LUXEMBOURG TO DEFEND SQUASH TITLES
The Luxembourg Squash Federation (FSL) is sending strong mens’ and womens’ teams to defend the titles they won so magnificently last year in Iceland in next week’s European Small Nations Squash Tournament. The squads, sponsored by CITCO, the fund service administration company, have been subject to intensive training for some time now under the guidance of national coach, Nathan Sneyd and are in good shape to do well in the tournament, which this year takes place in Monaco. The mens’ team is attempting to win the title for the third year on the run, and team news is good, with Neal Raval returning to the squad after missing the European team championships because of university exams. The extremely creditable 19th place (out of 28 teams) in the full Europeans has given the squad a lot of confidence and, with Sanjay Raval, Stephane Ayache, Danny Hutchines and Daniel Kaiser completing the squad having competed at the Europeans in Amsterdam, hopes are high for another good result. Main contenders for the title are likely to be hosts Monaco. Sandra Denis, Claudia Mich and Francoise Donven make up a strong womens’ team, bidding to win this title for the fifth time running. Once again,Monaco are likely to provide the strongest opposition, but the team is in good shape to bring back the title again to Luxembourg. The mens’ team matches will be played over two days against Iceland, Liechtenstein and Monaco, and the womens’ team games against Malta, Liechtenstein and Monaco.The team games will be followed by an individual competition over two days.