• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

The stadium has been booked, the 6 preliminary stages have been completed and now the 10 teams who will be competing for the title of European Sevens Champion in Hanover on July 11th and 12th have been set.

After 5 gruelling preliminary competitions had taken place across Europe with the competing sides having travelled to Poland, Greece, Hungary, Ukraine and the Czech Republic one final spot was up for grabs at the weekend to compete in the final. The final prelim stage took place in Moscow and it was the home team that was helped by vocal support to book their place in Germany after finishing 3rd, losing out to Italy in the semi-finals.

The Russians topped Pool 2 with convincing wins over Lithuania, Latvia and Norway and a hard fought victory over Ukraine. In Pool 1 it was the surprise package from the Hungary leg of the series; Moldova that battled hard and took top spot ahead of Italy and the Netherlands on points difference with Denmark and Azerbaijan bringing up the rear. Finishing above Italy is a great achievement for the Moldovans with the Italians already having won a stage of the series this year.

In the semi-finals it was again the Moldovans the played the better rugby in beating 2nd the placed finisher in Pool 2 Lithuania on their way to the final. In the other semi Italy got out of the blocks first and defeated the home side. The Russians however went on to win the 3rd/4th play off which was enough to gain qualification for Hannover next month.

The final was a rematch from the groups and it was the Italians that used their experience to help them to victory, though the scoreline does not reflect how well Moldova played as they were in the game right up to the wire, losing out 36-12 after a couple of late tries from Italy.

With the final whistle sounding on the preliminaries, everyones attention turns to Germany for the finals where surely Portugal & France will go as favorites but as with the IRB series, there have been shocks throughout the FIRA season this year.

The Final 10 for the Hannover 7s on July 11th/12th are as follows (as seeded)

1. France

2. Portugal

3. Italy

4. Russia 

5. Moldova

6. Spain 

7. Georgia

8. Romania

9. Germany 

10. Poland

For more information on the Hannover 7s, check out the profile on UR7s.com