European Championships | 28 Sep 2014

German ladies defended their gold

Germany clinched the title in the Women’s Teams Event at the TMS European Championships in Lisbon. After 1962, 1968 (as West-Germany), 1996, 1998 and 2013, it is their sixth title. In the final they overcame Austria in straight matches. Austria reached fi

SHAN Xiaona had a shaky start against Sofia POLCANOVA. The beginning of the match between players ranked at positions no. 31 and no. 24. went on account of the lower ranked player. POLCANOVA was 2:0 up; SHAN was worming up. Even in second game German player had a game ball. SHAN failed to convert it, but after second set she hardly missed opportunities. Xiaona recovered to level and eventually beat POLCANOVA.

HAN Ying found herself in the same situation like SHAN match earlier. World’s no. 9 was two games down against LIU Jia, currently ranked at position no. 12, before she recovered.

It was only Petrissa SOLJA who escaped from the dramatic situation. From the first moment of the match against LI Qiangbing she was in the driving seat. “First match between SHAN and POLCANOVA was very important for us. Both players were very nervous, but SHAN played at top level. In second, HAN found herself in new situation at this tournament. She lost two games! LIU Played very well today. SOLJA gave solid performance. Our team proved they are in top shape. Throughout the tournament they were at the top of the game,” said coach Jie SCHOPP.
Germany – Austria 3:0
SHAN Xiaona – Sofia POLCANOVA 3:2 (5:11, 10:12, 11:4, 11:9, 11:7)
HAN Ying – LIU Jia 3:2 (9:11, 8:11, 11:8, 11:5, 12:10)
Petrissa SOLJA – LI Qiangbing 3:0 (11:4, 11:3, 11:9)

Milica NIKOLIC, EWT, Milica NIKOLIC, EWT