In group 2 (Ireland, Norway, Spain, Cyprus), Ireland had won all their matches 4-1 with some surprises like Irelands Scott Evans (WR93) beating Spain’s No.1 Pablo Abian (WR48) 21-19,22-20, And also Chloe Magee (WR130) beat Spain's Yoana Martinez (WR51) in a close hard fought match 17-21,21-19,21-17.

Semi-Finals

Ireland was then drawn to play Estonia in one semi-final, with the home nation having topped their group being pitted against the Swiss in the other. Ireland then qualified for the Europeans by beating Estonia in a tight semi-final match. They won their opening mixed game, which was no surprise as Irelands very experienced pair of Donie O Halloran and Karen Bing lead the semi-final charge. Unfortunately we lost both the singles matches, with Scott Evans losing to Raul Must (WR102), Evans won the 1st set 21-8, lost the middle set 11-21 and narrowly lost the 3rd 19-21.

With the Estonians leading 2-1, Irelands very experienced men’s doubles pairing of Donie O Halloran and Mark Topping came to the rescue and they paved the way to a nail- biting decider by winning their doubles match 2-0, thus leaving the overall match score at 2-2.

In the crucial semi-final decider, the Irish ladies doubles pairing of Chloe Magee and Karen Bing who are ranked 55 in the world, from recent good form in the Icelandic Open and the Irish International Championships prior to Christmas, eased Ireland to the final and to the Europeans by winning 21-15,21-15.

The stadium was erupting, as at the same time the home nation Iceland had beaten Switzerland in a 3-2 cliff hanger in the other semi-final, so ensuring their participation in the Europeans and setting up what was to be a thrilling final against the Irish.

The last time Ireland won the Helvetia Cup was back 1981 in Norway, so with that job done, the icing on the cake would be to beat Iceland and bring home the cup again.

Final

In the final, the turning point of the match was the men’s doubles. Ireland was winning 2-1, after winning the dingles - Scott Evans and the mixed doubles of Donie Halloran and Karen Bing. O Halloran and Mark Topping won the opening set of the men’s doubles 21-11 and they almost had their hands on the trophy in the 2nd set but lost it 21-23, then it crept further away as they lost the last set 18-21. Now the score was 2-2,it was all down to the final ladies doubles match, but although Karen Bing and Chloe Magee gave it there all, they lost the game (16-21,15-21). Iceland won the cup on their home soil but the positive is Ireland have qualified to play in the European Championships in 2008 prior to the Beijing Olympics.

Irish Team: Scott Evans, Donie O Halloran, Mark Topping, Sam Magee, Chloe Magee, Karen Bing, Donna Scott, Lisa Lynas

Coach Pat Marron,Manager:Michael Watt