Rugby League European Championship B

Last updated
European Championship B
Current season, competition or edition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2025 Rugby League European Championships
Sport Rugby league
Founded2006;19 years ago (2006)
Organising body European Rugby League
No. of teams6
Country Europe
Most recent
champion(s)
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia (4th title)
Most titlesFlag of Serbia.svg  Serbia (4 titles)
Level on pyramid2
Promotion to European Championship A
Relegation to European Championship C

The European Championship B (formerly the European Shield), is a rugby league football competition. The competition is organised by the European Rugby League and is the second tier of the European Championship competition. It was first held in 2006 as the Central Europe Development Tri-Nations.

Contents

History

The competition was first held in 2006 under the name of Central Europe Development Tri Nations, with the aim of developing teams in central and eastern Europe. Up until 2009 the competition was made up of only three teams, until it was expanded in 2010 to six teams split into two conferences - East and West. In 2011 the competition was reverted back to three teams with Norway and Malta making their debuts. The competition was expanded again the year after though with four teams playing in winter between 2012–13. This was repeated again in the 2014–15 edition of the competition and was used for qualification for the 2017 World Cup. The 2018 competition was the last year of its current incarnation after a two-year hiatus. In 2020, it was announced promotion and relegation would be introduced with three teams in each division, expanding to six for 2023, with the top team being promoted and the bottom relegated. [1]

In March 2025, the European Rugby League (ERL) announced the return of the tournament for Euro B, C, and D, with the competition returning to a three team per division competition. Competing nations were reseaded based off Rank, with the 2025 and 2026 tournaments confirmed. The ERL stated its aim to restart Euro A in 2027 following the 2026 Men's Rugby League World Cup, with the top European teams unable to join earlier due to commitments in the qualification tournament for the World Cup. [2]

Team appearances

TeamAppearancesDebutMost recentBest result
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 720062013Champions (2006, 2011)
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 520102020Champions (2007, 2010 West, 2014–15, 2020)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 520102020Champions (2010 East, 2012–13, 2018)
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 420072010Runners-up (2009)
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 420082013Champions (2008, 2009)
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 320102020Runners-up (2014–15, 2020)
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 120062006Runners-up (2006)
Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 120062006Third place (2006)
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 120102010Third place (2010 East)
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 120112011Runners-up (2011)
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 120112011Third place (2006)
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 120182018Runners-up (2018)

Results

YearChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth placeNumber of teams
2006
Details
Flag of Germany.svg
Germany
Flag of Austria.svg
Austria
Flag of Estonia.svg
Estonia
3
2007
Details
Flag of Serbia.svg
Serbia
Flag of Germany.svg
Germany
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Czech Republic
3
2008
Details
Flag of Italy.svg
Italy
Flag of Germany.svg
Germany
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Czech Republic
3
2009
Details
Flag of Italy.svg
Italy
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Czech Republic
Flag of Germany.svg
Germany
3
2010
Details
WestFlag of Serbia.svg
Serbia
Flag of Germany.svg
Germany
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Czech Republic
3
EastFlag of Russia.svg
Russia
Flag of Ukraine.svg
Ukraine
Flag of Latvia.svg
Latvia
3
2011
Details
Flag of Germany.svg
Germany
Flag of Malta.svg
Malta
Flag of Norway.svg
Norway
3
2012–13
Details
Flag of Russia.svg
Russia
Flag of Italy.svg
Italy
Flag of Serbia.svg
Serbia
Flag of Germany.svg
Germany
4
2014–15
Details
Flag of Serbia.svg
Serbia
Flag of Russia.svg
Russia
Flag of Italy.svg
Italy
Flag of Ukraine.svg
Ukraine
4
2018
Details
Flag of Russia.svg
Russia
Flag of Spain.svg
Spain
Flag of Serbia.svg
Serbia
3
2021
Details
Flag of Serbia.svg
Serbia
Flag of Ukraine.svg
Ukraine
Flag of Russia.svg
Russia
3

Summary

TeamChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth place
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 4 (2007, 2010 West, 2014–15, 2020)1 (2018)
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 3 (2010 East, 2012–13, 2018)1 (2014–15)1 (2020)
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2 (2008, 2009)1 (2012–13)1 (2014–15)
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2 (2006, 2011)3 (2007, 2008, 2010 West)1 (2009)1 (2012–13)
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 1 (2009)3 (2007, 2008, 2010 West)
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 2 (2010 East, 2020)1 (2012–13)
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 1 (2006)
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 1 (2011)
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1 (2018)
Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 1 (2006)
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 1 (2010 East)
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1 (2011)


See also

Notes

    References

    1. "Men's European Rugby League Championships expanded in 2020". Rugby League Planet.
    2. https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/2510/three-tier-mens-european-rugby-league-ch