Archives | 10 Jun 2012

Swedish Open: titles for Sweden and Belarus

At the Euro-Africa Circuit Swedish Open in Helsingborg in the Women’s singles in round of last 16 KIM Song I from North Korea beat the champion of last Euro Africa tournament in Zagreb Szandra PERGEL of Hungary after a great performance by showing defensi

At the Euro-Africa Circuit Swedish Open in Helsingborg in the Women’s singles in round of last 16 KIM Song I from North Korea beat the champion of last Euro Africa tournament in Zagreb Szandra PERGEL of Hungary after a great performance by showing defensive play at its best. 4-2 was the final result. KIM, from Peongyang, has been training before the tournament for 3 weeks at the Werner SCHLAGER Academy in Vienna. “I’m very glad I win and I hope to win the tournament” says Kim and her coach.

In next round she beat Natalya PROSVIRNINA of Spain. Favorized Georgina POTA of Hungary comfortably beat Alena DUBKOVA of Belarus 4:1. Polina MIKHAILOVA had a hard battle to fight down the only remaining Indian. She beat GATHAK 4:2. Margarita FETUKHINA won the all – Russian encounter against Maria BYKOVA, and the toughest match in the QF, with 4-3.

In the Men’s singles quarterfinal ÅKERSTRÖM beat Mattias ÖVERSJÖ 4:1. It came as a surprise since OVERSJO won the last two encounters in the Swedish league. TÖRNKVIST overcame local hero ARVIDSSON in an epic battle 4:3 with the 11:-8 in 7th.

In the semis TÖRNKVIST and ÅKERSTROM will face each other. Not for the first time…both representing the club of Vaxjo.
Nordberg overcame SODERLUND 4:1 in the match between the two HAMPUS.

“I played both good and clever I think. I had the feeling that I was in control all the time” said Hampus NORDBERG. ANDERSSON beats BRODD 4:2. After 2:2 ANDERSSON was clerly ahead in the last two sets.

In Teams Event both finals gave full value to the crowd and both went to five games. In Women’s Belarus overcame India 3:2. Maria KUCHUK showed impressive performance and won her two singles. Surprisingly DUBKOVA concluded the day without victory, but her team mates managed to clinch the title for Belarus. That’s the sign of a strong team!

Last and final match turned into a real thriller with KUCHUK winning with the closest of marigins, 11-9 in the fifth set.

In Men’s Event Sweden A overcame Germany 3:2. The match went also to a decessive match. Benedikt DUDA is again unbeaten in an international team event. This time, he overcame both OVERSJO and ANDERSSON. However this wasn’t enough, Sweden clinched the title after a great team effort where every player won one match each. ANDERSSON finished the job by beating JOST 3:1.

(by Linus MERNSTEN)

Click here for further information

Photo: KIM Song I from North Korea