European Youth Championships | 17 Jul 2013

Golden gift to Czech faithful supporters

With sound of drums and huge roar of relief Czech Republic saluted new champions yesterday. Host’s Cadet Boys Teams clinched the title in Ostrava at the 56th European Championships. Who would of thought that mighty France will fall and who will bet

With sound of drums and huge roar of relief Czech Republic saluted new champions yesterday. Host’s Cadet Boys Teams clinched the title in Ostrava at the 56th European Championships. Who would of thought that mighty France will fall and who will bet on Czech Republic vs. Slovenia final. But it happened…

Tomas POLANSKY gave hosts the lead and proved once again his superior form in Ostrava. “He was ready for this Championship. Tomas performance here is incredible. He has lost only one singles match,” praised POLANSKY’s performance coach Lubos PENKAVA.

On the other side Patrik KLOS needs little more experience. “He was under great pressure here and that affected his performance. I tried to make him be more focused on his game. We did not pay attention on his adversaries style, his task was to play “his game” and it paid off eventually”, explained coach.

The result of the semi final was not such big surprise. Only recently in Hodonin at Czech Open two teams with exactly the same line up have meet each other.  “We beat France 3:2, so we already went through this. At that time, I was thinking , it is perfect moment. Beating big France, it is something than makes you proud. And I thought it will not repeat any time soon…And then here we are again and I have deja vu. But it was even better, because we overcame them at the such big event as European Championships. Same fantastic enthusiastic crowed cheated us, gave us strength, same team on both sides, and at the end same outcome…perfect.”

In Round of 16, Czech Republic faced hard challenge. They went full distance against Moldova. POLANSKY lost his duel against Andrei PUTINIC. “Then in decisive match Patrik lost first set against MUTCOGLO, but after that all the stress went away. He rose his game and like in the match against Slovenia, he started to play very good.”

Coach is confident in his players. He believes they can achieve good result in singles as well. “I do not have to worry about Tomas, but Patrik is different story. A lot depends on his adversary. We have to work on his technique little more, we have to improve his style of play.”

Coach PENKAVA admitted. “I waited 17 years for this medal and everything here comes to the right place. The team was perfect, supporters, support from our federation and organisation of the Championships…. I am so happy.”