
DSV 78/08 Ricklingen |
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Ireland
Head coach: Jon Skurr| Player | Club |
| Cian Aherne | Leinster Leinster Rugby Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... |
| Richard Briggs | Esher RFC Esher RFC Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club.... |
| Kieran Campbell Kieran Campbell Kieran Campbell is a former Irish scrumhalf who currently plays for Connacht in the Magners League. Born in Hillingdon to an Irish father and Sri Lankan mother he was a key player for Gunnersbury Catholic School and helped them reach the last eight of the Daily Mail school's cup and to win the... |
Connacht Connacht Rugby Connacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup... |
| Darren Cave Darren Cave Darren Cave is a professional rugby union player who currently plays for Ulster Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12. Cave attended Sullivan Upper School. His club is Belfast Harlequins who play in AIB League Division 2.Cave plays as a centre, in which position he was selected for the Ireland squad which... |
Ulster Ulster Rugby Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... |
| James Coughlan James Coughlan James Coughlan is an Irish rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. He normally plays at Number 8 but has also played at both Blindside and Openside Flanker.-Early rugby career:... |
Munster Munster Rugby Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish... |
| Eoghan Grace | |
| Chris Henry Chris Henry (rugby player) Chris Henry in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is an Irish rugby union footballer. He plays for Ulster and Ballymena Rugby Club.He was educated at the Wallace High School in Lisburn before going to Queen's University Belfast.... |
Ulster |
| Ian Keatley Ian Keatley Ian James T. Keatley is an Irish rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. He was capped by Ireland on their 2009 tour to North America when he lined out against Canada on 23 May 2009.... |
Connacht |
| Seamus Mallon Seamus Mallon (rugby player) Seamus Mallon, is an Irish professional rugby union player for Ulster Rugby in the Magners League, who was formerly a player for Northampton Saints in the Guinness Premiership. Mallon was signed as a centre with the Saints in July 2005. He formerly played for his school-teams, Foyle and... |
Ulster |
| Conor McPhillips Conor McPhillips Conor McPhillips is a former Irish rugby union player.-Professional career:He previously played professional rugby for Connacht , where the highlight was reaching the European Challenge Cup semi final against Harlequins... |
Connacht |
| Andrew Maxwell Andrew Maxwell Andrew Maxwell is an Irish stand-up comedian. Raised in Kilbarrack, Dublin, and now resident in London, he is a father of two. He regularly appears on The Panel.-Early life:... |
 Edinburgh |
| Brian Tuohy | Cornish Pirates Cornish Pirates The Cornish Pirates are an English professional rugby union team who play in the Championship, the second level of the English rugby union pyramid, and are the premier Cornish rugby club. Formerly known as Penzance & Newlyn Pirates, the Cornish Pirates play their home games and train at their... |
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Italy
Head coach:| Player | Club |
| Kristopher Burton Kristopher Burton Kristopher Burton is an Italian rugby union player for Benetton Treviso in the RaboDirect Pro12.He plays as a fly-half but can also play as a fullback.... |
RC Orléans RC Orléans Rugby club Orléans is a semi-professional French rugby union team, from Orléans. They currently play at Fédérale 1.-German players:The club has recently provided a number of players for the Germany national rugby union team with Alexander Widiker and the brothers Guillaume and Matthieu Franke... |
| Benjamin De Jager |  Benetton Rugby TrevisoBenetton Rugby Treviso Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian professional rugby union club currently competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.They are based in Treviso in Veneto, and owned by the Benetton clothing company.... |
| Gabriele Gentile | Unione Rugby Capitolina Unione Rugby Capitolina Unione Rugby Capitolina is an Italian rugby union club. They are based in Rome.-History:The team was founded in 1996. Capitolina won the Italian under-19 trophy in 2002/3 beating rivals Lazio-Primavera Rugby in the final held at Stadio Flaminio.... |
| Alvaro Lopez-Gonzalez | Petrarca Padova Rugby |
| Antonio Mannato | Gran Parma Rugby |
| Roberto Mariani | Rugby Viadana |
| Alessandro Onori | Gran Parma Rugby |
| Davide Pastormerlo | Rugby Rovigo Rugby Rovigo Rugby Rovigo Delta are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in Super 10.They are based in Rovigo in Veneto.... |
| Tomas Pucciariello | Rouen |
| Michele Sepe Michele Sepe Michele Sepe is an Italian rugby union player. Sepe, who is a wing, plays club rugby for Benetton Treviso. He made his debut for Italy against Japan on 11 June 2006.... |
Unione Rugby Capitolina |
| Marko Stanojevic Marko Stanojevic Marko Peter Stanojevic is an Italian rugby union footballer.He plays on the wing the Italian club Rovigo.Before his move to Italy, he had played four seasons with Bristol in England.-Playing career:... |
Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy.... |
| Benjamin Tomaghelli | US Rugby Brescia |
Source:
Poland
Head coach:| Player | Club |
| Tomasz Grodecki |  Budowlani Łódź |
| Maciej Maciejewski | Budowlani Łódź |
| Artur Maros | Budowlani Łódź |
| Tomasz Kozakiewicz | Budowlani Łódź |
| Rafał Janeczko | Folc AZS Warszawa |
| Wojciech Łukasiewicz | Folc AZS Warszawa |
| Jakub Lisiewski | Folc AZS Warszawa |
| Mariusz Motyl | Arka Gdynia |
| Marek Płonka | Lechia Gdańsk |
| Patryk Narwojsz | Czarni Pruszcz Gdański |
| Dawid Banaszek | CS Bourgoin-Jallieu CS Bourgoin-Jallieu CS Bourgoin-Jallieu is a French rugby union club currently competing in the second level of the French league system in the Pro D2. The club have been runners-up in the French championship and the Challenge Yves du Manoir competitions, and have won the Challenge Cup.Founded in 1906 as "Club... |
| Donald Gargasson | ASM Clermont Auvergne ASM Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club... |
Source:
Portugal
Head coach: Tomaz MoraisTomaz Morais
Tomaz Eduardo Carvalho Morais is a Portuguese rugby union coach and a former player.The son of Portuguese settlers in Angola, Morais moved to Portugal following the 25 April 1974 revolution. He went on to become a Physical Education teacher and a rugby union player, playing as a centre for Cascais...
| Player | Club |
| Aderito Esteves | |
| David Mateus David Mateus David Mateus is a Portuguese rugby union footballer. A member of Belenenses squad, his position in the field is as a wing or center.... |
C.F. Os Belenenses |
| Goncalo Foro Gonçalo Foro Gonçalo Gonçalves Foro is a Portuguese rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing and as a centre. Currently he's a member of CDUL squad.... |
|
| Vasco Uva Vasco Uva Vasco Nuno Barata Sousa Uva is a Portuguese rugby union player. He plays as a number eight. In Portugal he played for Grupo Desportivo Direito, until he was assigned, in January 2008 for the professional team of Montpellier Hérault RC, in France.He took his Law degree at the Catholic University of... |
Montpellier Hérault RC Montpellier Hérault RC Montpellier Hérault Rugby Club is a professional French rugby union, based in Montpellier the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon. The club competes in the top level of the French league system, in the Top 14. They originally played at Stade Sabathé but moved to the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in 2007... |
| Pedro Silva | |
| Pedro Leal Pedro Leal Pedro Leal is a Portuguese international rugby player and a regular on the International Rugby Board World Sevens circuit.... |
|
| Antonio Pinto | |
| Diogo Mateus Diogo Mateus Diogo Mateus is a Portuguese rugby union player. He plays inside centre, number 12. He came through the ranks at Belenenses , he was on the books with Heineken Cup champions Munster in the 2006/07 season. He has also played for the Portugal rugby union team. He is 1, 73 m and weighs 80 kg... |
C.F. Os Belenenses |
| Frederico Oliveira | |
| Pedro Cabral Pedro Cabral (rugby player) Pedro Cabral is a Portuguese rugby union footballer who plays as a fly-half. He is currently a member of CDUL. He was selected for Portugal side that participated at 2007 Rugby World Cup finals. He played in the games with Scotland and Italy.-External links:* on ESPN Scrum.com... |
CDUL Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa or CDUL is a Portuguese multisports club for Lisbon's university students, including those from the University of Lisbon and others. CDUL has one of the most decorated Portuguese rugby union teams and it had four players at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals... |
| Sebastiao Cunha | |
| Antonio Aguilar |
Source:
Romania
Head coach:| Player | Club |
| Carl Cimpoias | Henley Hawks Henley Hawks Henley Rugby Club is a rugby union club based in Henley-on-Thames, that is the leading rugby club in the Thames Valley... |
| Florin Vlaicu Florin Vlaicu Florin Vlaicu is a rugby union footballer who plays for Bucureşti Rugby in European club competition and for Romania internationally. Vlaicu plays mainly at wing and made his international debut in 2006 as a substitute against Ukraine... |
Steaua Bucuresti Steaua Bucuresti Fotbal Club Steaua București is a Romanian professional football club based in Bucharest. They are the most successful Romanian football team in European competitions as well in the Romanian Liga I . They became the first East European team to win the UEFA Champions League being victorious in the... |
| Bogdan Bradu | RC Timisoara |
| Florin Surugiu | Olimpia Bucuresti |
| Andrei Filip | Dinamo Bucureşti Dinamo Bucuresti Fotbal Club Dinamo Bucureşti is a Romanian professional football club based in Bucharest. Dinamo is one of the two most successful football teams in Romania, having won 18 Romanian Liga I titles, 12 Romanian Cups and 1 Romanian Supercup.... |
| Ionut Florea | FC Farul Constanta FC Farul Constanta FC Farul Constanţa is a professional football club from Constanţa, Romania. Established in 1949, Farul is currently competing in Liga II ,after being relegated at the end of Liga I 2008-09. The club has yet to win a Romanian title... |
| Madalin Lemnaru | RC Brasov |
| Viorel Lucaci | U. Baia Mare |
| Valentin Ivan | Dinamo Bucureşti |
| Marian Dumitru | FC Farul Constanta |
| Daniel Nainer | Steaua Bucuresti |
| Razvan Suteu | Grivita Bucuresti |
Source:
Russia
Head coach: Claude SaurelClaude Saurel
Claude Saurel is a former French rugby union footballer and current coach. He is the current head coach of the Russia national rugby team....
| Player | Club |
| Evgeny Bystryakov | "Slava" Moscow |
| Igor Galinovskiy Igor Galinovskiy Igor Galinovskiy , is a Russian rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing.He counts 9 caps for Russia, with 5 tries scored, 25 points in aggregate, from 2006 to 2008.... |
"Krasniy Yar" Krasnoyarsk |
| Andrey Kuzin | "VVA-Podmoskovje" Moscow region |
| Andrey Garbuzov | "Krasniy Yar" Krasnoyarsk |
| Evgeny Matveev | "VVA-Podmoskovje" Moscow region |
| Alexey Panasenko | "VVA-Podmoskovje" Moscow region |
| Yury Kushnarev | "VVA-Podmoskovje" Moscow region |
| Alexander Shakirov | "VVA-Podmoskovje" Moscow region |
| Alexander Gvozdovskiy | "Krasniy Yar" Krasnoyarsk |
| Oleg Kobzev | "VVA-Podmoskovje" Moscow region |
| Viktor Gresev | "VVA-Podmoskovje" Moscow region |
| Sergey Gavryushin | "VVA-Podmoskovje" Moscow region |
Source:
Spain
Head coach: José Ignacio Inchausti| Player | Club |
| Jaime Nava |  Club Alcobendas Rugby |
| Diego Á. Gorosito | Valladolid RAC Valladolid RAC Valladolid Rugby Asociación Club is a Spanish rugby union club. The club was established in 1986 and currently competes in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spaish club rugby. The club are based in Valladolid in central Spain. VRAC play in blue and white colours. The... |
| Rafael Camacho | CAR Inés Rosales |
| Juan Cano | CR Cisneros CR Cisneros Club de Rugby Cisneros is a Spanish rugby union club. The club currently competes in the Division de Honor B competition, the second level of Spanish club rugby. The club are based in Madrid, Spain.-External links:**... |
| Javier Canosa | CRC Madrid Noroeste CRC Madrid Noroeste Canoe Rugby Club Madrid Noroeste is a Spanish rugby union club. The club currently competes in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spanish club rugby. The club are based in Madrid in Spain, playing their matches at Valle de las Cañas. C.R.C. Madrid Noroeste play in... |
| Pablo Feijoo | Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010... |
| Sergi Guerrero | UE Santboiana UE Santboiana Unió Esportiva Santboiana is a Spanish rugby union club. The club was established in 1921 and currently competes in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spanish club rugby. The club are based in Sant Boi de Llobregat in Catalonia, considered to be one of the capitals of... |
| Facundo Lavino | CRC Madrid Noroeste |
| Víctor Marlet | UE Santboiana |
| Ignacio Martín | Bera Bera RT Bera Bera RT Bera Bera Rugby Taldea is a Spanish rugby union club. The club was established in 1983 and currently competes in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spanish club rugby. The club are based in Donostia-San Sebastian. Bera Bera play in blue and orange.-Squad 2009-2010:1... |
| Pedro Martín | Valladolid RAC |
| César Sempere | CRC Madrid Noroeste |
Source:
Ukraine
Head coach: Michel Bishop| Player | Club |
| Ruslan Tserkovnyy |  Kredo-63 Odessa |
| Vitaly Orlov |  Enisey-STM |
| Maksim Kravchenko | Olimp Kharkov |
| Sergey Tserkovnyy | Olimp Kharkov |
| George Gegidze | Kredo-63 Odessa |
| Oleg Kvasnitsa | Obolon-Universitet Khmelnitskiy |
| Jaba Malaguradze | Kredo-63 Odessa |
| Vyacheslav Ponamorenko | Olimp Kharkov |
| Alexandr Lubyy | Olimp Kharkov |
| Giorgi Todradze | Kredo-63 Odessa |
| Bogdan Zhulavskyi | Kredo-63 Odessa |
Source:
Wales
Head coach: Gareth BaberGareth Baber
Gareth Baber , is a Welsh former rugby footballer and now a rugby union coach.During his playing career Baber earned a Blue for Oxford University's rugby team...
| Player | Club |
| Johnathan Edwards | Scarlets |
| Lee Beach Lee Beach Lee Beach is a Welsh rugby union player. He initially played his club Rugby for Pontypridd RFC before joining Neath RFC. He currently plays for London Welsh RFC. Beach represented the Wales national rugby union team squad in 2009 and captained the World Cup winning team.-References:... |
Neath RFC Neath RFC Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The first team is known as the Welsh All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem... |
| Rhodri McAtee Rhodri McAtee Rhodri McAtee is a Welsh rugby union player. A winger, he currently plays his club rugby for the Cornish Pirates. He was selected for the Wales national rugby union team squad to play at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens.-References:... |
Cornish Pirates |
| Lee Williams | Scarlets |
| Martin Roberts Martin Roberts Martin Roberts is a Wales international rugby union footballer who currently plays at scrum-half for the Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.... |
Scarlets |
| James Lewis James Lewis (rugby player) James Lewis is a Welsh rugby union player for London Welsh RFC after he played for them on loan in a Championship match against Birmingham and Solihull RFC . A centre, he previously played for Ebbw Vale, Newport Gwent Dragons and Coventry... |
Newport Gwent Dragons Newport Gwent Dragons Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup... |
| Gareth Chapman Gareth Chapman Gareth Chapman is a Welsh rugby union player. A centre, he joined Cardiff RFC in September 2007 from Welsh regional side Newport Gwent Dragons. In May 2010 Chapman joined Newport RFC.... |
Cardiff RFC Cardiff RFC Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since... |
| Alec Jenkins Alec Jenkins Alec Jenkins is a Welsh rugby union player who plays on the wing for Llanelli Scarlets and Wales Sevens.When not playing for the Scarlets, Jenkins plays domestic rugby with Llanelli RFC. Jenkins' former clubs include Pontyberem RFC and Carmarthen Quins... |
London Welsh RFC |
| James Merriman James Merriman James Merriman is a Welsh rugby union footballer with Bristol Rugby. A flanker, he has captained the Wales Under 21 side and played for the Wales national rugby union team team. He was part of the Welsh sevens team that won the World Rugby Sevens Cup in 2009.-External links:*... |
Neath RFC |
| Dafydd Hewitt Dafydd Hewitt Dafydd Hewitt is a Welsh rugby union player. A centre, he currently plays his club rugby for Cardiff Blues. He was selected for the Wales national rugby union team squad in 2007. Hewitt captained Wales Under 21's at the 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship. Hewitt's brother Rhys plays at hooker... |
Cardiff Blues Cardiff Blues Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club.... |
| Andy Powell Andy Powell (rugby player) Andy Powell is a Welsh international rugby union player now playing his club rugby for Sale Sharks. He is a back row forward who has played for both the Wales sevens team and the Wales national rugby union team.-Rugby union career:... |
Cardiff Blues |
| Richie Pugh Richie Pugh Richie Pugh is Wales international rugby union player who plays at openside flanker. Pugh was schooled in Brynmill primary and Bishop Gore Comprehensive schools.... |
Cardiff RFC |
Source:
External links
- Portugal lead Euro charge to 2009 RWC Sevens IRB website - Article on the 2009 Sevens world cup qualifying
- Hannover sevens website
- FIRA-AER official website