The Romanian national team was defeated by Spain in the small final of the Rugby Europe Championship 2026, held at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in Leganes. The “Oaks” led at halftime with 11-3, but the hosts reversed the result in the second half of the match, winning 29-23.
The “Oaks”, defeated in Spain. Photo Rugby Romania
The national rugby team had a good first half and even led with 11-0, through the penalty kick converted by Alin Conache (13), the essay succeeded by Damian Bonaparte (28) and the drop goal by Daniel Plai (33), reports Agerpres. Luciano Richardis Gutierrez scored for the hosts from a penalty kick (36), but immediately after the break Conache restored the gap (44), also from a penalty kick.
At 17-10 for us, things went downhill for Romania. With an extra man, Spain authoritatively dominated the second half and scored four tries, through Castro (51), Atorrasagasti (59), Nieto (65) and Molina (70), of which the first three were converted by Richardis. Conache also scored for Romania, from three penalty kicks (56, 68, 75).
In the semifinals, Romania was defeated by Georgia, 53-30, in Tbilisi, while Spain was defeated by Portugal, with a score of 26-7, in Lisbon. Romania played the small final of the competition last season as well, defeating Portugal 21-7 away.
