France Wins European Championship For First Time by Howard Harding
photos squashpics.com
May 5, 2015
- Competing in the event for the 41st time since 1975, and making their
15th appearance in the final, France finally won the men's European
Team Squash Championship for the first time after beating favourites
and defending champions England in a dramatic final in Herning, Denmark.
Despite the absence of world No.2 Nick Matthew due to injury, England
reached the final for the 23rd year in a row and were on course to win
their 40th title.
However, French number one Gregory Gaultier, the world No.3 making his
15th appearance in the event, put the second seeds into the lead with a
four-game win over Peter Barker - and team-mate Mathieu Castagnet
extended the lead after surviving a 112-minute marathon over England's
second string Daryl Selby.
England stalwart James Willstrop reduced the deficit after fighting
back from 2/1 down to see off Gregoire Marche in 90 minutes - leaving
England needing to win the fourth match 3/0 to have the chance of
retaining the title.
England debutante Chris Simpson duly took the opener, but when Lucas
Serme clinched the second 11-7, the match was abandoned and France's
historic and long-awaited title breakthrough was achieved!
England won the women's trophy for the 37th time after beating France 2/1 in the final.
After reaching the finals in Division 2, Finland and Ireland gained
promotion to the men's top division for 2016, while Netherlands and
Germany earned promotion to the women's elite group.
RESULTS: European Team Squash Championships, Herning, Denmark
Men's final:
[2] FRANCE bt [1] ENGLAND 9-6 on games countback
Gregory Gaultier bt Peter Barker 12-10, 11-8, 10-12, 11-3 (64m)
Mathieu Castagnet bt Daryl Selby 6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 14-12 (112m)
Gregoire Marche lost to James Willstrop 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 8-11 (90m)
Lucas Serme v Chris Simpson 5-11, 11-7 (match unfinished)
3rd place play-off:
[3] GERMANY bt [4] SCOTLAND 9-6 on games countback
Simon Rösner bt Alan Clyne 3-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-9 (59m)
Raphael Kandra lost to Greg Lobban 5-11, 7-11, 11-5, 7-11 (57m)
Jens Schoor v Douglas Kempsell 12-10, 9-11, 11-6 (match unfinished)
Rudi Rohrmuller bt Kevin Moran 11-4, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8 (57m)
Division 2, Men's final:
[2] FINLAND bt [5] IRELAND 3/1
Henrik Mustonen bt Arthur Gaskin 11-7, 11-7, 11-5
Matias Tuomi bt Brian O'Brion 11-7, 11-3, 3-11, 11-7
Jaakko Vahamaa bt Michael Craig 9-11, 5-11, 11-9 ret.
Kristian Rautiainen lost to Sean Conroy 5-11, 11-5, 9-11, 6-11
