Other Events | 19 Feb 2017
France A finished the competition on the top step of the podium in Metz
Photo: ITTF
2017 French Junior and Cadet Open
Japan was crowned the Cadet Girls' Team champions at the 2017 French Junior and Cadet Open after the no.1 seeded team saw off Hong Kong ‘A’ in the final, while the Cadet Boys' Team trophy ended up in the hands of France A.
Dorian ZHENG and teammate Bilal HAMACHE proved to be the perfect combination for the category, and prior to the final the duo representing France ‘A’ built up momentum as they followed up their 3-0 success against Denmark with a strong 3-1 result against Belgium to book their spot in the final round.
The opposition for France ‘A’ in the final was Hungary’s Csaba ANDRAS and Oliver BOTH, with the duo having registered positive outcomes against Czech Republic and France ‘B’ on day four of the tournament. However, claiming the winners medals turned out to be one step too far for the Hungarians, with France ‘A’ taking the glory.
Japan ‘B’ and Azerbaijan claim Junior Team success in Metz. Heading into the Junior Boys’ Team competition Japan ‘B’ was named at 15th position in the seeding table, and so qualification from the group stage had already ensured that the team would finish above its assigned seeding.
Therefore when Japan ‘B’ beat the no.1 seeds France ‘A’ by a 3-1 score line in the quarter-finals; they completed its road to the final after the team recovered from a trailing position in the last four to beat Japan ‘A’ in a 3-2 thriller.
Awaiting Japan ‘B’ in the final was another surprise package Azerbaijan after the 14th seeded team picked up 3-1 victories over the no.2 seeds France ‘B’ in the last eight and France ‘C’ in the semi-finals, and the Azerbaijan side consisting of WANG Chenxi, YANG Xinyu and Vazir ALLAHVERDIYEV was looking to finish the tournament in style as the team went into the final with confidence.
The final turned out to be a rather interesting encounter and while Japan ‘B’ ran out comfortable winners, Azerbaijan put up a good fight.
There may have been disappointment for Azerbaijan in the Boys’ Team final, but the story couldn’t have been more different in the Girls’ Team competition as the second seeds secured the silverware. Azerbaijan’s CHEN Xingtai, NING Jing and DENG Simeng negotiated the encounter in the semi-finals against Turkey with a 3-0 triumph, and their reward was a place in the final where the top seeds Japan awaited.
