Sweden Win European Boys' Team Championship in Dramatic Fashion in Switzerland

15 Jul 2023

All seven matches and extra holes were needed to separate France and Sweden after a thrilling final day of the European Boys' Team Championship in Geneva.

 

The young French side made a fast start in the morning foursomes, leading both matches through the first six holes.

 

 

In the opening contest Louis Anceaux and Hugo Legoff were 2up early against filip fahlberg Johnson and Simon Hovdal, and they maintained that lead after the front-nine.

 

By the 14th they were 4up and in control, but Sweden won 15 and 16 to give them hope of a comeback. But the French held their nerve at the 17th to claim a 2&1 win. 

 

In match two, Jonathan Ericsson and Erik Sabelstrom recovered from their early deficit against Rafael Bobo Lloret and Tom De Herrypon, to reach the turn all-square.

 

And they took the lead for the first time, when Sabelstrom holed out for eagle at the 10th.

 

The momentum carried into the next as they won 11th as well, France did pull a hole back before Sweden sealed a two and one victory on 17 to bring the score to 1-1.

 

In the third place playoff, England were 2-0 up against defending champions Germany after the foursomes. Harry Malin and Hugh Adams were in superb form as they won their match 7&6.

 

It was harder work for the pairing of Tyler Weaver and Kris Kim as they missed a chance to win at 18, before eventually taking the point at the second play-off.

 

In the afternoon, England needed just two points to wrap up third place, and they get one early, as Tyler Weaver won 8&7 in the top match.

 

They then got the decisive point from the second match, Kris Kim coming out on top against Nico Kregler as England gained a measure of revenge over Germany for defeat in last year’s final.

 

In the final, Filip Fahlberg Johnson was three up with four to play in the top match for Sweden, but was taken to extra holes by Louis Anceaux.

 

Which meant the first point of the afternoon went to France, as Rafael Bobo Lloret beat Simon Hovdal at the 17th hole. 

 

Three points were decided within a matter of minutes as first Eric Sabelstrom levelled the tie with victory over Hugo Legoff, before Sweden went in front as Fahlberg Johnson was able to finally get his victory at the third playoff hole. 

 

The lead lasted less than a minute, as Callixte Alzas rolled in a long putt on the final green to send the final to the wire. 

 

Neo Berg walked onto the 18th green one up over Oscar Couilleau but a double-bogey meant extra holes would be needed to settle the championship.

 

With a large crowd now following the drama, a solid par from Couilleau at the first play off hole meant Berg had to hole a long putt to keep the match alive.

 

With the match now on the 20th hole, Neo Berg holed a spectacular 30-footer to seal victory and spark the Swedish celebrations.

 

The win ends an 11-year wait for a Swedish victory at the European Boys' Team Championship.

 

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FLIGHT A RESULTS

 

FLIGHT B RESULTS