The ROMSTAL European Under 21 Championships is underway in Cluj-Napoca, with the opening days dedicated to Stage 1 and 2 of the singles events.
Under the championship format, the top eight seeded players are placed directly into Stage 2, bypassing the qualification phase. .
That meant defending Women’s Singles champion and top seed Anna HURSEY of Wales was not in action on the opening day. Instead, she will begin her title defence when Stage 2 commences today, joining a group that also features Natalia BOGDANOWICZ of Poland, Julie VAN HAUWAERT of Belgium, and Romania’s Alesia Sofia SFERLEA. HURSEY enters the stage looking to defend the title she won so memorably the previous year.
When HURSEY returns to Cluj-Napoca, she does so carrying a unique piece of European table tennis history.
Twelve months ago in Bratislava, the Welsh star enjoyed the most successful tournament of her young career, becoming the first Welsh player ever to win a European title in a women’s or youth event. She left Slovakia with two gold medals, claiming both the Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles crowns and establishing herself among the leading players of her generation.
Now, she returns as the player everyone wants to beat.
“I remember the tournament being very successful, winning the singles and doubles event, so I’m very excited to play again and hopefully play my best,” HURSEY said ahead of the championships.
The past year has brought new experiences, tougher opponents and further progress. Regular appearances on the senior circuit have helped the Welsh player continue her development, giving her valuable opportunities to test herself against some of the sport’s most established names.
“It helps me massively, to have more confidence and experience playing against high-level players,” she explained.
Those experiences have also helped shape what she believes is the strongest period of her career so far.
“I think I’m in a good place heading into Cluj-Napoca. I feel good physically and emotionally going into the tournament. I’ve had my best results in the last year, so I’m just hoping I can keep building on that over the next years.”
The Women’s Singles event promises to be one of the highlights of the championships. Former European Under 21 champion Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine is seeded second and eager to reclaim the title she won in 2024. Italy’s Nicole ARLIA, France’s Leana HOCHART, Luxembourg’s Enisa SADIKOVIC and Poland’s Zuzanna WIELGOS are among a strong group of contenders, while a host of emerging talents will be looking to make their breakthrough on the European stage.
Yet HURSEY is taking nothing for granted.
“I’ve seen there are many good players playing the event. I think everyone I play will be a good challenge for me.”
Success in Bratislava may have elevated expectations, but the Welsh player is approaching this year’s tournament with the same determination that carried her to the title twelve months ago.
“I’m very happy to have won two gold medals last year and I know it will be a different challenge to do it all again, but I will give it my all.”
While defending the Women’s Singles crown remains an obvious objective, HURSEY’s ambitions extend beyond medals.
“Of course I want to have good results in Cluj-Napoca, but I also have goals about my play that I want to achieve as well.”
With confidence high, valuable senior-level experience behind her and another opportunity to make history ahead, Anna HURSEY arrives in Cluj-Napoca as the player to beat. Whether she can successfully defend her title remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Europe’s next generation will be chasing the champion from Wales.
