Victories for a trio of Swedish men and Scottish women were among the highlights of a drama-packed finals day at the 2025 ESF European Masters Individual Championships in Wroclaw.
Eighteen winner’s medals were presented on Saturday evening with 13 different nationalities represented in the finals and a wonderful week enjoyed by all 600 competitors at the world-famous Hasta La Vista club.
SWEDE TASTE OF SUCCESS
Christian Drakenberg won his fourth European Masters gold medal by virtue of a fabulous 11-2, 10-12, 11-6, 11-2 victory over brave 50+ second seed Matthieu Benoit of France.
“I still get nervous every time! It still means a lot to me to win these titles,” said Drakenberg, before adding modestly: “My 50th birthday was last Monday so I have only just come up into this age category, so perhaps I was a little lucky!”
Compatriot Christian Borgvall won the men’s 55+ final without breaking sweat after his opponent, Predi Fritsche of Germany, withdrew. It was Borgvall’s second European Masters title following his 45+ victory in 2017, also at this venue.
Jonas Ulvsback made it a trio of Swedish men’s victories by beating England’s Darren Withey 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 in the 60+ final (avenging Withey’s win over Ulvsback’s Swedish team-mate and five-time European Masters champion Fredrik Johnson in yesterday’s semi-finals).
TARTAN HEROINES
Donna Cruickshank, Sue Strachan and Pauline Douglas shared an apartment in Wroclaw this week and all three headed back to Scotland with gold medals round their necks.
Second seed Cruickshank won the first final of the day 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 against England’s 3/4 seed Izzy Bramhall in the 55+.
“Thanks to everyone at Dean Squash Club in Edinburgh for supporting me, as I’ve been pestering everyone to practise with me!” said Cruickshank afterwards.
Top seed Strachan, who beat Finland’s Sari Niemisto 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 in the 60+ final, said: “I am just so relieved and delighted! I’ve worked really hard on my mind and my skills, so to come and play against the best in Europe – and to play like I know I can – was amazing. I’m so, so happy.”
After her historic win over England’s Ann Manley in the group stage, Pauline Douglas then made it a hat-trick of female Scottish title-winners by defeating [2] Catherine Woodhart 11-4, 11-2, 12-10 in the women’s 70+ final.
SIX OF THE BEST FOR ENGLAND…
Former world no.9 Bryan Beeson was one of six English title winners. The 1986 British national champion didn’t drop a game all week and won the 65+ final pretty comfortably 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 against second seed Lluis Suarez of Spain.
“It’s very motivating to come and play in an event like this,” said Beeson. “This squash club is fantastic and everybody is so keen. I think I’m moving as well now as I was 10 years ago!”
Top seed Chris Ansell was the oldest winner of the day in the men’s 80+ as he conquered [2] Robert Keilmann of Germany 11-3, 11-4, 11-9 to claim his third European Masters trophy.
“I will always enter the Masters,” said the 80-year-old. “I’ve found through all my time playing squash that the people who play this sport are so nice. You compete, then you’re best of friends in the bar having a drink.”
The 45+ category provided the day’s most dramatic finals – both won by England. Men’s top seed James Bowden battled back from two games down to reign in Germany’s 3/4 seed Heiko Schwarzer 4-11, 7-11, 11-7 11-6, 14-12.
Top seed Kate Bradshaw was two games and match ball down, but also showed incredible spirit to hit back and beat France’s Caroline Grangeon in a scintillating final, 10-12, 6-11, 16-14, 11-9, 11-5.
There was a slightly bizarre conclusion to Rachel Carver‘s win over Hungarian 5/8 seed Edina Szombati in the women’s 55+ final. The Englishwoman prepared to serve, not realising she had already won!
She said: “I hadn’t heard the referee say match ball! People were clapping and laughing and I wasn’t sure why. It was a bit embarrassing, especially on a glass court with a lot of people watching!”
There was a guaranteed English winner in the men’s 75+ final in which no.1 seed and British Open Masters champion Ian Graham won a marathon against Larry Glover 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-4.
…AND TWO FOR WALES
Roared on by her band of supporters who’d travelled from South Wales, women’s 40+ top seed Stacey Gooding went one better than her World Masters runner-up finish last summer by winning a lengthy duel with Czechia’s Eva Fertekova [2] by 11-9, 6-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-8.
Wales were guaranteed a second gold medal in the women’s 65+ event and it was Jill Campion who retained her title from Hamburg in 2023 with a 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 win over compatriot Lynne Davies.
DOUBLE DUTCH
The Netherlands claim the two youngest men’s trophies. Seven-time national champion Piedro Schweertman dropped down an age category for a tougher challenge and certainly found one in Marc Lopez, the Spanish-born Pole.
Lopez took the opening game but back came the former world no.63 to triumph 8-11, 11-5, 13-11, 11-6. The champion said: “It was a heavy final. I know Marc quite well but under these circumstances it’s always different. I’m happy to win, of course!”
Earlier, another Dutchman, Roberto Munoz Kalshoven, overcame 5/8 seed Steve Colarusso 11-4, 11-1, 11-3 despite the Welshman’s array of tricks shots.
“I was surprised to be top seed but I think I justified it in the end,” said Kalshoven. “I’m still a bit shocked but I’m really happy with how it went. I saw he had a tough match yesterday, so I tried to make it as physical as possible, extend the rallies and make him work.”
GOLDS FOR FINLAND AND GERMANY TOO
Kale Leskinen ensured the Finland flag rose above the glass court podium by beating Irishman Michael Conlon [3/4] 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 in the men’s 70+ final.
Germany’s Astrid Reimer-Kern had already sewn up the women’s 35+ title after building an unassailable four-point lead yesterday in the group of seven. She made sure of finishing with a perfect 6/6 record by beating England’s Kirsty West [2] in three games in her final match.