From August 22 to 23, 2026, Chisinau played host to the European Beach Rugby Championship for the third consecutive year. Bringing together eight men’s and eight women’s national teams from across the continent, the tournament showcased elite athleticism and high-tempo competition. The host nation celebrated a milestone achievement, as the Moldovan women’s team secured their first-ever European title, while the men’s team earned the silver medal.
Unbeaten Run to Glory for Moldova Women
Coached by Ion Cebotari, the Moldovan women’s squad delivered a flawless tournament campaign. Demonstrating superior tactical organization and physical endurance on the sand, the team dominated the group stage with decisive victories:
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Moldova vs. Greece: 13-0
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Moldova vs. Estonia: 10-2
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Moldova vs. Bulgaria: 12-1
Advancing seamlessly to the grand final, Moldova faced a tough Polish squad. In a hard-fought contest, the Moldovan athletes prevailed with a 7-4 victory. This historic gold marks a major step forward from their bronze-medal performance at the previous edition.
Men’s National Team “Haiducii” Secures Continental Silver
Moldova’s men’s beach rugby team, traditionally known as “Haiducii”, reconfirmed their position among Europe’s top-tier nations. The team started strong in the group phase, recording clean-sheet wins before defeating Ukraine:
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Moldova vs. Greece: 14-0
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Moldova vs. Bulgaria: 15-0
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Moldova vs. Ukraine: 5-3
The men’s final featured a thrilling rematch against Ukraine. In a closely contested battle, Moldova narrowly missed out on the gold, finishing with a 5-7 scoreline to claim the silver medal for the second year in a row.
Growing Stature of Beach Rugby in Moldova
Hosting this major continental event in Chisinau highlights the growing capabilities of the Moldovan Rugby Federation and the rising popularity of beach rugby in the region. The dual-medal performance by the host nation underscores the success of local athlete development programs in sand-based sports disciplines.
