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Rugby League In Serbia





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THE NATIONAL TEAM

The National Team, which represents Serbia and Montenegro, has competed in the Rugby League Mediterranean Cup in both 2003 and 2004 .

In 2005 they also participated in a three-way qualification tournament for the Rugby League European Nations Cup with The Netherlands and Gerogia .


HISTORY

Rugby league was introduced into Serbia in 1953 , by then secretary of the Yugoslavan Sport Association , Dragan Marsicevic . The first rugby league match in Serbia was held in Belgrade on Novermber 26 , 1953, between French students and Selection Province. The game was part of an attempt by the French Rugby XIII Federation to stimulate interest in the sport in Serbia.

The first rugby league club formed in Serbia was Partizan, on November 1 , 1953, followed a couple of months later by Radnicki. The two teams played their first match on April 26 , 1954 , with Partizan winning 21-11. In 1961 , the Yugoslav National Team played their first and only match against a French amateur XIII, with the team going down 13-0.

Rugby league officially returned to Serbia in 2001 , with the formation of the Serbian Rugby League Federation. Journalist Slavisa Milenkovic was voted in as president of the new federation. The inaugural Serbian Rugby League Championship was held on November 10 , featuring teams from Belgrade, Morava , Novi Sad and Krusevac . Belgrade's Dorcol team won the event.

Champion of season 2005 is Dorcol from Belgrade.


REFERENCES