European Youth Championships
The venue of Torax Arena erupted today after Junior Girls Team clinched the medal at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava. They secured at least bronze after success over Slovenia in the quarterfinal. Now they are looking for even harder challenge – match against Russia. Top seeds prevailed against Romania in straight matches.
Czech Republic needed four matches to overcame Slovenia. Linda ZADEROVA gave hosts a good start. She overcame Katarina STRAZAR in four games.
“I know STRAZAR very well I already beat her before. But of course it was a very close match. When I started well in the third set I felt that I will win ” said ZADEROVA.
Zdena BLASKOVA was on the top of the game again. Despite being down two times she recovered and overcame Lea PAULIN and STRAZAR.
“In both my matches I was very nervous and both encounters were very close. I was saying to myself that I have to fight for every point because we are playing for medal. Through the matches I played good but also had some bad moments. Luckily it turned out well. In both matches I was able to turn the score and win the game which was really helpful. We are so happy to be in the semifinals here on home soil ” explained BLASKOVA.
The only point Slovenia managed to win is from the duel between Lara OPEKA and Gabriela STEPANOVA.
Romania has young team and they are yet to comeback to the medal winners path. Surely the Russia’s side was not there today to make them any easier. Maria TAILAKOVA Anastasia KOLISH and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN showed no mercy against Denisa URITU Tania PLAIAN and Luciana MITROFAN.
“I did not expect such a hard fight the matches before were much easier. But my adversary played a really good game and I had to play the ball back on the table for five or six times in each rally. I still have so much things to improve but I will think about it and I hope that in next rounds I will play even better ” said ABRAAMIAN.
France booked their place in the semis after straight matches victory over Italy. Camille LUTZ overcame Jamila LAURENTI Isa COK was stretched to full distance but beat Gaia MONFARDINI and Julie PENNEC succeeded against Valentina RONCALLO.
“I already played against LAURENTI so I knew how she plays. Her rubber was not so big problem for me I was able to adjust quickly. I was really motivated and I really wanted to win. We are so happy to be in the semifinals but we will keep fighting to reach the finals ” said Camille LUTZ.
Poland made Germany go full distance before they clinched the medal. Franziska SCHREINER set a good path for Germany after victory over Katarzyna WEGRZYN but her sister Anna beat Anastasia BONDAREVA in five thrilling games to level the match. Another five games thriller finished in favor of Sophia KLEE. Aleksandra MICHALAK lost the decisive game 15-17. Anna overcame SCHREINER to give Poland another chance but BONDAREVA overcame Katarzyna in straight games.
“In the first match I lost to Anna WEGRZYN in five games but she is a very strong player. After I lost 2-3 I was of course little bit sad but before the last match against Katarzyna I said to myself ok it doesn’t matter now I will fight for every ball. In the first match I played good so I was confident that I can win the last one. And I am so happy that I could help my team to reach the semifinals ” said Anastasia BONDAREVA.
