Mouflons Battle to 4th in European Beach Rugby 2025
- Cyprus Rugby Federation
- Sep 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 8
The weekend of 23rd August saw the Mouflons embark on their second European Beach Rugby Tournament in Moldova, aiming to improve on their 6th-place finish in their 2024 debut.
Day 1
The Mouflons started with a bang, defeating Bulgaria (World Rugby Ranking: 67) 11-3. Confidence was high heading into the next match against Lithuania (WRR 58), but in a tightly contested battle, Vytis (The Knights) edged it 7-4.
The final group game saw Cyprus face the hosts, Moldova, in front of a passionate home crowd. Backed by the energy of their supporters, Haiducii (The Outlaws) claimed an 8-3 win.
At the end of Day 1, the Mouflons had pushed hard in every game and were beginning to pick up the tactical nuances of beach rugby - a format very different to XVs. While results hadn’t gone their way, the team took confidence from their growing cohesion and were determined to build on their performances heading into Day 2.
Once the final standings were confirmed later in the evening, the Mouflons learned they had secured 4th place in the group, finishing above Romania’s Oaks (WRR 21) and earning a place in the semi-finals. The draw set up a rematch against hosts Moldova, while the other semi-final paired Lithuania with Portugal’s Os Lobos (The Wolves) (WRR 15).
Day 2
Excitement filled the squad heading into the semi-finals. The Mouflons soaked up the atmosphere of the morning games before stepping onto the sand.
In front of their home fans, Moldova proved too strong, winning 6-1. Portugal then overpowered Lithuania 7-1, setting up the bronze medal clash: Cyprus vs. Lithuania, once again.
With a medal in sight, the Mouflons came out firing, racing to a 4-2 lead at half-time. But Lithuania struck back with four unanswered tries, turning the tide. Despite a late rally in true Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς spirit, Cyprus fell just short, losing 7–5 to finish 4th.
Portugal went on to defeat Moldova 7-4, fully deserving their title.
We extend our thanks to our gracious hosts, Moldova, and congratulations to all teams who made this a true beach rugby spectacle. This tournament is an inspiration - one we hope to replicate in Cyprus in the future.
From the Players
“It was an absolute honour to captain this talented side and once again wear the Cyprus jersey.
Taking on an unfamiliar format of the game at such a competitive level was always going to be a challenge, but in true Mouflon spirit the team never stopped fighting. Despite the results not always going our way, every player gave everything, and I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved with so little preparation.
With the experienced players setting the standard and the young lads showing their talent and hunger, I’ve no doubt that, with the right backing and continued exposure to beach rugby, Cyprus can soon compete with the very best at future tournaments.”
- Cameron Brown, Cyprus Beach Rugby Captain
“This was just our second ever participation in the tournament, with most of the boys having little to no experience of beach rugby and needing to adapt from the XVs game, which often conflicts in practice.
Nevertheless, with the valiant efforts of everyone involved, we improved on last year’s performance, finishing in the top half and only narrowly missing bronze in a tough, close match. Importantly, we competed against nations like Portugal, Lithuania, and Moldova - countries where rugby is played at a much larger scale and higher level than in Cyprus.
This shows our progress. With proper support and exposure, we could realistically challenge for gold in the next few years. It’s an exciting opportunity, especially with discussions around beach rugby as a potential Olympic sport. All we need are the right initiatives to fuel this growth.
The future is bright for Cyprus rugby.”
- Dimitris Grigoriou, Cyprus Beach Rugby Player-Coach
Mouflon MVP 2025
At the close of the tournament, the squad voted for their MVP of Beach Rugby 2025 - and it was almost too close to call. The honours came down to two standout performers: Kai Phillips and Joe Ridgewell.
Kai’s impact was felt across the sand: fearless in defence, tackling players twice his size, while bringing relentless heart, positivity, and finishing ability in attack. His energy lifted the team throughout the weekend.
Joe, meanwhile, let his actions do the talking. Silent but determined, he started every game, running hard lines, offering constant support play, and enforcing in defence with bone-crunching tackles. His consistency and work rate set the standard.
In the end, with the narrowest of margins, the players’ votes gave the Mouflon MVP award to Joe Ridgewell - recognition of a player who epitomised the grit and determination of this Cyprus side.
To the Players
I couldn’t be prouder of this group of young men. They played with heart, passion, and togetherness that inspired everyone watching. To finish 4th, with most of the team having never played beach rugby before, is a testament to their character and determination, and something our whole island can be proud of.
These players showed what Cyprus rugby is all about: heart, unity, and fight to the final whistle. I’m grateful for the laughs, the hard work, and the spirit carried throughout this journey, and I look forward to building on this foundation as we prepare for the season ahead and our return to the sand in 2026.
Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς
Written by Christos Kasabi, Beach Rugby Team Manager
Cyprus Beach Rugby Squad 2025
10. Cameron Brown (c)
7. Dimitris Grigoriou (player-coach)
1. George Cosma
4. Billy Cosma
6. Joseph Ridgewell
8. Pantelis Stylianou
11. George Agathokleous
12. Dominic Georgiou
13. Ben Yarrow
14. Mitchell Fielder
15. Kai Phillips
22. Yianni Baimas
Manager: Christos Kasabi
Physio: Rafael Alexandrou
