Finland Triumph at Division 4

Finland celebrated their return to Division 3 of the European Championships after winning this week's 4th Division tournament in Belgium, and were given the prospect of eventual participation in a World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

Speaking to the teams at the tournament's closing dinner, ICC European Development Manager Richard Holdsworth pointed out that three years ago Norway had played in the equivalent competition.

'By winning three consecutive tournaments,' Holdsworth said, 'they have earned promotion to the 1st Division, and will also be part of Division 5 of the World Cricket League in 2007-2008.

'This gives them an opportunity to reach the 2009 ICC Trophy, the qualifying tournament for the 2011 World Cup. In preparation for all this, they will receive a grant of $US20,000.'

The introduction of the World Cricket League, and the recognition of ECC championships as qualifying tournaments for that League, meant that every country could aspire to progress to global competition.

'For all national teams,' Holdsworth observed, 'the world is your oyster.'

Both he and Tournament Referee Richard Cox expressed satisfaction that, despite the adverse weather, all six matches in the tournament had been completed, and paid tribute to the efforts of the Belgian Cricket Federation in making this possible.

The tournament was also notable for the first-ever European Twenty20 match, sponsored by Notts Sport, which was also won by Finland.

Cyprus, who were making their debut in international competition and won their final game to take second place, won the MCC Spirit of Cricket Award for their approach throughout the tournament.

Richard Cox announced a Team of the Tournament, sponsored by Cricket World. The team is: Phil Burleigh (Luxembourg), Jonathan October (Finland), Amit Singh (Cyprus), Tom Furness (Slovenia), Amrik Bhatia (Finland), Janaka Pelawattna (Cyprus), Mike Kyriacou (Cyprus), Madhu Ramachandran (Luxembourg), Michael Shaw (Finland, wicketkeeper), Nadeem Qureshi (Finland), Brad Eve (Slovenia), and Jonathan Scamans (Finland, 12th man).

Amrik Bhatia, who scored 71 runs and took eight wickets in three matches, won the Player of the Tournament award.

'The ICC Development Programme is about raising the standard,' Holdsworth said in his speech, 'the level of players and officials, of facilities, of conduct and behaviour on and off the field, and of coaching and management.

'The ECC is doing just that, and the success of this tournament is further evidence of how that can be achieved in all spheres of the game.'

But he also called on the boards in the individual countries to ensure that they are governing their game appropriately and professionally, so that cricket is seen in those countries as a serious sport, worthy of support by government, private sponsors and other organisations.