2018 STAG European Youth Championships   In 2015 in Bratislava France clinched the gold medal in Junior Teams Event. The two years’ drought is over and at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships French team celebrated the title again in Cluj Napoca. They overcame Russia in the final and showed once again fantastic team spirit.   “We have a young team but they proved they have very strong team spirit. They never gave up. We were down against Azerbaijan 1:2 in the quarterfinal but Bastien REMBERT and Irvin BERTRAND recovered to win. In addition in team of Russia in the final LEV KATSMAN exceeded the expectations and showed powerful performance which gave Russia dream start. Despite all that difficulties we succeeded ” said coach David JOHNSTON.   Irvin BERTRAND beat Vladimir SIDORENKO and Bastien REMBERT as well. Leo DE NODREST also get the chance to play in the ultimate stage and he beat Maksim GREBNEV.   “We do not have extraordinary individuals as Cristian PLETEA Truls MOREGARD or Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS are but we have very good leveled team. All these boys can step up into the match and play. That is what I have told them to be ready at any moment. The problem is that all main European players have the experience of playing at the top level senior events whilst we do not have chance. It is partly due the reason that I noted previously: we have too many players at the same level of quality. Par example this was Bastien’s first final at Europeans Championships” said JOHNSTON and added that Bastioen booked hos place for the Olympic Youth Games in Buenos Aires.   France had been missing the medal rostrum for two years after seven titles in eight Championships.   “We were little unlucky in 2016 and 2017. In Zagreb Alexandre CASSIN won the title in singles but he had accident in Teams event. Last year Team of England beat us in the group stages and after we were unlucky with the draw and played against Romania. These are just details that makes the whole picture. Finally we worked hard and put all the pieces of that mosaic together and clinched the gold in Cluj Napoca.”   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter

2018 STAG European Championships   Romania won the gold medal in Cadet Girls Teams Event. Elena ZAHARIA and Luciana MITROFAN beat Russia. They recovered from being two matches in reverse to take the crown from last year’s winners.   Girls were not the top favorites to win the title since the juniors were under main spotlight.   “Top favorites were the boys with Cristian PLETEA and Rares SIPOS then came Junior girls…We though we can reach the medal gold was not an objective. However personally I felt different. As every coach I was aiming for title ” said coach Marian FILIPAS.   However FILIPAS did not let his objectives change the tactics.   “Playing among top 16 in Europe is a very difficult task. There are no easy matches here. That is why we did not think about the medal rostrum we were just focused on the next match. We went step by step without any calculations what might be if…”   Tough challenge come from Moldova in group stages.   “That was really difficult as one we were playing in the semi final against France. We create a strange situation. In the Group stage we lost against the second team of France. I gathered players and we talked a lot about that match; what was wrong and what we have to do to improve the game. They accepted everything and then beat first team of France in semis.”   Against Russia in the final Romania was two matches down.   “In modern sport one coach is not enough any more. You need to have complete team of experts in order to have top class result. Now we have psychologist physiotherapist…Both  athletes’ body and mind are under severe pressure. In the final I saw MITROFAN was in pain almost crying so I call for a short break and she got help. After that they won the doubles and eventually the match.”     Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   French boys showed no mercy in the final of the Cadet Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. They accounted for Belgium in straight matches.   Coach Emmanuel RACHEZ spoke about the emotions that prevailed after victory in the final against Belgium.   “This is great satisfaction especially because we made a good final. I said day earlier that we were looking to reach our top level and we have found it at the best time. Myshaal SABHI has started well before FabioRAKOTOARIMANANAbeats their number 1. I had a little fear for doubles we missed opportunities in the first game but finally it ended well. We are very happy”.   Earlier they beat Russia last year’s champions Slovakia and Spain.   “During the competition I think we have mastered our subject well. That’s what I asked to my players to stay calm and serene especially in the final. We knew it was the first final for the Belgians they may have lack of experience. I knew that if it commenced bad for them they would be under pressure quickly. I found our team very determined it is a great satisfaction and it is also what made the difference.”   Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA has raised his level?   “The level of Fabio’s play increased as the competition progressed. Against Russia he gave us a very big match today he beats the Belgian No. 1 ranked European No. 2 Adrien RASSENFOSSE. It’s was a great performance of him and he proved he can succeed in big fight. I insist on this point because for him it is not necessarily easy to express himself. He did it really well to put pressure on his opponent.”   Myshaal and Fabio’s character match well.   “Myshaal and Fabio are similar at one point: they both have a slightly introverted character. Myshaal has fanciful game and on the other side Fabio has a very good quality of ball which allows him to be well in the game with very efficient services. They managed to be very complementary.”   Coach Emmanuel RACHEZ praised the team that helps this success.   “I am very happy for medal because it is the reward for the work we done on each and single day. I would like to thank for this success to all the staff working with me all year long: Jérôme BAHUAUD Dorin CALUS and Cristian DANCIU our physical trainer. They are there every day to improve our youngsters and prepare them to play well later in seniors.”   Now we moved to singles.   “We’re took a little time to celebrate last night because it’s not a trivial title it always means something. We enjoyed it and now we arte ready for the new challenges.”      Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter  

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   Azerbaijan won first ever gold medal in Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. In the final they overcame last year’s champions team of Russia after fierce battle in five matches. Romania beat France in the match for the third position.   European champion in singles from Portugal NING Jing was the back bone of team’s success. She overcame Anastasia KOLISH and Mariia TAILAKOVA. CHEN Xingtai suffered by the hands of Mariia TAILAKOVA but she recovered to overcame Anastasia KOLISH in decisive match.   “The success did not come as a surprise for us we were ready. Girls had a lot of trainings in China. Although we know it will not be easy. Romania and Russia were very strong here and we study their game well ” said coach Mikhail TIMOFEYEV.   On their way to the highest place at the medal rostrum Azerbaijan beat Croatia Germany and France.   Junior Girls Teams Event Azerbaijan – Russia 3:2 NING Jing – Anastasia KOLISH 3:1 (2:11 11:7 11:8 11:6) CHEN Xingtai – Mariia TAILAKOVA 2:3 (13:11 10:12 9:11 11:9 ZHOU Chuyi – Kristina KAZANTSEVA 0:3 (10:12 7:11 10:12) NING Jing – Mariia TAILAKOVA 3:0 (11:7 13:11 11:8) CHEN Xingtai – Anastasia KOLISH 3:2 (11:8 4:11 7:11 12:10 11:6)   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter      

2018 STAG European Championships   Just few hours after Cadet Boys clinched the title France Juniors made it double. They had to wait from 2015 for gold but they reached it tonight in Cluj Napoca at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. At the last hurdle France succeeded against last year’s runners up team of Russia. Romania and Germany played the match for third position and Romania won.   Bastien REMBERT had a shaky start against Lev KATSMAN who put Russia in the driving seat. However it did not last for long. Irvin BERTRAND prevailed against Vladimir SIDORENKO in full distance thriller. Leo DE NODREST narrowed the gap in the match against Maksim GREBNEV and Bastien REMBERT sealed the match by beating Vladimir SIDORENKO in straight games.   “It was an amazing match. I did not commence good because there were a lot of pressure on me and I couldn’t play my game. After I lost I felt very bad. But Irvin brought us back to 1-1 and then I could be more free at the last match ” said Bastien REMBERT    On their way to the final France beat Czech Republic Azerbaijan and Germany.   “The toughest one was in the quarters against Azerbaijan. We had to go full five matches ” said Irvin BERTRAND.   Russia’s SIDORENKO was sad:“This is my first year as a junior I was a little bit nervous I wanted to win. My team was close. I began the tournament good I wanted to win at least a match in the team. I lost two times in a row in team event and… I don’t know. I am very upset. We will see what will happen in the singles and doubles we will keep fighting. This result in teams is not good for us.”      Junior Boys Teams Event Final France – Russia 3:1 Bastien REMBERT –  Lev KATSMAN 0:3 (3:11 8:11 8;11) Irvin BERTRAND – Vladimir SIDORENKO 3:2 (11:8 9:11 8:11 11:7 11:9) Leo DE NODREST – Maksim GREBNEV 3:1 (11:7 11:5 8:11 12:10) Bastien REMBERT –  Vladimir SIDORENKO 3:0 (11:7 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 Youth Championships   In the nerves wrecking thriller in the match that fired up fully packed tribunes in front of central table Romania clinched the title in the Cadet Girls Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. They clinched the first title after 2014 in Cadets Girls and they did it in great style. In full distance match Romania overcame Russia the defending champions. Serbia and France won the bronze medal.   The match started good for Russia. Arina SLAUTINA and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN won both their singles. But from the Doubles Elena ZAHARIA and Luciana MITROFAN took the control.   “I don’t have words I am so happy that I cannot explain it. We are very happy for having won this final. Our adversaries were very strong were the top favorites and we had to mobilize ourselves we controlled our emotions and we hoped we fought and we won ” said Elena ZAHARIA. “I am extremely happy. At the beginning I didn’t realize I beat Abraamian. I have never defeated her. Also the last year at European Championship we had 4-0 and we came back. We came back from 2-1. I don’t know I am very happy I could beat her.”   MITROFAN added: “I am very happy and I cannot describe it. I felt a bit under pressure. I was not nervous okay I was at the end but not that much in the beginning ”   “When we won doubles I knew we will win the title ” pointed Elena ZAHARIA.   On their way to the final Romania overcame Ukraine Poland and France.     Cadet Girls Teams Event Final Romania – Russia 3:2 Elena ZAHARIA – Arina SLAUTINA 2:3 (4:11 11:8 11:6 5:11 10:12) Luciana MITROFAN – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN 1:3 (11:6 7:11 7:11 8:11) ZAHARIA MITROFAN – Liubov TENTSER ABRAAMIAN 3:0 (11:5 12:10 11:4) Elena ZAHARIA – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN 3:2 (9:11 11:6 4:11 11:7 11:5) Luciana MITROFAN – Arina SLAUTINA (3:1 11:7 14:12 10:12 11:5)   Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter  

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   After 2015 the title in Cadet Boys Teams Event will return to France. French side beat Belgium in the ultimate stage of the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships in straight matches. Bronze medalists are Poland and Russia.   Myshaal SABHI started furiously but Nicolas DEGROS managed to recover and to put French player under pressure. However it did not last for long.   “I stayed focused. Did not want to change my tactics ” said Myshaal SABHI.”We didn’t play good all the time but we won the important points and we were focused during the important moments especially for the final. It’s a title that makes us really happy.”   Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA was self confident.   “We hope to win titles in singles as well. We are ready ” said RAKOTOARIMANANA.   On their way to the final top seeded team overcame Spain 3:1 Slovakia 3:1 and Russia by the same margin.   Belgium’s RASSERFOSSE was sad:“I am so disappointed. We never entered this game properly. We were under great pressure. We were not confident but we knew that it was possible to win and we didn’t make it. At this level and during this kind of game every team can win so I don’t think they were better but they played better and we were not here mentaly ” said Adrien RASSERFOSSE.    Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter

2018 STAG European Youth Championships   Both Junior Teams of Romania booked their place for the World Junior Championships in December this year. The semifinalists played match for the third position at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships to determine whop will get last ticket for Bendigo in Australia. Remaining two will go to the finalists of the Junior Girls Event Azerbaijan and Russia as well as to Junior Boys finalists France and Russia.   In the match for the third position host nation prevailed against France in Junior Girls Event. Leili MOSTAFAVI gave France a dream start against Andreea DRAGOMAN but Lucie GAUTHIER and Isa COK could not follow. Tania PLAIAN and Andreea HUDOSAN made a save advantage before DRAGOMAN overcame GAUTHIER in the five games match.   “From the beginning we wanted a medal so we are not disappointed. It could have been better also but the 3rd place is a good result as well. We had a very hard start with two defeats but slowly things came into their places ” said Andreea DRAGOMAN   Tania PLĂIAN explained how much they wanted a medal: “The bronze medal is a result that I wanted since I finished the European Championship from last year because I knew that we will play in front of home crowd. I feel very well at Cluj because I feel as I am at home and for me this was a huge advantage.”   Fully packed tribunes saluted another victory for Boy’s as well. Romania beat Germany 3:1. Rares SIPOS and Cristian PLETEA beat Kay STUMPER and MENG Fanbo whilst Dragos OPREA straggled with Cedric MEISSNER.   Rareș ȘIPOȘ: “The result from today is a good one but as a bigger picture I am disappointed that we did not manage to win against Russia and that was a heavy loss. But it is good that we managed to recover and to win today and so to book the place for World Championships. In singles it will be much better we will have a rest day. We will recover our strengths.”   Cristian PLETEA was a little bit sad: “Taking into consideration that for 5 years we are trying to win is a big disappointment for all of us but I hope to play good and to record a good result at the World Championship.” Quick links   ETTU EYC page   Organiser’s web site    ETTU on Facebook    ETTU On Instagram    ETTU on Twitter