ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Spain shock Samoa to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics 7s

BY carriag  ·  Wednesday Jun 22, 2016

Spain won a dramatic Monaco Sevens final to secure qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, upsetting Samoa 22-19 to cap off an outstanding weekend of performances in the qualifying tournament.

The Men’s 7s battled it out in the Stade Louis II of Monaco for the honour of taking part in the Olympics, and join the already qualified teams as Olympians.

They included some regulars from the sevens circuit, Canada, Hong Kong and Samoa, and some relative newcomers such as Spain, Ireland and Germany.

Here is a quick overview of how it all happened, including a highlights wrap.

DAY 1:

Kicking off with a bang there were a few upsets on Day 1. From a relatively tough Pool A that contained Ireland, Samoa, Tonga and Zimbabwe, top seeds Samoa lost to Ireland.

That was pretty surprising as Ireland had only this year started to take 7s seriously while Samoa, an experienced 7s side, had been victors in Paris in May of this year.

Meanwhile in Pool B Germany beat Canada, another 7s core team, to take the pool and qualify for the quarter finals. Pools C and D were topped by expected winners Russia and Hong Kong respectively.

DAY 2:

After beating Samoa on the first day Ireland lost the 1st quarterfinal to Spain (7-12), who had finished 2nd in Pool D to Hong Kong. Spain then went on to beat the winners of the 2nd quarter final, Russia (17-12), to reach the final.

On the other side of the draw, Samoa were back in form, despatching Hong Kong (31-12) and seeing off Germany (26-14) to set up the final with Spain.

THE FINAL:

In the final Spain struck first with two tries from Llorens and Jlmenez before Samoa regrouped and returned fire with two of their own to put the score at Spain 12 – 14 Samoa at half time.

After the break Samoa picked up where they left off in the first half with a score from Tuatagaloa. Spain replied, but a missed conversion left it 17-19 to Samoa going into the dying minutes.

But then a wonderful team try finished by Goenaga in the corner ensured Spain, not Samoa, would be heading to Brazil in August.

“I am still trying to take it in,” said Angel Lopez. “This is a dream for us. We are going to be Olympians. We believed that we are good enough, but wow, this is pretty special.

“We now have a month to prepare for Rio 2016. We will be very motivated and determined to do our nation, our family and Spanish rugby proud.”

Congratulations to Spain on making history! We look forward to seeing you at the games.

Highlights of tournament are shown in the video below

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Tickets now on sale as World XV set to face...

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    '60 metres, plus change' - massive drop goal...

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Referee makes 'tackle of the season' as he...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 0 HOUR AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All