Other Events | 30 Apr 2014

Romania showing high team spirit

There is one more match left for each team in the Group stage of the Women’s Event at the at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships. On the third day fierce battles continued. In Group A Poland finally managed to catch some air. After hard duels and de

There is one more match left for each team in the Group stage of the Women’s Event at the at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships. On the third day fierce battles continued.

In Group A Poland finally managed to catch some air. After hard duels and defeats against China, Austria and Korea DPR, Poland beat Slovakia in fourth round. They did it in straight matches. “There is no point of complaining. Our group is tough, as much as every other at the World Championships. There are no easy matches, but we learned from each of those games. Playing against China was a great experience. In the match against Korea I beat KIM Jong and I am very happy with that victory,” stated Natalia PARTYKA. Slovakia created very few chances. Poland dominated from the first duel between Natalia and Barbora BALAZOVA, “Last time at the European Championships in Herning, Barbora beat me 3:0. I had no chance. Today was different story. I am played very well. Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA managed to succeed in very close duel against Eva ODOROVA. Eva recovered from 2:0, before Katarzyna regained the control again.”

China, Korea, Romania and Austria are placed at the first four positions in the Group above Poland. Ultimate match in the Group Poland will play against Romania. “We are still in the game for fourth position. If you look at the rankings Romania is much better, but numbers do not play. We will try to seize any chance that occurs.”

Romania beat Austria in fourth round. They also accounted for Slovakia in the opening round. “We could not sleep last night thinking about the match against Austria. It was crucial for us. They play in fantastic shape here. With two Chinese players in their team they are very dangerous. Daniela is still struggling with her knee injury, but she gave her best to win LIU Jia. She was at the top of the game” said Elizabeta SAMARA.

Bernadette SZOCS accounted for LI Qianbing. “She was stretched to full distance. However, she managed to recover from 0:2 in reverse. She is getting more and more mature. We are very strong as team; we spend every moment talking about table tennis. Our spirit is really high and we keep on pushing each other forward.”

In Group C Netherlands overcame France in straight matches. Now they share third position in the Group with Luxembourg. Korea Republic and Singapore occupies top two spots. Singapore is the only unbeaten team in the Group. “We had two very hard days with duels against South Korea and Singapore. Now we feel much relaxed. I am happy that LI Jie returned to the team. Only six months after she gave birth she is playing amazing. It is great to have her back,” said LI Jiao.

Netherlands challenged South Korea in the opening match and forced top seeds to go full distance. “I even had two match points in that duel against YANG Haeun. However, we are all very happy with the victory that Britt EERLAND achieved. She beat SEOK Hajung,” explained World’s no 13 LI Jiao. Luxemburg denied Russia of first victory in the Group. Team placed at the position three in the Group lost 1:3. ‘We are getting stronger and stronger as a team. All that those girls needs is a little bit more of experience. Sarah DE NUTTE showed her quality once again today with very strong performance against Olga BARANOVA. Tessy GONDERINGER stretched Elena TROSHEVNA to full distance…those results makes me proud. We are not professionals so every achievement at such Event as World Championships is great success,” stated NI Xialian.

Ukraine beat Croatia in Group D. Now they have six points as Czech Republic, and they are placed below Hong Kong and Germany. “For us most important is tomorrow’s duel against Czech Republic, but we are confident. We will fight for that victory,” said Margaryta PESOTSKA.