Rugby match held in Armenia for the first time in many years: Yerevan Lions defeat AEL Limassol

For the first time in many years, an international friendly rugby match was held in Armenia. On May 23, at the Pyunik Academy facility, the new Armenian team Yerevan Lions faced Cypriot club AEL Limassol.

The match ended with a confident victory for the Yerevan-based team, 43-12 (VIDEO)

The game carried special significance, as it became an important step toward the revival of rugby in Armenia. Six players from the Armenian diaspora featured for Yerevan Lions, while the rest of the squad represented the local base. This composition shows that the project has both domestic foundations and support from Armenians abroad.

Yerevan Lions and the Rugby Federation of Armenia intend to fully revive the sport in the country. The match against AEL Limassol became one of the first visible steps in that direction.

It should be noted that rugby in Armenia has already experienced a period of active development in the past. The full-scale revival of the sport began in 2002, and in 2004-2006 the Armenian team was considered fairly strong thanks to the involvement of experienced players from the diaspora, especially from France.

During that period, Armenia’s national team produced a long unbeaten run and did not lose for two years. However, after 2012, the national team no longer played official matches, and in 2014 Armenia was excluded from Rugby Europe.

Now Yerevan Lions and the Rugby Federation of Armenia hope to open a new chapter in the history of Armenian rugby and restore the sport to a full-fledged level in the country.