Sporting Digest: Table Tennis

Sweden won the European Nations Cup for the third time in three years yesterday, beating Russia 3-1 in the final in Karlsruhe, Germany. Earlier, the Russian brothers, Andrei and Dimitri Mazunov, had created a surprise by eliminating the host count ry 3-2in the semi-finals. England were surprise semi-finalists after beating Belgium and France. However, the world champions then swept England aside with a 3-0 whitewash. Alan Cooke battled hard against Sweden's world No 5, Peter Karlsson, but the Swe de prevailed 21-18, 18-21, 21-14. England then lost the doubles and Sweden went through as Matthew Syedwas beaten 21-9, 21-12 by Jorgen Persson.

European Nations Cup Semi-final (Karlsruhe) Sweden 3 England 0 (Swe first): P Karlsson bt A Cooke 21-18 18-21 21-14; J Persson bt M Syed 21-9 21-12. Doubles: Karlsson and Persson bt A Perry and B Billington 21-16 21-13. Final: Sweden 3 Russia 1. Final (Sweden names first): P Karlsson lost to D Mazunov 21-12 17-21 10-21, Persson bt A Mazunov 13-21 21-13 21-13, Persson/J Waldner bt A Mazunov/D Mazunov 21-17

21-15, Persson bt D Mazunov 18-21 21-18 21-16.

Drumchapel Glasgow kept up their challenge for the British League Premier Division title by beating Vymura International 12-2 in Manchester yesterday.