Andorra U18 Rugby Sevens Teams Gear Up for European Championships in Budapest

Andorra's under-18 rugby sevens teams, both men's and women's, are set to compete in Budapest this weekend at the European Championships in the Trophy category. The squads face demanding Group B opponents as they seek to build experience, stay competitive, and defend their level in Trophy 1.

The men's team, coached by Marcelo Ponce, will take on Latvia, Israel, and Moldova. Ponce described the tournament as a significant challenge for a still-developing group, with the primary goal of securing permanency in Trophy 1 after last year's participation. Player Ethan Compan called it a major test given the squad's limited experience in the division, while Dario Rekordi stressed their intent to push for first place rather than settling for mid-table finishes. Israel stands out as the toughest rival, though Ponce cautioned that sevens rugby can shift quickly in any match.

The roster features Ethan Compan, Dario Rekordi, Albert Miralles, Miquel Alberca, Roc Alsina, Anton Calvet, Kilian Rubinos, Daniel Armengol, Tomàs Moreno, Yaël Massignac, Conrad Armengol, and Adrià Lechantre.

The women's side, led by Gerard Giménez, confronts Sweden, Switzerland, and Portugal—formidable foes including last year's Budapest opponent Sweden, noted for its physicality. Players emphasized blending ambition with growth. Laly Moreau highlighted making a tight unit and enjoying the event, while acknowledging a podium spot as an exciting target. Èlia Taulats focused on raising individual levels, gaining confidence from several players' recent minutes with VPC's senior team, and providing security for both veterans and newcomers ahead of potential future senior roles.

The women's lineup includes Èlia Taulats, Laly Moreau, Yaiza Valero, Lucie Vignard, Salma Akaou, Noa Díaz, Lua Garcia, Nihad Ruchdi, Anna Georget, Zoe Alís, and Martina Galera.