IN A DRAMATIC final of the WSF Men's World Team Squash Championship, Egypt lost its crown to England 2-1 in the event's final. The English team upset defending champions Egypt to reclaim the sport's most prestigious trophy for the fifth time since 1995. In the decider, world No 4 James Willstrop made up for his loss to Karim Darwish at the same stage of the previous final two years ago to beat the world No 5 11-3, 11-13, 11-3, 11-5 to clinch the title for England for the first time since 2007. England made a great start when team number three Daryl Selby beat Tarek Momen 11-5, 11-3, 11-7 in his first win over the higher-ranked Egyptian for over three years. World No1 Rami Ashour extended his unbeaten run in the event over the last six years when he beat Nick Matthew 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9. But Willstrop was the underdogs' hero, taking out Darwish in 69 minutes of tense squash to bring the world title back into England hands. Altogether 31 nations took part in the 24th edition of the championship which was held in France for the first time in its 46-year history. The matches were played at two venues in Mulhouse, the Espace Squash 3000 Centre and the Palais Des Sports where, for the first time, matches were played simultaneously on three ASB all-glass show courts spectacularly lined up side-by-side. Earlier, to the blissful enjoyment of the packed crowd at the Palais des Sports, hosts France snatched the bronze medal play-off battle against Australia, the third seeds beating the fourth-seeded former champions 2/0. Squad number three Mathieu Castagnet survived a tense and close encounter against Ryan Cuskelly, twice coming from behind to beat the Aussie left-hander 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6. Showing few signs of the marathon encounter less than 24 hours earlier against England number one Matthew – after which he was barely able to walk – Gregory Gaultierput in a composed performance overcame world No 13 Cameron Pilley 11-9, 11-4, 11-4. Sixth seeds Germany beat South Africa 2/0 to win the play-off for fifth place – recording their highest ever finish. India also celebrated their best finish since 1979, bettering their seeding by beating Malaysia 2/0 in the play-off for seventh place. Mahesh Mangaonkar beat Muhd Asyraf Azan 14-12, 11-4, 11-7 before Indian number one Saurav Ghosal recovered from two games down to defeat seasoned opponent Ong Beng Hee 6-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9.
