The Scottish Women’s team of Dani Cassini, Emma Montgomery, Lynn Jenkins and Shirley Legge competed in the Women’s European Championships in Mersin, Turkey, last weekend.

The opening rounds followed the Swiss format and the Scots were drawn against Ukraine first up.  The results from the Swiss were as follows:

1. Scotland 13-7 Ukraine

2. Scotland 0-13 Italy

3. Scotland 13-2 England

4. Scotland 13-6 Portugal

5. Scotland 11-12 Slovenia

A great performance placing the Scots in twelfth place after the Swiss rounds and qualifying for the last 16 in the main competition.

The last 16 format was 4 seeded pools played under the barrage system.  The Scots faced Denmark in the first game and were beaten 13-0.  Up next was Slovenia and a must win game to stay in the competition.  And that they did, winning 13-7 and reversing the result from the Swiss round.  So, with one win and one loss, the Scots found themselves in the barrage match against the Spanish, the winner would secure a spot in the last 8 knock-out phase.  Sadly for Scotland it was not to be and the Spaniards won without conceding.  So the Scots were out, but achieved the highest ever ranking of a Scottish team in an international event and they will no doubt look back on the weekend as a triumph.

Interestingly, the Danes and Spanish (both of whom Scotland faced in the last 16 pool) contested the final, with Spain coming out on top.  The Scots can therefore be very proud of their achievements against such high calibre opponents.

This bodes very well for the game in Scotland.  Bit by bit players are getting experience of playing at the highest level and this can only benefit all players as our standard improves.

Well played Ladies!