Under 15 Girls Doubles Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin Event conclude with great triumph for Annett KAUFMANN of Germany and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania. In the final they overcame Anastasiia IVANOVA and Zlata TEREKHOVA of Russia. Bronze went to Sofiia SHEREDEHA and Olha PONKO of Ukraine and Sophie EARLEY of Ireland and Silvia COLL of Spain. After all the drama in the previous rounds in the doubles the final was a comparatively quiet affair. KAUFMANN and MEI ROSU prevailed in straight games. “It was much more difficult to play in the quarter final. The Ukraine’s parings put much more pressure on us ” said MEI ROSU. In the semi final KAUFMANN and MEI ROSU overcame Sophie EARLEY of Ireland and Silvia COLL of Spain. “I am very proud and happy that we won the match against EARLEY and COLL. We believed n ourselves and we won it” said Bianca Mei ROSU. “Our yesterday’s match against Ukraine’s Veronika MATIUNINA and Anastasiia KHACHATUROVA was much closer but this one was also hard. In the crucial moments we were better ” said Annett KAUFMANN Still EARLEY rewrites the history books by winning first ever medal for Ireland in youth and senior European Championships. So far only veterans from Ireland managed to reach the medal rostrum. Anastasiia IVANOVA and Zlata TEREKHOVA overcame Sofiia SHEREDEHA and Olha PONKO of Ukraine. “We had a good preparations for this match. We changed tactics in each set girls played with lot of variations. We wanted to win and we succeeded ” said coach Artem UTOCHKIN. Final Anastasiia IVANOVA Zlata TEREKHOVA (Russia) – Annett KAUFMANN (Germany) Bianca MEI ROSU (Romania) (8:11 4:11 6:11) Semi Final Sophie EARLEY(Ireland) Silvia COLL (Spain) – Annett KAUFMANN (Germany) Bianca MEI ROSU (Romania) 0:3 (7:11 10:12 3:11) Anastasiia IVANOVA Zlata TEREKHOVA (Russia) – Sofiia SHEREDEHA Olha PONKO (Ukraine) 3:1 (11:8 8:11 11:7 11:8)
Sweden beat USA to reach the quarterfinal of the Olympic tournament
Success for Sweden but on the tenth day of play Monday 2nd August for France Poland and Romania at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games it was disappointment. Sweden the no.5 seeds recorded a 3-1 success against the United States the no.14 seeds to book their quarter-final place. Anton Källberg and Kristian Karlsson beat Nikhil Kumar and Zhou Xin (11-6 11-5 11-5) to give Sweden the ideal start but then there was a setback. Mattias Falck lost to Kanak Jha (9-11 11-8 11-9 14-12). Matters level Anton Källberg overcame Zhou Xin (11-7 11-8 11-8) before Kristian Karlsson beat Kanak Jha to conclude the contest (12-10 11-5 11-6). Alas for France it was the end of the road in both the men’s team and women’s team competitions but they could take great heart in the efforts of Simon Gauzy and Prithika Pavade. A 3-0 reverse was the outcome for France the no.8 seeds at the quarter-final stage of the men’s team event against China the top seeds. Most significantly Simon Gauzy extended Fan Zhendong the full seven games distance (10-12 12-10 8-11 11-5 11-7). Earlier Ma Long and Xu Xin had beaten Alexandre Cassin and Emmanuel Lebesson to give China the ideal start (11-6 11-5 11-7). Xu Xin overcame Emmanuel Lebesson (FRA) to conclude matters (11-8 11-5 11-6). Outstanding from Simon Gauzy it was the same from Prithika Pavade on her 17th birthday as France the no.13 seeds experienced a 3-0 defeat when facing Singapore the no.6 seeds The teenager won the first two games against Feng Tianwei before experience counted and the Singaporean secured the next three (8-11 6-11 11-3 11-8 11-3). Meanwhile playing her first ever match in the Olympic Games Stéphanie Loeuillette partnered Yuan Jia Nan in the doubles; they were beaten by Lin Ye and Yu Mengyu in straight games (11-6 11-5 13-11). Yu Mengyu overcame Yuan Ji Nan (11-8 7-11 11-5 11-8) to conclude matters. Brave efforts it was the same in the women’s team opening round from Poland the no.11 when facing Korea Republic the no.7 seeds. A 3-0 defeat was the outcome in a contest that was much closer contest than the score line may suggest. In the opening doubles Choi Hyojoo and Shin Yubin overcame Natalia Bajor and Natalia Partyka by the very narrowest of decisions (11-6 12-10 11-13 4-11 13-11). Similarly in the contest that brought the fixture to a close Shin Yubin had to stave off a spirited recovery by Natalia Bajor. Shin Yubin won in five games (11-4 11-7 9-11 8-11 11-5). Sandwiched in between Jeon Jihee overcame the classic defensive skills of Li Qian in straight games (11-4 11-8 11-3). Likewise for Romania it was disappointment after a brave effort; the no.8 seeds they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Hong Kong the no.4 seeds. Daniela Monteiro Dodean and Elizabeta Samara gave Romania the perfect start. They beat Lee Ho Ching and Minnie Soo Wai Yam by the narrowest of decisions (11-5 5-11 11-7 6-11 13-11) but that was the sum total of European success. Doo Hoi Kem beat Bernadette Szocs (11-5 11-5 11-6) and Daniela Monteiro Dodean (11-3 11-2 14-12). Crucially Lee Ho Ching (HKG) overcame Elizabeta Samara (ROU) in the third match of the engagement (11-9 11-8 12-10). On Thursday 3rd August the women’s team semi-final between Japan and Hong Kong will be staged; also both men’s team and women’s team events will be concluded. In the men’s competition Japan meets Sweden Germany confronts Chinese Taipei; in the women’s Germany is also in action they face Korea Republic China opposes Singapore.
Milosz REDZIMSKI and Wiktoria WROBEL clinched the title in Mixed Doubles
Mixed Doubles Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin concluded with express three games victory of Milosz REDZIMSKI and Wiktoria WROBEL of Poland. They overcame Martin SIP and Veronika MATIUNINA (Czech Republic Ukraine) 3:0 (11:5 11:5 11:9). Lleyton ULLMANN and Annett KAUFMANN of Germany and Nikon SHUTOV and Veranika VARABYOVA of Belarus clinched bronze medals. Polish paring took the control from the first points in the match and kept it that way until the end. “I am happy for the title and I am even double happy that Wiktoria played this good ” said REDZIMSKI. In the semi final Milosz REDZIMSKI and Wiktoria WROBEL overcame no. three seeds Lleyton ULLMANN and Annett KAUFMANN (11:4 8:11. 11:7 11:7). They already eliminated the top seeded Iulian CHIRITA and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania in quarterfinals. ‘In the opening game Wiktoria was playing under pressure she was a little bit to reserved. As the match progressed she started to play on each ball and become more confident ” said REDZIMSKI. Wiktoria WROBEL added:”I am so happy that I managed to find my game and to play well after a very hard opening game.” Martin SIP of Czech Republic and Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine beat Nikon SHUTOV and Veranika VARABYOVA of Belarus (8:11 11:8 11:6 6:11 11:9). “I did not play well at all but I managed to keep the focus in the decisive moments. In the closing stages SHUTOV was a little bit nervous and we seized the opportunity ” said Martin SIP. Veronika MATIUNINA said with the big smile: “It was very hard and 3-2 11-9 speaks a lot about how close was it. Belarus pairings is very strong but we proved we are better.” Final: Milosz REDZIMSKI Wiktoria WROBEL (Poland) – Martin SIP Veronika MATIUNINA (Czech Republic Ukraine) 3:0 (11:5 11:5 11:9)
Agathe Anne AVEZOU upset the main favorit
At the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin competition in Singles reached the quarterfinal phase and both Under 15 Boys and Girls Singles events has been littered with surprises. Anna HURSEY of Wales was the major casualty in the Round of 32. Agathe Anne AVEZOU of France accounted for Anna after five games match (10 4 8 -8 8). In the lower half of the draw Anett KAUFMANN of Germany justified her status by beating Cristin SINGEORZAN of Romania (1 4 1 7) and Wiktoria WROBEL of Poland (-12 4 12 6 8). “Wiktoria put every ball on the table and it was very difficult to play against her. I also made few errors but in the closing stages I managed to move and play better ” said Anett. After the upset she created in Round of 32 Agathe Anne AVEZOU continued in the winning pace and overcame Zofia SLIWKA of Poland to reach quarterfinal (7 8 4 4). “I am so happy that I managed to beat HURSEY. My service is really good at this tournament and I am satisfied with my long backhand I am sure I can reach the medal in singles ” said Agathe Anne AVEZOU. She will meet Matilde PINTO of Portugal tomorrow. PINTO beat Romania’s Bianca MEI ROSU in six games (-6 9 -9 10 8 6). “I think I was in the clear zone at 3:2. before that it was very close match ” said PINTO. Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine overcame Mia GRIESEL of Germany (5 6 -10 -4 6 8). “I lost against Mia in the Team’s Event and I knew what I had to do beat her. I was calm and I stayed strong and managed to play against her good forehand ” said MATIUNINA. Clea DE STOPPELEIRE of France withstood a spirited comeback from Natalia BOGDANOWICZ of Poland (6 4 3 -9 -10 -7 15) to win the match in seven games. “When I though it is over at 3:0 she recovered. It was very difficult for me but I kept on fighting ” said Clea. In Under 15 Boys Singles event two notable names that exited the competition earlier than their rankings predicted. Martin SIP pf Czech Republic seeded at the position 7 at the list suffered by the hands of Aleksei SAMOKHIN of Russia after grueling seven games (-5 -5 7 8 -8 7 8). In the next round SAMOKHIN beat Alan KULCZYCKI of Poland (-8 11 9 7 -7 -6 4). “Opening games were very difficult. Alan had advantage and it was very difficult position for me ” said SAMOKHIN. Lleyton ULLMANN of Germany no 16 seed lost to Leon BENKO of Croatia (3 9 -5 -5 13 6). Both top seeded concluded the round in four games: Iulian CHIRITA of Romania beat Luis KRAUS of Germany (4 4 8 4) whilst Felix LEBRUN of France beat Xavier WATS of Belgium (9 5 5 7). Iulian CHIRITA continued with the win over Martin FROSETH from Norway (6 9 5 4). “I never played against him so I did not know how to play against FROSETH. It took me one game to read his tactics ” said CHIRITA. Tom CLOSSET of Belgium overcame David SZANTOSI of Hungary to reach the quarterfinals (8 8 6 -10 12).
Germany sets standard France and Romania follow suit
Imposing performances Germany and France booked their places in the quarter-final stage of the men’s team event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games following success in the Metropolitan Gymnasium on Sunday 1st August. Similarly in the women’s team competition there was success for Germany as there was for Romania. Alas in the men’s event Croatia Portugal Serbia and Slovenia bid farewell a situation that applied in the women’s competition to Austria and Hungary. Man of the moment was Simon GAUZY he proved pivotal in the 3-0 success recorded by France the no.8 seeds in opposition to Hong Kong the no.11 seeds. He beat WONG Chun Ting in the second match of the fixture (11-5 7-11 14-12 11-9). Previously in world ranking events he had lost all three matches on the ITTF World Tour he had experienced defeat at the hands of WONG Chun Ting in Hungary (2012) Czech Republic (2015) and China (2019). Simon GAUZY responded to the occasion as did Alexandre CASSIN playing his first ever match in an Olympic Games. Partnering Emmanuel LEBESSON the duo recorded a doubles success against HO Kwan Kit and Lam Sui Hang in the opening match (12-10 11-8 11-6). Emmanuel LEBESSON (FRA) overcame HO Kwan Kit (HKG) to conclude matters (12-10 11-5 11-4). “We are very happy to reach last 8. We have played a great and solid game it was the first time that I beat Wong today. The won in doubles put me in a good position so I’m happy about our performances today ” said GAUZY. A 3-0 success for France it was the same for the no.2 seeds Germany’s Timo BOLL Patrick FRANZISKA and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. In an emphatic manner they ended the hopes of the no.9 seeds Portugal’s Tiago APOLONIA Marcos FREITAS and João MONTEIRO. “We respect our adversaries very much. Portugal has a very good and emotional players. The key moment was when we recovered from the 3:10 in reverse to win the opening game in the doubles. We could felt they were disappointed and we moved in higher gear ” explained BOLL. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV faced Marcos FREITAS in his first match after bronze medal in singles. “I could barely sleep last night and then I overslept the practice this morning. I needed that break because I was very tired. I recovery well for the match and it is good because we have high goals here ” said OVTCHAROV. Patric FRANCISKA added: “OVTCHAROV brought extra dose of confidence into the team after the medal in the singles. “ Defeat for Portugal for Slovenia and Serbia it was also farewell but not without a spirited effort. Slovenia the no.12 seed experienced a 3-1 defeat when facing the no.4 seeds Korea Republic. Notably in the third match of the fixture Bojan TOKIC now 40 years old beat JEOUNG Youngsik (9-11 11-5 11-5 12-10); a win of note on the current men’s world rankings Bojan TOKIC is listed at no.66 JEOUNG Youngsik at no.13. Meanwhile Darko JORGIC lost narrowly to JANG Woojin extending the world no.12 the full seven games (7-11 11-9 11-8 9-11 11-5). Presently Darko JORGIC is listed at no.28 in the global order. Earlier JEOUNG Youngsik and LEE Sangsu had given Korea Republic the perfect start accounting for Deni KOZUL and Bojan TOKIC (11-8 11-8 11-6); JANG Woojin remained unbeaten in addition he beat Deni KOZUL to bring matters to a conclusion (11-6 10-12 11-9 11-8). Disappointment for Slovenia arguably even greater for Serbia the no.15 seeds they experienced a 3-2 defeat when facing Brazil the no.6 seeds. Marko JEVTOVIC and Zsolt PETO beat Gustavo TSUBOI and Vitor ISHIY (11-7 11-9 8-11 11-8); by the narrowest of margins Marko JEVTOVIC overcame Gustavo TSUBOI (11-8 11-8 8-11 6-11 15-13). However for Brazil Hugo CALDERANO remained unbeaten but he was tested. Against Dimitrije LEVAJAC in the second match of the engagement he needed the full five games (11-8 11-13 11-5 10-12 11-5) as he did in the fourth contest when opposing Zsolt PETO to keep Brazilian hopes alive (11-9 11-4 9-11 9-11 11-8). Matters level Vitor ISHIY beat Dimitrije LEVAJAC (11-6 11-6 14-12) to seal Serbia’s fate. A close call for Serbia for the no.10 seeds Croatia there were to be no moments of drama. Andrej GACINA Frane KOJIC and Tomislav PUCAR experienced a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the no.7 seeds Chinese Taipei’s CHEN Chien-An CHUANG Chih-Yuan and LIN Yun-Ju. Meanwhile in the women’s team event it was a series of comprehensive performances. The no.3 seeds Germany’s HAN Ying SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA recorded a 3-0 win against the no.16 seeds Australia’s Michelle BROMLEY JIAN Fang Lay and Melissa TAPPER; a result emulated by the no.8 seeds. Romania’s Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN Elizabeta SAMARA and Bernadette SZOCS secured victory by the same margin when opposing the no.14 seeds Egypt’s Farah ABDELAZIZ Yousra HELMY and Dina MESHREF. “We played in doubles together since we were 9 10 years old. It is not only that you have the quality but it is equally important that you understand each other very well. We are friends who knows when it is time to shut up when it is time for laugh and what we have to do on the table ” explained Elizabeta SAMARA the “magic” of Romania pairings’ success. Bernadette SZOCS was under pressure against Dina MESHREF but her previous experience helped her. “I beat her after the COVID break and it happened after two weeks of quarantine when I was without the practice. It helped me in the moments when I was in reverse two games to null. I just thought I could made it then and I did it now ” said SZOCS. SAMARA added: “I was not under pressure after SZOCS won her encounter. After we secured two crucial points from doubles and against no. one player it was much easier.” Conversely for the no.12 seeds Austria’s LIU Jia LIU Yuan and Sofia POLCANOVA it was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the top seeds
Daniel BERZOSA and Lleyton ULLMANN clinched the medal in Doubles
The places at the medal rostrum in the Under 15 Boys Doubles Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin are already secured. The battle for the positions will continued tomorrow in the semi final in which Milosz REDZIMSKI and Alan KULCZYCKI of Poland will meet Felix LEBRUN and Flavien COTON of France whilst Romania’s Iulian CHIRITA and Dragos Alexandru BUJOR will play against Daniel BERZOSA of Spian and Lleyton ULLMANN of Germany. In the quarterfinal top seeds Iulian CHIRITA and Dragos Alexandru BUJOR prevailed against David BJORKRYD and Elias SJOGREN of Sweden (12 3 3). “They have very good service/receive game but we managed to play much better then them ” said BUJOR. In the lower half of the draw no. two seeds Felix LEBRUN and Flavien COTON of France overcame Rafael KONG and Tiago ABIODUN of Portugal (-8 1 6 4). “We lost the opening game but we managed to recover quickly. It was important that we stay on that track and we won the third game Portugal pairings lost their confidence so it get easier for us ” said COTON. “We were little bit insecure at the beginning but then we made a good run ” said LEBRUN. Daniel BERZOSA of Spian and Lleyton ULLMANN of Germany overcame David SZANTOSI and Balazs LEI of Hungary (-9 7 10 6). For them it is also first tournament together. “We knew Hungarian pairings from before and how good they are. We also needed some time to get into the game but we made a good tactics and we kept them under pressure ” said ULLMANN. BERZOSA pointed that third game was the key to success. “ They dominated in the opening game whilst we took the second one so the third was crucial and it concluded 12:10. “ Milosz REDZIMSKI and Alan KULCZYCKI beat Martin SIP and Stepan BRHEL of Czech Republic (5 7 5) “We played perfectly this match. I think we are ready for the gold ” Milosz REDZIMSKI radiated with the confidence.
Sophie EARLEY together with Silvia COLL brought Ireland first medal ever at the European championships
In tomorrow’s semi final of the Under 15 Girls Doubles Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin Event Sophie EARLEY of Ireland and Silvia COLL of Spain will meet Annett KAUFMANN of Germany and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania whilst Sofiia SHEREDEHA and Olha PONKO of Ukraine will play against Russia’s Anastasiia IVANOVA and Zlata TEREKHOVA. In the quarterfinal Event Sophie EARLEY and Silvia COLL overcame Sara TOKIC and Enya MOLTARA of Slovenia in straight games (7 4 9). It is the first medal ever at any European Championships for Ireland. “We were focused and we did not want to make any mistake but it was difficult” said COLL. Sophie EARLEY added: “We are overall better than the Slovenia’s pairings.” Sofiia SHEREDEHA and Olha PONKO beat Wiktoria WROBEL and Natalia BOGDANOWICZ of Poland (-9 8 8 5). “I am so happy that we won this one. It was very difficult ” said Sofiia. PONKO added that they are playing at the first European Championships. Russia’s Anastasiia IVANOVA and Zlata TEREKHOVA beat top seeded pairings Anna HURSEY of Wales and Matilde PINTO of Portugal (9 6 6). “We prepared very well for this match because they are high on the seedings. Every game was close and we played with lot of variations in tactics. Now we succeeded to the first medal in Under 15 event and we are very happy ” said coach Artem UTOCHKIN. Annett KAUFMANN of Germany and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania teamed up for a first time at the Championships in Varazdina nd they reached the medal rostrum. In the quarters they overcame Ukraine’s Veronika MATIUNINA and Anastasiia KHACHATUROVA (9 -5 8 -9 8). “It was very close games. Each game concluded by narrow margin. The last one was hardest of all. None of use managed to make a break ” said KAUFMANN.
Mixed doubles medals already secured in Varazdin
The 12th day at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin was packed with the action in all Singles and Doubles Events in Under 15 category. On 16 tables were played 13 rounds in all 5 remained events. In the Mixed Doubles the pairings who will stand at the medal rostrum are already known. In the quarterfinal of the Mixed Doubles event Martin SIP of Czech Republic and Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine overcame Luis KRAUS and Mia GRIESEL of Germany in straight games to secure the medal (9 6 6). Lleyton ULLMANN and Annett KAUFMANN beat French pairings Felix LEBRUN and Clea DE STOPPELEIRE (10 9 -7 5) to make sure Germany will have the representative at the medal rostrum. Iulian CHIRITA and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania lost to Milosz REDZIMSKI and Wiktoria WROBEL of Poland (8 -8 7 11). Nikon SHUTOV and Veranika VARABYOVA of Belarus overcame Antoine Jean Christian NOIRAULT and Agathe Anne AVEZOU of France (7 -7 -4 8 5) to join them. In Under 15 Boys Singles Event Round of 128 and 64 were on schedule. Top favorites were safe from unexpected defeats. Iulian CHRITA of Romania reached the Round of 32 after straight games win over Bator RADNEV of Russia (5 2 4 7).No. 4 seed Daniel BERZOSA of Spain needed one game more to overcame Norway’s Khai Noah LAM (8 5 3 -8 4). No. two seed at the bottom half of the draw Felix LEBRUN of France overcame Ivan KAHN of Netherlands (2 4 3 8) The competition in the Under 15 Girls Singles event reached the Round of 32. In the Third Round top seeded Anna HURSEY of Wales played six games before she overcame Tanya MISCONI of Netherlands (-7 5 2 -6 12 5) but no. two seed Anett KAUFMANN succeed in four games against Mariona MUNNE of Spain (7 8 8 2). Veranika VARABYOVA of Belarus is also safely through with 4:0 win over Busra DEMIR of Turkey (3 6 12 5) as well as Sophie EARLEY of Ireland no 4 seed. She beat Ioana BAISU of Romania (8 6 4 9). Host nation representative Sena SMAILJI forced Greek player Lemonia GKAINTATZI to gio full distance but failed to reach the next round (9 -6 9 5 -8 -9 8). Alice NILSSON of Sweden also played full seven games match before she overcame Enisa SADIKOVIC of Luxembourg (-10 6 -8 9 6 -7 6). In the Round three of the Under 15 Girls Doubles Event Nina DAROVCOVA and Michaela BITOOVA were in charge for the biggest upset. Slovakia’s pairings overcame third seeds Veranika VARABYOVA and Ulyana MIASHCHANSKAYA of Belarus (-8 -9 8 7 6). Top seeds Anna HURSEY of Wales and Matilde PINTO of Portugal are safely through to the Round of 16 after victory over Alice NILSSON and Josephina FRED of Sweden (9 9 7). In the lower half of the draw Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN and Romania’s Bianca MEI ROSU joined them after victory over Bulgaria’s Sidelya MULTU and Viktori PERSOVA (6 6 8). In Round of 32 in Under 15 Boys Doubles top seeded pairings Dragos Alexandru BUJOR and Iulian CHIRITA of Romania overcame Markkos PUKK and Pert LEHTLAAN of Estonia (10 6 5). Felix LEBRUN and Flavien COTON of France still fresh from the Team’s title easily prevailed against Stefan DIMITROV and Yoan VELICHKOV of Bulgaria (7 6 7).
France and Germany win European cadet team titles
Winners at the Europe Youth Top 10 staged in Berlin last October Felix LEBRUN and Annett KAUFMANN emerged the stars of the show as the cadet team events concluded at the Gazprom 2021 European Youth Championships on Friday 29th July in the Croatian city of Varazdin. Felix LEBRUN a right handed pen-holder in the guise of WANG Hao led France to victory in the boys’ team event; he remained unbeaten throughout the whole competition. At the final hurdle France the second seeds recorded a 3-1 success against the Romanian combination of Dargos Alexandru BUJOR and Iulian CHIRITA the top seeds. Felix LEBRUN beat Dragos Alexandru BUJOR (12-10 11-8 11-5) and Iulian CHIRITA (13-15 11-2 13-11 11-9) whilst sandwiched in between partnering Antoine NOIRAULT to doubles success (11-9 11-7 4-11 6-11 11-4). The one win for Romania was recorded in the second match of the contest when Iulian CHIRITA overcame Flavien COTON (12-10 11-4 12-10). Outstanding from Felix LEBRUN it was the same from Annett Kaufmann in her singles matches she maintained an unblemished record the only reverse being at the semi-final stage against Poland when partnering Mia GRIESEL. A doubles reverse was experienced at the hands of Natalia BOGDANOWICZ and Wiktoria WROBEL (11-3 11-9 14-12). In the final against Ukraine Annett KAUFMANN and Mia GRIESEL underlined the reasons why they occupied the top seeded position. Mia Griesel beat Veronika MATIUNINA (6-11 11-7 7-11 11-5 12-10) before Annett Kaufmann accounted for Sofia SHEREDEHA (11-6 11-3 11-6) and a doubles success in opposition to Anastasiia KHACHATUROVA and Veronika MATIUNINA (12-10 12-10 10-12 11-5) brought matters to a conclusion. It was the sixth occasion in the history of the European Youth Championships the cadet team events first being held in 1969 in Obertraun when Germany had secured the cadet girls’ team title; for France it was their tenth such boys’ team success. Attention now turns to the individual events in the cadet age group play concludes on Monday 2nd August.
Germany clinched the title in the Under 15 Girls Team’s Event in straight matches
Under 15 Girls Team’s Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin concluded with the great victory of the team Germany. In straight matches Annett KAUFMANN and Mia GRIESEL overcame Veronika MATIUNINA Sofiia SHEREDEHA and Anastasiia KHACHATUROVA. France and Poland clinched bronze medals. Ukraine proved as worthy adversary but they failed to perform remarkable recovery like they did in the match against Romania in the quarterfinal. Mia GRIESEL and Veronika MATIUNINA went full distance in the opening match before Annett KAUFMANN secured the second point in the match against Sofiia SHEREDEHA. The doubles once again brought close fight but Germany proved too strong. “The victory that Mia achieved at the opening stage of the match was very important. Further more doubles played important role. We are good in doubles and that is the big part of our success ” said KAUFMANN. Mia GRIESEL added:”This match was important mentally. We knew how Ukraine could be dangerous. They never give up. We had to fight for each ball.” Coach Lara BROICH “It was tough one but we were aware of their quality and of their ability to seize each opportunity occurs. They already proved it in the quarterfinal against Romania. Even when we were two matches up we were on alert. We kept on repeating “we must not give up”. We were ready for every point. The whole team did a great job. I am very proud how they represented the team in the final and how focused they were. The team hoped for gold before the last preparation camp but then STORTZ got injured and she could not come…we had to change the whole structure of the team. The goal remained the same but the path was more difficult. They stood the pressure in tough matches. They already showed against Poland what they are made of. They showed maturity and great quality. “ On the way to the title Germany overcame also Turkey and Belarus. Final Ukraine – Germany 0:3 Veronika MATIUNINA – Mia GRIESEL 2:3 (11:6 7:11 11:7 5:11 10:12) Sofiia SHEREDEHA – Annett KAUFMANN 0:3 (6:11 3:11 6:11) Veronika MATIUNINA Anastasiia KHACHATUROVA – Mia GRIESEL Annett KAUFMANN 1:3 (10:12 10:12 12:10 5:11) UNDER 15 1 GERMANY 2 UKRAINE 3 FRANCE 3 POLAND 5 BELARUS 5 ROMANIA 7 BELGIUM 7 PORTUGAL 9 SLOVAKIA 9 RUSSIA 11 CROATIA 11 HUNGARY 13 SPAIN 13 SLOVENIA 15 TURKEY 16 CZECH R. 17 BULGARIA 18 AUSTRIA 19 ENGLAND 19 GREECE 21 NETHERLAND 21 SERBIA 23 MOLDOVA 23 SWEDEN 25 LITHUANIA 25 IRELAND 27 ITALY 28 SWITZERLAND 29 BIH 30 ESTONIA 31 ISRAEL 32 LATVIA 33 GEORGIA
