European Masters 2025

Victories for a trio of Swedish men and Scottish women were among the highlights of a drama-packed finals day at the 2025 ESF European Masters Individual Championships in Wroclaw.

Eighteen winner’s medals were presented on Saturday evening with 13 different nationalities represented in the finals and a wonderful week enjoyed by all 600 competitors at the world-famous Hasta La Vista club.

Christian Drakenberg won his fourth European Masters gold medal by virtue of a fabulous 11-2, 10-12, 11-6, 11-2 victory over brave 50+ second seed Matthieu Benoit of France.

“I still get nervous every time! It still means a lot to me to win these titles,” said Drakenberg, before adding modestly: “My 50th birthday was last Monday so I have only just come up into this age category, so perhaps I was a little lucky!”

Compatriot Christian Borgvall won the men’s 55+ final without breaking sweat after his opponent, Predi Fritsche of Germany, withdrew. It was Borgvall’s second European Masters title following his 45+ victory in 2017, also at this venue.

Donna Cruickshank, Sue Strachan and Pauline Douglas shared an apartment in Wroclaw this week and all three headed back to Scotland with gold medals round their necks.

Second seed Cruickshank won the first final of the day 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 against England’s 3/4 seed Izzy Bramhall in the 55+.

“Thanks to everyone at Dean Squash Club in Edinburgh for supporting me, as I’ve been pestering everyone to practise with me!” said Cruickshank afterwards.

Top seed Strachan, who beat Finland’s Sari Niemisto 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 in the 60+ final, said: “I am just so relieved and delighted! I’ve worked really hard on my mind and my skills, so to come and play against the best in Europe – and to play like I know I can – was amazing. I’m so, so happy.”

After her historic win over England’s Ann Manley <<LINK>> in the group stage, Pauline Douglas then made it a hat-trick of female Scottish title-winners by defeating [2] Catherine Woodhart 11-4, 11-2, 12-10 in the women’s 70+ final.

Former world no.9 Bryan Beeson was one of six English title winners. The 1986 British national champion didn’t drop a game all week and won the 65+ final pretty comfortably 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 against second seed Lluis Suarez of Spain.

“It’s very motivating to come and play in an event like this,” said Beeson. “This squash club is fantastic and everybody is so keen. I think I’m moving as well now as I was 10 years ago!”

Top seed Chris Ansell was the oldest winner of the day in the men’s 80+ as he conquered [2] Robert Keilmann of Germany 11-3, 11-4, 11-9 to claim his third European Masters trophy.

“I will always enter the Masters,” said the 80-year-old. “I’ve found through all my time playing squash that the people who play this sport are so nice. You compete, then you’re best of friends in the bar having a drink.”

The 45+ category provided the day’s most dramatic finals – both won by England. Men’s top seed James Bowden battled back from two games down to reign in Germany’s 3/4 seed Heiko Schwarzer 4-11, 7-11, 11-7 11-6, 14-12.

Top seed Kate Bradshaw was two games and match ball down, but also showed incredible spirit to hit back and beat France’s Caroline Grangeon in a scintillating final, 10-12, 6-11, 16-14, 11-9, 11-5.

There was a slightly bizarre conclusion to Rachel Carver‘s win over Hungarian 5/8 seed Edina Szombati in the women’s 55+ final. The Englishwoman prepared to serve, not realising she had already won!

She said: “I hadn’t heard the referee say match ball! People were clapping and laughing and I wasn’t sure why. It was a bit embarrassing, especially on a glass court with a lot of people watching!”

There was a guaranteed English winner in the men’s 75+ final in which no.1 seed and British Open Masters champion Ian Graham won a marathon against Larry Glover 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-4.

Roared on by her band of supporters who’d travelled from South Wales, women’s 40+ top seed Stacey Gooding went one better than her World Masters runner-up finish last summer by winning a lengthy duel with Czechia’s Eva Fertekova [2] by 11-9, 6-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-8.

Wales were guaranteed a second gold medal in the women’s 65+ event and it was Jill Campion who retained her title from Hamburg in 2023 with a 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 win over compatriot Lynne Davies.

The Netherlands claim the two youngest men’s trophies. Seven-time national champion Piedro Schweertman dropped down an age category for a tougher challenge and certainly found one in Marc Lopez, the Spanish-born Pole.

Lopez took the opening game but back came the former world no.63 to triumph 8-11, 11-5, 13-11, 11-6. The champion said: “It was a heavy final. I know Marc quite well but under these circumstances it’s always different. I’m happy to win, of course!”

Earlier, another Dutchman, Roberto Munoz Kalshoven, overcame 5/8 seed Steve Colarusso 11-4, 11-1, 11-3 despite the Welshman’s array of tricks shots.

“I was surprised to be top seed but I think I justified it in the end,” said Kalshoven. “I’m still a bit shocked but I’m really happy with how it went. I saw he had a tough match yesterday, so I tried to make it as physical as possible, extend the rallies and make him work.”

Kale Leskinen ensured the Finland flag rose above the glass court podium by beating Irishman Michael Conlon [3/4] 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 in the men’s 70+ final.

Germany’s Astrid Reimer-Kern had already sewn up the women’s 35+ title after building an unassailable four-point lead yesterday in the group of seven. She made sure of finishing with a perfect 6/6 record by beating England’s Kirsty West [2] in three games in her final match.

Top seed Douglas ended the reign of England’s 76-year-old Manley, who had not only won the last three consecutive European Masters women’s 70+ titles (2023, 2019 and 2017), but hadn’t lost in her previous 15 major Masters competitions, including World, European, British Open and British nationals, dating back to 2016!

Douglas’s 11-2, 11-3, 12-10 victory sets up a women’s 70+ final on Saturday against England’s Catherine Woodhart after the second seed’s 11-8, 11-6, 11-2 win against France’s 3/4 seed Catherine Pauchant in the other semi.

When asked what playing Masters squash means to her, Douglas just about held back tears. “It’s everything,” she said. “I’ve had a wonderful, wonderful time playing Masters squash. I’ve met the nicest people and been to different places… It’s just been the best thing ever. I would encourage anybody, anywhere, no matter what their age, to go for it.

“Squash is such a nice family. It’s really about the taking part. If you win, fine, and if you don’t win, that’s also fine… you can just go and cry in the shower!”

Another Masters squash legend was deposed in the men’s 60+ as Sweden’s record five-time European title winner Fredrik Johnson was toppled in epic fashion 12-10, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 by England’s 3/4 seed Darren Withey.

Withey now plays another Swede, Jonas Ulvsback [3/4], in Saturday’s final. The Englishman was delighted to prove in front of a packed gallery that his win over Johnson at the last European Masters in Hamburg was no fluke.

Withey commented: “Freddie is such a hard competitor. It’s never easy against him and never will be. I had to show guts to stay with him. It was a bit of a mind game and I knew if I could get a lead, he may get nervy.”

Meanwhile, the youngest women’s category (35+) already has its champion, after top seed Astrid Reimer-Kern built an unassailable four-point lead at the top of the group with a match to spare, following her 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 win over Spain’s 5/8 seed Chantal Pitarch.

Swiss-based German Reimer-Kern said: “It feels amazing, especially because I haven’t finished the tournament yet! Being a title winner always sounds good and it’s my first one in the Masters series so it’s a very nice feeling. I hope there are many more to follow.”

Two former pros — top-seeded Dutchman Piedro Schweertman and Spanish-born Marc Lopez (now competing for Poland) — will contest the men’s 35+ final on Saturday after coasting through their respective semis.

Another top-seeded Dutchman, Roberto Munoz Kalshoven, defeated Germany’s Julian Woolny 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 and will take on [5/8] Steve Colarusso in Saturday’s men’s 40+ final. Welshman Colarusso fought back from two games down to conquer Finland’s second seed Janne Jarvinen 5-11, 3-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-7.

“I was quite surprised to be no.1 seed and it does add a little bit of pressure,” commented Kalshoven. “When I saw my name with the no.1 next to it, I thought, ‘Right, I’ll have to go for it!’

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in a big final. I did win two Dutch national junior titles, but I was only 10 or 11 then, so it was quite a while ago!”

Germany’s Predi Fritsche reached the men’s 55+ final after a superb 11-7, 12-14, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9 triumph against spirited 3/4 seed Jesus Souto of Spain, having earlier beaten France’s Thierry Scianimanico (father of PSA Tour rising star Melvil) in the quarters.“I won the European 40+ trophy in 2011 and the 55+ World Masters title last year, so I actually don’t have anything to prove any more,” said Hamburg native Fritsche. “There’s always pressure being no.1 seed but I enjoy it. I’m still hungry and keen.

“There are people here I’ve known for over 40 years. We played against each other in under-12s, now we’re over over 55! It’s a very nice environment playing the Masters, it’s always very fair but competitive.”

Top seed Stacey Gooding of Wales conquered her nerves to set up a women’s 40+ final against Czechia’s Eva Fertekova on Saturday. “I’ve been really nervous all week,” she confessed. “I was trying to tell myself, ‘Calm down! Just breathe!’”

Gooding’s nerves were perhaps related to her vocal band of supporters wearing ‘Team Gooding’ t-shirts and hats. “They came with me to the World Masters… I thought they’d got rid of those t-shirts, but they’ve brought them back out again!” laughed the Welsh senior national team member.

In the oldest men’s age category, 80+, English top seed Chris Ansell (twice a European Masters champion) will face Germany’s Robert Keilmann [2] on Saturday after both got through to the final via four-game victories.

England’s no.1 seed James Bowden came through gruelling back-to-back four-game matches to seal his place in the men’s 45+ final. There, he’ll face a somewhat fresher Heiko Schwarzer of Germany [3/4] whose semi-final opponent, Neil Macarron of Ireland, withdrew due to injury.

Christian Drakenberg‘s quest for a fourth European Masters title continued serenely. The Swede’s 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 win over Ireland’s Rob Staunton means he’s yet to drop a game. France’s second seed Matthieu Benoit lies in wait in Saturday’s final.

Former world no.9 Bryan Beeson, the 1986 British national champion, also cruised into the final in the men’s 60+, with an 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 win over France’s Eric de Mot [9/16]. Lluis Suarez of Spain [2] awaits Beeson in Saturday’s showpiece.

Day TWO : Beeson Buzzing

Bryan Beeson revelled in the chance to relive former glories as the former world no.9 reached the quarter-finals on day two of the 2025 ESF European Masters Individual Championships in Poland.

The 1986 British national champion, who won the European Team Championship six times with England between 1985-1990, is top seed in the men’s 65+ category this week at the world-famous Hasta La Vista Club in Wroclaw.

Left-hander Beeson showed plenty of his old magic in reaching the last eight on Thursday with straight-games victories over Sweden’s 17/32 seed Jonas Frick and 9/16 seed Milan Vlasák from Czechia.

Playing top-level Masters squash evokes fond memories for Beeson, who beat all-time great Jansher Khan twice during his professional career.

“In Europe, you get such a good number of entries in Masters events, so it’s a really good tournament to win,” he said. “I think more people should come and play, including ex-professionals.

“You come to these events and it really motivates you to keep playing. I can’t believe how fit and agile some of the players are in the older age groups.”

Beeson, who has a new hip and a metal toe, worked for a pharmaceutical company for 29 years after retiring from pro squash, and now coaches at Durham University.

Meanwhile, former German national champion Astrid Reimer-Kern is top seed in the women’s 35+ and is just beginning her Masters career.

Reimer-Kern finished third at the World Masters in Amsterdam last summer, and beat both Petra Dryselius of Sweden and Brenda Sariowan of the Netherlands in straight games today to maintain her 100% record (the women’s 35+ is a group of seven).

“It always means a lot to compete,” she said. “When you’ve played your whole life, you always want to give your best and you’re always happy to win.”

Asked about the possibility of emulating her compatriot Simone Korell, who holds the women’s record of five European Masters titles, she said: “I don’t think about this yet, because as you get older you always have to see whether your body is giving up. I will try my best and let’s see what happens!”

Host nation Poland has 71 players out of the 604 entrants across 18 age categories in Wroclaw. This reflects the growing strength of Polish squash at all levels, with many big urban clubs bursting with players of all ages and standards.

One of those clubs is Legia Warsaw, where Marc Lopez runs a highly successful junior academy with his wife Natalia.

Lopez represented Spain during his PSA Tour career, but now wears the Polish flag on his chest after being a resident for five years. He is second seed in the men’s 35+ and cruised into the semi-finals on Thursday via a 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 victory over former compatriot Pedro Espeleta of Spain.

“It’s my first tournament playing for Poland and I am proud of it,” said Lopez. “The association are doing a good job, with lots of new programmes. It’s growing non-stop, there are a lot of quality clubs and they are fully packed all the time.

“In Warsaw, we have one of the biggest junior academies in Europe. We saw a big achievement in April when our national U15 team reached the final of the European Junior Team event. It proves we are coming up fast.”

Another European squash nation on the rise is Czechia, who have a big contingent of players in Wroclaw. Second seed Eva Fertekova won a tough battle with Sweden’s 5/8 seed Anna-Carin Forstadius 11-6, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5 to reach the women’s 40+ semi-finals, where she will face Germany’s 3/4 seed Nicole Seils on Friday.

Fertekova, who won the women’s 35+ title at the last European Masters in Hamburg and is Secretariat of the Czech Squash federation, said: “Czech Squash has a really good stucture to support our juniors and national coaches. It has come together in the last decade and now we have some impact from it.”

The European Masters seedings committee will be pleased with their work, because all the top seeds remain in the competition across all age groups, including Dutchman Piedro Schweertman (men’s 35+), three-time former title winner Christian Drakenberg of Sweden (men’s 50+) and two-time former winner Jill Campion of Wales (women’s 65+).

Day ONE : Bryars inspires