European Championships | 25 Sep 2015

Portugal on victorious course in Ekaterinburg

2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships started today

 

Reigning champions, team of Portugal, started their journey at the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships in Russian city of Ekaterinburg in victorious way. In their opening match in Group Stage of the Team’s Event, Portugal overcame Hungary. It was straight matches victory, but there were no lack of excitement.

 

“The outcome is the same like last year, but it is different situation. We won 3:0 and it was hard earned victory. We went full distance in two matches. Of course, we expect that; knowing Hungary has two very strong players,” explained FREITAS.

 

In the opening duel Tiago APOLONIA beat Adam PATTANTYS.

 

“PATTANTYS defensive skills could made a great damage, so that victory was important for us. APOLONIA opened the door for the overall win with his triumph and certainly helped me to start my match with some sort of advantage.”

 

Marcos FREITAS overcame Daniel KOSIBA to wide the gap.

 

“KOSIBA was very good today in long rallies, put a many balls on the table; it was very open game. The third match between Joao MONTEIRO and Tamas LAKATOS also went full distance. LAKATOS risked a lot and at some point it proved as a good tactics. However, at the end MONTEIRO had a better touch and better finish.”

 

In Group A France was severely tested against Serbia, but eventually prevailed in full distance contest.

 

Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC proved too strong for Antoine HACHARD. Zolt PETE taste the same medicine in the duel against Simon GAUZY, so after 1:1 the real battle started. Marko JEVTOVIC went full distance against Emmanuel LEBESSON to give Serbia the lead again. GAUZY was at the top of the game once again against KARAKASEVIC and PETE and OUAICHE entered the field at the decisive match. After 2:0 and 4:1 in third game, PETE missed the opportunity to give Serbia victory. OUAICHE embraced the opportunity and with extraordinary backhand from the ring saved the match ball and soon after scored to win the match.

 

“If he would play 10 times this same stroke, there is no way he could repeat this and win the point, like he did against me,” Pete was desperate after the defeat.