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European Individual
Championships 2008
04-07 June, Bratislava, Slovakia |
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Photos from Philippe Signoret .... thanks! |
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07-Jun, Finals and Playoffs:
3/4: Manuela Manetta
(Ita) bt Camille Serme (Fra) 11/9, 12/10, 12/10
Laurens Jan Anjema (Ned) bt Adrian Grant
(Eng) 11/4, 11/2, 11/7
Finals: Isabelle Stoehr (Fra) bt Sarah Kippax
(Eng) 5/11, 11/6, 11/7, 11/4
Gregory Gaultier (Fra) bt Thierry Lincou
(Fra) 11/7, 6/11, 11/7, 4/11, 11/4
Men's Draw
5/16
17/32
33/45
Women's Draw
5/16
17/30
Slovakian TV report on the Finals |
It's a French double
in Bratislava
 France
claimed a unique double in the European Individual Championships
in Bratislava as Isabelle Stoehr secured her first title
while Gregory Gaultier claimed a remarkable fifth
successive gold medal.
Stoehr, runner-up in 2006 and 2007, came from a game down to
beat England's Sarah Kippax while Gaultier maintained his recent
good record against compatriot Thierry Lincou to win the men's
final in five games.
More to follow, we hope ...
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 "It
was a very tight match. I think we didn’t play too badly,
despite the tiredness of the end of the season. I wish to thank
the organization, along with the French Federation Team that has
been supporting us throughout the week. And of course, I want to
thank my own support team as well.
"I want to congratulate Isabelle for her first title, and the
whole of the French Team for their excellent performance during
this championship. And now, we’re all going to get some well
deserved rest!"
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 "That’s
it! Done! Ouf! That was far from being easy. In the final I
didn’t play my best squash, and if Sarah took an excellent
start, I as ever didn’t…
"I was just never able to shake my stress in this match, except
for the match ball where I went for a cross court volley
forehand nick… But it’s so hard to play when tense!!!! Mind you,
I did it, I guess that’s all that matters, as it’s easier when
you are the challenger, whereas on this occasion the pressure
was on me. Still I was able to manage it, and reach my goal.
"Nobody more than me is aware of the absence of the top English
Players, of Vanessa Atkinson and Madeline Perry, but as it’s my
first major title after my British Junior Open and the World
University champs, I’m appreciating this title to its true
value!
 "For
a few months now, I’ve got some good results, I’m not playing
too bad, although a lot of things still need to be worked on.
Still, it’s encouraging. But I want to go further on the
international circuit, and if these past months let me glance at
what I could achieve, I’m fully aware that things are just not
going to happen, and that I’ve got to work very hard at it!
"These moment are magic in the life of a sportswoman, and
listening to the Marseillaise gives you goosebumps all over…
Just for that moment, you want to get back on that podium as
soon as!
"I’ve got a few more matches to play this season, our Play-Offs
in Rennes, then a WISPA in Sannois, France.
"But right this minute, I’m enjoying the moment…"
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06-Jun,
Semi-finals:
[1] Isabelle Stoehr (Fra) bt [3/4] Manuela Manetta
(Ita) 4/11, 11/4, 11/4, 11/7
[3/4] Sarah Kippax (Eng) bt [5/8] Camille Serme
(Fra) 11/13, 11/4, 11/5, 11/13, 11/8
[1] Gregory Gaultier (Fra) bt [3/4] Adrian Grant
(Eng) 12/10, 11/9, 11/5
[2] Thierry Lincou (Fra) bt [3/4] Laurens Jan Anjema
(Ned) 11/5, 11/8, 11/3 |
Three French Finalists
in Bratislava ...
Since the European Individual Championships was resurrected in
2004 the men's event has always been won by a Frenchman.
Another French gold medal is assured in tomorrow's final as
Gregory Gaultier - winner of the last four championships -
and Thierry Lincou both won their semi-finals in straight
games.
Women's top seed Isabelle Stoehr made it three French
finalists as she recovered from a game down to beat Italy's
Manuela Manetta.
Stoehr is guaranteed a better finish than her bronze medals in
2006 and 2007, and will meet England's Sarah Kippax in
the final. Kippax denied a French clean sweep as she overcame
three-time European Junior Champion Camille Serme in a see-saw
five game match.
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All of our news is coming from
the French camp (En
Français)
If anyone else has any news:
eic@squashsite.co.uk |
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 "Can’t
believe it’s already semis time. Well today, I was facing Adrian
for a place in the final. It was a very disputed encounter for
the first two games. I think that I managed the important points
better at the end of the games.
"Won’t stay as our best match ever, but we just did what what we
had to do on the day…
"Tomorrow, last match, last day, and I hope to close the first
part of the season on a positive note."
 "I’m
happy to be in the final, my first ever…
"Tonight was a good and solid match, and it’s a good result.
"Tomorrow will be our last match of the season. May the best win
..."
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THE FRENCH CONNECTION
Once again, the only info we are getting are through the French
Connection, so sorry if my little reports seem a bit biased…!
In the playoffs Renan, recovered from two tough matches, was
able to beat a Mark Krajcsack who was a bit deflated after his
good performances the day before. The Frenchman pushed his
opponent well to the back and tired him at the front with boasts
and drop shots. If Renan lost a bit of concentration in the
second, he sailed through comfortably after that, always keeping
his nose in front.
For Greg, Adrian was able to prevent the Frenchman from
volleying by some excellent length and width, and imposed his
rhythm to the match. Still, it’s Greg who was able to close it
out each time…
As for Thierry, contrary to the day before, he took an excellent
start, putting LJ under a lot of pressure with his volleying and
his tight shots in particular on the left side wall. LJ was
pushed to make the errors, and although the second was a bit
more disputed, Thierry found 7 winners for only 2 unforced
errors in the third, allowing him to get a comfortable 3/0
victory.
Now for the girls…
Isabelle took a not too good start, which allowed Italian
Manuela to put the number one seed under pressure. Still, Isa
was able to find her touch and length, in particular on her
opponent’s forehand. While taking the control of the T, Isabelle
was able to impose her game, and tune her famous touch.
For Camille, she played at the same level as Sarah. She made a
few wrong choices at crucial times, but got rid of her “junior”
game, which is a good sign for the future, as she’s got so much
to learn, says her coach Philippe Signoret…
Well, to conclude, France came very close to a “full basket”,
but after all, three out of four, not too bad, is it?
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 "I
came very close, but unfortunately, I lost. I was really
disappointed right after the match as it was a very close game
that was within my reach.
"But overall, I had a good championship, and I hope to end on a
good match tomorrow. It will be hard again, but I really would
like to be on the podium, there is a medal to fight for…"
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 "I’m
in the final of the European individuals for the first time, and
whatever happens now, I will have done better than the previous
years. But I intend to give it all to get on the top step of
that podium…
"My two first matches were anything but easy, and we only
learned quite late that we were playing to 11. But it’s OK, I
was able to manage well.
"Yesterday I started poorly against Manuela, and points string
away so far when your brain is not connected!!! But I was able
to get back under control, got some good length in, and that
made the difference. Manue is a very good player, so I’m happy
with the scoreline.
"Today, I’m playing against Sarah, from memory it will be our
first meeting, so an interesting encounter… I’m feeling good, I
love playing on the glass court… It’s nothing but pleasure…
"Just one more…"
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Men's Round Three
05 Jun |
Quarters
05 Jun |
Semis
06 Jun |
Final
07 Jun |
[1] Gregory
Gaultier (Fra)
11/8, 11/9, 11/8
Andrea Capella (Ita) |
[1] Gregory Gaultier
11/1, 11/6, 11/4
[5/8] Joey Barrington |
[1] Gregory
Gaultier 12/10, 11/9, 11/5
[3/4] Adrian Grant |
[1] Gregory
Gaultier 11/7, 6/11, 11/7,
4/11, 11/4
[2] Thierry Lincou |
[5/8] Joey
Barrington (Eng)
11/9, 11/9, 13/11
[9/16] Dylan Bennett (Ned) |
[5/8] Borja
Golan (Esp)
7/11, 11/7, 11/2, 11/5
[9/16] Simon Rosner (Ger) |
[5/8] Borja Golan
11/9, 11/3, 9/11, 11/7
[3/4] Adrian Grant |
[3/4] Adrian
Grant (Eng)
11/6, 11/4, 3/11, 11/3
[9/16] Aqeel Rehman (Aut) |
[9/16] Jakob
Dirnberger (Aut)
11/1, 11/3, 11/4
[3/4] Laurens Jan Anjema (Ned) |
[3/4] Laurens Jan Anjema
11/8, 6/11, 8/11, 11/2
[5/8] Renan Lavigne |
[3/4] Laurens Jan Anjema
11/5, 11/8, 11/3
[2] Thierry Lincou
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[9/16] Alister
Walker (Eng)
11/3, 6/11, 11/7, 5/11, 11/6
[5/8] Renan Lavigne (Fra) |
[9/16] Mark
Krajcsak (Hun)
11/9, 11/4, 11/13, 11/6
[5/8] Jonathan Kemp (Eng) |
[9/16] Mark Krajcsak
11/9, 7/11, 11/7, 11/2
[2] Thierry Lincou |
[9/16] Arthur
Gaskin (Irl)
11/4, 11/5, 11/8
[2] Thierry Lincou (Fre) |
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2nd round:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Roman Dolynych
(UKR) 11-5, 11-4, 11-5
Andrea Capella (ITA) bt [9/16] David Vidal
(ESP) 3-11, 11-7, 11-4, 12-10
[9/16] Dylan Bennett (NED) bt Domagoj Spoljar (CRO)
11-8, 11-4, 11-3
[5/8] Joey Barrington (ENG) bt Tomas Toth
(SVK) 11-4, 11-6, 11-3
[5/8] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Michelangelo Bertocchi
(ITA) 11-4, 11-5, 11-4
[9/16] Simon Rosner (GER) bt Roman Celler (SVK)
11-4, 11-3, 11-6
[9/16] Aqeel Rehman (AUT) bt Piedro Schweertman (NED)
5-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-8
[3/4] Adrian Grant (ENG) bt Peter Kviecinsky
(SVK) 11-3, 11-2, 11-5
[3/4] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Andre Lima (POR)
11-2, 11-1, 11-6
[9/16] Jakob Dirnberger (AUT) bt Pavel Sladecek (CZE)
10-12, 12-10, 5-11, 12-10, 11-5
[9/16] Alister Walker (ENG) bt Wim van Asten
(BEL) 11-7, 11-9, 11-7
[5/8] Renan Lavigne (FRA) bt Alexei Severinov
(RUS) 11-4, 11-6, 11-2
[5/8] Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt Anthony Brindle (GIB)
11-5, 11-4, 11-7
[9/16] Mark Krajcsak (HUN) bt Marek Manik
(SVK) 11-8, 11-2, 11-5
[9/16] Arthur Gaskin (IRL) bt Rene Mijs
(NED) 11-4, 11-7, 11-8
[2] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Dmytro Shcherbakov (UKR)
11-7, 11-6, 11-4
1st round:
Roman Dolynych (UKR) bt Atilla Dobai
(SVK) 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7
Domagoj Spoljar (CRO) bt Konstantinos Kargiotis (GRE)
11-7, 11-6, 11-5
Tomas Toth (SVK) bt Valery Litvinko
(RUS) 11-2, 12-10, 11-2
Michelangelo Bertocchi (ITA) bt Rusian Sorochynskvi (UKR)
11-4, 11-8, 11-9
Roman Celler (SVK) bt Marton Szaboky
(HUN) w/o
Piedro Schweertman (NED) bt Sergey Kostrykin (RUS)
11-3, 11-0, 11-2
Peter Kviecinsky (SVK) bt Lukasz Nitka
(POL) 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3
Andre Lima (POR) bt Miroslav Celler
(SVK) 11-8, 11-8, 12-10
Wim van Asten (BEL) bt Kostyantyn Rybalchenko (UKR)
11-2, 11-2, 11-2
Alexei Severinov (RUS) bt Marcin Kozik
(POL) 11-4, 11-3, 11-7
Anthony Brindle (GIB) bt Martin Kostolansky
(SVK) 11-7, 11-4, 8-11, 7-11, 11-3
Marek Manik (SVK) bt Pavel Efimov
(RUS) w/o
Dmytro Shcherbakov (UKR) bt Nikolas Paphitis
(CYP) 11-6, 11-2, 6-11, 11-8
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Women's Round Two
05 Jun |
Quarters
05 Jun |
Semis
06 Jun |
Final
07 Jun |
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[1] Isabelle Stoehr (Fra)
11/7, 11/2, 11/6
[9/16] Elisabet Sado Garriga (Esp)
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[1] Isabelle Stoehr
11/5, 11/5, 11/9
[9/16] Maud Duplomb |
[1] Isabelle Stoehr
4/11, 11/4, 11/4, 11/7
[3/4] Manuela Manetta |
[1] Isabelle Stoehr
5/11, 11/6, 11/7, 11/4
[3/4] Sarah Kippax |
[5/8] Milja Dorenbos (Ned)
11/13, 11/4, 11/6, 11/5
[9/16] Maud Duplomb (Fra)
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[5/8] Lauren Siddall (Eng)
11/6, 11/4, 11/6
[9/16] Birgit Coufal (Aut)
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[5/8] Lauren Siddall
5/11, 6/11,
12/10, 11/4,
11/8
[3/4] Manuela Manetta |
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[3/4] Manuela Manetta (Ita)
11/4, 11/4, 11/8
Linda Hruzikova (Svk)
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Margaux Moros-Pitarch (Esp)
11/1, 11/6, 11/0
[3/4] Sarah Kippax (Eng)
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[3/4] Sarah Kippax
11/7, 11/7,
11/7
[5/8] Orla Noom |
[3/4] Sarah Kippax
11/13, 11/4, 11/5, 11/13, 11/8
[5/8] Camille Serme |
[9/16] Kerri Shields (Irl)
11/8, 11/3, 11/6
[5/8] Orla Noom (Ned) |
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[9/16] Dagmar Vermeulen (Ned)
11/3, 11/5, 11/7
[5/8] Camille Serme (Fra)
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[5/8] Camille Serme
2/11, 11/4, 11/7, 6/11, 11/8
[2] Annelize Naude |
Pamela Hathway (Ger)
11/7, 12/10, 11/1
[2] Annelize Naude (Ned)
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Women's 1st round:
[9/16] Elisabet Sado Garriga (ESP)
bt Olga Ertlova (CZE) 11-9, 11-6, 12-10
[9/16] Maud Duplomb (FRA) bt Andrea
Malinova (SVK) 11-5, 11-3, 11-6
[5/8] Milja Dorenbos (NED) bt Vaso
Karasava (CYP) 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
[5/8] Lauren Siddall (ENG) bt Liliana
Hruzikova (SVK) 11-3, 11-5, 11-3
[9/16] Birgit Coufal (AUT) bt Dominika
Witkowska (POL) 11-2, 11-3, 11-3
Linda Hruzikova (SVK) bt [9/16] Kim
Hannes-Teunen (BEL) 11-9, 11-5, 11-7
[3/4] Manuela Manetta (ITA) bt Isabell
Schoor (IOM) 11-6, 11-2, 11-7
[3/4] Sarah Kippax (ENG) bt Aneta
Paprnakova (SVK) 11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5
Margaux Moros-Pitarch (ESP) bt [9/16]
Pamela Pancis (AUT) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5
[9/16] Kerri Shields (IRL) bt Diana Leguss
(EST) 11-2, 11-5, 11-2
[5/8] Orla Noom (NED) bt Ekatarina
Glinchikova (RUS) w/o
[5/8] Camille Serme (FRA) bt Ivana
Blazekova (SVK) 11-3, 11-0, 11-3
[9/16] Dagmar Vermeulen (NED) bt Eliza
Kargioti (GRE) 11-3, 11-1, 11-5
Pamela Hathway (GER) bt [9/16] Victoria
Lust (ENG) 9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 12-10
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05-Jun, Day Two:
Down to the semis
Thursday was the busiest day, with two rounds of play for both
men and women which left us with the semi-finalists.
The biggest upset of the day came as France's Camille Serme
overcame second seed Annelize Naude in a five game quarter-final
to record the best win of her brief senior career.
Further French success came as defending men's champion
Gregory Gaultier, second seed Thierry Lincou
and women's top seed Isabelle Stoehr eased through to the
semi-finals - what price two all-French finals ??? |
A
FRENCH POINT OF VIEW
Well, the very least we can say is that news from Bratislava is
scarce!
Thanks to my compatriots Philippe Signoret and André
Delhoste, our two National coaches, and French number one
and two Greg and Thierry we have an idea of what’s going
on there, although it’s a bit of puzzle sometimes!
From what I understand from the coaches reports, LJ Anjema
got an easy ride to the quarters against Jakob Dirnberger,
whereas Renan Lavigne had a heavy battle, tinted with
revenge from Canary Wharf, against Strong Alister Walker.
Although Renan beat Ali in 5, I guess it must have been pretty
hard to take on LJ the same day, only hours later…
Still, those matches have got to be won, and that’s what LJ did
beautifully, although Renan prevented him from volleying in the
first game, only to play too short in the second, giving LJ both
the T and his confidence back…
The third was so close, but Renan put a volley in the tin that
could have given him a 9/9 score, and he didn’t have much left
in the fourth…
For Greg, the first real test was against Joey
Barrington in the quarters. If the Frenchman lost a bit of
speed in the second, a much slower than normal Barrington was
not able to put enough pressure on his opponent today. Greg will
be fresh to face Adrian Grant, who lost only one game
against Borja Golan.
Former World number one Thierry Lincou started as well as
he normally does, and André tells us that it took a good three
games for the Frenchman to play at his normal speed, against a
fired up Mark Krajcsak after his unexpected victory
against Joey Kemp earlier in the day. The French coach
was very impressed by the Hungarian's performance.
Now to the Ladies. As Philippe noticed, “we’ve got two French
ladies in the semis, confirming the French progression on the
European circuit”.
The surprise, of course, didn’t come from Isabelle Stoehr,
number one seed, who was playing compatriot Maud Duplomb
- who still made her teammate work up a good sweat at times -
Isa will now play Manuela Manetta, who battled hard to
get rid of Lauren Siddall in five…
No, of course, the surprise comes from Camille Serme, who
had lost the two encounters she had this season against seed
number two Annelize Naude. And after a terrible start,
all thought “never two without three”, as the French say.
But maybe Annelize relaxed too much, allowing the young French
girl to go for her shots, and take both confidence and momentum.
An hour-long game, a very clever end of game from the
Netherlander, but a young Camille who fought for every point.
In the semi-final she plays Sarah Kippax who will have to
adapt quickly to this Pro-Scoring, as Wispa calls it, as
she is sometimes prone to find the tin too many times in a row…
Camille has never beaten the English lady, and will have to play
at her utmost best tomorrow to hope for an all French final…
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Gaultier goes for a fifth
The European Individual Championships, revived in 2004, return
to Eastern Europe this year as France's Gregory Gaultier
aims to maintain his unbeaten record in the competition.
The world number two triumphed in Bratislava three years ago and
went on to retain the title in Prague, Budapest and last year at
home in Royan.
His expected opponent in the final is compatriot Thierry
Lincou, although both face tough potential semi-finals
against either Adrian Grant or Laurens Jan Anjema.
In the women's event France's Isabelle Stoehr, who
finished third in 2007 and 2006, is top seed with Holland's
Annelize Naude seeded two. The championships will be the
first ESF event to use PAR to 11 scoring. |
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"So
far so good...
"I
just played my first match on the glass court against Joey. It
allowed me to find my marks. I was able to manage that match
rather well, and I’m not unhappy with my day!
