Tuominen, Natalie Grinham Make European Men's & Women's Finals
by Howard Harding
May 26, 2012 - The finals of the European Individual Squash Championships in Finland will feature unexpected local interest after Helsinki hero Olli Tuominen upset top-seeded German Simon Rosner in the men's semi-finals of the European Squash Federation event at Talihalli in Helsinki.
Tuominen, the world No23 from Helsinki who finished in third place in his only other appearance in the event in 2010, despatched the higher-ranked Rosner in four games.
"Olli fulfilled the home crowd's wish and plays in Saturday's final for a first ever Finnish individual gold medal in the European Individual Closed Championships," said a delighted event organiser Poku Salo.
The match started evenly with both players trying to keep the ball close to the walls, mainly the backhand wall. The Flying Finn took the first game, but that woke the German up and Rosner took control of the second. In the third game the German lost the control and a decision against him also made him lose his concentration.
Tuominen took full advantage and cruised to an 11-9, 6-11, 11-3, 11-4 victory.
"The key to winning today was in my will to play," said 33-year-old Tuominen. "I deliberately tried to hit good lengths especially from the backhand and put pressure because that would give opportunities to hit winners."
The crowd supported their home hero wildly and they knew that by winning Tuominen would make Finnish squash history. About his preparation, Tuominen said: "Quite a basic set, rest, meal and a knock up in and then we see how it goes."
Borja Golan from Spain secured his place in the men's final by beating France's Mathieu Castagnet in straight games. Second seed Golan was the favourite to win but the Frenchman, seeded in the 5/8 group, fought hard.
It was the 29-year-old Spaniard, ranked 20 in the world, who prevailed however - winning 11-8, 11-9, 11-4 to reach the final for the second time since 2006.
The women's final will be a replay of last year's final where Natalie Grinham, the top seed from the Netherlands, will meet No2 seed Camille Serme from France. Both finalists had a fairly easy afternoon with Grinham beating Lucie Fialova from the Czech Republic and Serme overcoming Gaby Huber, from Switzerland, in three straight games.
"I beat Camille in the final last year but lost to her a couple of weeks later so we will see how it goes," said world No9 Grinham, looking for a third title since 2009. "When the match starts, it's a 50/50 situation!"
RESULTS: European Individual Squash Championships, Helsinki, Finland
Men's semi-finals:
[2] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [5/8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-4
[3/4] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [1] Simon Rosner (GER) 11-9, 6-11, 11-3, 11-4
Women's semi-finals:
[2] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [3/4] Gaby Huber (SUI) 11-4, 11-7, 11-6
[1] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [3/4] Lucie Fialova (CZE) 11-7, 11-4, 11-6
Back To Main
