The German national rugby team caused a big surprise at the start of the European Championship.
The team of national coach Mark Kuhlmann defeated the clearly favored World Cup participants Romania after a convincing fighting performance with 30:24 (6:14). The “Black Eagles” took a big step in the race to stay in the league with their unexpected success.
European Rugby Championship: Germany turns game spectacularly
Leo Wolf managed the decisive attempt shortly before the end, and the match winner also kept his nerve during the following increase.
Germany had turned the game around spectacularly on deep ground in Heidelberg after the break, but then the Romanians also came up. The guests took a narrow lead into the final phase until Wolf flew into the ingoal.
Tears after rugby sensation
“It is the proudest moment in my life,” said the new German captain Justin Renc ProSiebenMaxx: “It exceeded all expectations. I’m not checking. I don’t know how we did it. The game plan worked. I can hardly believe it.”
Kuhlmann shed a tear after the game, the first victory over the Romanians since the 2017 European Championship was “special,” said the national coach.
The next opponent is next Saturday in Dessau Portugal (1 p.m.), which surprised at the last World Cup in France and will also be there again in Australia next year. Germany will also face Belgium in Group B at the end.
Whoever takes last place overall in the two-year cycle is determined to be relegated. Germany finished last in the first tournament last year.
