Day 4 of the European Team Championships saw eight semi-finals take place across the continent.
A number of matches went down to the wire, but ultimatley eight teams have now booked their spots in Saturday's championship matches.
Spain have been the best performing nation overall so far, and will have the chance to win three European team titles tomorrow, in the Men's, Ladies' and Girls' events.
European Amateur Team Championship - Royal Waterloo Golf Club, Belgium
Denmark faced Ireland in the first semi-final of the day at Roayl Waterloo.
The morning foursomes matches were split. Caolan Rafferty & Matt McClean defeated Jacob Skov Oleson & Gustav Frimodt 2&1 in the first match, while Frederik KJettrup and Jens Kristian Thysted overcame Alex Maguire & Max Kennedy 4&2 in the second match.
A quick win in the afternoon from Gustav Frimodt (DEN), 7&5, took the number-one seeds within just two points of a spot in the final. Although Liam Nolan responded with a 4&2 win soon afterwards to draw the contest level.
Additional wins from Frederik Kjettrup and Mads Laage earned the 2021 champions a shot at a second title in the space of three years.
They'll face defending champions, Spain, in the final, who defeated England in a tight encounter.
The Spanish side claimed both of the morning foursomes points. Luis Masaveu and Angel Ayora defeated John Gough and Jack Bigham 2&1, while José Luis Ballester and Jaime Monojo won their match 1up against Barclay Brown and Dylan Shaw-Radford.
The afternoon singles session looked like it could go either way, with most matches not more than 1up. Although after Javier Barcos defeated the top-ranked player in the field, John Gough 2&1, José Luis Ballester was able to clinch the winning point.
The recently crowned European Amateur Champion overcame Jack Bigham 2&1 to give Spain a shot at a second consecutive European Amateur Team Championship title.
European Ladies' Team Championship - Tawast Golf & Country Club, Finland
After upsetting the number-one seeds and favourites, Sweden, in the quarter-finals on Thursday, Switzerland faced defending champions England in the semi-finals.
Despite a strong start early in the foursomes by the underdogs, the English team quickly turned things around and never looked back. Two points from the foursomes session meant wins in just two of the five singles matches were needed to book a thid consecutive final in the European Ladies' Team Championship.
Comfortable wins by Paitence Rhodes and Charlotte Heath in the leading two matches meant the contest was finished relatively quickly.
England will face Spain in Saturday's championship match.
The Spaniards looked like they might take both morning matches, with Julia Lopez Ramirez & Lucia Lopez Ortega winning 4&3, and Cayetana Fernandez & Carla Bernat 4-up. The Germans fought back however, winning all of the last four holes to take the match into a playoff, which they would win.
The Germans couldn't keep the momentum up in the afternoon however, with team Spain going up in four singles matches early on. They never looked in trouble, winning four of the five points to book their spot in Saturday's final.
European Boys' Team Championship - Golf de Genève, Switzerland
A sun baked Geneva golf club provided the perfect setting for two exciting semi finals on Friday.
Both ties were level after the morning foursomes. In the opening match France took control early against England and found themselves three up at the turn. England fought back, winning the 16th to pull within one. But a missed opportunity at 17 meant a par at the final hole was enough for France to take the first point
The French had a chance for birdie on the final hole which could have extended the match, but missed before Malin sealed the victory.
The second semi final saw one-sided front nines as Sweden led the opening match four up, with Germany four up in match two.
Simon Hovdal provided the finishing touch alongside partner Filip fahlberg johnsson for a 4&3 victory. While the second match went as far as the 17th green, where Tim Wiedemeyer holed a long putt to bring Germany back level.
After lunch it was England who started the strongest in their semi-fiinal. Leading three matches through the front-nine to put the pressure on their opponents.
Sam Easterbrook picked up their first point of the afternoon with a convincing 5&4 win. France hit back though as Callixte Alzas beat Harry Malin with birdie at the 16th.
But within minutes England were back ahead as Tyler Weaver wrapped up a 2&1 win over Hugo Legoff.
Louis Anceaux brought France level again as he came from two down with three to play, to beat Kris Kim on the second playoff hole.
The contest would go to the final hole of the final match, with France ultimately coming out on top. Oscar Couilleau securing the winning point over Hugh Adams.
The second semi final also went down to the wire. Sweden picked up the first singles point as Neo Berg beat Finn Kolle 3&2 with a birdie at 16.
August Petersson added a second point with victory in the top match on the final green.
And their spot in the final was confirmed when Filip fahlberg Johnson won his match on the 16th.
Sweden completed a clean sweep of the singles to claim a 6-1 victory to spark the celebrations
European Girls' Team Championship - Golf d'Hossegor, France
Spain and Italy will be the two finalists in Hossegor. The Spaniards gave yet another brilliant performance against the Netherlands, as the Italians upset Sweden in incredible fashion.
Both teams will meet on Saturday, to determine who will win the 2023 European Girls’ Team Championship.
Both semi-finals reached the lunch break with one team ahead. Spain won the first point of the day in the first foursome, with Paula Martin’s and Cloe Amion’s success, 3&2. The result of the second match quickly ensued, with yet another point for Spain, brought by Andrea Revuelta and Rocio Tejedo.
Sweden followed the same path in the morning session. Avanna Torstensson and Josefin Widal drew first blood, beating Matilde Partele and Natalia Aparicio 4&3. Yet, in the first match, Linnea Gyllner and Moa Stridh had to fight 18 holes to score a point of their own. They did the job nonetheless, with a solid par on the last hole.
Spain and Sweden entered the afternoon singles needing only two points from five matches to move on to the final. In burning hot weather conditions, the Spaniards managed to leave no room for their opponents’ hopes. Playing in the top match, Anna Cañado made an ace on the par-3 8th, and was close to holing out a second one on the 14th. She beat Marieke Ebens nonetheless, 5&4. The deal was sealed in the following match, with Paula Martin’s win over Fleur Van Beek, 4&3.
The afternoon’s scenario proved to be very different between Sweden and Italy. It started well for the Scandinavians, who came one point away from success thanks to Nora Sunberg, beating Matilde Partele, 5&4. A few minutes earlier on the same green, Francesca Fiorellini scored the first point of the day for Italy against Linnea Gyllner.
The Italians still had their backs against the wall, having to win all three remaining matches to make it to the final. But they never lost their faith, with Francesca Pompa having the final word over Matilda Bjorkman after 19 holes. All square through 18, Natalia Aparicio and Moa Stridh both made it to the par 5 first in sudden death. After a solid approach shot, Aparicio hit a key birdie putt to win the match. A few seconds later, Ginevra Coppa scored the final point for the Italian team, immediately bursting into joy.
Two foursomes and five singles on Saturday will decide which of the two teams will go home with the gold medals. After semi-finals full of suspense, the battle between Spain and Italy promises to be tight.
