On the penultimate day of the play at the GAZPROM European Team Championships in BT Arena in Cluj four best teams at the tournament play for their position in the finals. Portugal – Germany 1:3 Germany was the first team to book the place in the final. They avenged their defeat against Portugal in Nantes. Portugal reached the final last time. Despite the shaky start and victiory of YU Fu against Sabine WINTER (11:4 11:7 8:11 11:5) Germany took the control in next three matches. Nina MITTELHAM overcame SHAO Jieni (7:11 9:11 12:10 7:11) whilst Chantal MANTZ proved too strong for Ines MATOS (7:11 5:11 14:16). YU Fu failed to repeat the success in the match against Nina MITTELHAM (11:9 8:11 11:13 6:11). “Last time at the European Championships we lost against Portugal so we expected a very challenging match for us. We came now with a young team and a quite different compared to the previous on without our top star Petrissa SOLJA and HAN Ying. We do not have much experiences playing at this level so we are so happy that we managed to win this match. Sabine played the first duel and she did not play at her best. When I played the second one against SHAO I was under a lot of pressure knowing that I have to win it. I started really good I had two match points in the third game but I lost it. In the fourth game I was down 1:5 but I managed somehow to come back and to win 3:1 giving Chantal MANTZ a good position for the third match. Against Fu YU I knew I could win. Last week I did it already but it is always difficult for me to play against her. Her services are so difficult to receive. Today I managed quite good the receiving ” said Nina MITTELHAM Chantal MANTZ was very happy. Against MATOS she saved two match balls. “I’m feeling amazing I’m also very proud of my team we all played very good we were fighting to win this and it’s also a dream that we are now in the final. Against MATOS I was just playing and fighting and wanting to gave us the lead of this match. I was just playing not thinking that I could lose.”
 Sweden – Russia 0:3 Two opening semi finals showed that youth is taking over the European scene. Young Russia’s stars added another huge milestone in their career. For a first time Russia will have the team in the final of the Men’s Event at the Continental Championships. Last time USSR acheived it it was in 1968. On the way of rewriting history books Russia beat another favorite – Sweden. In the opening dulel Lev KATSMAN entered the satge first and overcame Truls MOREGARD (10:12 11:7 7:11 11:7 7:11). “My heart almost stopped at the end. My mind was blocked I bearly could made a sound when it was all over. It was a very close match. I won the first game then Truls came back… then I won the third game but again he recovered. In the last game I was 7:9 down then it was 9 all he took the lead by 10:9; he was only one point away to win the game ahd the match against me. Emotions were running high. Miraculously I saved this match point and closed the game 13:11. I played my game and stick to my tactics until the end ” said KATSMAN Maksim GREBNEV beat Anton KALLBERG to widen the gap (8:11 9:11 8:11) “I never played against KALLBERG before It was a quite tight match all the games ended so close at 9 and 9 points. I entered into the court with a very strong will to win a point for my team. From the tactical point of vew I felt that my backhand is better than his so I tried to get advantage of this. I did my best to avoid playing too many short balls because Anton is mastering this kind of play. I also did my best to stay as close to the table as possible ” said GREBNEV Vladimir SIDORENKO showed his class against Jon PERSSON (11:9 1:11 10:12 11:6 11:13) “The third match was very important for my team. If I lost it the match could go either way but still I got confidence in GREBNEV. I told to myself to be focused and to play for each point. I won quite a lot of points with my services ” said SIDORENKO. Romania – France 3:0 Romania will fight for its third consecutive crown in front of home crowd tomorrow in Cluj. In the semi final they overcame France in straight matches. “In last 20 years France never beat my team in neither youth nor senior categories but this time was very close. I choose “dangerous” composition. If Bernie has lost we will be in very big trouble ” said coach Viorel FILIMON. Elizabeta SAMARA started the match and she beat Prithika PAVADE (11:9 11:8 4:11 11:7). “I’m glad that I could secured first point for Romania for the team. The match against Prithika PAVADE was really difficult. I knew that before since I’ve played against her at the European Championship this year in Warsaw. The first match against her it’s always a very difficult battle but if you know how to read her and her game it’s possible. Of course she is a revelation she is the new tennis star. She already gives a lot of problems for every player and she beat almost all of them but I’m very happy that I managed to win in the key moments. My experience and mental strength prevailed ” said SAMARA. Bernadette SZOCS faced YUAN Jia Nan and in thrilling five games succeeded (11:6 8:11 5:11 13:11 11:9). “It was a very important point for us. I had to win because if I didn’t manage to achieve this victory I think

At the end of the playing day today at the GAZPROM European Team Championships we will know all medal winners. The quarterfinal matches are on the menu today in BT Arena in Cluj. You can follow the action live on ettu.tv Austria – Russia 2:3 In the fight of epic proportions young Russiasn team reach the medal rostrum after the win over Austria. After 2:0 Austria is seemed to be en route for victory but Lev KATSMAN had different ideas and Vladimir SIDORENKO and Maksim GREBNEV dully agreed. Daniel HABESOHN overcame Vladimir SIDORENKO (11:7 9:11 11:7 11:6) in the opening match and Robert GARDOS also prevailed against Maksim GREBNEV (11:8 11:4 11:9). “In the opening game I had 8:4 and then at 8:6 coach called for time out. I was shocked did not expet this and I lost my focus. I was not prepared for that nor I wanted it. I kept on thinking of that game and lost next two. Even in the match against GARDOS I was still thinking of that match in two opening games. Then I just managed to find my focus and to win against HABESOHN ” said GREBNEV. Maksim overcame GARDOS in five games (11:8 11:9 6:11 7:11 12:14). Lev KATSMAN turn the course of the match. He entered the game at 0:2 and beat Andreas LEVENKO (5:11 8:11 11:9 9:11). ”I had the easiest task regarding the adversary but for me it was difficult since it was my first match at the tournament. I did not play in the Group stage ” said KATSMAN. Robert GARDOS lost to Vladimir SIDORENKO (6:11 11:9 11:8 9:11 5:11) in the decisive match. “I did not want to play. The pressure was enourmous. At 2:2 we are playing for the medal at the senior Championships. I was affraid I asked coach could Kirill play instead of me but coach did not let happen. I played and I felt incredibly I was quiet; I did not celebrate winning points. However I have my teammates shouting and celebrating and giving me support. At 2:1 and 6:6 GARDOS made an easy mistake and then I realise that he is affraid too. It game confidence launched me back in the match. I become totaly focused ” explained SIDORENKO. Germany – Poland 3:0 Renuvejated team Germany concluded their morning duel in three matches. Poland who also play without top names failed to produce the point despite very close encounters. Sabine WINTER opened the duel with the win over Katarzyna WEGRZYN (11:9 7:11 11:7 11:8) Nina MITTELHAM stayed at the same path with the victory over Natalia BAJOR (12:10 8:11 11:8 11:8) and Chantal MANTZ beat Anna WEGRZYN (11:0 11:7 13:11). “It was our aim to win this match and we knew that we could manage it but is always difficult. We stayed mentally strong we won 3-0 and now we just happy we gonna celebrate a few minutes today but we will be prepared and we will keep going tomorrow. We play against Ukraine or Portugal I don’t really know at what time sometime tomorrow I think we don’t really care we can beat them both. We will be motivated and ready for the fight.” said Sabine WINTER. Winner of the POMEGRANATE Top 16 Europe Cup Nina MITTELHAM pointed that the match was much harder than the results predicts. “ It looks quite easy but it was a tough match. In each match we fought really hard. Sabine WINTER won the first in four games and her victory gave me room for the next match. But despite Sabine’s vitory I felt a lot of pressure. I think that I managed quite well the pressure and I am happy that we won and gave Chantal MANTZ a two zero lead. She started also really good and she won her match. We are happy that we could manage to win three zero. We are in the semis now and this is absolutely amazing. Our goal was to reach the quarter finals to qualify for the World Championships next year. And the we said that evrything that will come after it’s a bonus. Now we are in the semis and we hope that we can reach also the finals. We have nothing to lose. We will give our best and hopefully we will win tomorrow” said MITTELHAM. Ukraine – Portugal 1:3 Only Solomiya BRATEYKO managed to score for Ukraine. She beat Rita FINS (5:11 2:11 11:7 6:11). FU Yu showed no mercu. FU beat Ganna GAPONOVA (11:7 11:4 11:5) and Margaryta PESOTSKA (11:7 11:6 11:6). PESOTSKA also lost to SHAO Jieni (11:5 11:6 11:6). Austria – France 0:3 France secured the place at the medal rostrum after the victory over Austria. Prithika PAVADE overcame Sofia POLCANOVA (6:11 11:13 11:8 2:11) to give her team dream start. LIU Jia could not change the course of the match. She lost to YUAN Jia Nan (10:12 14:12 8:11 9:11) whilst CHASSELIN Pauline overcame Karoline MISCHEK (12:14 5:11 6:11). “France team knew from the beginning that this match won’t be easy. POLCANOVA LIU and MISCHEK are very good players. Today we all played well so we managed to win. We are so proud that we won this match. I din’t play before against Jia LIU so I had to concentrate and to stay focused. At the end of the first set LIU was leading 10 – 9 but I managed to save a set point and finally I won the set 14 – 12. We are so happy to play in the semis. I hope that we will play better and better ” said Jia Nan YUAN. Romania – Sweden 1:3 Sweden halted Romania’s progres to the penultimate stage and by doing so inflicted the pain in the harts of the host nation supporters. Ovidiu IONESCU lost to Anton KALLBERG at the begining (11:13 11:9 8:11 11:13) but supported by frantic fans Rares SIPOS beat Mattias FALCK (11:8 6:11 11:6 8:11 11:9) to level the match. Hunor SZOCS

The third day of the play at the GAZPROM European Team Championships brought the decisive Group matches for the place in the quarterfinal. In Men’s quarterfinal will play Germany vs. Czech Republic Denmark vs. England Sweden vs. Romania and Austria vs. Russia. Women’s Team quarterfinal will bring the clashes: Germany vs. Poland Portugal vs. Ukraine Austria vs. France and Luxembourg vs. Romania. Russia – France 3:0 Russia had performed expertly in the last round of the Group stage to dispatch the top seeded team of France in the group F. They clinched the top position after straight matches victory in a contest played at a breathtaking pace. Maksim GREBNEV opened the match with the victory over Alexandre CASSIN (11:9 12:10 11:7). “I played the opening match but I was not under pressure. I had the faith in my team and I knew that we could win this. I was just thinking of my match and just one ball ahead. I am happy I justified the trust coach had in me ” sad GREBNEV who recovered from 6:9 in the opening game. Vladimir SIDORENKO overcame European Champion from 2016 Emmanuel LEBESSON (8:11 11:8 11:5 8:11 11:6). “We used to play in the same club last season so I learned a bit more about his game; little things about his service and receive also the fact that I am left hander helped. That is why I asked coach Valeriy SOLOBAEV to let me play against him. I was confident despite LEBESSON’s great experience. I guess a little luck was on my side as we all performed few remarkable recovering ” explained SIDORENKO. Kirill SKACHKOV beat Can AKKUZU (10:12 10:12 11:7 11:2 12:10). He faced 5 match balls and saved it to win the match. “I was calm. We were 2:0 up and we had space. I just kept on fighting. This is not the same French team as they would be if Gauzy is here but we seized the opportunity presented. We will celebrate for hour or two and then we will start to think about the quarterfinal. I just wish to thank all the coaches doctors and great supporters at home ” said Kirill. Czech Republic – Croatia 3:2 In a long distance thriller Czech Republic recovered from 1:2 to win the match against Croatia. In the opening duel Lubomir JANCARIK lost to Filip ZELJKO (11:13 8:11 11:8 3:11) but Tomas POLANSKY managed to level with the victory over Andrej GACINA (6:11 11:8 12:10 11:6). Frane KOJIC gave Croatia the lead once again after victory over Jiri MARTINKO (9:11 9:11 13:11 5:11) but then in thrilling five games JANCARIK overcame GACINA (8:11 11:7 13:11 8:11 11:6). In decisive match POLANSKY overcame ZELJKO (11:9 11:3 14:12). POLANSKY: “My first match against gacina was definitely much harder. I lost to him recently at a tournament in Hungary and I know how great a player is. But I watched that match yesterday and tried not to make the same mistakes. I won an important finish at 2: 1 and then I already felt that I was in good shape. I had a lot of fights against ZELKO. Of course I haven’t played such an important match at the European Championships yet but I felt good. He is excellent at service so when there is no good receive it is complicated. But I made little mistakes in the first two games with the receive so I made advantage.” Netherlands – France 0:3 France will have representative in the quarterfinal but in the Women’s Event. Without great problems France remained unbeaten. Prithika PAVADE overcame Shuohan MEN (14:12 8:11 9:11 4:11) YUAN Jia Nan beat Emine ERNST (8:11 8:11 5:11) and Audrey ZARIF prevailed against Sanne DE HOOP (8:11 8:11 6:11). “ It was our goal to reach the quarterfinals. I think my match was important for the team. It was close 1:1 and 4:4 but I managed to win. During the match I felt like I am not enough fast and I had some difficulties to get down and use my legs. I just tried to be a little bit more focused on my legs and to put more speed in the ball and then it was my turn to start to dominate a little bit the match ” said PAVADE. Czech Republic – Ukraine 1:3 Ukraine moved to quarterfinals after they victory over Czech Republic. Ganna GAPONOVA overcame Hana MATELOVA (6:11 2:11 11:4 5:11) Margaryta PESOTSKA overcame Katerina TOMANOVSKA (8:11 6:11 11:3 9:11) before Zdena BLASKOVA narrowed the gap with the victory over Solomiya BRATEYKO (11:7 8:11 11:4 11:8). In last match Hana MATELOVA lost to Margaryta PESOTSKA (6:11 8:11 3:11). “We achieved our goal and we reach the knock out stage. We were very focused and we prepared good tactics. In first match I did not feel comfortable playing against Katerina. Second duel against MATELOVA was easier ” said PESOTSKA. Denmark – Portugal 3:0 The day continued with the upsets. Next in line was Denmark who enjoyed the success against Portugal. Jonathan GROTH beat Joao GERALDO (11:8 9:11 8:11 11:7 11:9) but the biggest upset came from Anders LIND who overcame Marcos FREITAS (6:11 12:14 11:6 11:7 11:6). LIND had an traffic accident few months ago and had the surgery on his neck but he recovered well to push Denmark into the quarterfinal. Tobias RASMUSSEN closed the match with the victory over Tiago APOLONIA (11:9 13:11 4:11 6:11 11:7). “We had a perfect start in our match against Portugal Jonathan GROTH showed why he is the best by beating GERALDO. I believe that his spirit and his fighting attitude really helped the team in the next two matches by pumping us up so we could perform our best. In my match I had a very rough start I was down two zero and then I don’t know what changed but somehow I was able to turn around and for that I am very very happy. And Tobias RASMUSSEN won in the third match.

The 2021 GAZPROM European Team Championships commenced today in BT Arena in Cluj. Follow the action live on ettu.tv and live score here see the pictures here  and on all social media platforms. On the second day of the play in Cluj top seeded teams played their matches in the Group phase. The winners of the groups will progress to the quarterfinal to be played on Friday.  Croatia – Italy 3:2 No. 1 in Group G Croatia was severely tested in the match against Italy but after five thrilling matches managed to record second victory in the Group. Andrej GACINA gave Croatia impressive start with the win over Marco RECH DALDOSSO (11:7 13:11 11:5) but Niagol STOYANOV responded promptly with the win over Tomislav PUCAR (3:11 8:11 6:11). Next in lane Frane KOJIC lost full distance match against Leonardo MUTTI (6:11 11:9 12:10 8:11 9:11). GACINA pushed Croatia into decisive match after the win over STOYANOV (6:11 8:11 11:8 11:5 11:8). PUCAR sealed the match with win over RECH (11:7 11:6 11:9). “I played quite bad in the first match against Niagol but I managed to play better against Marco RECH. Serving and receiving was the most important thing when playing against him. In the opening points he is a very good but I managed to won the short points. Next duel against Czech Republic is very important for us. We will have direct clash for the place in the quarterfinal ” said PUCAR. Czech Republic – Hungary 3:1 In the same Group Czech Republic won their second match at the Championships little bit harder then yesterday against Italy. Tomas POLANSKY performed remarkable recovering to beat Adam SZUDI (11:9 11:3 8:11 9:11 11:8) and Lubomir JANCARIK was also stretched to full distance against Bence MAJOROS (9:11 13:11 6:11 11:5 11:5). Jiri MARTINKO lost to Nandor ECSEKI (9:11 11:6 5:11 9:11). In last duel POLANSKY overcame MAJOROS (11:9 8:11 11:9 11:7). “It was definitely a close game. The most important thing was that I never though I might lose it. I kept on fighting. He had some extra rallies at the beginning but I did not give up I knew if I stayed persistent it will paid of at the end ” said POLANSKY. JANCARIK: “I generally have no problem playing the opening match of the duel but it is allways better to enter the game at 1:0. I’m happy with the win because MAJOROS makes me a lot of problems each time. “ England – Poland 1:3 The top team in Group F in Women’s Event Poland commenced their journey victoriously. England did not manage to create an upset and they suffered the defeat for a second time at the Championships. Yesterday England lost to Sweden. In the opening round of the day it was Tin-Tin HO who gave her team better start with the victory over Katarzyna WEGRZYN (12:10 11:8 12:14 9:11 11:9) but then the pendulum swung. Natalia BAJOR won both her matches firstly against Maria TSAPTSINOS (11:7 11:9 12:10) and in the end against HO (7:11 14:16 9:11) without losing the game. On position no. three Anna WEGRZYN overcame Charlotte BARDSLEY (11:7 16:14 11:9). “I’m so happy. We are all very happy. We are a very young team. We’ve played without our best player LI Qian and Natalia PARTYKA. It was really hard match because the first one is always the hardest ” said BAJOR. Speaking about her matches Natalia added: “I have a good tactic since I played before against Maria and Tin-Tin and I know how they play. Tomorrow we will play against Sweden. It will be a hard match. They have Linda BERGSTROM she is really good but we will try our best and we will see.” Turkey – Netherlands 2:3 The leader in Group H Netherlands faced difficult match against Turkey. Turkey lost yesterday against France 3:0 but today they forced Dutch team to go full distance. Sibel ALTINKAYA beat Emine ERNST (8:11 12:10 11:4 11:6) to give Turkey good start but Simay KULAKCEKEN failed to stay at the same path despite brave effort and good performance against Shuohan MEN (4:11 11:9 5:11 11:6 8:11). Gul Pembe OZKAYA brought back Turkey in the game with straight matches victory over Sanne DE HOOP (11:7 11:3 11:9) before ALTINKAYA lost to MEN (4:11 9:11 9:11) and Emine ERNST beat Simay KULAKCEKEN (11:7 11:8 9:11 5:11 6:11). Shuohan MEN recorded two wins today:” I was a little bit afraid because it was also my first big match but now I’m relaxed I’m feeling very good. I did not think about the result; I didn’t think about anything. I just got there focus on what I have to do and play for myself. I told myself don’t be afraid”   Ukraine – Slovenia 3:0 Ukraine justified its rankings and overcame Slovenia in straight matches. Margaryta PESOTSKA beat Lea PAULIN (11:2 11:2 11:6) Ganna GAPONOVA continued in same style against Katarina STRAZAR (11:5 14:12 10:12 11:7) and Solomiya BRATEYKO ended the match with the win over Ana TOFANT (11:9 11:8 13:11). “Before the match we know we will lead and for sure our goal was the victory so now we are feeling okay but right now I’m already focused for the next round and next matches ” said GAPONOVA.”It was my first match in this venue so my goal was to feel the ball and the table and the atmosphere. In the beginning it was easy but later Katarina started to play better and I found that if I want to win I have to focus more at every point.” Greece – Russia 0:3 Russia entered the competition in the big style. They showed no mercy on the first hurdle and overcame Greece in straight matches. Yana NOSKOVA overcame Konstantina PARIDI (17:15 11:6 11:6) Aikaterini TOLIOU took only one game from Polina MIKHAILOVA (7:11 5:11 11:9 4:11) and Mariia TAILAKOVA beat Elisavet TERPOU in another straight games duel (4:11 2:11 4:11). “It was not as easy as the result predicts.

The 2021 GAZPROM European Team Championships commenced today in BT Arena in Cluj. Follow the action live on ettu.tv and live score here see the pictures here  and on all social media platforms. Opening Round Group stage Czech Republic – Italy 3:0 Even in absence of Czech Republic’s best ranked player Pavel SIRUCEK the team managed to record straight matches win against Italy. SIRUCEK stayed at home due the shoulder injury but his teammates stood the pressure. Lubomir JANCARIK was stretched to full distance against Niagol STOYANOV (6:11 11:9 9:11 13:11 11:5). “STOYANOV is a very smart player and has an unpleasant style of play. He fight hard can place balls alternates between short service and long service. That’s how he wins. It is important to find the right rhythm and take control somehow. I didn’t quite succeed but I saved three match balls and then I improved the game ” said JANCARIK. Tomas POLANSKY needed one game less to beat Mihai BOBOCICA (10:12 11:7 11:9 11:5). “Until 10: 5 in the first game I felt that I was better and I have no idea what happened at the end. I ruined two balls then he caught up and won the game. BOBOCICA also plays very technically and it is not easy to force his style . I’m glad that I eventually managed to turn the game around and win ” explained POLANSKI. Jiri MARTENKO was forced to play another marathon against Leonardo MUTTI (11:6 4:11 11:4 6:11 11:7). “I was glad that I started the first match in the men’s national team at the European Championships at 2: 0. That reassured me that if I lost the boys would have another chance to end the match. I really wanted to win because the first match is very important for the confidence for the whole team. This is completely different from youth tournaments. But I tried not to think about it I focused on my performance and I think it was very good. It wasn’t easy because I don’t like left-handers very much. I’m glad I succeeded. “ Croatia – Hungary 3:0 Andrej GACINA gave Croatia perfect start with the win over Adam SZUDI 11:6 11:6 11:4). Control was the name of the game. Tomislav PUCAR just left one game to Bence MAJOROS (5;11 11:3 11:9 11:4) and at the end Frane KOJIC sealed the encounter with more then convincing 3:0 against Nandor ECSEKI (11:9 11:6 l1:4). “This match gave us good start for what is coming. Opening round win is good for confidence especially after all three of us played at the such high level ” stated KOJIC. KOJIC pointed at good preparation and analyze with the coach as a crucial for persuasive performance. “In addition it helped a lot that we had matches against each others in recent past. Against ECSEKI I played very recently in Austria so I was aware from where the danger is coming. I had to awoid his forehand. Also GACINA played against Adam SZUD in the Champions League and he already succeeded then so it was easier for him now. “ Italy and Czech Republic are in the same Group. “Czech Republic is without SIRUCEK so that will make our task little bit easier but still it is very leveled group. It will depend a lot of small things. We are here to win the Group and to reach the medal rostrum so we have to beat them all ” concluded KOJIC. Opening Round Women’s Event Greece – Luxembourg 1:3 With two wins Sarah DE NUTTE led to opening round success. Match commenced with very fast victory of NI Xia Lian over Aikaterini TOLIOU (11:7 11:1 11:7) and then Sarah was under pressure against Konstantina PARIDI (12:10 11:3 11:6 14:12) before Elisavet TERPOU brought first point for Greece. Tessy GONDERINGER lost in four games (11:9 14:16 11:4 11:7). DE NUTTE beat TOLIOU on his second exit to the table (11:9 11:7 11:4). “I’m very happy that we won this match with Greece. We were favorites but it’s the opening one so you never know. I had confidence in my team that we can make it and happy that I could win 2 matches.The first one was more difficult because I was struggling a little bit. In the first game I was leading 10-7 than I lost and than I won two games easy and then the last one I won the very close. PARIDI had some game balls and at 2-2 you never know. I was happy that I could finish. In the second one I was feeling more comfortable.” Didn’t you feel some pressure in the duel against TOLIOU. “I was thinking “doesn’t matter how that match will be if Xia Lian plays the next one she will win” so I had confidence in her and because of that I was a little bit more relaxed more okay. Also I already played against Aikaterin a few times and I was feeling comfortable explained Sarah” What do you expect in the match against Russia in the next Round. “It will be a tough match really difficult but I think we have a chance. We need to be in a good shape all of us so that we can beat them. In the team from Russia is my team-mate from the club so it will be really funny.” France – Turkey 3:0 Led by young Prithika PAVADE recorded opening round win against Turkey. 17 years old PAVADE overcame Sibel ALTINKAYA in the opening match (6:11 8:11 11:9 6:11). Simay KULAKCEKEN suffered by the hands of YUAN Jia Nan (2:11 9:11 11:8 14:16) and Pauline CHASSELIN was starched to full distance before she overcame Ece HARAC (6:11 11:7 9:11 11:3 4:11). PAVADE won two gold medals in Cluj in cadet doubles and team’s in 2018. “I was here three years ago at the European Youth Championships and it is great place to play – everything looks so good. I feel good because I am

Romanian Women’s and Men’s Team held a press conference today in the eve of the start of the 2021 GAZPROM European Table Tennis Team Championships. In BT Arena Cluj Napoca reigning champions Women’s team Romania had the honor to be first to address to the media today. Title holders Romania is represented by their best players led by top stars Bernadette SZOCS (World’s no 24) Elizabeta SAMARA (World’s no. 29) Adina DIACONU Daniela Dodean MONTEIRO and Andreea DRAGOMAN with the coach and the second coach Viorel FILIMON and Elena SEBE. Viorel FILIMON is very optimistic about this championship. “I hope to fulfill our goal and the goal of every table tennis fan here to win the 3rd consecutive title in women’s team.” said FILIMON. Eliza SAMARA is very happy that she finally can play at home. “We will have very difficult matches but like I said before if each of us will play on our top level we will win. We hope for the best outcome – the gold.” said SAMARA. Bernadette SZOCS is confident about this European championship and very grateful for such perfect conditions provided by Romania’s Federation. Asked about the competition which is always fierce coach stated: “From the past experiences we know that every team is the world-class with medals achieved at European Championship and also from World’s. Good for us is that this time Germany didn’t come with the strongest line up but they still have fearsome players. Also Portugal the last year finalist France Russia Hungary and Sweden will be tough to beat. Even with this teams if our girls remain focused on this championship and forget about everything we can succeed. Men’s team is seeded at the position no. 9 and in their group is Luxembourg Slovenia and Finland. Coach Andrei FILIMON set the bar high and revealed that the team’s aim is to reach the semi final. “So many people waited with excitement and impatience the start of the 2021 GAZPROM European Team Championships. We are also excited to get into the competition. In the first mach with Luxembourg it looks that we are favorites. We hope that we will not have problems. The most important mach is with Slovenia but we do not underestimate the team of Finland.” said coach Andrei FILIMON. World’s no. 55 Ovidiu IONESCU is the leader of the team composed of Hunor SZOCS Rares SIPOS Darius MOVILEANU and Eduard IONESCU. “I am so proud to compete at such important event in my own country. This championships is organised at a very high level. The conditions are comparable to the Tokyo Olympic Games. I believe in our strength; as a team we are like one and I hope that we will have reasons to celebrate at the end of the competition ” said Ovidiu IONESCU. Rares SIPOS will play in his home town and it is always special moment for every player. Last time he had that opportunity at the European Youth Championships in the same venue. “ I am so glad to play again after three years in my home city. For the whole team it is such a joy to play in Cluj and especially for me because Cluj Napoca is my native city. I was born in Cluj and it was here when I touched a table tennis racket for a first time.We have a very young team but a quite experienced team. I am looking eagerly forward. I trust the team and the trainers that will demonstrate an excellent performance ” said SIPOS. It is true that the team is very young and is is also confirmed that the players are adjusted to success. Eduard IONESCU and Darius MOVILEANU were the members of the team at the EYC this summer in Varazdin. They created top rated upset by reaching the medal rostrum straight from the level two of the Championships. “I am so glad to be a member of this team. In the last week we worked so hard to be in our best shape. We are so glad that we are playing in our country and we will do our best in order to get an excellent result ” said Eduard.  

In two days the best teams from Europe will fight for the title at the 2021 GAZPROM European Team Championships in Cluj. The Russian team is led by the world number 53 Kirill SKACHKOV and is also composed of Alexander SHIBAEV Vladimir SIDORENKO Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV. “I am little bit tired since I played at Hungarian Open and in Doha. In addition I had a problem with the flight so I arrived in Cluj a day later than I was planed. I did not have much time to rest at all after the Olympic Games in Japan ” said SKACHKOV. Russia is in a Group with France and Netherlands. “We have to be very cautious. It is a tough group. France is at the top and with Simon GAUZY who is no. 19 in the World and Emmanuel LEBESSON no. 38 they are one of the biggest favorites for the medal rostrum. We will fight hard against them but first we have to beat Netherlands. We have to go step by step. Due to the very busy schedule we did not have time to practice together much. We had only three days for that but we will do our best in Cluj ” said SKACHKOV. The tournament commences on Tuesday with the Group stage. In the Men’s Teams Event Group A is made up of Germany Belarus and Ukraine; Group B is Sweden Belgium and Greece; Group C is England Slovakia and Serbia; Group D is Austria Poland and Spain; Group E is Portugal Denmark and Turkey; Group F is France Russia and the Netherlands. In the last two remaining groups there are four teams. In Group G there is Croatia Czech Republic Italy and Hungary; Group H comprises Slovenia Romania Luxembourg and Finland. Each group will play a complete round robin and group winners will proceed to the quarter-finals. From the quarter-finals a knockout system will be used. Top seeds in the Women’s Teams Event in final stage groups draw Germany will face Spain and Slovakia whilst the host in Group B will meet Italy and Belgium. In Group C Austria will have to play against Belarus and Serbia whilst in Group D Ukraine will meet Czech Republic and Slovenia. In Group D are Hungary Portugal and Croatia; Group F comprises Poland Sweden and England; Group G is Russia Luxembourg and Greece and in Group H it is the Netherlands France and Turkey.