The Krakow tournament in Olympic rugby, although without foreign teams, again turned out to be a fantastic event, full of fast many dynamic and effective actions. The competition for the Cup of Mayor of the City of Krakow was held for the second time and also the host teams won it for the second time. Both in women and men U19 category, the young teams of Juvenia Kraków were unstoppable, while Husar Bolesławiec turned out to be the best in the U16 group.
The Krakow Sevens tournament was meant to be the only opportunity this year to play rugby 7s on international level. Due to the pandemic, all competitions planned for the summer months were canceled, but it seemed that the one in Krakow might come to fruition. As a result, the organizers met with considerable interest from several teams and rugby-strong centers in Europe. Unfortunately, two weeks before the competition, all teams registered had to canceled their arrival due to growing number of infections around Europe. Organizers, to keep the tradition, had to change formula and invite only teams from Poland, including Poland Development and Poland U18 teams.
Young rugby players from Krakow won all matches in the women’s competition. Juvenia impressed with his calm, game arrangement, thoughtful changes of pace and almost perfect defense. Through the morning and afternoon series of games Krakow’s girls moved like a storm, beating both Venol Atomowki Łódź and Rugby Kobiet KS Budowlani Łódź.
The U16 category was the only one in which the Young Dragons did not win the Cup of the Mayor of the City of Krakow. The best team was Husar Bolesławiec, which, despite losing in the first match with Juvenia, then dominated the competition and secured the trophy.
The most interesting was the fight for the triumph in the men’s U19 category. These young players have already left their junior age and are taking their first steps in the senior competition. So it was a priceless opportunity, because this age group rarely has the opportunity to compete with their peers. Juvenia, who won second place in the prestigious Dubai Sevens tournament in December last year, had a lot of work ahead of it. The Cracovians had to face two teams of the Polish national team (U18 and U19).
The matches were extremely fierce and did not disappoint even the most demanding fans. Rugby in the Olympic variant can be effective, and the duels between the Young Dragons and the White and Reds were the best example of this. The younger representatives, although they clearly lost the first match with their older teammates, they unexpectedly won the second match. In the aggregate, however, they succumbed to Juvenia, who confidently defeated the team in both matches (21: 0 and 31: 0). So the duels between Poland Development and the hosts decided about the tournament.
Poland Development won first match. Both teams scored 3 tries in full fierce fight and combined duel game. The national team, however, recorded a set of conversions, while Juvenia only one and thus national team won 21:17. In the second duel, decisive for the fate of the tournament, the hosts were on the top. In the first half, they took the lead 17: 0 and, despite their lack of concetration in the second part, they kept the advantage, winning 17:12.
The tournament for the Mayor of Krakow’s Cup had a one-day format, but friendly matches were also played on Sunday. Juvenia’s girls have neaten twice Venol Atomówki Łódź, and Polska Development, who won first against the U18 team 26: 5, and after another exciting clash, also sent Juvenia away, this time winning 29:19.
It is also worth noting that during the break on Saturday games, a touch game was held, in which a team of Krakow journalists and a team composed of captains of all teams participating in the tournament faced each other. Of course, the young players won, but the media representatives showed that regular training was effective and they constructed several really nice actions finished behind the try line!
