AXEL’S SWEDEN NARROWLY MISS PODIUM PLACE IN CHISINAU

AXEL Kalling-Smith’s Sweden 7s side finished fourth in the second and final Rugby Europe Trophy Series event of the season.

The Swedes opened their account in Chisinau with a 26-12 Pool B victory against Croatia.

And they followed up with a 26-19 success versus Malta and 27-0 whitewash of Moldova to top their group.

Sweden then toppled Monaco 24-19 in the quarter-finals, but were then edged out 10-7 by Romania in the last four.

They then went down 26-10 to Turkey in the last four.

Switzerland meanwhile ensured they made it back-to-back titles with a narrow 21-19 triumph against Romania.

The Swiss, who also triumphed in the first competition in Makarska, secured promotion to the Championship event for 2027 along with Romania.

Their silver medal followed a bronze in the opening event.

Turkey finished third, Monaco fourth, separated on countback with 30 points apiece.

Sweden were fifth on 26 following their fifth and fourth placed finishes.

Croatia completed the top half of the 12-team competition, followed by Hungary, Denmark, Moldova and Latvia.

The bottom two, Norway and Malta, will drop into the Conference for 2027.