Member Associations | 24 Mar 2014

Fifth title for PAPAGEORGIOU, first for CHRISTOFORAKI

The 66th National Championship of Greece, held last weekend in the STAG Area of Peace and Friendship Stadium concluded with the victories of established and new champions. Kostas PAPAGEORGIOU captured the title in men’s singles for the sixth time overall and fifth time in the row, demonstrating that he remains dominant in the country in individual events. Maria CHRISTOFORAKI emerged victoriously in Greece for the first time in her career and marched in the footsteps of her mother Katerina SPANOU (general secretary today in H.T.T.F.), who had reached the same title in 1982 and 1984!

In men’s doubles new champions are Tasos RINIOTIS and George KONSTANTINOPOULOS whilst in women’s doubles Laura NICULAE and Christina FILI defended the title. The National Championship provided spectacle and excitement for the friends of table tennis and was dedicated to the memory of Damon DAMIANIDIS former curator of Pera Athens club and board of Greek federation.

In men’s singles PAPAGEORGIOU justified his rankings and avenged the defeats against John VLOTINOS in three successive finals. In the fifth final with the record man holder of National Championships (14 titles in men’ singles) was very strong and won by 4-0. Additional he made a unique achievement. In the fifth consecutive gold from 2010 to today should always set 4-0 to end even having different opponent each time.

In semifinals PAPAGEORGIOU recorded very difficult victory against Tasos RINIOTIS 4-2, will in quarter finals won against Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS 4-0. VLOTINOS, great athlete who remains in good condition at 43 years, excluded Kostas LAGOGIANNIS 4-2 in semifinals and Georgios KONSTANTINOPOULOS 4-1 in quarter finals, In the women’s singles Maria CHRISTOFORAKI and Katerina TOLIOU were the main favorites. The first has an all around game the second has defense style of play and both recorded one of the most exciting finals in recent years with many balls and patience. CHRISTOFORAKI made less mistakes and won 4-2 after 1 hour and 5 minutes!

The champion had very difficult task in the quarter finals by defeating Filia EMIRI 4-3 while in the semifinals scored a great victory with 4-1 against last year’s champion of Greece Christina FILI. TOLIOU defeated Olga GEORGOPOULOU 4-1 in the quarterfinals and Eleni GEORGIADI 4-0 in the semifinals.

FINALS
Men’s singles: Kostas PAPAGEORGIOU-John VLOTINOS 4-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9)
Women’s singles: Maria CHRISTOFORAKI-Katerina TOLIOU 4-2 (7-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9)
Men’s doubles: George KONSTANTINOPOULOS/Tasos RINIOTI-Kostas LAGOGIANNIS/Lefteris MAKRAS 3-1 (5-11, 11-9, 13-11, 12-10)
Women’s doubles: Laura NICOULAE/Christina FILI-Georgia ZAVITSANOU/Olga GEORGOPOULOU (11-9, 11-7, 11-7).

MEDALS
Men’s singles: 1. Kostas PAPAGEORGIOU (A.S. Pera Athens) 2. John VLOTINOS (City Eagles) 3. Tasos RINIOTIS (Olympiakos) - . Kostas LAGOGIANNIS (Pera Athens)
Women’s singles: 1. Maria CHRISTOFORAKI (O.E.A. Edessa), 2. Katerina TOLIOU (D.A.O. Taurus), 3. Christina FILI (Pera Athens) - . Eleni GEORGIADOU (YMCA Thessaloniki)
Men’s doubles: 1. George KONSTANTINOPOULOS/Tasos RINIOTIS (A.O. Amfitheas/Olympiakos) 2. Kostas LAGOGIANNIS/Lefteris MAKRAS (Pera Athens) 3. Kostas PAPAGEORGIOU/John VLOTINOS (Pera Athens/City Eagles) - . Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS/George KANASIS (A.O. Amfitheas/A.O. Pefkis)
Women’s doubles: 1. Laura NICOULAE/Christina FILI (A.S. Pera Athens) 2. Georgia ZAVITSANOU/Olga GEORGOPOULOU (Olympiakos/Pera Athens) 3. Filia EMIRI/Niki BRISKOLA (Athena Magoufanas) - . Alice KIOUFI/Katerina TOLIOU (D.A.O. Taurus)