European Games Minsk 2019
In the semi final of the Men’s Teams Event at the European Games 2019 in Minsk top seeds Germany will meet Portugal whilst Denmark will play against Sweden.
Timo BOLL joined Patrick FRANZISKA in doubles to open the quarterfinal match against Romania. They prevailed in straight games against Hunor SZOCS and Cristian PLETEA. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV overcame Ovidiu IONESCU.
“He played very good here. I saw him beating SAMSONOV this morning. On the other side I was not very confident in the opening game. I was down 4-9 but I kept on trying and the play get better and better ” said OVTCHAROV.
Patrick FRANZISKA beat Cristian PLETEA to add another point to Germany’s record.
“Timo and I had not played together for a month so we started the doubles match with caution. We were focused from the start so we did not face any difficulties. We moved fine and I really felt good playing in doubles. PLETEA put me under pressure in singles match. We are together at the trainings often and he will be in the same club with me next season; he knew me well. He is very talented young player and he played without stress here ” said FRANZISKA.
Denmark exceeded their rankings once again. This time it was Austria who suffered 3-1. European champions in Doubles from 2012 Daniel HABESOHN and Robert GARDOS won the opening duel against Tobias RASMUSSEN and Anders LIND but after that it was Jonathan GROTH who took the control. He beat Stefan FEGERL in straight games and overcame Daniel HABESOHN in fourth match. GROTH’s achievement can not been denied but young Anders LIND in the match against Robert GARDOS caught most of the attention. They went full distance.
“Almost every game I was in reverse but I managed to win. I kept playing the game he expected. I played on his backhand and I was going nowhere with that tactics. Then I changed it changed the service and played to the middle; I forced him to move more. I saved myself from being 4-9 in reverse in decisive game to win the match 13-11 ” explained LIND.
Croatia had a better start against Sweden with Andrej GACINA and Frane KOJIC beating Kristian KARLSSON and Jon PERSSON in doubles. Mattias FALCK overcame Tomislav PUCAR to level the match whilst Jon PERSSON gave Sweden the lead in the match against KOJIC. PUCAR forced to the decider with win over KARLSSON. In the decisive match Mattias FALCK sealed the victory with win over Andrej GACINA.
After exciting battle Portugal overcame Great Britain 3-1. Joao MONTEIRO partnering Tiago APOLONIA overcame Paul DRINKHALL and Liam PITCHFORD in doubles 3-1. By same margin Marcos FREITAS beat Sam WALKER. Tiago APLONIA failed to finalize the match after he lost against PITCHFORD full distance thriller. In the last match MONTEIRO overcame WALKER.
