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Serbia have named their 22-man squad for the European Rugby League World Cup qualifiers in a bid to establish themselves as a rugby league nation and claim one of the remaining three spots available.
The Eagles have been placed in the group of death alongside 2013 World Cup nations Wales and Italy however, they have held nothing back naming a host of strong talent from players across Australia, England and Serbia.
One name many rugby league fans will be familiar with is David Andjelić. The Blacktown St Patrick’s star who fled war-torn Serbia as a child and made his name on the 2016 reality television series The NRL Rookie.
Andjelić, who was unsuccessful in earning an NRL contract, attracted attention following his now infamous audition tape where he ran through a brick wall to prove himself as a rugby league star.
He isn’t the only notable face in the Serbian squad with St Clair Comets junior and Wests Tigers NYC graduate Jordan Grant named.
Grant helped propel the Wests Tigers deep into the Intrust Super Premiership finals starring in all 25 games throughout the 2016 season and will be a massive asset up front for Serbia.
Fans of the Warrington Wolves might also remember Dorćol duo Stefan Nedeljković and Stevan Stevanović who trialled with the club in 2014.
With Serbia now the fastest growing rugby league nation in the world, a World Cup berth would be a massive boost for the game in the Balkans region.
The country is making strides in the region with local clubs Red Star Belgrade and Radnički recently heading to Bulgaria where they played Lokomotiv Sofia to help grow the game.
Serbian Squad: David Andjelić (Blacktown St Patrick’s), Reece Grkinić (Cabramatta), Daniel Burke (Collegians), Jason Muranka (Dewsbury Rams), Dalibor Samardžić, Dalibor Vukanović, Stefan Nedeljković, Stevan Stevanović (Dorćol), Joshua Marjanović (Kawana Dolphins), Džavid Jašari, Vlado Kušić (Partizan), Pero Madžarević, Žarko Kovačević (Radnički Nova Pazova), Miloš Ćalić, Miloš Zogović, Vladislav Dedić, Vojislav Dedić (Red Star Belgrade), Chad Grant (St Clair Comets), Vladica Nikolić (Villeneuve XIII Leopards), James Mirceski (Western Suburbs Magpies), Jordan Grant (Wests Tigers), Ilija Radan (unaffiliated)
Serbia aren’t the only European nation dreaming of breaking into the Rugby League World Cup.
Spain have named young Hull FC forward Joel Laynez in their qualifying squad.
The 19-year old is tipped to make his test debut next Saturday when Spain head to Moscow to face off against Russia.
Following their meeting in Moscow, they will head home to Valencia where they will take on Ireland who are hoping to qualify for their fourth World Cup.
Spanish Squad: Chris Lopez (Army Rugby League), Antonio Puerta, Daniel Moreno (Custodians Madrid), Ivan Ordaz (Irreductibles), Joel Laynez (Hull FC), Clement Laguerre (Los Gossos), Alex Doutres, Cedric Bringuier, Leandre Torres, Mathieu Griffi, Pierre Negre (Palau Xlll), Kevin Aparicio (Paris XV), Matt Dulley (Paterna Dragons), Miguel Charters-Blanco (Seaton Rangers), Gonzalo Morro (Tonneins), Aitor Davila, Juan Pablo Rango, Raul Simo (Torrent Tigres), Adria Alonso, Andrew Pilkington, Luis Thorp (Valencia Warriors), Daniel Garcia (Woolston Rovers)
The winner of each group will gain automatic qualification into the World Cup before the runners-up in each group will face off for the 14th spot at Leigh Sports Village, home of the Leigh Centurions.
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew.
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