England retain both titles at European Mixed Team U15 & U17 Championships

England won both titles in Prague on Sunday to continue their historic dominance of the European Mixed Team U15 & U17 Squash Championships.

Esther Chak (Surrey) was the heroine in the U15s' final against Poland, getting up from a painful stinging shot into her thigh in the third game to win seven points in a row and clinch the deciding third rubber.

The U17s beat France 8-5 on games to win the title for the 24th time out of the 26 stagings of the U17 championship since it changed from an U16 event in 1999. The U15s' victory was England's 20th title out of 24 since the age category was added in 2001.

U15s

For the second year in a row, England faced Poland in the final - and just like last year in Bordeaux, the defending champions clinched the title after a dramatic conclusion.

Starting with the boys' no.2s, Kylen Calder (Essex) defeated Benjamin Morzyc 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 to give England the lead. But Poland's no.1 boy, Kacper Stachowiak - winner of this year's German and Czech Junior Open titles - levelled matters by beating Alex Koa-Wing (Middx) 11-7, 11-9, 11-6.

That set up a decider, in which British and English U15 champion Chak battled into a two-game lead.

But at 5-8 down in the third, she was accidentally drilled in the back of her right leg by her opponent Anna Jakubiec. Medical staff and coaches came onto court and there was a lengthy stoppage in play as she received treatment.

Resuming at 9-5 down due to the stroke, Chak tinned on the next point and faced game balls, but incredibly she rattled off seven points in a row with a flurry of attacking strokes to complete a 11-8, 11-9, 12-10 victory to retain the trophy.

"It really hurt and I couldn't move my leg at all," said Chak. "I thought it was going to be the end. But after a couple of minutes, it was better and I told myself, 'Push through!’”

Reflecting on her blistering finish to the contest, the 14-year-old said: "My movement wasn't that great, but I trust my shots. I thought, 'Just hit it long and if you get the chance, smash the ball! I was still two games up, so there was no harm in trying to hit some nicks."

The plan worked perfectly and Chak confessed to feeling "a bit of shock" after the celebrations had died down. "It all went by so quickly, it was so hectic!" she said.

"I was really, really nervous before, but whenever I'm nervous I'm good at faking being brave. Lucy [Townley] told me it's just a game of squash, which really helped relax my arms and legs. It feels great!"

U17s

The U17 final was marginally less dramatic as England took the title on games after a 2-2 draw thanks to straight games wins for both girls, Harriet Broadbridge (Hants) and Ameerah Ismail (Warwicks).

Theo Baudry, ranked European no.1 at U17, gave France an early lead but Matthew Leung (Gloucs) took the first game in his 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7 defeat, which would prove crucial.

Broadbridge then dismissed 15-year-old Cassy Lincou 15 (niece of former world champion Thierry) 11-7, 11-2, 11-2 and when Ismail breezed past 14-year-old Elia Grossi 11-2, 11-3, 11-5, England had an unassailable 7-3 lead in games.

Both teams decided to play out the dead rubber in a best-of-three, in which Leo Gaillard beat George Barker (Yorks) 12-10, 4-11, 11-9.

England coach Adam Fuller said: "Our U17 girls were so strong throughout the event, so when Matthew won that first game, it put a bit of game pressure on France and gave us a big advantage. Hattie and Ameerah were acutely aware of what that meant, so to go on court and be absolutely focused on getting the job done [winning in three] was massive."

On the sensational conclusion to Chak's match in the U15s, Fuller said:

"I just found myself saying after every rally, 'This is unbelievable!' She showed such grit, but I shouldn't have expected anything less from her. The relief on her face at the end was wonderful. She's a great fighter."

For a full list of results and draws, head to the ESF’s website.