07.04.2007
Georgia 98, Czech Republic 3 in
Tblissi (ENC 1)
Georgia won by 95 points. I predicted Georgia by 30.
Georgia was too powerful
for a Czech team that looked below full strength.
Preview
Georgia will go into
this match with the confidence of a recent win over Russia and playing in front
of a home crowd. Georgia has also decided not to make the mistake of taking
teams lower on the table seriously as they did against Spain. For this match
they have chosen a team with many of their experienced France-based players.
The Czech Republic
struggled without some of their France-based players against Romania and will
find the Georgians too difficult to compete with.
Georgians Never Grow Old (06.04)
35 year old Zurab
Mtchedlishvili is the oldest 'grandad' of the Georgia team this year. But he is
not the longest serving player. That distinction goes to the 34 year old
'junior grandad' Victor Didebulidze who first played for Georgia in their 4th
international match against Ukraine in 1991 as a 19 year old 'baby' in the
team. 1991 was long before Georgia participated in organised international
competition. Surprisingly, neither of the above gentlemen holds the record for
most caps. That record is held by 31 year old Paliko Jimsheladze with 55 tests.
He also was the first Georgian to pass 300 international test points when he
played against Russia 2 weeks ago. All three are in the squad to play Czech
Republic.
LAST FIVE ENCOUNTERS
10.06.2006 Georgia 24-3
in Prague (ENC 1)
12.06.2005 Georgia 75-10
in Kutaisi (ENC 1)
20.03.2004 Georgia 23-7
in Tblissi (ENC 1)
22.03.2003 Georgia 30-15
in Prague (ENC 1)
22.09.1996 Georgia 18-14
in Prague (FIRA B)
GWC Rugby Rankings:
Europe Table-Georgia 8th, Czech Republic 12th
Andorra 24, Croatia 13 in
Andorra La Vela (ENC 2B)
Andorra won by 11 points. I predicted Croatia by 12
Reviews
A surprise win by lowly
Andorra increases the swings and roundabout nature of the 2B competition at
present.
Match report below in
Catalian I think
http://www.diariandorra.ad/noticies/view.php?ID=2424
Preview
Andorra has lost its two
matches to date. They were outclassed by the Poles early in the competition but
played well at home against the Latvians in November. Croatia’s poor
performance against Latvia last weekend will give the Andorrians confidence
especially as they have a home game.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
20.11.2004 Croatia 18-7
in Sisak (WCQ Europe, Round 2, Pool A)
22.04.1995 Croatia 16-0
in Andorra La Vela (FIRA B3)
Armenia 11, Denmark 3 in
Copenhagen (ENC 3A)
Armenia won by 8 points. I predicted Denmark by 12
Preview
Armenia has struggled at
this level of the competition after winning its way up through the grades in
the last couple of seasons. Denmark came back into this competition with a
second half comeback win against one of the favourites Switzerland last
weekend.
These two teams have
never met before.
GWC Rugby Rankings:
Europe Table-Denmark 24th, Armenia 27th CHANGE
Serbia 13, Bulgaria 3 in Pancevo (Oise/Europe Amitié Cup)
Serbia won by 10 points. I predicted Serbia by 60.
Apparently
this cup has been played for last season but I am not aware of this. I am awaiting
information from FIRA-AER sources.
13.11.2004
Serbia-Montenegro 33-10 in Belgrade (WCQ Euro. R2, D)
04.11.2000
Yugoslavia 46-6 in Dimitrovogrod (WCQ Euro. R1; FIRA 3)
30.04.2000
Yugoslavia 33-6 in Pernik (FIRA D2)
18.05.1996
Yugoslavia 39-9 in Gabrovo (FIRA B2)
1991
Bulgaria 3-0 (default?) in ? (FIRA C2)
GWC
Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Serbia
26th, Bulgaria 34th