History! Nele and Tine Gilis lead Belgium to historic European squash title

Nele and Tine Gilis have won a historic title. The Belgian women were crowned European squash champions on Saturday in Ulster (Zürich), Switzerland. In the final of the European Championship for national teams, they defeated England 2-1.

Nele Gilis (PSA-4) showed the way by beating Georgina Kennedy (PSA-6) 11-2, 11-8, 11-13 and 11-5, after which Lucy Turmel (PSA-30) defeated the defending champion 11- 8, 11-7, 11-2 win against Marie Van Riet (PSA-203). In the decisive third match, Tinne Gilis (PSA-9) was too strong for Jasmine Hutton (PSA-29) with 11-8, 12-10 and 11-2. “Perhaps I have never been as proud in my entire life as I am now,” Tinne Gilis responded immediately after her match.

Belgium is only the fourth country on the honors list. Since 1978, no fewer than 42 of 45 editions have been won by England. Previously, the Netherlands (2010) and France (2019) were able to break that hegemony. Last year the Belgian squash players won silver, in 2018 and 2019 they took bronze. That now went to the French, who defeated Wales 2-1 for third place.