England Wins Double at 2025 European Squash Championships
In a remarkable display of skill and teamwork, England claimed both the men’s and women’s titles at the 2025 European Team Squash Championships held in Wroclaw, Poland. The victories marked a significant achievement for the English teams, with the men’s team clinching their fifth consecutive title, and the women’s team reclaiming the crown from last year’s champions, Belgium.
The English men’s team extended their dominance in European squash with a commanding 3-1 win over France in the final, securing their fifth consecutive European title and 45th overall. Their performance once again left the French team as the runners-up, while Switzerland earned the bronze for the third consecutive year, defeating Germany 4-0.
The English women’s team reclaimed the title from last year’s champions, Belgium, with a nail-biting 2-1 victory in the final. As had been the case two years ago in Helsinki, Jasmine Hutton was the hero for England, delivering a thrilling performance on the anchor leg to seal the victory. France took the bronze medal after defeating Scotland 2-0.
Men’s Team: England’s Unstoppable Winning Streak Continues
In a memorable final, England’s men, led by the sensational 19-year-old debutant Jonah Bryant and world no.33 Curtis Malik, remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. The final against France saw Malik set the tone early with a hard-fought 7-11, 11-5, 11-2, 17-15 victory over Auguste Dussord. The encounter was intense, featuring long rallies and moments of tension, but Malik’s resilience and determination proved crucial.
The next match was a rematch of last year’s tempestuous encounter between Mohamed ElShorbagy and Victor Crouin. ElShorbagy, the former world no.1, found himself in a tough battle with the Frenchman. Crouin managed to turn the tide after losing the first game, going 2-1 up, but ElShorbagy leveled the score at 2-2. In the decider, Crouin played superbly, clinching the win 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 4-11, 11-6, leveling the overall match at 1-1.
Next up, Bryant, who had been a revelation throughout the competition, showcased his exceptional movement, racket work, and retrieval skills in his match against Baptiste Masotti. His victory, 11-4, 11-5, 3-11, 11-8, put England ahead 8-5 in games, meaning that Marwan ElShorbagy only needed to win a single game to secure the title. He did so with ease, winning 11-9 against Gregoire Marche, clinching the victory for England and securing their fifth consecutive European title.
Women’s Team: England’s Triumph Seals Dual Victory
In the opening match, England’s Georgina Kennedy faced her close friend, Tinne Gilis of Belgium, in a 64-minute epic that set the tone for the intense final. Despite Kennedy fighting back after losing the first game, Gilis proved too strong in the latter stages, winning 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 14-12, putting Belgium ahead 1-0.
Sarah Jane Perry, playing in her 100th appearance for England, quickly equalized with an 11-6, 11-6, 11-0 victory over Belgium’s Chloé Crabbé. Perry’s commanding performance took only 19 minutes, leveling the score at 1-1 and setting the stage for a dramatic decider.
Jasmine Hutton’s match against Belgium’s world no.13 Nele Gilis-Coll proved to be one of the most thrilling encounters of the tournament. Hutton started strong, winning the first two games on tiebreaks. However, Gilis-Coll responded by taking the third game, and a dramatic fourth game saw Hutton’s errors allow the Belgian to level the match. With everything on the line, Hutton showed incredible composure, taking an early lead in the fifth game and ultimately securing a 12-10, 12-10, 9-11, 3-11, 11-6 victory.
Hutton admitted the match had been “torture” but expressed pride in her ability to recover after dropping two games. “Nele is an incredible athlete but also a master fighter. Even though I went 2-0 up, I knew it was still going to be a massive dogfight. To come through in the fifth after dropping those two games was really impressive on my behalf,” she said.
The Path to Victory: England’s Unyielding Performance
Both English teams showed remarkable consistency and resilience throughout the championship. The men’s team, particularly, displayed excellent teamwork, with debutant Jonah Bryant shining brightly alongside seasoned players like Malik and ElShorbagy. The women’s team was similarly impressive, with Perry’s experience and Hutton’s match-clinching victory, solidifying their comeback from the previous year’s defeat.
England’s dominance in European squash continued to be a powerful symbol of the country’s squash legacy. With these victories, the English teams reinforced their reputation as world leaders in the sport, and both squads will undoubtedly carry their confidence into future competitions.
Division 2 Drama: Netherlands’ Historic Victory
While the attention was on the men’s and women’s divisions, Division 2 saw historic victories for the Netherlands, as their men’s and women’s teams triumphed over Poland and Ukraine, respectively. This was a significant achievement for the Netherlands, with both teams earning promotion to Division 1. Notably, this marks the first time Poland’s men’s team will compete in Division 1.
In the men’s final, a raucous atmosphere filled the arena as the Dutch men secured a tense victory over Poland. The match was sealed by Guido Lindner, who defeated Jakub Pytlowany in a nail-biting encounter. Lindner admitted afterward that the final moments had been extremely challenging, saying, “That was so tough, so tough! Before the last rally, I was cramping. I went to wipe my hand on the wall, and I was shaking. Luckily, I had five points to play with at that point.”
On the women’s side, the Netherlands defeated Ukraine, with Fleur Maas playing a pivotal role in the victory. Maas, who had been nervous during the earlier rounds, expressed immense joy at her team’s achievement. “I was so nervous in the previous matches, but I knew I needed to stay composed. I’m super happy that we got to win this tournament,” she said.
Relegations: Teams Facing Challenges in Upcoming Years
While the victors of Division 2 celebrated their success, the relegation battle in the men’s and women’s divisions was equally intense. Ireland and Israel’s men’s teams were relegated from Division 1, while Italy and Romania finished at the bottom of Division 2, dropping down to the third tier for 2026. On the women’s side, Finland and Denmark suffered relegation from Division 1, and Slovenia and Norway dropped from Division 2, marking a challenging period for these teams.
As the relegations unfold, these teams will need to regroup and come back stronger in the upcoming championships. The shifting dynamics between divisions show the evolving nature of European squash and the fierce competition that defines the sport at the international level.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for European Squash?
The 2025 European Team Squash Championships were a testament to the sport’s growing popularity and the fierce competition between top-tier teams. As England celebrates their dual victories, the other teams will be analyzing their performances and preparing for future tournaments, including the World Championships in the following week.
For England, the focus will now shift towards maintaining their form and defending their World Championship titles. For other teams like Belgium, France, and Switzerland, the lessons learned from the championship will be critical as they look to challenge England’s dominance in the years to come.
As the sport continues to evolve, the European Championships remain a pivotal event for squash nations to showcase their best talents, with every match offering a glimpse into the future of the game.
