EUROPEAN SQUASH NEWS

Inaugural European Nations Cup Underway In Slovakia

The inaugural European Nations Cup, a new initiative inspired by the European Squash Federation, gets underway this weekend in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The team event is restricted to small and developing squash nations that have yet to play in the European Team Championships or whose men have yet to be ranked in the top 16 or women outside the top 12 in Europe in the last five years.

"The European Nations Cup was introduced at the last ESF AGM," explained ESF President Chris Stahl.  "There will be men's teams of three and women's of two, to try and encourage participation and keep costs down."

National teams have entered from Croatia, Estonia, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Poland, Russia and Slovakia, plus women's teams from the Czech Republic and Hungary.  In addition "guest" teams have been introduced to make the draw up to 12 men's teams and six women's teams.  "They will enjoy the competition but are not eligible to win the trophies presented by Joyce Buckley, a former President of the ESF," said Stahl.

"In addition, there are individual events which are unofficial and introduced as a warm up for teams that arrive early and for individuals who do not have teams, such as Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine," Stahl added.

"A lot of squash will be played, much networking will take place, and sessions are planned on refereeing and marketing of the game. This should be a big boost for squash and an encouragement for the development of the game in countries where squash is a new sport," concluded Stahl.