The Belgian women’s team has been crowned European squash champions for the first time in history. Belgium beat England 2-1 in the final of the European Team Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. The Belgian squash team was led by the sisters Nele and Tinne Gilis, who are both ranked in the top ten of the world.
With its victory, Belgium became only the fourth country on the roll of honour of the women’s European Team Championships squash. England only lost twice since the first edition in 1978, in 2019 when they were beaten by France and in 2010 by the Netherlands. Belgium already came very close to breaking England’s domination last year, but then lost in the final. In 2018 and 2019, they had taken the bronze medal.
This time, the Belgian leading ladies Nele and Tinne Gilis managed to finish the job. The 28-year-old Nele Gilis, ranked fourth in the world, showed the way by beating Georgina Kennedy – only ranked two places lower. Belgian Marie Van Riet then suffered a logical defeat to Lucy Turmel, listed 173 places higher on the world ranking. It was then up to Tinne Gilis, two years younger than her sister and the number nine in the world. In the decisive third game, she proved too strong for her opponent Jasmine Hutton and won 3-0.
