It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of legendary Soviet coach Yuriy GAZARIAN. GAZARIAN has passed away today at the age of 82. He was especially praised in Soviet Republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan. GAZARIAN`s coaching career has started in 1952 in his hometown Baku. During his tenure as a coach Yuriy raised more than 20 Soviet players who later became notable coaches by themselves. His most outstanding students were Nikolay NOVIKOV and Nina POGOSOVA. To his last days Gazarian was active member of Russian table tennis community providing his incredible knowledge to the youth. Participants of the STAG 2017 European Under 21 Championships showed respect by dedicationg a moment of silence during the todays program.
Legendary Soviet coach Yuriy GAZARIAN passed away
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of legendary Soviet coach Yuriy GAZARIAN. GAZARIAN has passed away today at the age of 82. He was especially praised in Soviet Republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan. GAZARIAN`s coaching career has started in 1952 in his hometown Baku. During his tenure as a coach Yuriy raised more than 20 Soviet players who later became notable coaches by themselves. His most outstanding students were Nikolay NOVIKOV and Nina POGOSOVA. To his last days Gazarian was active member of Russian table tennis community providing his incredible knowledge to the youth. Participants of the STAG 2017 European Under 21 Championships showed respect by dedicationg a moment of silence during the todays program.
Shock outcomes take headlines in opening matches in Antibes
2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Friday 3rd February marked the start of the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup competition in Antibes France and the morning session of action on the opening day was filled with much drama across both the Men’s and Women’s Singles categories. Emmanuel LEBESSON has given the home crowd plenty to cheer about after he picked up one of the biggest results in his professional career to date. Crowned Men’s Singles champion at the LIEBHERR 2016 European Championships LEBESSON was adamant about continuing his fine form and achieved a shock fifth game win over Vladimir SAMSONOV (15-13 4-11 11-6 6-11 9-11). “It’s a big win for me because I didn’t know my form before this tournament and I’m happy to beat this type of player because he is just hard player in the group and I know that this afternoon will also be very hard to win against two big players. It is really good to win the first match and to win as fast as you can because it’s the first match we will see this afternoon. I will try to rest to have energy for this afternoon…” Emmanuel LEBESSON. The fans were left stunned after the start of play at the Azur Arena as Marcos FREITAS champion from the 2014 Europe Top 12 competition suffered an opening match defeat. FREITAS is seeded fourth for the Men’s Singles competition and was hoping to get his campaign in Antibes off to a strong start. However the Portuguese competitor struggled to get into his encounter against Croatia’s Andrej GACINA and after just three games the match was over and ended up in GACINA’s favor (9-11 7-11 3-11). “I’m happy I played really well and I had good tactics. It was important to change the tactics all the time during the match I was leading the game all the time and this gave me confidence. I received his serve really well which was key and after that it was much easier. We are teammates in Russia we know each other very well we have played many times. I will give my best and see what happens” Andrej GACINA. Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS went into the day having never previously managed to progress beyond the group stages at the Europe Top 16. 2017 could well be her year however after she made the best possible start to the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup with a breath- taking 3-2 victory over Poland’s LI Qian (6-11 12-10 11-8 8-11 12-10). “I am really happy because I didn’t star well in the last two Europe Top 16 competition and I never went through the group stage. I beat a top player I’m really happy that I beat her because the last time I played against her I lost 0-3 but I have beaten her before. It’s a really good result for me” Bernadette SZOCS. Next up for SZOCS is a tie with Belarusian player Viktoria PAVLOVICH who also picked up a surprising win in her opening match as she saw off the no.4 seed LI Jie in straight games (11-7 14-12 12-10). Elsewhere in the Women’s Singles competition there was a fantastic performance from Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN who overcame the LIEBHERR 2016 European Championships Women’s Singles title winner HU Melek without dropping a single game (…) “I feel very good because I’ve had a long break. For about three years I didn’t play because of my injury and my baby and I’m happy to have a good result in the first match because I have a very tough group. Normally against Georgina POTA I win often and last time I lost also against Sofia Polcanova but this result is good for me and I hope in the next matches that I can do better” Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN.
Shock outcomes take headlines in opening matches in Antibes
2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Friday 3rd February marked the start of the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup competition in Antibes France and the morning session of action on the opening day was filled with much drama across both the Men’s and Women’s Singles categories. Emmanuel LEBESSON has given the home crowd plenty to cheer about after he picked up one of the biggest results in his professional career to date. Crowned Men’s Singles champion at the LIEBHERR 2016 European Championships LEBESSON was adamant about continuing his fine form and achieved a shock fifth game win over Vladimir SAMSONOV (15-13 4-11 11-6 6-11 9-11). “It’s a big win for me because I didn’t know my form before this tournament and I’m happy to beat this type of player because he is just hard player in the group and I know that this afternoon will also be very hard to win against two big players. It is really good to win the first match and to win as fast as you can because it’s the first match we will see this afternoon. I will try to rest to have energy for this afternoon…” Emmanuel LEBESSON. The fans were left stunned after the start of play at the Azur Arena as Marcos FREITAS champion from the 2014 Europe Top 12 competition suffered an opening match defeat. FREITAS is seeded fourth for the Men’s Singles competition and was hoping to get his campaign in Antibes off to a strong start. However the Portuguese competitor struggled to get into his encounter against Croatia’s Andrej GACINA and after just three games the match was over and ended up in GACINA’s favor (9-11 7-11 3-11). “I’m happy I played really well and I had good tactics. It was important to change the tactics all the time during the match I was leading the game all the time and this gave me confidence. I received his serve really well which was key and after that it was much easier. We are teammates in Russia we know each other very well we have played many times. I will give my best and see what happens” Andrej GACINA. Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS went into the day having never previously managed to progress beyond the group stages at the Europe Top 16. 2017 could well be her year however after she made the best possible start to the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup with a breath- taking 3-2 victory over Poland’s LI Qian (6-11 12-10 11-8 8-11 12-10). “I am really happy because I didn’t star well in the last two Europe Top 16 competition and I never went through the group stage. I beat a top player I’m really happy that I beat her because the last time I played against her I lost 0-3 but I have beaten her before. It’s a really good result for me” Bernadette SZOCS. Next up for SZOCS is a tie with Belarusian player Viktoria PAVLOVICH who also picked up a surprising win in her opening match as she saw off the no.4 seed LI Jie in straight games (11-7 14-12 12-10). Elsewhere in the Women’s Singles competition there was a fantastic performance from Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN who overcame the LIEBHERR 2016 European Championships Women’s Singles title winner HU Melek without dropping a single game (…) “I feel very good because I’ve had a long break. For about three years I didn’t play because of my injury and my baby and I’m happy to have a good result in the first match because I have a very tough group. Normally against Georgina POTA I win often and last time I lost also against Sofia Polcanova but this result is good for me and I hope in the next matches that I can do better” Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN.
Difficult start for home favourite Emmanuel LEBESSON
Draw for group stages of the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup announced The draw for the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup group stages was conducted at the Azur Arena in Antibes France and as it is to be expected there were eight positively exciting group drawn across the Men’s and Women’s Singles competitions. Emmanuel LEBESSON stunned the table tennis world stage in October of last year when he defied the odds to capture the Men’s Singles title at the LIEBHERR 2016 European Championships in Budapest. Now LEBESSON is preparing to participate in his first Europe Top 16 competition and a baptism of fire awaits for the Frenchman after his name was drawn alongside Vladimir SAMSONOV Tiago APOLONIA and KOU Lei in Group B. However LEBESSON is looking forward to the challenge ahead and is hoping to extend his stay at the competition beyond the group stage. “We knew before the tournament that it was going to be a tough group because only good players will be here. But I will try tomorrow to do the best that I can. I play all the time against these types of players and I will see how I go. I am not the favourite but I will try” Emmanuel LEBESSON. Another eye catching group sees the no.3 seed Timo BOLL joined by Stefan FEGERL Mattias KARLSSON and Panagiotis GIONIS. Boll is making his 11th appearance at the tournament but this will be the German player’s first participation at the event since it expanded from 12 to 16 players in 2015. Five time champion Boll has experience playing against FEGERL and GIONIS but is approaching his match with KARLSSON with caution. “I know Stefan and Panagiotis are very good Stefan is my teammate and Panagiotis played in my team for a few years but Mattias KARLSSON is the big question for me I’ve never played him and he has an unusual style so this will be quite challenging already in the first game.” Timo BOLL. Elsewhere in the Men’s Singles event Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON Croatia’s Andej GACINA and Russia’s Alexander SHIBAEV have been drawn into Group D while the top seed from Germany and reigning champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV has been named in Group A with France’s Simon GAUZY Portugal’s Joao MONTEIRO and Jonathan GROTH of Denmark. Earlier in the day Barbora BALAZOVA of the Slovak Republic was brought in as a replacement for Kristin SILBEREISEN who withdrew her name from the tournament due to illness. BALAZOVA will make her debut at the event on Friday but she will need to be at her very best to negotiate a difficult group against Austria’s Liu Jia Germany’s Sabine Winter and Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia. The player to occupy the top two places in each group will progress to the final eight and Group D looks likely to see an upset or two before its conclusion as LI Jie of the Netherlands will face a tough challenge from the likes of Poland’s Li Qian Victoria Pavlovich of Belarus and late entry Bernadette SZOCS who has travelled to the competition following the withdrawal from fellow Romanian player Elizabeta SAMARA. HU Melek enjoyed a fantastic year in 2016 and the European Women’s Singles champion from Turkey will require all of her skill in Group A of the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup with fixtures against Hungary’s Georgina Pota Romania’s Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN and Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA. Group C has pitted Petrissa SOLJA Matilda EKHOLM Tetyana BILENKO and French player Stephanie LOEUILLETTE together. The 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup Men’s and Women’s Singles group stages will be played out on Friday 3rd February.
SIDORENKO: Home crowd gives me extra confidence
STAG 2017 European Under 21 Championships The opening day of the 2017 STAG European Under 21 Championships was packed with actions. The Group stages concluded today in Sochi and tomorrow we will continue with the group matches in phase two with eight groups. Two best players from each group will progress to the knock out phase. In Group one Belgium’s Martin ALLEGRO beat Ibrahim GÜNDÜZ of Turkey and Tom Jarvis of England to justified his status. On the other side JARVIS beat the odds and with victory over GÜNDÜZ progressed to the next phase (12-14 8-11 6-11 7-11). “The crucial moment was when I won the opening game. I was 7-10 down. Ibrahim is a very good player; this is important win for me ” said JARVIS who recently moved to play in Sweden. One of the biggest upsets in the morning program was created by Belgium’s Thibaut DARCIS. Seeded only at the position no. 50 he beat host nation ace no. 16 seed Konstantin CHERNOV (14-16 11-8 6-11 11-13 11-13). “It is always like that in the opening matches. It is hard for everyone and I seized my opportunity. I was better in tight finishes; little things prevailed. I was aware of his dangerous service game; in rallies I was very well. We had meet only two years ago but since then we both changed a lot in our games ” said DARCIS. Simon BERGLUND of Sweden overcame Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK of Austria in the opening round in the same group (11-8 11-5 9-11 11-7 11-2). KOLODZIEJCZYK also suffered by the hands of Konstantin CHERNOV of Russia (11-4 11-6 12-14 11-3 11-5) one round later. “I could not believe until the last game I could win ” said CHERNOV. BERGLUND beat DARCIS (11-9 11-8 11-8 11-9) at the end of the day. “I am in a very good shape and I am feeling good playing here ” said BERGLUND who finished first ahead of CHERNOV. In Group 5 Diogo CHEN won all three matches; he beat Samuel KALUZNY of Slovakia (11-9 5-11 9-11 11-8 11-9 11-1) Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece (11-9 11-5 11-9 11-3) and Carlo ROSSI of Italy (11-7 11-6 11-8 10-12 11-5). SGOUROPOULOS booked second position. In the opening game he prevailed against ROSSI (11-6 7-11 11-4 8-11 11-7 11-7). “I am not afraid of the competition here because I came well prepared. There are very good players in the hall now but I am just thinking about one step ahead. I am focused on my game ” said SGOUROPOULOS. In the opening round Sadi ISMAILOV of Russia beat Alexandru MANOLE of Romania in straight games (11-4 11-9 11-2 11-6). He showed no mercy. “I had to play that way. This is very important tournament for me. Look at the atmosphere – it is great. It is great to play in front of home crowd; my whole family is here. I cannot let this entire audience down. That is why I was so focused not to make easy mistakes especially in the opening match which is always hard ” said ISMAILOV. MANOLE overcame Florian CNUDDE of Belgium in direct battle for the second position (9-11 13-11 11-7 5-11 10-12 11-6 10-12). Vladimir SIDORENKO Russia’s military cadet overcame Aleksandr LUSIN of Estonia (11-6 6-11 11-8 11-8 11-6). “Playing at home gives me extra confidence. I am feeling good.” The youngest member of the Russia’s team 16 years old Vladimir continued in the same pace in the second round. He beat Group’s no. one QIU Dang of Germany (4-11 11-8 11-4 8-11 6-11 11-13). “It was very close at the end. Very tough duel ” said SIDORENKO. SIDORENKO suffered in the last round against Stanislav KUCERA of Czech Republic that launched QIU back to the top of the Group whilst Russia’s player finished second. In Group 7 Marek BADOWSKI of Poland is first ahead of Rares SIPOS of Romania. In the same group Medardas STANKEVICIUS of Lithuania suffered against BADOWSKI in the opening round (11-8 11-9 11-2 11-8) but managed to recover to beat Helshan WEERASINGHE of England (1-11 11-9 6-11 8-11 11-3 6-11). “I do not like short rallies but this time I was forced to change my tactics. WEERASINGHE forced me with his aggressive play ” said STANKEVICIUS who recovered from the injury.” I was out of the game for a six months but now everything is fine.” Patryk ZATOWKA of Poland was not in the mood for mercy today. He beat Mathan SIMON of Israel (11-7 1-7 12-10 12-14 7-11 11-6) Andreas LEVENKO of Austria (11-8 7-11 5-11 9-11 7-11) and Martin KHATCHANOV of Netherlands (11-8 11-5 11-7 11-8). “I am so full of confidence. I just knew I am going to win ” said ZATOWKA. LEVENKO is second. Janos Bence MAJOROS of Hungary confirmed his status as a leader in the Group three and beat Gleb SHAMRUK of Belarus but after full seven games match (7-11 7-11 9-11 13-11 11-6 11-8 11-8). “I am happy with the victory of course bust most important it is good to have such Championships. There are not plenty of opportunities to gain experience in the tough period between junior and senior category ” said MAJOROS. He also prevailed against Alexander VALUCH of Slovakia. Gleb SHAMRUK finished second. With two wins in two opening rounds Anders LIND of Denmark also progressed to the next phase of the competition. In the first round he beat Thomas GRINNIGER of Austria (10-12 11-8 11-4 11-6 11-5) and in next he prevailed against Dennis KLEIN of Germany (9-11 11-5 7-11 8-11 5-11). “ The opening game was very difficult. I had to attack a lot.”
SIDORENKO: Home crowd gives me extra confidence
STAG 2017 European Under 21 Championships The opening day of the 2017 STAG European Under 21 Championships was packed with actions. The Group stages concluded today in Sochi and tomorrow we will continue with the group matches in phase two with eight groups. Two best players from each group will progress to the knock out phase. In Group one Belgium’s Martin ALLEGRO beat Ibrahim GÜNDÜZ of Turkey and Tom Jarvis of England to justified his status. On the other side JARVIS beat the odds and with victory over GÜNDÜZ progressed to the next phase (12-14 8-11 6-11 7-11). “The crucial moment was when I won the opening game. I was 7-10 down. Ibrahim is a very good player; this is important win for me ” said JARVIS who recently moved to play in Sweden. One of the biggest upsets in the morning program was created by Belgium’s Thibaut DARCIS. Seeded only at the position no. 50 he beat host nation ace no. 16 seed Konstantin CHERNOV (14-16 11-8 6-11 11-13 11-13). “It is always like that in the opening matches. It is hard for everyone and I seized my opportunity. I was better in tight finishes; little things prevailed. I was aware of his dangerous service game; in rallies I was very well. We had meet only two years ago but since then we both changed a lot in our games ” said DARCIS. Simon BERGLUND of Sweden overcame Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK of Austria in the opening round in the same group (11-8 11-5 9-11 11-7 11-2). KOLODZIEJCZYK also suffered by the hands of Konstantin CHERNOV of Russia (11-4 11-6 12-14 11-3 11-5) one round later. “I could not believe until the last game I could win ” said CHERNOV. BERGLUND beat DARCIS (11-9 11-8 11-8 11-9) at the end of the day. “I am in a very good shape and I am feeling good playing here ” said BERGLUND who finished first ahead of CHERNOV. In Group 5 Diogo CHEN won all three matches; he beat Samuel KALUZNY of Slovakia (11-9 5-11 9-11 11-8 11-9 11-1) Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece (11-9 11-5 11-9 11-3) and Carlo ROSSI of Italy (11-7 11-6 11-8 10-12 11-5). SGOUROPOULOS booked second position. In the opening game he prevailed against ROSSI (11-6 7-11 11-4 8-11 11-7 11-7). “I am not afraid of the competition here because I came well prepared. There are very good players in the hall now but I am just thinking about one step ahead. I am focused on my game ” said SGOUROPOULOS. In the opening round Sadi ISMAILOV of Russia beat Alexandru MANOLE of Romania in straight games (11-4 11-9 11-2 11-6). He showed no mercy. “I had to play that way. This is very important tournament for me. Look at the atmosphere – it is great. It is great to play in front of home crowd; my whole family is here. I cannot let this entire audience down. That is why I was so focused not to make easy mistakes especially in the opening match which is always hard ” said ISMAILOV. MANOLE overcame Florian CNUDDE of Belgium in direct battle for the second position (9-11 13-11 11-7 5-11 10-12 11-6 10-12). Vladimir SIDORENKO Russia’s military cadet overcame Aleksandr LUSIN of Estonia (11-6 6-11 11-8 11-8 11-6). “Playing at home gives me extra confidence. I am feeling good.” The youngest member of the Russia’s team 16 years old Vladimir continued in the same pace in the second round. He beat Group’s no. one QIU Dang of Germany (4-11 11-8 11-4 8-11 6-11 11-13). “It was very close at the end. Very tough duel ” said SIDORENKO. SIDORENKO suffered in the last round against Stanislav KUCERA of Czech Republic that launched QIU back to the top of the Group whilst Russia’s player finished second. In Group 7 Marek BADOWSKI of Poland is first ahead of Rares SIPOS of Romania. In the same group Medardas STANKEVICIUS of Lithuania suffered against BADOWSKI in the opening round (11-8 11-9 11-2 11-8) but managed to recover to beat Helshan WEERASINGHE of England (1-11 11-9 6-11 8-11 11-3 6-11). “I do not like short rallies but this time I was forced to change my tactics. WEERASINGHE forced me with his aggressive play ” said STANKEVICIUS who recovered from the injury.” I was out of the game for a six months but now everything is fine.” Patryk ZATOWKA of Poland was not in the mood for mercy today. He beat Mathan SIMON of Israel (11-7 1-7 12-10 12-14 7-11 11-6) Andreas LEVENKO of Austria (11-8 7-11 5-11 9-11 7-11) and Martin KHATCHANOV of Netherlands (11-8 11-5 11-7 11-8). “I am so full of confidence. I just knew I am going to win ” said ZATOWKA. LEVENKO is second. Janos Bence MAJOROS of Hungary confirmed his status as a leader in the Group three and beat Gleb SHAMRUK of Belarus but after full seven games match (7-11 7-11 9-11 13-11 11-6 11-8 11-8). “I am happy with the victory of course bust most important it is good to have such Championships. There are not plenty of opportunities to gain experience in the tough period between junior and senior category ” said MAJOROS. He also prevailed against Alexander VALUCH of Slovakia. Gleb SHAMRUK finished second. With two wins in two opening rounds Anders LIND of Denmark also progressed to the next phase of the competition. In the first round he beat Thomas GRINNIGER of Austria (10-12 11-8 11-4 11-6 11-5) and in next he prevailed against Dennis KLEIN of Germany (9-11 11-5 7-11 8-11 5-11). “ The opening game was very difficult. I had to attack a lot.”
Tin Tin HO in good shape in Sochi
STAG 2017 European Under 21 Championships Belgium’s team certainly highlighted the opening day at the STAG 2017 European Under 21 Championships in Sochi with few upsets. Unfortunately for host nation Belgium’s accounted for Russia’s players. After success of Thibaut DARCIS who Konstantin CHERNOV in Women’s Singles Event Nathalie MARCHETTI seeded at the position no. 30 overcame number 9 seed Maria MALANINA of Russia. “The result is very good but it is not such a big surprise ” explained coach Marc CLOSSET .”Our players have an opportunity to play against very good Russian’s player with defensive style of play. So Nathalie was ready.” MARCHETTI confirmed it: “I know MALANINA was favorite but I stood the pressure. I felt confident playing against the defenders. My service game was very good.” Unfortunately that success did not help her to progress to the next phase of the competition. She lost against Croatia’s Andrea PAVLOVIC (11-9 5-11 7-11 9-11 6-11). MALANINA beat PAVLOVIC in seven games (5-11 11-3 11-2 11-13 8-11 11-2 11-4). It was sufficient for the second place in the Group whilst Croatia’s player moved forward from the top. From Group 2 Ekaterina GUSEVA of Russia confirmed her status. Veronica MOSCONI of Italy also moved to the second day of the competition in the singles. Tin Tin HO of England prevailed against Karoline MISCHEK of Austria in the second round (12-10 11-7 4-11 11-4 11-5) earlier she recorded the victory against Simay KULAKCEKEN of Turkey in straight games (11-3 11-4 11-7 11-1). “Against Karoline I think the match was decided after time – out after I lost third game. Coach managed to calm me down and I finally settled into right rhythm. He encouraged me and I get the grip again ” said HO. She secured the top position in her group after victory over Annika LUNDSTROM of Finland (11-5 11-2 11-7 11-4). KULAKCEKEN is second. She beat MISCHEK in the last round (8-11 11-7 7-11 10-12 11-7 6-11). From Group 4 ZHANG Xuan Xu of Spain and Anna WEGRZYN booked top two places. Kim VERMAAS of Netherlands overcame Ilka DOVAL of Norway (11-8 11-6 11-4 11-8) and Jamila LAURENTI of Italy (12-14 11-7 11-9 9-11 11-8 11-6) before she beat Ema LABOSOVA of Slovakia (11-5 11-4 11-8 11-7). “It proved once again that the opening match is the hardest. Against Ilka I faced no problems at all.” DOVAL finished second with two victories. For Zdena BLASKOVA of Czech Republic it was very long day. The opening game in the Group she won after full distance thriller against Natalia GRIGELOVA of Slovakia before she accounted for the leading name in the Group Charlotte CAREY of Wales in another seven games match (9-11 11-6 12-10 11-9 10-12 4-11 6-11). She recovered from 1-3 in reverse to win the duel. “I just need time to warm up. Game after game I am playing better and better ” said Zdena. She sealed the day with the victory over Filippa BERGAND of Sweden to book the first place in the group (11-7 5-11 11-9 4-11 11-5 11-5). Charlotte CAREY also progressed to the next stage. They will join Hanna PATSEYEVA of Belarus and Nicole TROSMAN of Israel top players in group 7 a swell as Alina NIKITCHANKA of Belarus and Klara CAKOL of Croatia from Group 8. Dorina SREBRNJAK of Croatia and Karolina MYNAROVA of Czech Republic will be in the main draw tomorrow. Tilda JOHANSSON of Sweden beat Angelique GERTENBACH in the opening round of the Group Stage but the win did not came easy (10-12 8-11 11-5 11-3 11-6 11-6). “I lost two opening games but I managed to recover and to win. I am not disappointed by the slow start it was my adversary who really played very good at the beginning ” said JOHANSSON.” Whole team is ready for the challenge we had a good training camp and we worked with the national senior team so we expect good results. For us it is a good opportunity to have Championships like Under 21 to have the opportunity to play and to learn more.” With two wins she concluded the day at the top of the group above Maria YOVKOVA of Bulgaria. Lisa LUNG suffered unexpected defeat in the opening round against Tatiana KUKULKOVA of Slovakia (10-12 8-11 8-11 4-11) but managed to reduce the damage by beating Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy in second Round (11-4 11-8 11-9 11-8). “It was important to set my own pace at the very beginning of the game. I succeeded and latter even I was surprised by the straight games victory. However I believe in lucky numbers ” Lisa stayed mysterious. She moved to the next round after victory over Ipek KARAHAN of Turkey. KUKULKOVA beat Italian representative to win the top place in the group. Another player from Belgium Eline LOYEN beat the odds and finished first in front of Kristyna STEFCOVA of Czech Republic.
Tin Tin HO in good shape in Sochi
STAG 2017 European Under 21 Championships Belgium’s team certainly highlighted the opening day at the STAG 2017 European Under 21 Championships in Sochi with few upsets. Unfortunately for host nation Belgium’s accounted for Russia’s players. After success of Thibaut DARCIS who Konstantin CHERNOV in Women’s Singles Event Nathalie MARCHETTI seeded at the position no. 30 overcame number 9 seed Maria MALANINA of Russia. “The result is very good but it is not such a big surprise ” explained coach Marc CLOSSET .”Our players have an opportunity to play against very good Russian’s player with defensive style of play. So Nathalie was ready.” MARCHETTI confirmed it: “I know MALANINA was favorite but I stood the pressure. I felt confident playing against the defenders. My service game was very good.” Unfortunately that success did not help her to progress to the next phase of the competition. She lost against Croatia’s Andrea PAVLOVIC (11-9 5-11 7-11 9-11 6-11). MALANINA beat PAVLOVIC in seven games (5-11 11-3 11-2 11-13 8-11 11-2 11-4). It was sufficient for the second place in the Group whilst Croatia’s player moved forward from the top. From Group 2 Ekaterina GUSEVA of Russia confirmed her status. Veronica MOSCONI of Italy also moved to the second day of the competition in the singles. Tin Tin HO of England prevailed against Karoline MISCHEK of Austria in the second round (12-10 11-7 4-11 11-4 11-5) earlier she recorded the victory against Simay KULAKCEKEN of Turkey in straight games (11-3 11-4 11-7 11-1). “Against Karoline I think the match was decided after time – out after I lost third game. Coach managed to calm me down and I finally settled into right rhythm. He encouraged me and I get the grip again ” said HO. She secured the top position in her group after victory over Annika LUNDSTROM of Finland (11-5 11-2 11-7 11-4). KULAKCEKEN is second. She beat MISCHEK in the last round (8-11 11-7 7-11 10-12 11-7 6-11). From Group 4 ZHANG Xuan Xu of Spain and Anna WEGRZYN booked top two places. Kim VERMAAS of Netherlands overcame Ilka DOVAL of Norway (11-8 11-6 11-4 11-8) and Jamila LAURENTI of Italy (12-14 11-7 11-9 9-11 11-8 11-6) before she beat Ema LABOSOVA of Slovakia (11-5 11-4 11-8 11-7). “It proved once again that the opening match is the hardest. Against Ilka I faced no problems at all.” DOVAL finished second with two victories. For Zdena BLASKOVA of Czech Republic it was very long day. The opening game in the Group she won after full distance thriller against Natalia GRIGELOVA of Slovakia before she accounted for the leading name in the Group Charlotte CAREY of Wales in another seven games match (9-11 11-6 12-10 11-9 10-12 4-11 6-11). She recovered from 1-3 in reverse to win the duel. “I just need time to warm up. Game after game I am playing better and better ” said Zdena. She sealed the day with the victory over Filippa BERGAND of Sweden to book the first place in the group (11-7 5-11 11-9 4-11 11-5 11-5). Charlotte CAREY also progressed to the next stage. They will join Hanna PATSEYEVA of Belarus and Nicole TROSMAN of Israel top players in group 7 a swell as Alina NIKITCHANKA of Belarus and Klara CAKOL of Croatia from Group 8. Dorina SREBRNJAK of Croatia and Karolina MYNAROVA of Czech Republic will be in the main draw tomorrow. Tilda JOHANSSON of Sweden beat Angelique GERTENBACH in the opening round of the Group Stage but the win did not came easy (10-12 8-11 11-5 11-3 11-6 11-6). “I lost two opening games but I managed to recover and to win. I am not disappointed by the slow start it was my adversary who really played very good at the beginning ” said JOHANSSON.” Whole team is ready for the challenge we had a good training camp and we worked with the national senior team so we expect good results. For us it is a good opportunity to have Championships like Under 21 to have the opportunity to play and to learn more.” With two wins she concluded the day at the top of the group above Maria YOVKOVA of Bulgaria. Lisa LUNG suffered unexpected defeat in the opening round against Tatiana KUKULKOVA of Slovakia (10-12 8-11 8-11 4-11) but managed to reduce the damage by beating Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy in second Round (11-4 11-8 11-9 11-8). “It was important to set my own pace at the very beginning of the game. I succeeded and latter even I was surprised by the straight games victory. However I believe in lucky numbers ” Lisa stayed mysterious. She moved to the next round after victory over Ipek KARAHAN of Turkey. KUKULKOVA beat Italian representative to win the top place in the group. Another player from Belgium Eline LOYEN beat the odds and finished first in front of Kristyna STEFCOVA of Czech Republic.
Cartagena travels to Poland with the best possible score
Team manager of Spanish club Enrique PEREZ MIRAS speaks about first quarter-final match of ECLW UCAM Cartagena is very satisfied with the outcome of the first quarter-final leg of 2016/17 European Champions League Women. Spanish club ECLW no. 3 seed beat actual runner-up and no. 2 seed KTS Siarka ZOT Tarnobrzeg 3:0 (9:4). Returning game will be held on February 10th in Polish southeastern city of Tarnobrzeg. “We are very satisfied with the result and very satisfied with the performance of our players. It was a very tough match against a great rival we are sure that it will be very difficult to win the tie but it is true that we are going to Poland with the best result we could imagine. Now we have more options than before the first match. In Cartagena we were lucky to live a great show the public enjoyed much with the rule of acceleration that was applied in the match between BILENKO and HAN” stated Cartagena`s team manager Enrique PEREZ MIRAS. All three players of Spanish club – Matilda EKHOLM Tetyana BILENKO and Iulia NECULA – played excellent but it could say that BILENKO made a crucial step when she beat World no. 6 HAN Ying after full five games.
