European Championships | 4 Oct 2013

Austria in quarters, Poland in full swing

The Women’s Team of Austria kick off the LIEBHERR European Championships in best possible way with the victory over Turkey and reigning champions Netherlands. They were required to play additional match in Championships Division to secure the place in the

The Women’s Team of Austria kick off the LIEBHERR European Championships in best possible way with the victory over Turkey and reigning champions Netherlands. They were required to play additional match in Championships Division to secure the place in the first round.

“It is good that we get the chance to play in the Championships Division and I am happy that we seized the opportunity,” said LIU Jia. Against Netherlands LIU Jia beat LI Jiao to secure the victory.

In the Round of 16 Romania was close to lose great advantage they had against Ukraine, but at the end they succeeded. Margaryta PESOTSKA overcame Elizabeta SAMARA at the beginning of the match, but Daniela DODEAN and Bernadette SZOCS recorded two victories to give Romania the lead. And then at 2:1; 2:0 and 6:1 for Romanian player, pendulum swung. DODEAN lost her encounter against PESOTSKA and opened the door for surprise.

“After 2:0 I thought everything is over; we are winners. I was relaxed, but then everything changed. I had to come back into the ring,” explained SAMARA who beat BILENKO in straight games.

Bronze medalist from Herning year earlier LI Xue won both her matches for France against Kinga STEFANSKA and Natalia PARTYKA, but Poland proved they had stronger team.  Czech Republic beat Spain in five matches.

In Challenge Division, in the Round of 16 Serbia beat Lithuania with Ruta PASKAUSKIENE. “I played only one match since World Championships in Paris. I could not feel the ball. I could not play on my usual level,” explained Ruta PASKAUSKIENE.

Serbia will meet Sweden tomorrow. Slovenia beat Bulgaria, so they will challenge Croatia in the quarterfinal of the Challenge Division. Slovakia overcame Portugal. Next game they will have against Luxemburg. Italy overcame Greece and tomorrow will meet England.