REC DIVISION 2A: Switzerland v Croatia

18.04.2015

Venue: Monthey

Referee: Frank Himmer (Germany)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	3	3	0	0	66	36	30	2	14
CROATIA	3	1	0	2	66	63	3	4	8
SWITZ.	2	1	0	1	43	45	-2	1	5
MALTA	2	1	0	1	44	53	-9	0	4
ISRAEL	2	0	0	2	38	60	-22	0	0

Preview
Teams placed 2nd and 3rd in this competition will square off in Switzerland this Saturday. Switzerland has a game in hand and has lost one game this round compared to Croatia’s two losses. Switzerland also has home advantage.

The Czech Republic has a clear lead in this competition. The challenger is likely to come from either Switzerland or Malta. Malta plays newly promoted Israel away today. That result will also be crucial.

Croatia played very well to hold the competition leader Czech Republic to within 3 points at home last weekend. Switzerland lost to the Czech Republic, also at home, when they played them last November. Croatia has recent game time advantage whilst Switzerland has the home ground advantage.

This could almost be too close to call. I would love to be there. It’ll be a cracker!

Last Five Encounters
02.11.2013 Switzerland 26-11 in Split (ENC 2A)
03.11.2012 Switzerland 29-20 in Nyon (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2A)
25.10.2003 Switzerland 11-5 in Split (ENC 2B)
09.11.2002 Switzerland 24-15 in Geneva (ENC 2B)
10.11.2001 Croatia 18-16 in Switzerland (FIRA/WCQ Euro. R2, Pool A)

Croatia Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2 
11.04.2015 v Czech Republic L 9-12 in Zagreb (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Israel W 31-20 in Zagreb (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Malta L 26-31 in Valette (REC 2A)
21.06.2014 v Latvia W 16-10 in Riga (ENC 2A-2B Playoff)
19.04.2014 v Lithuania W 25-21 in Zagreb (ENC 2A)

Switzerland Last Five P 5, W 1, D 1, L 3
01.11.2014 v Czech Republic L 14-27 in Nyon (REC 2A)
25.10.2014 v Israel W 29-18 in Netanya (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Lithuania L 18-24 in Vilnius (ENC 2A)
12.04.2014 v Malta L 14-29 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)
16.11.2013 v Netherlands D 20-20 in Nyon (ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Switzerland 22nd, Croatia 23rd

World Rugby Ranking Points
Switzerland 47.22, Croatia 45.65

Prediction: Almost too close to call. Switzerland by 2 points. Score 17-15

TEAMS

Switzerland Squad

Nom	Prénom		Cub
ALBER	Edgar		FC Grenoble
BARTSCHI	Clément		US Romans
COULLON	Alexandre		RC Nyon
COULOT	Cyril		RC Yverdon
DIMITRI	Sébastien		Biarritz Olympique
DOY	Benjamin		US Oyonnax
ESCOFFIER	Florian		US Oyonnax
GERY	Thibault		FC Rumilly
GOMBAS	Eddy		Rc Avusy
GUYOU	Nicolas		RC Tricastin
GUYOU	Matthieu		RCACP
HEINRICH	Lucas		CSBJ
HIRSCH	Sylvain		Rc GePLO
KRALJEVIC	Ivan		GC Zürich
LAFUYE	Cyril		RC Tricastin
LIN	Cyril		CA Lannemezan
MONTIEL	Ghislain		Libourne (UAL)
MONZEGLIO	Brice		Section Paloise
MORITZ	Benjamin		RC Avusy
PAUL	Matthieu		St Paul les Dax
PERROD	Simon		FC Rumilly
SCHAERER		Benjamin
WULLSCHLEGER	Jonathan		SO Givors

http://www.suisserugby.com/uploads/tx_news/Team_Selection_SUI_CRO.pdf

Croatia Team List not available