European Team Squash Championship 2010-2020

European team championships have been held for a very 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 peculiar “satellite” - the European Nations Cup.

Konstantin Rybalchenko: at such championships very difficult and strong-willed victories are remembered, which are then impossible to forget

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 the way they prepare for their games, how they tune in to the game, or they stick to a plan, how they behave on and off the court. I think this is the best experience that can be a beginner player and more!"

Only in 2011, the European Squash Federation decided to structure the continental championship, combining various team tournaments and introducing a system of divisions. As a result, the recent European Nations Cup has turned into the third division, subordinated 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 strong ones go to the top, first or second, respectively.

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

Dmitry Shcherbakov: “In 2011, I was already finishing my career as a player. For me it was the last European squash team championship. I really wanted to keep my residence in the second division for Ukraine. I agreed to be even a substitute but ready to go to court anytime to give all in for our team and country, in the group we lost to Finland and Belgium 0-4 with no chance, then lost to Austria 0-4 for survival, but we already took the game from our rivals, and in the game for the right to remain in the second division lost to their eternal rivals from Slovakia in a very stubborn struggle.Sorochinskaya lost 1: 3, Rybalchenko - 2: 3, Fedoruk - 0: 3.

I lost to the young Miroslav Celler 11: 3. The first game took easily 11: 4, in the second I had two game balls, but did not finish the game and, as a result, 11:13. Further there was no strength and I lost ...

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

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 we have always come across very strong - this is the rules of sowing. Meanwhile, our athletes persistently trained, fought and gained important experience.

Julia Pugach: emotions that an athlete experiences from sports, trips, new acquaintances, accomplishments, and especially from team trips - this is POWER!

Yulia Pugach: “For me, the European Championship was a separate World! Since I stopped my professional career as a tennis player due to an 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. First of all. , the emotions that you experience during a team trip and I'm not even talking about competitions, just gathering athletes and a premonition 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 Bushmen, despite their young age, were much more experienced than us. It was cool, scary, exciting, incomprehensible, but very cool! We were one team. Alexey Usenko helped us a lot, and we were all fighters. At the first championship we won bronze, it was a very good start, which encouraged us all to work and play on, to win and to show the best result next year.”

The Ukrainian national teams often teetered on the brink - they rose 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 kind of record, taking the final first place (this is if we take the position of the 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

Liana Sardak: “The long-awaited victory of the Ukrainian national team. The tournament was held in Riga. The team was represented by the strongest players. At this tournament, the Ukrainian men's team also participated in the third division. Finally there was strong support from the stands. Despite one of the strongest compositions in the history of the third division, our team was able to get a significant victory. On the way to the championship, the team prevailed over such strong teams as Austria, Sweden and Italy. This makes the first place doubly valuable. Finally, the team deservedly moved to a higher division. which is currently located.

Last year's Ukrainian European Championship was held no worse, while retaining their right to speak in the second division. Given the fact that over the years our players have become not only much experienced and maystrovani, but also have been able to unite in a real team.

Liana Sardak: “I want to say that the second division is a completely different level of the game. The composition of the players, the organization of the participation of national teams, equipment, the organization of the tournament itself are all at a very high level. Also, the competitions of the second division are held in parallel with the games of the first division. We had the opportunity watching the games of the first racket of the world This is an unforgettable experience that gives an understanding of the direction of development of the national team as a whole, and yourself as a player.

The tournament was held in England, in the city of Birmingham. In the country's most athletic club (approx. Edgbaston Priory Club) focused on Rocket Sports. In which there were 27 tennis courts, 10 squash courts, courts for other racket types.

The national team of Ukraine following the results of the tournament, was able to maintain a residence permit in the second division, showing a decent game in competition with strong teams."

The men's national team of Ukraine worthily completed the European Team Championship in the third division. Even after our guys failed to reach the finals for places in the second division, they did not give up, but continued to fight to the last. The fantastic victory against the Norwegian team in the decisive match for the prize on the fourth day of the championship spoke for itself.

Arthur Sikora: First of all, these are games at high speeds. Team “spirit” and a sense of responsibility both for their country and for the Squash Federation of Ukraine.

Arthur Sikora: “In 2019, in Portugal, the prize 3rd place in the European Team Championships Division-3 depended on the result of my match. It was a very, very crucial moment. The feeling that you are watching not only the whole team, but the whole Ukraine with mine fans. It was enough to “take” one game. And I remembered the joyful mega-exclamation of my team when I did it! It was one of the joyful moments in my life. Thanks to the FSU for this unique opportunity and with hope for new trips and achievements "

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

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

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

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

© Anna Tesleva