Scotland & Germany Gatecrash European Team Semis

Scotland's women and Germany's men will be the surprise packages in the 2025 European Team Championships semi-finals after a packed and dramatic second day in the Polish city of Wroclaw.

While defending champions England, last year's runners-up France and bronze medallists Switzerland all claimed places in the men's Division 1 last four once again, Germany's men seized their first ETC semi-final spot for three years by virtue of a 3/1 quarter-final victory over Spain.

Germany's path to the last four opened up after a surprise victory over fourth seeds Wales in their final pool match, partly due to an injury sustained by world no.5 Joel Makin, which enabled the Germans to win 8-7 on games countback.

Finishing top of Pool D set the Germans up with a more favourable quarter-final against Spain, which they won thanks to victories for veteran Raphael Kandra and the clincher by Yannick Omlor. Ivan Perez got Spain's consolation win against the legendary Simon Rosner.

Germany face England in the semi-finals - but the 42-time winners' passage through day two was far from smooth. In their final pool stage victory over Ireland, Marwan ElShorbagy lost in five to an inspired no.1 Sam Buckley, who hit back from two games down (including losing the opening game 20-18). ElShorbagy junior - now the England no.1 - could legitimately blame fatigue after flying straight to Poland after his victory in last week's Squash on Fire Open in Washington DC.

In their quarter-final, England were also fully tested by Czechia, with Mohamed ElShorbagy taken to five by Martin Svec, although 19-year-old Jonah Bryant again looked a class act in beating Jakub Solnicky, and Tom Walsh sealed the deal.

Walsh received a last-minute call-up following the late withdrawal of Declan James due to an adductor injury. The world no.62 was in Miami where he'd just been out for dinner to celebrate his 26th birthday. Four hours later he was on a flight to Wroclaw via Frankfurt!

Walsh reflected on his win: "It might have looked a routine win but nothing is routine at this level of sport. It was a 'business' performance. When you watch Mohamed perhaps not firing on all cylinders, you know you've got to go out there and get a result for the team. It's a different kind of pressure, but one I responded to well."

France and Switzerland meet in the last four. The Swiss conquered Wales, with Nicolas Mueller and Robin Gadola winning in three, and Dimitri Steinmann proving to be a crowd-pleaser yet again by beating Owain Taylor 12-10 in the fifth. Less drama for France, for whom Gregoire Marche, Victor Crouin and Baptiste Masotti were the victors in a 3/0 win against Scotland.

In women's Division 1, Scotland are the semi-final gate crashers and luckless fourth seeds Wales are the surprise absentees, in part due to injuries for leading players Tesni Murphy and Emily Whitlock.

For the first time since 2010, Wales' women failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, with Switzerland and Poland going through to the last eight instead from their pool. For hosts Poland, a quarter-final in what is their first ever appearance in women's Division 1 was a massive achievement. Alas, they lost it 2/0 to third seeds France.

Alison Thomson was Scotland's match-winner as they seized only a second ETC semi-final appearance in 18 years by beating Switzerland 2/1. They next face Belgium at 10am on Friday. Tinne Gilis and Nele Gilis-Coll were victorious for the defending champions as they beat Spain 2/1 in their quarter-final.

Seeking to reclaim the title they have won 45 times, England coasted past Germany 3/0 to set up a semi with France. England debutant Grace Gear, who beat Maya Weishar, said: "This week I've learned how well we all help and support each other as a team. My team-mates make it a really enjoyable event."

In Division 2, Poland's men followed their female colleagues in making European squash history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time. The hosts finished second to the Netherlands in Pool B and will face top seeds Sweden in the semi-finals while Austria will play the Dutch.

The women's Division 2 semi-finals also feature the Netherlands. They take on Ireland while Italy play Ukraine.