2014–2016 European Nations Cup Third Division

The 2014–16 European Nations Cup Third Division is the fourth tier of rugby union in Europe behind the Six Nations Championship and the 2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division and the 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division.

2014–16 European Nations Cup Third Division
Date2014–2016
CountriesDivision 3:
 Belarus
 Estonia
 Greece
 Montenegro
 Slovakia
Champions Slovakia (2015)
 Estonia (2016)
Tournament statistics
Matches played8
Tries scored82 (10.25 per match)
Top scorer(s)Estonia Luke Veebel (72)
Most triesEstonia Luke Veebel (11)
WebsiteRugby Europe

Slovakia return from the 2012–14 European Nations Cup Third Division, and are joined by the relegated Greece, as well as Belarus, Estonia and Montenegro. 2012–14 champions, Turkey are promoted to ENC 2D, while Azerbaijan have decided not to compete in this tournament.

Belarus played their first international rugby union match; a qualifier against Estonia, who will also be playing in their first ENC tournament. The winner of this match (Estonia) played in a semi final-final format tournament against Montenegro and Slovakia 2014–2015 title. Greece withdrew from the tournament, and was replaced by a Montenegrin President's XV.[1] The format for the 2015–2016 tournament has yet to be decided.

The best team over the 2014–15 and 2015–16 championships will be promoted to Division 2D of the European Nations Cup for the 2016–2018 cup.[1][2]

Slovakia won the third Division in 2015 by beating Montenegro in the final 31–3. Estonia won the title in 2016 by beating Slovakia in the final 36–29.

2014–15

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Qualifying play-off

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4 October 2014 Estonia   59–12   Belarus Kalevi Keskstaadion, Tallinn, Estonia  
14:00 Try: Luke Veebel 3 (4'c, 26'c, 61'c),
Jaan Lorens 2 (20', 23'c),
Roland Kalso (35'),
Marten Martinson (53'c),
Mark Zuhhovitski (66'c),
Maati Pallas (78'c)
Con: David-Sandro Dzidzadze 6,
Marten Martinson
Team Sheet Try: Ilya Shuhayeu (32'),
Aliaksandr Varabei (80'c)
Con: Dzmitry Shabetsko
Cards: Aliaksandr Varabei   55' to 65',
Artur Zharkevich   59' to 69'
Attendance: 100
Referee:   Alexei Bryzgalin

Finals

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The original format included top seeds Greece, second seeds Slovakia, third seeds and hosts Montenegro and qualifiers Estonia. Greece were drawn against Estonia, and Slovakia against Montenegro. However, after the withdrawal of Greece, all teams moved up one seed, with the Montenegrin President's XV taking Greece's place as fourth seed.

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
11 April 2015
 
 
President XV0
 
14 April 2015
 
  Slovakia82
 
  Slovakia31
 
11 April 2015
 
  Montenegro3
 
  Montenegro29
 
 
  Estonia27
 
Third place
 
 
14 April 2015
 
 
President XV0
 
 
  Estonia106

Semi-finals

11 April 2015 President XV 0–82   Slovakia Bar, Montenegro  
Cards: Bodizar Jonanovic   39' to 49',
Nikola Jocic   65'
Team Sheet Try: Patrick Polenda (3'),
Jan Szkely (7'c),
Pavel Kozubik (12'),
Nicolas Douezi 2 (21'c, 75'),
Martin Mihalik (25'c),
Petr Kalina (32'c),
Sebastian Nase (46'),
Tomas Zelinksky (49'),
Daniel Puha (54'),
Sam Morgan (65'),
Michal Mihalik (67'),
Theo Fouillade (69'c),
Jan Jung (80'c)
Con: Daniel Puha 6
Attendance: 150
Referee:   Killian O'Brien
  Anatol Tipa


11 April 2015 Montenegro   29–27   Estonia Bar, Montenegro  
Try: Dusan Vucicevic (30'c),
Aleksandr Milosavijevic (44'),
Marko Andric (47'c),
Marko Novakovic (74'c)
Con: Srdjan Popovic 3
Pen: Srdjan Popovic (24')
Cards: Nikola Vuletic   80' to 80'
Team Sheet Try: Marten Martinson 2 (8', 20'),
Luke Veebel (51'),
Kullar Veersalu (54'),
Mark Zuhhovitski (58'c)
Con: Marten Martinson
Attendance: 250
Referee:   Nika Amashukeli
  Shota Tevzadze

3rd Place Play-Off

14 April 2015 President XV 0–106   Estonia Bar, Montenegro  
Cards: Vuk Radulj   48' to 58' Team Sheet Try: Kimmo Kokemagi (1')
Luke Veebel (3', 14', 27', 50', 80')
Jaan Lorens (9')
Marten Martinson (12')
Mark Zuhhovitski (16')
Kullar Veersalu (20', 25', 53')
Aivar Lohmus (36', 72')
Kristjan Kotkas (42', 61')
Taavi Ermel (46')
Andre Astre (63')
Con: Kullar Veersalu 4
Marten Martinson 4
Referee:   Killian O'Brien

Final

14 April 2015 Montenegro   3–31   Slovakia Bar, Montenegro  
Team Sheet Referee:   Shota Tevzadze

2015–16

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Finals

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Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
18 May 2016
 
 
  Slovakia29
 
21 May 2016
 
  Belarus17
 
  Slovakia29
 
18 May 2016
 
  Estonia36
 
  Estonia16
 
 
  Montenegro13
 
Third place
 
 
21 May 2016
 
 
  Belarus19
 
 
  Montenegro45

Semi-finals

18 May 2016   Slovakia 29–17   Belarus  
16:00 Team Sheet Attendance: 20


18 May 2016   Estonia 16–13   Montenegro  
18:30 Team Sheet

3rd Place Play-Off

21 May 2016   Belarus 19–45   Montenegro  
12:00 Team Sheet Attendance: 50

Final

21 May 2016   Slovakia 29–36   Estonia  
15:00 Team Sheet Attendance: 200

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "ENC Division 3 – Hosts Montenegro triumph in their first International 15 a side match". Rugby Europe. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  2. ^ "ENC Structure 2014–2016". Rugby Europe. Retrieved 8 September 2014.