Estonia & Malta Triumph In European Nations Challenge Cup

The climax of the 5th European Nations Challenge Cup produced surprise victories for Estonia in the men's championship and Malta in the women's event at the Zelta Bowling Centre in the Latvia capital Riga.

Previously hosted by Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia and Poland, this is the first time that the event has been brought to Latvia. The European Squash Federation tournament, which attracts the small and developing squash Countries from all over Europe, has grown in popularity each year.

"Countries that have been in the top 16 in the main European Team Championships and Countries that have won the Nations Challenge Cup on two occasions in the last five years cannot enter," said former ESF President Chris Stahl.

"But they are replaced by new squash Countries such as Belarus, Croatia, Serbia and Ukraine who are already making their mark. In future years, ENCC will be a qualifying event for ETC - should numbers exceed the maximum of 32 teams in either the Men's or Women's events."

With record participation this year - featuring 11 countries - the event produced upsets in both categories. In a dramatic quarter-final clash, top men's seeds Ukraine - runners-up last year in Warsaw - crashed out to Croatia.

Estonia then beat Croatia in the semi-finals - and, in a nail-biting final, beat Gibraltar 2/1 to win the men's title.

Estonia, winners of the women's trophy in 2006, were favourites to repeat their success in Riga. But Isle of Man defeated the champions 2/0 in the semi-finals, and then went on to face Malta in the final.

After Malta went ahead when Annabell Diamantino beat Isle of Man's Jane Whylie 9-0, 9-5, 9-1, it just remained for team-mate Theresa Camilleri to win a single game to give Malta victory in the best-of-two-rubbers encounter.

However, Vicky Watterson took the opening two games. But Camilleri fought back to win 8-9, 9-10, 9-2, 9-2, 9-4 to give Malta the title.

Men's Final:
ESTONIA bt GIBRALTAR 2-1
Paul Piik lost to Anthony Brindle 6-9, 2-9, 9-6, 10-8, 3-9
Paavo Piik bt Stephen Shacaluga 9-1, 9-0, 9-0
Meelis Prett bt Carl Gomez 0-9, 10-8, 2-9, 9-5, 9-5

Women's final:
MALTA bt ISLE OF MAN 2-0
Theresa Camilleri bt Vicky Watterson 8-9, 9-10, 9-2, 9-2, 9-4
Annabell Diamantino bt Jane Whylie 9-0, 9-5, 9-1