EUROPEAN SQUASH NEWS
Slovakia & Norway Win European Nations Challenge Cup Titles
After beating hosts Estonia in the semi-finals, Slovakia lifted the men's European Nations Challenge Cup crown following a 2-1 victory over Ukraine in a highly-competitive final at the Metro Club in Tallinn. Norway clinched the bronze medal after a play-off with Estonia.
The Women's event was won by Norway in a round-robin competition, with Russia taking the silver medal and Gibraltar the bronze.
The European Squash Federation launched the European Nations Challenge Cup in 2003 to provide an opportunity for smaller and newly-developing squash nations to compete against each other. Countries that have finished in the top 16 of the European Team Championships in the past five years, and those that have won the ENCC twice in the past five years, are not eligible to compete in the team event.
"Countries that have not yet joined the ESF are encouraged to compete as Guests and individuals can also be brought together in Composite teams," explained ESF President Chris Stahl. "Guest and Composite teams cannot win official ESF trophies but to all intents compete on an equal basis throughout the Championships. We hope this will encourage them to join the ESF!"
The ESF attempts to move the hosting of the event around Central Europe in order to reduce travel costs and attract neighbouring Countries to enter. The first official event was held in Bratislava, Slovakia, in 2003, followed by the 2004 event being staged in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
The 2006 European Nations Challenge Cup is scheduled to be in Warsaw, Poland.
The 2005 event attracted a record 16 men's teams and seven women's teams, from 13 different countries. Last year's men's champions Slovenia and women's winners Slovakia are no longer eligible, having reached good positions in the European Team Championships.
The men's event boasted official entries for the first time from Latvia, Norway and Turkey, with Guest Teams also from Belarus and Lithuania – whilst the women's competition attracted new entries from Estonia, Lithuania, Norway and Poland.
Slovakia's 3-0 men's semi-final victory against Estonia was contested before a large crowd at the Metro Club - and live TV!
Men's event newcomers Norway, Latvia and Turkey finished well in 3rd, 5th and 9th places, respectively. Women's event first-timers Norway and Estonia also celebrated creditable first and fourth place finishes.
Lithuania and Belarus entered Guest teams - but are expected to be able to enter officially next year in Warsaw following their likely acceptance as new Members of the European Squash Federation at the AGM in April 2006.
"The Estonian Squash Federation are to be congratulated on organising and running a very successful event," added Stahl.