LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships   Newly crowned European champion HU Melek of Turkey showed no mercy in the final of the LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships in Budapest; at the penultimate stage of the Women’s Singles Event she overcame FU Yu of Portugal 4:1 (11:3 11:2 11:4 10:12 11:7). LI Jie of Netherlands and Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania won bronze medals.   “I am happy the way I played today. I am not afraid any more of the penholders. I was very confident and I had right feeling for the ball ” said HU.   YU just said:”She was very fast. I had no answer to her game.”   In the semi final HU Melek showed no trace of fear in the match against LI Jie of Netherlands 4:0 (11:5 11:3 11:3 11:6). She was in fast lane for final. Turkish player had a lot of chances for practising in past few days against defenders even yesterday she played two matches against HAN Ying and Polina MIHKAILOVA so she was ready for the challenge. With her top spin and killing short ball that followed she was a nightmer for LI. It was risky but it paid off.   «For sure LI showed very little from her usual game. She was far from her best. Yesterday I had to play long matches and to use my back spin so today I decided to be more aggresive and to attack » said HU.   As opposed to first semi final the duel between Elizabeta SAMARA and YU Fu was everything but one way fast affair. The European champion from 2015 streched YU to full sistance 3:4 (8:11 12:10 5:11 13:11 14:12 8:11 11:8) but after firce battle she lost her crown. In phusical aspect of game it was YU who dominate SAMARA was one step behing all the time.   «We both struggled with the receive of service. In addition I had a difficulties with the ball. It bounced a little bit strange » said YU.  

LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships   In a clash for a first ever title in the Doubles Event at the LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany and Jonathan GROTH of Denmark clinched gold. In the final they beat Jakub DYJAS and Daniel GORAK of Poland 4:2 (4:11 11:4 11:5 7:11 11:7 12:10).   Tiago APOLONIA and Joao GERALDO of Portugal and runners up from Herning 2012 Kristian KARLSSON and Mattias KARLSSON of Sweden clinched bronze medals.   It was the only third appearance for the winners at the big events. Previously they clinched the title in Croatia open and reached the semifinal of the Czech Open.   “We did not have much experiences. That is why we were little bit nervous in the final. To be honest last time I played the final it was in 2010 against Timo BOLL and Christian SUSS ….In addition DYJAS and GORAK played very good. They are very dangerous on short and long balls. It was hard to keep them under the control ” said GROTH.   Sixth game was very important. Polish pairings had three game balls for the decisive game but GROTH and FRANZISKA converted it into their victory.   “Patrick received very good at that point. Also we were already with our minds in the seventh game ” said DYJAS.   Even after defeat in the final Polish player had fantastic Championships. Bronze in the Singles Event and Silver in Doubles is great achievement.   “Everything will look better tomorrow. I played good and the results are great but it will take time before I recovered from todays defeats. It is not easy..”      

LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships   In 2013 in Austria’s Schwechat Petrissa SOLJA and Sabine WINTER were doubles partners when they clinched the gold at the European Championships. This time they were at the opposite sides of the table in the all – German clash for the crown in the Women’s Doubles Event at the LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships in Budapest. Partnering Kristin SILBEREISEN it was Sabine who reached the top of the medal rostrum once again. SOLJA and SHAN Xiaona won silver 4:3 (12:10 8:11 11:8 11:8 3:11 7:11 11:8).   “Like now in Austria I also faced my teammates. I used to it. The match is over and now we will be together and having good time together again ” said WINTER.   In the final it was very close game at the beginning; WINTER and SILBEREISEN won the opening game by the narrow margin before SOLJA and SHAN Xiaona promptly responded. In next two games WINTER and SILBEREISEN dominated but in fifth their adversaries put the pressure on. With 9:0 on the scoreboard the fifth game was decided very fast in favor of SOLJA and SHAN. In the same pace they continued and pushed to the decider.   “In the seventh game after 8:8 the umpire ruled the fault service. I do not want to judge was this decision correct or not but the fact is that we played few very good points before and after that. It was important moment but before that we already melted their advantage and leveled the game ” said SILBEREISEN.   SOLJA added: ”I am very disappointed.“   The only medal for the host nation has been won by Dora MARADARASZ and Szandra PERGEL. They shared the bronze with European champions from 2012 in Herning and 2009 in Stuttgart Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN and Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania.  

LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships   On the penultimate day of the play in the Men’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships Jakub DYJAS of Poland crowned his great run in Budapest with the medal. Tomorrow he will meet Emmanuel LEBESSON in the semi final. France already secured two medals. Simon GAUZY will play against Timo BOLL. After great success and victory over Dimitrij OVTCHAROV yesterday Jakub DYJAS beat Joao MONTEIRO of Portugal (11-8 11-7 11-5 9-11 11-5) and KOU Lei of Slovakia (6-11 11-4 11-9 11-6 11-7) today to reach the medal rostrum.   “I enjoy my game here. Even against MONTEIRO I could win 4:0 ” said DYJAS.” Against KOU I was little bit worried because of my service. It was too low but it worked fine.”   In Round of 16 KOU Lei accounted for Swede Anton KALLBERG (10-12 11-8 11-6 11-9 5-11 11-9).   Emmanuel LEBESSON of France overcame Stefan FEGERL of Austria (6-11 11-8 10-12 10-12 12-10 9-11) before he secured the medal in the duel against Marcos FREITAS of Portugal (8-11 11-9 11-13 11-6 11-7 11-9).   “ I could finish the match in the fifth game but FEGERL never gives up ” said LEBESSON for his first today’s encounter. “It was crazy game against FREITAS especially the last set. I cannot say it was good game both of us made a lot of errors but at the end it is important I won”.   For the duel against DYJAS French player added: ”He beat OVTCHAROV here he will be very dangerous.”   In morning session Marcos FREITAS overcame Swede Kristian KARLSSON (11-6 6-11 4-11 3-11 7-11).   “I started with one tactic then I lost opening game. I changed and started with the longer rallies. It proved as a good decision said FREITAS.   Simon GAUZY prevailed against Robert GARDOS of Austria in the quarterfinal (5-11 11-8 11-8 6-11 11-8 11-5).   “Robi is known as a one of the strongest players and big fighter. I managed to push him back from the table with my forehand; that put me in good position to control the game” said GAUZY.   Timo BOLL of Germany recovered from the two games to null in reverse to beat Benedek OLAH of Finland. Once he settled in the rhythm it was almost impossible to stop him (6-11 8-11 11-8 11-3 11-5 11:8).   In the Round of 16 Jonathan GROTH of Denmark put Timo BOLL on severe test but after seven games battle record holder prevailed (7-11 13-11 1-11 11-4 8-11 11-8 11-1).   “I am struggling with my shape. After the Olympics I had a break and this is my first tournament. In addition GROTH did not made my life any easier. He was very good today ” said BOLL.   Benedek OLAH was the first Finish player to secure his place in the Olympic Games. To day he reached the quarterfinal of the European Championships for a first time. He beat Daniel GORAK of Poland (3-11 11-5 11-6 11-9 8-11 11-6).   “I did not start well but I managed to find my game in time. GORAK is a dangerous player. I was cautious. I am also struggling with the pains in my foot ” said OLAH.  

LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships   In the semi final of the Women’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships HU Melek will meet LI Jie whilst Elizabeta SAMARA will meet FU Yu.   HU Melek reached the penultimate stage after the victory over top seeded HAN Ying of Germany (7-11 11-9 9-11 8-11 11-8 9-11).   “I had to try everything to beat her. It was very long match. Sometimes I felt like I am hitting the wall everything came back. HAN is top World player ” said HU.   Previously Polina MIKHAILOVA suffered by the hands of HU (11-7 11-9 5-11 4-11 9-11 9-11).   In the Round of 16 HAN Ying overcame Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN of Romania (11-3 11-3 7-11 14-12 12-10). All games were very close but last two concluded by narrowest of margins.   “It was really long game. In the final stages of the match I lost my focus ” said HAN.   To reach Round of 4 LI Je of Netherlands overcame Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden in seven games (16-14 14-16 9-11 4-11 13-11 11-7 11-6). It was the same outcome like earlier this year in the Olympic Qualifications in Sweden.   “I started good but then she improved her top spin. I could not block her; I was in great problem but I did not want to think of it. I just continued to play ” said LI. “Against HU I played twice before and lost. However now it is new chance for me.”   Round earlier LI Jie easily prevailed against Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus in straight games (11-6 11-8 11-3 11-8).   “I did not prepare any tactics. I just entered the arena and started to play. I do not like to think about my adversaries before the match. I am just focused on my game ” said LI.   In Round of 16 EKHOLM reduced the number of German players on the field. She beat SHAN SHAN Xiaona (11-7 6-11 5-11 11-8 11-6 11-5).   “I started very well but latter maybe I was focused to much on the tactics and not on what was going on. I lost two games before I recovered ” said EKHOLM.   No. two seed Petrissa SOLJA is also out after the quarterfinal matches. She suffered by the hands of YU Fu of Portugal (11-8 11-9 11-7 9-11 8-11 9-11 11-5). YU inflicted the pain in the harts of the host nation supporters by beating Georgina POTA of Hungary in Round 16 (11-5 11-2 5-11 11-7 5-11 2-11 7-11).   After the match POTA cried in the mixed zone area but even visibly shaken she did not forget her fans. She disappeared for a few minutes to calm down and come back to sign the autographs for fans at the stands.   “POTA get an extra power from the fans. They made incredible atmosphere. It was very hard to play against her ” said YU.   In the same round Petrissa SOLJA needed only four games to beat Maria DOLGIKH of Russia (3-11 4-11 7-11 1-11).   “ I enjoyed this match. Everything I planed happened. Every stroke worked well. I was very relaxed ” said SOLJA.   Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania needed six games to secure her place in the semis. She beat Kristin SILBEREISEN of Germany (11-5 13-11 9-11 7-11 13-15 11-13).   “I had a set ball in the second game but I missed it I could of made my life less difficult for sure ” Said SAMARA.” Now I have to focu on my game against FU. we are in the same club in France so there will be no big secrets tomorow.”   Previously Kristin SILBEREISEN of Germany beat NI Xia Lian of Luxembourg but she had to go all seven games to achieve that. Kristin was 1:3 in reverse before she recovered.   “At that point I changed my service game and I started to play more aggressive ” said SILBEREISEN.   Elizabeta SAMARA prevailed against Sabine WINTER in the Round of 16 (12-10 5-11 9-11 8-11 9-11).   “In the third game Sabine was on the way to win that set. It was important to stop her then. I did it and regain complete control ” said SAMARA.

LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships   Germany secured one gold in tomorrow’s Women’s Doubles and will play for another in Men’s Doubles final. In the all- German final of the Women’s Doubles Event at the 2016 ITTF LIEBHERR European Championships Kristin SILBEREISEN and Sabine WINTER of Germany will meet SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA.   Both German pairings recovered to win their semi final encounters. SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA prevailed against European champions from 2012 in Herning and 2009 in Stuttgart Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN and Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania (12-14 12-10 4-11 11-3 11-9 9-11 8-11).   “Now we are not under the stress any more. We secured gold and silver for Germany. In addition we played against our final adversaries so many time in Bundesliga and we know each other very well. We can go and have the coffee together after that match ” said SOLJA.   Inspired by the enthusiastic supporters Dora MARADARASZ and Szandra PERGEL had a good start against SILBEREISEN and WINTER. Hungarian players had 3:1 lead before German pairings recovered (11-7 11-8 8-11 11-6 8-11 6-11 9-11).   “After we were down 1:3 we changed the tactics. Mostly we changed the service. We had to put a little bit more of variations in the game ” said WINTER.   In Men’s Doubles Final Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany and Jonathan GROTH of Denmark will meet Jakub DYJAS and Daniel GORAK of Poland.   German pairings prevailed against runners up from Herning 2012 Kristian KARLSSON and Mattias KARLSSON of Sweden (11-4 11-6 11-6 11-13 13-11).   “I am happy with the way we played in three opening game but after that we became little bit nervous. We realized we are close to the final. It put some pressure on us. The last two game were very close ” said GROTH.   DYJAS and GORAK beat Tiago APOLONIA and Joao GERALDO of Portugal on their way to the ultimate stage (11-9 12-10 9-11 7-11 11-6 11-9).   “The combination of Denmark’s and German player is very good but since we get so far we will not give up. We are very confident in our game ” said DYJAS.