Montserrat defends title, Consegal wins first as Catalonia sweeps 2009 European Championships

Victor Montserrat of Catalonia successfully defended his European Championship by defeating countryman Carlos Oviedo, 15-13, 15-13, in the Men's Open division at the 15th European Racquetball Championships in Nanterre, France, just outside Paris.

Both Montserrat and Oviedo needed tie-breaking third games after dropping the first games of their semi-finals. Montserrat defeated Oliver Bertels of Germany, 14-15, 15-5, 11-4, while Oviedo beat German Eric Gordon, 13-15, 15-7, 11-7.

Elisabet Consegal made it a sweep for Catalonia as she defeated German Yvonne Kortes in a tie-breaker, 13-15, 15-8, 11-7 in the Women's Open final. Catalonia also won the men's and women's team competitions earlier in the week.

In the semi-finals, Consegal also needed a tie-breaker against Andrea Gordon of Germany before winning, 15-11, 4-15, 11-10. Kortes had an easier time in the semis, as she beat Majella Haverty of Ireland in two straight games, 15-13, 15-7.

It's the first time players from the same country have won the mens' and womens' European Championships since 1993, when Germans Joachim Loof and Andrea Gordon were champions of Europe.

In doubles, it was all Ireland. In fact, the women's doubles final was an all Irish battle, as Antonia Neary and Geraldine Byrne defeated Haverty and Katie Kenny, 15-6, 13-15, 11-6. In the men's final, Adam Neary and Joe Farrell won by injury default over Germans Gordon and Bertels.

2009 European Racquetball Championships - Nanterre, France

Men's Open Final
Victor Montserrat (Catalonia) d. Carlos Oviedo (Catalonia) 15-13,15-13

Semi-finals
Victor Montserrat (Catalonia) d. Oliver Bertels (Germany), 14-15, 15-5, 11-4
Carlos Oviedo (Catalonia) d. Eric Gordon (Germany), 13-15, 15-7, 11-7

Women's Open Final
Elisabet Consegal (Catalonia) d. Yvonne Kortes (Germany) 13-15, 15-8, 11-7

Semi-finals
Elisabet Consegal (Catalonia) d. Andrea Gordon (Germany) 15-11, 4-15, 11-10
Yvonne Kortes (Germany) d. Majella Haverty (Ireland) 15-13, 15-7

Men's Open Doubles - Final
Adam Neary & Joe Farrell (Ireland) d. Eric Gordon & Oliver Bertels (Germany), Injury default

Women's Doubles Open - Final
Antonia Neary & Geraldine Byrne (Ireland) d. Katie Kenny & Majella Haverty (Ireland), 15-6, 13-15, 11-6

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