Squash is "the world's healthiest sport"
(Forbes Magazine), squash is played in
over 175 countries by over 20 million
people and squash is very easy to learn.
Once you have tried the squash -
you will love squash!
England's world No1 Nick Matthew beat Australia's David Palmer in straight games (11-5, 11-8, 11-5) to get his team into the semi-final fof the Men's World Team Championship in Paderborn.
Favourites England will face 4th seeds Australia and title-holders Egypt will take on 3rd seeds France in the dream semi-finals of the Men's World Team Squash Championship after all four nations comfortably overcame their opponents in the quarter-finals in Germany. In the afternoon session, 2nd seeds Egypt brushed aside USA, the No8 seeds, 3/0 on the new ASB all-glass showcourt at the Ahorn-Sportpark. With world No2 Ramy Ashour rested, Egypt led with Karim Darwish as the world No3 despatched top-ranked American Julian Illingworth 11-4, 11-4, 11-2. Mohamed El Shorbagy and Hisham Mohamed Ashour completed the formalities to take Egypt into the last four for the 9th time since 1993. France, runners-up in the previous championship in Denmark in 2009, earned their 5th successive semi-final berth after beating Malaysia 3/0. Greg Gaultier was in determined mood as he overcame Azlan Iskandar 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 before French veteran Thierry Lincou took out long-time rival Ong Beng Hee 12-10, 11-2, 11-7. Mathieu Castagnet needed only 18 minutes to wrap up the dead 3rd rubber beating Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan 11-8, 11-2.
Defending champions Egypt did indeed survive their 1st knockout round to make the last 8 - but the No2 seeds were severely tested by hosts Germany and the sell-out crowd surrounding the stunning new ASB all-glass court. With each successful German shot being supported by wild cheering, whistling, stamping and drumming from the vociferous crowd, it was perhaps no surprise that underdog Raphael Kandra, the world No125, took a game from Egypt's world No9 Mohamed El Shorbagy - and local star Simon Rosner twice led world No2 Ramy Ashour! But there was not be a fairytale ending for the home side as Ashour upped his game to beat Paderborn-based Rosner, the world No30, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-8 to consign Germany to the lower play-off places. "The whole setting here is absolutely amazing, playing squash in front of so many people. They are making even more noise than in Egypt! It was like Soccer tonight, Manchester United against Real Madrid or something”, conceded Ashour.
An upset over neighbours Canada takes USA into the quarter-finals of the Men's World Team Squash Championship in Paderborn, Germany, and ensures the nation its 1st top eight finish in the championship since 1983. A surprise earlier qualifying defeat by Italy led USA, the 8th seeds, to be drawn against a higher seeded team in the last 16 round. But team rookie Todd Harrity, a 20-year-old, put the USA ahead - inflicting the 1st defeat of the tournament on Andrew Schnell by beating the Canadian No4 13-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4. It was squad No1 Julian Illingworth who clinched the US victory over the 7th seeds. The world No32 recovered from 2 games down to beat Shahier Razik 6-11, 3-11, 11-2, 11-0, 11-5 in 64 minutes.
Enjoy our new video series "Backstage with" and "Welcome to"
Featering:
Amr Shabana, Alister Walker, David Palmer, James Willstrop, Nick Matthew, Simon Roesner, Peter Barker, Thierry Lincou, Wael El Hindi and many others will follow.
