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Spain triumphed in the opening leg of this year’s FIRA Sevens in Poland at the weekend.

The tournament, held in Sopot, was the first of six FIRA European Sevens legs that are played in six cities throughout the continent. Countries play in at least two events and those with the most qualifying points go on to play in the final in Moscow in mid-July. Russia are the defending overall champions.

The Spanish lost in the semi-finals of the Hanover finals last year and showed their intentions immediately in Poland over the weekend.

Italy, preparing for this weekend’s London Sevens (part of the IRB World Series), were brushed aside in a one-sided in the final, 26-0. Spain had earlier been forced to dig deep to edge Ukraine 14-12 at the semi-final stage with the Italians beating hosts Poland 26-12.

In the pool stages Spain looked in control beating Norway (43-0), Belgium (31-5), Poland (35-0), and Lithuania (19-7). Italy thrashed Hungry 59-0 in their opening game before beating Latvia, Ukraine and Czech Republic to finish top of the Pool.

Poland got some consolation from beating Ukraine 14-12 in the third/fourth play-off. The teams head to Denmark’s Odense this weekend for the next leg of the FIRA season.