European Youth Championships | 19 Jul 2017

Russia’s girls at the highest step at the medal rostrum

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships

Russia is champion in Cadet Girls Teams Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships for a second year in the row. They overcame France on their way to the highest step at the medal rostrum. Russia team is composed of Elizabet ABRAAMIAN, Nataliya MALININA, Arina SLAUTINA, Ekaterina ZIRONOVA,, whilst for France played Prithika PAVADE, Camille LUTZ, Lou FRETE, Isa COK.

 

Bronze medal winners are Belarus’ Ulyana AKLHOUSKAYA, Darya KISEL, Yuliya ZALESKAYA and Turkey’s Sukran CANGIR, Ece HARAC, Betul TOZ and Ozge YILMAZ.

 

In match between France and last year’s champions, Prithika PAVADE instantly imposed her rhythm against Elizabet ABRAAMIAN. Despite the slower start ABRAAMIAN responded in the next game and set the pace in opposite direction. From the second game it was one-way street.

 

Camille LUTZ won the opening game against Ekaterina ZIRONOVA. In the second, Russia’s player did not seized the opportunity at 8:8 but she won the next game. ZIRONOVA recovered to level the match. In another twist of fate, she had 3 match points, but LUTZ saved them all and won the match.

 

After the doubles Russia was back in game. Ekaterina ZIRONOVA explained.

 

“I was not that before the start of the match, but when the play commenced, I was under pressure. I lost my first singles match, but after the doubles the team- spirit brought me back into the game. We are united and we support each other, it helped me recover” explained ZIRONOVA.

 

 

France – Russia 0:3

Prithika PAVADE - Elizabet ABRAAMIAN 1:3 (11:4, 5:11, 9:11, 8:11)

Camille LUTZ - Ekaterina ZIRONOVA 3:2 (11:6, 11:8, 8:11, 9:11, 13:11)

Camille LUTZ, Prithika PAVADE - Elizabet ABRAAMIAN, Ekaterina ZIRONOVA 3:1 (12:14, 4:11, 11:7, 18:16)

Prithika PAVADE - Ekaterina ZIRONOVA 0:3 (10:12, 4:11, 4:11)