England claim silver at the Women’s World Championships 2016

Tournament favourites Egypt fought back from a match down to upset England, the defending champions, and take the title after three enthralling matches.

But it was second seeds England who took the lead on the all-glass court at Palais Des Sports Robert Charpentier in Paris where Laura Massaro, the World No.4, recovered from a game down to inflict the event's first defeat on Nour El Sherbini, the World No.1.

Former world champion Massaro, who went into the match 5/3 ahead in her career head-to-head battles with the Egyptian, won 11-9, 5-11, 6-11, 6-11 in 49 minutes to put England ahead.

The lead was short-lived however when World No.2 Nouran Gohar levelled with a 11-6 11-4 12-10 win over England’s Alison Waters to force a decider. World’s No.2 Raneem El Welily then beat Sarah-Jane Perry 12-10 11-4 11-6 to reclaim the title that Egypt lost to England in 2014.

It was the third final in a row involving the two teams, with Egypt winning in 2012 before England claimed the title for a seventh time in 2014.

England's Senior National Coach David Campion remarked:

"Really proud that our girls managed to put out such a high quality performance in the final. They fought for every point and made Egypt play to their best level to beat us so no regrets. The match was highly winnable, but Egypt responded and in the end were simply too good."

Final results

[1] EGYPT bt [2] ENGLAND 2/1
Nour El Sherbini lost to Laura Massaro 11-9, 5-11, 6-11, 6-11 (49m)
Nouran Gohar bt Alison Waters 11-6, 11-4, 12-10 (41m)
Raneem El Welily bt Sarah-Jane Perry 12-10, 11-4, 11-6 (31m)

Bronze medallists: [5] FRANCE & [4] HONG KONG CHINA

It wasn't to be for us in the final but congrats to Egypt on a great match. Had so much fun this week as part of this amazing team!! ?? pic.twitter.com/C3KGytKpNG

— Laura Massaro (@ljmassaro) December 4, 2016