2010 Season review.

With the season finally over, following the last of the Swedish International matches last week, we thought that we should reflect on the last year.

The Men's National team had an interesting start to the year with a win in Barcelona against a strong Catalonian side. This was followed by a narrow defeat in Riga by Latvia, with several of their top players unable to make the match through no fault of their own. But they did not let that loss cloud the issue, (think about it) and they recovered to beat Croatia at home leaving them in good shape for the Autumn Internationals, both were wins and Sweden sits proudly on top of the league. So a very good year for them.

The Women's National team played in both the EM and the World Cup. Great things were expected of them following their success in 2009. Unfortunately, since qualifying for the World Cup by winning the 2009 European Championship, they have failed to win an International match. Thus the high expectations were not met and the overall losers appeared to be the women's game in Sweden.

Stockholm Exiles were runners up to Hammarby in the Elite league, but managed to overcome the same opponents in the Men's finals to deservedly win Gold. They also won the Svenska Cup, although that was obtained through a walkover following an appalling decision by GRF to forfeit the game.
Hammarby confounded their critics by having their best ever season, although faltering towards the end of the season, they should be proud of their achievment.
Enkoping went backwards and appeared to have lost some of their zest from 2009, finishing 3rd in the Elite and being totally overwhelmed n their semi-finals. A disappointing season for them.
Spartacus confounded all the critics and had their best ever season. Extremely difficult to beat at home, losing just twice, although they did come unstuck in a few of their away matches, which they managed to turn around in the semi-finals, failing by 10 points to go for gold. A creditable season for them.
Göteborg Rf were the major disappointment of the season in the Elite series. Although they did manage to win the vital away match against Pingvin. Their failure to play the final of the Svenska Cup was in our opinion a disgrace and is not what Rugby is about!
Pingvin were unlucky to be relegated losing at home to Grf in the final match of the season. However it was their performances over the season that cost them their place in the top division and they must be regretting some of their losses.

Enkoping ladies managed to prevent an overconfident Göteborg ladies from making it 3 in a row, so congratulations to them on winning Gold.
Atilla won the right to compete in the Elite next season by one point, our congratulations to them also.

Overall an interesting season with some fine rugby played, let's hope for another fine one next year.

APOLOGIES.

Many apologies for not having posted the report on Sweden''s wonderful 26-22win over Lithuania. Unfortunately after the match we indulged in rather too many toasts and as such were suffering quite badly on the Sunday, when we usually post our views. As we then embarked on rather a luxurious holiday that Sunday evening, we have been out of circulation for a week, So once again our sincere apologies.
Enough grovelling! What a great result and one that puts Sweden in a very favourable position within the group. two more wins in May next year will cement the place and get everyone talking about Swedish Rugby in a positive manner, something we all want. Congratulations to all involved!!

Sweden v Lithuania

The next team to play Sweden in the group is Lithuania on Saturday at Trelleborg, kick off is at 1.00pm.
This could well be a sterner test for Sweden as Lithuania are currently on a roll and have won their last 17 matches. Whilst Sweden will be confident after the fine display against Croatia they will and are surely wise enough not to be overconfident in the approach they take to this game. Both teams will be wanting to impose themselves on the opposition and this battle could come down to the the service the backs get from their forwards. Winning the set pieces will be vital and Sweden did well in their last outing, let's hope that it continues. It has to be noted though, that the Lithuanian pack is a lot stronger and more efficient in their game, so expect a ferocious battle between the packs. Sweden's backs did well the last time out, even the grandfather of them managed to cross the line. Given quality ball they could well do the same.
This will be a closer game but with a favourable crowd behind them, we feel that Swedish rugby will be to the fore come 3pm on Saturday.