European Championship D (Men) : 2025

Sat 18th October 2025   - KO  13:00 - Stadion HZS Královéhradeckého kraje, Czechia , Czechia
Official: Misa Vakadranu (Fiji)

Czechia

10

FT

72

Half Time
4 - 36

Germany

Tries

Jan Zámrský (15)
Vit Studentlky (70)

Eoin Bowie (7,24)
Hagen Schomberg (29)
Shaun Smith (31,75)
George Wood (36)
Josh McConnell (40)
Fabian Kramer (42,56,80)
Angus Ritz-Rahmen (60)
Jimmy Adams (68)

Goals

Ladislav Cintler (1/2)

Brad Billsborough (12/12)

Match Preview: Czechia and Germany name squads for Euro D clas

Czechia and Germany have named their squads for the second game in Euro D, which will be played this Saturday 18 October at the Stadion HZS Královéhradeckého kraje in Hradec Králové (kick off 1pm local time). The hosts are looking for a measure of redemption after their heavy first game loss in Norway, and make a number of changes to their domestic-based nineteen.  

Tomáš Řičica, David Slivka and Jakub Denko miss out, making way for Havlíčkův Brod’s David Šťastník - who could make his debut - Jaroslav Novotný, Filip Daniel Kittl and Martin Naštický.

Czechia head coach, Jakub Hudrlík, commented: “The upcoming game will be very difficult. We are not the favourites; however, we made some replacements in our squad which is now stronger than last week. Furthermore, we also expect the atmosphere of being at home and the support of our fans will drive us toward a greater performance against Germany.”

For Germany, this will be a post-Covid return to competitive action, their last outing coming in Euro C in 2018, as they look to set up a promotion clash at home to Norway next weekend. Their side includes players from the four teams in their domestic competition – Bocks, Panthers, Ritter and Trouts – together with a number of heritage players.

They have continued to play bilateral friendlies in the meantime, with co-head coach, former Super League star Andy Hay, taking on a performance role; Manual Brunner, Hagen Schomberg, Shaun Smith, Josh McConnell, James Adams and William Hoffmeister set to make their debuts.

“Because of the cancellation of the 2025 RL World Cup and the necessary qualifiers, this is our first competitive match for seven years,” said Germany co-head coach Bob Doughton. “We only have five players with experience from then and a number of newcomers. We are really looking forward to the match as it will give us the opportunity to see where we stand on the international stage.”

Czechia Squad
Jiří Brynda, Josef Brynda, Roman Richtr (Barbarians Letohrad), David Šťastník (Havlíčkův Brod), Tomáš Adamec, Ladislav Cintler, Tobiáš Marek, Adam Mikuláš, Jaroslav Novotný (Slávia Hradec Králové), Filip Daniel Kittl, Martin Naštický, Vít Studecký, Daniel Veselý (Dragons Krupka), David Bělohlávek, Jakub Hudrlík, Tomáš Kasík, Kryštof Pecold, Matěj Schejbal,  Jan Zámrský, (Mad Squirrels Vrchlabí)

Germany Squad
Benedikt Esser, Alex Nyahoe, Martin Tormann (Bocks), Shaun Smith (Crigglestone All Blacks), George Wood (Eastern Rhinos), Eoin Bowie (Nambour Crushers), Martin Apostel, Manuel Brunner, Harry Cartwright, William Hoffmeister, Fabian Kramer (Panthers), James Adams (REME RL), Liam Doughton, Dany Doukeng, Angus Ritz-Rahman, Hagen Schomberg, (Ritter), Mawuli Améfia (Trouts), Brad Billsborough (Unattached), Josh McConnell (Wath Brow Hornets)

16 October 2025
1 Šťastník
Full Back
Wood 1
2 Richtr
Right Wing
Kramer 2
3 Kasik
Right Centre
Tormann 3
15 Pecold
Left Centre
Esser 4
5 Kittl
Left Wing
Hoffmeister 5
6 Vesely
Stand Off
Doughton 6
7 Hrdlick
Scrum Half
Billsborough 7
20 Zámrský
Prop
Amefia 8
9 Cintler
Hooker
Cartwright 9
10 Marek
Prop
Ngo 10
11 Studentlky
Second Row
Smith 11
12 Bělohlávek
Second Row
Bowie 12
13 Adamec
Loose Forward
McConnell 19
8 Novotny
Int 1
Adams 14
16 Naštický
Int 2
Nyahoe 15
4 Brynda
Int 3
Ritz-Rahmen 16
18 Schejbal
Int 4
Schomberg 17
14 Brynda
Reserve 1
Brunner 18
Match Report: Germany condemn Czechia to bottom of Euro D pile with 10-72 win

A hat trick from Panthers’ winger Fabien Kramer set up a winner-takes-all finale in Euro D, after Germany won 72-10 against Czechia at Stadion HZS, Královéhradeckého kraje in Hradec Králové. Germany, who scored 12 tries in all, will now face Norway in Hattingen next weekend to see who gains promotion.

Germany co-head coach, Andy Hay, reflected: “It was a tough game, hard fought and the scoreline doesn’t reflect the effort put in by both sides. Neither will have been used to playing in the hot conditions, but it is a great stadium and the Czechs have been very hospitable. 

“Captain Mawuli Amefia has played really well and did an 80-minute stint in the front row. It’s really difficult to know what you’re going to come up against, but it has been great to play a competitive game as we don’t play enough together. We’ll make a few changes ahead of next week’s game against Norway.”

Eoin Bowie, opened the scoring after seven minutes, half back Brad Bilsborough converting on an afternoon when he was perfect with the boot.

The hosts responded when Jan Zámrský powered his way over, but Germany then took control up to the break. Bowie added a second before Hagen Schomberg and second-row Shaun Smith went over as their pack took charge. George Wood continued the German dominance and Josh McConnell added a try to make it 36-4 at the break.

Kramer crossed twice in 14 minutes at the start of the second half, and Angus Ritz-Rahmen went over on the hour mark, Jimmy Adams going in shortly afterwards. 

Czechia rallied and Vit Studentlky rewarded some good pressure to give the home side some consolation, but Germany had the final say as Smith added a second and Kramer completed his treble as the game’s final act. 

“Before the match we knew Germany would be good, but we improved on our performance against Norway,” said Czechia head coach Jakub Hudrlík. “We should be proud of our game today and we’ve put Czechia Rugby League on the next level. We are expecting to schedule a game against Poland soon and will aim to demonstrate this sort of performance then.”

Photo: Petr Flousek

18 October 2025