STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal Cristian PLETEA of Romania and Denis IVONIN of Russia beat Simon SODERLUND of Sweden and Cedric MEISSNER of Germany in the final of the Junior Boy’s Doubles Event to clinch gold at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. Istvan MOLNAR of Hungary and Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova and Patrik JUHASZ and Norbert NAGY of Hungary won bronze medal.   Denis IVONIN was overwhelmed with emotions after the ultimate match.   “I am so proud. I waited so long for this gold. I have seven silver medals so far ” said IVONIN. For PLETEA is also first gold in Junior’s category.   “It was very hard journey. I think we were challenged more in the semis then in the final ” said PLETEA.   In the semi final PLETEA and IVONIN beat Istvan MOLNAR of Hungary and Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova. They lost only one game.   “We faced very strong partnership of left-hander and right-hander. IVONIN and I know each other for a very long time but we played for first time at the European Championships together. Although we have some experience of playing together at the Open tournaments ” explained PELETEA.   SODERLUND and MEISSNER overcame Patrik JUHASZ and Norbert NAGY of Hungary in straight games to reach the final.   “We played very calm and well. We felt their service and receive game. What was the problem was the fact that we did not know what to expect from Hungarian pairings. In the final we will play without the pressure at all ” said SODERLUND.     Final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) Denis IVONIN (Russia) – Simon SODERLUND (Sweden) Cedric MEISSNER (Germany) 3:0 (11:7 11:8 11:9) Semi final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) Denis IVONIN (Russia) – Istvan MOLNAR (Hungary) Andrei PUTUNTICA (Moldova) 3:1 (11:7 6:11 11:8 11:9) Patrik JUHASZ Norbert NAGY (Hungary) – Simon SODERLUND (Sweden) Cedric MEISSNER (Germany) 0:3 (8:11 7:11 11:13)

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal   Germany’s Sophia KLEE and Anastasia BONDAREVA succeeded to the top step at the medal rostrum in the Cadet Girls Doubles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. In the final they overcame Arina SLAUTINA and Nataliya MALININA of Russia. Bronze medal winners are Ekaterina ZIRONOVA and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia and Ozge YILMAZ and Ece HARAC of Turkey.   Germany’s pairings were under pressure only in the opening game but once they settle into the rhythm they prevailed without great difficulties.   “It is incredible feeling. We played so many hard matches on our way to the gold. Not only in final but also in semis it was very difficult to overcame ZIRONOVA and ABRAAMIAN ” said KLEE.   In the semi final both Russia’s pairings stared good but only one reached ultimate stage. SLAUTINA and MALININA were 2:0 up before Ozge YILMAZ and Ece HARAC of Turkey recovered to level.   “We lost the focus and we let our adversary to come back into the game. In fifth we were in the dangerous situation again after 9:5 it was 9:10. We started to play much more safe and we were focused to put the ball at the table ” explained SLAUTINA.   KLEE and BONDAREVA were two games down against Ekaterina ZIRONOVA and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia and they pulled out a remarkable recovery.   “We knew we have to change our attitude and to play more clever. I guess we were not fighting enough for each ball but we started to play more aggressive and it was much better. Still we had 9:9 in the decisive game so it was not easy at all ” said BONDAREVA. Final Sophia KLEE Anastasia BONDAREVA (Germany) – Arina SLAUTINA Nataliya MALININA (Russia) (9:11 11:2 11:7 11:8) Semi final Ekaterina ZIRONOVA Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) – Sophia KLEE Anastasia BONDAREVA (Germany) 2:3 (11:9 11:8 6:11 8:11 9:11) Arina SLAUTINA Nataliya MALININA (Russia)- Ozge YILMAZ Ece HARAC (Turkey) 3:2 (11:9 11:8 5:11 7:11 12:10)

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal   Europe has new champions in Cadet Boys Doubles Event. In Portugal at the STAG 2017 European Championships Truls MOREGARDH and Martin FRIIS of Sweden beat Vladimir SIDORENKO and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia on their way to the first gold. Bronze medal winners are Jules CAVAILLE and Myshaal SABHI of France and Bilal HAMACHE and Dorian ZHENG also from France.   Top seeds failed to justify their positions in the battle against the pairings seeded at the position no. two.   “It was very close match but we knew what to expect. We stayed calm even when we were in reverse ” said FRIIS. ” We were challenged but I think that duel against RINDERER and WETZEL was the toughest for us at the tournament.”   In the semi final SIDORENKO and GREBNEV lost the opening game against Jules CAVAILLE and Myshaal SABHI of France but as soon as they settled into the rhythm it was one-way street match.   “It was not easy because we were nervous. It is our first final in Doubles and it is first time that we played against French pairings. After losing the first game our coach told us to calm down and to be focused only on table tennis ” said SIDORENKO.   MOREGARDH and FRIIS needed two games to start the engine in the morning session against Bilal HAMACHE and Dorian ZHENG of France.   “We had a strong team spirit so we managed to overcame 0:2. It was the first game today and unfortunately we missed few easy balls at the beginning. From the third game we started to attack more to the backhand since French pairings has very strong forehand ” said MOREGARDH.   Final Vladimir SIDORENKO Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) – Truls MOREGARDH Martin FRIIS (Sweden) 2:3 (11:13 11:9 9:11 11:6 6:11) Semi final Vladimir SIDORENKO Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) – Jules CAVAILLE Myshaal SABHI (France) 3:1 (7:11 11:8 11:7 11:6) Bilal HAMACHE Dorian ZHENG (France) – Truls MOREGARDH Martin FRIIS (Sweden) 2:3 (11:7 13:11 7:11 7:11 8:11)

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal   After the success in the Cadet Girls Teams Event Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia added another gold to her collection. In the final of the Cadet Girls Singles Event she overcame Wenna TU of Germany.Bronze medal winners are Anastasia BONDAREVA of Germany and Elena – Adriana ZAHARIA of Romania.   Elizabet ABRAAMIAN needed six games to prevailed against TU in the final.   “It was close match like every time when we played against each other ” said Elizabet ABRAAMIAN.   In the semi final Wenna TU established quick lead against her teammate Anastasia BONDAREVA. Anastasia managed to respond but TU was in command when it came to the finish.   “It is the first time I reached the final in singles. I was nerveous in the beginning but from the start I was aggressive with my game. I won won because I was mentally better ” said TU. “All I want is to play my best table tennis ever.”   Elizabet ABRAAMIAN gave Elena – Adriana ZAHARIA of Romania very little chance.   “It was a hard match. I was ready mentally and tactically. Last time we met I won 4:3 now I was much better ” said ABRAAMIAN.   Semi final Wenna TU (Germany) – Anastasia BONDAREVA (Germany) 4:2 (11:8 11:5 7:11 11:6 8:11 11:4) Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) – Elena – Adriana ZAHARIA (Romania) 4:1 (11:7 9:11 11:8 11:4 11:9) Final Wenna TU (Germany) – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) 2:4 (7:11 11:7 7:11 3:11 13:11 6:11)

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal   For a second time in the row Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia clinched the gold in the Cadet Boys Singles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. In the final he overcame Truls MOREGARDH of Sweden. Bronze medal winners are Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia.   SIDORENKO faced very strong adversary in the final of the Event.   “Truls had advantage. I was always in reverse against him he was the one who set the lead. It was so hard for me to defend the title. It was even harder then to won it first time ” said SIDORENKO.   On his way to the fourth final SIDORENKO overcame Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland.   “I already succeeded against him in the Team’s Event so I knew how to prepare the good tactics. The second game was important I recovered and won it by narrow margin ” said SIDORENKO.   Once again MOREGARDH had a slow start at the Championships. Maksim GREBNEV of Russia had 3:1 advantage before Swede got wake up call and move to another gear.   “I can not be very unhappy with my game the point is that Maksim played very well. I had a tactics for him I prepared myself but he showed extra class. His game was errorless and he put every ball to the table. I had to wait for my moment ” said MOREGARDH.     Semi final Vladimir SIDORENKO (Russia)- Samuel KULCZYCKI (Poland) 4:2 (8:11 11:9 11:7 8:11 11:6 11:5) Truls MOREGARDH (Sweden) – Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) 4:3 (3:11 11:6 4:11 4:11 11:6 13:11 11:7) Final Vladimir SIDORENKO (Russia)- Truls MOREGARDH (Sweden) 4:2 (7:11 7:11 11:9 11:7 11:5 15:13)    

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal   In the thrilling seven games duel Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece beat Romania’s Cristian PLETEA to clinch the title in the Junior Boy’s Singles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. Bronze medal winners are Simon SODERLUND of Sweden and Rares SIPOS оf Romania.   Breathtaking final between SGOUROPOULOS and PLETEA insured us that the future of Old Continent’s table tennis is more then bright. In the fierce battle worth closing stages of the Continental Championships Greek player showed more skills and better nervous in the end.   “I struggled with the fatigue in the middle of tha match after I was 3:1 up. PLETEA recovered and returned into the game. He was in the lead in seventh game but I forced myself to calm down ” explained SGOUROPOULOS.   In the semi final Cristian PLETEA beat Simon SODERLUND of Sweden in straight but very close games.   “Three games concluded by narrow margin today. It was because the pressure that semi final brought. I have the game for SODERLUND and I know how to beat him. Recently only two months ago it was the same straight games win. However the match for the final at the European championships is different story. Everything is harder here ” said PLETEA.   Unlike in the first semis the other encounter was stretched to full distance. Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS needed seven games to overcame Rares SIPOS оf Romania. He won after he was 1:3 down.   “I started the match by being anxious. So far SIPOS has the better record against me. When I was 1:3 down I started to play closer to the table used my forehand more ” said Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS.     Semi final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) – Simon SODERLUND (Sweden) 4:0 (11:6 12:10 12:10 11:9) Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS (Greece) – Rares SIPOS (Romania) 4:3 (8:11 11:6 9:11 10:12 11:7 12:10 11:4) Final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) – Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS (Greece) (9:11 12:10 8:11 9:11 11:7 11:3 10:12)

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships   Newly crowned champions at the Junior Mixed Doubles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships are Jules ROLLAND and Lucie GAUTHIER of France. In the final they overcame Denis IVONIN and Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia. Bronze medalist are Nikita ARTEMENKO and Anna KRASIKOVA of Russia and Cristian PLETEA and Adina DIACONU of Romania   French pairings were 2:1 in reverse before they recovered to level.   “It was very close match. We faced three match balls in the decisive game but I think we were stronger mentally. We believed more that we could win ” said ROLLAND.   Jules ROLLAND Lucie GAUTHIER faced no problems in the penultimate stage of the Event. Russia’s Nikita ARTEMENKO and Anna KRASIKOVA failed to put any pressure on their adversaries.   “We wanted to win the opening game because in the matches of best of five it is very important. After the opening game our adversaries were mentally down. We also wanted to prevent ARTEMENKO of playing on his forehand. We won many points on receive service game ” said Jules ROLLAND.   In other match of the semi final Denis IVONIN and Mariia TAILAKOVA beat Cristian PLETEA and Adina DIACONU the winners of the title in Mixed Doubles as cadets in 2014.   “It was not an easy game as the results predicts. We try to halt Adina’s attempt to use the forehand and against PLETEA we played soft balls on his backhand. We did a lot of variation in service game down or no spin service ” said TAILAKOVA.     Last years champions KHANIN and TRIGOLOS were not on duty in Portugal. KHANIN is no longer junior so TROGOLOS played with Greece’s SGOUROPOULOS and reached the Round of 32.    Semi final Cristian PLETEA Adina DIACONU (Romania)- Denis IVONIN Mariia TAILAKOVA (Russia) 0:3 (9:11 8:11 8:11) Nikita ARTEMENKO Anna KRASIKOVA (Russia) – Jules ROLLAND Lucie GAUTHIER (France) 0:3 (6:11 2:11 6:11) Final Denis IVONIN Mariia TAILAKOVA (Russia) -Jules ROLLAND Lucie GAUTHIER (France) 2:3 (4:11 11:7 11:9 12:14 9:11)

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships   The winners of the Cadet Mixed Doubles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Guimaraes are Vladimir SIDORENKO and Ekaterina ZIRONOVA of Russia. In the final they overcame Vladislav MAKAROV and Nataliya MALININA of Russia. Bronze medals winners are Martin FRIIS and Rebecca MUSKANTOR of Sweden and Daniel RINDERER and Anastasia BONDAREVA of Germany.   SIDORENKO and ZIRONOVA both winners of their respective Team’s Events earlier this week started the match in big style. Fearless game leads them into very fast 2:0 before they realized they could win.   “We were confident but in the third game we realized we are so close to the gold. We started to struggle a little but soon we rebuilt our confidence to seal the match ” said SIDORENKO. ”Ekaterina played perfectly at that point despite the fact that she was not very happy to play against lefthander.”   In the semi final SIDORENKO and ZIRONOVA never managed to create wider gap but they were always one step forward against Sweden’s Martin FRIIS and Rebecca MUSKANTOR.   “It was difficult match. There were four lefthanders at the table. That gave us hard time to prepare the tactics. Service and receive was important so we managed to be good with the first ball ” said SIDORENKO who teamed up with ZIRONOVA not long before the start of the STAG 2017 EYC.   Vladislav MAKAROV and Nataliya MALININA also started to play together recently. They worked together in the preparation camp in Russia but they do not have international experience. It was visible at the beginning of the penultimate stage match against Daniel RINDERER and Anastasia BONDAREVA of Germany.   “I was nervous so we needed a time to settle into the rhythm. First game was very close. Later everything fits in its place ” said MAKAROV.” BONDARENKO is very powerful player good rubbers but I am good with block and spin.”    Semi final Vladimir SIDORENKO Ekaterina ZIRONOVA (Russia) – Martin FRIIS Rebecca MUSKANTOR (Sweden) 3:0 (12:10 11:8 12:10) Vladislav MAKAROV Nataliya MALININA (Russia) – Daniel RINDERER Anastasia BONDAREVA (Germany) 3:0 (17:15 11:6 11:8) Final Vladimir SIDORENKO Ekaterina ZIRONOVA (Russia) – Vladislav MAKAROV Nataliya MALININA (Russia) 3:0 (11:4 11:4 12:10)  

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships   With two juniors in the semi final of the Girls Singles Event Russia continued with their dominancy at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia beat Luisa SAGER of Germany in the quarters (6 7 8 -10 5) whilst Anastasia KOLISH overcame Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania (10 -8 8 6 6).   “I was not nervous nor under pressure. The exception was the last game when I had to close the match in fifth game. It is my first medal in singles. I am so happy that I won it because last time when I played against DRAGOMAN I lost ” said KOLISH.   Unfortunately for Russia only one will reach the finals since they will meet each other tomorrow morning.   In other semi final top seeded Adina DIACONU of Romania will play against NING Jing of Azerbaijan. DIACONU beat Jennie WOLF of Germany (6 7 6 -12 10). NING overcame Kristina KAZANTSEVA of Russia (-9 9 5 8 8).   “In the two last games I had a hard time. WOLF found the answer to my game. I put a lot of spin to my balls and try to get German player far from the table. I never lost against her and since I was out of the game in all other Events I feel even more motivated to reach the title in singles ” said Adina.   In the Cadet Girls Singles Event for the place in the semis Wenna TU of Germany beat Arina SLAUTINA of Russia (9 10 -4 4 9).   “Before and at the start of the match I was nervous. It is my first medal ever at the European Championships and first time that we met each other ” admitted Wenna TU.   She will meet her compatroiot Anastasia BONDAREVA who overcame Ece HARAC of Turkey (-5 7 -10 3 10 -5 8). Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia beat Prithika PAVADE of France (-7 8 5 7 -6 5). Elena – Adriana ZAHARIA of Romania prevailed against Nataliya MALININA of Russia (8 2 -8 -8 7 8).   “Since the beginning of the match I was very emotional. It was the first time that I played against her and my first medal here. I already had one in Team’s not in singles. I struggled to attack her on the backhand ” said ZAHARIA.

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships European cadet singles champions from 2015 Cristian PLETEA of Romania is in the semi final of the Junior Singles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. In quarterfinal he halted the progress of Tom JARVIS of England 4:1 (7 10 -5 2 10).   “Tom is very strong both on attack and in defense. He has a many variations on the service. I had to attack him to the middle and also to change my service game ” said PLETEA. “It is my first semis as a junior and I am feeling very well.”   He will meet Simon SODERLUND of Sweden who overcame Carlo ROSSI of Italy (8 9 4 8). Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece enjoyed his day by playing against Artur ABUSEV of Russia. Last game he won 11:0 (3 9 -6 6 0). He will meet Rares SIPOS оf Romania who beat Gerrit ENGEMANN of Germany (-10 6 -7 10 4 9).   “I avenged my defeat in the Team’s Event against ENGEMANN. Then I was 10:5 in the decisive game and I lost. Now in the Singles I was 2:8 down in the sixth game and I won 11:9.” Explained SIPOS. “Now I felt fresh ENGEMANN had a very safe game so kept my flip under control.”   In the Cadet Boys Singles Event reigning champion Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia reached the medal rostrum. In the quarterfinal he beat Olav KOSOLOSKY of Belgium 4:1 (8 7 10 -10 3).   “Olav KOSOLOSKY had a very good tactics against me ” said SIDORENKO. “ Against Samuel I played few times before and I know it is going to be a close encounter.”   For the final he will meet Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland. Polish player overcame Bilal HAMACHE of France 4:0 (7 7 7 9).   “I played incredibly well HILAL was not at the top of his game. So far it is best match that I have played in Portugal. I am so happy I won the medal here ” said Samuel KULCZYCKI.   Maksim GREBNEV of Russia beat Dorian ZHENG of France 4:3 (8 -11 8 -7 8 -10 8). Truls MOREGARDH of Sweden beat Frantisek ONDERKA of Czech Republic 4:1 (7 -5 4 7 7)