Gaultier Grabs European Hat-Trick

France's Gregory Gaultier claimed an impressive hat-trick of European Individual Championship titles when he beat Spaniard Borja Golan in the men's final to collect the Head-sponsored European Squash Federation trophy for the third year in a row in Budapest, Hungary.

England's Jenny Duncalf also completed her run in the event without dropping a game by lifting the women's title for the first time after beating compatriot Laura-Jane Lengthorn.

The men's final produced a tough and entertaining climax to the event which had attracted players from a record 25 European countries to the Hungarian capital. Gaultier, the world No8 from Aix-en-Provence, was forced to work hard, especially in the third game. The home crowd had hoped that Golan would win the third and in doing so extend their enjoyment of the top-class squash - and this looked likely when the 23-year-old from Santiago led 7-5.

But the top seed reclaimed the advantage as he strode to his 9-2, 9-0, 10-8 victory after 73 minutes.

"I'm really happy to win this third in a row," said the Frenchman afterwards. "I really enjoyed the event and being in Budapest. I am already looking forward to defending my title in front of my home supporters in France next year," added the new champion.

Golan commented: "I'm really happy to have won silver, especially considering that it came in the middle of my summer training programme. I was encouraged to play by the Spanish Federation - who now must be happy to have a second place in the Europeans."

Favourite Jenny Duncalf was in command throughout her 9-2, 9-5, 9-0 win over second seed Laura-Jane Lengthorn in 34 minutes. "I've had a great time in my first appearance in the event. In fact, I've loved all aspects of my first visit to Budapest - the food, the city, the centres, the organisation - and especially winning! I had to work hard in the final, but I'm very happy to be European Champion."

Lengthorn added: "I've got mixed emotions: I'm disappointed to lose but happy to match my seeding and claim silver. I'd felt good before the match - considering my match yesterday - but found that once Jenny started to take the ball early, I had nothing left to give."

Men's final:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [3/4] Borja Golan (ESP) 9-2, 9-0, 10-8 (73m)

Women's final:
[1] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [2] Laura-Jane Lengthorn (ENG) 9-2, 9-5, 9-0 (34m)