America's Solheim Cup-winning team (image from the LET website)

UNITED STATES SHOW THEIR MATCH-PLAY MUSCLE

TO OVERPOWER EUROPE IN THE SINGLES

FROM THE LADIES' EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

Europe's hopes of regaining the Solheim Cup ended in disappointment when the United States came from behind to claim the singles 8 1/2-3 1/2 and finish 16-12 ahead overall at Halmstad in Sweden today.

Europe led 8 1/2-7 1/2 going into the 12 singles, and Catriona Matthew provided the perfect lead with a 3 and 2 win over Laura Diaz in the top match. But it still wasn't enough to inspire her team mates.

Around an hour later - with the scoreboard an array of red for the United States – Nicole Castrale made sure that the Americans would get the 14 points needed to retain the Cup, defeating Bettina Hauert 3 and 2.

Paula Creamer of the United States then defeated Maria Hjorth 2 and 1 to reach the 14 1/2 points required to win the trophy outright and extend the overall lead to 7-3.

"This is just awesome," said Castrale, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season with her first LPGA victory at the Ginn Tribute in Florida in June.

"I played really well and this is one of the best years of my life."

The 28-year-old had her husband, Craig, as her caddie, and she added: "This is my first Solheim and it has surpassed all expectations."

It is the only the second time that an away team has come out on top - the first was when the United States won at St Pierre in Wales in 1996. Europe won the top singles, thanks to Matthew, but it was a rare blue point as the United States underlined their traditional superiority in the singles.

Pat Hurst, Juli Inkster, Angela Stanford, Stacy Prammansudh and Morgan Pressel all won full points while Sherri Steinhauer won the final hole to secure a half against Becky Brewerton before Castrale sealed the deal.

Pressel, the youngest Solheim Cup player at 19, claimed one of the biggest scalps of the day, beating former world No 1 Annika Sorenstam, by 2 and 1.

With the match over as a contest, Creamer, who was the top points’ scorer with 3 1/2, went on to defeat the previously unbeaten Maria Hjorth 2 and 1 and fellow-American Natalie Gulbis finally claimed her first point with a 4 and 3 win in the final singles over Gwladys Nocera.

Laura Davies, the only player to have competed in all 10 Solheim Cups, claimed another point for the home side with a 4 and 3 triumph over the young rookie, Brittany Lincicome, while European rookie Linda Wessberg gained a consolation one-hole win over the US Women's' Open champion, Cristie Kerr.

Matthew, Europe's top points’ scorer, with three from four matches, carded three birdies in 16 holes en route to victory over Diaz, giving European captain Helen Alfredsson the start for which she had hoped.

"It was the best I'd played all week," said Matthew, who claimed the winning point for Europe in the win at Barseback in Sweden four years ago. "It's just a pity that the team didn't win."

Afterwards, an emotional Helen Alfredsson, the European captain, said: "I'm just so proud of the effort from my team. They fought hard all the way and it was one of the best weeks of my life.

"The weather made it very tough but it's been amazing week and my players gave their all. They played from the heart."

Annika Sorenstam, beaten by 19-year-old Morgan Pressel in the singles, added: "I don't really feel like we lost. We gave our best, but they just played a little bit better. We turned a lot of matches around this week and I have to congratulate Helen on her attitude and her great captaincy."

Laura Davies and Catriona Matthew, who were both singles winners, agreed that Europe had just been beaten by a slightly better team. "We're obviously disappointed," said Matthew. "But they all played well today."

Davies added: "It's a shame, because we are now 7-3 behind overall and so we need to win the next four to turn it round. But credit to them - we just lost to a great team and they had a good spirit."

The United States captain Betsy King paid tribute to her troop. "The matches were so close all week and it was a great challenge," she said.

"I appreciate all the American fans that came over to support us and I'm so proud of the way all our players gelled together and came together as a team.

"The Europeans played really well, but I'm delighted that we achieved our aim of taking the Cup back to the LPGA headquarters at Daytona Beach (in Florida).

"I also think this will be a one-off as regards my being the captain. There are too many other Americans waiting in line, including my vice-Captain, Beth Daniel."

Daniel confirmed that she would relish the chance to be the United States captain in 2009.

"I would be very honoured to be chosen next time," said the eight-time team player.

Creamer, who was also a star of the 2005 win at Crooked Stick, said: "I've always said that winning the Solheim is better than winning a tournament, and I say it again.

"I was pretty excited at Crooked Stick as a rookie and this was even better because it was a win overseas."

Pressel summed up her debut. "It was a whole lot of fun. The win over Annika was my first full point and it's always exciting and special to play against, and beat, one of the world's best players."

Final day's results from the Solheim Cup match at Halmstad, Sweden:

MORNING FOUR-BALLS: Europe 3, United States
Linda Wessberg and Maria Hjorth halved with Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome.
Trish Johnson and Iben Tinning halved with Juli Inkster and Stacy Prammanasudh.
Becky Brewerton and Laura Davies bt Natalie Gulbis and Nicole Castrale 2 holes.
Annika Sorenstam and Suzann Pettersen bt Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel 3 and 2.

AFTERNOON SINGLES: Europe 3 1/2, United States 8 1/2.
Catriona Matthew bt Laura Diaz 3 and 2.
Sophie Gustafson lost to Pat Hurst 2 and 1.
Pettersen lost to Prammanasudh 2 holes.
Tinning lost to Inkster 4 and 3.
Brewerton halved with Sherri Steinhauer.
Johnson lost to Angela Stanford 3 and 2.
Sorenstam lost to Pressel 2 and 1.
Davies bt Lincicome 4 and 3.
Bettina Hauert lost to Castrale 3 and 2.
Hjorth lost to Creamer 2 and 1.
Wessberg bt Kerr 1 hole.
Gwladys Nocera lost to Gulbis 4 and 3.
Final result: Europe 12 USA 16