Gaultier Going For Hat-Trick In Hungary

France's Gregory Gaultier is seeded to win his third men's title in a row in the Head European Individual Championships which get underway in Budapest, Hungary, today.

The world No8 from Aix-en-Provence heads a 54-man draw in the biggest field in the European Squash Federation event's three-year history. Gaultier is expected to face England's Peter Barker the second seed, in the final on Saturday.

England's Jenny Duncalf, in her maiden appearance in the championships, is seeded to win the women's event. The 23-year-old world No6 from Harrogate in Yorkshire is expected to meet second-seeded compatriot Laura-Jane Lengthorn in the final.

Local interest will be led by men's 5/8 seed Mark Krajcsak, the 22-year-old world No69 from Budapest who has already achieved two PSA Tour final appearances this year.

ESF President Chris Stahl expressed his delight at the level of entries for the 2006 championships: "The ESF Board is delighted with the response of its Members in entering their leading players in the European Individual Championships. There are record numbers of entries (54 Men and 28 Women) from 25 Countries - last year in Prague there were 63 entries in total from 21 countries. This event is now firmly established in the European Squash calendar.

"We are delighted with the preparations made by the Hungarian Squash Federation who are hosting this event at the Activ Squash Club with a glass court erected in the SYMA Sporthall. There is much media interest in this event including extensive live TV coverage. We are confident that it will be a very successful and memorable event, providing further evidence that squash really is a pan-European sport with an excellent case for inclusion in the Olympics," explained Stahl.