Georgina PÓTA’S example can inspire every young athlete. Through her dedication perseverance and passion she has become one of the greatest stars of Hungarian table tennis continually setting new goals to further enhance her country’s reputation. “I am proud of what I have achieved so far but there is always room for improvement. My dream is to achieve more international success and to crown my Olympic participation with a great result ” said POTA in the interview made by Hungarian Table Tennis Association Marketing and PR manager Vanda FILIPOWICZ. PÓTA began her sports career at the age of five following in her mother’s footsteps. “My mom played table tennis at ESMTK and took me to her training sessions. When I was five years old I said I wanted to try it too. That’s how it all started ” Gina recalled. Initially she approached training as a game but it soon became clear that she had significant talent. At the age of six she transferred to Statisztika PSC where she began training daily gradually increasing her training hours. “There was no question about what sport I would choose; this was perfect for me. I’m not a big runner or a gym girl ” Gina said highlighting how much she enjoyed the playfulness and variety of table tennis. She excelled in both youth and adult categories as reflected in her first newspaper article: “My first newspaper article appeared when I was 13 or 14 written by Miki SZŰCS saying that I was a rookie on the main draw.” Throughout her career Gina gained a wealth of experience and achieved numerous successes. Her notable achievements include her first Champions League victory with Statisztika and the European Championship title in doubles with Krisztina TÓTH. “There were always very good players at Statisztika including foreign players like Tamara BOROS and Kriszti TÓTH who were my role models. We also won the European Championship.” For Gina table tennis was not just a sport but a way of life and she always aimed to get better: “At home I had a trophy room not a playroom but a trophy room and I used to arrange my trophies there.” The Beijing Olympics hold particularly fond memories for Gina where she participated with Petra LOVAS and Kriszti TÓTH. “The Olympics was a great experience. The venue was enormous and everything was new. It was strange to go to such a huge complex after smaller competitions.” Gina acknowledges that participating in the Olympics is especially challenging for a European table tennis player: “I always thought that qualifying for the Olympics was a great achievement but I was quite far from being a medal contender. I know my limits and what I am capable of and a medal seemed out of reach.” Gina’s future also holds challenges and she sets ambitious goals for herself. “I’d be happy to make it into the top 16 ” she said regarding the Paris Olympics indicating that she realistically assesses her chances but still sets high goals. “First I have to compete in a qualification tournament. I have to play against the best in the world but I really want it and I hope I can make it.” Throughout her career Gina has developed significantly both technically and mentally. She has successfully adapted to the changing landscape of the sport and faced opponents with various playing styles. Her experience playing in Germany has also been invaluable: “Playing in Germany had a very positive impact on my game because I learned to play against defenders penhold players pimpled rubber players and left-handers. In Berlin I played many matches against different styles whereas at home there weren’t many defenders or pimpled rubber players which greatly improved my game.” During her years in Germany Gina not only improved her game but also grew as a person. “I learned a lot about independence and responsibility. In Germany I had to manage on my own which helped me immensely in all aspects of life.” Additionally the competitions and continuous challenges there contributed to her better understanding her own limits and capabilities.
European Youth Championships Table Tennis 2024: Medals Table
At the European Youth Championships in Malmö Romania and Poland led the medals table each securing 11 medals overall. Romania topped the chart with the highest number of gold medals while Poland matched them in the total medal count. Ukraine and Italy also performed impressively each securing two gold medals. France despite having only one gold amassed a total of ten medals. EYC 2024 Medals table Gold Silver Bronze Total 1 Romania 4 3 4 11 2 Poland 3 4 4 11 3 Ukraine 2 1 3 4 Italy 2 1 3 5 France 1 2 7 10 6 Germany 1 1 3 5 7 Czechia 1 1 2 4 8 Spain 1 1 2 9 Austria 1 1 2 10 Sweden 1 1 2 11 Portugal 3 3 12 Slovakia 2 2 12 Hungary 2 2 14 Croatia 1 1 14 Turkey 1 1
ZYWORONEK Clinched Doubles Title Again This Time with MICHNA
Patryk ZYWORONEK this time partnering with Samuel MICHNA defended his title in the Under 15 Boys Doubles event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö. The Polish pair overcame their teammates Aleks PAKULA and Jan MRUGALA in the final. Bronze medalists are Sandro CAVAILLÉ and Noah VITEL of France and Danilo FASO and Francesco TREVISAN of Italy. Reigning champion ZYWORONEK who won gold in Gliwice 2023 playing alongside Mateusz SAKOWICZ teamed up with MICHNA this year. The top seeds showed no mercy in their duel against the Polish duo ranked at the No. 4 position. Patryk ZYWORONEK said “We played very well today and even if we struggled a bit in the first game it was good. I’m happy to defend my title since last year and very proud of how we played this tournament only losing one game.” In the semi-final ZYWORONEK and MICHNA overcame Sandro CAVAILLÉ and Noah VITEL of France in the shortest match of the round concluding the clash in straight games. ZYWORONEK explained “We never played against this French pairing; it was our first encounter. We thought it would be much more difficult although it was not as easy as the result predicts. Two games concluded by narrow margins.” Speaking of his new doubles partner ZYWORONEK said “We are new here but we have been playing together for a year. We are in the same club in Poland. We know how to play with each other.” In the other semi-final Aleks PAKULA and Jan MRUGALA had an excellent start against the No. 2 seeds Danilo FASO and Francesco TREVISAN of Italy. They won the two opening matches before the Italian duo changed the course of the match and pushed the duel into the decisive game. Eventually the Polish pair won by the narrowest margin. “In the last game I was just trying to be calm and not think about losing. Now in the final we play against Poland so it will be a special match. I think it’s going to be hard but I hope that we win; we practice very much together ” said PAKULA. Under 15 Boys doubles Final Patryk ZYWORONEK Samuel MICHNA Poland -Aleks PAKULA Jan MRUGALA Poland 3-0 (12-10 11-3 11-6) Semi final Patryk ZYWORONEK Samuel MICHNA Poland – Sandro CAVAILLE Noah VITEL France 3-0 (11-9 11-4 11-9) Aleks PAKULA Jan MRUGALA Poland – Danilo FASO Francesco TREVISAN Italy (11-9 11-9 9-11 11-13 13-11)
Austria’s Skerbinz and Fuchs Win Under 15 Girls Doubles Title
Newly crowned Under 15 Girls Doubles champions are Nina SKERBINZ and Elina FUCHS of Austria seeded only as the 5th pair in Sweden. At the European Youth Championships in Malmö the Austrian pair overcame Renata Shypsha and Irina GIMENO FONT of Spain. Bronze medalists are Nora DOHOCZKI and Sophie BARCSAI of Hungary and Julia LEAL of Portugal and Andreea BAIASU of Romania. Nina SKERBINZ and Elina FUCHS were under severe pressure as SHYPSHA and GIMENO FONT proved to be resilient adversaries. The Austrian girls won against the No. 13 seeds with all three games decided by the narrowest of margins. SKERBINZ remarked “We feel really great. I am proud and happy about this. It’s our first medal in the European Championships.” FUCHS added “I am also very happy. We didn’t think that we would win but we gave everything all the time.” In the penultimate stage SKERBINZ and FUCHS had a better start against No. 3 seeds Dora DOHOCZKI and Sophie BARCSAI of Hungary. Although the Hungarian duo managed to close the gap the match was decided in the fifth game with a narrow win for the Austrian pair. FUCHS commented “It was important that we kept our persistence. Eventually at the end we got a bit of luck.” SKERBINZ explained “We played a very good first ball with a lot of spin. We fought hard and tried to put each ball on the table. When you go after each ball then you might have a little luck on your side.” In the other semi-final match Renata SHYPSHA and Irina GIMENO FONT prevailed in straight games against Julia LEAL of Portugal and Andreea BAIASU of Romania. GIMENO FONT said “We are so excited to play in this final. We are going to try to take first place. This is amazing and we are very happy about this.” SHYPSHA added “In the final we think it’s possible to win. They are very strong but so are we so I think we are going to do great.” Under 15 girls Doubles event Final Nina SKERBINZ Elina FUCHS Austria – Renata SHYPSHA Irina GIMENO FONT Spain 3-1 (11-9 7-11 12-10 13-11) Semi final Nina SKERBINZ Elina FUCHS Austria – Nora DOHOCZKI Sophie BARCSAI Hungary 3-2 (11-2 8-11 11-6 9-11 11-9) 4 Julia LEAL Portugal Andreea BAIASU Romania – Renata SHYPSHA Irina GIMENO FONT Spain 0-3 (3-11 9-11 7-11)
CHIRITA and ISTRATE avenged their last year’s defeat in doubles
Top seeds at the Under 19 Boys Doubles Event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö Iulian CHIRITA and Andrei ISTRATE of Romania justified their status and clinched the title. After a superb performance they overcame Flavien COTON and Nathan LAM of France in the final. The host nation secured bronze with Isak ALFREDSSON and William BERGENBLOCK playing in the semis. They shared the podium with William ARPAS of Slovakia and Balazs LEI of Hungary. In the final Romania’s pair CHIRITA and ISTRATE were in the fast lane against COTON and LAM. CHIRITA remarked “We are very happy to take revenge from last year when we lost the final. This year we came in top form and won easily 3-0.” ISTRATE added “I think we fought really hard and it was important that we won the second game. I was a little bit stressed at the end but I didn’t let that affect our play.” Big drama unfolded in the penultimate stage: CHIRITA and Istrate faced a spirited Swedish combination of Isak ALFREDSSON and William BERGENBLOCK who forced Romania’s pair to go the full distance. Host nation representatives seeded No. 14 had a better start but the top seeds never let them go too far pushing the match to the decisive game. Sweden had a match ball but the favorites prevailed. ISTRATE said “We were expecting a hard match but not like this. We saved one crazy match point. We played against BERGENBLOCK and ALFREDSSON last year in the quarterfinals but today they had their own crowd and I want to congratulate them for this tournament. Now we have to focus on the final. Last year we lost so today we want to win.” CHIRITA added “Like my teammate said it was a really hard match and they played really well today so I also want to congratulate the Swedish pair.” In the other semi-final Flavien COTON and Nathan LAM of France prevailed against No. 6 seeds William ARPAS of Slovakia and Balazs LEI of Hungary. In the decisive game the French duo had a 9-1 lead. ARPAS and LEI leveled at 9-9 but COTON and LAM won the next two points. COTON said “It feels amazing right now. We saved two match balls at 0-2 and then we played better and better. In the last set we were up 9-1 and they came back to 9-9 but we won 11-9 so it was a perfect end unbelievable.” Under 19 Boys Doubles Final Iulian CHIRITA Andrei ISTRATE Romania – Flavien COTON Flavien LAM France 3-0 (11-4 11-8 11-5) Semi final Iulian CHIRITA Andrei ISTRATE Romania – Isak ALFREDSSON William BERGENBLOCK Sweden 3-2 (9-11 11- 4 8-11 11- 5 12- 10) William ARPAS Slovakia Balazs LEI Hungary – Flavien COTON Flavien LAM France 2-3 (11-9 11-9 14-16 4-11 9-11)
MATIUNINA and ARLIA Dominated Under 19 Doubles
Newly crowned champions in the Under 19 Girls Doubles event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö are Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine and Nicole ARLIA of Italy. Silver medalists are Zuzanna WIELGOS and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland. Bronze medalists are Clea DE STOPPELEIRE and Agathe AVEZOU of France and Mia GRIESEL of Germany and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania. No. 2 seeds Zuzanna WIELGOS and Anna BRZYSKA had a better start in the final match but MATIUNINA and ARLIA had already proven they are capable of defeating favorites. ARLIA said “It feels amazing to win the title in the European Championships. It’s my first time being a champion. After the first set it was a little complicated but we kept fighting and we won.” MATIUNINA added “I agree. We didn’t start the second set well and they were better but after that we finally found a good tactic. Now I am going to prepare for my third final and I hope I will get a third gold!” In the semi-final played earlier this morning Zuzanna WIELGOS and Anna BRZYSKA needed only three games to overcome the French pairings Clea DE STOPPELEIRE and Agathe AVEZOU who were ranked No. 3 in the event. “We played safe and put the ball on the table. Because we met a defensive player we had to change our tactic a little. We won this tournament last year and we are looking forward to defending it now ” Anna said. In the second semi-final top seeds Mia GRIESEL of Germany and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania lost to No. 5 seeds MATIUNINA and ARLIA. MATIUNINA said “It feels amazing. We had a 2-0 lead and they started to come back. We also had a match point at 2-1 11-10 and we lost that game. After that we decided to take it point by point.” ARLIA added “I think it was really important that we won the first two games. In the first one I also think that we were down 10-7. It’s the second competition we play together so we are very happy.” Under 19 Girls Doubles semi final Final Veronika MATIUNINA Ukraine Nicole ARLIA Italy – Zuzanna WIELGOS Anna BRZYSKA Poland 3-1 (6-11 11-8 11-6 11-4) Semi final Mia GRIESEL Germany Bianca MEI ROSU Romania – Veronika MATIUNINA Ukraine Nicole ARLIA Italy 2-3 (10-12 10-12 11-2 13-11 5-11) Clea DE STOPPELEIRE Agathe AVEZOU France – Zuzanna WIELGOS Anna BRZYSKA Poland 0-3 (5-11 8-11 7-11)
In an Explosion of Emotions Patryk ZYWORONEK Clinched Gold
Last year’s finalists at the European Youth Championships in Malmö went one step higher clinching gold in the Under 15 Boys Singles event. Patryk ZYWORONEK of Poland beat Robert ISTRATE of Romania to secure the title. Bronze medalists are Aleks PAKULA of Poland and Sandro CAVAILLE of France. In an explosion of emotions ZYWORONEK celebrated the gold after a strong performance in the final. Patryk ZYWORONEK: “I can’t believe that I just won the European Youth Championships singles title! I’m so happy right now. This has been my goal for a long time and last year I lost the final against a better opponent. I played my best match this season today so you can really say that I was the best when I needed it the most.” Last year’s finalist ZYWORONEK overcame his teammate Aleks PAKULA in the semi-final. He needed only five games. “Last time I played against Aleks I lost 3:0 so this is a very good result for me. I’m very happy. In the beginning I was a little bit stressed because it’s my teammate and we know how to play against each other. But I found a good tactic against him. During the match I was thinking a little bit that it doesn’t matter if I win or lose; one of us is going to be in the final and it’s going to be great anyway ” said ZYWORONEK. At that point when the name of the other finalist was unknown the top seed was aware of the danger if Robert ISTRATE won. “In the final I think I will play against ISTRATE. In the Team Event I lost 2:3 and we always have close matches when we play against each other.” The other semi-final went six games with Robert ISTRATE overcoming Sandro CAVAILLE of France. Robert Alexandru ISTRATE: “It was a tough match I fought hard and I’m very proud of myself. I have practiced with my opponent before so I knew what he likes and what he doesn’t. I’m looking forward to the final with good confidence. I have been winning against the Polish player the last three times that we have met.” Under 15 Boys Singles Final Patryk ZYWORONEK Poland – Robert ISTRATE Romania 4-2 (11-5 12-10 4-11 7-11 11-4 11-4) semi final Patryk ZYWORONEK Poland – Aleks PAKULA Poland 4-1 (11-6 8-11 12-10 13-11 11-6) Sandro CAVAILLE France – Robert ISTRATE Romania 2-4 (6-11 8-11 12-10 10-12 11-9 3-11)
Hanka KODETOVA Defends Title at Under 15 Girls Singles
At the Under 15 Girls Singles at the European Youth Championships in Malmö Hanka KODETOVA of Czechia defended her title leaving Siri BENJEGARD of Sweden with the consolation in silver. Bronze medalists are Mariia LYTVYN of Austria and Koharu ITAGAKI of Germany. Ranked only at position 42 Siri reigning Under 13 champion put the defending champion under severe pressure producing fantastic resistance. KODETOVA: “I am very happy about this win. The match was so tough because she played a really good backhand and I play more to the backhand so yes it was tough. I am glad that I made it.” In the semi-final Siri BENJEGARD overcame Mariia LYTVYN in straight games. Mariia is seeded only at position 19 but still much higher than Siri. BENJEGARD: “I was a little bit nervous before the match but I have good self-confidence right now. I thought that I played well and it felt stable. I’m looking forward to the final and it will be both fun and tough whoever I’ll meet.” Unlike the first semis the other match went the full distance. The reigning champion was once again put to a severe test. No. 3 seed Koharu ITAGAKI forced KODETOVA to play all seven games but Hanka’s resilience was admirable. KODETOVA: “I am very happy that I won this match; it was very hard. I think in the start it was better for me but then she changed her tactic and played better so I had to change my tactic again and it worked.” Under 15 Girls Singles event Final Hanka KODETOVA Czechia – Siri BENJEGARD Sweden 4-2 (11-9 11-8 9-11 16-18 11-7 11-4) Semi final Hanka KODETOVA Czechia – Koharu ITAGAKI Germany 4-3 (11-5 14-12 9-11 6-11 4-11 11-5 12-10) Siri BENJEGARD Sweden – Mariia LYTVYN Austria 4-0 (11-9 11-9 11-3 11-5)
Romania’s Girls Do Not Hand Over the Throne – MEI ROSU Clinches Gold
Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania added the singles title to her 2022 Doubles title. In the final of the Under 19 Girls Singles Event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö Romania’s player beat Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine. On the third step of the medal rostrum stand Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland and Mariana SANTA COMBA of Portugal. Veronika MATIUNINA was one gold away from securing her third title in Malmö having already won titles in Mixed Doubles and Doubles. It would have been the first time since 2007 that a player clinched all three golds a feat achieved by Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania and Paul DRINKHALL of England in 2008. However Bianca MEI ROSU disrupted the plans of the Ukrainian player. “I have no words to describe it. This is like my dream come true in this European Championship because last year I came in third place on the podium. I think I did my best match today so far I played my best and I enjoyed it very much ” said MEI ROSU. In the semis No. 2 seed Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland lost to No. 3 seed Bianca MEI ROSU in straight games. “It feels nice to play another final in the European Youth Championships. I played against WIELGOS before; it was a difficult match but this time it was a bit easier. My goal when I left home was to reach every final and I’m looking forward to playing at my highest level this afternoon ” said MEI ROSU. Ranked only No. 26 in the standings Mariana SANTA COMBA of Portugal failed to stop the progress of MATIUNINA to the final. The No. 9 seed concluded the duel in four games. “It’s my third final in this tournament; I am very happy and very very tired. I don’t have much power now but I am trying to find it somewhere. Looking forward to the final ” said MATIUNINA. Under 19 Girls Singles Final Veronika MATIUNINA Ukraine – Bianca MEI ROSU Romania 0-4 (12-14 6-11 14-12 9-11) Semi final Veronika MATIUNINA Ukraine – Mariana SANTA COMBA Portugal 4-0 911-8 12-10 11-8 11-5) Zuzanna WIELGOS Poland – Bianca MEI ROSU Romania 0-4 (4-11 4-11 6-11 10-12).
Darius MOVILEANU Clinches the Crown in Under 19 Boys’ Singles
Darius MOVILEANU of Romania won the Under 19 Boys’ Singles event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö. Silver medalist is Flavien COTON of France while the bronze medalists are Andrei ISTRATE of Romania and Leon BENKO of Croatia. In a fantastic and powerful final MOVILEANU enriched his treasury with his fifth gold medal. He had previously won the singles title in 2019 in Under 15 and the Doubles in 2022 and 2023 in the individual events. Last year he also won gold in Mixed Doubles. Today he beat the French player in a very powerful display of play. MOVILEANU: “Feels amazing. After winning in cadets in singles I wished that I would play at least one final in this tournament. COTON is an amazing player and I knew that it would be very difficult for me but somehow with my coach and my team we managed to win this final. At the beginning of this tournament I was very sick. I couldn’t even believe that I reached the quarterfinals. And now winning it feels unbelievable.” In the penultimate stage No. 9 seed Flavien COTON exceeded his ranking to overcome No. 3 seed Andrei ISTRATE. Romania’s player had a better start but from that point COTON took control. COTON: “I started badly but I changed some details in my play. After that I played better and better. I’m very happy with my performance so far and I have won against very good players to reach the final. If I can keep this high level I think it will work in the last match also.” Romania still secured a place in the final after a solid win by ISTRATE over Leon BENKO. No. 26 seed BENKO failed to put severe pressure on No. 2 seed ISTRATE. MOVILEANU: “It feels great to be in the final. I won in Under 15 in 2019 and I hope that I will get the title but the match will be very hard because Flavien COTON is a really good player. I am really looking forward to the final. The semifinal was a good match even though I started not so well. After the first game I found a good tactic and after that I think things worked out.” Under 19 Boys Singles Final Flavien COTON France – Darius MOVILEANU Romania 2-4 (11-4 8-11 11-5 9-11 6-11 11-13) Semi-final Darius MOVILEANU Romania – Leon BENKO Croatia 4-1 (7-11 11-9 11-7 11-4 11-5) Flavien COTON France – Andrei ISTRATE Romania 4-1 (10-12 11-7 12-10 11-2 11-7)
