Victor Crouin is aiming to complete a double hat-trick in Chartres by defending his title at the European Individual Closed Squash Championships (20-23 August).
Crouin has won the men’s French National Championship in Chartres for the last three years and has also won European Individual Closed gold medals for the last two years in Cuenca, Spain, and Wroclaw, Poland.
He is now top seed for the 2025 men’s title as the European Individual Closed heads to a venue in his homeland where he admits he has “plenty of great memories and success.”
“It’s great that the Championships are at home for me. It will add an extra layer of motivation,” said the 26-year-old. “I’ve won the last three French nationals in Chartres, so I have good memories there. I have my own routines and set-up when I’m in town, so it’s a good place for me.”
Crouin will have seven days between returning from the World Games in Chengdu, China (where he is also top seed) and hitting his first ball of his European Individual Closed title defence.
France have a strong pedigree in the competition with Gregory Gaultier having won an incredible nine times, Thierry Lincou twice, Camille Serme six times and Isabelle Stoehr once.
“It’s recognised as a prestigious title to win in our country,” says Crouin. “I see it as an important warm-up for each season. It’s a final preparation for the professional circuit starting in September, but obviously it’s also about winning a medal. It’s very cool to be able to call yourself European champion.”
Vying to deny Crouin of a hat-trick will be compatriot and second seed Baptiste Masotti, as well as Swiss legend Nicolas Mueller and Spaniard Iker Pajares. Amongst other established names in the top eight seeds (Farkas Balazs, Raphael Kandra and Rui Soares) is young Frenchman Melvil Scianimanico, who is achieving some notable results on the PSA Tour since graduating from the ESF junior circuit.
“It’s going to be an exciting week,” says Crouin. “I like being the top seed — I don’t know why anyone would not like it!
“If you don’t enjoy being top seed, it’s probably an issue. It means you’re not comfortable being the best in the world, or in Europe or your country. It’s cool to have a target on your back with players challenging you. It’s a privilege to be a top seed and hopefully I can get a third title this year.”
Belgium’s Tinne Gilis is defending women’s champion and heads to Chartres as top seed, just above her sister Nele Gilis-Coll (who was title winner in 2019 and 2023).
Melissa Alves and Marie Stephan, both 3/4 seeds, will be France’s leading title hopes alongside 5/8 seed Enora Villard. Germany’s Saskia Beinhard and Spain’s Marta Dominguez will also be looking to start their season on a positive note.
Finland’s Emilia Soini won the bronze medal for the last two years in Cuenca and Wroclaw and will also hope to go deep in the event, which takes places across two venues, C’Chartres Squash & Badminton and Halle Jean-Cochet.
Watch live coverage of the 2025 ESF European Individual Closed Championships on European Squash TV
Check out the seedings, draws, latest scores and results here
Check out Fédération Française de Squash’s microsite for the Championships here
(Images: Magda Kaminska / Hasta La Vista)
