The team events at the JOOLA Europe Youth Series in Albufeira concluded with dramatic finals, emotional comebacks and impressive performances from some of Europe’s brightest young talents.
You can see pictures here.
The Under 15 Girls Teams final delivered one of the most dramatic encounters of the tournament, as Portugal 1 completed a remarkable comeback against Germany 1 to secure the title in front of home supporters.
Germany started strongly thanks to Lotta ROTHFUSS, who defeated Maria RUIVO in four close games despite dropping the opening set. Portugal quickly leveled the score when Irina SILVA produced a dominant straight-games victory over Emma Sophie LI.
The doubles match became the turning point of the final. ROTHFUSS and LI moved within one game of the title after taking a 2-0 lead, but the Portuguese duo of RUIVO and SILVA fought back brilliantly, winning the next three games to swing the momentum completely in favour of the hosts.
With confidence growing, SILVA completed the comeback by defeating ROTHFUSS in four games to seal the Under 15 Girls Teams crown for Portugal 1.
In the bronze medal match, Spain 1, represented by Teresa CARRASCO VIEITO and Celia VALPUESTA, defeated Israel 1, represented by Gali BEZALEL and Ofek NAHUSHI, to secure third place.
Germany 1, represented by Lukas WANG and Tien Nghia PHONG, captured the Under 15 Boys Teams title after defeating hosts Portugal 1, represented by Rodrigo ANDRADE and Argemiro MORY, in the final.
Earlier in the day, Portugal 1 had booked their place in the final by overcoming Germany 3, represented by Jonathan KRAFT and Sebastian LENZ, in the semi-final. Germany 1 advanced after receiving a walkover, while Germany 2 finished the event with the bronze medal.
The Under 13 Boys Teams title went to Ukraine 1, represented by David DROBOV and Mark VORONOI, after a strong performance in the final against Israel 1, represented by Ilay DAVIDOV and Reah KROL SHAHAR.
Israel had earlier secured their place in the final after defeating Portugal 1 in a hard-fought semi-final. The Portuguese pair of João COSTA and Rodrigo LOURENÇO recovered from a two-match deficit to force a deciding singles clash, but DAVIDOV sealed the victory for Israel with a four-game triumph over LOURENÇO.
Ukraine 1 reached the final after overcoming Ukraine 2, represented by Ivan BUR and Vadym LUNEHOV, in the semi-final.
In the Under 13 Girls Teams final, Spain 1, represented by Carmen GOMEZ and Julia FERNANDEZ, defeated Portugal 1, represented by Lara MONTEIRO and Leonor ASCENCO, to win the title in Albufeira.
Another bronze medal went to Lithuania 1 in the Under 15 Girls Teams event, where Kaja TVOROGAL and Karina MILTO defeated Germany 1, represented by Dana HASPEL and Svenja HEPP, in the match for third place.
