An incredible match under floodlights in Brno, Czech Republic, ended after 100 exhausting minutes of rugby in the narrowest of defeats for the Luxembourg U20s rugby team on Wednesday.
The heavily-fancied Czech Republic side have emerged as clear tournament favourites and before the match Luxembourg were given little chance against them by most tournament observers. The Young Lions however fronted up with a most physical approach despite being greatly outsized and considerably younger than the host nation team. With Daniel Ascoli directing play expertly from stand off, Luxembourg stuck rigidly to their game plan to pin the Czechs deep in their own territory, and force errors from the hosts.
Such an approach involves a huge amount of running, but the kick chasers provided just that, with with wingers Maxim Kenens and Stan de Bruyn in particular sprinting up repeatedly to pressure the Czech back three. An injury to influential backrower George Penn did not help the Grand Ducal cause but Luxembourg's pack continued to out-scrummage their larger Czech opponents, unsettling the hosts even further. Luxembourg had worked on improving their defensive line speed and were stopping waves of Czech attacks ahead of the advantage line. Although the Czechs led through a 22nd minute try, two Ascoli penalties meant Luxembourg led 6-5 at the break. This was despite Charel Poppelaars receiving an early yellow card.
When Ascoli made it 9-5 after 46 mins, some in the ground began to sense an upset. The Czechs came thundering back, but Luxembourg kicked them back into their own half, chased hard, and another Ascoli penalty made it 12-5 to a tiring Luxembourg with 27 minutes to go. Enormous Luxembourg defence then ensued, as the Czechs laid siege to the Young Lions' try line. Man of the match Rhys Williams was inspirational in this area.
A scuffle between the forwards then led to the intervention of the Czech touch judge, who inexpllicably recommended two yellow cards - one to a Czech prop and the other to front rower Poppelaars, but this was upgraded to a red card due to his earlier infringement. Replacement forward Jason Ribeiro followed him from the field with another yellow card, leaving Luxembourg with only 13 players for ten minutes. With only six minutes left, the Czechs forced their way over to cut the difference to two points, but a missed conversion meant Luxembourg held onto their lead. Luxembourg again lifted their game and forced a penalty. Ascoli thumped it over and at 15-10 with time running out, an incredible upset appeared to be on the cards. The officials however again intervened and that despite the stadium clock showing almost 47 mins and, after immense Luxembourg defence, the Czechs forced their way in to level the scores at 15-15. The missed conversion would have normally resulted in a drawn game, but a new regulation this year means both teams faced 20 minutes of extra time.
The 14 Luxembourgers grafted hard to get down the field again, but a fourth yellow card - this time to hooker Alex Romao for allegedly sacking a maul meant that the young squad were down to 13 again, and literally out on their feet. Two Czech tries ensured the hosts progress to the final much to the relief of their team, management and supporters. The Luxembourg team's performance and narrowness of the scoreline means they will contest the third place playoff on Saturday against Ukraine.
A fitting end to the evening was supplied on the squad's return to the team hotel, where they were applauded off the bus by the Switzerland team, who had watched the match, and wanted to show their appreciation of the bravery of the young men who represented Luxembourg so impeccably.
Czech Republic U20 22 Luxembourg U20 15
