On Day 1, the French team showed of things to come in the first match play qualifying round on the classic Scottish links course.  They dropped two positions to England and Scotland in the final match play line-up after the second and final stroke play round on Day 2, with Ireland qualifying fourth. 

The top four positions were not to change once the match play began on Day 3 with all four teams registering wins in the quarter finals. Each was then playing for a chance to take the title in the semi finals on Day 4.  France and Ireland were to earn their places defeating Scotland and England respectively. 

Day 5: an exciting clash for old rivals England and Scotland for third position resulted in the home team narrowly claiming victory.  The match for first and second was left to the singles after the morning foursomes matches were one-a-piece.  Ireland lost only one match of the five singles to take the title.

The second flight was headed by World Champions, the Netherlands, in a one-sided final match with Germany.  The third flight was keenly contested by Iceland, the Czech Republic, Italy and Turkey.  The closeness of the matches required the results of individual games to decide the final placings.  Iceland topped the final placings narrowly from Italy, the Czech Republic and Turkey.  The latter two teams must now re-qualify for a place in the Championship.  Next year's event will be at Royal Park I Roveri in Turin, Italy.

Rory McIlroy (Team of Ireland)

   1. Ireland