Drennan Team England consisted of;  Will Raison, Sean Ashby, Alan Scotthorne, Callum Dicks, Lee Kerry, Simon Willsmore, Mark Downes and Mark Addy (Joint Managers).

The European Championship was held on 28th and 29th June on the Hensies Pommeroeul Canal, Bernissart, Belgium with 24 nations competing. England knew they had to get things right from the start if they were going to be contenders for the medals this year which needed them to locate the bream early on.

Mark Downes and Mark Addy (Joint Managers) stated “It was an extremely difficult venue where the difference was sheer concentration and patience that saw England "steal" the gold medal at the 24th hour in the World Championship.  After a reasonable 1st day on 5th with 35 points, England knew they needed a low 20 points to have a chance of scooping their 5th European Title.  With 15 minutes to go it was Will Raison who hooked and landed a 4 lb bream, his only fish apart from 4 small perch, followed by Sean Ashby doing exactly the same, a 3 lb bream to go with his single perch. Both finished 3rd in their sections joined by Callum Dicks 3rd , Alan Scotthorne 6th and Simon Willsmore 8th for 23 points, totalling 59 over the 2 days.”

“The team have worked brilliantly this week and we are all over the moon to win the Championship and bring home gold.”

In runners up position was Russia who put in another outstanding performance and only one point behind England to take silver, with Italy taking bronze. England were out of contention in the individual medal states with Mike Thinnes from Luxembourg taking the gold medal win, Diego Da Silva from France in silver medal position and Roman Pokorny Jr from the Czech Republic in third to take bronze.  

Dick Clegg, OBE, Angling Trust International Manager said “An absolutely fantastic performance by Drennan Team England to win in Belgium which highlights the versitality of the squad after last years World Championship win in Poland. To be crowned champions at both European and World level is something special and I applaud the management and the squad on such a tremendous achievement. I know I am still on my favourite soapbox when I say it's about time our countries sporting bodies recognised our anglers and put some of the millions of pounds raised by lotteries into what is without doubt the most successful of English sports.”

Top 5 Team results
1st England Gold - 59 points
2nd Russia - 60 points
3rd Italy - 67 points
4th Netherlands -71 points
5th Czech Republic - 85 points

Top 5 Individual results
1st Mike Thinnes, Luxembourg - 3 points
2nd Diego Da Silva, France - 4 points
3rd Roman Pokorny Jr, Czech Republic - 4 points
4th Yury Siptsov, Russia – 5 points
5th Jozsef Varga, Hungary – 5 points

England Placings
6th Will Raison – 5 points
11th Callum Dicks – 9 points
16th Alan Scotthorne – 11 points
18th Sean Ashby – 11 points
111th Simon Willsmore – 32 points (fished 1 day)
116th Lee Kerry – 39 points (fished  1 day)

The Angling Trust would like to offer their congratulations to the England team for their superb outstanding performance in Belgium to be crowned World Champions, and to also offer their appreciation to the team sponsors Drennan International for their continued support and sponsorship.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News