High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The European Shield is a rugby league competition. The competition is organised by the Rugby League European Federation and is designed to promote the sport of rugby league in Central Europe and Eastern Europe. It was first officially held in 2007, though its precursor - the Central Europe Development Tri-Nations - was held the year prior. The inaugural Central Europe Development Tri-Nations rugby league competition was held in 2006. This competition is organised by the Rugby League European Federation and is designed to promote the sport of rugby league in Central Europe. The competition, contested by Austria, Germany and Estonia, was won by Germany. This is the first time the European Shield took place. Germany and the Czech Republic had little experience having only played a few games beforehand. Serbia were a little more experienced taking players from their domestic league, the Serbian Championship. The shield was hailed as a success in promoting rugby league in the three countries, attendances were good and the players gathered more experience.