The Rugby Europe women’s Trophy Series overall winners are Türkiye with Poland being the men’s champions for 2025.
Both sides had won in the first leg in Makarska in Croatia earlier this month and, over the weekend, backed it up with wins in the second leg in Chișinău in Moldova.
In the women’s event, Türkiye finished first overall on 40 points with Denmark second on 36 points and Ukraine third on 30 points. Türkiye will be back in Championship Series only one season after relegation, while Danish team will join the Top level competition for the first time ever.
In Chișinău in the second leg, Türkiye, Denmark and Ukraine wo three out of three in the group stages to top their pools in the 12-team event.
Denmark, Hungary, Türkiye and Ukraine then won quarter-final ties and, in the first semi-final, Denmark got the better of Hungary 22-0.
In the second semi-final, Türkiye got the better of Ukraine 26-5 to set up a repeat of the first leg final versus the Danes.
This time Türkiye again had the upper hand with a 24-12 triumph sparking celebrations.
Hungary took third in the tournament by edging out Ukraine 19-17 while Norway were fifth, Romania sixth, Moldova seventh, Austria eighth, Switzerland ninth, Latvia 10th. Finland 11th and Slovakia 12th are relegated to Conference division.
In terms of the men overall, Poland finished first on 40 points, Ukraine finished second on 36 points and Romania finished third on 32 points.
In the men’s event in Chișinău, Poland, Ukraine and Latvia all won three from three in their pools in the 12-team event. Poland and Ukraine will play in Championship Series next season.
Denmark then pushed Poland before the latter won the quarter-final tie 26-17 with Türkiye, Ukraine and Romania also winning last eight ties.
Poland were then on form in the first semi-final to defeat Türkiye 22-0 and Ukraine were on fire to see off Romania 62-7.
That result gave Ukraine some hope that they could avenge their final defeat to Poland from Makarska, but once again Poland had just enough to win this one 21-14.
Romania defeated Türkiye 17-10 to take third place with Latvia fifth, Denmark sixth, Moldova seventh, Croatia eighth, Switzerland ninth, Norway 10th Luxembourg 11th and Hungary 12th. This last team will play in Conference division next season
By Gary Heatly
Photos by Travis Prior
