European Youth Championships | 14 Jul 2014
France vs. Romania in CB gold’s battle
In the final of the Cadet Boys Team’s Event at the 57th STERILGARDA European Youth Championships Romania will play against France. In the match for the third position Russia will meet Germany in Riva del Garda. France overcame Germany. Nolan GIVONE and I
In the final of the Cadet Boys Team’s Event at the 57th STERILGARDA European Youth Championships Romania will play against France. In the match for the third position Russia will meet Germany in Riva del Garda.
France overcame Germany. Nolan GIVONE and Irvin BERTRAND succeeded against XU Jannik and Gerrit ENGMAN. “The second match was very important. Irvin was starched to full distance against Gerrit. He was 2:1 up, and then his adversary leveled. It was tough one. Also, in doubles they had 2:0 in advantage, players from Germany leveled, but we were at the top of the game eventually, “ explained coach Thierry PRIOU .
Coach PRIOU stayed for a while to watch the duel between Russia and Romania. “We prefer to meet with Romania in the final. Recently, boys had played against Russia and lost very close match. They have very strong doubles.”
His wish was granted. Romania beat Russia. Cristian PLETEA succeeded against Artur ABUSEV and Denis IVONIN. Rares SIPOS lost against IVONIN. “ABUSEV gave us hard time. He has very difficult style and this time he even changed his tactics. He has defending style, but here he used his forehand more then he played top spin,” explained SIPOS.
Asked about their chances against France, SIPOS said: “50/50.”
Games for medals always delivers such enormity of pressure that you can almost feel the desires, hopes and determination in the air. Morning sessions in Riva del Garda at the STERILGARDA European Youth Championships were not exception. High stakes produced fierce fights.
Romania was under severe pressure against Denmark. Cristian PLETEA won his duel against Rasmus MIKKELSEN but Rares SIPOS failed to produce same outcome against Andreas DILLING. Even in doubles, Romania’s pairings were stretched to full distance, before player who topping the European rankings, PLETEA sealed the match.
“The pressure is high. I am not tired, three matches per day I can easily manage. It is just the importance of our duel. However, now when we reach the medal rostrum, everything is easer,” said Rares SIPOS.
France also experienced a little bit of struggle. European no. 4 Irvin BERTRAND could not prevent Simon SUDERLUND (ER 14) of giving Sweden a dream start. However Europe’s no. 3 Nolan GIVONE changed the course of the match. In double France was far from the safe zone, they needed five games to win it.
Spirited Italian team put Germany on the test. Daniele PINTO was the player who was close of creates great upset. PINTO overcame XU Jannik and stretched Gerrit ENGEMANN to full distance. Unfortunately for hosts Carlo ROSSI could not follow his rhythm.
Russia’s Denis IVONI, Artur ABUSEV and Anton KOTOV had trouble-free path in the quarterfinal. Poland failed to post a single victory, although they had good chance in doubles.
