7SWGPS 2018: group round to be over in Kazan
Day 1 of the Kazan leg of the Rugby Europe Women’s Sevens Grand Prix Series is over. The playoff pairings of the tournament are defined after the evening session matches. The fourth place for Team England was a surprise – the most decorated side of Europe failed to make it through to the next round of the championship.
France played against Belgium for the first place in Group A. Due to the experience of the European leaders of the season, the French won with a three-point lead (17-14). Spain vs Germany competed for the third position. The team from the Iberian peninsula scored 26 points and sealed victory confidently. Thus, France became the winner of the group, the Belgian players took the second place, Spain and Germany finished third and fourth respectively.
In Group C the match Ireland vs England ended with the most decorated team of Europe losing with the score 0-27. In the concurrent game the Italians celebrated their unexpected victory over the leader of the group, making to the playoff. The thing is Team Italy will have to start the next round with a battle against the reigning European champions – the Russians. After the group stage in group C Poland and Ireland earned seven points each, occupying the first and second positions. The Italians are third, the English finished bottom of the group.
Group B wrapped Day 1. By the third round Andrey Kuzin’s squad had already booked a berth in the knockout stage, however, they did not let loose, inflicting a 41-7 crushing defeat to Team Wales. Scotland beat Portugal and deserved the second place in the group, seeing off the Welsh side. Apart from Russia, Scotland and Wales will play in the playoff round, and Portugal exited with its wooden spoon.