Junior Boys Singles Event Last year’s silver medalist Alexandre CASSIN of France went one step higher this year at the European Youth Championships in Zagreb. CASSIN beat Andreas LEVENKO of Austria in the final of the Junior Boys Singles Event. Winner needed only four games to seal the title. “We played before; I beat him at Top 10 so I knew what to do. I did not let him surprise me. I had to be calm and focused and maintain control constantly ” explained CASSIN. Previously Andreas LEVENKO overcame Europe’s no. one Darko JORGIC of Slovenia in surprisingly straight matches. “I was ready. My coach Jarek and I study his game very much; we watched videos and talked. I also played so many times before against him and our record is 3:3 so I know how to beat him. I was very focused and that was my main weapon. Tactically he is very strong so I was careful. I played more in the middle and on his forehand trying to avoid his backhand ” said LEVENKO. Alexandre CASSIN avenged his defeat in the Team’s Event. He overcame Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic. “He beat me here in very close match. It was 50/50 but at the end he won 3:2. We played so many times before and Tomas is very dangerous player. I do not like playing against him. His backhand is very strong so I had to be focused and to stay calm. All this things put pressure on me at the beginning so I started bad. I improved my game as the match progressed I did not panic ” explained CASSIN. Final Alexandre CASSIN (France) – Andreas LEVENKO (Austria) 4:0 (11:1 11:9 11:4 11:8) Semi final Alexandre CASSIN (France) – Tomas POLANSKY (Czech Republic) 4:1(11:13 11:3 11:7 11:9 13:11). Andreas LEVENKO (Austria) -Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) 4:0 (13:11 11:7 11:8 11:3 11:7 11:9 13:1)
Adina DICAONU sealed the Championships with gold
Junior Girls Singles Event For a second year in the row Adina DIACONU clinched the gold medal in the Junior Girls Singles Event. In the final she beat NING Jing of Azerbaijan in straight games. “NING beat Andrea DRAGOMAN in the opening rounds of the Singles event and I am so happy I got the opportunity to play against her and to beat her. I was at the top of the game from the very beginning; she could not surprise me ” said DIACONU. In the semi final NIN Jing overcame Tin Tin Ho of England in straight games whilst Adina DIACONU needed full seven games to overcame ZHANG Xuan Xu of Spain. “ After I made advantage 3:0 ZHANG had nothing to lose and she started to play a lot better. There were no fear in her game any more but at that point I started to panic. She was fearless; she put every ball on the table whatever I had try. At 3:3 I told myself now we are starting new game and I returned to the right tracs” said DIACONU. ”Before decisive game I tried to regain focus. I saw that she is also under pressure. It was important to start the seventh game on top and then it was easier. Final Adina DIACONU (Romania) – NING Jing (Azerbaijan) 4:0 (11:8 11:7 12:10 11:8) Semi final Tin Tin HO (England) – NING Jing (Azerbaijan) 0:4 (5:11 7:11 8:11 2:11) Adina DIACONU (Romania) – ZHANG Xuan Xu (Spain) 4:3 (11:6 12:10 11:6 9:11 5:11 6:11 11:3)
Maria TAILAKOVA defended her crown
Cadet Girls Singles Event Reigning champion in Cadet Girls Singles Event Maria TAILAKOVA defended her crown at the European Youth Championships in Zagreb. In the final she beat Kristina KAZANTSEVA in all-Russian final. “We played against each other so many times before and every time it was close. Now I am very happy I won because I had so much problems during the preparations and I was unable to come here fully ready ” said TAILAKOVA. Kristina KAZANTSEVA beat Zdena BLASKOVA of Czech Republic in the penultimate stage. She needed six games. “Last time when we played against each other I beat her. It was straight games victory in Poland. That gave me confidence before the match and stability in crucial moments. However it was not that easy as it was in Poland. BLASKOVA played very good here and she never gave up. Even when I made little advantage she was always after me; few times she recovered to level but I never let her took the control ” said KAZANTSEVA. After seven games thriller against ZHOU Chuyi of Azerbaijan Maria TAILAKOVA succeeded to the ultimate stage. “In first three games I had problems with the pimples. I lost five points in the row in second game. My coach gave me the new tactics and I knew that I have to put all balls on table. It was receipt and I successfully played in closing stage ” said TAILAKOVA. Final Kristina KAZANTSEVA (Russia) – Maria TAILAKOVA (Russia) 1:4 (9:11 11:7 10:12 12:14 9:11) Semi Final Zdena BLASKOVA (Czech Republic)- Kristina KAZANTSEVA (Russia) 2:4 (13:11 9:11 5:11 11:8 7:11 9:11) ZHOU Chuyi (Azerbaijan) – Maria TAILAKOVA (Russia) 3:4 (9:11 11:9 4:11 11:9 11:8 8:11 9:11)
Maria TAILAKOVA defended her crown
Cadet Girls Singles Event Reigning champion in Cadet Girls Singles Event Maria TAILAKOVA defended her crown at the European Youth Championships in Zagreb. In the final she beat Kristina KAZANTSEVA in all-Russian final. “We played against each other so many times before and every time it was close. Now I am very happy I won because I had so much problems during the preparations and I was unable to come here fully ready ” said TAILAKOVA. Kristina KAZANTSEVA beat Zdena BLASKOVA of Czech Republic in the penultimate stage. She needed six games. “Last time when we played against each other I beat her. It was straight games victory in Poland. That gave me confidence before the match and stability in crucial moments. However it was not that easy as it was in Poland. BLASKOVA played very good here and she never gave up. Even when I made little advantage she was always after me; few times she recovered to level but I never let her took the control ” said KAZANTSEVA. After seven games thriller against ZHOU Chuyi of Azerbaijan Maria TAILAKOVA succeeded to the ultimate stage. “In first three games I had problems with the pimples. I lost five points in the row in second game. My coach gave me the new tactics and I knew that I have to put all balls on table. It was receipt and I successfully played in closing stage ” said TAILAKOVA. Final Kristina KAZANTSEVA (Russia) – Maria TAILAKOVA (Russia) 1:4 (9:11 11:7 10:12 12:14 9:11) Semi Final Zdena BLASKOVA (Czech Republic)- Kristina KAZANTSEVA (Russia) 2:4 (13:11 9:11 5:11 11:8 7:11 9:11) ZHOU Chuyi (Azerbaijan) – Maria TAILAKOVA (Russia) 3:4 (9:11 11:9 4:11 11:9 11:8 8:11 9:11)
SIDORENKO clinched the title in explosive final
Cadet Boys Singles Event New champion in Cadet Boys Singles Event is Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia. In the final of the European Youth Championships he beat Truls MOREGARDH of Sweden to clinch the title. “It was a fantastic match. I struggled but I like to play when I am in reverse. I was down 2-0 in quarterfinals and 3-1 today but in crucial moments I regained the power and I expolded. Today at 8-8 in seventh game I had two good serves and with my first topspin I moved into winning position. My coach advised me to stay calm and I luckily made it ” said SIDORENKO. In the semi final SIDORENKO overcame Carlo ROSSI of Italy in straight games. “I controlled the match from the very first point until the end. I was very focused especially at the beginning. After yesterday’s mistakes I improved that segment. My topspin was at high level “explained SIDORENKO. Truls MOREGARDH of Sweden beat SIDORENKO’s compatriot Lev KATSMAN. “He beat me in the Team’s Event at this championships. I study that match carefully and I saw where I was wrong. Now I was well prepared. I improve my service game and I did not let him put pressure on me ” said MOREGARDH Final Vladimir SIDORENKO (Russia) – Truls MOREGARDH (Sweden) 4:3 (7:11 10:12 11:8 5:11 11:5 11:5 11:9) Semi final Vladimir SIDORENKO (Russia) – Carlo ROSSI (Italy) 4:0 (11:4 11:8 11:5 11:7) Lev KATSMAN (Russia) – Truls MOREGARDH (Sweden) 1:4 (8:11 11:9 8:11 5:11 8:11)
SIDORENKO clinched the title in explosive final
Cadet Boys Singles Event New champion in Cadet Boys Singles Event is Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia. In the final of the European Youth Championships he beat Truls MOREGARDH of Sweden to clinch the title. “It was a fantastic match. I struggled but I like to play when I am in reverse. I was down 2-0 in quarterfinals and 3-1 today but in crucial moments I regained the power and I expolded. Today at 8-8 in seventh game I had two good serves and with my first topspin I moved into winning position. My coach advised me to stay calm and I luckily made it ” said SIDORENKO. In the semi final SIDORENKO overcame Carlo ROSSI of Italy in straight games. “I controlled the match from the very first point until the end. I was very focused especially at the beginning. After yesterday’s mistakes I improved that segment. My topspin was at high level “explained SIDORENKO. Truls MOREGARDH of Sweden beat SIDORENKO’s compatriot Lev KATSMAN. “He beat me in the Team’s Event at this championships. I study that match carefully and I saw where I was wrong. Now I was well prepared. I improve my service game and I did not let him put pressure on me ” said MOREGARDH Final Vladimir SIDORENKO (Russia) – Truls MOREGARDH (Sweden) 4:3 (7:11 10:12 11:8 5:11 11:5 11:5 11:9) Semi final Vladimir SIDORENKO (Russia) – Carlo ROSSI (Italy) 4:0 (11:4 11:8 11:5 11:7) Lev KATSMAN (Russia) – Truls MOREGARDH (Sweden) 1:4 (8:11 11:9 8:11 5:11 8:11)
Lisa LUNG and Eline LOYEN won title in dramatic style
Junior Girls Doubles Event In the final of the Junior Girls Doubles Event Lisa LUNG and Eline LOYEN of Belgium recovered from 2:0 in reverse to beat Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania. “It was amazing. We were two games down but we played very well. We had a feeling we can beat them. It was the same like in quarterfinal when we were 2:1 down and we prevailed against Belaus pairings ” said LOYEN. Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN beat Marie MIGOT and Oceane GUISNEL of France on their way to the final. “For me it was important to me to start the day in a good way because I have to play singles little bit latter. The first set was crucial; we lead 8-2 but then they recovered to level 8-8. We kept our spirit high despite that and won. We were more motivated aggressive ” said DIACONU. Top European player added: “We suffered defeat against them in previous occasion in straight games. Today it was different story. We do not play together for a long time maybe a year. But in this year we practiced a lot and played European tournaments together.” Last year’s quarterfinalists Lisa LUNG and Eline LOYEN of Belgium are together for a three years. In semis they beat ZHANG Xuan Xu and Ana GARCIA of Spain. “We faced few difficulties because they are very smart players. We won our battle thanks to good service. We did not let them play long rallies ” said LOYEN. Final Lisa LUNG Eline LOYEN (Belgium) – Adina DIACONU Andreea DRAGOMAN (Romania) 3:2 (8:11 9:11 11:5 11:9 11:8) Semi Final Marie MIGOT Oceane GUISNEL (France) – Adina DIACONU Andreea DRAGOMAN (Romania) 0:3 (10:12 6:11 10:12) Lisa LUNG Eline LOYEN (Belgium) – ZHANG Xuan Xu Ana GARCIA (Spain) 3:1 (11:4 11:9 4:11 11:7)
Lisa LUNG and Eline LOYEN won title in dramatic style
Junior Girls Doubles Event In the final of the Junior Girls Doubles Event Lisa LUNG and Eline LOYEN of Belgium recovered from 2:0 in reverse to beat Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania. “It was amazing. We were two games down but we played very well. We had a feeling we can beat them. It was the same like in quarterfinal when we were 2:1 down and we prevailed against Belaus pairings ” said LOYEN. Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN beat Marie MIGOT and Oceane GUISNEL of France on their way to the final. “For me it was important to me to start the day in a good way because I have to play singles little bit latter. The first set was crucial; we lead 8-2 but then they recovered to level 8-8. We kept our spirit high despite that and won. We were more motivated aggressive ” said DIACONU. Top European player added: “We suffered defeat against them in previous occasion in straight games. Today it was different story. We do not play together for a long time maybe a year. But in this year we practiced a lot and played European tournaments together.” Last year’s quarterfinalists Lisa LUNG and Eline LOYEN of Belgium are together for a three years. In semis they beat ZHANG Xuan Xu and Ana GARCIA of Spain. “We faced few difficulties because they are very smart players. We won our battle thanks to good service. We did not let them play long rallies ” said LOYEN. Final Lisa LUNG Eline LOYEN (Belgium) – Adina DIACONU Andreea DRAGOMAN (Romania) 3:2 (8:11 9:11 11:5 11:9 11:8) Semi Final Marie MIGOT Oceane GUISNEL (France) – Adina DIACONU Andreea DRAGOMAN (Romania) 0:3 (10:12 6:11 10:12) Lisa LUNG Eline LOYEN (Belgium) – ZHANG Xuan Xu Ana GARCIA (Spain) 3:1 (11:4 11:9 4:11 11:7)
HIPPLER and HOHMEIER won gold for Germany
Junior Boys Doubles Event Germany’s Tobias HIPPLER and Nils HOHMEIER won the title in the Cadet Boys Doubles Event at the European Championships in Zagreb. In the final they prevailed against Daniele PINTO and Antonino AMATO of Italy. “It is hard for us to believe we won it. Italian pairings are very good. This is great success. We suffered the defeat against them few months before. It was 17:15 in the fifth game” said HOHMEIER. HIPPLER and HOHMEIER beat Cristian PLETEA of Romania and Andreas LEVENKO of Austria in the semi final. “We are together for a three years and that was important detail in this match. PLETEA and LEVENKO are very good players in singles but it seams that they need little more experience together. It was not an easy match especially Cristian gave me hard time with his service game. I had big problem in receive but it was good match ” said Tobias HIPPLER Maxim KISELEV and Denis IVONIN of Russia suffered by the hands of Daniele PINOTO and Antonino AMATO of Italy. “The key was in first three balls especially receive. We had to take control of the match. If we had playing topspin on tospin then we will lose ” said PINTO. Final Tobias HIPPLER Nils HOHMEIER (Germany) – Daniele PINOTO Antonino AMATO (Italy) 3:1 (11:6 6:11 11:8 11:9) Semi Final Tobias HIPPLER Nils HOHMEIER (Germany) – Cristian PLETEA (Romania) Andreas LEVENKO (Austria) 3:0 (11:9 12:10 11:7) Maxim KISELEV Denis IVONIN (Russia) – Daniele PINOTO Antonino AMATO (Italy) 2:3 (11:8 8:11 7:11 12:10 7:11)
HIPPLER and HOHMEIER won gold for Germany
Junior Boys Doubles Event Germany’s Tobias HIPPLER and Nils HOHMEIER won the title in the Cadet Boys Doubles Event at the European Championships in Zagreb. In the final they prevailed against Daniele PINTO and Antonino AMATO of Italy. “It is hard for us to believe we won it. Italian pairings are very good. This is great success. We suffered the defeat against them few months before. It was 17:15 in the fifth game” said HOHMEIER. HIPPLER and HOHMEIER beat Cristian PLETEA of Romania and Andreas LEVENKO of Austria in the semi final. “We are together for a three years and that was important detail in this match. PLETEA and LEVENKO are very good players in singles but it seams that they need little more experience together. It was not an easy match especially Cristian gave me hard time with his service game. I had big problem in receive but it was good match ” said Tobias HIPPLER Maxim KISELEV and Denis IVONIN of Russia suffered by the hands of Daniele PINOTO and Antonino AMATO of Italy. “The key was in first three balls especially receive. We had to take control of the match. If we had playing topspin on tospin then we will lose ” said PINTO. Final Tobias HIPPLER Nils HOHMEIER (Germany) – Daniele PINOTO Antonino AMATO (Italy) 3:1 (11:6 6:11 11:8 11:9) Semi Final Tobias HIPPLER Nils HOHMEIER (Germany) – Cristian PLETEA (Romania) Andreas LEVENKO (Austria) 3:0 (11:9 12:10 11:7) Maxim KISELEV Denis IVONIN (Russia) – Daniele PINOTO Antonino AMATO (Italy) 2:3 (11:8 8:11 7:11 12:10 7:11)
