Afternoon belongs to Continent of Europe
The Continent of Europe entered the last session needing only three points to secure the Jacques Léglise Trophy.
Hovdal set the tone early in match number two beating Adams 5&4 with a birdie on the 14th.
It looked like the decisive winning point would come from one of the top contests with many Europeans leading their matches.
Fahlberg-Johnsson’s win against GB&I captain, Shaw-Radford on the 17th came simultaneously with Fonseca Aguilar’s success on the 15th green against Cleary guaranteeing the Jacques Léglise trophy stayed in the Continent of Europe’s possession for one more year.
The Continent of Europe’s win marks a record-extending fourth straight victory for the team, all conquered under the captaincy of France’s Joachim Fourquet, who is a member of Golf de Chantilly and competed in the Jacques Léglise Trophy at the venue in 2001.
Halved matches from Louis Anceaux (France) and Wernicke, as well as further wins from Hao, Wiedemeyer, Le Goff and Grinberg meant the Continent of Europe team won all four remaining sessions at Golf de Chantilly, leaving the final score at 17-8.
Germany’s Tim Wiedemeyer has become the first ever Continent of Europe player to win the Jacques Léglise Trophy three times scoring an impressive nine points out of 12 in his three appearances for the side.
Proud captain
Joachim Fourquet, non-playing captain for the Continent of Europe said, “I am so proud, it is historical, so I am very proud of my team, very proud of the last four years.
“They did it perfectly, I mean it is very natural for them, they talk to each other, they do contest around the green, they joke around. It is just a great team, with great players and great spirit.
“Winning here is something very special, as a member of Chantilly, I like this course, I like the people here, so it’s very emotional and I am very proud of winning here in Chantilly.”
Lev Grinberg officially became the first player from Ukraine to compete in the match on Friday, and with a perfect record from three matches this week, is also the first Ukrainian player to lift the trophy.
Sweden’s Simon Hovdal finished the week tied with Grinberg for highest point scorer, also taking three points from his matches.
The Continent of Europe team will look for a fifth straight victory in the match next year, but will have to do so on Great Britain and Ireland’s home soil with the 2024 Jacques Léglise Trophy set to take place at West Lancashire Golf Club.