Both German teams (women and men) claimed semi-final spots at the European Team Championships 2012 in Nuernberg, Germanyin Hosts Germany fully exploited home advantage in the European Team Championships by securing unexpected semi-final berths in both the men’s and women’s events of the 40th staging of the European Squash Federation event in Nürnberg.
Despite losing 4/0 to men’s favourites and defending men’s champions England, 5th seeds Germany cemented their position as runners-up in Pool A by defeating 8th seeds Denmark 3/1. The hosts, certain to achieve their best finish since 2008, will now meet France for a place in the final. The 2nd seeds, runners-up for the past 4 years, beat Scotland 4/0 and Italy 3/1 to finish as expected Pool B winners.
But Scotland went on to beat Finland 3/1 to finish in 2nd place – putting the 6th seeds through to an unpredicted semi-final, where they will face England.
6th seeds in the women’s event, Germany scored one of the best results of the day by beating 2nd seeds Netherlands 2/1. The Dutch side took the lead through Natalie Grinham, but Jennifer Hathway struck back to draw level, then Franziska Hennes produced the performance of her life to fight back from 2/0 to beat Milja Dorenbos 6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 to clinch a crucial victory for the hosts.
Germany went on to defeat Switzerland 2/1 to finish in second place in Pool B – and will now meet title-holders England in the semi-finals.
Men’s semi-final line-up:
[1] ENGLAND v [6] SCOTLAND
[2] FRANCE v [5] GERMANY
5th – 8th place play-offs:
[8] DENMARK v [7] FINLAND
[3] ITALY v [4] NETHERLANDS
Women’s semi-final line-up:
[1] ENGLAND v [6] GERMANY
[3] IRELAND v [4] FRANCE
5th – 8th place play-offs:
[8] WALES v [7] SWITZERLAND
[2] NETHERLANDS v [5] SCOTLAND
Results at the official ETC-site.
