SCOTLAND, beaten by Wales, RANKED 16th OF 19

Ireland girls are European Under-18 team champions

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Ireland defeated Sweden 4-1 in the final of the European girls' team championships at Kokkola, Finland today to become European Under-18 title-holders for the first time in Irish golfing history.
The Irish team of 14-year-old twins Leona and Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), Laura McCarthy (Muskerry) and Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush), who were also leading qualifiers in the tournament, once again got off to a dream start in today’s match with both morning foursomes pairings, Lisa & Leona Maguire and Laura McCarthy & Stephanie Meadow securing 2 and 1 wins over their Swedish opponents.
It was these pairings that were a major factor in Ireland’s success at this championship, with the girls boasting a 100% record in the foursomes matches played over the week.
With just one singles point, from the three on offer in the afternoon, being required for victory, Leona Maguire duly delivered with a two-hole win against Emma Nilsson, to claim victory for Ireland and bring a triumphant end to a nervy afternoon.
Sister Lisa was in the midst of an epic battle with Johanna Tillstrom and was playing the first extra tie hole when she was called in, due to the halved match custom which prevails in these European championships.
Stephanie Meadow won the 17th hole to extend her match and was in good position on the 18th when she too was called in, giving a final result of Ireland 4 Sweden 1.
Scotland, beaten 2 1/2-1/2 by Wales in their final match, were officially ranked 16th of the 19 countries taking part.
Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) and Sammy Leslie (Westhill) lost the foursomes tie by 2 and 1 to the Welsh pair of Chloe Williams and Natasha Gobey.
Lesley Atkins (Minto) lost by one hole to Kelly Miller and with the overall result determined, the match between Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) and Katie Bradbury was called in as a square tie.
Saturday details:
FINAL
IRELAND 4, SWEDEN 1
Foursomes: Lisa Maguire & Leona Maguire bt Johanna Tillstrom & Emma Nilsson 2 and 1; Laura McCarthy & Stephanie Meadow bt Josephine Janson & Emelie Lundstrom 2 and 1 (2-0).
Singles: Lisa Maguire halved with Johanna Tillstrom, Leona Maguire bt Emma Nilsson 2 holes, Stephanie Meadow halved with Josephine Janson (2-1).
THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF
Spain 3 ½, England 1 ½.
FIFTH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Finland 2, Switzerland 1.
SEVENTH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Czech Republic 2, Belgium 1.

FLIGHT B
Netherlands 2, France 1.
Germany 2, Austria 1.
Norway ½, Denmark 2 ½.
Wales 2 ½, Scotland ½.

FLIGHT C
Italy 2 ½, Greece ½

FINAL STANDINGS
1 Ireland, 2 Sweden, 3 Spain, 4 England, 5 Finland, 6 Switzerland, 7 Czech Republic, 8 Belgium.
9 Netherlands, 10 France, 11 Germany, 12 Austria, 13 Norway, 14 Denmark, 15 Wales, 16 Scotland, 17 Italy, 18 Latvia, 19 Greece.