Al-Ahram Weekly 3 - 9 August 2000 Issue No. 493
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875

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Falling to good fortune

By Nashwa Abdel-Tawab

The week started earlier than usual for the Egyptian squad in Italy, last week, for their first team event was the dropping of lucky coins in Fontana di Trevi. Their wish: to win the Men's World Junior individual and team events.

The coins weren't quite as fortuitous as had hoped, for only a fraction of the grand wish was granted.

Their wishes had seemed a likely outcome considering that Egypt's Karim Darwish became a local hero when he was crowned world junior champion. But although Egypt were favourites, last Sunday saw dream number two fail; to add the team's victory to their current gains.

Instead, in one of the longest and closest finals since the inaugural tournament in 1980, England defeated top seeds Egypt 3-2, to retain the title for the third successive time. England's hero was 18-year-old Philip Barker -- the team's second string from Upminster in Essex -- who fought back from 2-0 down in the deciding match against Egypt's Mahmoud Abdel-Qader to clinch the title with a remarkable 5-9 2-9 9-2 9-5 9-2 victory in 75 minutes. England took the advantage in the opening match when third string Daryl Selby, 17, from Brentwood, Essex, wore down his opponent Akram Youssef, to win 9-6 3-9 10-8 9-0 in 78 minutes.

The victorious team's performance was sparkling all-around. But the bravest contribution was unquestionably that of 16-year-old James Willstrop, British junior champion, who twice led against Egypt's Darwish before eventually falling 8-10 9-2 8-10 10-8 9-2 in 89 minutes to the newly-crowned world junior individual champion.

The play was superior, and the results, for some, up to par. Before the final last Sunday, both team managers were confident and expected their teams to make history.

"We've shown a tremendous amount of spirit and determination within the camp this week, and today we intend to complete the unfinished business," England's coach David Campion said before the final. "I was a player when England won this title 10 years ago in Germany -- now I want to manage a winning team."

He managed indeed, shattering the dreams of Egyptian coach Sherif Ali -- whose post match hopes were high.

The Egyptian squash team at Cairo airport exuding pride over having nabbed second place at the world under-19 championship in Italy (l); Karim Darwish, the world number one (r), is adorned with flowers as he holds the trophy photos: Magdy Abdel Sayed

"Last year Egypt won the girls' title in Antwerp, then in Cairo we won the World Men's title," Ali said prior to the match. "This is

our chance to hold three World Team Titles at the same time. We are very excited that Egypt might achieve this for the first time."

Both teams, one can argue, deserved victory. But looking back, maybe England -- given their rough ride to the finals -- deserved it that bit more. Egypt's final run matched them with under-strength France -- an easy 3-0 win. England, on the other hand, were faced with power players Pakistan -- a challenge which had them dig deep for their 2-1 victory.

The France challenge saw Egypt's Mahmoud Abdel-Qader dismiss France's Luc Ebrard 9-2 9-1 9-6, with new world champion Karim Darwish easily defeating Cham Laravine 9-1 9-0 9-2 in the top string encounter to make sure of Egypt's place in the final. Maximum points were assured when third string Akram Youssef beat Yves Tastet 9-5 9-1.

England's hand was quite a bit tougher. Three-time champions England -- 2nd seeds -- were tested to the limit by 4th seeds Pakistan. England's opener Philip Barker twice had to come from behind before overcoming Farrukh Zaman 7-9 9-5 6-9 9-5 9-1 to put the title-holders ahead.

The young Willstrop then faced Pakistan's junior champion Shahid Zaman -- a cousin of Farrukh -- and again the tie went the full distance before Willstrop -- an individual semi-finalist last week -- triumphed 3-9 9-4 9-0 3-9 9-3 to seal the final place.

The semi-finals saw Egypt cruise to an easy victory over Wales, with England made to work harder against Canada.

It was a smooth ride for Egypt, and one they must have been grateful for. England, on the other hand, must have been praying hard, for at the end of their turbulent ride, they were the ones to emerge with the luxury of the saying, "all is well that ends well."

Maybe next time -- in the pool stages of the competition, where Egypt has, yet again, an easy draw, facing Hong Kong, Kenya and a young Scottish team -- the local players will play just as hard, but pray that much harder.

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