2008 FIRA Women's European Championship

Rugby championship August 2018 2008 FIRA European Championship Women 50px 2008 05 17 y–2008 05 23 y Netherlands 16 30 2007 2009 The 2008 FIRA Women's European Championship was the 11th rugby union women's European championship organised by FIRA - AER. It took place in the Netherlands from 17 to 24 May 2008; for the first time since 2004 both the A and B championships were held simultaneously in the same host country. Eight national teams took part to the Pool A: the four Home Nations plus France, Spain and the Netherlands; as for Italy they withdrew and were replaced by Sweden. Amongst the contestants in the Pool B were also the "France Défense XV", the French Army women's rugby union squad. Results England won the Pool A title against Wales in the final. There were no tries in the match, which effectively amounted to a kicking duel, with each team dominating one half. Non Evans scored two penalties for the Welsh in the first half and Katy McLean scored four for England in the second half. The English took the title with a final score of 12 to 6. Both teams produced good play during the tournament; however, in this particular match the defence stole the lead over the attack and the precision and discipline of the English won the day. The new Champions of Europe succeeded France, who only managed to attain fourth place - despite the final score, 22-22, in the play-off against Ireland the last place on the podium went to their opponents as they scored more tries. A surprise placing for the Scottish who came in fifth, winning 27 -25 against Spain in an incredible match (8 tries), probably one of the best of the Championship with Spain just losing out in injury time. In the match for seventh place, the Netherlands beat Sweden 7 to 6. It was an easy win for Russia in the Group B final against the French Military team. Faster and more organized, the Russian players took control of the match very early on when their full-back and team captain, Anastasiya Mukharyamova launched a counterattack from the 22 metre line and a few passes later, Anna Gottseva finished between the posts. Throughout the tournament Russia produced some splendid clean, creative and collective play. The speed and agility of their backs meant that they emerged as the team with the best attacking play. Their players took major risks and didn't hesitate in launching counterattacks from anywhere on the pitch. It was no surprise when they won this afternoon in Amsterdam. Congratulations also to the Russian full-back Natalia Selyvtina, a very impressive “sidestepper”, who succeeded in scoring eleven tries during her team's five games. An incredible turnabout took place in the match for third place. Ten minutes from the end of the match, the Belgians were leading 15 to 7 and were expecting victory. However, they hadn't counted on the courage of the Germans who scored two late tries, taking the lead in the last minute and eventually winning the match 19 to 15. In the match for fifth place, Romanian won 12 – 5 against Finland. FIRA-AER officials also selected the best players of the Championship. The jury, made up of Technical Directors and Match Commissioners selected: Group A, Barbara Pla, Spanish Back Row Group B, Anastasiya Mukharyamova, Russian full-back and also team Captain. The Fair-play prize was awarded to Russia Pool A Bracket 17 May – Amsterdam ENG 80 SWE 3 17 May – Amsterdam IRE 41 ESP 7 17 May – Amsterdam NED 3 FRA 24 17 May – Amsterdam SCO 10 WAL 27 20 May – Drachten ENG 22 IRE 11 20 May – Leiden FRA 10 WAL 18 13 May – Amsterdam ENG 12 WAL 6 13 May – Amsterdam IRE 22 (4T) FRA 22 (3T) 20 May – Leiden NED 0 SCO 26 20 May – Drachten SWE 0 ESP 22 24 May – Amsterdam SCO 27 ESP 25 24 May – Amsterdam NED 7 SWE 6 Quarter-finals 2008-05-17 ENG 80–3 SWE Amsterdam 2008-05-17 NED 3–24 FRA Amsterdam 2008-05-17 SCO 10–27 WAL Amsterdam 2008-05-17 IRE 41–7 ESP Amsterdam Semi-finals Cup 2008-05-20 ENG 22–11 IRE Drachten, Netherlands 2008-05-20 FRA 10–18 WAL Leiden, Netherlands Plate 2008-05-20 SWE 0–20 ESP Drachten, Netherlands 2008-05-20 NED 0–26 SCO Leiden, Netherlands 7th/8th place 2008-05-24 NED 7–6 SWE Amsterdam 5th/6th place 2008-05-24 SCO 27–25 ESP Amsterdam 3rd/4th place 2008-05-24 FRA 22–22 Ireland awarded third place on try count, 4-3 IRE Amsterdam Final 2008-05-24 ENG 12–6 WAL Amsterdam Pool B Round 1 Group A: Final table main WDL Q Nation points 2 FRD FRA France Defence GER GER BEL BEL 2 0 0 22 5 1 0 1 10 17 0 0 2 0 10 #ccffcc A complete Group A: Results 2008-05-19 BEL 0–5 GER Castricum, Netherlands 2007-05-19 GER 5-17 FRA France Defence Castricum, Netherlands 2007-05-19 BEL 0-5 FRA France Defence Castricum, Netherlands Group B: Final table main WDL Q Nation points 2 RUS RUS ROM ROM FIN FIN 2 0 0 71 3 1 0 1 16 37 0 0 2 5 52 #ccffcc A complete Group B: Results 2008-05-19 FIN 5–13 ROM Utrecht, Netherlands 2008-05-19 FIN 0–39 RUS Utrecht, Netherlands 2008-05-19 ROM 3–32 RUS Utrecht, Netherlands Round 2 Group A: Final table main WDL Q Nation points 2 RUS RUS BEL BEL ROM ROM 2 0 0 51 0 1 0 1 15 29 0 0 2 7 44 #ccffcc A complete Group A: Results 2008-05-21 BEL 0–22 RUS Tilburg, Netherlands 2008-05-21 BEL 15–7 ROM Tilburg, Netherlands 2008-05-21 ROM 0–29 RUS Tilburg, Netherlands Group B: Final table main WDL Q Nation points 2 FRD FRA France Defence GER GER FIN FIN 2 0 0 39 7 1 0 1 46 13 0 0 2 3 68 #ccffcc A complete Group B: Results 2008-05-21 FIN 0-29 FRA France Defence Driebergen, Netherlands 2008-05-21 FIN 3–39 GER Driebergen, Netherlands 2008-05-21 GER 7-10 FRA France Defence Driebergen, Netherlands Finals 5th/6th 2008-05-23 FIN 5–12 ROM Amsterdam 3rd/4th 2008-05-23 BEL 15–19 GER Amsterdam Final 2008-05-23 RUS 31-14 FRA France Defence Amsterdam See also Women's international rugby union References External links FIRA 2008 (Netherlands RFU)September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes 2008 Category:2008 rugby union tournaments for national teams Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by the Netherlands Category:2008 in Dutch sport Category:2007–08 in European women's rugby union