Germany remain in the hunt for a place at Rugby World Cup 2015 after beating Sweden 45-20 in Enkoping to clinch the European Nations Cup Division 1B title and earn a play-off with the Netherlands next month.
They had gone into the final round of Division 1B matches level on points with Moldova and in the knowledge that if they matched or bettered their rival’s result against the Czech Republic then they would be crowned champions.
Moldova suffered a surprise 37-19 loss to the Czech Republic in Prague – the win not enough to prevent the Czechs from dropping down to Division 2A – and so Germany were guaranteed the title regardless of their result in Sweden.
rugbyworldcup
The first half at the Korsängens Rugbyarena was a close battle with Germany edging 12-0 ahead with tries from number 8 Timo Vollenkemper and scrum half Sean Armstrong, only for Sweden to cut the deficit to five points at the break after full back Ian Gowland’s try.
Sweden edged ahead in the 15 minutes after half-time with wing Tim Johansson converting his own try and then kicking a penalty. Within minutes though Germany had retaken the lead through replacement Justin Melck’s try and then fallen behind again to another Johansson penalty.
That penalty – which made it 20-19 to Sweden – would be the final points for Sweden as Germany never looked back after wing Marten Strauch touched down on the hour mark to secure his side the bonus point.
Three more tries followed in the final 10 minutes through replacements Samy Füchsel and Johannes Läpple and centre Steffen Liebig, all of them converted by fly half Raynor Parkinson, to ensure the German celebrations could begin.
Germany can now look forward not only to the play-off with the Netherlands on 10 May but also the prospect of playing Georgia, Romania, Russia, Portugal and Spain in the elite tier of the European Nations Cup over the next two seasons.
If they safely negotiate the Netherlands play-off then they will face Russia a fortnight later for the right to represent Europe in the Repechage to determine the 20th and final qualifier for England 2015. Ends.
Scorers
Tries – Timo Vollenkemper, Sean Armstrong, Justin Melck, Marten Strauch, Rob May, Steffen Liebig, Jannis Läpple
Conversions – Raynor Parkinson (5)
Substitutions
Rafael Pyrasch on for Pieter Jordaan (41st Minute)
Justin Melck on for Kehoma Brenner (41st Minute)
Samy Füchsel on for Julius Nostadt (51st Minute)
Jannis Läpple on for Manuel Wilhelm (56th Minute)
Chris Howells on for Mika Tyumenev (79th Minute)
Pierre Mathurin on for Timo Vollenkemper (79th Minute)
Yellow Card
Justin Melck (65th Minute)
Detail translated from rugby-verband
Feature on Rugby in Germany
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KoFIe73Pyw[/youtube]
Germany Rugby coach Kobus Potgieter
I saw an article on Rugby World about the developments in Germany, and having had some contact with the Dusseldorf Dragons in 2007/8 it was nice to see the results of the hard work coming through.
Most of us Rugby “lovers” from the “big” playing countries have absolutely no clue what guys from these “minor” countries have to go through to get recognition and any funding from their own countries.
Well done Germany, and to Justin Melck, thanks for making a sacrifice to help you “motherland”, even though it was not really what most guys would do.
I see though that there are currently 7 other SAFFERS in the German squad, but none as high profile as Melck.
I wonder how many SA players there are in total playing in the different leagues around the world? Never mind the high profile players, what about those in places like Germany, and playing semi-pro in places like the English lower leagues.
@ Scrumdown:
My Error. There are 7 SAFFERS in the Heidelberg RC squad in Germany!
Hm. A strange fact. Whilst it is quite common knowledge that the USA are the current Olympic Rugby champions, not many people are probably aware that Germany won the Silver medal in 1900, even though only France, Great Britain and Germany competed.
The USA won gold in 1924, with France getting silver, and ROMANIA the bronze.
Of course, despite the watered down 7’s appearing at Rio in 2016, the USA will still be able to claim that they are the reigning Rugby Olympic Champions. (I doubt that full (15 man) Rugby Union will ever be an Olympic sport again.)
3 @ Scrumdown:
It is really tough for these folk to compete against professionals while they are amateurs holding down other day jobs, certainly a big enough population there in a well developed country so if they could change more people into becoming ‘rugby people’ in Germany then there must be lots of potential in the next few decades. Would think it would be more of a long term project for them to get there. If anyone should know about the hard graft it is taking them it would be you having put in all the hours for your club.
It would seem German rugby history goes back a long way, they won silver at the 1900 Olympics.
5 @ Bullscot:
…although there were only 3 teams in it and 2 games played, France played against Germany and Great Britain and won both games so they got the gold, Germany and GB were awarded the silver together with no bronze handed out.
3 @ Scrumdown:
Oops snap sorry posted my comments then looked back and seen yours about the Olympics
4 @ Bullscot:
should be response to Scrumdown’s post #1
1 @ Scrumdown:
Think it would be very difficult to get a figure on how many South Africans are playing at all the various levels abroad, also what would the criteria be, just folk who have recently left and were born in SA, or people who were born abroad to SA parents, grand parents etc. There are lots of people from many different professions from many countries in the world plying their trade in countries away from their homelands – world wide migration is something that has gone on and will continue for ages.
If we take it really far back wonder how many Brits, German, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Greeks… are playing rugby in SA
Time to get going, hopefully will get a chance to peek in again later today
Hello MacroBull, robzim and Stormersboy, how are you folk doing?
Bullscot wrote:
Howzit man…been a quiet day here in Cape Town… i am at moment watching and listening to music on you tube ( the Meat Puppets from the late 80’s to be exact) and have quite a few websites open including Rugby Talk 🙂
I assume you live in Scotland or somewhere in Europe?
12 @ robzim:
Hey robzim sounds good lucky you being in Cape Town, never heard of the Meat Puppets am just going to guess they are heavy metal band? Just went away for a bit to put up the 7s article. From your nick I thought you may have been in Zimbabwe, correct assumption I’m in Scotland from your part of the world ish though.
13@ @ Bullscot:
The Meat Puppets are an alternative rock band from the States.. quite unique sound.. Kurt Cobain covered 3 of their songs on the last Nirvana album.. The Puppets actually played with them during the recording of that album ( the unplugged one).
I used to chat to a blogger on keo called Jockbok… he was a Stormers fan but i think originally from Scotland as he was always very passionate about Scottish rugby.
Where in Scotland do you stay?
14 @ robzim:
Ahhh ok so not quite thrash metal but still loud and rocky, will have to give them a listen sometime am always keen to ‘try out’ new music, if had my way would forever be out at live gigs. Such a pity about Kurt Cobain what a talent that was lost, can’t believe it was 20 years ago already.
I may be confusing Jockbok with another South African in Scotland, used to blog many moons ago on supersport rugby. Am in the northeast in the ‘oil capital of Europe’ – Aberdeen. Are you originally a Rhodie?
@ Bullscot:
I have lived there for a while as a child but was born in the Southern Cape and is South African.
The nick actually refers Robert Zimmerman ( Bob Dylan) and my real first name. I admit it was not a good choice for a rugby site but i guess it is too late to chance it now 🙂
Are you originally from Pretoria?
16 @ robzim:
Ahh ok got it now gather you a big Dylan fan then 🙂 Not originally from Pretoria but studied and worked there before moving here. I was what they refer to as a ‘Sowetan’, that’s what us Whenwe’s became – So-we-to now
@ robzim:
Keeping one eye on the text online updates of the football, looking good at the Emirates so far
@ Bullscot:
All right.. good to know some of the stuff behind the nick…
I have never been to Scotland myself …will go there one day… I like GB….specially Devon in England.. beautiful place ..
See u around, I must go ..
Bullscot wrote:
re the football… I am still a bit shattered after what happened at Anfield on Sunday… when Steve Gerrard fell over his own feet for the first time in his career i knew it was going to end in “tears” 🙂
@ robzim:
Shame that’s a pity for you a Liverpool fan, thought that Chelsea were always going to try set themselves up for a 1-0 win or at least a draw, Mourinho is one very astute manager. Really like Gerrard and was hoping in his heyday that he would be tempted to Highbury as I think that would have been a great replacement for the likes of Viera and Petit, can you imagine him playing alongside Fabregas with a fit van Persie in front! Nevermind though Rob you guys still have a two point cushion at the top so should really go on to win the title.
Great just seen in the time was out the room and then typing previous comment we got another goal
@ robzim:
oops just checked and while you do have a two point lead over Chelsea you only have a 3 point lead over Man City who have a game in hand and who at the moment are 8 goals ahead on goal difference, so not as cut and dried as I had thought.
19 @ robzim:
Scotland is a really beautiful part of the world well worth the visit. Devon is far from here and looks to have lovely picture postcard coastal villages, have not seen them myself yet in spite of going to Devon a few times for work, its normally fly down get to work, sometime meet up with a few pals and then fly back not stayed long enough to take time out to go see the sites on their coast. Catch you another time
@23
@ Bullscot:
Yes, the title race is wide open again but Man City are favourites and will be crowned champs if they win the last 3 of which Everton (away) will be their biggest challenge.
You are right, Mourinho is extremely astute… he played for the draw and then they got lucky when Gerrard slipped and once they were 1-0 up he kept 10 players behind the ball for the rest of the game and Liverpool could not break down their well organised defence.
It was actually a defensive masterclass from Chelsea… kudos to them and to Mourinho..
not sure how well the embedment will work but I watched this last night. hilarious show.
A last gasp week for me. My Bulls cost me dearly in Superbru. This is my mail from The General @ Superbru
You beat the community average in 2 out of 2 tournaments. Chuck Norris is proud of you.
Interesting Stats
Least predictable: Sharks (VC) 11 – 27 Eastern Province Kings (Vodacom Cup).
Picked by 0.37% of the community.
Most predictable: Blue Bulls (VC) 116 – 0 Limpopo (Vodacom Cup).
Picked by 99.8% of the community.
We hope you have a good week ahead. We’ll send you reminders for any picks you need to make.
@27
Here’s my report card
You beat the community average in 5 out of 5 tournaments. Boom!
The Boom at the end is unsettling, I wonder if HG and the general is one and the same?
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