Youth International Matches (Male)

Sun 10th May 2026   - KO  10:30 - Alcoa, Farsund , Norway
Official: Joseph Rago (Norway)

Norway U17M

30

FT

8

Half Time
12 - 4

Montenegro U17M

Tries

Goals

Match Preview: Norway and Montenegro announce U17 squads for international clash

Norway and Montenegro have announced their squads for an U17s international to be held on Sunday 10 May in Farsund, south west of Oslo, at the Alcoa sports facilities (kick off 10.30am, local time).

The match marks a second meeting between the sides who clashed in Serbia in 2025 as U16s at the Belgrade Trophy, Norway winning 32-0 on that occasion.

“We're delighted to be welcoming the Montenegro U17s,” said Rugby League Norge president, Anne Haigh. “We are hoping for an equally enjoyable match to give our youth players some valuable game time and look forward to showcasing Norway as a touring destination.

“I am sure that the Montenegro team will enjoy their experience and we can continue to build on this partnership between our two national federations."

The visitors draw their squad from two established clubs, Jadran based in the city of Herceg Novi and Arsenal who play in Tivat, and will be coached by Aljosa Marinković assisted by Srđan Popović and Elvira Beris.

President of Montenegro Rugby League, Igo Adzaip, stated: “We are very pleased to be taking the Montenegro U17s team to Norway for an historic tour. We enjoyed the game against them last year and are very much looking forward to giving the players further touring experience and helping them to develop. I am sure it will be a good game, and I am very grateful to Rugby League Norge for hosting us."

Norwegian referee Joseph Rago will take charge of the fixture.

Norway U17 Squad
Oskar Berghom, Richard Lui Buch, Yazan Faraj, Elias Gradert, Markus Mikalsen, Hjalmar Birkeland Olsen (Farsund Bobcats), Joel Røhrs (Horten Rugby Club), Alfred Brattli, Odin Martinsen (Lillestrøm Lions), Sebastian Båtnes (Porsgrunn), Victor Blackburn (Sandefjord), Valentin Mjølhus, Leander Nesvik, Simon Tjemsland (Sandnes Raiders), Jack Balls, Timur Liman (Stavanger Rugby Club)

Montenegro U17 Squad
Balša Čolaković, Ognjen Giljača, Stefan Janjić, Petar Popović (Arsenal), Luka Andrijašević, Matija Cicak, David Čubranović, Nemanja Đurđevac, Vuk Đuretić, Serafim Mitskevich, Todor Nikčević, Luka Novaković, Marko Radović, Neđo Radović, Luka Šimunović, Vasilije Stojanović, Nikola Supić (Jadran)

 

8 May 2026
MATCH REPORT: Norway U17M take a 30-8 victory over Montenegro in Farsund

A hat trick of tries from fullback Richard Lui Buch was the highlight as Norway U17s defeated Montenegro 30-8 in Alcoa, Farsund.

“I was impressed with the performance, it was a hard game,” said Norway U17s coach Lars Haigh. “Montenegro were a big physical team but our try line defence was immense. In attack we were a little bit basic but we can work on that. I’m very happy overall.”

He added: “We had a few standout players, Timur Liman seemed to be involved in every tackle, Leander Nesvic was going very well until he was injured and of course Richard Lui Buch was excellent. We are hoping to play a further game this year at this age group, we’ll train a few more times, but the aim is to continue to improve these players and increase the pool for the national teams.”

Prop Nesvic opened the scoring after 17 minutes, the hosts having repelled early Montenegro pressure, Lui Buch adding to their advantage, Yazan Farjan converting both in a faultless kicking display.

The visitors hit back when Nemanja Durdevac powered through the middle to find the line, Stefan Janjić unable to convert, leaving it 12-4 at the break.

Montenegro capitalised on a Norwegian error from the restart, hard-working Vasilije Stojanović going over but Lui Buch halted any hopes of a comeback, leaping out of dummy-half to add his second try.

Sustained pressure saw the visitors camped out on the Norwegian try line for much of the remainder of the half until a pressure relieving penalty allowed Lui Buch to claim his treble. A final score for Norway saw Hjalmar Birkeland Olsen go over as the whistle sounded, Farjan adding his fifth conversion as the last act of an entertaining game.

Montenegro U17s coach, Aljosa Marinković, noted: “There is an obvious difference in experience between the two sides. Norway knew how to finish near the try line whereas we got a bit excited and we have to do like Norway and play a little bit more with the brain.

“I was very pleased with everybody, they gave their best but especially with the performances of Vasilije Stojanović and Luka Šimunović who have come back into the side. We need to play as many games as possible, and over the next two years we are aiming to play in the European U19s Championships.”

NORWAY 30
Richard Lui Buch, Elias Gradert, Simon Tjemsland, Hjalmar Birkeland Olsen, Afred Brattli, Yazan Faraj, Timur Liman, Odin Martinsen, Markus Mikaelsen, Leander Nesvic, Jack Balls, Oskar Ousdal Berghom, Valentin Mjølhus
Interchanges: Joel Røhrs , Sebastian Båtnes, Victor Blackburn

Tries: Nesvic (17), Lui Buch (21, 50, 76), Birkeland Olsen (80)
Goals: Farjan 5/5

MONTENEGRO 8
Vuk Đuretić, Luka Andrijašević, Serafim Mitskevich, Luka Novaković, Nikola Supić, Todor Nikčević, Stefan Janjić, Neđo Radović, Marko Radović, Matija Cicak, David Čubranović, Nemanja Durdevac, Ognjen Giljača
Interchanges: Vasilije Stojanović, Luka Šimunović, Petar Popović, Nemanja Dedovic

Tries: Durdevac (26), Stojanović (41)
Goals: Janjić 0/2

Referee: Joseph Rago (Norway)

10 May 2026