European Team Championship 2010-2020

European team championships have been held for a long time, and the format of their holding has changed quite often. Since its inception, the national team of Ukraine has played both at the European Team Championship and at its kind of "satellite" - the European Cup.

Konstantin Rybalchenko: at such championships very difficult and strong-willed victories are remembered, which cannot be forgotten later

The national team of Ukraine at the ECE-2007 (Italy, Riccione)

Konstantin Rybalchenko: "My first trip to the European Team Championship was in Italy (note 2007). I went to the tournament as part of the national team of Ukraine as a reserve player. Our team then participated in the 2nd division. For me it was the first international trip, where I could see with my own eyes, not on video, live such great players as Nick Matthew, James Willstrop, Terry Linkou, Lee Beatchel and many others.

I was given the opportunity to play one game against Hungary. What experience did I get? Priceless, I could closely watch the game of world stars. By how they prepare for their games, how they adjust to the game, what plan they follow, how they behave on and off the court. I think this is the best experience that can be a beginner and more! "

Only in 2011 did the European Squash Federation decide to structure the continental championship by combining various team tournaments and introducing a system of divisions. As a result, the recent European Nations Cup has become a third division, subject to strict rotation with more elite levels. The exchange between these divisions is subject to a strict principle - two weak teams fall into the lower division, and two stronger ones move to the higher, first or second, respectively.

Dmytro Shcherbakov: the hegemony of the promising Denis Podvorny began in Ukrainian squash

National team of Ukraine at KCHE-2011 (Finland, Espoo)

Dmytro Shcherbakov: "I was finishing my career as a player in 2011. For me it was the last European squash team championship. I really wanted to keep a residence permit for Ukraine in the second division. I even agreed to be a reserve player, but ready at any moment. In the group we lost to Finland and Belgium 0: 4 without any chances, then lost to Austria 0: 4 for survival, but already took games from rivals, and in the game for the right to stay in the second division they lost to eternal rivals from Slovakia in a very stubborn fight: Sorochynsky lost 1: 3, Rybalchenko - 2: 3, Fedoruk - 0: 3.

I lost to young Miroslav Seller 11: 3. The first game took easily 11: 4, in the second he had two game points, but did not press and in the end 11:13. Then I didn't have enough strength and I lost ...

After returning from this tournament in Ukrainian squash, the hegemony of the promising Denis Podvorny (a student of Dmytro Shcherbakov) began, who gained experience and became the champion of Ukraine in squash for 5 years in a row. "

The national team of Ukraine, which exists (as, in fact, the Ukrainian squash school itself) not so long ago, initially had the lowest rating among the participants. Opponents have always been very strong - these are the rules of sowing. Meanwhile, our athletes trained hard, fought and gained important experience.

Yulia Pugach: the emotions that an athlete experiences from sports, travel, new acquaintances, accomplishments and especially from team trips are STRENGTH!

National team of Ukraine at KCHE-2014 (Croatia, Zagreb)

Yulia Pugach: "For me, the European Championship was a separate World! Since I ended my professional career as a tennis player due to injury, joining the squash team and the opportunity to go to the championship was a second chance for me. I got a lot for myself. turn, the emotions you feel during a team trip and I'm not even talking about competition, just gathering athletes and anticipation of the future.

The first European Championship was a completely new experience for us, especially for me and Liana Sardak, the girls - Nadia Usenko and Alina Bushma, despite their young age, were much more experienced than us. It was cool, scary, exciting, incomprehensible, but very cool! We were one team. Oleksiy Usenko helped us a lot, and we were all fighters. We won bronze in the first championship, it was a very good start, which stimulated us all to work and play on to win and show the best result next year! ”

Ukrainian national teams often balanced on the border - then went up to the second division, then returned to the third - but did not lose faith in themselves, and in 2018 the women's team set a record, taking the final 1st place (this is the position of teams in the third division ).

Liana Sardak: I had the opportunity to watch players from different parts of the world, different levels of the game, other clubs and another country

The national team of Ukraine at the 2018 European Football Championship (Latvia, Riga)

Liana Sardak: "The long-awaited victory of the national team of Ukraine. The tournament was held in Riga. The team was represented by the strongest team. In this tournament, the men's national team of Ukraine also participated in the third division. Finally, there was strong support from the stands. On the way to the championship, the team overcame such strong teams as Austria, Sweden and Italy, which makes the first place doubly valuable, and finally the team deservedly moved to a higher division. In which is at the moment.

This year's European Championship was held by the Ukrainians no worse, retaining their right to play in the second division. Given the fact that over the years our players have become not only very experienced and skilled, but also able to unite in a real team.

The national team of Ukraine at the EU-2019 (England, Birmingham)

Liana Sardak: "I want to say that the second division is a completely different level of play. The composition of the players, the organization of national teams, equipment, the organization of the tournament - all at a very high level. watching the games of the world's first rackets is an unforgettable experience that gives an understanding of the direction of development of the team as a whole, and yourself as a player.

The tournament was held in Birmingham, England. The country's largest sports club (Edgbaston Priory Club) focuses on racket sports. In which there were 27 tennis courts, 10 squash courts, courts for other racket types.

Following the results of the tournament, the national team of Ukraine was able to keep its registration in the second division, showing a decent game in the competition with strong national teams. ”

The men's national team of Ukraine has worthily finished the European team championship in the third division. Even after our guys failed to reach the final for a place in the second division, they did not give up, but continued to fight to the last. This was evidenced by the fantastic victory against the national team of Norway in the decisive match for the prize on the fourth day of the championship.

Arthur Sikora: First of all, it's high-speed games. Team "spirit" and a sense of responsibility both for their country and for the Squash Federation of Ukraine

The national team of Ukraine at the EU-2019 (Portugal, Lisbon)

Artur Sikora: "In 2019 in Portugal, the result of my match depended on the 3rd place in the European Team Championships Division-3. It was a very, very important moment. The feeling that not only the whole team is looking at you, but the whole of Ukraine. It was enough to "take" one game. And I remembered the joyful mega-shout of my team when I succeeded! It was one of the happiest moments in my life. Thank you FSU for this unique opportunity and with the hope of new trips and achievement!"

Men's European Team Championship 1st & 2nd Division 2010-2020

European Men's Team Championship 3rd Division 2010-2020

European Women's Team Championship 1st & 2nd Division 2010-2020

European Women's Team Championship 3rd Division 2010-2020

©Анна Теслева