2018 STAG European Championships   Maciej KUBIK of Poland overcame Myshaal SABHI of France to clinch the gold medal in the Cadet Boys Singles Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships in Cluj Napoca. Bronze medalists are Simon BELIK of Czech Republic and Mike HOLLO of Germany.   “I am very good friend with with SABHI and I am happy we played here. He beat me in close encounter two years ago but now I was better. I stayed close to the tible attack as muchj as it is possible ” said KUBIK.   Both matches in penultimate stage concluded in four games. Maciej KUBIK easily prevailed against Simon BELIK of Czech Republic.   “I am in good shape. I feel very happy after this match. My task was to keep fighting focus on every ball and I also had a good tactic ” said Maciej KUBIK.   Myshaal SABHI of France overcame Mike HOLLO of Germany.   “It was good match I played really good and I am happy. I wasn’t so strong in the long points so I made it faster ” said Myshaal SABHI.   Cadet Boys Singles   Final Maciej KUBIK (Poland) – Myshaal SABHI (France) 3:1 (10:12 11:6 11:5 11:9 11:1) Semi final Maciej KUBIK (Poland) – Simon BELIK (Czech Republic) 4:0 (11:6 11:9 11:7 11:2) Myshaal SABHI (France) – Mike HOLLO (Germany) 4:0 (15:13 11:5 11:3 11:9)   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter  

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   Elena ZAHARIA of Romania beat last year’s champion Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia to clinch the title in the Cadet Girls Singles Event. Rebecca MUSKANTOR of Sweden and Prithika PAVADE of France won bronze medal.   “It is like dream come true. I was so nervous at the beginning of the final but as the match progressed I played better and better. I wanted so much to win in Romania ” said ZAHARIA.   Elizabet ABRAAMIAN was three games to one in reverse against Prithika PAVADE of France but she recovered to win the semi final.   “It was so hard. PAVADE had huge advantage and I did not know what to do. In every game I had 8:6 lead and then I lost it at 9. However after my coach called for time out I won four incredible points and I changed the course of the match ” said ABRAAMIAN.   Both semi final matches went full distance Rebecca MUSKANTOR of Sweden stretched Elena ZAHARIA to full seven games.   “It was a very difficult match I was very nervous before the game and I knew how she is playing. In the end of the game I was calmer and I believed in myself and I fought. I have no word I am very happy that I reached the final and I am confident that I can win this. The change of score during the match were very tensed for me but with all that I am glad I managed to win ” said ZAHARIA.     Cadet Girls Singles Final Elena ZAHARIA (Romania) – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) 4:2 (7:11 7:11 12`;10 11:9 13:11 11:6) Semi final Rebecca MUSKANTOR (Sweden) – Elena ZAHARIA (Romania) 3:4 (11:8 6:11 11:9 5:11 8:11 11:9 5:11) Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) – Prithika PAVADE (France) 4:3 (6:11 11:7 9:11 9:11 11:6 11:9 11:4)   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter  

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   Newly crowned champions in Junior Boys Doubles Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships are Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia. In then final they overcame YANG Xinyui and YU Xingtai of Azerbaijan. Bronze medal winners are Cristian PLETEA of Romania and Irvin BERTRAND of France as well as Rares SIPOS and Dragos OPREA Romania.   In full distance final Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV proved they have better nerves for close finish.   “This was the hardest match for us but we already did a great job when we beat SIDORENKO and SGOUROPOULOS. It was even harder because SIDORENKO is our teammate ” said KATSMAN.   Round earlier KATSMAN and GREBNEV inflicted the pain in the harts of the host nation supporters by beating Rares SIPOS and Dragos OPREA of Romania. They needed four games to overcame SIPOS and OPREA.   “We play together for three years now and we were very positive before the start of this match. We believed we can win. It was important that we started good; we did not allow Romanian parings to settle into game. Our first attack was very strong and precise ” said Lev KATSMAN.   GREBNEV added: ”Against SIPOS you are not allowed to make easy mistakes. We fought hard for each point.”   Cristian PLETEA of Romania and Irvin BERTRAND of France lost against YANG Xinyui YU Xingtai.   Final YANG Xinyui YU Xingtai (Azerbaijan) – Lev KATSMAN Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) 2:3 (12:10 9:11 6:11 11:2 7:11)   Semi Final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) Irvin BERTRAND (France) – YANG Xinyui YU Xingtai (Azerbaijan) 0:3 (2:11 9:11 12:14) Rares SIPOS Dragos OPREA (Romania) – Lev KATSMAN Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) 1:3 (9:11 11:7 8:11 6:11)   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter  

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   Anastasia KOLISH of Russia and Lucie GAUTHIER of France prevailed against NING Jing and CHEN Xingtai of Azerbaijan in the final of the Junior Girls Doubles Event at the STAG European Youth Championships. Tania PLAIAN of Romania and Ekaterina ZIRONOVA of Russia as well as Tijana JOKIC and Sabina SURJAN of Serbia finished third.   NING and CHEN were the favorites but girls from France and Russia beat them easily then everyone expected.   “We wanted to win more then them. It was a most difficult match for us but in crucial moments we were stronger ” said GAUTHIER.   In the semis Sabina SUIRJAN and Tijana JOKIC of Serbia suffered by the hands of KOLISH of Russia and GAUTHIER in full distance semi final.   “We are very happy because it was very close we were loosing 2-1 but we didn’t give but and we won 11-9 in the last game. I think the difference was in the head we were better mentally and this is why we could win” said Lucie GAUTHIER.   Anastasia KOLISH also stressed how difficult the match was.   “The game was good. It was a difficult because it was 2-1 for the Serbian girls. Then we won the 4thfourth game with 11-9 and it was difficult but when we played the last set it was 50-50 9-8 then equal to 9. It was difficult but we won. I like playing with Lucie. Before the European Championship we also prepared for it. I went to France for our double. Now we are playing good and we will try to win.”   Final Anastasia KOLISH (Russia) Lucie GAUTHIER (France) – NING Jing CHEN Xingtai (Azerbaijan) 3:1 (8:11 11:9 11:6 11:6) Semi Final NING Jing CHEN Xingtai (Azerbaijan) – Tania PLAIAN (Romania) Ekaterina ZIRONOVA (Russia) 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:6) Sabina SUIRJAN Tijana JOKIC (Serbia) – Anastasia KOLISH (Russia) Lucie GAUTHIER (France) 2:3 (11:13 11:3 11:8 9:11 9:11)   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   Prithika PAVADE and Chloe CHOMIS of France beat Elizabet ABRAAMIAN and Liubov TENTSER of Russia to clinch the title in the Cadet Girls Doubles Event. The bronze went to Radmila TOMINJAK and Reka BEZEG of Serbia and Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia and Linda ZADEROVA of Czech Republic.   “In the final the second game was very important. We won it by narrow margin and from that moment we were in control ” said Chloe CHOMIS.   In the nsemis Elizabet ABRAAMIAN and Liubov TENTSER overcame Radmila TOMINJAK and Reka BEZEG of Serbia in the penultimate stage. They prevailed in straight games abut TENTSEV admitted she was very nervous.   “This is my first European Youth Championships and I reached the final stages. I am so happy “said TENTSER.   More experienced ABRAAMIAN was calmer but her desire to win was not in the question.   “We were focused on each ball. We wanted so much to win ” said ABRAAMIAN.   Prithika PAVADE and Chloe CHOMIS overcame Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia and Linda ZADEROVA of Czech Republic. PAVADE is very experienced but for Chloe this is the first European Youth Championships.   “We played together for very long time in the club so we know each other ” said CHOMIS.   PAVADE explained what they need to overcame ARAPOVIC and ZADEROVA.   “We changed the rhythm of the game and we did not let our adversaries to settle into the game.”     Cadet Girls Doubles Event Final Elizabet ABRAAMIAN Liubov TENTSER Russia – Prithika PAVADE Chloe CHOMIS 1:3 (11:6 12:14 7:11 5:11). France Semi final Prithika PAVADE Chloe CHOMIS France – Hana ARAPOVIC Croatia Linda ZADEROVA Czech Republic 3:1 (11:7 7:11 11:3 12:10) Elizabet ABRAAMIAN Liubov TENTSER Russia – Radmila TOMINJAK Reka BEZEG Serbia 3:0 (11:8 11:8 11:6)   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter    

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   Maciej KUBIK of Poland and Ivor BAN of Croatia clinched the gold in the Cadet Boys Doubles Event. They overcame Andrei TOMICA and Darius MOVILEANU of Romania in the ultimate stage of the Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. Bronze madalists are Myshaal SABHI and Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA of France and Slovakia’s Adam KLAJBER and Filip DELINCAK.   “We were very good at the first ball and controlled the match ” said BAN.   In the penultimate stage KUBIK and BAN overcame Adam KLAJBER and Filip DELINCAK.   “This is the first tournament that we play together but we had very good preparation in Poland before the start of the Championships ” explained Ivor BAN. ”Against Slovakia’s pairings it was important to play first balls good. We closed their game with good spins. Basically we played good service and receive game ” said BAN.   KUBIK added: “We attack on every ball and we were very focused.”   Andrei TOMICA and Darius MOVILEANU overcame Myshaal SABHI and Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA of France. They recovered from 0:2 to win the match.   “It was a tough match. We managed though to push ourselves from 0:2 in reverse and to win the duel ” said Darius MOVILEANU.   Andrei added: “We didn’t give up at 2-0 cause if we had it would have been over but we fought and we won.”     Cadet Boys Doubles Event   Final Maciej KUBIK (Poland) Ivor BAN (Croatia) – Andrei TOMICA Darius MOVILEANU (Romania) 3:1 (11:5 4:11 11:7 11:6)   Semi Final Andrei TOMICA Darius MOVILEANU (Romania) – Myshaal SABHI Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA (France) 3:2 (10:2 9:11 11:9 14:112 11:6) Maciej KUBIK (Poland) Ivor BAN (Croatia) – Adam KLAJBER Filip DELINCAK (Slovakia) 3:0 (11:5 11:8 11:8).   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   Jules ROLLAND and Lucie GAUTHIER of France defended their title in the Junior Mixed Doubles Event at the 2018 STG European Youth Championships. In the final they overcame Samuel KULCZYCKI and Anna WEGRZYN of Poland in straight games.   “Last year it was harder. Now we came as no. one. We were severely challenged only in the quarterfinal against Azerbaijan’s pairings ” said ROLLAND.   Only five pairs in history of Youth European Championships managed to maintain their title: TURAI/VOSTOVA (TCH) 1967 1968 1969 STROKATOV/ELMIRA ANTONIAN (URS) 1971 1972 Jörgen PERSSON/NEMES (SWE/ROU) 1982 1983 SAMSONOV/KUSCH (URS) 1988 1989 and cadets SÜSS/Meike ROHR (GER) 2002 2003   ROLLAND and GAUTHIER overcame Maksim GREBNEV and Natalia MALININA of Russia in the penultimate stage.   “We commenced good in the opening game but latter I think we lost our focus. However we managed to stay calm and to build up the game ” said ROLLAND.   GAUTHIER added that GREBNEV made their game very difficult with his good backhand on Jules service game.   “We easily prevailed in the opening game but French pairings raised the level of their game after that   Samuel KULCZYCKI and Anna WEGRZYN prevailed to halt the all French final. They overcame Leo DE NODREST and Camille LUTZ in full distance match.   “We won the opening game but after that our adversaries found their way back. In the decisive game we though we were safe bit after 6:1 they leveled. It was very hard ” explained Anna WEGRZYN.     Junior Mixed Doubles   Final Jules ROLLAND Lucie GAUTHIER (France) – Samuel KULCZYCKI Anna WEGRZYN (Poland) 3:0 (11:9 11:8 10:12) Semi final Jules ROLLAND Lucie GAUTHIER (France) – Maksim GREBNEV Natalia MALININA (Russia) 3:1 (11:5 12:14 11:7 13:11) Leo DE NODREST Camille LUTZ (France) – Samuel KULCZYCKI Anna WEGRZYN (Poland) 2:3 (9:11 11:7 15:17 13:11 8:11)   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   New champions in the Cadet Mixed Doubles Event are Andrea PUPPO of Italy Arina SLAUTINA of Russia. In the final of the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships they overcame Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA and Prithika PAVADE of France.   “The final is always so difficult but it makes even harder when you play against French players. They are the best in Europe ” said PUPPO.   In the penultimate stage PUPPO and SLAUTINA overcame Adam STALZER and Linda ZADEROVA of Czech Republic in straight games.   “It was not easy as the result predicts. STALZER is a lefthander and I was not feeling comfortable in this match ” explained SLAUTINA. PUPPO agreed: “From the start we had a problem with the spin that he played on the side. It was difficult to adjust.”   Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA and Prithika PAVADE had a much tougher job against host nation representatives Andrei TOMICA and Elena ZAHARIA. They were stretched to full distance.   “We tried to play with long balls to keep the away from the table. It was very close game ” said PAVADE.   RAKOTOARIMANANA: “It is the first time that we play together.”   Cadet Mixed Doubles   Final Andrea PUPPO (Italy) Arina SLAUTINA (Russia) – Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA Prithika PAVADE (France) 3:2 (11:6 3:11 3:11 11:8 11:7) Semi final Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA Prithika PAVADE (France) – Andrei TOMICA Elena ZAHARIA (Romania) 3:2 (8:11 11:4 8:11 11:9 14:12) Andrea PUPPO (Italy) Arina SLAUTINA (Russia) – Adam STALZER Linda ZADEROVA (Czech Republic) 3:0 (11:9 11:9 11:8)   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter    

2018 STAG European Championships   European champion from Portugal NING Jing of Azerbaijan progressed to the semi final of the Junior Girls Singles Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships in Cluj Napoca.   NING overcame Serbia’s Sabina SURJAN in straight games and in penultimate stage she will meet Christina KALLBERG of Sweden. KALLBERG overcame host nation ace Andreea DRAGOMAN.   “I was really nervous but I think I handled it good. I think I played better and better and in the end I think played my best. I am so happy ” said Christina KALLBERG.” I changed the tempo; she is very fast and I slowed her with spin. It feels unreal. I can’t believe it. When I started my first match I was 1-3 down and in the last game I was 5-9 down and now I am in the semifinal. It feels like it’s not real. I hope I can win the gold medal now I believe that.”   Ekaterina ZIRONOVA of Russia was screeched to full distance but eventually prevailed against Franziska SCHREINER of Germany. In the bottom of the draw Tania PLAIAN of Romania beat no. two seed Anastasia KOLISH of Russia.   “It was the best match I ever had in my career. I knew that this moment in which I will overstep my limit will come. I am very glad that I managed to beat this opponent. I never managed to beat her so far but better to win when it is the mater than winning many times. During the first 2 sets I built my self confidence and I realized that this is the moment to beat her ” said Tania PLAIAN. ”The atmosphere is sensational. It is the best European Championship that I ever had in my career as a player. I am glad that this championship is at home and that the first single medal will stay at home.”   In the semi final of the Cadet Girls Singles Event Elizabeta ABRAMIAAN of Russia will play against Prithika PAVADE of France.   “It was very good. I tried to give my best. This is the first time I reached the semifinals and I will try to have the gold medal” said Prithika PAVADE.   Rebecca MUSKANTOR will meet Elena ZAHARIA of Romania.   “It was a very close match she played very good. She has a very good forehand so I tried to avoid it but it was very hard. I had a good advantage with my service. I tried to change a lot not to make her feel safe. It was a good match ” said Rebecca MUSKANTOR.         Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter    

2018 STAG European Youth Championships In the nail biting thriller Rares SIPOS of Romania overcame Irvin BERTRAND of France to clinch the medal in the Junior Boys Singles Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. He succeeded in six games (-10 9 9 -9 6 9).   “It was a very very hard match I am glad that I managed to win it and I am happy that I am in the semifinals for both the singles and doubles. I hope I will completely recover both physically and mentally so I can give my best tomorrow. I think that I was very strong mentally today it was a complete shift compared to yesterday when I was a little bit down. If I would have had the same attitude as yesterday for sure I couldn’t have win against such strong opponents ” admitted SIPOS.   In thee semis SIPOS will play against Truls MOREGARD of Sweden. Swede prevailed against Leo DE NODREST of France.   “It was a good match. I had problems with him before in World Championship I was down 8-5 in the 7th game. So I knew a little bit how he is playing and I think that gave me confidence to set a good tactic in this match. I had a very good service game. I struggled with his service but I just managed to deal with it and try to win the point in the rallies ” said MOREGARD. “The next match will be exciting. Against Rares I had played great matches before always 3-2 I think.”   Maksim GREBNEV of Russia beat Laurens DEVOS of Belgium and he will meet reigning European Champion Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece in the semis.   Top seeded player in the Cadet Boys Singles Event Maciej KUBIK of Poland overcame Darius MOVILEANU of Romania to reach the semi final. KUBIK will play against Simon BELIK of Czech Republic who overcame Andrii GREBENIUK of Ukraine.   “It was very close. I lost two opening games ” said Simon.” I had a good receive of the service. Even on some difficult balls. Now I will meet top seeded KUBIK but I will keep on fighting. “   Mike HOLLO of Germany overcame Vladislav MARKOV of Russia in six games.   “It was a tough match. I was very nervous but now I am happy that I won. I was focused on every ball and I kept on fighting. I have a hard opponent in the semis but I hope I will win ” said HOLLO.   HOLLO will meet Myshaal SABHI of France. SQABHI beat Andrea PUPPO of Italy.   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter