4 replies to this topic

[Honor James]

Germany and Italy have named their squads for the fourth game of the 2012-13
European Shield, to be held in Piacenza on Saturday, and Italy coach Paul Broadbent
and his opposite number Dan Stocks, have both made six changes from their last time
out in the competition.

The Italians are missing Rhys Lenarduzzi since playing in Belgrade last month but
are bolstered by the recall of Bradford-based hooker Jonathon Marcinczak, who missed
the trip to Serbia and the debut of South Wales Scorpions lock Chris Vitalini.

Marcinczak, who played in the 2013 World Cup qualifiers in October, will provide
guidance to a trio of young newcomers, Burkina Faso-born forward Nourou Bance,
halfback Thomas Piscitelli and utility Giacomo Alfonsi - all of whom have been
called up following eye-catching seasons in the domestic Serie A season.

Italy assistant coach Kelly Rolleston is looking forward to the match up against the
holders. “We are pleased that after our domestic competition some new faces have
come through;” he said. “it’s been better preparation and progression. We have seen
some good progress but it will be tested on Saturday when we come up against a more
experienced German side.”

The Germans’ changes are remarkably similar. For Lenarduzzi, read Damien Seibold,
the experienced pivot who marshalled the Germans so capably against Serbia and
Russia, but who has returned to Australia. They too welcome the recall of an
experienced dummy-half, Josh Danzey, who has flown back from the Queensland Cup
especially to play in the match, and Stocks has called up an experienced
British-based hand in London Skolars’ Andy McLean.

“It will be a really tough test; however if we play the way I know we are capable of
then I am confident we will be competitive,” said Stocks.

Half his squad come from Heidelberg, with the Lions’ Vincent Spies recalled after
missing the Russia game through injury and dynamic youngster Ali Surer introduced to
representative rugby league after impressing in the Bundesliga.

Leeds Rhino Jimmy Keinhorst, a hat-trick man against Russia, is unavailable but his
brothers Nick and Kristian and Fabrice Fehlemann are all veterans from Germany’s two
previous meetings with Italy, both European Shield defeats, in 2008 in Padova and
2009 in Cologne.

Italy, upset in sweltering conditions in Belgrade, will be looking to get off the
mark in what is the tightest of competitions. Currently in fourth place, a 13-point
win will see the Azzurri top the table, while Germany will seek to complete their
2012 international season with a second victory.

The match, which kicks off at 1800 hrs, will be preceded by an inaugural clash
between the respective Under-18s.

ITALY 19-MAN SQUAD
Michele Sutto (Arieti Este), Fabrizio Ciaurro, Thomas Piscitelli (Brescia), Remi
Fontana (Cavaillon), Giacomo Alfonsi, Nourou Bance, Ivan Barani, Fabio Berzieri,
Giovanni Franchi, Octavian Ilinca, Drake Muyodi, Davide Rancati (Ducato Piacenza),
Stefano Cardella, Rodrigo Marchesi, Christofer De Meyer, Gert Peens (XIII del Duomo
Milan), Chris Vitalini (South Wales Scorpion), Cedric Prizzon (Villefranche de
Rouergue), Jonathan Marcinczak (unattached)

GERMANY 20-MAN SQUAD
Christoph Huber (Bad Reichenhall), Sebastian Roczyn (Baden Pirates), Ben
Behr-Heyder, Liam Doughton, Fabrice Fehlemann (Cologne), Mawuli Amefia, Jerome
Himmer, Bene Rehm (Heidelberg Hornets), Yassin Ayachi, Markus Bendner, Loris
Geibel, Daniel Lortz, Vincent Spies, Florian Stockert, Ali Surer (Heidelberg Lions),
Dan Stocks (Hemel Stags), Nick Keinhorst, Kristian Keinhorst (Leeds Akkies), Andy
Mclean (London Skolars), Joshua Danzey (Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles)

[Lounge Room Lizard]

There is NO Bundesliga (national League)! 4 Games habe taken Place in Heidelberg and Karlsruhe. Of which 2 were Part of national Training Weekends. If it was Not vor Bene Rehm These Games also would Not have Been Player.The RLD has become a second German Union section.Tbe structure is poor ans many bin Union Players like German Player of 2011 Thomas Isaak ans others are des up which is a massive concern. As for the German U16s its just Players from the Heidelberg Union Club TSV Handschuesheim. That is not a proper U16 National Team. Some serious issues News addressing especially tbe role of the development officer Uwe Jansen.

[deluded pom?]

Did you type that whilst wearing boxing gloves LRL?

[druzik]

Someone forgot to take the German spell checker off! lol

[Lounge Room Lizard]

Italy 72 Germany 10 ! Not a surprise really as Germany was full of Union players from Heidelberg who have next to know League experience and Italy have some quality in the side as well. I really do fear for Germany next year in their away games in Serbia and Russia.