Serbia

[Druzik]

Spider has the slavic cup been played yet this year? I had it down for 2 May.

[Spider]

No. There were some talks about that date, something like students from Serbia to go there but that never happened, I don't know why. Roughly said, in developing nations (and we considering ourselves as one) you can almost never rely on dates until the date comes. E.g. we had to delay Round 2 match of National Championship although we thought we could manage that game and Serbia XIII v GB Students.

But, the attitude of Serbian RL is that Slavic Cup have to be played each year and we'll try to find some other date with our Czech friends.

[Druzik]

May 22, 2009 22:52:17 GMT 10 Spider said:

No. There were some talks about that date, something like students from Serbia to go there but that never happened, I don't know why. Roughly said, in developing nations (and we considering ourselves as one) you can almost never rely on dates until the date comes. E.g. we had to delay Round 2 match of National Championship although we thought we could manage that game and Serbia XIII v GB Students.

But, the attitude of Serbian RL is that Slavic Cup have to be played each year and we'll try to find some other date with our Czech friends.

OK great, let us know when it does happen... I'll just keep moving it down the months till it happens.

[Druzik]

www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/haven


Latest from the Local press.

Serbian Soni tipped for big Whitehaven future
By Martin Morgan
Last updated 12:37, Wednesday, 13 May 2009

New import Soni Radovanovic is being tipped for a big future in the British game after his sparkling debut in Whitehaven’s reserve-grade win at Widnes.

The bustling Serbian international impressed second-string manager Dave Farrell in his two 20-minute stints, less than a week after jetting in to the country.

“If he continues to develop and iron out the rough edges, who knows how far he can go,” said Farrell, who believes the 21-year-old will be allowed to develop at a steady pace in the reserve-grade.

“Give him a month or two with us and see where he’s at after that. He’s a fine, powerful athlete and didn’t look out of place, which is an absolutley tremendous accolade for the guy.

“He spilled possession early on, but after that didn’t make any mistakes, ran hard and got his tackles in. He’s in a strange place, speaking a different language, but he’s very determined to succeed.”

Farrell rated the 24-22 win at Widnes, last year’s champs, as one of the second-string’s finest of recent years.

“Wins for us at Widnes are few and far between, which makes this result even more sweet and noteworthy,” he added.

The win was all the more remarkable given that the team comprised teenagers and players in their early 20s after the withdrawal of veteran half-back Tane Manihera due to a family issue.

“Tane’s withdrawal was totally understandable, but it left us with 16 players,” Farrell added. “It really was a case of the youngsters doing it for themselves.”

Haven led 14-6 at the break, courtesy of tries from ever-improving youngster Stephen Fox and Daniel Smith.

Jamie Martin, in only his second appearance, notched a third Haven try after the break to make the score 20-12.

But they went 22-20 down before two Marc Bainbridge penalties handed them the victory

[Spider]

Soni had his debut for the first team last weekend and, although his team lost to Batley Bulldogs, everyone seems to be satisfied with his performance.

Meanwhile, Serbian National Championship selection, called Serbia XIII, was defeated by GB Students 8-48 on Sunday, at Ada Lake Stadium. Serbian team played without few injured internationals and also had two or three crucial players injuries in the game. GB Students' player, who mostly played for their national students teams last autumn in Students World Cup, managed to take advantage out of home team's mistakes.

Here are some pictures from the game (Serbia XIII in blue, GB Students in white):

[Druzik]

haha... is that Jovan giving out the awards!

Great photos... can I put up a few on the website?

[Spider]

Jovan presented the medal for MOM, and Ivan Djurdjevic, member of Council of Municipality of Cukarica and former rugby player, who helped this event, presented the trophy to GB Students captain.

Of course, you can use these.

[Druzik]

www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/haven/whitehaven_lend_serbian_national_side_a_helping_hand_1_611742?referrerPath=home

Whitehaven lend Serbian national side a helping hand
By Martin Morgan

Whitehaven have offered a helping hand to the Serbian national team ahead of their European Cup campaign next month.

The Serbs have close ties to the area through their coach Ged Stokes, the Haven boss, and prop Soni Radovanovic, who switched to the Recre this year.

And the Serbian squad will be based at St Bees for a five-day training camp ahead of their first full-fledged Euro campaign.

“The club has been very supportive in terms of providing training venues and infrastructure,” Stokes said.

“Obviously, the tie-up with Serbia is quite strong, and it’s great that our local professional club is supporting an international side.”

Radovanovic is likely to be a key player for Serbia, who are looking at Super League stars such as Stefan Ratchford, of Salford, plus Simon Svabic, who has experience with a string of pro clubs in England.

The net is also being cast further afield, with Australian players contacted who have Serbian heritage. Those with Serbian grand-parents would be eligible to play.

“It’s a very, very worthwhile tournament, and a lot of work has gone in to the organistion of it,” Stokes added.

“It’s an opportunity for the game to expand.

“It will be a difficult learning curve in terms of what’s required, as this will be the first time Serbia has been involved against top echelon nations.

“It will be a tremendous challenge. But if we have thoughts about expanding the game, we have to give countries these experiences.”

[Spider]

Stefan Ratchford was called in England train on squad.

[Marv]

Serbia euro cup squad

Soni Radovanović, Whitehaven RLFC
Dalibor Vukanović, RK Dorćol
Stevan Stevanović, RK Dorćol
Mario Milosavljević, R13K Podbara
Austen Novaković, Oldham
Milan Šušnjara, RK Dorćol
Nenad Grbić, R13K Podbara
Zoran Pešić, R13K Podbara
Vladimir Smiljanić, R13K Podbara
Vladan Kikanović, RK Dorćol
Milan Radojević, South Sunnybank
Dejan Lukenić, RK Dorćol
Nikša Unković, RK Dorćol
Vuk Tvrdišić, RK Dorćol
Dimitris Dajč, RK Dorćol
Ivan Šušnjara, RK Beogradski Univerzitet
Aleksandar Sič, R13K Niš
Ivan Djordjević, RLK Crvena Zvezda
Filip Brkić, RK Dorćol
Igor Kesegi, R13K Podbara
Miloš Milanko, RK Dorćol
Marko Milosavljević, R13K Podbara
Marko Katanić, RK Dorćol
Miloš Čalić, RLK Crvena Zvezda
Marko Žebeljan, R13K Podbara
Manuel Marin, French RU
Nemanja Djordjević, RK Dorćol
James Stošić, Wakefield Wildcats
Radoslav Novaković, RK Dorćol
Miladin Stojanović, RK Dorćol
Simon Švabić, Blackpool Panthers
Zoran Pavlović, RLK Crvena Zvezda

[sportsmad]

Serbia to host pioneering Aussie tour
Wednesday 23rd September 2009

Serbia is host a three-match tour by the New South Wales Tertiary Students Rugby League team.

The team will be the first from Australia to tour the country and the Student select side will arrive on 29th September and will stay until the 11th October.

Rugby League European Federation Regional Development Manager (South East Europe) Jovan Vujosevic commented, "This is first ever Australian team tour to Serbia in either code of rugby."

"It represents a great chance for development of the sport here as not only will the tourists bring their expertise on the field but they will promote rugby league in Belgrade University, High schools and Primary schools. They will also undertake a coaching seminar with Serbian coaches."

The touring squad is made up of players from six different Tertiary colleges; University of Western Sydney, University of Newcastle, University of Technology Sydney, Western Sydney Blues (Police Academy), UWS Nirimba and Canberra University.

NSW Tertiary Students Rugby League - Tour Schedule

3rd Oct 2009 v Serbian Students

6th Oct 2009 v Serbian Representatives XIII

10th Oct 2009 v Serbian Residents XIII

[Spider]

NSW Tertiary Students RL tour to Serbia 2009
Match 1
Sat, 3rd Oct 2009
Serbia Students 1-38 NSW Students
halftime: 0-10
stadium: Ada Ciganlija Lake Stadium, Belgrade
referre: Radoslav Novakovic (Serbia)

SERBIA STUDENTS: Planojevic (BU XIII), Vuckovic (Nis), Bozovic (BU XIII), Nastasic (BU XIII), Boskovic (Radnicki), Jankuloski (BU XIII), Susnjara (BU XIII), Tosic (BU XIII), Miletic (BU XIII), Zivkovic (BU XIII), Djordjevic (BU XIII), Strbac (Radnicki), Bursac (Radnicki).
Interchage: Vesic (BU XIII), Milenkovic (nis), Antic (BU XIII), Petrakovic (BU XIII), Gajic (Red Star), Curcic (BU XIII)
Head coach: Vujosevic

NSW STUDENTS: Dine (Western Sydney Blues), Nguyen (Sydney University), Southam (Newcastle Seahorses), Dove (Newcastle Seahorses), Barake (UWS Macarthur Magpies), Gardiner (Norwest Polecats), Mi.Gavan (Kurri Kurri), Zachulski (Canberra Cows), McEwan (Newcastle Seahorses), Dowd (Norwest Polecats), Campbell (Newcastle Seahorses), O'Connor (Sydney University), Cullen (UTS Tigers).
Interchange: Ma.Gavan (Kurri Kurri), Hanna (Norwest Polecats), McCarron (Sydney University), Wilson.
Head coach: Wilson

_6' TRY Afif Barake (NSW) 0-4
35' TRY Johnathon Wilson (NSW)
___GOAL Afif Barake (NSW) 0-10____
42' TRY James Dine (NSW)
___GOAL Adam Southam (NSW) 0-16
53' TRY Johnathon Wilson (NSW)
___GOAL Afif Barake (NSW) 0-22
58' TRY Johan Cullen (NSW) 0-26
63' TRY Afif Barake (NSW)
___GOAL Adam Southam (NSW) 0-32
68' TRY Greg Dowd (NSW)
___GOAL Arty Hanna (NSW) 0-38
70' FIELD GOAL Ivan Susnjara (SRB) 1-38

Very good game. Serbian students national team (without students from Dorcol and Podbar) resisted very well in the first half, even dominated in possession, but conceded try when needed to tackle for halftime (each half lasted 35 minutes in students rules).
In the second half obviously experienced Australian side scored some easy tries after around play-the-ball areas and breaking the defensive line. Serbian students scored their only points in the last tackle of the match.

[Druzik]

any news on the other results and also corwd sizes?

[Spider]

3rd Oct: Serbia Students 1-38 NSW Students, crowd: about 350
7th Oct: Serbia B 12-42 NSW Students, crowd: about 300
10th Oct: Serbia XIII 38-6 NSW Students, crowd: about 450
(Serbia XIII almost full side)
All matches played at Ada Ciganlija Stadium in Belgrade

I hope I'll post some pictures from all games soon.

Serbian team is now based in St Bees, Cumbria, using Whitehaven RLFC facilities for trainings and prepare for the RLEC opening fixture v Ireland in Tullamore on 18th October.

[sportsmad]

impressive result for the Serbia XIII.
wwhat do you think the crowd with be for Serbia's home tie in the european cup Spider?