European Championship C, Game 1 - UKRAINE v CZECH REPUBLIC

[League Express]

Hosts Ukraine, and visitors Czech Republic have named their squads for the opening game in European Championship C, which takes place this Saturday in the new rugby league venue, Avangard stadium, Rivne. Ukraine are looking for a quick return to European B and URLF president Artur Martyrosyan believes they are well placed.

 

“This game is very important for us,” he said. “We have had a good preparation and selected the best players from the eight strongest Ukrainian teams. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our Czech guests to Rivne as we extend the rugby league family here.”

 

Czech head coach Ladislav Cintler believes his side are ready to take on a nation that sits seven places above them in the world rankings.

 

“Our squad is a nice blend of internationally experienced players and the best youth coming through in our first division,” he commented. “The older heads will guide us around and I am sure those coming through are ready to step up a level. I saw the Ukrainians play Russia in the World Cup qualifier and the key will be dominance in the tackle in the middle of the field, an area we did well in against Belgium last year.”

 

Referee is George Stilianos from Greece and the return match will be played in Havlickuv Brod on 8 October 2016.

 

UKRAINE 19-MAN SQUAD

Mykola Shalaev (Girnyk, Kryvyi Rig), Andriy Shakura (RLC Kyiv), Valentyn Koval, Artur Ovsyanikov,  (Korzo, Uzhgorod), Svyatoslav Andreychenko,  Anatoliy Grankovs`kyi, Volodymyr Karpenko, Oleksandr Kozak, Dmytro Semerenko, Oleksandr Sherbyna, Oleksandr Skorbach ©, Mykhaylo Troyan, Evgen Trusov, Bogdan Veprik (Legion XIII, Kharkiv), Ostap Gryshenko (Sokil, L`viv), Andriy Khrusiuk, Volodymyr Kyryl`chuk, Vadym Polukhovych, Volodymyr Radchyk (Veres, Rivne)

 

CZECH REPUBLIC 18-MAN SQUAD

Patrik Koliska, Ondřej Preininger, Tomáš Řičica (Chrudim Rabbitohs), Jaroslav Bžoch, Petr Franta, Filip-Daniel Kittl, Tomáš Němeček (Krupka Dragons), Jiří Sluka (Lokomotiva Beroun), Jakub Hudrlík, Tomáš Valenta (Mad Squirrels Vrchlabí), Otto Friedl, Pavel Mikeska, Petr Šedina © (Mikulov Roosters), Milan Pešout, Filip Špaček (Orli Havlíčkův Brod), Tomáš Adamec, Pavel Pavlík, Jan Vocel (Slavia Hradec Králové)

[League Express]

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP C 2016  -  GAME 1 report

UKRAINE 46  CZECH REPUBLIC 6

 

A crowd approaching 1,500 in Rivne, a city new to rugby league, saw Ukraine dominate in hot conditions, as they defeated the Czech Republic 46 - 6 in the first leg of European Championship C. Star of the show was home hero Nikolai Shalaiev, the powerful centre posting two tries in each half; the hosts profiting from a blistering start which saw them score three times in the opening 13 minutes.

 

Ukraine skipper Alexandr Skorbach opened the scoring and Shalaiev had the crowd on their feet with two touchdowns soon after, Skorbach missing all the conversions.

 

The Czech’s, who took time to acclimatise after a long journey, rallied and centre Otto Friedl capitalised on some good work inside him, Petr Sedina goaling to narrow the gap to six points. But Andriy Khrusiuk replied soon after and, on the stroke of half time, Mikhail Troiyan crossed; Andriy Shakura goaling both for a 24-6 half time lead.

 

There was no further score for 24 minutes of the second period as the Czech defence held firm, while they also conceded possession on four occasions when threatening the home line. Around the hour, the visitors also lost the services of Tomas Valenta and Jiri Sluka to injury and Ukraine took advantage.

 

Shakura scored a try to go with his five goals and young star Shalaiev went in twice more, Skorbackh, whose distribution was key in midfield, picking up Ukraine’s ninth try.

 

Czech Republic skipper Cedina noted: “It took us 19 hours to get here but for long stretches of a very physical game, in difficult conditions, we held them out. We made our mistakes early and that caused us to chase the game. It has been a great experience for our young guys.”

 

UKRL president Artur Martyrosyan said, “It was fantastically organised with the club here, regional government and sponsors. This is the first in Rivne City stadium and it was terrific that their young players excelled. We are very grateful to the Czech side for the manner they played.”

 

UKRAINE 46   Bogdan Veprik, Svyatoslav Andreychenko, Nikolai Shalaiev, Andriy Khrusiuk, Anatoliy Grankovskii, Alexandr Skorbach, Andriy Shakura, Vadym Poliyukhovich, Dmitrii Semerenko, Aleksandr Kozak, Evgeni Trusov, Alekandr Sherbyna, Mikhail Troiyan

Subs: (all used) Valentyn Koval, Artur Ovsyanikov, Alekandr Sherbyna, Volodymyr Karpenko

Tries: Skorbach (4, 77), Shalaiev (9, 13, 68, 72), Khrusiuk (22), Troiyan (40), Shakura (64)

Goals: Skorbach 0/3, Shakura 5/6

 

CZECH REPUBLIC 6 :  Filip Špaček, Jan Vocel, Otto Friedl, Tomáš Řičica, Filip-Daniel Kittl, Jaroslav Bžoch, Patrik Koliska, Jiří Sluka, Petr Šedina, Tomáš Němeček, Milan Pešout, Ondřej Preininger, Pavel Pavlík

Subs: (all used) Tomáš Adamec, Tomáš Valenta, Petr Franta, Jakub Hudrlík

Try: Friedl (18)

Goal: Sedina 1/1

 

Penalty count: 4-6;  Half time: 24-6;  Attendance: 1500

[DoubleD]

Good to see, more one sided than I thought it would be but that 19 hour journey from Czech Republic sounds horrendous

[TheLegendOfTexEvans]

 

 

 

[Futtocks]

Great! Saved it to watch later.

[frank]

Thanks Tex? Enjoyed watching the video. UKR were much the better team and looked really good when they moved the ball.Still early days in Rugby league for both countries.

[Futtocks]

Early days, but a pretty professional presentation. Although I did see someone in the crowd with a vuvuzela, which is a worrying development. 

[Oxford]

Great stuff Tex thanks for that one.

 

It's nice that they getting ready for SL by strategically placing the crowd away from the camera angle and using BBC archive crowd noises they'll fit right in!

[Copa]

check the name on the trophy in the lead up graphics!

 

looks like a nice little crowd there.

 

 

Was this on local TV?  Multiple camera angles, replays, graphics, commentary etc..

 

It's one of the best produced games I've seen for a "minnow".

[damp squib]

That's a more professional set up then you get with most Championship teams! Well done Ukraine!

[Sports Prophet]

Great call from the ref in the 12th minute for the 20m drop out from a penalty kick for touch that finished touch in goal.

I reckon there would be many in the forum that wouldn't get that restart correct.