18 Jul 2024
England, France book finals berths; USA record historic win
England Community Lions will play France at the FK Radnicki Stadium, Belgrade on Saturday (kick off 6pm, local time) to decide the winners of the 2024 European U19s Championship.
It is a repeat of the 2022 decider in Italy which the Lions won 14-12, however, in the previous tournament – also held in the Serbian capital in 2018 – the French emerged victorious 26-24.
England qualified with a 52-4 win over Ukraine in the first semi final, posting nine tries, Marcus Geener and Daniel Knott both with doubles, on another swelteringly hot day.
“The scoreline doesn’t represent the hard work the Ukrainians put into that game,” said England U19s head coach Gary Hewer. “It was extremely tough and they never stopped coming at us, they really dug deep and caused us several threats.
“We’ve worked hard on execution and taking our chances and that showed. We came with one aim, to win the tournament, and we’ve now got that opportunity.”
Ukraine led thanks to an early Ihor Yefanov penalty but England were 30-4 up at the break, the pick of their tries from scrum half Devan Sharp who showed three dummies to jink his way over. To their enormous credit Ukraine kept England out for the third quarter but succumbed to three late long range tries.
Ukraine U19s head coach, Dan Beardshaw, commented: “We were against a well-organised, experienced side who are so good at what they do but I’m so proud of the efforts of my players, especially in scramble defence.
“For 20 minutes of the second half the score was 0-0 and we caused them a lot of problems. Attacking-wise, we’re not yet smart enough but the boys are going to take huge experience from that for the next game.”
Photo: England proved too strong for Ukraine“It was as competitive as we expected,” said France U19s head coach Remi Casty. “It was red hot and there was a lot of indiscipline and that is something we are going to have to change for the final.”
In a feisty clash, five players were sinbinned in all, three for the French who took a first minute lead through Giovanni Descalzi Ganthier. They were 16-6 in front at the break thanks to Yllan Mongay picking up a loose ball and Baptiste Pourchi pouching a clever kick to the corner, hooker Bailey Schneider replying for the young Bravehearts.
France eased out to a 16-point advantage at the start of the second half but quickfire touchdowns to Jacob Grierson and Oscar Ellicott-McCulloch set up the dramatic finish.
Scotland U19s head coach, Leigh Beattie, noted: “We knew it would be a tough ask, but we had a gameplan and we stuck to it very, very well. The desire and heart the lads showed was amazing and they deserve all the plaudits.”
In the opening game of the day, USA Young Hawks, in their first tournament, finished fifth overall after defeating Serbia 40-12, scoring three tries in a blistering opening 14 minutes.
Photo: The Young Hawks recorded the first win by a USA youth team against Serbia. Logan Myers, Drayson Moliga and impressive stand off Chris Malo with the first of his hat trick all crossed inside a quarter of an hour, Filip Cirkovic stopping the onslaught with his score.
Malo ensured the win with two tries in 10 minutes after the break, Edin Mehmedi restoring some pride for the hosts when he powered his way through to score between the posts.
“We were better than our last performance,” commented Serbia U19s head coach Vladislav Dedic. “We showed up, scored two good tries and battled through the heat.”
On Saturday’s finals day, USA will face Ukraine (kick off 2pm) and Serbia take on Scotland (kick off 4pm) in ranking matches before the final. All games can be watched on the European Rugby League's Facebook page.
ENGLAND 52
Sam Murtagh, Jacob Haigh, Marcus Geener, Henry Ogden, Daniel Knott, George Jamieson, Devan Sharp, Miller Dalton, Scott Simmons, Tom Farren, Keane Elms, Ben Metcalfe, Joe Lewis. Interchanges: Alfie Hough, Jack Lawler, Fletcher Holgate, Joshua Langley.
Tries: Murtagh (7), Elms (11), Farren (15), Sharp (24), Geener (34, 58), Ogden (62), Langley (65), Knott (70, 73; Goals: Jamieson 9/10
UKRAINE 4
Ryan Jurkans, Vadym Dotsiak, Maksym Reshetukha, Andrii Mordovanets, Mykhailo Novosad, Ihor Yefanov, Aziz Stepanenko, Maksym Harmash, Ivan Mazur, Bohdan Mazu, Arsen Havdo, Kostiantyn Tiurin, Phoenix Death. Interchanges: Andrii Hladkyi, Nazar Shmalko, Kyrylo Volkov, Ruslan Lipisii
Goals: Yefanov 2/2
Referee: Enzo Peyre (France)
Half Time: 30-4
FRANCE 30
Loris Zammut, Baptiste Pourchi, Clement Martin, Romeo Tropis, Yllan Mongay, Mateo Jimenez-Lopez, Maxime Rostang, Alexis Lis, Matis Jammes, Giovanni Descalzi Ganthier, Anthony Munico, Trevor Chiffolleau, Felix Aubry. Interchanges: Felix Gautier, Bonte Rayan, Wassim Mouelhi, Mikael Lettat
Tries: Descalzi Ganthier (1), Mongay (25), Pourchi (31), Rayan (41), Mouelhi (78); Goals: Jimenez-Lopez 5/6
Sin Bin: Lis (7 - high tackle), Mouelhi (39 – foul play), Pourchi (52 – foul play)
SCOTLAND 18
Hayden Cumming, Oscar Ellicott-McCulloch, Cam Culllen, Seth Clapham, Frazer Murray, Oliver Brady, Alfie Maclean, Reece Smethurst, Bailey Schneider, Isaac Reid, Jacob Grierson, Harry Roper, Tom Gray. Interchanges: Gabe Lewis, Fraser Macauley, Joey Clarkson, Maxwell Shelton.
Tries: Schneider (9), Grierson (58), Ellicott-McCulloch (66); Goals: Brady 3/4
Sin Bin: Smethurst (8 – punching), Clapham (69- shoulder charge)
Referee: Craig Davies (Wales)
Half Time: 16-6
SERBIA 12
Silver Zenuni, Filip Cirkovic, Mihailo Markovic, Filip Nesic, Danilo Gavrilovic, Sasa O’Flynn, Luka Trifunovic, Aleksandar Stojanovic, Stefan Andric, Edin Mehmedi, Nikola Mitrovic, Nikola Savic, Luka Bojicic. Interchanges: Nikola Miricic, Mateja Stojkovic, Jakov Dojcinovic, Strahinja Milankovic.
Tries: Cirkovic (26), Mehmedi (66); Goals: Trifunovic 1/1, Nesic 1/1
USA 40
Sulusi Satele, Tumua Moors, Isaac Fonua, Siaosi Koloamatangi, Drayson Moliga, Chris Malo, Michael Fonua, Cadin Ioane, Logan Myers, Jayden Hansen, Simote Manatua, Esiloni Malafu, Kenyon Paea. Interchange: Beckham McGill, Ammon Haley, Ethan Ivy, Lidarius Moananu.
Tries: Myers (1), Moliga (5), Malo (14, 46, 56), Manatau (33), Moors (76); Goals: Malo 1/1, Fonua 3/3, Moananu 2/3
Referee: James Spencer (Ireland)
Half Time: 6-24
SCOTLAND PROGRESS TO SEMI FINALS AS USA DEBUT
Scotland withstood an opening barrage from USA to progress to the semi finals of the 2024 European U19s Championship in a delayed tie at the FC Radnicki Stadium in Belgrade, winning 32-10.
Photo: Scotland downed an inexperienced USA team in their first hit out. USA’s Young Hawks, in their first-ever outing, made a great impression especially early on but Scotland’s greater nous, displayed by their excellent spine, saw them home.
“It was a really enjoyable occasion despite the heat which affected handling a little for both sides,” said Scotland U19s head coach Leigh Beattie. “The lads are already in the ice bath’s preparing for favourites France, they’ll be no lack of effort for that match.”
Scotland prop Isaac Reid had the first chance but spilt the ball on his way to the line, the Hawks quickly growing into the contest and claiming the opening try when Drayson Moliga spectacularly dived into the left corner, Lidarius Moananu with a superb conversion from the touchline.
Scotland full back Hayden Cumming spotted a gap to respond from close in and his side went ahead soon after, Seth Clapham finishing a fine passing move to the left for the first of his brace of tries, Maxwell Shelton adding the extras.
Tries just before and after the break put the Scots in control, Jack Suddick on an overlap on the right before hooter and Clapham with his second at the start of the second period with another clinical finish. Winger Isaac Jepson appeared to have added a further try shortly afterwards but Clapham’s pass was ruled forward.
Impressive Moananu crashed over for USA out wide just after the hour to keep them in contention, but he pushed his conversion attempt wide. The Hawks sent a kick out on the full and then compounded the error with a goal line drop also heading over the touchline allowing Shelton to establish a 12-point lead from the penalty.
Jepson gained his reward cleaning up Clapham’s offload and the best was saved until last with loose forward Tom Gray’s excellent long-range midfield break completing the try scoring, Shelton with his fourth successful shot at goal.
George Tupou, USA Young Hawks head coach, commented: “I’m really proud of the boys in their first competitive performance. It was the first time they’ve played as a team. A couple of silly mistakes at play the balls cost them but we made history. A little bit of lack of experience showed but Scotland played well, they knew how to capitalise.”
Scotland will now face France in the second semi final on Wednesday at 6pm (local time), while USA will take on hosts Serbia in the 5th v 6th play-off match at 2pm on the same day.
SCOTLAND 32
Hayden Cumming, Isaac Jepson, Seth Clapham, Cam Cullen, Jack Suddick, Maxwell Shelton, Alfie Maclean, Reece Smethurst, Bailey Schneider, Issac Reid, Harry Roper, Jacob Grierson, Tom Gray. Interchange: Gabe Lewis, Fraser Macauley, Cam Lewis, Joey Clarkson.
Tries: Cumming (27), Clapham (33, 42), Suddick (39), Jepson (72), Gray (75); Goals: Shelton 4/7
USA 10
Michael Fonua, Drayson Moliga, Siaosi Koloamatangi, Tumua Moors, Isaac Fonua, Lidarius Moananu, Chris Malo, Shawlee Ama, Logan Myers, Jayden Hansen, Simote Manatua, Esiloni Malafu, Kenyo Paea. Interchanges: Sulusi Satele, Travis Ha, Ethan Ivy, Cadin Ioane.
Tries: Moliga (13), Moananu (61); Goals : Moananu 1/2
Referee: Petar Randjelovic (Serbia)
Half Time: 14-6
UKRAINE DEFEAT SERBIA IN OPENING GAME
In searing heat Ukraine defeated Serbia 24-4 at the FK Radnicki Stadium, Belgrade in the first quarter final of the 2024 European U19s Championship. The Ukrainians led 16-0 at the break and Ryan Jurkans’ try just before the hour sealed a merited win.
Photo: Ukraine impressed in their win against Serbia."They are great people with a wonderful work ethic and love wearing their badge. It’s a young squad, there are some 17-year-olds in it and still a work in progress, but they just want to learn and are keen for rugby league. A tournament like this is really exciting for them.”
Early pressure from Ukraine was turned into points as centre Klim Malyshev finished a passing move on the left hand side, Ihor Yefanov adding the conversion. The conditions meant understandable errors, Serbia’s Luka Bojicic bundled into touch as he made a break for the hosts.
Ukraine extended their lead when hooker Arsen Havdo dived out of dummy-half and emphasising their early dominance, prop Maksym Harmash crashed through as half time approached.
Serbia began the second period strongly, hooker Filip Nesic burrowing over from close in to get them on the board, but Jurkans exploited left edge again for the game breaking score, Vitalii Bycharskyi adding a towering conversion from the touchline. Yefanov kicked a late penalty to extend the margin of victory.
Serbia U19 head coach, Vladislav Dedic, commented: “It was tough but our boys showed that they could defend. We made some errors on attack and that, ultimately, cost us the game. We had some positives and will be better for the rest of the tournament.”
Ukraine will now face England’s Community Lions in the first semi-final on Wednesday (kick off 4pm local time), while Serbia will next play the loser of tomorrow’s rearranged quarter-final between Scotland and USA in a ranking game.
SERBIA 4
Silver Zenuni, Filip Cirkovic, Mihailo Markovic, Stefan Andric, Din Dulja, Sasa O’Flynn, Danilo Gavrilovic, Edin Mehmedi, Filip Nesic, Luka Bojicic, Nikola Mitrovic, Luka Trifunovic, Aleksandar Stojanovic Interchanges: Nikola Savic, Luka Mirincic, Jakov Dojcinovic, Mateja Stojkovic
Tries: Nesic (54); Goals: O’Flynn 0/1
UKRAINE 24
Ryan Jurkans, Vadym Dotsiak, Klim Malyshev, Andrii Mordovanets, Kostiantyn Prydatko, Ihor Yefanov, Aziz Stepanenko, Maksym Harmash, Arsen Havdo, Bohdan Mazu, Ivan Mazur, Valerii Popeliuk, Phoenix Death. Interchanges: Andrii Hladkyi, Kostiantyn Tiurin, Vitalii Bycharskyi, Ruslan Lipisii
Tries: Malyshev (7), Havdo (21), Harmas (38), Jurkans (58); Goals: Yefanov 3/4, Bycharskyi 1/1
Referee: David Brown (Greece)
Half Time: 0-16
In the curtain raiser, England Community Lions U19s beat Serbia U21s 52-4,in a game played in three periods of 20 minutes.
Sam Murtagh and Joshua Langley both scored two of the Lions’ ten tries in total, Henry Ogden, Daniel Knott, Tom Farren, Fletcher Holgate, Joshua Blinkhorn and Marcus Geener also crossing. Andrei Marinkovic replied for the young Serbs.
England U19s coach, Gary Hewer, noted: “We handled the conditions very well, our completion rates were high which was reflected in the score line. Fair credit to the Serbians who are inexperienced at this level, they stuck at it.”