Yesterday we talked about successful came back of Michael MAZE; today after he beat best ranked European player and world’s no. 6 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, it becomes amazing cameback and now Dane is only night away from miraculous recovery and title at the DHS, Yesterday we talked about successful came back of Michael MAZE; today after he beat best ranked European player and world’s no. 6 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, it becomes amazing cameback and now Dane is only night away from miraculous recovery and title at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup. In tomorrow’s final he will meet Marcos FREITAS of Portugal. In his semi final duel MAZE left no space to OVTCHAROV to try to settle into his rhythm. MAZE changed the pace, moved German player from one side to another and produced fantastic finishes in long rallies. “I did not believe I could get that far. Especially I did not believe I could beat OVTCHAROV. That victory came to early for me. I felt good today I felt the ball well…” In their previous duel, at the quarterfinal of the Olympic Games, MAZE suffered by the hands of OVTCHAROV. Now he looked like completely different player. “At that time I could not move properly. I lived on painkillers, and I woke every morning with pain. A lot of things happened from that time. Unfortunately I had a lot of free time to study the game of best players. I improved my service game…There are few benefits from the break, but I think that my service down to line is something that made me better player now.” Adrien MATTENET faced one Portugal’s player too many yesterday. He beat Tiago APOLONIA in quarters, but Marcos FREITAS set a path for first ever title for Portugal at tournaments that gathers best 12 players from Old Continent. FREITAS succeeded in straight games. ”I knew very well Adrien MATTENET. We played and practiced together. However it has been a year since we worked together so I was little bit anxious before the game. I wondered what he had changed in his tactics. He opened the match well, put some pressure on me, made a risk and gives me hard time. I stood his challenge and after 2:0 I was in the driving seat. It is different situation when you have such advantage on your account. I was focused,” explained FREITAS. FREITAS is the only unbeaten player at the tournament so far. “I hope it will stay that way.” His performance looked even more impressive then at the opening day. “ You can not compare today’s matches to yesterday’s duels. Best of 5 and best of 7 games are totally different, not to mention different profile of the players. Yesterday, I was aware that my opportunity to get second chance is narrowed. Unlike today’s matches, when you have space to correct mistakes.” The twist of fate made us watch the duel between top favorites much earlier then the seeding predicted. All’ German clash between top seeded Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and second seed Timo BOLL, finished in favor of younger player, but for sure this quarterfinal match worthy deserved the title “final before the final”. The clash went full distance; at 3:2 BOLL saved one match point; at 3:3 four further…in fantastic exchanges of rallies. ”I could finish the match in fifth game. At 8:8 I was active in game, but I missed two balls that normally I should not. Then I faced same situation in sixth game, on match ball…I managed to convert the fourth match ball in decisive game, but only by playing point for point, not thinking about the result.” Fresh in role of father, Timo BOLL was calm after the defeat. “After my injury and illness, I have to be patient with my come back. It takes time. Still there are small things that I have to tune up; like service game today against OVTCHAROV. That was the fine line that made a difference today.” Adrien MATTENET beat Tiago APOLONIA. “Against Tiago APOLONIA I faced difficulties at the beginning of the match, but I managed to improve my service game. I served the ball close to the net and that created difficulties for Tiago. In addition it gave me further confidence to be more creative with my backhand.” Marcos FREITAS beat Alexey SMIRNOV of Russia yesterday and beat MAZE in five games. “I did not know what to expect against MAZE. I played against him seven years ago and I had no idea how he will play after the break. I won two opening sets easily, then he played much better and in fifth game I mange to won in something what was very open game.” Against SHIBAEV, FREITAS showed no weak points. “I played long time ago against SHIBAEV. I knew he have very difficult service play for lefthanders, but I was confident with my game.” The duel between MAZE and Panagiotis GIONIS also attracted great attention. However injured Greek player failed to produce the kind of game that brought him to the medal rostrum at the European Championships. “I played three sets really good, but then Panagiotis raised his game. I had to get back because in case of longer match, I will be too tired to beat him,” addmited MAZE. GIONIS was in bad shape after the duel: “My injury took its toll. We were discussing should I play here at all, but eventually I decided to come, since it will be my premiere at DHS Europe Cup.  I won top place in the group yesterday, but today it was hard to overcame MAZE. He played very vise, changed his rhythm from strong to soft balls and send me out of game. With my injury I was powerless.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

It was the day of great disappointed for Elizabeta SAMARA. At the edge of tears she concluded the opening day of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne with two defeats against LIU Jia of Austria and Petrissa SOLJA of Germany. Generally it was bad day for Ro, It was the day of great disappointed for Elizabeta SAMARA. At the edge of tears she concluded the opening day of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne with two defeats against LIU Jia of Austria and Petrissa SOLJA of Germany. Generally it was bad day for Romania. Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO also failed to post a victory. She lost against Czechs Iveta VACENOVSKA and LI Jiao of Netherlands. However, we found them on very opposite positions on mood scale. SAMARA was tired and sad, whilst Daniela was full of optimism. “I am so tired. From the beginning of the year all I can remember are airports and planes. I went from one to another event. I need a rest. I need to dedicate serious time to my training. I need to get back in shape. Most of all I need to go home,” said Elizabeta. DODEAN MONTEIRO recovered from a knee surgery. “I need to play. I am hungry for tournaments. I had doubts before coming here. Doctor told me that I can play, and it was after me to decide how much pain I can take. However, I felt no pain after a long time. I am so happy I am back. I do not mind defeats; the feeling that I am in the arena again is special. Now I want to compete in Kuwait, Qatar..” Quite opposite to SAMARA’s current state. “For months I was forced to lay down with my knee secured. I was staring at my PC, following where is SAMARA. Now I can finally travel and play again. I want to get back so much. After World Championships in Paris I was absolutely out of the field. This is my job and I want to come back, for me, for my club..” And you have some extra support? “MONTEIRO was also injured, it affected his rankings, but we gave each other support and I am sure we become stronger after this.” Top seeded LI Jiao posted two victories, but face great challenge against VACENOVSKA. Player from Czech Republic stretched her to full distance. Just like LI Jiao, Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus was the creator of her own fate. With two victories over WU Jiaduo of Germany and Rachel MORET of Switzerland, she could wait for the epilog of the Groups stage without any fear. At the ened it was WU who secured quarterfinal as a second in the Group. LIU Jia beat Petrissa SOLJA to join them. Petrissa also progressed to the next stage. Group 4 was lethal for another seed. HU Melek lost against Margaryta PESOTSKA, but needed full five games to beat Georgina POTA. POTA succeeded against Ukraine’s player, so they both booked quarterfinal place. Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

After defeat against Panagiotis GIONIS and five games victory over Alexander SHIBAEV, Adrian CRISAN, top seeded in Group 4 was forced to wait for the outcome of the last duel in the group between Greek and Russia’s players. Winner of two medals at the Eur, After defeat against Panagiotis GIONIS and five games victory over Alexander SHIBAEV, Adrian CRISAN, top seeded in Group 4 was forced to wait for the outcome of the last duel in the group between Greek and Russia’s players. Winner of two medals at the European Championships in Austria last year, GIONIS, lost the match but after he stretched SHIBAEV to full distance. He won the top of the standings and CRISAN concluded the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne with disappointment. “I had my chances against GIONIS, but he was better today. This tournament was hard for me. I am very tired,” said CRISAN. GIONIS concluded the day at the top spot, but his coach Konstantinos VACAKLIS was not happy after the match. “In last 15 days we are trying to repaired his injury. He played today under medical treatment and I have great doubts how he will play tomorrow. Of course he is great fighter. He played very late his last match and even after he has won two sets and secured the quarterfinal, he did not want to give up. He fought until the very last ball and wanted to win. Tomorrow he will have to go there and play in best of 7 and for a player with defensive style of play it will be kilometers of running…but I am sure he will give his best.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

There will be no all-German final in the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. Already after first day of the competition the most possible scenario went with the wind. Unlike the rankings predicted, already in the quarterfinal, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV will play ag, There will be no all-German final in the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. Already after first day of the competition the most possible scenario went with the wind. Unlike the rankings predicted, already in the quarterfinal, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV will play against Timo BOLL. However, it was not the only upset today, so on day two Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal will play against Adrien MATTENET of France, Marcos FREITAS of Portugal will meet Alexander SHIBAEV of Russia, Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece will meet Michael MAZE. Seeded no. one, OVTCHAROV suffered defeat by the hands of Tiago APOLONIA, and needed full five games to beat Robert GARDOS. However APOLONIA’S victory over Austria’s player gave him free passage to the quarters as no. two in Group 1. ”OVTCHAROV played two close matches against APOLONIA and GARDOS. Those encounters came in worst possible moment, after tough matches in European Champions League in Orenburg and tournament in Saarbrucken. Our aim is to prepare him for World Championships, so this is not disaster,” said coach Jorg ROSSKOPF . For Timo BOLL it was an easy day. He beat both Adrien MATTENET and Andrej GACINA in straight games. “For us is much more important at this point to have BOLL qualified for the World Cup, so the things are developing in right direction,” stated ROSSKOPF. Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

In the finish of the day Adrien MATTENET booked his place in the quarterfinal of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. He lost against Timo BOLL in straight games, but secured his place in next stage with the 3:0 victory over Andrej GACINA. “Finally! After, In the finish of the day Adrien MATTENET booked his place in the quarterfinal of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. He lost against Timo BOLL in straight games, but secured his place in next stage with the 3:0 victory over Andrej GACINA. “Finally! After 18 months I played good,” said MATTENET. Asked was the injury the reason for his not so good performance in period after London 2012, Adrian made a joke: “Yes injury, but of my head. I was losing games after games. I felt like I cannot win. I am glad I left that period behind. Now I am living only for present. The project that suppose to launch me to the Olympic Games in Rio started and I can also hope for brighter future.” Against GACINA Adrian improved already impressive record of three consecutive wins. “I was inspired today, played very safe and felt self-confident. Everything I have wanted, worked well. I did not make mistakes.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

When she has heard that DHS 2014 Europe Cup will be held in Lausanne, seven-time national Swiss champion, Rachel MORET was afraid to hope that she might play there. However when the phone rang and she received the invitation she accepted it with great del, When she has heard that DHS 2014 Europe Cup will be held in Lausanne, seven-time national Swiss champion, Rachel MORET was afraid to hope that she might play there. However when the phone rang and she received the invitation she accepted it with great delight. “I could not believe that I will receive wild card. That was fantastic,” admitted MORET. Last year Rachel reached the Round of 16 at the Universiade and that is her career best so far. “I have not play a lot on International level. That is why this tournament meant so much to me. So far I only had a chance to play against VACENOVSKA and POTA.” Not to mention that she has played in front of her home crowd. She was born in Laussane and her mother still lives here. “I concluded the competition in Group stages; I lost against WU Jiaduo and Viktoria PAVLOVICH. Never really had a chance, but it was nice to play. I was not under pressure; there was nothing to lose for me. I was not nervous, just wanted to start to play as soon as possible. Now, when it is over for me I will enjoy the matches and spend some time with my family. It is rare occasion for me.” MORET plays for French Pro B’s club Issy Les Moulineaux. “Usually I am two weeks in France and two weeks in Switzerland, but before DHS Europe Cup I stayed for whole month, because I wanted to prepare well for this tournament. “ MORET will be the member of the Swiss team for the World Championships. “We have very young generation of players. Our aim is to stay in Second Division and we are aware it will be difficult.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

Agonizing wait and painful recovery are over. Michael MAZE is back. On his first tournament after brief appearance at the LIBEHERR European Championships in Austria last year, at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup, Michael MAZE reached at least the semifinal of the , Agonizing wait and painful recovery are over. Michael MAZE is back. On his first tournament after brief appearance at the LIBEHERR European Championships in Austria last year, at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup, Michael MAZE reached at least the semifinal of the Men’s Singles Event. “It is so nice to play again. After 15 months finally I am back on track. I do not want to make any predictions, and I go one step at the time,” said MAZE. At the opening day MAZE beat Alexey SMIRNOV and lost five games duel against Marcos FREITAS. He stood the challenge of playing full distance match, recovered after defeat against Portugal’s player to secure the quarterfinal in the duel against Russia’s SMIRNOV. “In Schwechat I just came to secure my staying at the rankings. I was afraid to move; now it is completely different situation. I feel good. Against FREITAS I had a bad start, but recovered to level. Thanks to my easy mistakes I lost the decisive game. On the other hand Alex was not in his best shape.” In quarterfinal MAZE beat Greek star Panagiotis GIONIS, but more then victory he underlined the fact that he is able to enjoy the game again. “Finally, after one year of hell. I do not know what to expect from future, but so far I enjoy every moment.” But certainly, you set some goals. “The time frame works for me. Until next January I do not expect a lot. Then, I hope I will be ready for 2015 World Championships and of course I will give my best to be at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. In between, we will have European championships… As I said the time is on my side. Things like this tournament, big championships, clashes with the best players are the things that motivate me. The heat from the great matches inspires me. This is what I living for and I will fight to come back on my top again.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

Portugal’s Tiago APOLONIA was the surprise name, to complete the opening stage of the Men’s Singles event in first place in his respective group, at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. “I beat Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and I am in the quarterfinal of the DHS 20, Portugal’s Tiago APOLONIA was the surprise name, to complete the opening stage of the Men’s Singles event in first place in his respective group, at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. “I beat Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and I am in the quarterfinal of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup. Which date is today? I have to write it down. This is something I would love to remember,” said APOLONIA. In past few weeks Tiago had strong preparations in Saarbrucken. “I worked hard with my club and I kept DHS 2014 Europe Cup in my focus. I knew I could play well, but win over Dimitrij OVTCHAROV exceeded the expectations.” The match went the full distance. “You have to seize any opportunity that occurs if you want to beat OVTCHAROV. It was a close duel, and I took a little bit of the advantage of the fact that he was nervous. I fought for each point. “ Against Robert GARDOS Tiago won in four games. “I was not thinking about game ratio, or had any calculations. I went for win.  I had a chance to pass by with two sets, but I wanted to be sure,” said APOLONIA. After the surgery Tiago won the Olympic qualifications tournament and bronze medal at the European Champions with MONTEIRO in Doubles. “I had a surgery in 2012, but only now I feel like I am back. Finally I can say that I play like I used to play before.”  Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

The nation that gave the winners at the very last Europe Top 12 held in Lyon 2012, will have the maxim number of participants at newly created DHS 2014 Europe Cup. Both winners from Europe Top 12, the forerunner of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup, Dimitrij OVTCHA, The nation that gave the winners at the very last Europe Top 12 held in Lyon 2012, will have the maxim number of participants at newly created DHS 2014 Europe Cup. Both winners from Europe Top 12, the forerunner of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and WU Jiaduo will be on duty again in Lausanne from Friday. Not only that OVTCHAROV will be on duty, but he is also the top seed and top favorite for the title again. Player with most of the European titles, his compatriot Timo BOLL heading the list of main challengers, especially after withdrawal of Belarus Vladimir SAMSONOV. National coach Jörg ROSSKOPF has no secrets about his wishes for the final day: “I certainly hope that our two players will meet in the final. In case someone upset the rankings, we will have to keep on fighting in play off matches, since the positions three to eight will lead to the World Cup.” European champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was cautious. “I have great respect for all my adversaries at this tournament and I will prepare carefully for every single match. I hope I will produce good game for fans in Lausanne and hopefully good result at the end.” Timo BOLL has a very special reason to qualify for the LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup in October in Düsseldorf. “I will do everything possible in 2014 to be around when one of my favorite tournaments take place already on my doorstep,” said the man who holds the record in titles at the European Championships. BOLL’s name is written twice at the list of winners at the World Cup: in 2002 (Jinan / China) and 2005 (Liège / Belgium). Portuguese Marcos FREITAS and the Romanian Adrian CRISAN , currently listed at position 15 and 17 of the World rankings will try to hold the Germanys aspirations but the danger that comes from defensive artist Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece is not to be underestimated; he is playing in his life form. Bronze from Austria in Singles Event from the European Championships is there to prove it. In Women’s Event Germany is not that strong. WU Jiaduo has won the Women’s Singles title at the European Championships and at the Europe Top 12. 19 year-old Petrissa SOLJA at the LIEBHERR European Championships has won the Women’s Doubles title with Sabine WINTER. However they are listed at the seeding at the positions number six and ten. Men: Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal), Timo BOLL (Germany), Adrian CRISAN (Romania), Marcos FREITAS (Portugal), Andrej GACINA (Croatia), Robert GARDOS (Austria), Panagiotis GIONIS (Greece), Adrien MATTENET (France), Michael MAZE (Denmark), Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany), Alexey SMIRNOV (Russia), Alexander SHIBAEV (Russia). Women: HU Melek (Turkey), LI Jiao (Netherlands), LIU Jia (Austria), Daniela MONTEIRO-DODEAN (Romania), Rachel MORET (Switzerland), Viktoria PAVLOVICH (Belarus), Margaryta PESOTSKA (Ukraine), Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania), Petrissa SOLJA (Germany), Iventa VACENOVSKA (Czech Republic), WU Jiaduo (Germany). to be confirmed Georgina POTA (Hungary) Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter