Russia and Ukraine will fight in the Mixed Teams final at the European Under 13 Championships in Nevşehir, Türkiye, after both recorded 3-0 victories in Friday evening’s semifinals. Russia overcame Germany, while Ukraine defeated France to secure their places in the gold medal match.
Both finalists maintained their unbeaten records in the competition, having previously won all three encounters in their respective Stage 2 groups.
Russia produced a convincing performance against Germany, opening with a 3-1 victory in the Mixed Doubles. Elisei KLOCHKO and Olesia ILINA defeated Kirill MANALAKI and Dana HASPEL (11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9) to put their team ahead.
Viktoriia RYBALCHENKO then doubled Russia’s advantage with a straight-games victory over Hannah SCHLAUCH (12-10, 11-2, 11-5). The opening game was closely contested, but RYBALCHENKO took control thereafter.
Mikhail KIRILLOV completed the victory by defeating Joel ROHALY 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-4), sending Russia into the final without dropping a singles game.
Ukraine were equally successful against France, although their 3-0 victory featured two closely contested singles encounters.
David DROBOV and Oleksandra BAHATKO gave Ukraine the lead with a 3-1 Mixed Doubles victory over Hachim TISSAFI IDRISSI and Blanche SEBBE (5-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-5). After losing the opening game, the Ukrainian pair recovered to win three consecutive games.
The second match produced the most dramatic contest of the evening. Lidiia SHYIAN overcame Avelina DIRMENT NUNEZ in five games (11-8, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 13-11). The French player led 2-1, but SHYIAN fought back to force a deciding game before edging the contest 13-11 to put Ukraine 2-0 ahead.
Mark VORONOI then sealed Ukraine’s place in the final with a 3-1 victory over Arthur XIAN (12-10, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11). The Ukrainian held his nerve in two tight games to complete the semifinal victory.
Mixed Teams – Semifinal Results
Germany – Russia 0-3
- Kirill MANALAKI / Dana HASPEL – Elisei KLOCHKO / Olesia ILINA 1-3 (9-11, 11-9, 4-11, 9-11)
- Hannah SCHLAUCH – Viktoriia RYBALCHENKO 0-3 (10-12, 2-11, 5-11)
- Joel ROHALY – Mikhail KIRILLOV 0-3 (5-11, 4-11, 4-11)
Ukraine – France 3-0
- David DROBOV / Oleksandra BAHATKO – Hachim TISSAFI IDRISSI / Blanche SEBBE 3-1 (5-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-5)
- Lidiia SHYIAN – Avelina DIRMENT NUNEZ 3-2 (11-8, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 13-11)
- Mark VORONOI – Arthur XIAN 3-1 (12-10, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11)
