Scotland’s women into European semi-finals after flawless opening day

The 2018 European Team Championships in Poland began at the Hasta La Vista Sport Center in Wroclaw, Poland earlier today (Wednesday) with Scotland’s women’s team sealing a semi-final berth.

They are competing in Division Two and have been drawn in Group B alongside Denmark (2), Russia (7) and Ireland (6).

The third seeded Scots began their campaign very impressively defeating both Ireland and Russia, 3-0.

Lisa Aitken kicked things off in the tie against Ireland beating Sophie O’Rourke 11-2 11-5 11-2 before Robyn Young saw off Sarah Corcoran in equally impressive fashion, winning 11-1 11-4 11-4.

GU17 British Junior Champion Georgia Adderley completed the clean sweep, defeating Laura Neill 11-1 11-4 11-9.

Making her Scottish debut in this event, Alison Thomson won 11-7 11-5 11-7 against Ekaterina Marusan of Russia in the second tie opener.

Robyn Young then fought hard to claim an 11-7 8-11 11-6 7-11 11-6 win over Irina Beliaeva before another debutant Katriona Allen defeated Alesya Aleshina 11-9 11-8 11-7.

Scotland now take on Denmark tomorrow morning (9am UK time) to determine who tops Group B.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s men, seeded fourth, are once again competing in Europe’s top division and are drawn in Group A together with defending champions France (1), Spain (5) and Denmark (8).

They came up against a highly impressive Spanish team on Wednesday afternoon with the Spaniard’s securing a 3-1 win.

Kevin Moran lost to Edmon Lopez-Moller 5-11 7-11 3-11 before Greg Lobban went down in four 11-7 9-11 8-11 2-11 in a match lasting over an hour.

Rory Stewart lost to Carlos Cornes 13-15 1-11 11-9 8-11 with Alan Clyne securing the first Scottish men’s win after one hour and 17 minutes of action against Iker Pajares, 11-9 11-7 8-11 9-11 11-3.

Their second tie against Denmark initially went the way of the Danes after Lau Ulrik Kiehn’s 54 minute, 11-9 7-11 11-4 9-11 5-11, win over Kevin Moran.

However Greg Lobban, who this month reached a career high world ranking of 30, drew the tie level after beating Kristian Frost, 11-7 11-9 11-8.

Rory Stewart then claimed a straight games win over Thomas Laursen, 11-6 11-5 11-5 with Alan Clyne sealing his second victory of the day against Rasmus Møller, 11-8 11-8 11-6 as Scotland took the tie 3-1.

Scotland’s men next take on France at 3pm tomorrow (Thursday).

Full results and draws can be found here. 

Live streaming from the two showcourts during the day can be viewed here.

Full Scotland Squad for the 2018 European Team Championships, May 2-5.

Women’s Team: Lisa Aitken, Georgia Adderley, Katriona Allen, Robyn Young and Ali Thomson.

Men’s Team: Alan Clyne, Greg Lobban, Kevin Moran, Rory Stewart, Stuart George and Chris Leiper.