One day in Vilnius: Euro 7s Division B

Israel - appealing for local support in Vilnius

Twenty-four European nations have already taken part in the “Top 12” Grand Prix in Moscow and Brive, and Division “A” tournament in Bergen. Now the next tier of 12 teams get their chance to shine, and for two of them an opportunity to move up to the next level in 2015.

The gap between “A” and “B” is far less than that between the “Top 12” and “A”. Finland, winners in 2013, had a great weekend in Bergen and finished 6th, having given runners-up Scotland a real scare in the quarter-finals, while Ukraine – winners in 2010 – are now in the Top 12.

As a result favourites are much harder to spot. On paper at least, however, Austria and Hungary – relegated from Division “A” last season – will start as being the teams to beat. Both have a long tradition of women’s rugby, and have been at the centre of the development of the game in central and eastern Europe through the Emerging Nations Training Camp, held annually in Zánka in Hungary, but organised by Austria.

Although teams at ENTC not always representative, so not necessarily a good judge of form. Hungary had a very good ENTC this year winning all of their games except one – which they lost to Austria.

However other teams could well spring some surprises. Malta in particular may be a dark horse after three of their players - Kassandra Psaila, Maria Spiteri and Amanda Cassar – played alongside players such as England’s Alice Richardson and Jo Watmore and Australia’s Rachel Crothers for Tribe, winners of the Amsterdam Sevens.

Hosts Lithuania and neighbours Latvia should have some good support, as perhaps will Israel who have been appealing for members of the local Jewish community to come along and cheer them on.

Unusually the entire tournament will be played in a single day this year, on 28thJune at Vingis Park in Vilnius (play begins at 9am local time). As a result the format will reflect that used in the Hong Kong sevens rather than that used in the earlier “A” and “Top 12” events. Teams have been drawn into four pools of three teams, with pool winners going straight into the cup semi-finals, runners up into the plate, and third placed teams into the bowl.

Pool games:

Pool AAustria v LithuaniaSlovakia v LithuaniaAustria v SlovakiaPool BHungary v SerbiaLuxembourg v SerbiaHungary v LuxembourgPool CIsrael v SloveniaTurkey v SloveniaIsrael v TurkeyPool DLatvia v BulgariaMalta v BulgariaLatvia v Malta