The 2025 season of the U20 Men’s Rugby Europe Championship is underway, with Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium and Czechia coming out as winners of their quarterfinal’s clashes to keep their title aspirations alive.
A Lobos 60-point show
Portugal had a slow start in their opener against Poland, but the title holders eventually pulled a formidable performance, securing a 63-00 win.
The Polish defence tried their best to raise an unbreakable blockade and were able to fend off the Lobos for most of the first half. However, the 2024 U20 Championship winners eventually cracked the safe open and scored three tries before the break, from flanker Luke Pereira, scrum half Salvador Seabra and fly half Rafael Aureille.
Portugal took complete control of the game in the game's final half, adding seven more tries to their tally. Number-eight José Monteiro and fullback Tomás Marques were two of the Portuguese main protagonists, helping their side to kick off their title defence in the best possible way.
The only downside from yesterday’s win was the five missed conversions, a concern for the Lobos to deal with before the semifinals.
Czechia is their next obstacle on the road to the final, after the home team secured a sensational win over Romania.
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A well-oiled Oranje machine
Like Portugal, the Netherlands put on a strong performance, with the U20 Oranje claiming a 60-10 win over Switzerland.
While the Dutch side scored the game’s first try, Switzerland came knocking back, earning 10 points before the 20-minute mark from as Lucas Schmid nailed five from the tee and wing Adrien Zoganas found space out wide to bag his first of the tournament.
Despite being on the losing side, the 2024 runners-up slowly set up camp deep inside Switzerland's half. In under four minutes, tighthead prop Toine Obiang twice marched his way through the Swiss defence, sending his team to the break with a 10-point lead.
Feeling more at ease, the U20 Oranje finally took control and in 40 minutes scored six uncontested tries. Obiang earned a hat-trick, showing why he is seen as one of the best front-rowers of his generation, while Siep Walta, Silve Van Essen, Yanai Janssen and Adar Falan, with two, also added their names to the point scorers list.
Having overcome a worthy opponent, the Netherlands is now set to face Belgium, a familiar rival. Switzerland will contend with Germany in the rankings semifinals.
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Fired up Diables Noirs beat Germany
A strong performance from Belgium has seen them past Germany, with the Diables Noirs recording a 31-07 victory to qualify them for the semifinals.
Fans were treated to a strong start from the two contestants, with neither finding a way into the in-goal area, leaving the match scoreless until the 11th minute. In that moment, centre Oscar Shortall found space on the wing offloading to his scrum half, Benjamin Ruddick, who ended up scoring the game’s first after a sensational fend-off.
From that point onwards, it was all Belgium, as the Diables Noirs bagged two additional tries, going to the break with a 17-point lead.
The Schwarze Adler fought hard to get back in the game and even managed to secure a try in the opening five minutes of the second half, scored by replacement lock Emile Blondin.
However, their comeback was short-lived, as Belgium raised the tempo and unleashed a voracious set-piece, boxing Germany in their own 22 for most of what remained of the second half.
Until the final whistle, the Diables Noirs extended their lead with two more finishes, dotted down by Lindberg Ekendahl and Mathieu Hautier. Fullback Liam Duncan converted both to wrap up a 31-07 win.
The Belgians will clash with their Dutch neighbours, while Germany faces Switzerland in a bid to reach the 5th-place playoff.
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Brave Czechia stage a massive uprise against Romania
Czechia and Romania provided an astonishing showdown, with the hosts claiming a 31-18 win and qualifying for the semifinals for the first time in their history.
The home side executed a smart strategy, securing a 12-point lead before the 25-minute mark following tries from Matej Sehnal and Daniel Komarek.
The young Stejarii clawed back to life, narrowing down Czechia’s lead to one point, thanks to a massive kicking effort from fly half David Balan and a five-pointer from Gabriel Placinta.
Despite the Romanian reaction, Czechia kept their composure and worked tirelessly to recapture a steady lead, which started with a try from captain Krystof Berounsky.
Matej Sehnal proceeded to convert another penalty at goal to increase his team’s lead to an 11-point advantage. Although Romania scored another five-pointer at the 72nd minute, it wouldn’t be enough, as wing Krystof Uchytil came in clutch to secure Czechia’s 4th try.
Czechia now has the chance to create further history next Wednesday, when they meet Portugal at Marketa Stadium.
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By Francisco Isaac
Photos by Martin Flousek
