England cruise into finals

England whitewashed their British opponents in the semi-finals of the European Team Championships in Nottingham to remain on course for an 11th successive European double.

World No1 Peter Nicol led the men to a 4-0 demolition of Wales while former world No1 Cassie Jackman steered the women to a 3-0 victory over Scotland.

Wales, runners-up in 1997, were no match for their opponents in the first European Championships in England for 25 years. Nottingham-based Simon Parke and 19-year-old James Willstrop, the world junior champion, claimed convincing 3-0 wins over Scott Fitzgerald and Greg Tippings, respectively, to put the hosts 2-0 up by the time Nicol took to the court against world No17 Alex Gough.

"After battling for the first few points, I think Alex knew it was a tall order to pull back the deficit - and after I won the first game, we both eased off," said Nicol after the 9-4 9-1 9-1 triumph which secured England's win.

England will face No2 seeds France in the final for the fourth year in a row. "It's the final everybody wants and there should be a fantastic atmosphere," added Nicol.

France, however, were fully stretched in their semi-final against fourth seeds Netherlands before claiming a 3-1 win when top string Thierry Lincou, the world No6, overcame Dutch champion Tommy Berden 9-4 1-9 9-5 9-6. There was high drama on the adjacent court when rising French star Gregory Gaultier, a double European Junior champion, fought back from 2-0 down against Lucas Buit, then abandoned his challenge after taking the third game when he collapsed with severe cramp in his leg.

In a replay of the 2002 final, England's women crushed Scotland 3-0 to reach their 27th successive final since 1977. With four world top ten players in the women's squad, England are head and shoulders above the competition on paper - and prove so on court!

England No1 Cassie Jackman faced her toughest test in the event so far against world No15 Pamela Nimmo. The world No9 from Norwich, who underwent back surgery for the second time in her career only eight months ago, despatched Nimmo 9-1 9-4 9-0 in just 27 minutes to put the title-holders ahead.

Squad No2 Linda Charman then demonstrated the gulf between the England girls and the rest when she powered her way to a 9-0 9-1 9-0 win over Scotland's Senga Macfie - conceding only her fourth point in three matches!

Yorkshire's England newcomer Jenny Tranfield, who has a PhD in sports psychology, 'out-psyched' her opponent Frania Gillen-Buchert for the loss of just three points to give England a maximum points win.

England face surprise opponents Netherlands in the final after the sixth seeds claimed victory over fourth seeds Denmark. Annelize Naude, making her European debut, clinched the win which put the Dutch team into the final for the first time since 1995 after twice fighting back from behind to beat Line Hansen 8-10 9-3 5-9 10-8 9-3.

Irish eyes were smiling in Nottingham when both squads exceeded their seeded anticipations by guaranteeing simultaneous finishes in the top eight for the first time for ten years. Ireland's men began their run with the narrowest of wins over fifth seeds Scotland - drawing 2-2 in matches but progressing as a result of a 75-74 countback on points! The team went on to beat Spain 3-1 and will now meet Sweden in the play-off for 5th place.

The Ireland women, also ninth seeds, beat Wales 3-0, then Germany 2-1 and now face France for a fifth-place finish.

Ouch!