LUXEMBOURG HAVE TO SETTLE FOR SECOND PLACE In the European Small Nations Squash Tournament, held last week in Monaco, Luxembourg had to settle for second place in both the mens’ and womens’ team tournaments, but acquitted themselves admirably in the individual competitions, Sandra Denis winning for the women and Sanjay Raval finishing as runner-up for the men. The teams, sponsored by CITCO, the fund service administration company, started well enough, with victory for the women 3-0 over Liechtenstein and a crushing 5-0 win for the men over Iceland. The men continued this good form with a fine 4-1 win against Liechtenstein, with only Sanjay Raval losing against the strongest player in the tournament, Marcel Rothmund. The second womens’ match saw them having to yield to a Malta team with strength in depth 1-2, Sandra Denis being the only winner. The last womens’ match saw them win comfortably against Monaco 3-0 to take the silver medal. The men had to concede their last match 4-1 to hosts Monaco who proved too strong for them, with only Daniel Kaiser recording a win, making him the only player on his team to register three wins. The men also therefore had to settle for second place. The individual tournament which followed confirmed Sandra Denis’ ranking as top woman player as she won the final against Annabelle Diamantino, the no.1 from Malta. In the mens’ individual competition,Sanjay Raval did well to beat Christian Billard of Monaco, who had beaten him in the team event. However, Marcel Rothmund of Liechtenstein proved too strong again in the final, but Sanjay can be proud of his second place. Other good performances in the individuals came from Stephane Ayache, who finished 4th, and from Daniel Kaiser, who finished in 10th place, well above his seeding. website: http://www.squash.asso.mc/

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.