WDF Europe Cup Women Pairs

The eighth edition of the WDF Europe Cup was held in Kerava, Finland, from 22 to 25 October. After Turku in 1986, this is the second time that Finland has hosted a WDF Europe Cup. Fifteen countries participate. Initially, this WDF Europe Cup would be played in Granada, Spain, but the Spanish Darts Federation unfortunately had to give the organisation back to the WDF. The Finnish Darts Organization jumped in to help and to allow the tournament to continue. The question was again who could beat the favourite English team, this time the English had to do it for the first time without Eric Bristow.

The European Cup VI in the women’s was fought between 15 countries. The English ladies Sue Edwards and Sharon Colclough had the task to bring their country the fifth consecutive overall title.

The ladies pairs event was, just like the men, played in groups for the first time. The countries were divided into four groups and the first of each group would advance to the semi-finals. 

In Group A, the English ladies finishes top of the group by beating both Northern Ireland and France. In group B, Denmark qualifies for the semi-finals at the expense of Germany, Republic of Ireland and Finland. Strangely enough, the two German ladies finish last in the group while in the singles they both reach the semi-finals. In Group C we got a play-off between three countries that each had 2 points. The play-off was won by the ladies from Wales beating the ladies from Norway and Scotland. The Swedish ladies finished last in this group. Group D finally is won by the duo from the Netherlands, they finished unbeaten in top spot. Belgium, Italy and Switzerland are left empty-handed in this group.

In the semi-finals, it is the British ladies who dominate. Sue Edwards & Sharon Colclough from England win 4-2 against the Danish pair Gerda Pedersen & Lene Mikkelsen. In the other semi-final, it is Wales with Sandra Greatbatch and Rhian Speed that beat Francis Hoenselaar & Kitty van der Vliet from the Netherlands 4-0.

Defending champions Sue Edwards & Sharon Colclough lose the final to Sandra Greatbatch & Rhian Speed from Wales 4-2. The two ladies from Wales have been in great form throughout the tournament and put the icing on the cake with two gold medals. The Netherlands had previously won medals in 1986, but starting in 1992 The Netherlands become a real force in ladies darts, Hoenselaar in particular will be heard of many more times.