: Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:01 am  

lpage wrote:

I don't understand why there are "international" games with Catalonia. Is there a refusal to build a Spanish team? The use of the term international is a bit questionable and seems to me like making a political point about Catalonia being a country. What's your views?

It's not that there is a refusal to build a Spanish team, there IS no rugby league in Spain.
In other sports like water polo and roller hockey the vast majority of the Spanish national team is made up of Catalans and despite political efforts the governing bodies refuse to accept a Catalonia team.
I've lived in Spain and Catalonia and to me personally they feel like two different places. I know, work and live with Catalans and most of them don't consider themselves to be Spanish.
At the end of the day you had two teams from different countries and in my opinion that qualifies as international.

[John_D]

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:57 pm  

Here's your match report

Here's your match report

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:17 pm  

John_D wrote: Here's your match report I can't believe you nominated Elima as your man of the match after a shocking attack on Monaghan's head. Anyway, moving on... the Catalans fans were a pleasure to be around all weekend and helped make it an unforgettable trip. Thanks folks.

John_D wrote: Here's your match report I can't believe you nominated Elima as your man of the match after a shocking attack on Monaghan's head. Anyway, moving on... the Catalans fans were a pleasure to be around all weekend and helped make it an unforgettable trip. Thanks folks.

[John_D]

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:44 pm  

More

More

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:04 pm  

We WON!!!!

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:15 pm  

Leeds_Wire wrote:

I can't believe you nominated Elima as your man of the match after a shocking attack on Monaghan's head.

Elima has been "cautioned" by the RFL for the assault, so I should take back what I wrote.

Fakir however is up before the disciplinary for the high tackle on King.

[John_D]

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:16 pm  

Leeds_Wire wrote:

I can't believe you nominated Elima as your man of the match after a shocking attack on Monaghan's head.

Nowhere near his head.


Well, quite near, but completely legit so far as I saw it at the time and on all subsequent replays.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:31 pm  

John_D wrote:

Nowhere near his head.


Well, quite near, but completely legit so far as I saw it at the time and on all subsequent replays.

Fair do's John. I have retracted what I said (albeit slightly mischievously) but it was right in front of us and it looked bad. Monaghan was clearly targeted all through the game and some of the shots were borderline violence.

Happy to hold my hands up though and admit I possibly got that one wrong - however why the caution from the RFL?

Sorry to go on a bit but its a genuine question...

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:09 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

It's not that there is a refusal to build a Spanish team, there IS no rugby league in Spain.
In other sports like water polo and roller hockey the vast majority of the Spanish national team is made up of Catalans and despite political efforts the governing bodies refuse to accept a Catalonia team.
I've lived in Spain and Catalonia and to me personally they feel like two different places. I know, work and live with Catalans and most of them don't consider themselves to be Spanish.
At the end of the day you had two teams from different countries and in my opinion that qualifies as international.

I see. I think it'd be great at some point to have a Spanish team (if the RL game spread to the whole country). Anyway, congrats for this first victory.

French fans have started talking about having a Barcelona team in LER, perhaps as a stepping stone for CC. I think it's a great idea, but I am not sure if people in Barcelona would be interested. Any idea?

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:16 pm  

John_D wrote:

Nowhere near his head.


Well, quite near, but completely legit so far as I saw it at the time and on all subsequent replays.

May look legit on video, but Elima clearly targeted Monhagan. The fact to come back a second time is more than borderline. Some think that he wanted to avenge Baile who got a punch from Monhagan. In any case I found his behaviour inappropriate. This adds to a long list of penalties... Elima is I think the most penalised players of the Dragons with 19 penalties!