Serbia national rugby league team

Last updated
Serbia
Serbia national rugby league team logo.png
Team information
NicknameWhite Eagles (Beli orlovi)
Governing body Serbian Rugby League
Region Europe
Head coachDarren Fisher
Captain Stevan Stevanović
Most caps Dalibor Vukanović (34)
Top try-scorerStevan Stevanović (26)
Top point-scorerDalibor Vukanović (207)
Home stadium Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
IRL ranking 11th
Uniforms
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Team results
First international
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 102–0 Serbia  Flag of Serbia (1992-2004).svg
(19 October 2003)
Biggest win
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 6–90 Serbia  Flag of Serbia.svg
(22 April 2011)
Biggest defeat
Flag of France.svg  France 120–0 Serbia  Flag of Serbia (1992-2004).svg
(22 October 2003)

The Serbia national rugby league team represents Serbia in the sport of rugby league football. They have competed in international competition since 2003 under the administration of the Serbian Rugby League.

Contents

They are coached by Englishman Darren Fisher, and captained by Stevan Stevanović.

History

1950s–1960s

Rugby League was first played in Serbia in 1953 when it was introduced by Dragan Marsicevic, secretary of the Yugoslav Sport Association.[ citation needed ] Two French teams toured later that year, and in 1954 the clubs Partizan and Radnički were formed. These clubs played their first match on 26 April 1954. In 1961 a Yugoslav Rugby League team played its only game against a French Select XIII team in Banja Luka. The French team won 13–0. The sport died out soon afterwards due to the communist regime banning the sport.[ citation needed ]

2000s

The rebirth of Serbian Rugby League Federation was on 10 November 2001 with the new federation been formed. There is now an eight team domestic competition between Dorcol Spiders, Morava Cheetahs, Red Star Belgrade, Belgrade University, Radnički Nova Pazova, Tsar Lazar, Soko, Stari Grad, and Niš.

Serbia has participated in the Mediterranean Cup competition in 2003 and 2004. Serbia won the 2006 and 2007 Slavic Cup after beating Czech Republic 36–28 in Prague and 56–16 in Belgrade, respectively.

2008 World Cup Qualifying

Serbia failed to qualify for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, losing to Holland, Russia and Georgia in 2006, to be eliminated from the qualification process. Serbia won the 2007 and 2010 European Shield tournaments, by beating both Germany and Czech Republic on both occasions. Serbia took part in then European 2nd tier competition Euro Med Challenge in 2008. After being defeated 4-30 by Russia in Novi Sad and 14-20 by Lebanon in Bhamdoun, Serbs finished third. Serbia was a participant in the 2009 European Cup, having been drawn in a group alongside Wales and Ireland.

2013 World Cup Qualifying

Serbia participated in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers in October 2011. They played games against Italy, Lebanon and Russia, but were defeated in all three matches and so were ultimately unsuccessful in qualification for the tournament.

2014 Balkans Cup

Serbia participated in the inaugural Balkans Cup tournament held in their own country. Serbia finished second in the tournament after a defeat to Greece who had a full squad of Australian born players in the final. [1]

2017 World Cup qualifying

Serbia participated in the qualification for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The first stage of qualifying involved having to finish in the top three in their 2014–15 European Shield competition. During their qualification, Serbia created history after beating Russia for their first ever time on their eighth time of asking. [2]

The final qualification tournament consisted of six teams: the top three teams from the European B tournament, the winners of the European C tournament and seeded nations Wales and Ireland. The tournament featured two groups of three teams playing in a single round-robin format. The winners of each group qualified for the World Cup, while the runners-up faced each other in a play-off match on 5 November 2016 to determine the final spot. A seeded draw took place to determine the groups on 5 November 2015. Serbia were placed in Group A. They took on Wales on 15 October 2016, in Llanelli Wales and Italy in Belgrade on 22 October for a place in the 2017 World Cup. [3]

In the lead up to the World Cup qualifiers, Serbia played Spain in Valencia and ran out 64-4 winners a dominant display in the first ever meeting between these two nations. [4]

In the first World Cup qualifier against a Wales side full of Super League and Championship players, Serbia lost, 50–0, proving that there is still a long way to go but that there was some slight improvement from last time the two nations meet in 2009 when Serbia lost 88–8. [5]

In the second and final game of World Cup qualifying Serbia needed victory over Italy to send them through to a one-game playoff against Russia but lost the game at the Makiš Stadium in Belgrade, 14–62, which was a result against an Italian team with many NRL and English Super League players who were Australians of Italian heritage. [6] On 10 November 2016, 15 years was celebrated since the re-forming of Serbian Rugby League a milestone occasion. [7]

2021 World Cup qualifying

Serbia were eliminated very early in qualifying, but caught a lucky break when Russian Rugby League Federation were disqualified due to internal issues. Serbia reluctantly took Russia's place in the final stages of qualifying but were easily eliminated losing on 26 October 2019 to Scotland 86–0 in Glasgow , then losing the deciding match in Belgrade to Greece on 9 November 2019 by another embarrassing score-line of 6–82.

Coaching history

Also see Category:Serbia national rugby league team coaches.

Current squad

The 19-man national team selected for the match against Ukraine in October 2024: [8]

Competitive Record

Overall

Below is table of the official representative rugby league matches played by Serbia at test level up until 27 October 2024:

OpponentPlayedWonDrawnLostWin %ForAgaDiff
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1100100%504+46
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 2200100%7836+42
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1100100%368+28
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 540175%18682+92
Flag of France.svg  France40040%22284–262
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 20020%2289–67
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 520325%144190–46
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 540180%23861+177
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 1100100%500+50
Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 20020%16106–90
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 8404100%196230–34
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 40040%24282–258
Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 2200100%7650+26
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 30120%30122–92
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 50050%66180–114
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 10010%1218–6
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 920722.22%174236–62
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 10010%086–86
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2200100%8824+64
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 5500100%21850+168
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 30030%8186–178
Total702914041.43%1,6882,320–632

†Includes matches played against the France Espoirs side. [9]

World Cup

World Cup record
YearRoundPositionGPWLD
Flag of France.svg 1954 did not enter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 1957
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 1960
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 1968
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 1970
Flag of France.svg 1972
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of France.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 1975
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 1977
1985-88
1989-92
Flag of England.svg 1995
Flag of England.svg Flag of France.svg Four Provinces Flag.svg Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Flag of Scotland.svg 2000
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2008 Failed to Qualify
Flag of England.svg Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 2013
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 2017
Flag of England.svg 2021
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg 2026
Total0 Titles0/140000

European Championship

European Championship record
Year**DivisionRoundPosPldWDL
2007 B Champions1st2200
2009 A Fifth place5th2002
2010 B Champions1st2200
2012-13 B Third place3rd6204
2014-15 B Champions1st6501
2018 B Third place3rd2110
2020 B Champions1st2200
 Champions    Runners-up    Promoted    Relegated

Balkans Cup

Balkans Cup record
YearRoundPositionGPWLD
Flag of Serbia.svg 2014 Second place2/42110
Flag of Serbia.svg 2017 Champions1/32200
Total1 Titles2/24310

Results

DateScoreOpponentCompetitionVenueAttendance
19 October 20030–102Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 2003 Mediterranean Cup Olympic Stadium, Tripoli
22 October 20030–120Flag of France.svg  France Municipal Stadium, Beirut
25 October 20034–58Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco Olympic Stadium, Tripoli
18 June 200510–26Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2005 European Nations Qualifiers FK Radnički Novi Beograd, Belgrade
24 July 200544–12Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Dinamo Stadium, Tbilisi 8,000
13 May 200610–45Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 2008 World Cup Qualifying – Europe FK Radnički Novi Beograd, Belgrade 500
4 June 20066–44Flag of Russia.svg  Russia FK Radnički Novi Beograd, Belgrade 500
17 June 200626–38Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands , Rotterdam 250
12 August 200634–26Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2006 Slavic Cup Ragbyove hřiště v Edenu, Prague
7 July 200738–6Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2007 European Shield Fritz-Grunebaum Sportpark, Heidelberg 264
18 August 200756–16Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic FK Radnički Novi Beograd, Belgrade 650
20 September 20084–30Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2008 Euro-Med Challenge FK Kabel, Novi Sad 500
5 October 200814–20Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon Municipal Stadium, Beirut 1,000
18 October 20090–82Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 2009 European Cup Spollanstown, Tullamore 295
25 October 20098–88Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales FK Smederevo Stadium, Smederevo 93
8 November 200914–42Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Llynfi Road, Maesteg
17 July 201056–4Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2010 European Shield – West RK Petrovice, Prague 100
July 201040–14Flag of Germany.svg  Germany FK Radnički Novi Beograd, Belgrade 300
22 April 201190–6Flag of Germany.svg  Germany TuS Hochspeyer, Kaiserslautern
30 September 201110–4Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Milan Kosanovic Cup Ada Ciganlija Stadium, Belgrade
16 October 20114–96Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 2013 World Cup Qualifiers - Europe Olympic Stadium, Tripoli
23 October 20116–52Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
29 October 201128–36Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
12 May 201224–25Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2012-13 European Shield Fritz-Grunebaum Sportpark, Heidelberg
6 September 201224–18Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Makiš Stadium, Belgrade 600
22 September 201220–21Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Nara Stadium, Naro-Fominsk
18 May 201346–10Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
25 May 201310–24Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
14 September 201320–32Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Stadio Augusteo, Este
17 May 201440–14Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 2014–15 Rugby League European Championship B Železničar Stadium, Niš 750
21 June 20146–20Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Nara Stadium, Naro-Fominsk
10 September 201445–6Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
17 October 201450–0Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 2014 Balkans Cup Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
19 October 201450–22Flag of Greece.svg  Greece Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
16 May 201520–15Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2014–15 Rugby League European Championship B Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
22 May 20158–68Flag of France.svg  France Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan
20 June 201521–14Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2014–15 Rugby League European Championship B Stadio comunale di Tegilo Veneto, Gemona del Friuli
12 September 201564–4Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Avanhard Stadium, Uzhhorod
5 February 201612–18Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines New Era Stadium, Cabramatta
24 September 201664–4Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Quatre Carreres, Valencia
15 October 20160–50Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
22 October 201614–62Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
8 October 201750–8Flag of Greece.svg  Greece , Belgrade
8 October 201750–20Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria FC Heroj Polet, Belgrade
13 October 201818–36Flag of Russia.svg  Russia , Moscow
20 October 201824–20Flag of Spain.svg  Spain , Belgrade
26 October 20190–86Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Lochinch Sports Ground, Glasgow
9 November 20196–82Flag of Greece.svg  Greece Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
6 June 202150–4Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021 Serbia tour of the Balkans Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg NK Rijeka, Vitez
19 June 202128–16Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Flag of Bulgaria.svg FC Trebich, Sofia
27 June 202122–12Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro Flag of Montenegro.svg FK Arsenal Stadium, Tivat
4 July 202122–12Flag of Albania.svg  Albania Flag of Albania.svg Kompleksi Zmijani, Shkodër ≈100
3 October 202166–10Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2021 European Championship B Flag of Serbia.svg City Stadium, Paraćin ≈500
9 October 202154–18Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Flag of Serbia.svg FK Heroj Polet, Belgrade ≈150
13 May 202340–6Flag of Greece.svg  Greece Friendly Flag of Greece.svg Nea Smyrni Stadium, Athens ≈1,000
27 May 202352–4Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Friendly Flag of Italy.svg Rugby Club Pasian di Prato, Udine
26 August 202328–16Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Friendly Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Městský Stadion, Krupka
25 September 202310–78Flag of France.svg  France Friendly Flag of Serbia.svg FC Obilic, Belgrade
14 October 202310–40Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Friendly Flag of the Netherlands.svg RC Zwolle, Zwolle
17 February 202452–34Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro Friendly Flag of Serbia.svg Stadion u Parku, Tivat
28 September 20246–52Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Friendly Flag of Serbia.svg FC Masinac, Niš
22 October 20240–48Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers Flag of France.svg Stade Albert Domec, Carcassonne
26 October 202450–10Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Friendly Flag of France.svg Stade Municipal, Saint-Estève

IRL Rankings

Official rankings as of July 2025
RankChangeTeamPts %
1Steady2.svgFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 100
2Steady2.svgFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 83
3Steady2.svgFlag of England.svg  England 80
4Steady2.svgFlag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 62
5Steady2.svgFlag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 53
6Steady2.svgFlag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 51
7Steady2.svgFlag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 43
8Steady2.svgFlag of France.svg  France 29
9Increase2.svg 2Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 22
10Steady2.svgFlag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands 22
11Decrease2.svg 2Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 18
12Steady2.svgFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 18
13Steady2.svgFlag of Malta.svg  Malta 16
14Increase2.svg 1Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 14
15Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 13
16Steady2.svgFlag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 11
17Steady2.svgFlag of Italy.svg  Italy 10
18Steady2.svgFour Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 9
19Increase2.svg 5Flag of the United States.svg  United States 8
20Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 8
21Decrease2.svg 1Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 8
22Steady2.svgFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 7
23Decrease2.svg 2Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 7
24Decrease2.svg 1Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 7
25Steady2.svgFlag of Poland.svg  Poland 5
26Increase2.svg 1Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 5
27Increase2.svg 1Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 5
28Decrease2.svg 2Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 5
29Steady2.svgFlag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 4
30Steady2.svgFlag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 4
31Steady2.svgFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 4
32Steady2.svgFlag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 3
33Steady2.svgFlag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 3
34Increase2.svg 22Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 3
35Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 3
36Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 2
37Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 2
38Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 2
39Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 2
40Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 1
41Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 1
42Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 1
43Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1
44Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 1
45Decrease2.svg 1Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador 0
46Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 0
47Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
48Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 0
49Decrease2.svg 1Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg  Solomon Islands 0
50Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Vanuatu.svg  Vanuatu 0
51Increase2.svg 6Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 0
52Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 0
53Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 0
54Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 0
55Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 0
56Decrease2.svg 1Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 0
57Decrease2.svg 7Flag of Niue.svg  Niue 0
Complete rankings at
www.internationalrugbyleague.com

See also

References

  1. "RLEF." www.RLEF.eu.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  2. "RLEF." www.RLEF.eu.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  3. "Wales to take on Serbia in Llanelli". WalesRugbyLeague.co.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  4. "RLEF." www.RLEF.eu.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  5. "Wales overcome Serbia in World Cup Qualifier - Total Rugby League". TotalRL.com. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  6. "RLEF." www.RLEF.eu.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  7. "15 година Рагби 13 федерације Србије - www.ragbiliga.rs". RagbiLiga.rs. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  8. "RLWCQ Finalists Name Squads". European Rugby League. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  9. "Head to Head". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 14 January 2021.