European Championships | 12 Oct 2013

SAMSONOV or GIONIS to halt Germany

In penultimate stage of the Men’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR European Championships in Schwechat top seeded Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany will meet his compatriot Bastian STEGER. In the other match three times European singles champion Vladimir SAMSONO

In the quarters Dimitrij OVTCHAROV beat Quentin ROBINOT of France in five games.

OVTCHAROV said : “Robinot approached to the match with a positive attitude, he has fought and he had is played in the third set lake he is on fire . I was under pressure and it showed. Finally I am glad that I won.”

In the semis he will play against someone he knows very well – Bastian STEGER. “I am very motivated to win the title. If I do not get it this time, nevertheless I will sleep quiet.”

STEGER overcame another German player, Ruwen FILUS in five games duel. SAMSONOV inflicted the pain in the hart of Stefan FEGERL’s supporters. Beside his adversary at the table he had fully packed tribunes against him self. “It is little bit harder to play in such atmosphere, you hear their reaction on every lucky ball …but it is good for table tennis. We had a lot of spectators here and I hope they enjoyed good games.”

Against Stefan FEGERL it was close game. ”I was 4:8 down in opening game, then, 8:10 in fourth… I had a little luck on some important balls.”

In the semi final he will play against Panagiotis GIONIS, the player who already beat him in the Teams Event in Austria. “I hope I learned something from that match. However my arm already hurts.” . GIONIS beat Tiago APOLONIA in great thrilling match.

In the semi final of the Women’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR European Championships will play LI Fen of Sweden against FU Yu of Portugal and SHAN Xiona against HAN Ying of Germany. SHAN Xiaona said:”I am really happy, but very tired. I usually play only one game per week in the Bunsdesliga. A tournament like this is very exhausting. I’ve looked good against Ying. I think I have a chance.”

At the first appearances at the European Championships LI Fen of Sweden reached the semifinal stage. In the quarterfinal she overcame no. one seed SHEN Yanfei of Spain in straight games. Previously for the place in the quarters she played against bronze medalists from Herning last year, and won in thrilling seven games duel. The match lasted 76 minutes.

“This was the best match I had this year and I feel so tired now. It is amazing feeling to be in the quarterfinal of the European championships. At the beginning I was not sure I can play on such high level,” stated LI who is well known to Austria’s supporters as a member of SVS STROCK team in Schwechat.

In the Round of 16 HU Melek of Turkey also played all seven games, as well as FU Yu of Portugal who beat Kristin SILBEREISEN of Germany. FU was the player who required qualifications, so success is even greater. For the place in the semis she overcame former European Champion LIU Jiao of Netherlands.

Women’s Singles quarterfinal

SHEN Yanfei (Spain) – LI Fen (Sweden) 0:4 (8:11, 7:11, 6:11, 6;11), FU Yu (Portugal) – LI Jiao (Netherlands) 4:1 (13:11, 11:6, 9:11, 11:6, 11:9), SHAN Xiona (Germany) – HU Melek (Turkey) 4:2 (11:6, 7:11, 14:12, 3;11, 11:7,11:8), HAN Ying (Germany) – Viktoria PAVLOVICH (Belarus) 4:3 (14:12, 11:5, 8:11, 1:11, 12:10, 9:11, 13:11).

Men’s Singles quarterfinal

Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) – Quentin ROBINOT (France) 4:1 (11:5, 11:7, 8:11, 11:3, 11:4), Bastian STEGER (Germany) – Ruwen FILUS (Germany) 4:1 (11:8, 11:7, 11:5, 13:15, 11:6), Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) – Panagiotis GIONIS (Greece) 2:4 (7:11, 5:11, 11:8, 6:11, 11:7, 14:16), Stefan FEGERL (Austria) – Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) 1:4 (9:11, 13:11, 7:11, 12:14, 5:11).

Milica NIKOLIC, EWT, Milica NIKOLIC, EWT