Inverness players help Scotland win promotion at European Championships in Switzerland
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Inverness Squash Club players helped Scotland’s men win the European Team Squash Championships Division Two title and and promotion to Europe’s top league.
Following relegation last year, the Scots had to be at their best for the duration of the four-day event to ensure a return to the top division.
Greg Lobban, Alasdair Prott and Martin Ross, three players who started at Inverness Squash Club, were part of the Scotland team which won the tournament and secured victory in Switzerland.
The squad also included Andrew Glen, John Meehan and Rory Stewart.
Following relegation last year, the Scots had to be at their best for the duration of the four-day event to ensure a return to the top division.
Reflecting on the victory, Scottish Squash Elite Performance Coach Paul Bell said: “It has been fantastic to have new players getting involved - all of the debutants managed to win matches and showed that they’re good enough to represent Scotland at this level.
“Greg Lobban and Rory Stewart have been really positive leaders of the team and they’ve done a great job of introducing the new guys to the group.
“The men saw off all their opponents in style, beating Portugal, Poland, Denmark and Israel convincingly en route to the final.
They faced their toughest opponents Hungary in the final, with Alasdair Prott getting the team off to an ideal start with a win.
Scotland’s top player Greg Lobban managed to overcome fierce resistance from world number 44
Farkas Balasz to take the team two clear, in a bruising match which lasted over an hour.
That left it to Martin Ross, who maintained his winning record at the tournament, to seal the title and promotion for the Scots.
Having secured the all-important final win, Ross said: “The boys did really well to get us two nil up
and I knew that a win for me would get a win for the team as well.
“I knew we had a game plan and knew that if I kept playing my game that I would get through it.
“I’m really happy with the performances of the team throughout the week and it’s going to be great
to be back in the top division next year.”
