Spain has retained its title in the sixth edition of the Women's International Match, an annual competition held against Sweden on the eve of the Copa SM La Reina. After a thrilling display of rivalry in Platja de Pals (Girona), the match ended in an 8-8 draw, allowing the defending champions to keep their title, as stipulated by the tournament regulations.
The second and final day of the match was to decide whether the duel, tied at the beginning of the day, would go into Swedish hands for the second time or whether, on the contrary, it would remain in the local domains, as it had done on the last four occasions.
The victories of Rocío Sánchez, Luna Sobrón, and Ainhoa Olarra needed another win to tie the day, as the Nordic team had already secured four partial victories and led the competition 8-7. Ana Fernández de Mesa, from Cádiz, won her match against Therese Larsson by a narrow 1-up, leveling the score. Thus, the tie ended, and Spain, the defending champion, retained the title.
At the end of the first day, the scoreboard showed a 4-4 tie, the result of Sweden's superiority in the greensomes (1.5-2.5), leveled by Spain's strong performance in the foursomes (2.5-1.5). Special mention goes to the pair of Ainhoa Olarra and Luna Sobrón, who secured both points for Spain in their matches against their Swedish rivals.
The eight members of the Spanish team, which is completed by Anna Arrese, Camilla Hedberg, Noemí Jiménez and Mandy Goyos, will now compete in a new edition of the Spanish Women's International Championship, Copa SM La Reina, which is held at the same Platja de Pals course from March 3 to 7.
Looking back, it's worth remembering that Sweden won the first edition of this match back in 2005 (2.5-6.5), which remains their only victory. Since then, Spain has won successively in Isla Canela (7-5), Sherry Golf (11.5-4.5), La Reserva de Sotogrande (6.5-5.5), and Las Palmas (9-7).
RESULTS
First day
Spain, 4 – Sweden, 4
Second day
Spain, 4 – Sweden, 4
TOTAL
Spain, 8 – Sweden, 8
Complete results / Full results
MATCH SPAIN – SWEDEN WOMEN'S
March 28-1, Pals
Teams
Tournament programme / Championship programme
