Greece’s women and Turkey’s men were the winners after the double header at the Istanbul Technical University Stadium. The women triumphed 8-4 over Turkey in the opening game of the Euro B Championship southern group, Attica Rhinos winger Velissaria Koutsioumpa with both their tries on her debut, the match decider coming five minutes from time.

Greece women’s coach Stuart McLennan said: “It’s a first win in our second game and we are all really happy. We’ve put a lot of work in over the last couple of months, brought some new players into the squad and seen the rewards. Turkey gave us a good fight, they beat us 40-4 in our first ever fixture in 2019 and we learned a lot of lessons from that and the step up needed to international level. We prepared better and look forward now to facing Serbia’s women next week back in Athens.”

The scores were level at half time, Derya Sanliturk with Turkey’s unconverted try. Turkey coach Julien Treu noted: “It was a great game, undecided until the end. We had 13 new players from last time and defended really well, but we were punished for losing the ball at the end. I expect the girls to get better for Serbia in November and the World Cup qualifiers in 2023.”

TURKEY WOMEN 4
Ozlem Kaya, Derya Sanliturk, Gozde Gor, Aslihan Helvaci, Selin Ardal, Ecem Acıkgoz, Ece Tekin, Hafize Berin Donmez, Nurbanu Yorubulut, Elif Yilmaz, Elif Cinar, Elif Kutlu, Nazife Taskin
(Subs): Meryem Savk, Tugcu Guvenc, Beyzanur Oktay, Nazlican Filiz

Try: Sanliturk (13)

GREECE WOMEN 8
Magdelini Stavrianou, Dimitra Papoutsi, Irene Daslou, Cleopatra Velmachou, Velissaria Koutsioumpa, Antonia Voikli, Sofia-Margarita Kitsaneli, Maria-Anna Lamprou, Maria Avzoti, Maria-Eleni Gkirlemi, Aspasia Stavrianou, Georgia-Fotini Koutsimpogeorgou, Ourania Koutsikou
(Subs): Anna Spatharova, Asimina Mastoraki, Styliani Markou, , Chrysavgi Bakaloumi

Tries: Koutsioumpa (8, 75)

Half time: 4-4

Referee: Stefan Stamenic (Serbia)