European Under 21 Championships   After gold medal in the Mixed Doubles Cristian PLETEA partnering Rares SIPOS added another title to the Romania’s record. With SIPOS he clinched the top prize in Men’s Doubles at the European Under 21 Championships in Croatia’s town of Varazdin. In the final they overcame combination of players from Moldova and Czech Republic Andrei PUTUNTICA and Jiri MARTINKO (7:11 11:7 11:9 11:9).   Bronze medalists are Florian CNUDDE and Laurens DEVOS of Belgium and Irvin BERTRAND and Leo DE NODRES of France.   PLETEA and SIPOS looked confident in the match but PLETEA admitted that final was very difficult for them.   “It was very hard match. They are very dangerous combination and PUTUNTICA already proved he is in great shape by reaching the semi final in Singles here ” said PLETEA.   SIPOS added: “I was so nervous. In the closing stages of the match I was shaking. I made few great errors but PLETEA was at the top of the game and I am so happy now. It was very tough encounter.”   On their way to the final Romania’s pairing overcame Joan MASIP and Lillo ALBERT of Spain Gerrit ENGEMANN and Fanbo MENG of Germany as well as French duo Irvin BERTRAND and Leo DE NODRES.       Results here General information here Official site here      

European Under 21 Championships   On their first International Event Leili MOSTAFAVI and Nolwenn FORT of France won the title at the European Under 21 Championships in Croatia’s town of Varazdin. In the final they prevailed against Mariia TAILAKOVA and Kristina KAZANTSEVA of Russia (5:11 9:11 4:11). The bronze medalists are Katarzyna and Anna WEGRZYN of Poland and Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania.   Russia’s pairings did not stand the chance against MOSTAFAVI and FORT.   “We were prepared for them and we were confident in our game ” said MOSTAFAVI. “We are new on the International circuit but we are playing three or four years together already.”   On their way to the final French duo overcame Andrea PAVLOVIC of Croatia and Solomya BRATEYKo of Ukraine Orsolya FEHER of Hungary and Marta VUKELIC of Croatia and sisters Katarzyna and Anna WEGRZYN of Poland.   “The hardest was the opening match against Ukraine-Croatia combination. In the fifth game we won 15:13 ” said FORT.       Results here General information here Official site here        

European Under 21 Championships   The winners of the first edition of the Mixed Doubles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Croatia’s town of Varazdin are Cristian PLETEA and Adina DIACONU of Romania. In the final they prevailed against Bastien REMBERT and Nolwenn FORT of France (11:7 2:11 11:9 6:11 11:8).   DIACONU played only shortly after seven games matches in singles but she overcame tiredness.   “Fortunately for Mixed Doubles but unfortunately for my Singles I had a little bit more time to prepare because I lost in earlier stage of Men’s Singles. However in this match the confidence in each other and our experience of playing together for a long time proved as a key moment ” said PLETEA.   In the semi final Bastien REMBERT and Nolwenn FORT overcame Laurens DEVOS and Lisa LUNG of Belgium in full distance encounter (9:11 12:10 8:11 9:11 7:11).   “At some points I was putting so much pressure on my strokes. The tactics where man must play much stronger in the mixed doubles does not works every time. If you push too hard there is also a greater chance for mistakes. When I started to play more safe it was better in this semi final ” said Bastien REMBERT.   The pairings that had been played from cadet’s category together Cristian PLETEA and Adina DIACONU overcame Irvin BERTRAND and Leili MOSTAFAVI of France in second penultimate stage match (11:9 10:12 11:8 11:9).   “We had a break of year and a half. Elizabeta SAMARA and I tried to qualified for the Mixed Doubles at the Olympic Games. Unfortunately we failed. However Adina and I playing together again ” explained PLETEA.   Against French pairings Romania’s duo played close match.   “We had a chance to finish the match earlier but we were playing to risky. That is why we lost the second game and the fourth was also very close. We were 2:7 down ” explained PLETEA.   Adina added: “ I had a problem with the receive. I lost my focus but then I started to play less risky and everything was all right.”       Results here General information here Official site here          

European Under 21 Championships   In the semi final of the Women’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships tomorrow reigning champion Adina DICANU of Romania will meet Prithika PAVADE of France whilst in other match Christina KALLBERG of Sweden will meet Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania.   Christina KALLBERG overcame Ana TOFANT of Slovenia after she recovered from being two games to null in reverse (11:9 11:4 13:15 8:11 6;11 6:11). Prithika PAVADE overcame Tatiana KUKULKOVA of Slovakia (11:4 11:7 11:8 11:8) in straight games but for Adina DIACONU it was more challenging quarterfinal. Shen was stretched to full seven games in powerful thriller against Anna WEGRZYN of Poland (8:11 11:9 3:11 11:6 13:11 4:11 6:11).   Quarterfinal was also very difficult for Andreea DRAGOMAN. She is also forced to go full distance against Camille LUTZ of France (7:11 11:7 11:5 11:13 11:13 11:2 11:4).   “I was under great pressure. I knew I had to win and that I am the favorite here. On the other side LUTZ is far from easy adversary. Her game is very dangerous. My coach helped me. He told me to calm down and to play more relaxed. In the finish of the match I managed to play that way ” said DRAGOMAN.   In the round of 16 Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia suffered by the hands of Christina KALLBERG (11:7 8:11 12:10 4:11 8:11 7:11).   “I already beat her twice at the European Championships in my last junior’s year and at the Under 21 in the qualification stage so I was very confident before the match. After 1:1 I lost third game by narrow margin but it did not disturb me. I showed I am mentally stronger because I did not give up and I kept on fighting until the end ” said KALLBERG.   Sophia KLEE of Germany suffered by the hands of Slovenia’s Ana TOFANT (6:11 11:6 9:11 4:11 7:11).   “This is my last year in Under 21 category and I never reached Round of 8 before. Sophia KLEE is a very good player but I beat her before so I had a good tactics for her. In Minsk at the European Championships I overcame her in seven games now it was much easier ”said TOFANT.   Camille LUTZ of France overcame the last Croatia’s representative in Varazdin Andrea PAVLOVIC (11;5 8:11 11:7 1:4 8:11 11:5) whilst DRAGOMAN prevailed against Olga VISHNIAKOVA of Russia (1:11 12:10 11:5 9:11 11:7).   Anastasia KOLISH of Russia lost to Adina DIACONU (4:11 13:11 9:11 8:11 4:11).   “Anastasa beat me maybe twice before whilst I succeeded in six or seven other occasions so I knew what to do. Last time I beat her at the Portugal Open which gave me confidence. She was not playing good on my receive and that gave me control of the match ” said DIACONU.       Prithika PAVADE overcame Solomiya BRATEYKO of Ukraine (11:3 13:11 7:11 11:6 11:9).   “I had to change the pace of my game constantly. She is very good in placing balls in the corner so I needed to move more. I also had to put some extra spin on my first ball and it made difficult for me to control the next one. It was demanding match ” said PAVADE.   Anna WEGRZYN beat Lisa LUNG of Belgium (7:11 11:9 11:6 11:9 11:7) and Tatiana KUKULKOVA succeeded against Yuki TSUTSUI of Germany (5:11 7:11 11:7 11:7 12:10).   Results here General information here Official site here    

European Under 21 Championships   The medal winners in the Men’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships are determined. In the tomorrow’s semi final Romania’s Rares SIPOS will play against Laurens DEVOS of Belgium and Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova will meet Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia.   In the quarterfinal Vladimir SIDORENKO overcame his teammate Artur ABUSEV of Russia i straight games (11:7 12:10 11:7 11:9).   “It was much harder than the result predicts. I won in straight games but all games by narrow margin. The extra pressure came from the fact that we played the match for the medal and without coach since we are teammates. Beside mentally it was very demanding match physically his defending style requires much more power. Our record is leveled no one was favorite in this match ” said SIDORENKO.   The medal winners in the Men’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships are determined. In the tomorrow’s semi final Romania’s Rares SIPOS will play against Laurens DEVOS of Belgium and Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova will meet Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia.   In the quarterfinal Vladimir SIDORENKO overcame his teammate Artur ABUSEV of Russia i straight games (11:7 12:10 11:7 11:9).   “It was much harder than the result predicts. I won in straight games but all games by narrow margin. The extra pressure came from the fact that we played the match for the medal and without coach since we are teammates. Beside mentally it was very demanding match physically his defending style requires much more power. Our record is leveled no one was favorite in this match ” said SIDORENKO.     Andrei PUTUNTICA overcame Florrian CNUDE of Belgium (11:3 11:3 5:11 11:7 11:7).   “So many matches so many pressure ” said PUTUNTICA who secured two medals at the Championships.” I had to stay focused for each match and I made it. I was confident every time that I could win. I started good each encounter and I really enjoyed the game in Croatia.”   Irvin BERTRAND of France suffered by the hands of Rares SIPOS of Romania (7:11 11:5 7:11 11:7 5;11 9:11) and Leo DE NODRES of France lost to Laurens DEVOS of Belgium (8:11 11:6 5:11 8:11 11:13).   In the Round of 16 of the Men’s Singles Lev KATSMAN of Russia received the red card and he was disqualified after kicking the door of the surroundings. Florrian CNUDE of Belgium was 3:2 up after he won the fifth game by 11:9 and when KATSMAN reacted fiercely; Russia’s player was penalised with red card.   “I did not expect I could beat KATSMAN. I guess that my advantage was surprise for everyone. I was looking for a right tactics because at the beginning my service and receive was not very good. I was looking for a way to put some pressure on KATSMAN knowing how aggressive he is on the first ball. I put a many variations and stayed calm ” explained CNUDDE.   Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova needed full seven games to overcame Jules ROLLAND of France (11:6 5:11 12:10 8:11 9:11 11:9 11:9) Vladimir SIDORENKO needed one less against Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece (7:11 11:8 4:11 11:13 9:11 10:12) but in that match there were no lack of suspense as well. Artur ABUSEV beat Bastien REMBERT of France (13:11 k 11:3 11:9 6;11 11:7).   Irvin BERTRAND of France beat Fanbo MENG of Germany in straight games (11:5 11:7 11:6 11:8) and his compatriot Leo DE NODREST joined him in quarters after victory over Dimitrije LEVAJAC of Serbia in seven games (11:8 8:11 5:11 11:3 13:15 11:8 11:9). Rares SIPOS beat Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary (7:11 11:7 12:14 11:6 11:7 11:5).   “It was very difficult to play against Csaba. He is very aggressive player and I am not comfortable with his style. However more important this victory is that I managed to improve my game. Few days ago I could be out from the competition after the opening day of the Championships and now I am one step from the medal. I managed it despite I was very unsatisfied with my performance ” said SIPOS.               Laurens DEVOS of Belgium was also forced to go full distance in the match against Gerrit ENGEMANN of Germany (14:12 6:11 12:10 8:11 11:9 4:11 11:9).   “I did not believe I can beat him. Gerrit is a very good player and he came here in splendid shape. He already beat PLETEA here. The turning point for me was the third game. I was 10:5 in reverse but I recovered to win that game. After that I realized I have a chance against him and I seized my opportunity ” explained DEVOS.       Results here General information here Official site here  

European Under 21 Championships   For a first time Leili MOSTAFAVI and Nolwenn FORT of France reached the final of the International competition. French pairings will play in the ultimate stage of the European Under 21 Championships tomorrow in Varazdin. On the opposite side of the net will be Kristina KAZANTSEVA and Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia.   Leili MOSTAFAVI and Nolwenn FORT overcame the European junior’s silver medalist Anna and Katarzyna WEGRZYN of Poland in the semi final (6:11 11:9 5;11 9:11).   “We played few times together in France but never reached the medal rostrum. That is why we were very relaxed today. Before yesterday’s quarterfinal we were under pressure and nervous but after we won the medal we played without stress. Especially against WEGRZYN sisters. They have much more experience and we all know how good they are. They were favorites ” explained MOSTAFAVI.” At the beginning they managed to keep us far from table but we improved our service and receive and came forward.”   IN other semi final Kristina KAZANTSEVA and Mariia TAILAKOVA overcame top seeds Andreea DRAGOMAN and Adina DIACONU of Romania (11:7 5:11 11:9 5:11 9:11).   “We never played against them before but nevertheless we knew it will be hard match. Romania’s pairings do not have weak spots and they are not making easy mistakes ” said KAZANTSEVA.   TAILAKOVA added: “We put them under pressure with the heavy top spin. We had to attack first and to finish the point quickly. In longer rallies we did not have a chance.”   Results here General information here Official site here    

European Under 21 Championships   Top four pairings which already secured their place at the medal rostrum in Women’s Doubles Event are Anna and Katarzyna WEGRZYN of Poland Leili MOSTAFAVI and Nolwenn FORT of France Andreea DRAGOMAN and Adina DIACONU of Romania and Kristina KAZANTSEVA and Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia.   Top seeds Andreea DRAGOMAN and Adina DIACONU overcame Ozge YILMAZ and Ece HARAC of Turkey (11:7 12:10 15:13) whilst Kristina KAZANTSEVA and Mariia TAILAKOVA overcame Denise PAYET of England and Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia (10:12 1:11 10:12). Polish pairings last year’s runners up at the European Youth Championships Anna and Katarzyna WEGRZYN overcame Anastasia KOLISH of Russia and Tania PLAIAN of Romania in straight games (11:4 11:5 11:7). MOSTAFAVI and Nolwenn FORT overcame Orsolya FEHER of Hungary and Marta Vukelic of Croatia in four games (11:5 11:4 6:11 11:3).   In Mixed Doubles in semi final will play: Bastien REMBERT and Nolwenn Fort of France vs. Laurens DEVOS and Lisa LUNG of Belgium. In other penultimate stage match Irvin BERTRAND and Leili MOSTAFAVI of France will meet Cristian PLETEA and Adina DIACONU of Romania.   Bastien REMBERT and Nolwenn Fort overcame Abdullah YIGENLER and Ozge YILMAZ of Turkey in straight games (11:9 11:9 11:9). Irvin BERTRAND and Leili MOSTAFAVI halted the progress of the top seeded pairings Vladimir SIDORENKO and Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia (5:11 11:7 12:14 7:11). Laurens DEVOS and Lisa LUNG overcame Denis IVONIN and Anastasia KOLISH of Russia (11:7 8:11 11:7 6:11 11:7) and Cristian PLETEA and Adina DIACONU beatTobias HIPPLER and Franziska SCHREINER of Germany (9:11 8:11 11:7 11:6 8:11).     All three Doubles Events at the European Under 21 Championships reached semi final stage tonight in Varazdin. Players from seven countries will be present at the medal rostrum in Women’s Men’s and Mixed Double; this weekend we will know the colors of their medals. Romania and France booked their places at the medal rostrum in all three Doubles Events.   In the semi final of the Men’s Doubles tomorrow will play Irvin BERTRAND and Leo DE NODREST of France vs. Cristian PLETEA and Rares SIPOS of Romania and Florian CNUDDE and Laurens DEVOS of Belgium vs. Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova and Jiri MARTINKO of Czech Republic.   Irvin BERTRAND and Leo DE NODREST overcome top seeds Vladimir SIDORENKO and Denis IVONIN of Russia (6:11 6:11 9:11) whilst Cristian PLETEA and Rares SIPOS beat Gerrit ENGEMANN and Fanbo MENG of Germany (13:11 4:11 8:11 7:11). In the lower half of the draw Florian CNUDDE and Laurens DEVOS overcame Tobias HIPPLER of Germany and Adrien RASSENFOSSE of Belgium (9:11 12:10 8:11 11:8 11:7) whilst Andrei PUTUNTICA and Jiri MARTINKO succeeded against Cedric MEISSNER of Germany and Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary (11:5 11:9 12:14 9:11 5:11).    

European Under 21 Championships   After three days of qualifications in Men’s Singles Event 16 players continues their journey in the main draw of the European Under 21 Championships. Top seed Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia and best ranked player at the ETTU u 21 Rankings Bastien REMBERT of France are safely through to the knock out stage.   In the Group A SIDORENKO had to settle with the second position. Leo DE NODRES of France beat him in the last round to secure top position (7:11 11:6 4:11 13:15 6:11).   “I did not know what to expect; we were playing against each other first time. Now I am happy with my performance here ” said DE NODRES who also prevailed against Valentin PIERAERT of Belgium and Cedric MEISSNER of Germany.   In Group B Bastien REMBERT of France overcame Dimitrije LEVAJAC of Serbia in the direct clash for the first position in the group (11:8 11:9 11:8 11:8).   “I controlled the match with my service and return game. LEVAJAC tried to change the pace and tactics but I always had the answer to his game. I was very focused ” said Bastien.       In Group C still unhappy with his performance Romania’s Rares SIPOS managed the find the way to the Round of 16. In the third round he beat Lars POSCH of Switzerland and finished second (9:11 9:11 11:6 11:7 12:10 11:9).   “I managed to rise my level of play a little but I am still far from the shape I had in past five six months. I feel under lot of pressure here. It comes from inside. However I am winning and I hope it will stay that way in knock out stage ” said SIPOS.   Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova is first in Group C with all three wins. In last match he overcame Joan MASIP of Spain (3:11 8:11 7:11 7:11).   Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary is first in Group D. He beat Abdullah YIGENLER of Turkey in third round (11:2 11:5 11:3 7:11 7:11 7:11 13:11). Jules ROLLAND of France is second after he overcame Tilen CVETKO of Slovenia today (11:9 11:6 11:3 11:4). Irvin BERTRAND of France joined his teammates in the next stage after victory over Jiri MARTINKO of Czech Republic (11:1 8:11 11:5 11:7 11:13 11:5). Florian CNUDDE of Belgium is second.     Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova is first in Group C with all three wins. In last match he overcame Joan MASIP of Spain (3:11 8:11 7:11 7:11).   Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary is first in Group D. He beat Abdullah YIGENLER of Turkey in third round (11:2 11:5 11:3 7:11 7:11 7:11 13:11). Jules ROLLAND of France is second after he overcame Tilen CVETKO of Slovenia today (11:9 11:6 11:3 11:4). Irvin BERTRAND of France joined his teammates in the next stage after victory over Jiri MARTINKO of Czech Republic (11:1 8:11 11:5 11:7 11:13 11:5). Florian CNUDDE of Belgium is second.   Lev KATSMAN of Russia overcame Samuel KLUCZYCKI of Poland in the third round to secure top position in group F (15:13 8:11 9:11 11:13 7:11).   “It was very difficult tournament for me so far. It was physically demanding to play so many matches in five six seven games. It is hard to keep the level of game high and on the other side all the adversaries are very strong; you have to be at the top of your game ” said Lev.         Laurens DEVOS of Belgium beat Uladzislau of Belarus (11:2 10:12 12:10 12:10 8:11 11:4) and finished second . Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece moved to next stage from the top spot in group G unbeaten. Last in line to suffer against him was Fanbo MENG.   “My first goal to reach the last 16 is achieved now I will go match after match ” said Greek player.” Against MENG I played recently at the German Open so I had idea what to do. Against IVONIN I played for a first time and that was very difficult encounter. I had to adjust my style at the beginning of the match. GRELA lost against me twice in previous matches so I was very confident.”   Gerrit ENGEMANN of Germany played against Cristian PLETEA of Romania for the top position in the Group H. He won (11:5 9:11 5:11 11:8 9:11 12:10 8:11). PLETEA finished third in the group eventually. Artur ABUSEV of Russia is second.     Results here General information here Official site here      

European Under 21 Championships   The highest ranked player at the seedings in the Women’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Varazdin Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania successfully concluded second stage of the qualifications.   After victories over Katarzyna WEGRZYN of Poland and Slomiya BRATEYKO of Ukraine today she overcame Leili MOSTAFAVI of France (11:6 11:7 12:10 10:12 11:5). BRATEYKO progressed to the main draw after thrilling seven games third round victory over WEGRZYN (9:11 11:6 13:11 11:5 10:12 4:11 11:7).   DRAGOMAN’s compatriot title-holder Adina DIACONU is also safely through to the Round of 16. Today she overcame Aleksandra VOVK of Slovenia (11:9 11:7 5:11 11:7 11:2). Julia SLAZAK of Poland suffered by the hands of Russia’s Olga VISHNIAKOVA (11:5 13:11 12:10 6:11 8:11 11:6). Olga concluded Group stage on position no. two.       First year junior french player Prithika PAVADE added third victory to her score board in Group C. She overcame Tania PLAIAN of Romania to secure place in the last 16 (11:3 11:6 11:8 10:12 11:6).   “It was strange match. PLAIAN needed 4:0 victory to progress to the last 16 so she started to play very powerfully from the beginning. I responded well with the good service I controlled the match but I lost my focus in the fourth game. I had three match balls and I lost that game. ” said PAVADE.   The top seed in Group C Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia is second. She overcame Orsolya FEHER of Hungary in last round of the second stage (12:10 7:11 11:13 11:3 11:6 11:7).       In Group Christina KALLBERG of Sweden lost to Kristina KAZANTSEVA of Russia (8:11 11:6 9:11 8:11 10:12) but this victory was insufficient for Russia’s player. Kristina finished third with Lisa LUNG at the top of the Group. Lisa overcame Natalia GRIGELOVA of Slovakia today (8:11 11:6 9:11 8:11 10:12).   “I lost one match yesterday against KALLBERG but luckily it did not cost me place to the last 16. I just could not find my rhythm yesterday in the opening match. Christina slow down my game I could not play fast. Later I felt much better and I was more focused on my play ” said Lisa.       Andrea PAVLOVIC of Croatia had a fantastic tournament so far. In six matches she recorded sic straight games victories. Today she overcame Slovenia’s Katarina STRAZAR (11:6 11:3 11:6 11:7).   “We know each other very well we played so many matches against each other and it was not hard for me to prepare the right tactics. The hardest duel so far in Varazdin was yesterday against Tatina KUKULKOVA. She beat me in two previous occasions ” said PAVLOVIC.   KUKULKOVA lost to Gabriela STEPANOVA of Czech Republic in seven games (11:13 10:12 11:7 6:11 11:9 13:11 8:11) but managed to progress to the next stage by game ratio despite two defeats.   Sophie KLEE of Germany overcame Elena ZAHARIA of Romania (11:9 5:11 13:11 11:5 15:13) to book the top position in Group F. Anastasia KOLISH beat Nolwen FORT of France (11:7 11;7 11:7 11:6) to secure second position. Another Germany’s player Yuki TSUTSUI upset the rankings and moved to neht stage after being seeded fourth in the Group. Yuki lost today against Ana TOFANT of Slovenia (11:6 11:9 11:8 7:11 11:6) but yesterday she prevailed against Ema LABOSOVA of Slovakia and Ozge YILMAZ of Turkey. Ana is first in the Group. She lost to Ema yesterday but overcame YILMAZ in the last match today (11:7 11:4 9:11 7:11 11:6 8:11 8:11).   Anna WEGRZYN of Poland is unbeaten. She overcame Camille LUTZ of France in the last match in Group H (11:8 11:8 11:13 11:7 10:12 11:9). LUTZ finished second.   Results here General information here Official site here