ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar ,   After three years break and giving birth to two babies, SHEN Yanfei of Spain returned to ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar. She did it in great style; on her fourth appearances in Europe’s most prestige Event SHEN reached the semi final, for a first time in her career. In the quarterfinal SHEN overcame Sabine WINTER of Germany 0:4 (4-11, 9-11, 6-11, 5-11).   “It was very hard match. Sabine beat NI Xialian of Luxembourg yesterday in the Group stage and it was enough to make me worry. She is young and every time I see her, she is improving her game,” explained SHEN.   SHEN admitted she is very tired after opening day of the competition.   “Having three matches against the top player is not easy for me any more. After the babies came to the World , I do not practice very hard any more. Most of the time I am in China, and only good chance to have good training is when I am in Europe,” added SHEN.   The smile returned to the face of Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania after the victory over Tetyana BILENKO of Ukraine in the quarterfinal 4:1 (11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 11-4, 11-7).   “Yesterday, I was sure, that once again the tournament will ended bad for me. In previous occasions I was struggling to post single victory at Top 16. However, at the end I concluded the Group stage at the position no. one. That gave me new energy. And I needed it, because I was so tired last night that I could not sleep. I felt I am in control, against BILENKO. She was playing good, but I can be satisfied with my game finally,” stated SAMARA.   Reigning champion, LIU Jia of Austria beat her teammate Sofia POLCANOVA in five games duel 4:1 (11-4,10-12,11-6,13-11,11-7).   “It is was hard to play against teammate. Not only that we are practice together for the national tam, but also for the club, Champions league. She is very good player with great future,” stated LIU Jia.   In the semis LIU will meet HU Melek of Turkey, who played against Georgina POTA of Hungary 2:4 (16-14,9-11,9-11,8-11,11-9,9-11).   “Against POTA you have to be sure with your service and receive game and I struggled a little with receive today. In long rallies she has advantage. However, at the end I was a little bit lucky. I made few mistakes, high balls, but POTA also made errors and at the end I won,” said HU.    

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar ,   After three years break and giving birth to two babies, SHEN Yanfei of Spain returned to ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar. She did it in great style; on her fourth appearances in Europe’s most prestige Event SHEN reached the semi final, for a first time in her career. In the quarterfinal SHEN overcame Sabine WINTER of Germany 0:4 (4-11, 9-11, 6-11, 5-11).   “It was very hard match. Sabine beat NI Xialian of Luxembourg yesterday in the Group stage and it was enough to make me worry. She is young and every time I see her, she is improving her game,” explained SHEN.   SHEN admitted she is very tired after opening day of the competition.   “Having three matches against the top player is not easy for me any more. After the babies came to the World , I do not practice very hard any more. Most of the time I am in China, and only good chance to have good training is when I am in Europe,” added SHEN.   The smile returned to the face of Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania after the victory over Tetyana BILENKO of Ukraine in the quarterfinal 4:1 (11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 11-4, 11-7).   “Yesterday, I was sure, that once again the tournament will ended bad for me. In previous occasions I was struggling to post single victory at Top 16. However, at the end I concluded the Group stage at the position no. one. That gave me new energy. And I needed it, because I was so tired last night that I could not sleep. I felt I am in control, against BILENKO. She was playing good, but I can be satisfied with my game finally,” stated SAMARA.   Reigning champion, LIU Jia of Austria beat her teammate Sofia POLCANOVA in five games duel 4:1 (11-4,10-12,11-6,13-11,11-7).   “It is was hard to play against teammate. Not only that we are practice together for the national tam, but also for the club, Champions league. She is very good player with great future,” stated LIU Jia.   In the semis LIU will meet HU Melek of Turkey, who played against Georgina POTA of Hungary 2:4 (16-14,9-11,9-11,8-11,11-9,9-11).   “Against POTA you have to be sure with your service and receive game and I struggled a little with receive today. In long rallies she has advantage. However, at the end I was a little bit lucky. I made few mistakes, high balls, but POTA also made errors and at the end I won,” said HU.    

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar,   Portugal’s Joa MONTEIRO booked his place in the quarterfinal of the ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar in the great style. He reached the top position in the group 1 by beating reigning champion, no. one seed and best-ranked European player Dimitrij OVTCAHROV.   After established quick lead tonight, Joao faced similar situation to the previous match against Simon GAUZY.   “Very quickly I established the lead. I had 2:0, before OVTCHAROV recovered and pushed it to the decisive game. Then I change the rhythm of the match once again. I had 10:4, OVTCHAROV hit some important balls and at the end it was very close,” said MONTEIRO.   Without any doubt Joao did a great job by himself by beating Germany’s player, but in the surprising conclusion of the matches in Group 1, Simon GAUZY of France recovered after two defeats earlier in the day, to beat no. five seed Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece. That victory was insufficient to give him place among top eight players on day two, but it sealed GIONIS’ fate and to delight to host supporters helped Joao MONTEIRO to reach the spot no. one or two.   “I know I had to beat OVTCHAROV to be sure I will play in the quarters. Also I could calculate on outcome of the match between GIONIS and GAUZY, but I liked it more this way. To overcame OVTCHAROV in order to book my place it is much better scenario.”   Stefan FEGERL of Austria prevented any surprises. In the third match of the day, he recorded another victory, which secured his leading position in the group 2. Vladimir SAMOSNOV who received free evening after the withdrawal of Adrien MATTENET is second.   Bastian STEGER of Germany recorded three victories in the Group 3. Robert GARDOS of Austria suffered four games defeat by his hands in the round three. In the direct duel for the second position and knock out stage Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden inflicted the pain in the harts of the host’s by beating title winner from the 2014 Marcos FREITAS.   In the Group 4 Andrej GACINA of Croatia withdrew due the leg injury. It left only Tiago APOLONIA and Alexander SHIBAEV in the run for the top two positions. In their direct clash at the end of the day APOLINIA beat Russia’s player to reach top place.  

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar,   Portugal’s Joa MONTEIRO booked his place in the quarterfinal of the ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar in the great style. He reached the top position in the group 1 by beating reigning champion, no. one seed and best-ranked European player Dimitrij OVTCAHROV.   After established quick lead tonight, Joao faced similar situation to the previous match against Simon GAUZY.   “Very quickly I established the lead. I had 2:0, before OVTCHAROV recovered and pushed it to the decisive game. Then I change the rhythm of the match once again. I had 10:4, OVTCHAROV hit some important balls and at the end it was very close,” said MONTEIRO.   Without any doubt Joao did a great job by himself by beating Germany’s player, but in the surprising conclusion of the matches in Group 1, Simon GAUZY of France recovered after two defeats earlier in the day, to beat no. five seed Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece. That victory was insufficient to give him place among top eight players on day two, but it sealed GIONIS’ fate and to delight to host supporters helped Joao MONTEIRO to reach the spot no. one or two.   “I know I had to beat OVTCHAROV to be sure I will play in the quarters. Also I could calculate on outcome of the match between GIONIS and GAUZY, but I liked it more this way. To overcame OVTCHAROV in order to book my place it is much better scenario.”   Stefan FEGERL of Austria prevented any surprises. In the third match of the day, he recorded another victory, which secured his leading position in the group 2. Vladimir SAMOSNOV who received free evening after the withdrawal of Adrien MATTENET is second.   Bastian STEGER of Germany recorded three victories in the Group 3. Robert GARDOS of Austria suffered four games defeat by his hands in the round three. In the direct duel for the second position and knock out stage Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden inflicted the pain in the harts of the host’s by beating title winner from the 2014 Marcos FREITAS.   In the Group 4 Andrej GACINA of Croatia withdrew due the leg injury. It left only Tiago APOLONIA and Alexander SHIBAEV in the run for the top two positions. In their direct clash at the end of the day APOLINIA beat Russia’s player to reach top place.  

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar,   At the end of the day one, at the ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar, two players concluded the Group stage unbeaten, whilst we had real drama in other two groups. SHEN Yanfei and HU Melek had a perfect record today.   In the last match in the Group, top seeded Elizabeta SAMARA overcame host nation representative Lila OLIVEIRA in four games 3:1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9). She finished the match first, but had to spend 15 minutes or more, waiting for the end of the great battle between Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria and Polina MIKHAILOVA of Austria. The beginning of that match went in favor of Romanian player. Austria’s Sofia had two games to null on her record. With two previous wins Sofia was heading to the quarters, taking SAMARA with her. However, Polina recovered to level and to win the match so the outcome of the Group has to be decided by calculating the points ratio. All three players went through few more agonizing minutes before the calculation was over. SAMARA ended at the top of the group followed by POLCANOVA. The win did not save MIKHAILOVA.   “What a conclusion of the horrible day. I started bad; I did not feel good. After the opening match I did not even expect I would pass the group. It looked like I am heading another great disappointed for me at the Top 16,” said SAMARA.   Fighter, as she truly is did not give up. She stayed determined and at the end she was reworded.   “I just want to go to sleep now. Tomorrow is the new day and I hope it will start differently. This was nightmare for me,” said Elizabeta.   SAMARA recorded two wins with six points in plus on her account (99:93), POLCANOVA is second with +2 (96:94) whilst MIKHAILOVA has negative saldo (88:96).   There was no drama in the Group 2. HU Melek of Turkey recorded all three victories to book the top spot and the place in the quarterfinal. She beat NI Xialian of Luxembourg, Sabine WINTER of Germany and Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus. Sabine progressed to the quarters from the second spot.   “In the morning I had the difficult match against NI Xiaolian. We played so many times against each other before and the fact that it was the first match in the morning did not help. I managed to control the game; to be in the lead from the beginning, but she recovered. She stretched me to full distance,” said HU.   Another thriller awaited HU in the second round.   “Against WINTER , it was the hardest match today. We went full five games. I lost my focus in the opening stage, but after 0:2 I told myself, “lets play like it is 0:0”. I just needed time to find the game for her and I did not panicked,” added HU.” Against Viktoria I did not face great difficulties.”   In Group 3 LIU Jia of Austria was stretched to full distance in the last match of the day against Bernadette SZOCS of Romania, but she kept her record clean. With three victories in first stage of the Event, reigning champion progressed to the quarters. Despite two defeats Tetyana BILENKO followed her. Kristin SILBEREISEN of Germany beat Ukraine’s player in the last round but 3:2 was not enough to buy her pass to the next stage.   SHEN Yanfei of Spain, showed no mercy in Group 4. She beat Georgina POTA of Hungary, who booked second tickets to the quarters. On her list were also WU Jiaduo of Germany and Yana NOSKOVA of Russia.   “It was hard and long day for me. Playing three matches in the same day against top level players is not easy. I just need a good rest,” said SHEN.   At 10 AM tomorow SAMARA will meet BILENKO and WINTER will play against SHEN. One hour latter, LIU will play against POLCANOVa and POTA will meet HU.     

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar,   Adrien MATTENET of France was forced to withdraw from the ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar due the injury. In the match of the second round against Par GERELL of Sweden, he asked for the medical help after he suffered from the pain in the neck. It was 1:0 and 4:0 for the Swede at that point. After the short break they returned to the table, and Par lost four points, but soon after MATTENET withdrew.   “I could not fight against my body. It will be unfair to my adversary to stay any longer in the match. I felt great pain as the match progressed. I came here to fight, to give my best and now I am very disappointed,” explained Adrien.   In the same round reigning champion recorded another victory. This time Dimitrij OVTCHAROV overcame Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece 3:0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-7). Joao MONTEIRO prevailed against Simon GAUZY 2:3 (6-11, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11,6-11).   The member of the tam that won the gold medal at the European Championships last year in Ekaterinbourg, is ready to set another milestone. Stefan FEGERL of Austria overcame Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus 2:3 (11-7, 7-11, 6-11, 11-6,8-11). On his first appearance at the ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup she moved one more step closer to the quarters.   Alexander SHIBAEV of Russia finally settled in his rhythm. Against Ruwen FILUS of Germany he prevailed in straight games 3:0 (11-4, 11-8, 11-6).   “After defeat, it was important for me to keep on fighting. My forehand was good in the afternoon and I think that was the crucial moment. Against Andrej GACINA, this morning, I lost my focus. I had 8:4 in the third game and 7:5 in the fourth…When you lost after having such advantage, then you can only blame yourself. I made to many easy mistakes,” said SHIBAEV.   Marcos FREITAS of Portugal overcame Robert GARDOS of Austria 3:0 (15-13, 12-10, 11-8).  

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar,   One year ago in Baku at the NN Table Tennis Club 2015 ITTF-Europe Top 16, Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA, the third seed, lost all three matches in her Group. One of the players who beat her was Polina MIKHAILOVA. This year Elizabeta SAMARA finally ended the drought at the ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar. After losing earlier this morning against POLCANOVA, in the second round, in the full distance duel she beat Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia. The emotions after the victory overwhelmed her, so she burst into tars after the match.   POLCANOVA repeated her earlier success and overcame Leila OLIVIERA 3:2 (13-11, 8-11, 11-6, 8-11,11-8).   In the second round NI Xialian of Luxembourg beat former European Champion Victoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus in straight games 3:0 (13-11, 11-5, 11-3). HU Melek of Turkey prevailed against Sabine WINTER of Germany in another thrilling encounter that went full distance 3:2 (9-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8,12-10).   After suffered defeat in the opening match against Georgina POTA of Hungary WU JIaduo recovered to win the duel against Yana NOSKOVA of Russia 3:0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-6).   “I was injured during my match in France on Tuesday. I still feel the pain in my leg, so I needed to take some painkillers. It was difficult for me to play in the morning, but for the second round match I felt much better. I just go match after match, trying not to thing much about what is coming next,” said WU.   SHEN Yanfei overcame Georgina POTA of Hungary on her second arrival to the table today, but like in the first round, she had to go full distance 2:3 (9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 6-11,5-11).  

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar,   Favorites prevailed in the opening round of the Men’s Event at the ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar, Portugal, but few of them were under severe pressure.   Leading name in the Group A, reigning champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany, however, was not suffering at all. In the duel against Simon GAUZY of France he succeeded in straight games 3:0 (11-8, 11-4, 14-12). It was reverse scenario for the second seeded player in the group Greece’s Panagiotis GIONIS. He was stretched to full distance against Joao MONTEIRO of Portugal 3:2 (6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5,13-11).   “It was not good start for me, but eventually I settled into the right rhythm. I lift my game to play at the higher level. I think I was more confident and had more patience, which helped me in closing stages, when it was really close, “ explained GIONIS.   Very tight finish after MONTERO recovered from GIONIS’ quick lead brought some bad memories to PANAGIOTIS.   “Last year Joao beat me in the groups stages in Baku,” reminded us GIONIS.   In Group B Vladimir SAMOSNOV of Belarus beat Par GERELL of Sweden 3:1 (11-5, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7) whilst Stefan FEGERL of Austria overcame Adrien MATTENET of France 3:0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-9).   “Judging by the result it seams easy, but two games concluded by narrow margin. I was down two times in the match. At the beginning, after 8:3, I was losing 8:9, and then in the third game it was 9:7 for Adrien. If he had won even one game, it will be completely different match. Fortunately I kept the game under control,” said FEGERL.   Robert GARDOS of Austria, currently ranked at the position no. 6 in Europe suffered by the hands of Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden, Europe’s no. 13. KARLSSON posted very convincing victory 0:3 (6-11, 6-11, 7-11).   “Three months ago I beat GARDOS in the French league. It was my first victory in five encounters. It gave me confidence here. It is much easer to have in the back of your mind that you already beat someone then to come with the 0:5 record against you,” explained KARLSSON.   Kristian had a control from a very beginning.   “When you play against GARDOS the most important segment is service-return game. I was strong in that part today.”   Andrej GACINA of Croatia beat Alexander SHIBAEV of Russia 3:1 (8-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-7).   Both Germany vs. Portugal matches were stretched to full distance in the opening round. In addition in both cases players from Germany recovered from two games to 0 in reverse to level the duels, but only one prevailed.   The Top 16 winner from Lausanne, Marcos FREITAS suffered by the hands of Bastian STEGER 2:3 (11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 7-11,7-11).   “I was not very bad at the beginning, but Marcos played at the top level. I had to wait for him to make some errors on service. As the game progressed, my receive improved. I really can tell I had a perfect game,” said STEGER.   Tiago APOLONIA was the player who brought joy for host nation supporters. He beat Ruwen FILUS 3:2 (11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 9-11,11-8).   “For the players with the defensive style of play is always hard to adjust to the new hall. It takes more time then for the others. That is why I had an easy 2:0 lead. However, it was the meter of time before FILUS found his game and right rhythm. I was expecting that too. He raised his game and came back to game stronger in the closing stages,” explained APOLONIA.

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup ,   The ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Portugal’s Gondomar commenced with the upsets in the Women’s Event. Top seeded Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania suffered by the hands of Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA. Europe’s no. 22 succeeded against player ranked at the position no. 5 at the Old Continent after full distance duel 2:3 (8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 10-12, 8-11).   In the opening round of the Women’s Event Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria, the player who reached the competition by being the first above the line – 17th player on invitation list, beat top seeded Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania. European singles champion from Ekaterinburg 2015, was always one step behind, forced to run after the result. Twice she recovered and level, but eventually Sofia prevailed.   “I think that SAMARA was under pressure and very nervous. I seized the opportunity. I was very comfortable in this match. Last year in Russia at the European Championships I beat her, now I felt confident and things went my way when I realized she is not that quick as she is usually,” explained POLCANOVA.   Reigning champion LIU Jia of Austria had a good start, although even she was surprised by the fast lane victory over Germany’s Kristin SILBEREISEN 3:0 (11-4, 11-8, 11-7).   “Last year in the quarterfinal of the Top 16 in Baku, Kristina had two match points against me. Again, I expected very difficult match against her at the opening, but today SILBEREISEN was not at her top level, for sure, and I am very happy that I won this,” said LIU Jia.   In the same group Tetyana BILENKO of Ukraine beat Bernadette SZOCS of Romania 3:0 (11:9, 11:2, 11:7).   As a player ranked at the position no. 143 in the Europe, Lila OLIVERIA has not complained of having the chance to play against the top European players. To contrary, she expressed the gratitude for the opportunity and in the brave effort she managed to attack Russia’s Polina MIKHAILOVA from the very beginning of the opening match duel. Host nation representatives, however, could not stay at the same track for long. Polina recovered to win the match 3:1 (9-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-2).   “I knew what to expect here, I know how hard it will be. I am honored for the opportunity I have and I will try to give my best until the end, “ said OLIVEIRA who turned 26 today.   Birthday girl won the opening game and had few opportunities in the third.   “Unfortunately I missed few easy balls,” admitted player who won all three titles, in Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles at the Portugal’s national championships last year.   HU Melek of Turkey was stretched to full distance against experienced NI Xialian of Luxembourg 3:2 (11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8), whilst Sabine WINTER beat Viktoria PAVLOVICH in straight games 3:0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-9).   Georgina POTA of Hungary overcame WU Jiaduo of Germany 3:1 (11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9); SHEN Yanfei of Spain overcame Yana NOSKOVA of Russia 3:2 (9-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5).