Russia win Euro-Med League Cup

 

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By Harry Kimble, 17 Oct 2008 Harry Kimble is a Roar Pro

Tagged:

 Ireland, League, Rugby League, Russia, World Cup, World Cup qualifier

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While there has been a major focus on the build-up to the Rugby League World Cup, recently another Rugby League international series has been played.

Sponsored by the Rugby League European Federation, three nations, Russia, Lebanon and Serbia, have played matches in September and October for the inaugural Euro-Med Cup.

Over the past few years, these three nations have played several games. Serbia lost both 2005 games in the European Nations Cup, going down to the Netherlands, 26-10 and to Georgia, 44-12. Serbia then lost its World Cup qualifiers, again to Georgia, 48-10, and the Netherlands, 38-26, and also to Russia, 44-6 .

In the World Cup qualifiers, Lebanon easily accounted for Russia in the two games, 48-0 in Russia and 22-8 in London. The Cedars drew 16 all with Ireland but Ireland made the finals on percentages. Lebanon went through to the repechages, thrashing Wales, 50-26, but then lost out to Samoa, going down, 38-16.

The first game for the Euro-Med Cup was played in Belgrade with the fast improving Russian side too good for the Serbians, the Bears outclassing them by 30-4.

Lebanon was full of confidence and sent an experimental young side to Moscow and soon found out how much the Russians had lifted their game. It was to be Lebanon’s first ever defeat by Russia ans what a loss it was, going down 80-0 in a lopsided game.

To its credit, Lebanon stuch with the players and the same side played Serbia in Bhamdoun, a town 23 km outside Beirut. The team returned tyhe favour by beating the Serbs, 20-14, in a close fought game.

It is hoped that this series will be contested annually but who can tell in the shifting sands of league politics and uneasy grounds of European intrigue.

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