Rugby League European Championship B
Sports competition
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The European Championship B (formerly the European Shield), is a rugby league football competition. The competition is organised by the European Rugby League and is the second tier of the European Championship competition. It was first held in 2006 as the Central Europe Development Tri-Nations.
Current season, competition or edition: 2025 Rugby League European Championships | |
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 |
| Organising body | European Rugby League |
| No. of teams | 6 |
| Country | Europe |
| Most recent champion |  Serbia (5th title) |
| Most titles | Serbia (5 titles) |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | European Championship A |
| Relegation to | European Championship C |
History
The competition was first held in 2006 under the name of Central Europe Development Tri Nations, with the aim of developing teams in central and eastern Europe. Up until 2009 the competition was made up of only three teams, until it was expanded in 2010 to six teams split into two conferences - East and West. In 2011 the competition was reverted back to three teams with Norway and Malta making their debuts. The competition was expanded again the year after though with four teams playing in winter between 2012–13. This was repeated again in the 2014–15 edition of the competition and was used for qualification for the 2017 World Cup. The 2018 competition was the last year of its current incarnation after a two-year hiatus. In 2020, it was announced promotion and relegation would be introduced with three teams in each division, expanding to six for 2023, with the top team being promoted and the bottom relegated.[1]
In March 2025, the European Rugby League (ERL) announced the return of the tournament for Euro B, C, and D, with the competition returning to a three team per division competition. Competing nations were reseeded based on Rank, with the 2025 and 2026 tournaments confirmed. The ERL stated its aim to restart Euro A in 2027 following the 2026 Men's Rugby League World Cup, with the top European teams unable to join earlier due to commitments in the qualification tournament for the World Cup.[2]
Team appearances
| Team | Appearances | Debut | Most recent | Best result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Germany |
7 | 2006 | 2013 | Champions (2006, 2011) |
| Serbia |
6 | 2010 | 2025 | Champions (2007, 2010 West, 2014–15, 2020, 2025) |
 Russia |
5 | 2010 | 2020 | Champions (2010 East, 2012–13, 2018) |
 Czech Republic |
4 | 2007 | 2010 | Runners-up (2009) |
 Italy |
4 | 2008 | 2013 | Champions (2008, 2009) |
 Ukraine |
3 | 2010 | 2020 | Runners-up (2014–15, 2020) |
 Austria |
1 | 2006 | 2006 | Runners-up (2006) |
 Estonia |
1 | 2006 | 2006 | Third place (2006) |
 Latvia |
1 | 2010 | 2010 | Third place (2010 East) |
 Malta |
1 | 2011 | 2011 | Runners-up (2011) |
 Norway |
1 | 2011 | 2011 | Third place (2006) |
 Spain |
1 | 2018 | 2018 | Runners-up (2018) |
 Netherlands |
1 | 2025 | 2025 | Runners-up (2025) |
Results
| Year | Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Fourth place | Number of teams | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Details | Germany | Austria | Estonia | – | 3 | ||
| 2007 Details | Serbia | Germany | Czech Republic | – | 3 | ||
| 2008 Details | Italy | Germany | Czech Republic | – | 3 | ||
| 2009 Details | Italy | Czech Republic | Germany | – | 3 | ||
| 2010 Details | West | Serbia | Germany | Czech Republic | – | 3 | |
| East | Russia | Ukraine | Latvia | – | 3 | ||
| 2011 Details | Germany | Malta | Norway | – | 3 | ||
| 2012–13 Details | Russia | Italy | Serbia | Germany | 4 | ||
| 2014–15 Details | Serbia | Russia | Italy | Ukraine | 4 | ||
| 2018 Details | Russia | Spain | Serbia | – | 3 | ||
| 2021 Details | Serbia | Ukraine | Russia | – | 3 | ||
| 2025 Details |
Serbia |
Netherlands |
Malta |
– | 3 | ||
Summary
| Team | Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Fourth place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia |
5 (2007, 2010 West, 2014–15, 2020, 2025) | — | 1 (2018) | — |
| Russia |
3 (2010 East, 2012–13, 2018) | 1 (2014–15) | 1 (2020) | — |
| Italy |
2 (2008, 2009) | 1 (2012–13) | 1 (2014–15) | — |
| Germany |
2 (2006, 2011) | 3 (2007, 2008, 2010 West) | 1 (2009) | 1 (2012–13) |
| Czech Republic |
— | 1 (2009) | 3 (2007, 2008, 2010 West) | — |
| Netherlands |
— | 1 (2025) | — | |
| Ukraine |
— | 2 (2010 East, 2020) | — | 1 (2012–13) |
| Austria |
— | 1 (2006) | — | — |
| Malta |
— | 1 (2011) | 1 (2025) | — |
| Spain |
— | 1 (2018) | — | — |
| Estonia |
— | — | 1 (2006) | |
| Latvia |
— | — | 1 (2010 East) | — |
| Norway |
— | — | 1 (2011) | — |
