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 EN BREF
#3
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the World
Teams ... |
ENGLAND
(Thanks Howard!)
England are
seeded to win the title for the fifth time since 1995 next week
in Paderborn, Germany
Proud record
In Odense two years ago, England were favourites to reach the
final against eventual winners Egypt - but were hampered by the
loss of Nick Matthew to an ankle injury during the tournament,
finishing a disappointing fourth behind France and Australia.
It represented only the third time that they had failed to make
the podium since squash's biennial event started in 1967. And
the first since 1985.
Nevertheless, England have won the title
four times since 1995 and will be looking to win their third
title in the last four tournaments.
The squad:
This year's event will mark Nick Matthew and James Willstrop's
fifth appearance, stretching back to 2003.
Peter Barker, the
world No 7, made his debut in 2007 and played a key role as
England retained their trophy after beating rivals Australia in
the final.
Meanwhile world No 11 Daryl Selby, who won the national
title for the first time earlier this year, will be making his
first appearance in the 32-team event.
Int'l caps won:
Nick Matthew 77
James Willstrop 80
Peter Barker 65
Daryl
Selby 20 (world team debut)
Squad's world team record:
Willstrop W19 L3
Matthew W13 L2
Barker W9 L2
Mr Motivator Matthew
Daryl Selby is looking forward to his debut in the
team and will look to England's No 1 for inspiration.
"With Nick being world No 1," Selby says, "he is also a great
captain, motivator and role model for the future generation of
English squash.
"I
have always looked up to the hard work he has given, which can't
be matched in many other sports. Unfortunately we don't get
recognised for all the hard work we put in.
"But
with Nick, at least I can say, here's one you want on your team
every time."Biggest win:
2005, Willstrop bt Aqeel Rehman (AUT) 9-1, 9-0, 9-0
Closest match:
2007, Matthew lost to David Palmer (AUS)
9-11, 9-11,
11-7, 11-2, 4-11 (82m)
Did you know?
The two southerners - as Willstrop calls them - in the team,
Peter Barker and Daryl Selby, both got married in June
within two weeks of each other.
"These have both been big summers in our lives," said Selby.
"For me it was a fantastic day which hopefully now brings a lot
of stability and translates itself onto court and into my
squash."
[note
from Fram: Please, Pete, Please, could I have the photos of the
wedding, please pretty please?....]
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USA - CHRIS GORDON
“I’m old, Fram now, I’m 25!!!!”
Yes, I can see Chris's problem there…
But it’s true that Mr Gordon, who won for the USA the decider
against Switzerland doesn’t have the baby face he had when I met him a few years
back.
He is now based in Hartford in Connecticut, and helps with
the juniors. The rest of the time, he’s based in Harrogate, England.
 “It’s nice to be back training with David Pearson, as he is the
one that was coaching me when I was younger. When DP worked for
England Squash, he couldn’t coached me anymore, but now, I’m
back working with him, and that’s great!
“Although I’m not English, it feels a bit like being back home,
because between the age of 15 and 19, I was based in Harrogate,
and I certainly have more memories of England than home at that
age!.
“My aim at the moment is to raise my ranking. I’ve been sort of
stuck between 80 and 65 for the past 5 years, and it would be
nice to get a bit higher, but it’s so hard, there are so many
players!!
“I’ve had some good close matches this year, I was up 2/1, or
2/2, and lost close encounters, because I was not doing enough,
I just couldn’t finish the matches. I’m trying to get some
momentum, I beat Ryan Cuskelly, that was an excellent result for
me, I’m just going to keep on working hard with DP…” |
Well, Chris is really a lovely character, I’ve got a lot of time
for him, and I’ll be only too glad to see him more and more....
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NEW ZEALAND
 Last
World Teams in Odense, Anthony Ricketts was coach to the All
Blacks Team. But this year, the now beardy Anthony is back home,
working for the Australians. Meet his successor, Paul Hornsby.
Paul has been involved with New Zealand squash for four years, as
he’s been taking care of NZ squash players back
in the UK, in Halifax, as in Martin Knight, Campbell Grayson, Khasif Shuja, Josh Greenfield and also WISPA President, Jaclyn
Hawkes.
 “I
really enjoy working with the Kiwi players, so when the job came up, I
applied quite logically for it, and was delighted to get it.
"My wife and I simply adore New Zealand, we’ve been there already,
and we can’t wait to move there with our nine month old baby
girl after the world Teams is finished.”
His aim? “I’m going to try and continue the good work that Anthony
did”. And of course, making sure that the juniors are well taken
care of, and preparing for the future of the team.
“We’ve got some great juniors coming up, the girls did very well
indeed in Boston for the World Juniors, and here, we have Evan
Williams and Paul Coll who have now come in the Team”. |
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Different ways to relax....
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UKRAINE
Like Namibia, Ukraine is coming for the first time to
a world team event.
Their manager, Anastasiia Netrechuk, who has been playing
squash herself for 10 years, is very happy to be presenting
Ukraine team.
“We
have several sponsors* who have each been giving what they could, and
we are so grateful to them for that. Our main sponsor is Petroholding Squash Club, whose president will actually be coming
later this week.
“We are trying very hard to show to the Ukrainians what squash is
all about. We are filming a lot during this event, and we’ll be
doing a little editing at the end, that will be shown on one of our
main channels.
“Squash is starting to get more audience in Kiev, a new club is
actually going to be build very soon, a 9 court complex, which is an
enormous step for us.
“Of course, we have no chance to win against teams like USA, but we
need the experience so badly, it’s crucial for the future of squash
in Ukraine….” |
*Ukraine's sponsors:
Vladimir Bulavin-owner of Petroholding Squash Club and others
Kovalskyi Oleksey, Fredyuk Sergiy, Usenko Oleksiy, Dynin Anatoliy |
ITALY - A GENTLEMAN
 On
the day before the first round, I was trying to get to the
venue, but the hourly bus (which is now bi hourly during the
competition, thanks guys, it's great) had just gone, and I asked
if I could get into a minibus that was about to leave.
As he saw me approaching, the Italian Manager immediately left
the front seat where he was sat waiting for the bus to depart.
"Are you sure?" I asked. He has a beautiful Italian Charming
Lovely Smile and said, "But of course, my pleasure". "You are a
gentleman, sir" I replied.
"No, I am not, I'm Italian."
Awwwwhhhhhhhhh... |
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