Serme Celebrates Historic European Treble & Double In Norway

French teenager Camille Serme made her mark in squash history twice on the final day of the European Junior U19 Championships in the Norwegian city of Stavanger - firstly by beating English opponent Victoria Lust in the women's final to become the first player in the event's 19-year history to win the title three times, then seeing compatriot Gregoire Marche upset Swiss favourite Nicolas Mueller in the men's final to mark the first French double in the flagship European Squash Federation championships.

But after cruising to the final without dropping a game, top seed Serme had a tough fight on her hands against Lust, the second seed from Maulden in Bedfordshire eager to make amends for her straight games defeat in the 2007 final.

Lust forged a two-games-to-one lead, and moved 6/3 up in the fourth. But the experienced 18-year-old from Creteil, winner of the title in 2006 and 2007, courageously fought back to take the match into a decider before romping to victory in the fifth game to win 9-1, 7-9, 6-9, 9-6, 9-1.

"I'm ever so happy to have won that title for a third time," Serme told www.sitesquash.com afterwards. "And that one was the hardest, and the most beautiful of all. This is the one that will stay engraved in my mind!"

In addition to the trophy, Serme also received a special traditional 'Viking' horn from the Norwegian Federation, presented to her by ESF delegate Martin Wren.

"The atmosphere during the match was extraordinary," added Serme. "I want to thank all the people that have supported me, from close or from afar - and especially my team-mates!"

Nicolas Mueller was also hoping to retain the men's title he first won twelve months ago in Belgium. But the top seed from Zurich, who had been taken to five games in the quarter-finals and four in the semis - in both cases by Englishmen - was fully tested by Frenchman Gregoire Marche, the second seed, in the final.

Mueller took the opening game before Marche, from Aix-en-Provence, began to take the upper hand - ultimately clinching a 4-9, 9-4, 10-8, 10-8 upset to secure the men's title against the odds.

"I'm living a magical moment as I've been dreaming about this moment since the age of five," exclaimed Marche. "And today, it's a reality!!!"

After a rest day, the players have to focus on the European Junior U19 Team Championships, in which France have been named as top seeds.

"Now, we have another battle on our hands," added the record three times European Junior champion Camille Serme. "And we are going to fight it for the colours of our country, France!"

Men's final:
[2] Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt [1] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 4-9, 9-4, 10-8, 10-8

Women's final:
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [2] Victoria Lust (ENG) 9-1, 7-9, 6-9, 9-6, 9-1