Serbia honour Stojiljkovic with 28-16 triumph against Czech Republic

Serbia dedicated their 28-16 defeat of Czech Republic to former international and Partisan Belgrade player Mihaljo Stojiljkovic, who tragically passed away recently.

Stojiljkovic's brother, Starhinja, was named vice-captain, and he was a try scorer just before the break to give the visitors a narrow 12-6 lead after man-of-the-match Enis Bibic scored their opening touchdown.

Two tries at the beginning of the second half from Radniki Nis winger Aleksandar Stojanovic saw Serbia emerge victorious in 33-degree heat at the Městský Stadion in Krupka.

Serbia head coach Darren Fisher commented: “It was very competitive especially in the first half, we knew we had to settle and improve our completion rates and that proved to be the difference.

"We made special mention to Starhinja after his loss - the win was for him and his family.

“We travelled for 18 hours by bus to get here but we will continue our journey across Europe to help assist in the growth of the game, the Czech’s have been great hosts.“

Czech Republic got off to the perfect start, with second-rower David Belohlavek crossing in the opening minute.

It looked like the hosts might cause an upset when prop Tomas Adamec went over on the hour but they conceded straight after, although they finished strongly.

Head coach Petr Sedina said: “The game was played in great spirit, we made too many errors which cost us in the end. Serbia took their chances when given an opportunity, however, this is the level we want to play at so that we can learn and develop.“

CZECH REPUBLIC 16

Dominik Fiser, Oldrich Chrbolka, Roman Richtr, Antonin Berk, Jakub Tichy, David Vesely, Jakub Hudrlik, Tomas Adamec, Tomas Ricica, Jaroslav Novotny, David Belohlavek, Matous Svec, Ondrej Preininger. (Subs) Vit Studecky, Matej Soukup, Marek Tejchman, , Jaroslav Bzoch

Tries: Belohlavek (1), Adamec (60), Hudrlik (70). Goals: Hudrlik 2

SERBIA 28

Dzavid Jasari, Aleksandar Stojanovic, Marko Cuk, Luka Ilic, Luka Stosic, Marko Jakovljevic, Aleksandar Markovic, Stefan Novakovic, Mihailo Tomic, Jasmin Bibic, Igor Vratnjan, Starhinja Stojiljkovic, Enis Bibic. (Subs) Nenad Zujic, Velbor Karnovic, Lazar Zivkovic, Stefan Milenkovic

Tries: Bibic (9), Stojiljkovic (37), Stojanovic (48, 56), Cuk (61). Goals: Markovic, Jasari 3

Half time: 6-12

Referee: Misa Vakadranu