Sweden – Gold and the Amir Ramsis Naguib Salver - earns promotion to Tier 1

Sweden earns promotion back to Tier 1 as Canada delivers a stunning debut performance at the 2025 World Team Championships

The 2025 Golf Croquet World Team Championships for Tiers 2 and 3 brought twelve nations to the Sussex County Croquet Club in Southwick, England, delivering a week of high-level play, tactical battles, and international breakthroughs during August 5-10, 2025. Sweden claimed the Tier 2 title and a return to Tier 1, while Canada fielded a full national team for the first time (Adam Barr, John Richardson, Amr Hamdy and Hesham Elzoghby) and made an immediate impact with a silver-medal run. All four of the players came from the North Toronto Croquet Club.

Mexico and Scotland also impressed, securing promotion victories that underscored the event’s growing depth and global competitiveness.

Tier 2/3 Teams

Canada
Czech Republic
Germany
Hong Kong
Latvia
Mexico
Norway
Portugal
Scotland
Sweden
Switzerland
Wales

Sweden, relegated from Tier 1 in the previous World Championship, arrived determined to regain their place among the world’s elite. Mexico, winners of Tier 3 at the last championship, had their sights set firmly on Tier 2. Hong Kong made its first entry to the team championship.

Block Play

After a week of tight and tactical matches, four nations went undefeated in their blocks: Canada, Sweden, Wales and Latvia — each securing a place in the Tier 2 semifinals.

Mexico’s only loss came to Sweden, narrowly missing a semifinal spot. They were placed into the Tier 2 Shield competition against Norway, Switzerland and Czech Republic, while the remaining nations competed in Tier 3.

Tier 2: Semifinal Thrillers

The semifinal between Canada and Wales produced one of the week’s most dramatic finishes.

The match came down to the final singles. Tied 1–1 in games, Hesham Elzoghby trailed 3–5 in the third. With calm precision, he won the next three hoops to lead 6–5. At hoop 12, he was perfectly positioned to run the hoop — but then an attempt to clear missed and accidentally sent his ball cleanly through. Canada wins 7–5! Cheers erupted as Canada secured its place in the final.

In the other semifinal, Sweden defeated Latvia with a solid, composed performance.

The Final: Sweden vs. Canada

These two nations had tied earlier in the week, setting the stage for a gripping final. Sweden (Joi Elebo, Lewis Palmer, Damiel Larsson, Ele Elebo) took a 3-0 lead in the morning matches, needing only one more win in the afternoon singles. Canada had taken 3 of the 4 singles matches earlier in the week so there was a solid chance to turn it around.

Canada started strong, leading in two matches, down in another, and tied 1-1 in another, but Sweden broke the tie and edged out a decisive 2-1 win to secure the gold.

**Canada – Silver in their first full-team appearance**

Mexico and Scotland Shine

Mexico (Brian Lozano, Rick Zazueta, Victor Abitia, Giancarlo Ruiz), whose only loss all week was to Sweden, went on to win the Tier 2 Shield — an impressive follow-up to their Tier 3 Championship victory at the previous Worlds.

In Tier 3, Scotland (Stephen Wright, Stefan Colling, Thomas Halliday, Mark Shanks, Martin Murray) captured the José Álvarez-Sala Salver, earning promotion to Tier 2 for the next World Team Championship.

Highlights, Global Growth and a Viral Moment

The championship highlighted croquet’s expanding global reach, with competitors aged 17 to 75, and young talent evident from nations such as Czech Republic and Latvia.

A spectacular moment from Mexico drew widespread attention online: With Mexico trailing 5–6 in Game 1, Brian Lozano executed a stunning jump shot over the peg and perfectly clearing the opposing ball. Teammate Rick Zazueta then scored Hoop 12, and Lozano clinched the game at Hoop 13. A video clip spread quickly on Facebook - a brilliant showcase of skill and flair.

Then there was a unique jump shot by John Richardson (Canada). The score is 1 – 1. He attempts to jump hoop 3 from the line against Daniel Larsson (Sweden) but his ball pushed Daniel’s through, and John’s ball continues to roll and scores hoop 4 – scoring balls for both sides in one shot. See the shot here: https://youtu.be/Tu_K9Qf0QhY.

The Sussex County Croquet Club, with its 11 fast and beautifully maintained lawns, provided world-class conditions that tested skill, patience, and tactical play throughout the week. The team of volunteers delivered an exceptionally well-run event, even attracting coverage from The Times, which featured the tournament and the sport in a full-length article.

Looking Ahead

With emerging nations rapidly improving and established teams strengthening their lineups, the next Tier 2 & 3 World Championship promises to be even more competitive. Looking ahead, watch out for Canada and Mexico, but Ireland, relegated from Tier 1, will be in the mix and hungry for promotion.

The Canadien team with writer John Miles and wife Ronnie Robertson.

Written and submitted by John Miles, President, North Toronto. It was a proud week for John and his wife Ronnie Robertson who traveled to England to cheer on the Canadian team.