France
France and Spain will go down as the first mid-amateur team champions in the history of European golf. The Spaniards brilliantly powered their way to the title against France in the men’s tournament, as the home country’s Ladies’ side secured gold.
Spain’s impressive performance started as soon as the morning foursomes at Golf de Chiberta. Oscar Sanchez and Pablo Heredia needed only fourteen holes to score the first point of the day. In the second contest, Hugo Rouillon and Thomas Perrot managed to extend the match to the final hole. But Adrian Mata and Iñigo Carmona sealed the deal on the 18th.
With no room left for error, France did fight back, with all three players up through 12 holes in the afternoon singles. But one point was enough for Spain, and it came from Adrian Mata, beating Alexis Leray 2&1.
The contest proved to be tighter in the Ladies’ final between France and Belgium. The French were able to draw first blood in the second foursome by Vanessa Bouvet and playing captain Charlotte Bunel. Pauline Stein and Morgane Bazin de Jessey had the opportunity for a second point, but failed to convert on the 18th green. Tamara Luccioli and Lucille Lambert took the opportunity to end the match on the first playoff hole.
This meant the trophy would be given to the team able to collect two points out of three in the afternoon singles. Morgane Bazin de Jessey made the first breakthrough for France, beating Lucille Lambert, 4&3. The honor of giving the winning point was given simultanously to Pauline Stein over Diane Bailleux, and to Vanessa Bouvet over Céline Manche.
In both the men’s and women’s matches for third place, Ireland beat Germany to claim the bronze medals.
