Silver for England in 2026 European U19 Mixed Team Championships

England finished runners-up at the European U19 Mixed Team Championship after a nail-bitingly close final against France in Krakow.

Sunday's showpiece at Atras Squash Club was the fifth year in succession that these two rivals had met in the climax of these championships, and the third year in a row France have taken the title - although it ultimately came down to points difference after the match finished 2-2.

The first tie was a repeat of last week's European U19 Individual final with Amir-Khaled Jousselin taking on British Junior champion Dylan Roberts.

The first game was neck and neck until a crucial unforced tin by the Englishman at 8-8 gave Khaled-Jousselin the impetus he needed to claim it 11-8.

The Nancy-born star took the second more easily, but Roberts built a 10-4 lead in the third, eventually closing it out 11-9. It was only a temporary reprieve, however, as Khaled-Jousselin reasserted himself in the fourth, taking the match 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4 to put 'les Bleus' 1-0 up.

Lauren Baltayan, playing the last game of her junior career, was ruthless in defeating Mariam Eissa 11-4, 11-6, 11-3 to put France 2-0 up.

But back came England, with British and English Junior champion Emily Coulcher-Porter going two games up against Leelou Laporte. However, with match balls at 10-7, Laporte dug in and took a dramatic third game 14-12.

That proved to be crucial. Although Coulcher-Porter closed out the match 11-9, 11-5, 12-14, 11-5, that dropped game meant Ronnie Hickling next had to win in straight games, and win well, to even give England a chance.

The Surrey teenager went 11-8, 11-6 up, but some rapid mathematics after the second game showed France had an unassailable 122-109 lead in points, and the Gallic celebrations began.

"We're pretty devastated right now," said Roberts.

"This week has shown we're towards the top of both Individuals and Teams. It was a pretty easy ride for us to the final, so it was disappointing not to get it over the line."

England Development Head Coach Tim Vail added: "It's a bitter pill to swallow. In the end we were only one point away from having the opportunity to win the boys’ second rubber 3-0 and take the victory.

"Generally we're very pleased with our players' performances over both events. It's tough that in the Team event we fell so narrowly short."

On Saturday, England had beaten first-time semi-finalists Israel 3-1 to maintain their record of reaching every final since these championships began in 1983.

In last week's European U19 Individual Championships, England claimed a silver and two bronze medals as France's top seeds Khaled-Jousselin and Baltayan won the respective boys' and girls' titles for the second successive year.

England no.1 Roberts started the final against Khaled-Jousselin in disciplined fashion to lead 9-6, but France's British Junior Open BU19 bronze medallist hit back to claim five successive points.

That gave the Nancy-born star a platform for the next two games, which he took in more authoritative style, completing an 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 victory in 42 minutes.

England also collected bronze after [3/4] Ronnie Hickling overcame Spain’s [3/4] Oriol Salvia Ripoll 11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6. The day before, Hickling had lost 11-6, 6-11, 11-3, 11-8 to Khaled-Jousselin in the semis.

[3/4] Reka Kemecsei, who went down 11-7, 11-1, 11-2 to champion Baltayan in the semi-finals, claimed the girls' bronze medal when compatriot [2] Mariam Eissa withdrew from the 3/4 play-off due to an injury.

Warwickshire star Eissa had sustained the injury in the fourth game of her semi-final against [3/4] Savannah Moxham with the score 13-15, 11-6, 13-11, 6-1 in the Belgian's favour.

View the final results on the European Squash website.