The Spanish women's rugby team was crowned European Trophy champions after they defeated Italy 31-13.
Spain reached the final with an unbeaten run in the competition as they had disposed of France A, Netherlands and Belgium wit three solid performances.
Italy too had some form coming into the final, not least with a good showing in the 6 Nations. They had beaten most notably the World Cup bound Sweden side in this competition earlier in the week and came into the final in confident mood.
Veronica Schiavon gave Italy an early lead with a third minute penalty, but tries from number 8 Ana Maria Aigneren and centre Barbara Pla edged Spain into a lead they would never surrender.
Schiavon ensured Italy went in trailing only 12-6 at half time, but prop Rocio Garcia and wing Julia Pla re-established Spain's grip on the match. Manuela Furlan gave Italy hope with their first try of the afternoon, but her opposite number Marta Pocurull scored on the hour mark to make certain of victory for Spain.
Other results
The final day of the European Trophy, organised by FIRA, which sees eight of Europe's second tier nations compete, also saw three other matches take place.
In the 3rd / 4th placed playoff, Netherlands can be pleased with their final effort as they beat Sweden 47-19 to finish third. Having lost to Spain in round one, Netherlands rallied in their remaining games with three good wins the final victory over Sweden may offer them some redemption as they feel they were good enough to qualify for the last World Cup spot which the Swedes took 12 months ago.
Sweden's scores came from Frida Ryberg and Elisabeth Österberg as the Swedes raced to a 12-0 lead after a quarter of an hour. But the Dutch women rallied over the next hour and launched an impressive comeback.
Kelly van Harskamp began the fightback within minutes of Österberg's try and a double touchdown from centre Pien Selbeck sent the Dutch in leading 21-12 at half time in Illkirch.
Dorien Eppink picked up where her centre partner had left off by scoring the Netherlands' fourth try to secure the bonus point, before replacement Elke van Meer crossed for a brace of tries to seal a 47-19 victory and third place.
In the 5th / 6th game, the home team France A rounded off a disappointing campaign with a 35-0 victory over Russia. France A has had a dismal tournament with losses against Netherlands and Spain.
Aurelia Cellier opened the scoring with a penalty and by half time France A had already secured a bonus point with forwards Sandra Rabier, Cyndia Mansard, Koumiba Djossouvi and Sylvie Bernard touching down.
France A could only add two tries in the second half through wing Camille Grassineau and Djossouvi.
In the 7th / 8th playd game, Belgium and Germany played out a 5 - 5 draw but the Germans won the game on a final round of penalty kicks to decide who came 7th.
*Extra reporting thanks to www.irb.com
