2009 Rugby League Results: Morocco’s Euro-Med Title and the Wider Archive
Morocco’s Euro-Med Challenge results and standings, plus all 122 dated fixtures in the surviving September 2009 archive.
Morocco won the 2009 Euro-Med Challenge after defeating both Catalonia and Belgium. Belgium finished second through its victory over Catalonia, which placed third in the three-team competition.
2009 Euro-Med Challenge results at a glance
The tournament comprised three matches between 4 July and 15 August 2009. The archived 2009 international results record gives the following dates, scores and locations:
| Date | Fixture and score | Location | Reported crowd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 July 2009 | Catalonia 6–29 Morocco | Torroella de Montgrí, Spain | Disputed |
| 25 July 2009 | Belgium 28–22 Catalonia | Wavre, Belgium | 400 |
| 15 August 2009 | Morocco 46–12 Belgium | Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers, France | 9,800 |
Morocco took control with a 23-point victory over Catalonia. Belgium then kept its title prospects alive by beating Catalonia by six points in Wavre, but Morocco settled the championship with a 34-point win over Belgium in Béziers.
No definitive attendance should be assigned to the opening match. The three reported figures conflict and are set out in the record notes below.
Final standings: Morocco first, Belgium second, Catalonia third
The published standings correspond to two competition points for each victory. Morocco collected four points from two wins, Belgium earned two and Catalonia finished without a point. The full table is supported by the surviving Euro-Med Challenge competition overview.
| Team | P–W–L | PF–PA | Difference / competition points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 2–2–0 | 75–18 | +57 / 4 |
| Belgium | 2–1–1 | 40–68 | −28 / 2 |
| Catalonia | 2–0–2 | 28–57 | −29 / 0 |
Morocco had both the strongest attack and the best defence in the field. Its 75 points scored were 35 more than Belgium managed, while its 18 conceded were fewer than either rival allowed across the tournament.
Morocco’s +57 points difference was also its combined winning margin. The 29–6 result against Catalonia produced a margin of 23, and the 46–12 victory over Belgium added another 34.
Belgium’s figures reflect two contrasting performances: a narrow win over Catalonia followed by a heavy loss to Morocco. Catalonia ended only one point behind Belgium on points difference despite losing both fixtures.
Why Morocco, Belgium, and Catalonia contested the tournament
The third-party competition overview describes the Euro-Med Challenge as a developmental international rugby league event organized under the Rugby League European Federation framework. It was intended to provide competition for teams from Europe and the Mediterranean, with the field changing as teams moved between events.
According to that overview, Russia, Lebanon and Serbia contested the 2008 edition before moving into the European Nations Cup in 2009. Morocco, Belgium and Catalonia consequently formed the new three-team field, with Belgium and Catalonia reported as making their competitive debuts.
This turnover helps explain the composition of the tournament, but it does not establish an exact formal tier. Surviving descriptions differ over whether the Euro-Med Challenge should be regarded as a second- or third-tier event. Its developmental role is clearer than its position in any fixed European hierarchy.
The matches that decided the title
Morocco opened the tournament by defeating Catalonia 29–6 at Torroella de Montgrí. The winning total comprised five tries, four goals and one drop goal, according to the contemporary Catalonia–Morocco match report.
That report attributes Morocco’s tries to Youniss Khattabi, Brahim Nahri, Abdessamad Rachid, Farid Nicholas and Ilyass Lamarti. Lamarti also kicked four goals, while Osni Kriouache supplied the drop goal. Catalonia’s points came from Christian Pelissier’s second-half try and Albert Homs’s conversion. Spellings and name order vary between the report’s narrative, scoring summary and team lists, so these forms should not be treated as definitive across every surviving record.
Belgium’s meeting with Catalonia on 25 July was much closer. Belgium prevailed 28–22 in Wavre, and the competition overview reports the result as Belgium’s first international victory. It also placed Belgium second in the final order: Catalonia had completed both matches without a win, while Belgium had secured one victory before facing Morocco.
The championship was nevertheless decided directly on the field. Morocco met Belgium at Stade de la Méditerranée in Béziers on 15 August and won 46–12, completing an unbeaten campaign and finishing alone at the top of the table.
Record notes: disputed crowds and similar competition names
The complete tournament results are preserved principally in third-party archival and database compilations rather than in a supplied official governing-body tournament record. The scores and final standings are consistent, but the reported attendance for Catalonia–Morocco is not.
The archived results page records a crowd of 836 for Catalonia–Morocco.
The competition overview instead lists the opening attendance as 1,000 spectators.
The contemporary match report describes a crowd of more than 1,000. None of these records has sufficient authority to resolve the disagreement, making “disputed” the appropriate table entry. The principal supplied records do agree on the reported crowds of 400 in Wavre and 9,800 in Béziers.
Competition naming also requires care. “Euro-Med Challenge” is the clearest and most consistently recognizable title, although the archived results compilation uses the variant “European Med Cup.” That wording is best treated as an alternative archival label rather than evidence of a separate tournament.
Ukraine’s 2009 campaign must not be incorporated into this table. European Rugby League’s official 2009 European C Championship page labels its fixtures as European Bowl games and identifies Ukraine as the European Bowl winner. That was separate from the Euro-Med Challenge contested by Morocco, Belgium and Catalonia.
The broad archived results page is also not a clean index of completed senior internationals. It combines international matches with youth, student, representative, club, trial and tour fixtures, while also listing games that were still scheduled when the page was captured. This account is therefore a focused record of the 2009 Euro-Med Challenge, not a catalogue of every international rugby league result proposed or played that year.
Within that scope, the final order is clear: Morocco went 2–0 and finished first with four competition points, Belgium’s reported first international victory secured second place, and Catalonia finished third. The scores and table align across the principal compilations, while the opening attendance and some player-name spellings remain unresolved.
The wider 2009 results archive
The original page also listed club, student, youth and representative fixtures alongside senior internationals. The expandable table below preserves its dated fixture rows as captured on September 13, 2009. Later fixtures and entries without scores were schedules, not completed results; they remain listed so missing results are visible. Names and reported crowds follow that contemporary record. A dash means the source gave no crowd figure.
The source contains an impossible February 29 date in a non-leap year. That entry is retained as reported rather than silently moved to a guessed date. The Euro-Med attendance disagreement is explained above.
View all 122 dated fixture records
| Date as reported | Fixture as reported | Competition | Location | Reported crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 January | Leeds (18) vs. Salford (12) | Friendly | Jacksonville, USA | 5,000 |
| 7 February | Liban Espoir (38) vs. Presidents XIII (14) | Trial Match | Beirut, Lebanon | 1,000 |
| 14 February | Nthn Pride (38) vs. Papua New Guinea (08) | Friendly | Townsville, Australia | 2,000 |
| 18 February | GB Community (22) vs. France U18 (42) | Test | Blackwood, England | 1,000 |
| 22 February | Harlequins (26) vs. Manly Sea Eagles (34) | Friendly | London, England | 6,000 |
| 22 February | Cook Is Country (22) vs. Cumberland (32) | Tour | Muri, Cook Islands | 1,000 |
| 28 February | South Sydney (18) vs. St George (06) | Charity Shield | Sydney, Australia | 25,871 |
| 28 February | Cook Is City (18) vs. Cumberland (36) | Tour | Muri, Cook Islands | 1,000 |
| 29 February | Leeds University (34) vs. Catalan University (10) | Tour Match | Leeds, England | — |
| 1 March | Leeds Rhinos (20) vs. Manly Sea Eagles (28) | World Club Challenge | Leeds, England | 33,000 |
| 8 March | Samoa (26) vs. Papua New Guinea (18) | Pacific Tr-Nations | Apia, Samoa | 4,000 |
| 19 March | GB Community (16) vs. France A (22) | Test | Wakefield, England | — |
| 27 March | Lancashire (12) vs. Yorkshire (22) | County Cup | Ince Rose Bridge, England | — |
| 3 April | Cumbria vs. Lancashire (Postponed) | County Cup | TBC, England | — |
| 4 April | Ireland Students (21) vs. England Students (16) | Student Home Nations | TBC, Ireland | — |
| 4 April | Wales Students (26) vs. Scotland Students (22) | Student Home Nations | Bridgehouse, Wales | — |
| 7 April | Ireland Students (16) vs. Wales Students (34) | Student Home Nations | Dudley Hill, Ireland | — |
| 7 April | Scotland Students (14) vs. England Students (50) | Student Home Nations | TBC, Scotland | — |
| 10 April | Scotland Students (08) vs. Ireland Students (24) | Student Home Nations | TBC, Ireland | — |
| 10 April | England Students (16) vs. Wales Students (31) | Student Home Nations | Stanningley, England | — |
| 1 May | Scotland A (16) vs. France Federale (16) | Tour Match | Edinbrough, Scotland | 200 |
| 2 May | Yorkshire (34) vs. Cumbria (30) | County Cup | TBC, England | — |
| 2 May | Serbia Country (36) vs. Belgrade City (18) | Origin match | Belgrade, Serbia | 300 |
| 9 May | NSW Country (18) vs. NSW City (40) | Origin Match | TBC, Australia | 8,226 |
| 9 May | Australia (38) vs. New Zealand (10) | ANZAC TEST | Brisbane, Australia | 37,152 |
| 16 May | Moravia (48) vs. Bohemia (32) | Czech State of Origin | Prague, Czech Republic | — |
| 24 May | Germany A (28) vs. Germany B (24) | Trial Match | Karlsruhe, Germany | — |
| 3 June | New South Wales (18) vs. Queensland (28) | State of Origin | Melbourne, Australia | 50,000 |
| 6 June | Morocco (32) vs. Italy (10) | Friendly | Lyon, France | 1,400 |
| 8 June | Tonga (18) vs. BARLA GB (38) | Test Match | Nu'kafoka, Tonga | 200 |
| 13 June | France (12) vs. England (66) | Mid-Year Test | Paris, France | 7300 |
| 13 June | Wales A (42) vs. England A (04) | Home Nations | Bridgend, Wales | — |
| 13 June | Scotland A (22) vs. Ireland A (30) | Home Nations | Glasgow, Scotland | — |
| 13 June | Cardiff Deamons (14) vs. Ireland Development (22) | Friendly | Glasgow, Ireland | — |
| 17 June | Samoa (20) vs. BARLA GB (16) | Test Match | Apia, Samoa | 7000 |
| 17 June | Ukraine (20) vs. BARLA U23 (38) | Test Matches | Kharkiv, Ukraine | 200 |
| 19 June | France B (18) vs NCL Eagles (18) | Tour Match | Pallau, France | — |
| 20 June | Vereya (22) vs. BARLA U23 (36) | Friendly | Moscow, Russia | — |
| 20 June | Catalonia (52) vs. Czech Republic (10) | Friendly | Barcelona, Spain | 2000 |
| 21 June | Morocco (16) vs. NCL Eagles (8) | Tour Match | Beziers, France | — |
| 24 June | New South Wales (14) vs. Queensland (24) | State of Origin | Sydney, Australia | 80,459 |
| 24 June | South Africa A (22) vs. British Army (39) | Tour Match | Pretoria, South Africa | 1000 |
| 26 June | South Africa (34) vs. British Army (38) | Test Matches | Pretoria, South Africa | — |
| 26 June | United Arab Emirates (16) vs. Lebanon (6) - Abandoned | Tour Match | Dubai, UAE | — |
| 27 June | Fiji (18) vs. BARLA GB (16) | Test Match | Suva, Fiji | 3000 |
| 27 June | Bayern (58) vs. Rest of Germany (38) | State of Origin | Nürnberg, Germany | 100 |
| 28 June | United Arab Emirates (34) vs. Lebanon Espoirs (10) | Tour match | Dubai, UAE | — |
| 30 June | Northern Bulls XIII (32) vs. British Army (24) | Tour Match | Pretoria, South Africa | 1000 |
| 30 June | Cook Islands (20) vs. Australian Affiliated States (38) | Test Match | Arorangi, Cook Is | — |
| 1 July | Fiji Bati (30) vs. BARLA GB (26) | Test Match | Lautoka, Fiji | 5000 |
| 2 July | Cook Islands (10) vs. Australian Affiliated States (18) | Test Match | Arorangi, Cook Is | — |
| 4 July | Catalonia (06) vs. Morocco (29) | Euro Med | Toroella de Motrigi, Spain | 836 |
| 4 July | Czech Republic (30) vs. Germany (04) | European Shield | Olomouc, Czech Republic | 100 |
| 5 July | Dutch City (16) vs. Dutch Country (40) | Dutch Origin | Rotterdam, Holland | — |
| 5 July | Norway (00) vs. British Pioneers (24) | Test Match | Oslo, Norway | — |
| 11 July | Wales A (32) vs. Scotland A (12) | Home Nations | TBC, Wales | — |
| 11 July | England A (28) vs. Ireland A (12) | Home Nations | TBC, England | — |
| 11 July | Italy (38) vs. Czech Republic (08) | European Shield | Jesolo, Italy | — |
| 11 July | Dutch City (22) vs. Dutch Country (78) | Dutch Origin | Rotterdam, Holland | — |
| 15 July | Queensland vs. New South Wales | State of Origin | Brisbane, Australia | 52000 |
| 18 July | United Arab Emirates (20) vs. Saddleworth Rangers (64) | Tour Match | Dubai, UAE | — |
| 18 July | Germany (30) vs. Italy (42) | European Shield | Hürth, Germany | 250 |
| 18 July | South Africa (12) vs. Australian University (44) | Test Match | Potchefstroom, South Africa | 250 |
| 19 July | GB Community Lions (46) vs. Pakistan GB XIII (00) | Friendly | Bradford, England | 9486 |
| 22 July | Papua New Guinea (64) vs. Fiji (10) | Test Match | Mt Hagen, Papua New Guinea | 5000 |
| 22 July | South Africa A (06) vs. Australian University (52) | Tour Match | Potchefstroom, South Africa | 300 |
| 24 July | Latvia (06)vs. Ukraine (40) | Euro Bowl | Riga, Latvia | — |
| 25 July | Papua New Guinea (14) vs. Fiji (02) | Pacific Tri Nations | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | 6000 |
| 25 July | Tuks Bulls (14) vs. Australian University (62) | Tour Match | Pretoria, South Africa | 100 |
| 25 July | Belgium (28) vs. Catalonia (22) | Euro Med | Wavre, Belgium | 400 |
| 26 July | Ukraine (86) vs. Estonia (00) | Euro Bowl | Riga, Latvia | — |
| 5 August | Northern Territory (12) vs. GB Community Lions (18) | Tour Match | Darwin, Australia | 3000 |
| 7 August | Netherlands XIII (36) vs. Oxford Old Boys (36) | Tour Match | Nootdorp, Netherlands | — |
| 8 August | Western Australia (14) vs. GB Community Lions (36) | Tour Match | Perth, Australia | — |
| 8 August | Estonia (04) vs. Latvia (74) | Euro Bowl | Tallin, Estonia | — |
| 8 August | Ireland A (28) vs. Wales A (26) | Home Nations | TBC, Ireland | — |
| 8 August | England A (24) vs. Scotland A (40) | Home Nations | Bridgehouse, England | — |
| 8 August | Belgium (82) vs. Germany A (10) | Friendly | Wavre, Belgium | 200 |
| 12 August | South Australia (06) vs. GB Community Lions (48) | Tour Match | Adelaide, Australia | — |
| 15 August | Morocco (46) vs. Belgium (12) | Euro Med | Beziers, France | 9800 |
| 15 August | Brit. Pakistan XIII (22) vs. Nth Counties Police XIII (24) | Friendly | Spotland, England | — |
| 16 August | Australia Scoolboys (60) vs. GB Community Lions (00) | Test Match | Canberra, Australia | — |
| 18 August | Wales (00) cs. England (44) | Euro Cup U16 | Belgrade, Serbia | — |
| 18 August | Euro Celts (12) vs. Scotland (46) | Euro Cup U16 | Belgrade, Serbia | — |
| 20 August | Catholic High Schhols (26) vs. GB Community Lions (24) | Tour Match | Sydney, Australia | — |
| 20 August | France (54) vs. Wales (18) | Euro Cup U16 | Belgrade, Serbia | — |
| 20 August | Serbia (08) vs. Euro Celts (34) | Euro Cup U16 | Belgrade, Serbia | — |
| 22 August | Denmark (26) vs. Norway (28) | Friendly | Copenhagen, Denmark | 50 |
| 22 August | England (22) vs. France (14) | Euro Cup U16 | Belgrade, Serbia | — |
| 22 August | Scotland (26) vs. Serbia (16) | Euro Cup U16 | Belgrade, Serbia | — |
| 23 August | Australia Scoolboys (66) vs. GB Community Lions (18) | Test Match | Sydney, Australia | — |
| 19 September | Cook Islands vs. Australian Fiji Bati | Friendly | TBA, TBA | — |
| 26 September | Papua New Guinea vs. Australia | Test Match | Port Moresby, PNG | — |
| 4 October | Jamaica vs. USA | Test Match | TBC, TBC | — |
| 9 October | Samoa vs Cook islands | Pacific Cup Qualifier | Queensland, Australia | — |
| 10 October | Malta vs. Italy XIII | Mediteranean Cup | Sydney, Australia | — |
| 10 October | Greece vs. Portugal | Mediteranean Cup | Sydney, Australia | — |
| 10 October | New Zealand A vs. Samoa A | Friendly | Auckland, New Zealand | — |
| 14 October | Tonga vs. New Zealand | Test Match | Rotorua, Tonga | — |
| 16 October | Fiji vs. Samoa/Cook Islands | Pacific Cup | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | — |
| 17 October | Papua New Guinea vs. Tonga | Pacific Cup | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | — |
| 17 October | Wales vs. England | Friendly | Bridgend, Wales | — |
| 17 October | 3/4 Play off | Mediteranean Cup | Sydney, Australia | — |
| 17 October | Final | Mediteranean Cup | Sydney, Australia | — |
| 17 October | Russia vs. Scotland | European Cup | Moscow, Russia | — |
| 17 October | Ireland vs. Serbia | European Cup | Dublin, Ireland | — |
| 24 October | 3 / 4 Play off | Pacific Cup | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | — |
| 24 October | Final | Pacific Cup | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | — |
| 24 October | Australia vs. New Zealand | Four-Nations | London, England | — |
| 24 October | England vs. France | Four-Nations | Doncaster, England | — |
| 24 October | Lebanon vs. Russia | European Cup | Beirut, Lebanon | — |
| 25 October | Serbia vs. Wales | European Cup | Smederevo, Serbia | — |
| 31 October | France vs. New Zealand | Four-Nations | Toulouse, France | — |
| 31 October | Scotland vs. Lebanon | European Cup | Glasgow, Scotland | — |
| 31 October | Wales vs. Ireland | European Cup | Pontypridd, Wales | — |
| 1 November | England vs. Australia | Four-Nations | Wigan, Emgland | — |
| 7 November | New Zealand vs. England | Four-Nations | Huddersfield, England | — |
| 7 November | Australia vs. France | Four-Nations | Paris, France | — |
| 8 November | 5/6 Play off | European Cup | Bridgend, Wales | — |
| 8 November | 3/4 Playoff | European Cup | Bridgend, Wales | — |
| 8 November | Final | European Cup | Bridgend, Wales | — |
| 14 November | Final | Four-Nations Final | Leeds, England | — |
Source: Rugby League International Scores, archived September 13, 2009.