It’s England at the double, again !!
England retained the Men’s and reclaimed the Women’s European Team titles on a dramatic day in Eindhoven.
The matches started with the women’s 3rd/4th playoff, and it was hosts Netherlands who delightedly claimed the Bronze medal with a two-nil victory over France thanks to wins from their top two Milou van der Heijden and, in a tense five game second match, Tessa ter Sluis.
Tesni Evans got the Welsh off to a great start as she beat SJ Perry in straight games, but Gina Kennedy and Lucy Turmel proved too strong in the next two matches, both winning in straight games to take the title.
We were gutted to lose in the final last time and it’s been a long time since we’ve had chance to rectify that. Thank you to Wales for a great final today, to the organisers, everyone at ESF and everyone that’s made this happen. It’s great to be back after a few years’ break.
We have three debutants here, they’re kind of my and they’ve been amazing this week. I said that until today, you don’t really see the true European Team Championships, and I think it’s fair to say we’ve all had a fantastic day.
The men’s final saw England take on France in a repeat of their pool decider – and for the 19th time in the last 21 finals!,
Gregoire Marche started strongly, taking a two game lead over Adrian Waller, but just as he did in the pool match, Waller fought back, saving two match balls in the fourth, to claim the win in five.
Nathan Lake was too strong for Sebastien Bonmalais, winning in straight games, and in the battle of the ETC veterans it was James Willstrop who overcame Gregory Gaultier in four games to give England back to back titles.
Thank you France for a great match again today and a lot over the years and thanks for a good battle. SJ’s said a lot of the thank yous, so just reiterating that.
I’ve played a lot of Teams over the years and I’m not going to get too sentimental, but you’ve been a right laugh! The bench has been a sheer pleasure to be part of and awesome support at the end there. It was a really great moment personally and for our team and the girls were awesome supporting and they’ve done great. It’s a great day for us and we’re really proud to be winning today.
Scotland beat Germany in the men’s 3/4 match to claim bronze for a second edition in a row, while the Swiss men claimed the division two title on points countback after a two-all draw with Hungary, and Spain beat Switzerland 2-1 to claim the women’s division two title.
Women’s Final : [1] England 2-1 [3] Wales
Sarah-Jane Perry 0-3 Tesni Evans 12-14, 6-11, 6-11 (33m)
Georgina Kennedy 3-0 Emily Whitlock 11-2, 11-6, 11-8 (30m)
Lucy Turmel 3-0 Stacey Gooding 11-4, 11-1, 11-2 (17m)
Men’s Final : [1] England 3-0 [4] France
Adrian Waller 3-2 Gregoire Marche 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6 (72m)
Nathan Lake 3-0 Sebastien Bonmalais 11-3, 11-3, 11-8 (39m)
James Willstrop 3-1 Gregory Gaultier 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7 (45m)
Baptiste Masotti v Patrick Rooney match withdrawn
Women’s 3rd/4th : Netherlands 2-0 France
Milou van der Heijden 3-0 Coline Aumard 011-5, 11-4, 11-8(23m)
Tessa ter Sluis 3-2 Enora Villard 11-6, 10-12, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9 (46m)
Fleur Maas v Marie Stephan match withdrawn
Men’s 3rd/4th : Scotland 3-1 Germany
Men’s Div 2 Final : Switzerland 2-2 Hungary (swiss win on points)
Women’s Div 2 Final : Spain 2-1 Switzerland
The Podiums – plenty more photos in the Gallery
