Poland’s Milosz REDZIMSKI secured victory once again in the Men’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Skopje successfully defending his title. In the final he overcame his teammate Maciej KUBIK. The bronze medals went to Thibault PORET of France and Andre BERTELSMEIER of Germany. REDZIMSKI has made history by becoming the first player to retain a singles title in the EC U21. Previously only Özge YILMAZ and Ece HARAC from Turkey in women’s doubles had achieved this feat. Additionally REDZIMSKI has further etched his name in the record books by becoming the first player ever to win two titles in a single EC U21 event. The 17-year-old REDZIMSKI the runner-up at the Under 19 event in Gliwice last year faced his teammate in the closing stages of the event just as he did in the previous edition. Last year in Sarajevo it was in the semis when he faced Samuel KULCZYCKI This time he defeated Maciej KUBIK (11-9 11-9 11-3 7-11 9-11 11-9). “This time I started much better. I created a wide gap with 3-0 from the beginning. From that point Maciej changed the tactics a bit especially service. However I was ready for every ball. I saved a lot of high balls ” explained REDZIMSKI. In the first semi-final match Maciej KUBIK overcame Thibault PORET of France after recovering from 1-2 in reverse (11-9 8-11 6-11 11-8 11-5 11-5). “In previous occasions and I think we played three times before I beat him but I think that made him ready for this match. He was prepared and at the beginning I had a problem finding the way to answer his game. I struggled with the receive. In the third game I forced myself to stop thinking about the receive and to follow the game. My service improved and I regained control ” said Maciej KUBIK. After a fantastic run Andre BERTELSMEIER of Germany was halted in the semifinal by the reigning champion Milosz REDZIMSKI (15-13 8-11 7-11 8-11 9-11). “I commenced well but after 5-1 I lost focus. Andre played very well and he moved so good. He was very fast unlike me ” admitted REDZIMSKI. “His good results here gave him confidence and power. Also his forehand is very dangerous so I had to aim for corners. However I managed to reduce the stress and to start playing better.”

Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine emerged as the newly crowned champion in the Women’s Singles event at the Under 21 European Championships in Skopje. She secured the gold after a close final against Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA with Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia claiming the bronze along with Poland’s Anna BRZYSKA. Veronika MATIUNINA has made history by becoming the first Ukrainian to win a singles title and the second Ukrainian medalist at the EC U21. The first Ukrainian to win a European singles title since 2009 when Margaryta PESOTSKA claimed the junior title at the European Youth Championships. “This is my first major title in singles. At the European championships in singles I was runner up and also second in doubles and team events. In addition last year in the Under 21 Championships I clinched silver in doubles. Four times I reached the final and four times I lost ” said MATIUNINA. In the intense final today Veronika MATIUNINA overcame Elena ZAHARIA in seven games (11-9 6-11 11-4 4-11 11-9 12-14 11-5). MATIUNINA lost to ZAHARIA last year in Gliwice when Romania’s player became European champion by the same margin. “I played against ZAHARIA something like four times and each time I lost so close. This time I just felt this is my chance. I knew I will make it. I played really well throughout the whole tournament. This was the last game; I put everything on the table; the last drop of power; all my best ” said MATIUNINA. ZAHARIA saved one match ball in the sixth game before Ukraine’s player won the decisive one. “I wanted to stay calm because I knew if I let my emotions out I will lose. I stayed focused.” MATIUNINA left Ukraine two years ago. “Because of the war I left home two years ago and I am in Germany now. I am practicing in Munich with Krisztina TÓTH. She helped me to improve. I am thankful to her to all my coaches that supported me here and to all my team ” stated Veronika. In the semi-final Hana ARAPOVIC was halted in her attempt to defend the crown as Elena ZAHARIA proved too strong (11-9 4-11 11-9 11-8 11-8 11-8). Focused and almost emotionless ZAHARIA was set on victory. “I know ARAPOVIC since the ‘hopes’ matches and the time when we were 13-14 years old. That is why I know that I must play for each ball. I also fought against myself. I put all my negative emotions low and I tried to use all the positivity I have. The pressure was very high. She was the reigning champion here and we were in the semis; there was no place for a mistake ” said ZAHARIA. In the other penultimate stage match Veronika MATIUNINA overcame Poland’s Anna BRZYSKA in six games (9-11 10-12 11-7 12-10 11-7 14-12). “I feel incredibly good; I didn’t really expect this. I started from the first stage and lost one match; in the groups I placed second and I was already thinking that I do not play so good but I just got better and better. This is an unbelievable result; I didn’t expect to come to the final and there is no secret at all it’s just hard work just practice practice. Big thanks to my coach who works with me and all the supporters from Ukraine the coaches here. Thanks to all really. In the semi-finals there was not that much tactics; I just played but I played more to the opponent’s forehand because when she plays with the backhand and pimples it was very uncomfortable for me. The last set I was 10:6 down but I came to 11:10 12:11 and I was very nervous because of that. I get really shaken and iron but I am really happy to win this match ” said MATIUNINA.

For the second consecutive year Maciej KUBIK has clinched the trophy in the Men’s Doubles event at the European Under 21 Championships this time teaming up with Milosz REDZIMSKI. In Skopje the Polish pair overcame a tough challenge from Eduard IONESCU and Darius MOVILEANU of Romania in a dramatic finish to the event. Securing the third step on the medal podium were Iulian CHIRITA and Andrei ISTRATE of Romania along with Ivor BAN and Borna PETEK of Croatia. KUBIK and REDZIMSKI withstood the spirited comeback attempt from IONESCU and MOVILEANU (11-9 11-2 11-13 9-11 11-5). “It was 2-0 and 10-9 for us but they received well with the ‘banana.’ I tried to catch it but I missed so they recovered. The last few balls they played really well and they were back. After that it became really close. We lost the two games by a narrow margin. We had a great problem with service; points were taken from us. I am trying to serve ‘legally ‘ but at least two or three points are taken from me and I got angry. Eventually it made us fight even harder and we won the decisive game ” said KUBIK who was the runner-up with Samuel KULCZYCKI in Sarajevo last year. REDZIMSKI added that this was the hardest match for them at the tournament. “Problems with service were overwhelming but we just kept on fighting and we won eventually ” said REDZIMSKI.

The champions of the Women’s Doubles event at the 2024 European Under-21 Championships are Bianca MEI ROSU and Elena ZAHARIA. In the final they defeated Luciana MITROFAN of Romania and Sara TOKIC of Slovenia. The bronze medalists are the French pairings Leana HOCHART and Elise PUJOL along with Croatia’s Hana ARAPOVIC and Germany’s Sophia KLEE. In the Women’s Doubles category silver medalist Sara TOKIC has become the first Slovenian woman to stand on the podium at the EC U21. The final match played without coaches since three players hail from Romania and are members of the same club C.S.M. Constanta concluded in four games (11-5 8-11 11-0 11-3). “This was a great final for our team. Luciana came close to winning the second game. Both MITROFAN and TOKIC played very well. They were on every ball but eventually we managed to attack on every point and stick with the tactics ” said MEI ROSU. Bianca Mei ROSU defended her title clinched last year in Sarajevo partnering with Germany’s Mia GRIESEL. “I am proud of Bianca and myself. We did it! Bianca retained her title. Now I have one more to win. This was our first tournament together and I hope we will play more in the future. We enjoyed this match and put up a good fight ” said ZAHARIA.

The newly crowned champions at the European Under 21 Championships in Skopje in the Mixed Doubles Event are Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIC. In the final they prevailed against the European champions from Gliwice Darius MOVILEANU and Elena ZAHARIA of Romania. The bronze medalists are Hugo DESCHAMPS and Leana HOCHART of France and Maciej KUBIK and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland. In the final a real drama unfolded. In a full five-game match with twists and turns (9-11 11-9 11-7 11-13 11-8) the Croatian pair managed to overcome the Romanians. In the decisive game BAN and ARAPOVIC came from 4-8 to 11-8. “They played better at the start but we found our peace we found our way our way to play the first ball and to receive…” said BAN. The focus and nervousness at the end of the match were crucial. “I gained self-confidence for my match in singles and the close win against KLEE. In the final stages of the mixed doubles match I found the peace and the focus to push the match to success ” said ARAPOVIC. Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIC overcame Maciej KUBIK and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland (11-13 12-10 13-11 11-7). “The tactic was to stick close to the table because BRZYSKA gives really short balls. Sometimes we managed to do that sometimes we didn’t but in the end we won and we are very happy ” said BAN. ARAPOVIC added: “Our priority was for Ivor to attack more and for me to create the point and create conditions for the attack that he receives a good ball. Ivor was responsible for attacking and taking the points. And of course a big advantage is the fact that one is left-handed and one right-handed. We can play more with the forehand better services and it is easier to move around.” In the semifinal Darius MOVILEANU and Elena ZAHARIA overcame Hugo DESCHAMPS and Leana HOCHART of France (11-4 8-11 11-8 12-10). Romania’s pair had a furious start before the French side brought the match to a more leveled state. “The changing of sides helped our adversaries but we managed to keep the match under control despite losing the second game ” said ZAHARIA. Since the European Championships Romania’s pairings played at the World Junior Championships but clashing with the silver medalists brought them an early departure. “We played only one Championship together since Gliwice but we trained together and played together since 2021 so we do not need much time to get into shape ” said MOVILEANU.

In the final of the Men’s Doubles Event the Polish pairings seeded at position no. 2 Maciej KUBIK and Milosz REDZIMSKI will meet the no. 3 seeds Eduard IONESCU and Darius MOVILEANU of Romania. In the Women’s Doubles Romania will have representatives on both sides of the table: Bianca MEI ROSU and Elena ZAHARIA will face Luciana MITROFAN partnering with Sara TOKIC of Slovenia. In the penultimate stage Maciej KUBIK and Milosz REDZIMSKI overcame Iulian CHIRITA and Andrei ISTRATE of Romania (3-11 7-11 5-11). “The match was not as easy as it seemed. We had very good tactics. The most important things were the service and receive. We varied the receives a lot and we were prepared for a third ball. So yes we played really well and we are happy ” said REDZIMSKI. “The final will be a different game because of the left-hander on the opponent’s side but we will prepare a different tactic and just fight.” KUBIK added “We will prepare the tactics and we will keep fighting like always. Having a left-hander as an adversary makes the doubles game different. For him it will be easier to receive and we have to adapt to that and come out with a tactic. At the moment I do not feel any pressure. We prepare together and communication during the match between teammates is very important. If we are both calm and talk during the game then we know that all goes well.” In the other semifinal match IONESCU and MOVILEANU overcame no. 11 seeds Ivor BAN and Borna PETEK of Croatia (9-11 1-11 8-11) who created a top-rated upset earlier at the tournament by beating the top seeds Hugo DESCHAMPS and Thibault PORET of France. “It was much more difficult than the results predicted especially playing against the left-hander BAN. However we set good tactics with our coach. We were able to open it first. With good tactics we made it easier ” explained IONESCU. In the forthcoming final they will meet KUBIK and REDZIMSKI. “We never played against them but we do not have any doubts about the quality of all Polish players here. They are all very dangerous. For sure it will be a very good match ” said MOVILEANU. The semifinal in the Women’s doubles highlighted the dominance of Romania’s pairings. Bianca MEI ROSU and Elena ZAHARIA teamed up for the first time but the no. 3 seeds showed superb game to overcome the top-seeded combination of Croatia’s Hana ARAPOVIC and Germany’s Sophia KLEE (11-9 11-4 6-11 11-5). “Bianca was the backbone of this success. She carried us to the victory with really good tactics. We have never played before but it was not a problem here in Skopje because we have good communication at the table ” said ZAHARIA. “We faced difficulties only in the third game because we are much more comfortable when I receive Hana’s service and Bianca is playing on KLEE.” Bianca MEI ROSU praised the atmosphere in the game. “Elena and I understand each other very well. It is great chemistry when we play together ” said Bianca following the end of the duel at the other table. “It is great that Luciana MITROFAN and Sara TOKIC won. That means three players of Romania’s C.S.M. Constanta will be in the final. It is going to be fun. We are looking forward to the match and the party afterward.” Luciana MITROFAN and Sara TOKIC overcame the French pairings Leana HOCHART and Elise PUJOL (11-8 12-10 10-12 11-3). MITROFAN was very happy after the victory. “My head is in shock and also my hand hurts a little bit but I can play and it is manageable. I hope I could manage the finals. I don’t want to think about the final at the moment. I have one more singles match today and I need to be focused on that. However we will play against my teammates and I will try to be as consistent as possible and play my best game.” TOKIC: “We are from different countries and don’t work together but it was not hard for us to prepare for this. We play the finals tomorrow and we are very excited for it. We are very good in doubles and understand each other well. The communication between us is very good out of the court we are very good friends and the good understanding between us as I said is the key to the success. Today it was 2:0 and 10:6 for us we already thought we will win but it was not easy they were mentally in the game and didn’t give up until the end. So it became very difficult but we managed to win and in our minds we were stronger so that is the result.”

In the Men’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Skopje Belgium’s Louis LAFFINEUR created one of the biggest upsets by defeating the leading name in the event and securing a place in the Round of 16. In the last match in group A in Stage two the 26th seed Louis LAFFINEUR overcame the number one seed Eduard IONESCU to book his place in the next stage. He recorded all three wins in the group. “I feel good because it was my last match of the group and decided who will take the first place. It is good; now I will finish first. IONESCU is a good player; he is the champion of Europe in the U19 category. So that makes me especially happy to win this match and now focus on the next duels. I kept a lot of pressure on him throughout the match. However when I was losing in the 4th game I said to myself: ‘Okay I don’t care about the score. If I win then great; if I lose then I continue in the next game ‘” explained LAFFINEUR. Belgium’s player continued “IONESCU was under so much pressure I don’t know why. We are young; sometimes it’s just like that. I entered the match really well; I won the first game and he was perhaps tense because he was a champion once and wants to win the title again.” LAFFINEUR reminded us about his misfortunes with injuries. “In the cadet category I was first in the European ranking and the world’s second. But then injuries came and I couldn’t continue playing in this category. However the most important is the senior category…” Maciej KUBIK of Poland and Ivor BAN of Croatia Iulian CHIRITA of Romania and Simon BELIK of Czechia also secured passage to the next stage. Thibault PORET of France joined them after a long duel against one of the nicest surprises of the event Spain’s Daniel BERZOSA. Unfortunately the duel against the Frenchman was the one Daniel lost and he also suffered an injury in the midst of the match but we all hope he will recover for tomorrow’s challenges. PORET said after the match “My backhand was good; I missed just a couple of shots in crucial moments which was great. In crucial moments I was okay. My choice in service made the difference in this tight match. I served very well in crucial moments. When the opponent asked for a medical timeout it did not influence my game. I focused on my game my tactics and in fact it was very good for me because I won the 3rd game. I do not feel pressure being first in the group. I will relax a little; I have a doubles match later on and I will be back to play that match. I try to play in the senior category to go up in the ranking and go in the top 100 in 2024.”  

The singles events at the European Under 21 Championships in Skopje reached the knockout stage after three days of fights in groups. Reigning champion Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia faced no difficulties on her way to the Round of 16 but for a few favorites it was a shaky road. ARAPOVIC overcame Anastasia STERNER of Austria Mari BALDWIN of England and Matilda HANSSON of Sweden. “I do not feel any pressure. I don’t expect anything; I just go into the next match and focus on that match only. We will see how it goes. Before the match there is preparation on tactics. However when a match starts I just focus on that one and play like every other one ” said ARAPOVIC who won the European Top 10 two years ago and will play in Busan at the World Championships next month. In Group B two players upset the rankings: Luciana MITROFAN of Romania and Elise PUJOL of France both exceeded their seedings and reached the knockout stage. Elena ZAHARIA of Romania justified her status in Group C where Leana HOCHART of France created an upset and reached the next stage. Helena SOMEROVA of Czechia recorded all three wins including the one over the No. 4 seed Martine TOFTAKER of Norway and Maria BERSOZA of Spain. “I hope again to win in the next match and I am so happy now. My expectations are to reach the quarterfinals maybe but I am very happy because I won against BERSOZA who is a surprise of this tournament. She played so well but what made the difference was my successful attack ” said SOMEROVA. In the same group Matilde PINTO of Portugal also booked her place in the third stage. She joined Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland and Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine. The No. 6 seed Sophia KLEE also won all three matches in her group. The final victory in her line of successes was against Ilona SZTWIERTNIA of Poland. “Since the beginning of stage two it’s been really difficult but now I am really happy to win the group and go to the best of 16. I am happy that I could manage this and I am looking forward to the next stage. I am ready to play to have fun and really looking forward to playing the following matches ” said KLEE. Germany’s player was the European Doubles champion in the U15 category won the Europe top 10 and U19 in teams. Her best results include the runner-up position last year at the European U21 Championship. “A year and a half ago I started living in Dusseldorf where I practice with the women’s national team and my whole life right now is about table tennis. I practice twice a day and fight to improve to get better… and yes this is a very important tournament for me; it is my last one in this category.”

Titleholder Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia recorded two wins in Stage Two of the Women’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Skopje. Unlike the number one seed Nicole ARLIA of Italy faced more pressure and lost a match against Luciana MITROFAN of Romania. ARAPOVIC overcame Anastasia STERNER of Austria and Mari BALDWIN of England while in Group B last year’s semifinalist ARLIA prevailed against Josephina NEUMANN of Germany before losing to MITROFAN. “In the first game my adversary played more defensively but after I returned and gained a 2-1 3-1 lead I saw that she wanted to attack more and win more points. I think that she was not focused enough. She lost focus because of her disappointment and I on the contrary was focused all the time especially when attacking and that made the difference. After I won a couple of poiunts I saw that she was upset angry even kind of lost and I managed to keep my thoughts together. I am very satisfied with my game and the results and I hope to improve my game and results here ” said MITROFAN. Reigning European Under 19 champion Elena ZAHARIA is heating up and she overcame Sara TOKIC of Slovenia and Lena HOCHART of France who also suffered at the hands of the 19-year-old Nomin BAASAN of Sweden. “I was really nervous in the 6th set but I tried to stick to the tactics. Sometimes I have these moments in matches and that made an impact on my serve and my game and the adversary controlled the match in those moments. After that I reminded myself that I need to stick to the tactics. I can cope with such tense moments follow my tactics and not change anything unless it’s not working ” said BAASAN. Helena SOMEROVA of Czechia created an upset by beating Martine TOFTAKER of Norway the number 4 seed. Similarly Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland overcame Ines MATOS of Portugal the number 7 seed.