Other Events | 5 Feb 2015

Elizabeta SAMARA sixth time among invited

For a sixth time, Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA will play at the Europe’s most prestigious invitational event. At the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku SAMARA is the third seed. SAMARA just went through hard period of recovery from the s

For a sixth time, Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA will play at the Europe’s most prestigious invitational event. At the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku SAMARA is the third seed.

SAMARA just went through hard period of recovery from the surgery. “After my knee meniscus surgery, which was in November, I can tell I am100 percent recovered. I want so much to play, to enjoy the game. I miss great matches and great adversaries,” said SAMARA.

As many Romanian stars she shined on European Youth Championships, reaching 14 medals on six events; from 2002 Moscow 2002 to 2007 Bratislava: nine gold and five silver. One of Elizabeta’s best achievements was gold at the 2005 World Junior Circuit Finals in Santo Domingo. She played twice in European Championships quarter finals, in Belgrade 2007 and Gdansk-Sopot 2011. She also got team’s gold with Romanian National Team in Aaarhus 2005. At the World Championships, her best placement is Round of 16 in Zagreb 2007.

Elizabeta is a member of Turkish champion Fenerbahce, no. 1 seed of 2014/15 Women`s European Champions League. “Now the season in Champions League is in the full swing. In between the matches I am trying to practice as much as I can. The year started good for me. I played at the World Cup and I am very satisfied with my performance. Since I missed two months of practice, it is great progress. I must do things slowly and be patient. I lost the match in the opening leg of the Champions league semi final in Berlin. I was not that bad, but most important is that the club won and I am very happy for that.”

SAMARA is long time at the top of World table tennis. There is no mystery for her in Baku. “I just want to play good at Europe Top 16. Every match will be tough, despite the fact I know all the players very well. However I am looking forward those duels. I want to enjoy of top level table tennis.”

As a big favorite, SAMARA, named Hungary’s Georgina POTA. “POTA improved her game a lot. I was playing against her in Bangkok and lost 4:2. I was not fully recovered at that time, but still she was very good. And all the other players are very good and dangerous. I have to be careful.”