Estonia and Spain squeezed past opponents Hungary and Belgium by identical 3-2 scorelines at the 2016 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships in Kazan yesterday.

After an opening singles win by Raul Must (featured image), Estonia’s men found themselves 1-2 to Hungary in their Group 2 clash but the doubles pair of Kristjan Kaljurand/Raul Kasner helped them level at 2-2 beating Gergely Krausz/Marton Szatzker 25-23 21-19 before Mikk Ounmaa/Heiko Zoober won the tie snatching a win over Marton Szerecz/Csaba Szikra 21-19 22-20.

Spain led Belgium 2-1 in Group 6 after wins from Luis Enrique Penalver and Blai Ramirez but Matijs Dierickx/Freek Golinski got Belgium back in the tie. It was left to Alejo Javier Ibeas/Luis Enrique Penalver to salvage the situation in the second doubles, which they did beating Birger Abts/Nathan Vervaeke in three games to win the tie for Spain.

Other close ties were France’s 3-2 win over Sweden to top Group 4 (men) and Hungary’s 3-2 win over Ireland (Group 5, women).

Chloe Magee won both her matches for Ireland but that wasn’t sufficient to ensure victory. Hungary’s Daniella Gonda/Orsolya Varga outplayed Sara Boyle/Rachel Darragh 21-12 21-19 in the fifth match to dash Ireland’s hopes.

Click here for full results.