Russia book spot in RWC
1 Mar 2010
Russia have qualified for the 2011 World Cup after their 21-all draw with Romania in the European Nations Cup last Saturday.
With two matches remaining in the competition, Russia have secured 21 points – two behind Georgia who have already qualified as well. Portugal (17) and Romania (14) trail behind in third and fourth place respectively.
Even if Russia lose their next two fixtures, they will still earn two losing points, which will see them finish on 23 points. Portugal and Romania can also reach the 23-point mark, but Russia will remain in second because of their superior head-to-head record against the two nations.
Georgia and Russia will face each other on 20 March, which will pose as the ENC decider.
Meanwhile, there are still two places left for the World Cup to be held in New Zealand.
The winner of the Asian Five Nations will automatically qualify into Pool A with New Zealand, France, Tonga and Canada.
Whoever finishes third in the ENC, will either face Lithuania or the winner of the ENC second division, on a home and away basis, for a intercontinental play-off.
The winning European side will have to beat Tunisia and the winner of Uruguay’s match against the Asian Five Nations runner-up. This will determine the 20th and final World Cup spot.
World Cup pools:
Pool A – New Zealand, France, Tonga, Canada, Asia 1 (Asian Five Nations winner).
Pool B – Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1 (European Nations Cup winner), (20th place play-off winner).
Pool C – Australia, Ireland, Italy, USA, Europe 2 (European Nations Cup runner-up).
Pool D – South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Samoa, Namibia.
18 Comments
1 Mar 2010, 07:32 am
rooi gevaar
1 Mar 2010, 08:38 am
Watch out for ‘Ivan the Terrible’.
1 Mar 2010, 08:44 am
They should play the Klitshko brothers at 4 and 5.
1 Mar 2010, 09:15 am
Oh no! look at our group, half our team will be injuresd before the quarters.
1 Mar 2010, 10:37 am
Awesome well done to the Ruskies !!!!!!!!!!!
1 Mar 2010, 11:52 am
Well done, Russia, I am very glad to finally see them through. Which means, not I will not have to solely rely on justin.tv and the likes to watch the WC.
Most importantly, nice to see fresh faces. And Georgia for 3rd time running.
Maybe Kazakhstan/Korea can beat Uruguay?
1 Mar 2010, 14:16 pm
Yeah Russia! Well done. Great to see them comming along. Hopefully there’ll be a hottie to look at like
Andrei Arshravin.
1 Mar 2010, 15:49 pm
yeskimesh
1 Mar 2010, 16:36 pm
@rossoneri: Arshavin – hottie? Alright, hard to say, I’m not Owens.
However Russian girls are hot, I must say. Among the very best. Tempered like volcanos.
2 Mar 2010, 04:15 am
@Nils: Georgia are one of those teams I really think could make the step up in years to come.
Their forwards are monsters. I remember them playing the world champ English in the ’03 World Cup, and while they lost, they absolutely destroyed their infamous rolling maul.
If they could get a decent coach and some skilled backs (even looking for ancestry in other countries like the Azzuri did in Australia/NZ) they would be at least as competitive in the 6N as Italy or Scotland have been.
2 Mar 2010, 04:58 am
@Nils: have you latvians not got beef with Russia? you really think Kazakstan have a prayer against uruguay? I don’t even think Borat would give them a shot
@DonutDunning: they’ve got an Aussie coach Donut, Tim Lane. An issue for Georgia is player release, a lot of their players play in France. Russia by contrast have a pro league and retain most of their players in Russia.
2 Mar 2010, 10:36 am
@Big Hit: Right, we have very sensitive relations with Russia and – honestly – I hardlu ever cheer for them. But rugby is a huge exception. I wish them all the best I can.
Do not think Kazakhstan consist of Asiats with turbans like Sasha Cohen tried to portrait – and rather stupidly (something to do with Western a bit infantile sense of humour which, no wonder, must be aided by laughs behind the screen). But OK, after all that was compensated by the mighty Monty Pythons.
Kazahstan has about 50% Russian population and Soviet (and now Russian) rugby has a strong traditions. Do you know, Soviets were invited to participate in WC87 – they declined, commies did not want do anything with hated capitalists. Bloody idiots.
Anyway, Kazakhstan (or rather Kazakh-Russians) do well in Asia, they DID BEAT Korea last year – the 2nd best Asian team until then my mile. Nobody else (except, of course, Japan) in Asia has done it for ages. Abd Kazakhs concincingly thrashed Hong Kong – the 3rd best Asian team for ages.
So I think they have decent chances. Uruguay must be the favourites but not by that much.
And again – Borat is a moron anyway, I saw that move and I’d say one of the stupidest to come from British shores. No wonder Kazakhs are upset. What have they done to Cohen?
2 Mar 2010, 10:41 am
@DonutDunning: Yes, Georgians always have been big and strong. In Soviet times they were flagship of rugby there. For such a small and war-torn country they do exceptionally well.
Plus, they have a good coach and almost all ply their trade in France.
And big bonus for me – Georgian TV show online live all their games!
2 Mar 2010, 10:49 am
@DonutDunning: The highlight for me was Georgian firm grip on Irish throats last WC. Shame they did not win.
2 Mar 2010, 11:45 am
Nice one Russia. Good to see some new blood in the WC. I’m sure they’ll have plenty of local support once NZ fails to make the playoffs.
2 Mar 2010, 11:48 am
@Nils: Interesting that you support Russian rugby. Is rugby actually popular in Georgia? I would like to see both teams join the 6N.
Borat is hilarious, in my opinion anyway. What is Kazakstan’s team like, are they forwards based teams like Russia/Georgia?
2 Mar 2010, 12:11 pm
@Big Hit: The main reason I support Russians is if they have sucess, more rugby on Russian TV, plus they will be fresh face in the WC which in any case is great – even if there are North Koreans. And overall no intense dislike in rugby case unlike when it comes to the likes of ice hockey or soccer where usually majority of Latvians are openly cheering for anyone who plays against the Russians. And, of course, Russians living here (almost half of the populations) return the favour by hating everything ours.
Rugby is The Game in Georgia. Source of national pride. Beats soccer hands down and they had a great soccer club in Soviet times – Tbilisi Dynamo which was a Soviet champion and did well in Europe.
Frankly, I have never seen Kazakhs playing. Just scrolled their team sheet and surnames there are almost 100% Russian.
As for Borat, it depends on taste. I watched it to know what all fuss is about and deleted after watching/skipping for 20 minutes or so while being thankful he wasn’t dissing my country. Franklu, nothing in that move made me even smile.
Give me Montys or even poor bugger Benny Hill over him any day.
2 Mar 2010, 12:24 pm
@Big Hit: Rugby is hugely popular in Georgia maybe because their ancient traditional game (which their nickname “Lelos” comes from) strongly resembled rugby.
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