Czechia and Norway have named their squads for Saturday’s final men’s Euro D clash in Hradec Králové (kick off 2pm, local time). Italy have already taken the title and promotion after defeating both nations in the preceding weeks but there are world ranking points to play for and, for Czechia, a measure of revenge for the last time they met the Norwegians.
That was a year ago in the same competition, with the Scandinavians triumphing 86-6 at the Strømmen Stadion near Oslo in the opening round. Like their opponents, all 19 players selected by the hosts are from their domestic competition and, having run the Azzurri close away last weekend, player/coach Jakub Hudrlík is looking to maintain that form. “We know Norway are a very strong opponent, and we have a lot of respect for the quality they have,” he said.
“We lost our last meeting, but we’ve made a lot of progress since then and we’ve shown that with our results this year. We’re looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we can add a win against them this time.” The visitors make eight changes from their encounter with Italy in round one but include Nils Kristian Holte as vice-captain who scored four tries again Czechia in 2025. Norway men’s head coach, Tim Jones, commented: “Two more players will make their senior debuts, again showing the value of our junior pathways. “This will be another very tough game for us, the Czech Republic pushed Italy all the way in a very high scoring encounter, but it’s all great for our development.”
Czechia squad
Ladislav Cintler, Tobiáš Marek, Jaroslav Novotný, Tomáš Adamec (RC Hradec Králové), Filip-Daniel Kittl, Karel Lafant, Vít Studecký (RLC Dragons Krupka), Tomáš Morávek, Tomáš Perlik, Vít Poner (RLC Orli Havlíčkův Brod), Tomáš Brejtr, Jan Chuchlík, Jáchym Gazárek, Tomáš Horák, Jakub Hudrlík, Matěj Schejbal, Michal Špidlen, Adam Vrbata, Jan Zámrský (Mad Squirrels Vrchlabí)
Norway squad
Oliver Falk (Bodø Rugby League klubb), Kristoffer Milligan, Øivind Mikal Berghom (Farsund Bobcats), Andreas Vågen, Lucas Zuniga, Mathias Holm (Lillestrøm Rugby League klubb), Nils Kristian Holte, (Midgard Maurauders), Kevin Båtnes (Pirates), Kai Roger Holm (Porsgrunn), Filip Bø, Frikk Malmei Idland, Håvard G Tjetland, James Ward, Magnus Søiland, Marius Odland Sagelv, Martin Høgmoe, Mathias Holm, Thabo Leuta,( Sandnes Raiders)
