England’s 19-year-long wait for a European Girls’ Team Championship is over. The English squad overcame a big deficit against Germany, in one of the most dramatic scenarios the Championship has ever witnessed.
Germany built humongous momentum in the two morning foursomes at Göteborgs Golf Klubb in Sweden. Antonia Steiner and Lilian Bühle reached the turn with a 4-hole advantage, pushing the score to 6-up thru 12. Sadie Adams and Matilde Santilli had no other option than conceding the match, 7&5.
Early success also hit Uma Bergner and Marie-Agnes Fischer, who went 2 up with two birdies on the very first holes, and barely looked back thereafter.
Charlotte Naughton and Amelia Wan reacted with a birdie on the 13th, but the match came to a close as soon as the following hole.
After a long break at lunch, Germany had to face a fierce fight back by the English side.
Playing in the top match of the five afternoon singles, Isla McDonald O’Brien put England on the board 2&1 against Sofia Maier-Borst. The first doubts sneaked into German minds, as rain began pouring, adding an epic character to the final hour.
England made a giant leap towards victory with wins in matches 2 and 3, both on the 17th green. The side that was down two points at lunch time now needed only one more success to win it all.
The final drama ultimately unfolded on the 18th green. An agonising three-putt bogey from Lotte Schuhr meant Matilde Santilli had a short opportunity to end the Championship, which she took.
England’s last gold medal in the Championship dated back to 2005. The team will have the opportunity to defend its title at home, as the best Girls’ teams of the continent will meet at Slaley Hall in 2025.
In the match for third place, Italy comfortably defeated Belgium to take home the bronze medals.
