Estonian women return with bronze medals
The European Ladies’ Team Shield Championship concluded yesterday in Liechtenstein, where the Estonian women’s team managed to earn their first ever bronze medals. In what is essentially a European team championship for small nations in golf terms, Estonia went head-to-head on the final day with Luxembourg, who managed to win the stroke play leg. The start did not bode well as the foursome pair of Triin Marleen Ustal and Kristella Sikk, had to abandon the match. So it was all down to the two individual matches, where there was no room for error. Elizaveta Sofia Reemet finished her match with a quick 8&7 win, but Iiris Mätas had to battle it out with Marie Baertz, who had the best of the match in stroke play. The will of the younger player prevailed this time and with a 2UP win Mätas secured a 2:1 victory and bronze medals for Estonia. Results
The tournament was won by the Turkish teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions. The women’s team was defeated by Turkey in the final, with our team beating Bulgaria in the semi-final. Of the neighbours, Latvia finished last this time, in 11th place. In the men’s competition, silver bronze went to Luxembourg and Andorra. A total of 12 teams took part in the men’s competition.
Comments from the players and head coach Daniel Moss Silva.
Daniel Moss Silva: “The competition was played at the Gams-Werdenberg Golf Club, with the Alpine mountains as a backdrop, creating a beautiful landscape.The EGA and the Liechtenstein Golf Federation together organised a great event that made the week even more special.The week for the Estonian team passed peacefully under the guidance of Captain Triinu.
In the qualifying round of stroke play, the Estonian team achieved an excellent second place, just one stroke behind Luxembourg.Individually there were 3 Estonian players in the top 7. Iiris scored 72 (par), followed by Elizaveta +1 and Kristella finished the women’s team with a score of +2 for a total of +3 for the team.
On the opening day of the matchplay we faced Ukraine and won 2:1, which took us to the semi-finals, where we faced Bulgaria and lost 2:1 in a close battle. However, the loss did not shake the women’s team out of its shell and the calm and focus was even greater. The young Estonian women’s team went into the bronze match with determination and confidence. Even when faced with the challenge of having to withdraw from the foursome match due to illness, the Estonian team showed their strength and won two singles matches to take a historic 3rd place.”
Triin Marleen Ustal: “All in all, it was a very intense four days of competition. The heat and humidity were unexpected for everyone.
After the first day we were second overall and it was very good to start the next rounds from this position. We won the first match against Ukraine.In the semi-final against Bulgaria we had to accept defeat.
Before the third round we had already achieved more than we ever imagined – fourth place was a certainty, which is higher than any other Estonian women’s team has ever achieved. Before the final round, we got together, drew up a battle plan and had a clear vision of winning to bring home the bronze medal. The last round was the hardest. Our foursome team had to withdraw because one of our competitors got sunstroke, so the whole burden fell on Elizaveta and Iris. And we managed to turn this difficult situation into a victory after bringing Iris to the 18th run. Estonia’s historic bronze medal!”
Elizaveta Sofia Reemet: “In the training session we found everything to focus on and Daniel helped us to improve a lot of things. On the day of the stroke play, our team did great as everyone played a great round. We were all very happy to win the quarter final, although I lost my match as the driver shots were pulling a lot to the left that day. In the semi-final we had a bit of bad luck and the Bulgarian girls managed to be good and with better luck the win went to them. Even though on the final day our foursome had to concede on the fifth hole, Iris got us the win on the last hole! The feeling is indescribable, what a fantastic week it was!”
Kristella Sikk: “The competition was very well organised so there were no problems. The field was a bit boring, but challenging at times. The course was quite challenging, but it was a challenge and a bit challenging. The practice area had a good range, 2 putts and a chip green which was good. Everyone was fun to play with and I met new people. I really liked our hotel. It had a good breakfast, the rooms were nice and there was a room on the top floor where you could exercise, go to the sauna etc. I’m happy with our third place, but next year we’re still going for gold.”
Iiris Mätas: “For the first time I represented Estonia at the European Ladies Team Shield competition, which was organised by Liechtenstein, but the competition itself took place in Switzerland. The field was in good condition, it was on the narrow side but fortunately not very difficult, the grids were as usual, fast enough.
On the first day, we played a stroke play, where we managed to play the course on par, to place third individually. On the second day, I played an individual match, where unfortunately I lost. I made too many mistakes and unfortunately it paid off.
On the last day, I had to pull myself together, because my partner was the winner of the first day’s stroke play with a score of -5. It was a tough battle and very tense, especially after the information that our foursome team had to withdraw. On the second course, I managed to “scare” my opponent a bit, as he drifted to the rail, but I managed to make an eagle at 70 meters. The game was quite even. On the 12th hole I was 1 behind, on the 13th I managed to tie, on the 14th hole I was 1UP, on the 15th hole 2UP, on the 16th hole my opponent got a hole and I was 1UP, on the 17th we played a draw and on the 18th hole I finished with a birdie and won the round 2UP. My win was very much helped by Triinu, who kept me focused from the 8th hole and was a great support.
I’m very happy that I was able to play very good golf under a lot of pressure. An even bigger joy and birthday present for me is our team’s joint win – bronze in the European Ladies Team Shield. I’m very grateful to everyone who supported me, my family, the Estonian Golf Federation and my sponsors.
