Bulgaria vs Serbia

Recap

In the preparation game for the European Championship, the  Serbia U19  met on March 31, 2018 in Sofia against the Bulgarian U19 national team. in front of 300 fans at the ŽTP Stadium Serbia U19s came from behind to register a 26-20 victory.

The hosts led 16-10 at the break, fullback Aleksander Aleksandrov with their historic opening try, the lead doubled by Kostadin Debrenaev in the 20th minute.

Vladimir Milutinović with his first touchdown and a goal responded but Bulgarian stand off Veselin Pekhev extended the home side’s lead, Ilija Krstić going over for the Serbians just before half time to marrow the lead to six points.

Ivan Andrić and a Milutinović goal levelled straight from the re-start, but outstanding Pekhev with his second restored the Bulgarians advantage.

Greater experience saw the visitors, who are preparing for the U19s European Championships later this year, finish the stronger, excellent skipper Milutinović claiming his double and 14 points overall, and back rower Stevan Ivanković with the clinching score.

Serbian RL head coach Nail Biorac comment: “Winning a game in Sofia against a very good Bulgarians boys showed me our team can compete and also come from behind to win. I think the mix of Aussies to the squad will improve the team further and hopefully put us in a good position in the championships.”

Bulgaria U19 – Serbia U19    20-26

Points for Bulgaria: 20 – Tries: Aleksander Aleksandrov (9), Kostadin Debrenaev (20), Veselin Pekhev (30, 48)  Goals: Veselin Pekhev 2/3, Kostadin Debrenaev 0/1

Points for Serbia 26 – Tries: Vladimir Milutinović (25, 56), Ilija Krstić (35), Ivan Andrić (40), Stevan Ivanković (66) Goals: Vladimir Milutinović 3/5

BULGARIA UNDER 19
Aleksander Aleksandro, Hristan Ivanov, Milen Nikolov, Aleks Dokoziev, Devis Beka, Veselin Pekhev, Kostadin Debrenaev, Mladen Mladenov, Dimitar Čanev, Svetlin Petkov, Denis Ivanov, Kiril Atanasov, Dimitar Ananiev, Radostin Drakanov, Stefan Dimitrov, Stefan Milenov, Marin Penev.

SERBIA UNDER 19
Vuk Tomić, Luka Rašković, Aleksandar Štefulj, Dorotej Dado Arnold, Ivan Andrić, Marko Jakovljević, Ilija Krstić, Mihajlo Stoiljković, Mihailo Tomić, Marko Šatev, Marko Makera, Stefan Ivanković, Vladimir Milutinović, Emir Ahmeti, Marko Simović, Mateja Vinš, Uroš Golubović, Matija Prokić, Luka Ivanović