European Youth Championships | 14 Jul 2015

Romania justified their status

Belarus put favorites on pressure, but at the end reached silver

Romania clinched 12th title in The Junior Girls Teams Event at the European Youth Championships. In final duel in Bratislava they overcame Belarus in tense match.

At he begining, Europe’s no. one played according to her rankings. In the opening duel of the final contest, Adina DIACONU prevailed against Europe’s no. 11 Daria TRIGOLOS without being seriously threaten. Daria’s defensive skills were powerless this time. 

Alina NIKITCHANKA started her match against Diana LUPU in very effective way; she dominated the opening game, but in the middle of the second game Diana settled into rhythm. She was 2:5 and 5:8 in reverse, before she leveled to 9:9 and won the second set. NIKITCHANKA regained the control in third game and safely finished the match.

Hanna PATSEYEVA, who is only one place below 19th Andreea CLAPA tried to put Romanian player under pressure from the very beginning. CLAPA started in slower pace, but eventually won the opening game by narrow margin. The pendulum swung few times in the match, but in the closing stage of the full distance thriller Romania’s player prevailed.

It was strange that most of the mistakes from NIKITCHANKA in the match against DIACONU came as a result of lack of patience. Despite the fact that Alina was the player with defending style, Adina showed that she had better nerves. However, she tasted some of her medicine in the fourth game. Alina was 5:9 in reverse, but patiently she built her points and at the end she won that part of the match to level at 2 all. 

“I was so nervous at the end of that game. My team helped me to calm down. That support was crucial. This is my fifth gold medal in the row and I could not be happier,” stated Adina DIACONU.

Andreea CLAPA also admitted she was a bit afraid.

“For me it was most important thing to help my team win this title. I am so happy that I did it. At 2:2 I had few rough moments, but coach ARNAUTU call for a time out in perfect moment. I regained my focus and finish the match with the victory,” said CLAPA.

Diana LUPU, had great difficulties against NIKITCHANKA.

“I missed few points, but overall Alina played perfect match. Her style is very good and it is very difficult to beat her.”




Junior Girls Teams Event Final

ROMANIA – BELARUS 3:1

Adina DIACONU - Daria TRIGOLOS 3:0 (11:4, 11:9, 11:9)

Diana LUPU – Alina NIKITCHANKA 1:3 (9:11, 11:9, 5:11, 6:11)

Andreea CLAPA - Hanna PATSEYEVA 3:2 (12:10, 6:11, 11:9, 6:11, 11:4)

Adina DIACONU - Alina NIKITCHANKA 3:2 (9:11, 11:7, 12:10, 9:11, 11:6)




JUNIOR GIRLS TEAMS EVENT

Gold medal

Romania Andreea CLAPA, Adina DIACONU, Diana LUPU, Alina ZAHARIA

Silver Medal 

Belarus Alina NIKITCHANKA, Hanna PATSEYEVA, Daria TRIGOLOS, Lizaveta TSIKHANAVA

Bronze Medal

Russia Daria CHERNORAY, Daria CHERNOVA, Anna IVANNIKOVA, Maria MALANINA, Valeria SHCHERBATYKH

Turkey Simay KULAKCEKEN, Kubra TAN, Damla UZEL, Merve OZTURK