EUROPEAN SHIELD 2012-13 – GAME 7

A hat trick from Dorcol’s outstanding loose forward Stefan Nedeljković saw Serbia register a comfortable win over a gallant German outfit, to move into second place in the European Shield table. There was little between the sides in a tight first half, the hosts scoring 28 unanswered points in the second period, with two-try centre Stevan Stevanović also a handful.

“We prepared a lot for this game,” said Nedeljković. “It was very important for us, we knew a win meant that we would probably stay in this competition. We can now get ready for Russia.” He continued, “We started quite safe with short passes in midfield. In the second half we moved play wider and profited.”

Nedeljković opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a try on the right after Germany had lost possession and then gave away a penalty, Miloš Zogović with his first of seven goals. The score proved doubly costly for the visitors as they lost experienced centre Nick Keinhorst with a leg injury. They did level in the 12^th minute, impressive Jeff Moate making the most of a quick tap penalty and Kristian Keinhorst adding the extras.

Serbia profited from back to back sets to go back in front, stand off Vojislav Dedić on hand to touchdown, Zogović converting. Both sides defended their line well but on the half hour Serbia extended their lead, Vojislav Dedić at the heart, first with a superb wide pass and then a perfect kick on the last pouched by Nedeljković for his second score, Zogović on target again. Germany hit back six minutes before the break, Oxford’s Andy Hoggins with the pass for powerful winger Mawuli Amefia to crash over out wide for an unconverted score to make it 18-10.

Nedeljković completed his try treble nine minutes into the second half, capitalising on a 30 metre run by young second rower Nemanja Božić. Zogović goaled and kicked a penalty when the Germans were pulled up for leading with an elbow when in possession. Hoggins was just put into touch as the visitors threatened and expansive play saw the hosts go up the other end, Stevanović crossing.

The most spectacular score came with 11 minutes left, Zogović fielding a kick in his in-goal and releasing Military Academy winger Radovan Tajsić who beat three despairing defenders on a sensational 100 metre glory run. Serbian skipper Dalibor Vukanović set up their seventh try with a 40 metre run up the middle, Miloš Ćalić on the end of it and, three minutes from time, Stevanović claimed his second score.

Germany’s Andy Hoggins commented, “There are a lot of plusses to take into the Italy game. Our attacking play was good, we were able to get round them but silly penalties and offloads cost us. The Serbians have a strong domestic competition, they were very physical and our defence was not up to scratch at times.”

SERBIA
Miloš Zogović, Radovan Tajsić, Miloš Ćalić, Stevan Stevanović, Nebojša Živanović, Vojislav Dedić, Dalibor Vukanovic, Mile Podkoljnjak, Vladislav Dedić, Vladica Nikolić, Marko Milenković, Nemanja Božić, Stefan Nedeljković, Igor Vratnjan, Strahinja Jevtić, Nemanja Petrović, Mihailo Bošković

GERMANY
Christoph Huber, Mawuli Amefia, Nick Keinhorst, Andy Hoggins, Jonas Burkhardt, Liam Doughton, Kristian Keinhorst, Ben Behr-Heyder, Josh Danzey, Fabrice Fehlmann, Sebastian Roczyn, Jonathan Zerweck, Jeff Moate, Hagen Schmidt, Hanspeter Hora, Jonas Kindler, Sebastian Vermaat