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The fourth and fifth heats of FIRA's European Sevens circuit were played out this weekend in Odessa and Ostrava as the race for places for the region's final in Hanover (11-12 July) continues. After France had ruled the roost winning in Athens and following up with further success at Split, it was time for some other sides to enjoy their time in the limelight.

In Odessa hosts Ukraine contest the trophy with favourites Georgia and Russia as well as Switzerland, Romania, Poland, Greece, Sweden, Moldova and Bulgaria.

On Day 1 it was Georgia who were the only team to go unbeaten as they swept through Pool 1, beating Switzerland (50-0), Greece (39-0), Romania (22-0) and Poland (36-0). Pool 2 was a lot tighter with Moldova eventually topping the pile after beating Russia 19-17 in what proved to be the group decider. Yet the Moldovans could only manage a 7-7 draw with Ukraine earlier in the day in another highly charged and competitive fixture.

The Moldovans continued their form well into Day 2 overcoming Romania 20-12 in the first of the Semi-Finals, whilst Russia finally clicked into gear in their last-four clash clinically overcoming Georgia 17-0. After the closeness between the teams in the lead up to the final it perhaps came as a bit of a surprise to see such a one-sided final which Russia took 50-14. In the Plate Final it was Ukraine who came through victorious beating 19-12.

Portugal made to work for win

Meanwhile, in the Czech town of Ostrava the winners of the first round in Sopot, Portugal, lined up alongside Belgium, Monaco, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Germany, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Spain and Lithuania.

Portugal eased through Pool 1 on the opening day thrashing the Czech Republic (52-21), Belgium (55-0) and doing enough against Monaco (21-5) and the Netherlands (24-5). Spain impressed in Pool 2 going unbeaten winning the crucial Pool decider against Rainer Kumm’s Germany 24-5.

In the last-four Portugal’s class told, in their dispatching of Germany 33-5, whilst Spain beat Netherlands 40-0 to set up an all-Iberian final. Both Portugal and Spain had met the weekend before in the IRB Sevens in Edinburgh with the Portuguese proving too strong with a 33-10 win. Yet in Ostrava it proved a different story, with Spanish matching their formidable opponents all the way through only to be denied at the finale by a determined Portugal 19-12 in the game of the weekend. The Czech Republic took the Plate beating off Monaco 31-19.

FIRA Sevens

The six preliminary rounds of the FIRA European Sevens are played over five weekends 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 Hanover in mid-July.

Event 1: 16-17 May – Sopot (Poland) – winners Portugal
Event 2: 23-24 May – Athens (Greece) – winners France
Event 3: 30-31 May – Split (Croatia) - winners France
Event 4: 6-7 June – Odessa (Ukraine) – winners Russia
Event 5: 6-7 June – Ostrava (Czech Republic) – winners Portugal.
Event 6: 20-21 June – Moscow (Russia)
Final: 11-12 July – Hanover (Germany)