BEATEN but unbowed. The mood in the Irish women's tennis camp, following their failure to gain promotion in the European team championship in Belfast at the weekend is unmistakable.

"It was disappointing, but we can take something constructive from it," team manager Pete Lowther said yesterday.

"We have a pool of players capable of gaining promotion in both the Federation Cup and European series. Of the two, promotion in the Federation Cup would be the most welcome. Whatever about our chances in the higher divisions, we are good enough to move out from where we are.

Victories over Iceland and Luxembourg, on either side of defeat by Sweden in the key match, were predictable, even if they did not help the team's ultimate ambitions.

Big hitters have proved a problem for Ireland's women's teams in the past and so it was again, with the Swedes. Against Sweden, Ireland represented in singles by Gina Niland and Lesley O'Halloran and in doubles by Karen Nugent and Zara Wolseley, failed to muster even a set. O'Halloran went closest but lost out in a second set tie break.

"Lesley was unfortunate not to stake the second set but Gina, who is to undergo surgery for her foot injury this week, was overpowered by Svensson, 1-6, 2-6. Zara played well, showing no signs of nerves. She handled the experience well and could add another dimension for us in future," said Lowther.

Meanwhile, Scott Barron, who will lead Ireland in the corresponding men's series at Riverview - the match was originally fixed for Fitzwilliam - lost in the quarter finals in week three on the Thailand satellite circuit, to Italy's Braccioll 3-6, 5-7.