A valuable result for Serbia after several years
We were in the lower part of the Conference 1 table for quite a long time. We never managed to make a better result. Honestly, we didn’t even have very strong teams, from a rugby 7s point of view. If we stick to some standard, we have always played very average, from brilliance to despair. The culmination was last year’s result where we could have easily been relegated and lost the right to organize the tournament this year. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and this year we showed considerable progress compared to last season.
The teams we struggled with, where we were able to lose or draw, now we won quite convincingly. Let’s take the example of Finland, with whom we played a 19-19 draw last season, this year we were quite convincing twice, once we beat them 32-17, while in the fight for third place we outclassed them 52-0. Also, last year we lost to Andorra 24-12, while this year we defeated them 20-5. We were able to arrange defeats against Montenegro. While last year we barely stayed in the group with a win against Bosnia and Herzegovina when their essay was canceled right before the end of the match.
This year we surpassed that level of play. We didn’t have too many problems except in the ½ final match that we lost to Denmark. And we could have won that match too, if only the concentration was on the level. The point is that we have finally raised the level of the game significantly and regardless of the fact that we did not advance to a higher rank, we can be more than satisfied with the game and the attitude towards the Serbian jersey.
Serbia maximum in the group stage
The competition system was such that 9 teams were divided into three groups of 3 teams in the first phase of the competition. We were in a group with Bulgaria and Andorra. The Bulgarians were eliminated from the Trophy group last season and were favorites in the match against us. However, we won 24-0 without too much trouble, which was a surprise. Our team was quite focused and concentrated and we used the chances. Experienced players commanded Serbia’s game and the execution was up to par. We scored four tries, with two transformations.

We were also very effective against Andorra. We also scored 4 tries, without successful shots, but we allowed ourselves to concede an essay in the last moments of the match. Later we will explain why it is important to be extremely focused and concentrated in this phase. In the match, Igor Gajić stood out in particular with two goals scored. By the way, Igor is still a junior who made his debut in the senior competition less than a month ago and a player who will perform together with Milan Vesković at the U18 European Championship.
Phase 2 of the group stage of the competition
In phase two, groups are formed according to the following principle. The first place from one group, the second place from the second and the third place from the third group. We were the first-placed team in group B, with us in the group was the second-placed team from group A, i.e. Finland, and the third-placed team from group C, i.e. San Marino. Therefore, it is very important for the further draw how you open the competition in the first two matches, because if you are the first in the group at the end of the first phase, you get easier opponents in the second phase.

We took advantage of that and first defeated San Marino with a score of 29-7, where again at the very end of the match we received an try. But that’s why we played at a high tempo and used all the players to feel the pitch. Unfortunately, after the first part of the competition, we were left without captain Mirko Ranković, who could not continue the tournament due to an elbow injury. In the last match, we beat Finland with a score of 32-17 and rounded off the group stage of the competition with the maximum performance.
The fight for placement
If you were maximum in the first phase, the competition system is such that you avoid the best teams until the very end. It happened to us because we won all the matches convincingly, where at no point was there any question whether we would win. At the end of the competition by groups, a general table is formed, where three teams stood out at the head with 4 victories. Norway, Denmark and Serbia were quite dominant in all matches.
Since we were tied, it is very important to have the best possible point difference, that is, the number of given tries The Norwegians had a point difference of +107, the Danes +77 and we +76. So the Norwegians were first and they met in the ½ final with the Finnish team which was 4th. on the overall table. While in the second ½ final, we met the Danes, who were in second place.
If we had been in the first place, many people would have ended up with the Finns and in the end placed in the rank above. This is how we were defeated by Denmark in the ½ final, while we are in the fight for 3rd place. place convincingly defeated Finland 52-0. If we had beaten Finland 52-0 in the group stage, we would have been first at the end of the regular season. The Scandinavians calculated it all well, and with a strong team made the difference in the last match, which guaranteed them first place.
How strong the tournament was compared to last season
Based on the composition of the teams that participated in the tournament, we can say that it was definitely the weakest in the era when it was played in Belgrade. The Bulgarians and the Danes, who were eliminated from the Trophy group last year, were not too strong. The Norwegians prepared to win the tournament, which they eventually did. We are the team that made the most progress, because we turned everything around 180 degrees. The Austrians were a little disappointing, but their team Dunav from Vienna played a barrage the same weekend to fill the Czech Super League, so they certainly lacked a few players. We also expected a lot from Andorra, but they still couldn’t do better than 6th . In the end, San Marino was relegated and will play in Conference 2 from next year.
What did the Serbian team look like?
The Eagles were very dangerous in attack and very concentrated in defense. Out of the 6 games played, if we exclude the loss against Denmark, we were very dominant. If we hadn’t made too many mistakes in the ½ final, we would have qualified for the final without too many problems. The problem in that game was in decision-making, where instead of a simple game, we complicated situations for ourselves that inevitably led to mistakes.
Of course, we have nothing to complain about our boys who exceeded all expectations and played an excellent tournament. We sincerely hope that our coaching staff will build the team and improve the game for the next season. If you want to plan optimally, the ideal opportunity is to start immediately after the tournament.

For this tournament, we had the opportunity to bring four players from abroad. Antoan Jovović, Kaspar Strugar, Janko Zemun Milinković and Bojan Čečarić were exceptional, and with their experience they managed the attack and defense of the Eagles. They knew exactly when to pull, when to accelerate and when to slow down and wait for support. In rugby sevens, if you don’t have support, you lose the ball quickly. Without the ball, there is no game.
The captain of Serbia, Mirko Ranković, returned to the national team in great style, after several seasons of break. Unfortunately, an elbow injury prevented him from fighting in the decisive matches. Besides him, we had Uroš Jončić and Stanislav Ljubičić in the scrum, who were up to the task. As the games went by, Aleksandar Andrić was more and more deadly, where he slowly improved his form and carried the pace of the national team. Ivan Nikolić and Nemanja Lazić used the minutes in the best way and were quite effective and dangerous in the game. Nemanja Stošić had some incredible moves on both sides of the court.
However, Igor Gajić and Milan Vesković left the biggest impression on us. Whenever they have the ball in their hands something positive happens. They are very young players and it is quite normal and natural for them to make mistakes, learn and gain experience. We repeat, they made their debut in the senior competition at the tournaments of the Serbian Rugby Championship on the 7th. In the tournament, they were extremely dangerous, always on the ball, always at speed, always at a high rhythm. At the end of the day, Igor is our most consistent player with 38 points. Milan scored two tries but set up a few. It’s a real shame that in rugby sevens assists aren’t looked at like they are in hockey.
List of shooters of Serbia
- Igor Gajić 38 points
- Bojan Čečarić 34 points
- Aleksandar Andrić 22 points
- Antoine Jovović 20 points
- Kaspar Strugar 10 points
- Milan Vesković 10 points
- Mirko Ranković 5 points
- Ivan Nikolić 5 points
- Nemanja Lazić 5 points
- Nemanja Stošić 5 points
- Stanislav Ljubičić 5 points
- Janko Zemun Milinković 5 points
A total of 12 out of 13 players entered the list of scorers. Uroš Jončić was the only one who did not score points. It’s just proof of how unselfish the Eagles were and how much the coaching staff made sure everyone played as many minutes as possible in the tournament. It’s a fantastic thing because everyone likes to be involved and play, which ultimately has an impact on the positive atmosphere in the team.

We scored a total of 164 points and conceded 48, where we made a total point difference of +116. In our opinion, our game was many times better than the basic statistics. Sometimes you have to watch the matches to be able to see the real situation on the field.
What are our goals for the next season?
We believe that we are at the current level of the teams that are in the upper part of the Trophy group, if we had the strongest team and if they played some of the preparatory tournaments and if they planned everything in advance. Imagine, for example, that at the beginning of May you know which of the players will come, when you know which 20-25 players will come to training. When you know that you will go to a preparatory tournament. And when you know in advance the training plan and what will be done in advance. It already looks like a sustainable system that is necessary for a good result. If we played at that level, it would inevitably affect the level of play in the domestic competition, where the players would have to be in the game process and play matches if they want to progress on a personal level.
Now we have a great foundation that we can build on every year. We have very high-quality players in the younger categories who will come to the seniors very quickly. We have quality players abroad, we have quality players at home. All that is needed is to make a good system to get the best for rugby out of everything.