Text in English below

Sweden and Spain, the top seeds after the preliminary round, have become the targets to beat for the other six teams that have managed to qualify among the top 8 in the Women's European Team Championship being held in La Manga.

Both countries, very solid and brilliant throughout the first two days of competition, separated by only one stroke, took the top two places in the standings thanks to teamwork and, also, to the brilliance, in each case, of two very inspired players in these first 36 holes: Camilla Lannart and Caroline Hedwall in the case of the Swedes, Mireia Prat and Carlota Ciganda in the case of the Spaniards.

Extremely competent, Camilla Lannart and Mireia Prat distinguished themselves as the best of the first phase with identical results, 71 and 69 for a total of 140 strokes (6 under par) that demonstrate their great form.

Meanwhile, Sweden's Caroline Hedwall put on a spectacular display of play – 67 strokes in the second round, 6 under par – to finish in third place individually, the same position occupied by Spain's Carlota Ciganda, who was brilliantly consistent (70 and 71 strokes).

Sweden and Spain opened a large gap in the rankings compared to the rest of the countries, including England and Denmark, third and fourth in the table, who accumulated 21 and 31 strokes more, respectively, than the Swedes.

Germany, Denmark, Scotland, the Netherlands and France also advance to the quarterfinals.

Among the day's stars, Caroline Hedwall, with a 67 (6 under par), gave a lesson in consistency at La Manga Club. Despite her good round, the Swede believes she could have done even better.

“I played well, yes, I only missed one green, but I still left myself a few birdie opportunities. I really enjoyed myself, as the course is fantastic and the heat doesn't bother me; I'm used to it because I study in an arid region of the United States. Tomorrow the real tournament begins, and that's when I need to be at my best,” said the Nordic golfer.

Mireia Prat, for her part, summed up her great round like this: “I made a silly bogey on the 2nd, five birdies, and the rest were pars. I gradually gained confidence and finished fantastically. I don't care who we might face in the quarterfinals,” said the Barcelona native. Carlota Ciganda, always cautious, admitted to missing some birdie opportunities, but cautioned that “the important thing is that the ball starts going in tomorrow.”.

PRELIMINARY PHASE CLASSIFICATION

1. Sweden 730

2.- SPAIN 731

3. England 741

4. Denmark 751

17 countries are participating

TITLE ELIMINATIONS

Quarter finals

Sweden – France

England – Scotland

Denmark – Germany

Spain – Netherlands

AROUND GREEN

San Fermín is smiling on Carlota Ciganda. Given that it was July 7th, it was impossible for a Navarrese woman like Carlota Ciganda not to perform as well as she has. If San Fermín continues to watch over her, Spain will have a very good chance.

The World Cup is the main topic of conversation. The Dutch golfers celebrated their qualification for the World Cup final yesterday, and today the German and Spanish teams have already scheduled a match for this evening. At 8:30 p.m., La Manga Club will be the scene of a sporting battle. Two hours later, some will be laughing and others will be crying.

Former champions bid farewell to the title. Two teams that already know what it's like to win the Women's European Team Championship will not be able to do so again at La Manga Club. They are Belgium, winners in 1963, and Ireland, winners in 1979 and 1983.

The volunteers have done a fantastic job. La Manga Club has assembled a large group of volunteers who are helping immensely to make this tournament a reality. Gilly, an Englishwoman in her eighties, is a role model for all her colleagues because of her dedication and love for the sport she adores.

Mireia warns Germany and Sweden. Mireia Prat, the best player after this first phase along with Sweden's Camilla Lennart, has already issued a warning: Spain will seek revenge against Germany and Sweden for their last two eliminations in the European Championships. "We get along well with them, but we want revenge on the court!" the Spaniard declared.

Why practice? Scotland's Kelsey MacDonald was one of the breakout stars of the recent Ladies British Amateur, reaching the final (eliminating Carlota Ciganda and Adriana Zwanck). What caught everyone's attention in England was that she never does a practice swing before each shot! This fact hasn't gone unnoticed in La Manga either.

Sweden and Spain, the best in the second round

Sweden and Spain, top of the leaderboard at the end of the qualifying stage, are the teams to beat the other six teams who have made the cut and gone through the last eight of the European Ladies Team Championship taking place in La Manga Club.

Both countries, who performed extremely soundly and brilliantly over the first two days of the competition and finished just one point apart, cornered the two first qualifying places thanks to the work of the whole team and also, in both cases, to the brilliance of two highly inspired players over the first 36 holes: Camilla Lannart and Caroline Hedwall in the case of Sweden, and Mireia Prat and Carlota Ciganda in the case of Spain.

With their resounding performances, Camilla Lannart and Mireia Prat stood out as the best in the first stage, with identical results, 71 and 69, for a total of 140 (6 under par) clearly demonstrating their great form.

For her part, Sweden's Caroline Hedwall produced a real exhibition performance – 67 strokes on the second day, 6 under par – to finish in third place in the individuals, tying with Spain's Carlota Ciganda, who was brilliantly consistent with scores of 70 and 71.

Sweden and Spain opened up a huge gulf in qualification between themselves and the other teams, including England and Denmark – third and fourth on the leaderboard – with 21 and 31 strokes more than the Swedish, respectively.

Germany, Denmark, Scotland, Holland and France have also made the cut through to the final quarter.

For her part, this is how Mireia Prat summarized her great round. "I hit a stupid bogey on the 2nd, five birdies and par on the rest. I gained confidence and finished brilliantly. I don't mind who we'll be playing in the quarter finals," commented the player from Barcelona. Always cautious, Carlota Ciganda commented that she had missed a few birdies along the way, but warned that “the important thing is to get the ball in from tomorrow.”.

Former champions say goodbye to the title. Two teams who already know what it is to win the European Ladies Team Championship won't be going on to do so in La Manga Club. These are Belgium, winner in 1963, and Ireland, who won in 1979 and 1983.

With day 1's best player, Louise Larsson, not yet finished her round, Sweden is still in the lead thanks to Caroline Hedwall, who with a score of 67 (6 under par) provided a lesson in consistency at La Manga Club. Despite her good round, the Swede thinks she could have done better.

“"I played well, yes, I only failed to make one green but, even so, I missed a few birdie options. I'm enjoying it a lot because the course is fantastic and the heat doesn't affect me; I'm used to it because I study in a very arid part of the United States. The tournament proper starts tomorrow and that's when you really have to be good", commented the Scandinavian golfer.

For their part, Mireia Prat (69, -4) and Carlota Ciganda (71, -2) continue to perform outstandingly in this European Ladies Team Championship. Both players are holding the second place for Spain provisionally, although there is still a long way to go today.

Mireia Prat, provisional individual leader on -6, summarized her great round. "I hit a stupid bogey on the 2nd, five birdies and the rest on par. I gained confidence and finished brilliantly. I don't mind who we'll be playing in the quarter finals," commented the player from Barcelona. Always cautious, Carlota Ciganda commented that she had missed a few birdies along the way, but warned that “the important thing is to get the ball in from tomorrow.”.

AROUND THE GREEN

St. Fermín smiled on Carlota Ciganda. As today is July 7th*, it was impossible for a player from Navarra, such as Carlota Ciganda, not to play a great round. If St. Fermín keeps on looking out for her, she will have plenty of opportunities to eat.

* St. Fermín's Day, the patron saint of Navarra

The World Cup, the order of the day. The Dutch golfers celebrated their team's place in the World Cup final yesterday and the German and Spanish players have a date this evening. At 8:30 this evening, La Manga Club will be a sporting battle ground. Two hours later some will be celebrating and others commiserating.

Outstanding work by volunteers. La Manga Club has recruited a large group of volunteers who are helping enormously in ensuring the tournament runs smoothly. With her dedication and enthusiasm for a sport she adores, Gilly, an Englishwoman in her eighties, is the role model for all her companions.

Mireia's warning to Germany and Sweden. Mireia Prat, the joint best player at the end of the first stage alongside Camilla Lennart from Sweden, has already issued a word of warning: Spain will be looking for revenge against the German and Swedish after having been knocked out in the previous two Europeans. “We get on well with them, but we're out for revenge on the course!” comments the Spanish player.

Why practice? Scotland's Kelsey MacDonald was one of the great revelations in the recent Ladies British Amateur reaching the Grand Final (having eliminated Carlota Ciganda and Adriana Zwanck). And what attracted the most attention about her in England was the fact that she never does a practice swing before her shot! Something that hasn't gone unnoticed in La Manga either.