European Under 19s Championship 2024 (Merged Threads)

[Gomersall]

53 minutes ago, Damien said:

Yeah, I was going to say this too. They have done some great things and have a proper competition and clubs going but just don't kick on like you say.

The seniors all look like a team of nightclub bouncers to me. All muscle but no nous. I think also one of the problems for me is the dominance of two teams to the detriment of the national team/s. Having said that it looks like RSB are on the wane this year compared to previous seasons.

[Damien]

2 minutes ago, Gomersall said:

The seniors all look like a team of nightclub bouncers to me. All muscle but no nous. I think also one of the problems for me is the dominance of two teams to the detriment of the national team/s. Having said that it looks like RSB are on the wane this year compared to previous seasons.

Yeah think you are right, they certainly have big lads but theg are not the most mobile and like you say lacking RL nouse.

Obviously it takes money but RL does have a real problem in getting nations to kick on domestically beyond just amateur level setups like we see in Serbia. You'd be hoping the Balkan Super League could develop into something more but I do think it's a real problem.

[Damien]

Following on from this just look at the size of the Serbian lads compared to the England lads on these interviews:

 

Edited July 14 by Damien

[barnyia]

They are ub21 the Serbs

[NRLandSL]

Very impressed with the USA side. Very athletic, strong and well coached side.

Giving Scotland a close game.

[Damien]

Similar to the Serbs yesterday USA struggled against a Scotland team full of English born and bred RL players. A real opportunity lost for Scotland to similarly develop Scottish lads like USA, Serbia and Ukraine are doing.

Edited July 15 by Damien

[Damien]

I think such a tournament would be great split in two with the stronger teams like England, France and Wales in one tournament and those focussing on developing homegrown talent in another. You could get a couple of really good 2 x 4 tournaments (or even 3 x 4) going with the nations we now have playing in Europe. It would be great for the development of all.

Edited July 15 by Damien

[barnyia]

With France b and England lions b?

[NRLandSL]

1 hour ago, Damien said:

I think such a tournament would be great split in two with the stronger teams like England, France and Wales in one tournament and those focussing on developing homegrown talent in another. You could get a couple of really good 2 x 4 tournaments (or even 3 x 4) going with the nations we now have playing in Europe. It would be great for the development of all.

Need to get more nations involved. Wales coming back is essential (very poor they are not at this tournament). Jamaica, Netherlands, Greece, Norway, Ireland, Italy, Czech Republic could all feature as well.

I agree with splitting the tournament into 2. England, France and Wales and possibly the best other nation from the last tournament should be the top tier tournament. Also England need to bring a professional squad if tournament is going to grow, the French have shown they are more than capable of beating the full English squad at youth level and I’m sure wales would put up a good fight.

The second tier tournament could feature 6-8 teams. Ukraine, Serbia, Scotland, Ireland, USA, Greece, Netherlands, Jamaica. 

[Gomersall]

 

[lucky 7]

2 hours ago, Gomersall said:

 

Any idea how many of the Scottish team were born in Scotland?

Edited July 15 by lucky 7

[lucky 7]

17 hours ago, Damien said:

Following on from this just look at the size of the Serbian lads compared to the England lads on these interviews:

 

Wow

[Gomersall]

26 minutes ago, lucky 7 said:

Any idea how many of the Scottish team were born in Scotland?

Not many if the squad they selected is anything to go by.

[OriginalMrC]

That's quite a good effort by USA today when you consider most will have played hardly any RL. They will have been up against a group of lads who've played RL all their lives so to give them a game is good going. 

[The Future is League]

3 hours ago, Gomersall said:

Not many if the squad they selected is anything to go by.

No point in Scotland playing Rugby League internationals at any age level with so many heritage players.

[Damien]

All games will now be on the European Rugby League's YouTube channel in 1080p HD too:

https://youtube.com/@europeanrugbyleague?feature=shared

Such as:

 

[fighting irish]

After only just noticing this thread, I'm really chuffed this tournament is going ahead. I've no idea why Wales are not in it, but it's all good for the game. Come on USA! Thanks to my forum chums for tipping me off. 

[JonM]

Decent win for USA against Serbia just now.

[NRLandSL]

30-4 England V Ukraine HT

Ukraine with an average half. Looked alright in the middle of the field, some of the Ukrainian Middles had some strong carries. Other than that a lot to improve on.
England are just far too quick for Ukraine to handle. Every time England shifted the ball out they have scored. It is very evident they have not played against a team this quick before. Also Ukraine kicking the ball out on the full off kick off, letting the bounce out when receiving kick off and not kicking the ball out on a kick for touch multiple times has tortured them.

If they can complete their sets, stop with the errors and penalties and slow down the play the ball they will have a strong second half.

Edited July 17 by NRLandSL

[NRLandSL]

Not a great start to the second half as Ukraine run out with 14 players on the field

[JonM]

France vs Scotland is on at the moment, if anyone is at a loose end.

[Gomersall]

4 hours ago, JonM said:

Decent win for USA against Serbia just now.

Serbia really should be beating an inexperienced USA.

[Pie tries]

How come Wales never made this comp?

[welshmagpie]

56 minutes ago, Pie tries said:

How come Wales never made this comp?

Majority of the U19s squad are 17 years of age so WRL opted to play fixtures on UK soil to develop these ahead of the next Euros. 

[langpark]

12 hours ago, Gomersall said:

Serbia really should be beating an inexperienced USA.

Not sure I agree with that. Did you see the size of some of the American lads? Most are Pacific Islanders and I would say on average their players had a 10kg weight advantage on the Serbian boys. Yes, they are new to League, but most are coming from an RU background.