England have to settle for second place in European Boys
Final
 England’s
youngsters fell at the final hurdle in their bid to become
European champions when they lost to hosts Denmark in the
final at Rold Skov Golf Club.
Having earned their final spot with a 5-2 victory over the
Netherlands in Friday’s semi-final, England went down
4.5 - 2.5 to the Danes in a dramatic and exciting final.
In the morning foursomes, England lost the first match when
Jack Hiluta and Andrew Johnston lost the opening two holes
against Nicklaez Rasmussen and Daniel Loekke. The English
pair never got back in the match, but the Danes played well
and were two under par (with 17 putts) when they closed the
match 5&4 win on the 15th green.
The second clash also looked like a home victory as they
were dormie on the 17th tee. But a Danish bogey and a superb
birdie by Matt Haines and Tommy Fleetwood (photo © Tom
Ward) on the last sent the match into extra holes –
and plenty of them.
The teams halved the next five holes where the English boys
holed some amazing putts to stay alive. However, England then
secured the important point with a par to level the match
when the Danes found trouble off the tee on the par-five sixth
hole.
The five afternoon singles were delayed due to the marathon
foursome, but the players didn’t seem to mind as they
showed some terrific golf.
However, the Danes gradually got the upper hand with Lokke
winning a tight encounter with Hiluta on the 18th, then Rasmussen
secured his match against Eddie Pepperell with a par on the
17th.
Johnston revived England by beating Lucas Bjerregaard 4&3,
which left two matches to decide the Championship. Both were
on the 18 hole, the first was all square while Denmark were
one up in the other.
It all ended when Nicolai Aagaard won the 18th hole against
Fleetwood while Haines’ half with Patrick Winther mattered
little.
Italy took the bronze medals by defeating the Netherlands
while Scotland were fifth by beating Norway.
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