Zebre Parma have secured their place in the EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16. At Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi, the yellow-and-blues claimed a hard-fought 28–14 victory over Black Lion, imposing their game on the Georgian side. As expected, it was a bruising contest in the final pool match: the hosts struck inside two minutes, but Zebre regained composure and kept the game level through to half-time.
The second half was controlled and ultimately dominated by Massimo Brunello’s men, who delivered a flawless outcome: four tries, four successful kicks at goal and a full five points in the standings. Zebre move provisionally into second place on 14 points, pending the outcome of tonight’s Ospreys v Montpellier match, which will determine the final pool rankings.
Lorenzo Pani was named Player of the Match after repeatedly unsettling the Georgian defence with his kicking game. Fly-half Giacomo Da Re also produced a standout performance, finishing with a perfect record from the tee and crossing for Zebre’s fourth try.
MATCH REPORT
FIRST HALF
Zebre made a difficult start, conceding a couple of early penalties that allowed the hosts easy territorial gains. Black Lion struck immediately, with Kvatadze scoring from close range after a lineout five metres out and a well-executed maul. Tsirekidze converted for a 7–0 lead after two minutes.
After weathering the early pressure, Zebre settled into the contest and began to play consistently inside the Georgian half. The home defence held firm until the 17th minute, when quick ball and sustained pressure saw Pitinari crash over. Da Re added the straightforward conversion to level the scores at 7–7.
A fierce battle developed at the breakdown and in midfield. The deadlock was broken by an outstanding territorial kick from Pani, which set up a five-metre lineout. From a sequence of attacking phases, Black Lion’s lack of discipline was exposed. Loosehead prop Kakovin was shown a yellow card on 32 minutes, and Zebre immediately made the numerical advantage count, driving a short maul that freed Hasa to score. Da Re converted from a tight angle, giving Zebre a 14–7 lead on 33 minutes.
The closing stages of the half were dictated by sustained Georgian pressure. Zebre were reduced to 14 men when Canali was yellow-carded on 39 minutes, and on the stroke of half-time Kvatadze crossed for his second try, with Tsirekidze again converting.
Half-time: Black Lion 14 – Zebre Parma 14.
SECOND HALF
The second half began with both sides a man down. The contest grew increasingly physical and intense, with Zebre seeing limited possession and spending long periods defending inside their own half. Black Lion pressed hard for the opening 20 minutes, winning multiple penalties but failing to add to the score.
Zebre’s defence held firm under sustained pressure, though Locatelli was sent to the sin bin on 58 minutes. At the first real attacking opportunity in the Georgian half, Pani broke through the black jerseys, shrugged off a tackle and sprinted under the posts. Da Re converted to put Zebre ahead 21–14 on 64 minutes, despite being a man down.
The final ten minutes were played at a frantic pace. Black Lion threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, while Zebre focused on game management and territory. In the dying moments, Odiase made a powerful break down the touchline, beating two defenders. A deflected pass found Da Re in space, and the fly-half finished clinically before converting his own try to complete a perfect 4/4 from the tee.
Full-time: Black Lion 14 – Zebre Parma 28.
MATCH DETAILS
BLACK LION 14 – ZEBRE PARMA 28
Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi – kick-off 14:00 (Italian time)
Scorers:
2’ try Kvatadze, con Tsirekidze (7–0);
16’ try Pitinari, con Da Re (7–7);
33’ try Hasa, con Da Re (7–14);
40’ try Kvatadze, con Tsirekidze (14–14);
63’ try Pani, con Da Re (14–21);
80’ try Da Re, con Da Re (14–28)
Goal-kicking:
Tsirekidze (Black Lion) 2/2; Da Re (Zebre) 4/4
Cards:
32’ yellow Kakovin (Black Lion);
39’ yellow Canali (Zebre);
57’ yellow Locatelli (Zebre)
ZEBRE PARMA
15 Pani
14 Bertaccini (64’ Garcia)
13 Zanon (65’ Farias)
12 Mazza
11 Gesi
10 Da Re
9 Fusco
8 Odiase
7 Locatelli (69’ Ortombina)
6 Stavile (74’ Ruggeri)
5 Krumov (C)
4 Canali (48’ Carrera)
3 Hasa (54’ Pieretto)
2 Di Bartolomeo (67’ Ribaldi)
1 Pitinari (54’ Franceschetto)
Replacements: Ribaldi, Franceschetto, Pieretto, Carrera, Ortombina, Garcia, Farias, Ruggeri
Head Coach: Massimo Brunello
BLACK LION
15 Aptsiauri (38’ Makhatadze)
14 Tabutsadze
13 Tapladze
12 Kakhoidze (61’ Lutidze)
11 Todua
10 Tsirekidze
9 Peranidze (61’ Spenderashvili)
8 Sinauridze (38’ Khatiashvili)
7 Tsutskiridze
6 Tsikhistavi
5 Epremidze (61’ Ganiashvili)
4 Babunashvili (C)
3 Chkhartishvili (47’ Darbaidze)
2 Kvatadze (64’ Tchamiashvili)
1 Kakovin (52’ Khatiashvili)
Replacements: Tchamiashvili, Khatiashvili, Darbaidze, Ganiashvili, Kervalishvili, Spenderashvili, Lutidze, Makhatadze
Head Coach: Marco Bortolami
Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (France)
Player of the Match: Lorenzo Pani (Zebre Parma)