Wales Aiming For European Glory At Edgbaston Priory

Wales are competing in the European Team Championships starting at Edgbaston Priory Club.

Some of the World’s leading squash players are among 200 players representing 22 nations battling it out for the coveted titles.

The Europeans promise to be an exciting foretaste of the world-class sport on offer at the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham in 2022.

Matches are being played on Priory’s world-standard courts and on a custom-built glass show court.  

Welsh players relax at Edgbastonn Priory.

World class players taking part in the event include Rhyl-based World #9 Tesni Evans, Haverfordwest’s World #15 Joel Makin, World #5 Simon Rosner, World #4 Camille Serme, World #6 Sarah-Jane Perry and World #7 Laura Massaro.

British champion Tesni flew back from playing in Egypt to represent Wales and says: “The European Team Championships are my favourite event of the year.”

Robert Bray, Chief Executive of Edgbaston Priory, said: “We are delighted to welcome players and spectators to our club for this prestigious international squash tournament which will be an exciting precursor to the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The all glass show court will give spectators the opportunity to get close to the action and watch the very best exponents of this fast-paced, thrilling sport.”

Tesni and Joel Makin lead Wales into their ETC for Welsh matches agains England, Spain and Switzerland in Division One.

The main arena at Edgbaston Priory for the European Team Championships.

Former World number three David Evans, Squash Wales Performance Director, says: “This years event promises to be an exciting tournament. 

“With both Joel and Tesni achieving remarkable results on the World tour I am confident they can lead their respective teams to success at this event.”

There is a strong contingent of players from Premier Squash League team Welsh Wizards in the national line-ups. Peter Creed, Emyr Evans and Elliott Morris Devred are Wizards in the men’s team, while Tesni is number one for the women.

Wales teams

Men: Joel Makin, Peter Creed, Emyr Evans, Elliott Morris Devred.

Ladies: Tesni Evans, Deon Saffery, Stacey Gooding, Elin Harlow

Coaches: Andrew Evans and David Evans.

Tesni Evans preparing for the European Team Championships.

England national coach David Campion has named the nine-strong squad which will head to the Europeans.

Men: Declan James, James Willstrop, Tom Richards, Daryl Selby, Adrian Waller

Women: Sarah-Jane Perry, Laura Massaro, Alison Waters, Victoria Lust

Tickets for the European Championships can be purchased via eventbrite.

Division One:

Men’s Pool A: France (number one seeds), Germany (4), Scotland (5), Hungary (P2).

Men’s Pool B: England (2), Spain (3), Wales (6), Switzerland (P1).

Women’s Pool A: England (1), Netherlands (4), Wales (5), Scotland (P2).

Women’s Pool B: France (2), Belgium (3), Switzerland (6), Spain (P1).

The top two in each pool progress to semi-finals, bottom two to play-offs.