Saturday, March 12, 2011

ENC RUGBY: Bulgaria v Cyprus

12.03.2011
Bulgaria v Cyprus in Paphos (ENC 2D)

Venue: Pafiakos Stadium

Referee: Frasineanu (Romania)

Preview
These two teams have never met before. Both teams are undefeated in this division and both have won comfortably over Greece recently. This match is building as a clash of the leaders.

Cyprus has home advantage and has won their last eight matches. Their 33-13 over Greece in November came as a surprise as the Greeks were a highly favoured side at this level. Cyprus won so convincingly that they stepped into their shoes as the favoured side. Not bad for a nation who only started their international rugby matches in 2007.

Cyprus v Greece 1st international
Cyprus caused a major upset in 2007 when they defeated Greece 39-3 in their first international rugby test.

Bulgaria have also reached a highly respected position at this level. They have won their last three test matches, including two in a row against neighbours Greece. The Bulgarians do not travel well. They will find Cyprus a handful away.

2010-bul-lux
Bulgaria were successful against Luxembourg in their last outing. Image thanks to www.352luxmag.lu

Without team lists it’s difficult to pin point strengths and weaknesses for both sides.

45[1]

Bulgaria Last Five
13.11.2010 v Luxembourg W 18-8 in Luxembourg (ENC 2D)
06.11.2010 v Greece W 25-22 in Pernik (ENC 2D)
24.04.2010 v Greece W 18-15 in Pernik (ENC 3C)
10.04.2010 v Israel L 10-50 in Netanya (ENC 3C)
24.10.2009 v Luxembourg W 25-12 in Pernik (ENC 3C)

senior58[1]

Cyprus Last Five
20.11.2010 v Greece W 33-13 in Athens (ENC 2D)
27.03.2010 v Bosnia Herzegovina W 15-0 in Paphos (ENC 3D)
06.03.2010 v Azerbaijan W 59-0 in Paphos (ENC 3D)
14.11.2009 v Monaco W 44-5 in Menton(ENC 3D)
21.03.2009 v Bosnia Herzegoivina W 8-6 in Zenica (ENC 3D)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Bulgaria 34th, Cyprus 35th

Prediction: Cyprus by 3 points

Teams not available

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