The 2000 European Nations Cup was the first
European Nations Cup European Nations Cup may refer to:
*UEFA European Championship, formerly known as European Nations' Cup
* Europcar Cup, a European Tour golf tournament
* European Nations Cup (golf), a European Ladies Tour golf tournament
* European Nations Cup (fi ...
, an international
rugby union
Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
competition for second-tier nations. It replaced the
FIRA Tournament following the emergence of professionalism in rugby union and
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
being granted a place in the
Six Nations.
The first season had six teams (five from Europe and one from Africa). The teams played each other once, playing roughly to the same weekends as the Six Nations.
Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Moldova to the east, and ...
won the first title, with a single loss to
Morocco
Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria t ...
in the opening game.
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
improved their performance in the context of European rugby, finishing in second place, while
Morocco
Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria t ...
finished in third place, ahead of
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
and
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...
.
Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
finished last.
2000 European Nations Cup First Division at ESPN
/ref>
Table
Matches
Week 1
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Week 2
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Week 3
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Week 4
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Week 5
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See also
* European Nations Cup Second Division 2000
The 2000 European Nations Cup (ENC) Second Division (a European rugby union competition for national teams) was contested over a one-year period by five teams during which all of them met each other once. The winner was Russia, who won all the game ...
* European Nations Cup Third Division 2000
The 2000 European Nations Cup (ENC) Third Division (a European rugby union competition for national teams) was contested by five countries over one year during which all teams meet each other one time. The winner was Czech Republic and the runners ...
* European Nations Cup Fourth Division 2000
The 2000 European Nations Cup (ENC) Fourth Division (a European rugby union competition for national teams) was contested over one year during which all teams (divided in three pools) met each other once. There was no promotion or relegation due th ...
* FIRA – Association of European Rugby
Rugby Europe is the administrative body for rugby union in Europe. It was formed in 1999 to promote, develop, organise, and administer the game of rugby in Europe under the authority of World Rugby (the sport's global governing body). However, it ...
* Six Nations Championship
References
External links
2000 European Nations Cup First Division at ESPN
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nations Cup
1999–2000
1999–2000 in European rugby union
1999–2000 in Spanish rugby union
2000 in Moroccan sport
2000 in Georgian sport
2000 in Dutch sport
1999–2000 in Romanian rugby union
2000 in Portuguese sport