The U18s Romania side, featuring the Enfield Ignatians’ youth section graduate Erik Nagy, had every reason to feel ecstatic after winning the fifth-place final following a 22-20 nail-biting win over Belgium in the European U18s Championship at the Marketa Stadium, Prague, on November 18.

Drafted-in on the left wing, Erik got 25 minutes game time in a pulsating and technically excellent encounter between two very well drilled sides, and with the lead constantly changing hands, the outcome hung in the balance to the very end.

However, Romania shaded the try count 3-2, and they just about withstood the whirlwind finish of the Belgians, having initially battered their way over via the power of their maul.

Romania’s hooker, Mario Perici, had quite an eventful afternoon. Having powered over for the first try, he was subsequently yellow-carded, before returning to the fray and laying-on two tries for his team-mates.

Eric was introduced to the fray in the 44th minute of the opener, which pitted Romania against Portugal, and one of four quarter finals in the eight-team tournament.

Despite a 22-15 loss, Romania came back strongly on the scoreboard, having initially surrendered the initiative to Portugal, and they lost no caste in defeat as their opponents went on to reach the final in which they were beaten 19-3 by Georgia.

Romania were subsequently pitted against the hosts, the Czech Republic, and, in another nail-biter, they proved the comeback kings after coming from behind to shade their opponents 18-15, having trailed 10-0 at the break.

Erik enjoyed 55 minutes game time in a match, but ultimately the excellence of Romania’s goal-kicker and captain, Antonio Mitrea, proved decisive as he nailed six penalties, which ushered his side into the realms of the fifth-placed final.