Women’s team returns with a fifth place
This year’s European Ladies’ Team Shield Championship ended yesterday in Hungary, with the Estonian women’s team returning in fifth place. In the fifth-place match, they defeated Luxembourg 2:1. The winning points were scored by the foursome pair of Karola Soe-Triin Marleen Ustal (4&3) and Elizaveta Sofia Reemet, who defeated their opponents 3&2. Unfortunately, Anete Liis Adul had to accept defeat with 3&2. Results.
The tournament was won by Turkey, who defeated Ukraine 2&1 in the final, while the bronze medals went to Latvia, who defeated Greece 2.5-0.5, after defeating us in the quarter-finals.
Coach Mark Suursalu summed up the tournament: “It’s positive that we managed to finish a place higher than last year in Jurmala. The goal of the first day’s stroke play round was achieved, but just barely. The result of the first half of the season was good, but the goal was achieved with a good result. We mainly made mistakes on and around the greens. Luckily Anete managed to make a good par on the last hole and with that we secured our place in the top 6.
The match with Latvia was the best of the tournament, just in terms of play. We were able to putt better and save shots around the green compared to the day before. Triin and Karola won on the 18th hole but were 2 or 3 holes ahead the whole round. Elizaveta and Anete both played to par. Unfortunately they had to concede a birdie on the first extra hole. On the last day we again played up to our level and won Luxembourg quite comfortably.
The current women’s team is capable of playing for medals on a good day. To do that, the stroke play should be better. We also need to improve all shots that are 100m and closer from the stripe.
Overall we can be satisfied with the tournament. There have been improvements over the year but to miss out on medals two years in a row so narrowly is painful.”
Team captain Anete Liis Adul: “The week in Hungary was very instructive. I think we all got a lot smarter as a team, especially in game planning, thinking through different shots and supporting each other. It was great to see that our team was one of the only ones who let each other know when they saw each other on the course and let the others know when they won. In addition, it was great to see that everyone stayed positive and always pushed to the end. Unfortunately we all had a weak qualifying lap and managed to finish in the top six to have a chance of a medal, but we could have done better. Nevertheless, we gave the Latvians a strong battle and lost narrowly. Against Luxembourg, we won emphatically and finished one place higher than last year.”
