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The Roma Seven 2008 promises to be even more exciting than ever! The best teams of the Rugby world are back in Rome this year to challenge “gli Azzuri” in the conquest of the Roma Seven Cup. After the spectacular tournament of June 2007 - in which the best Super Clubs in addition to the most renowned clubs in the world of Rugby Seven took part - the challenge is on as the KooGa Wailers of England defend their title.
The most prestigious international rugby teams will attend the tournament. The historical Melrose RFC will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the birth of the Rugby Seven. The aristocratic Penguin International RFC will be present at The Roma Seven for the first time. The Samurai, whose line-up included in former editions the Rugby Seven top-scorer of the world and captain Ben Gollings in addition to R. Thirlby, W. Matthews of the National English Seven and Tim Walsh, formerly the captain of the National Australian Seven.
High-profile international players will again participate in the Seven Kings of Rome 2008, who have had amongst their lines the following players: A. Penelise – the 2007 IRB Player of the Year Award winner; the All Blacks captain, DJ Forbes, J. Nokwe and R. Dazel of the Springbocks.
The 2007 Champions, the KooGa Wailers of England as well as the Comité Cote d’Azur (2007 Seven Kings Plate) have confirmed their attendance. After last year’s amazing performance the impressive British Army will return, the Mauraders will be back as well as the seasoned French Froggies, the National Italian Team and the Argentine Clandestinos. The Fiji team, the Exiles, in addition to a selection of legendary South African Springbocks are expected this year.
“Roma Seven” was conceived to spark the enthusiasm in Rome toward Rugby Sevens, an easy game to catch onto due to its spectacular high impact in addition to its display of worldliness and culture.
Roma Seven 2008 will include top-level teams from five continents representing the best of the rugby seven world.
Fiji Islands: The Fiji Exiles are expected this year. This club is rich in extremely strong national players and is determined to win.
New Zealand: Two Super Clubs have shown interest in returning to Roma Seven this year: NZ Metro, who were present in 2005 and which have won the most Seven championships in the southern hemisphere in addition to coming in second in Hong Kong 2004 and the Maori New Zealander Super Club, the NZ Maori Invitation (semi-finalists at Roma Seven 2005).
South Africa: The return of the most prestigious South African club from Stellenbosch University is expected. This South African club was the 2006 Champion and counts amongst their numerous illustrious international awards the Roma Seven Cup.
Argentina: The Clandestinos is a selection of the best Argentine players from the Italian, French, English and Spanish Championships.
United States of America: The Pacific Coast Grizzlies are the leading team in American Rugby.
Europe: The Clubs that share the continental records such as the defending champions, the KooGa Wailers and the irresistible Samurai, winners of Roma Seven 2003 and 2005, whose Roma Seven 2006 line-up included the star of rugby seven in the world, Ben Gollings; the determined British Army who will count amongst their line-up several acrobatic Fijians, Mel’s Exiles from Scotland, with the best Scottish Rugby Seven players; and the Maurauders, winners of the Amsterdam Seven 2004.
Europe: The following much loved teams are also expected this year: the National Italian Team, 2004 champions; the French regional selection Costa Azzurra (2007 Seven Kings Plate) who along with the Pyrenees Rugby Seven and the powerful Froggies Super Club (2005 and 2006 semi-finalists) showed a magnificent example of exciting French Rugby; the most famous Irish club, Garryowen; and direct from Spain, the Viator Spanish Barbarians.
In addition to the already mentioned National Italian Team, two other teams will be defending Italian honour: the Roman team, Unione Rugby Capitolina and the Seven Kings of Rome (2002 and 2005 finalists) the most famous italian super club. The Seven Kings line-up included A. Penelise, winner of the 2007 IRB Player of the Year Award as well as the All Blacks captain DJ Forbes who was nominated for the same title. |
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The event will be held on June 6th and 7th, 2008. The participation of the best Rugby Seven teams worldwide, 16 teams, in 4 pools, is expected and each will compete for the “Banca Fideuram Roma Seven Cup 2008” championship title, currently held by the KooGa Wailers.
Entrance to the 1st day of the event on Friday 6th June is free. The cost of entrance for the days action on Saturday 7th June costs 10 €, and tickets are available for on-line purchase from the ticket agency Lis Ticket as well as from the Stadio Dei Marmi (Via C. Nigra) on the day of the event.
Friday will start with the qualifying rounds of matches with at 13.00 with teams trying to advance to the elimination phase. Matches will last 14 minutes each (7 minutes each time) and will take place in the central field until 19.00.
On Saturday 7th there is the “Porta Portese Memorial Renato Speziali”, a tournament reserved for veterens, and most importantly, the final rounds of the “Banca Fideuram Roma Seven 2008”. The days matches are scheduled to start at 13.00 and will continue well into an extraordinary night at the Stadio Dei Marmi.
After the Quarter and Semi Finals the teams who finished third in their pools will contend the "Sevens Kings Plate" with the matches lasting 20 minutes, 10 minutes a half. Then the Final of the “Banca Fideuram Roma Seven 2008 Cup” is scheduled to take place in the exciting night sky at 23.30.
The fabulous Roma Seven Party will commence after the award ceremony of the “Banca Fideuram Roma Seven Cup 2008” and the Seven Kings Plate. This legendary event will feature some of the best DJs as well as the most beautiful women in Italy. There will also be a restaurant/café service with ambience music available throughout the entire tournament until late-night hours.
For the team lodging we have stipulated some agreement and a booking service for hotels and villages close to the sporting centre is available. For further information contact us at: info@romaseven.com
Inside the sporting centre, the hospitality village will see the exposition of different cultural and commercial activities (merchandising, clothing and sportswear stands).
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| How to get to "Stadio dei Marmi" |
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