The Polish rugby team delivered a resounding performance on February 22, 2025, defeating Croatia 58:27 (32:10) at the National Rugby Stadium in Gdynia. This victory marks their third consecutive win in the Rugby Europe Trophy this season, solidifying their position at the top of the standings.
Entering the match with two previous victories against Lithuania (40:13) and the Czech Republic (22:15), the Polish team was determined to maintain their unbeaten streak. Coach Kamil Bobryk expressed confidence, stating, "We want to play well so the spectators enjoy the match." His fellow coach, Tomasz Stępień, added, "We need to win more matches to return to the higher level," underlining the importance of this fixture.
From the outset, the Polish team demonstrated their prowess on the field. They took the lead early, thanks to the efforts of debutants Bercho Botha and Thomas Toevalu. After securing possession from the scrum, Botha passed to Toevalu, allowing him to break through the Croatian defense and score the opening try within six minutes. Even though Wojciech Piotrowicz's conversion attempt failed, he quickly redeemed himself, scoring three points with a penalty kick shortly after, putting Poland up 8:0.
Although Croatia responded with tenacity, reaching within one point at 7:8 following Toni Milos' try, Poland's focus and skill prevailed. The hosts quickly regained momentum, with flying winger Jędrzej Nowicki scoring two tries by capitalizing on Croatian mistakes. He was joined by Toevalu and Nicolas Saborit, each adding to the score before halftime, leading to Poland’s 32:10 advantage.
The second half saw Croatia attempt to close the gap, with Ivo Peric impressively leaping above the scrum to score another try, making the score 39:15 with Poland still leading. The determined Polish side did not waver under pressure. Notable performances from Piotrowicz, including setting up another try from Kacper Wróbel and contributing tries from Daniel Gdula and Jonathan O'Neill, ensured the victory was comprehensive.
The match drew significant attention, not only for the score but also for the importance of the debutants. Bobryk remarked, "Both players were part of the winning action," highlighting the immediate impact made by Botha and Toevalu. Both debutants showed great potential, giving the Polish team valuable depth as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
Poland's performance not only showcased their skills but also demonstrated their readiness for the remaining fixtures. Following this victory, they will be faced with another challenge on April 5 when they travel to Luxembourg, followed by a match against Sweden on April 11. The latter could potentially determine their standing at the top of the group.
With this impressive victory, the Polish rugby team promises exciting prospects for the future. Fans and supporters are eager to see if the team can continue this momentum and perhaps even reclaim their place among Europe's elite by ascending back to the Rugby Europe Championship.