Alexandru MANOLE and Andreea CLAPA of Romania went one step further this year in the Cadet Mixed Doubles Event at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava. MANOLE and CLAPA played in the final last year and lost against Can AKKUZU and Audrey ZARIF of , Alexandru MANOLE and Andreea CLAPA of Romania went one step further this year in the Cadet Mixed Doubles Event at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava. MANOLE and CLAPA played in the final last year and lost against Can AKKUZU and Audrey ZARIF of France, but this year they clinched top prize. In the ultimate stage Romanian pairings beat Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic and HO Tin TIN of England. New champions were stretched to full distance, but nor very good pairings at the opposite side, nor enthusiastic host crowd who cheered their favourites could not stop them. “It was strange match. I know POLANSKY very well and I knew it will not be easy,” said MANOLE. In the semi final Alexandru MANOLE and Andreea CLAPA had very difficult task. They faced teammate Adina DIACONU who played with Darko JORGIC of Slovenia. Opening game was close affair with 14:12 in favour of MANOLE and CLAPA. When they sealed that game in their favour, everything went easier latter. “The hardest thing was to stop Adina. It is very hard to play against the play from your own country,” said MANOLE. Andreea added:“And she is such good player.” Tomas POLANSKY and HO Tin TIN played for a first time in Ostrava together but they showed impressive performance. In penultimate stage they overcame Maxim CHAPLYGIN and Maria MALANINA of Russia after full distance duel that ended with 12:10 in decisive game. “I had to change my tactics. Usually I play more aggressive, but we made a different approach here. I played much more safe,” said HO Tin Tin. Cadet Mixed Doubles Final: Tomas POLANSKY, HO Tin TIN (Czech Republic, England) – Alexandru MANOLE, Andreea CLAPA (Romania) 2:3 (11:7, 8:11, 11:8, 3:11, 9:11)
Medal for Dutch pairings
Enzo ANGLES will need some days off after the European Youth Championships in Ostrava. In the Junior Singles Event, top seed was stretched to full distance in last three rounds before he reached semi final. French player overcame Adam SZUDI of Hungary in , Enzo ANGLES will need some days off after the European Youth Championships in Ostrava. In the Junior Singles Event, top seed was stretched to full distance in last three rounds before he reached semi final. French player overcame Adam SZUDI of Hungary in the quarterfinal to secure medal. We saw same fierce battles in the lower half of the draw. Seeded no. two Jakub DYJAS is out, after match against Marton SZITA of Hungary, but Hungarian player had no time to celebrate. Alexandre CASSIN beat him and then he overcame David REITSPIES of Czech Republic to secure another medal for France. He will play against Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia. PUCAR beat Alexandre ROBINOT of France in the quarterfinal. Dutch pairings Koen HAGERAATS and Martin KHATCHANOV reached the semi final of the Junior Boy’s Doubles Event after they beat Filip ZELJKO and Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia on their way to the medal. Tomorrow they will play against Patryk ZATOWKA and Jakub DYJAS of Poland. Polish players overcame Alin SPELBUS and Daniel DAN of Romania in the quarterfinal. In the lower half of the draw Alexandre ROBINOT and Joao GERALDO of France and Portugal succeeded against Italians Leonardo MUTTI and Alessandro BACIOCCHI. They certainly spoiled MUTTI’s birthday….Tamas LAKATOS and Adam SZUDI of Hungary beat Henrik JOHANSSON and Anders ERIKSSON of Sweden. In the Round of 16 HAGERAATS and KHATCHANOV were in charge for the biggest upset of the morning. They overcame top seeds Mehdi BOULOUSSA and Enzo ANGLES of France. “This morning I felt very bad. I was not sure should I play or not. Martin told me to go and to give a try. I entered the game without anything to lose,” said Koen HAGERAATS. Dutch pairings were 2:1 down before they levelled and won the duel. In Cadet Boys Singles Event Europe’s no. two and seeded no. one in Ostrava since Alexandre CASSIN is playing for junior’s team, Andreas LIND was out of competition after Round of 16. Lucas RIGAULT of France, currently placed at position no. 10 at the rankings overcame Dane in six games. Lucas RIGAULT departed the competition one round latter, in quarterfinal. Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic beat him to secure medal. He will play against Aliaksandr KHANIN of Belarus tomorrow. In the other semi final duel Andreas LEVENKO of Austria will meet Maxim CHAPLYGIN of Russia. Top seeds in Cadet Boys Doubles Event Joe SEYFRIED and Loucas RIGAULT of France secured the medal today. In the quarterfinal they overcame Maxim KISELEV and Nikita YARUSHIN of Russia. Thy will meet Slovenia’s Germany’s combination of Darko JORGIC and Nils HOHMEIER. Whilst French paIrings prevailed in straight games, JORGIC and HOHMEIER was forced to go full distance against Thomas JARVIS and Marcus GILES of England. In the lower half of the draw Aleksandr KHANIN of Belarus and Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic also went full distance against Thomas GRININGER and Andreas LEVENKO of Austria. At the bottom of the draw Serbia’s Nikola GRBIC and Nikola MARINKOVIC caused top rate upset by reaching medal rostrum. Players ranked at position 183 and 190 clinched quarterfinal victory against Slovakia’s Adam BRAT and Jakub PAVOLKA.
France and Russia’s cadets still strong
In the Cadet Mixed Doubles Event we already know the medal winners. Tomorrow, in the semi final of the Event at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava will play Maxim CHAPLYGIN and Maria MALANINA of Russia against Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic and, In the Cadet Mixed Doubles Event we already know the medal winners. Tomorrow, in the semi final of the Event at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava will play Maxim CHAPLYGIN and Maria MALANINA of Russia against Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic and HO Tin Tin of England. In other semi final Alexandru MANOLE and Andreea CLAPA of Romania will meet Darko JORGIC of Slovenia and Adina DIACONU of Romania. In quarters Russia’s combination proved too strong for Marcus HILKER and Jennie WOLF of Germany, whilst Swedish pairings Omid KHOSBBAKHT and Erika FRONT could not find the game for POLANSKY and HO. JORGIC and DIACONU halted the progress of Nikita YARUSHIN and Anastasia KOLISH, and MANOLE and CLAPA accounted at Batuhan ULUCAK and Simay KULAKCEKEN of Turkey another surprise winners of previous round. In the round of 16 of the cadet Mixed Doubles few favourites faced hard moments. Lucas RIGAULT and Marie MIGOT of France are no longer in the competition. Batuhan ULUCAK and Simay KULAKCEKEN of Turkey prevailed in four games. Omid KHOSBAKHT and Erika FRONT of Sweden beat Rares SIPOS and Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania to reach quarterfinal. Top seeded cadet in Boys Singles Event Andreas LIND of Denmark progressed to the Round of 16. He needed only four games to beat Daniele PINTO of Italy. Lucas RIGAULT, Nolan GIVONE and Joe SEYFRIED of France are also still game for medal rostrum, whilst the most representatives will have Russia. Nikita YARUSHIN, Artem ZIMARIN, Maxim KISELEV and Maxim CHAPLYGIN will play in Round of 16. In Cadet Girls Singles Event Marie MIGOT of France booked her place in the Round of 16. She overcame Daria CHERNORAY of Russia. Tomorrow she will meet Jeannie WOLF of Germany. German player overcame Portugal’s Marta SANTOS. In the lower half of the draw Adina DIACONU of Romania is safely through after straight games win over Valeria BAGAPOVA of Bulgaria. However this round was not safe fro upsets. Karoline MISCHEK of Austria suffered by the hands of Raquel ANDRADE of Portugal.
Strong group in Women’s high-class league
The Women’s European Champions League draw held this morning at Ostrava gathered top seed and main candidate for the title, Turkish Fenerbahce Sport Club will share super-strong Group A with 2011/12 finalists, TTC Berlin Eastside and SVS STROCK, while fou, The Women’s European Champions League draw held this morning at Ostrava gathered top seed and main candidate for the title, Turkish Fenerbahce Sport Club will share super-strong Group A with 2011/12 finalists, TTC Berlin Eastside and SVS STROCK, while fourth team in that group is newcomer from France, Metz TT. Group B contains reigning champion Linz AG Froschberg, no. 3 seed, Polish KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg, Russian Tyumen and 2012/13 WECL finalist Budaorsi 2i SC. The new season, no doubt – best ever, starts in early September (6-9th) and the first matches are: Fenerbahce – STROCK, Berlin.– Metz, Froschberg – Tyumen and Tarnobrzeg – Budaorsi. After the sixth round (December 20th) two best clubs from each group are continuing to the semi finals. The most interesting game of opening round should be one at Istanbul where the best Turkish club Fenerbahce expects two times Austrian champion SVS STROCK. On the home side: Viktoria PAVLOVICH – two times (2010, 2012) individual gold medalist of European Championships and current champion of Old Continent, Elisabeta SAMARA – two times quarter finalist of ECH, and HU Melek – the 2010 EC individual bronze medalist. The guests have also three very good players: Daniela DODEAN – two times ECH quarter finalist (2007, 2012), Petra LOVAS – the 2007 ECH quarter finalist, and Tetyana BILENKO – one of biggest surprises of recent 2013 LIEBHERR World Championships at Paris, where she play in Round of 16. “This Champions League will be thrilling from the very first match up to the end. I saw six clubs at the highest level, against three of them we have to compete in the first round”, stressed after the draw SVS STROCK`s manager Martin SOROS replaying on the question about Round 1: “The number four of Istanbul is placed in the world rankings before our number one. But it should not sound unusual when I say: Yes, we do have our chance. Or let’s say so. If Fenerbahce must fear a team most in the upcoming season, I’m definitively sure we are the one”. Title-holder Linz, with same line-up as in winning year, opens new WECL chapter at home against Tyumen (Oxana FEDEEVA, Polina MIKHAILOVA, Ruta PASKAUSKIENE, Veronika PAVLOVICH). This clash provides two former individual European champions, Froschberg`s LIU Jia (2005) and Tyumen`s Ruta PASKAUSKIENE (2008). View here the group round draw
Hard day for Lea RAKOVAC
In the semi final of the Junior Mixed Doubles Event at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava tomorrow will play Jakub SEIBERT and Karolina MYNAROVA of Czech Republic vs. Adam SZUDI of Hungary and Katsiaryna BARAVOK of Belarus, whilst in other match , In the semi final of the Junior Mixed Doubles Event at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava tomorrow will play Jakub SEIBERT and Karolina MYNAROVA of Czech Republic vs. Adam SZUDI of Hungary and Katsiaryna BARAVOK of Belarus, whilst in other match Kilian ORT and Nina MITTELHAM of Germany will meet Leonardo MUTTI of Italy and Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia. This day, Lea RAKOVAC , Europe’s no. two will remember as one of the hardest in her life. After thrilling encounter in singles she were stretched to full distance once again in the match for the medal against David REITSPIES and Kristyna STEFCOVA of Czech Republic. All other quarterfinals concluded in express line. Serbia had chances for two medals but she failed to seized any. SEIBERT and MYNAROVA beat KATIC and TRUZINSKI in straight games. It was the same outcome in duel of Germany’s players against Hungarian Marton SZITA and Aneta MAKSUTI of Serbia. SZUDI and BARAVOK overcame Martin ALLEGRO and Nathalie MARCHETTI of Belgium. In Junior Mixed Doubles Romanian girls just went out of luck. After top seeded pairings Joa GERALDO and Bernadette SZOCS departed the scene earlier then their rankings predicts, two more joined them in Round of 16. Nandor ECSEKI of Hungary and Romanian Bernadette BALINT suffered by the hands of Ivor KATIC and Viktoria TRUZINSKI . Hungary’s Marton SZITA and Serbia’s Aneta MAKSUTI upset another favourites Diogo CHEN of Portugal and Irina CIOBANU of Romania to reach quarters. In Junior Girls Singles Event greatest fight in the Round of 64 has been seen in the duel between Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia and Italian Giorgia PICCOLIN. Italian established 3:2 lead, but no. two seed survived and recovered. However, she was put under severe pressure again at the closing stages of the decisive game which she eventually won 14:12. Latter, RAKOVAC overcame Ana ZOFIJA FENJVESI of Serbia. At the top of the draw Bernadette SZOCS keeps situation under control. She reached Round of 16 without major problems. Aikaterini TOILOU of Greece will also play tomorrow in Round of 16. TOILOU repeated the success from the Team’s event. She beat Chantal MANTZ of Germany. Top seed in the Junior Boys Singles Event Anzo ANGLES is safely through to the Round of 16. He beat Martin KHATCHANOV of Netherlands to move forward. Italy suffered from another blow. Leonardo MUTTI lost against Carl AHLANDER JOHANSSON. Like in case of BACCIOCHI it was Swede who halted his progress. Mehdi BOULOUSSA of France, Alexandre ROBINOT, Alexandre CASSIN also joined ANGLES to strengthened French line up. Paulius GURA was close to stop Can AKKUZU but French junior eventually prevailed after seven games. Florent LAMBIENT of Belgium beat Tamas LAKATOS but Hungary still bass few chances with Marton SZITA who beat Jakub DYJAS of Poland and Adam SZUDI.
ETTU Cup in each corner of Europe
The draw for the Men’s and Women’s ETTU Cup has been conducted today in Ostrava during the 56th European Youth Championships. Total of 78 clubs will compete this season. In Men’s ETTU Cup top eight seeds are: Polish Dartom Bogoria Grodzi, The draw for the Men’s and Women’s ETTU Cup has been conducted today in Ostrava during the 56th European Youth Championships. Total of 78 clubs will compete this season. In Men’s ETTU Cup top eight seeds are: Polish Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Germany’s TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau E.V, Russia’s TTC Magistral Moscow French Stella Sport La Romagne and Istres Tennis De Table, Turkish Istanbul BBSK, Belgium’s Logis Auderghem TT and Croatia’s Stk Dr. Casl. They will start the competition on 6th to 8th December in third round, first of knock out stage. The first round, the matches in Groups starts from second weekend in September (7th – 8th). In Group 1 host is Romania’s Cs Pristavu Campulung. There will play: Italian ASD Marcozzi Cagliari, Spanish DKV Borges Vall and Turkey’s Sistem Reklam Sport Külübü. In Group 2 host is Czch’s Sokol Kraluv Dvur, and they will host Danish OB-Bordtennis, Belgium’s Sokah Hoboken and Goodgate Etha Engomi of Cyprus. In Group 3 Luxembourg’s DT Diddeleng will host Yroni Givatayim from Israel, Dutch TTC-FVT/Visser-V/D Ham-Rotterdam and Turkey’s TED Sport Club. Group 4 will also be played in Luxembourg. DT Echternach will host Danish Roskilde Bordtennis, BKT61, Stolnoteniski Klub Mostar from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenian NTK Ilirija Ljubljana. Scotland’s Drumchapel Glasgow TTC awaits TT Sud Telecom Virton of Belgium, UTTF Raiffeisen Ligist of Austria and STK Aladza-A from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbia’s STK Banat Zrenjanin will be the host in Group 6. Swiss TTC Rio-Star Muttenz, Portugal’s Grupo Desp. Do Centro Soc. do Juncal and Spanish Irun Leka Enea will play there. Mavrommatis Ayiou Pavlou from Cyprus will host Grupo Desportivo from Portugal, CTM San Sebastian de los Reyes from Spain and Tischtennis SportKlub Wien from Austria. In last, Group 8, TT Sport Club “Elem” of Russia will host Croatia’s Libertas Marinkolor Dubrovnik, Spanish Arteal Tenis de Mesa and DT Recken from Luxembourg. The teams finishing in position 1, 2 and 3 in their respective groups are qualified for the 2nd round (19th -20th October). At the top of 8 groups in second stage draw are: Russia’s Baikal, Polish “Olimpia-Unia” Grudziadz, Spanish Cajasur Priego T.M., French Entente Pongiste Issenne, Dutch Enjoy & Deploy Taverzo, SF SKK EL Nino Praha and KST Robot Metalfin Hustopecefrom Czech Republic and TTSC “NORD” from Ukraine. In each group, the team ranked first is qualified for the 3rd stage. In Women’s ETTU Cup at the top of the list are:Russia’s Evromost – Kuban, French Alcl Tennis De Table Grand-Quevilly, Club Pongiste Lyssois Lille Metropole, Croatia’s STK Dr. CASL, Austria’s TTC Carinthiawinds-Villacher, Leistungszentrum Linz Froschberg, Czech’s SKST Mart Hodonin and Russia’d Table Tennis Club “Kazan”. In First stage DT Diddeleng of Luxembourg will host Greek YMCA Thessaloniki and Spanish Irun Leka Enea. In Group 2 Belgium’s KTTC AFP Antwerpen will welcome Swiss TTC Neuhausen and Portugal’s Gr. Desp. Casa Do Poro da Madamena. In Group 3 Buducnost Podgorica in Montenegro will host Draycott & Long Eaton from England , Italian ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari and Sporten Club Saedinenie of Bulgaria. In Group 4 host is Dutch Dozy Den Helder / Noordkop and the guests are Italian ASD Tennis Tavolo Norbello, Bulgaria’s SKTM Komfort – Varna, Portugal’s Grupo Desportivo dos Toledos. The teams finishing in position 1and 2 in their respective groups are qualified for the 2nd round (19 -20 October). In second stage in Group 1 are SKNT “Luch-Vladimir” of Russia and Bursa Büyüksehir Belediyespor Külübü of Turkey. In Group 2 are: TTSC “Nord” from Ukraine and Grupo Desp. Do Centro Soc. Do Juncal. In Group 3 are: Team Malarenergi BTK from Swden and DT Rued from Luxembourg. In Group 4 are TIGEM Sports Club of Turkey and Italian USD Tennistavola Zeus. The teams finishing in position 1 in their respective groups are qualified for the 3rd round (6 -8 December).
JOHANSSON upset golden BACIOCCHI
In the Junior Boys Singles Event at the 56th European Youth Championships in Ostrava first casualty of Italian team’s great success was Alessandro BACIOCCHI. Player who helped Italy reach the gold medal in Junior Team’s Event suffered by the h, In the Junior Boys Singles Event at the 56th European Youth Championships in Ostrava first casualty of Italian team’s great success was Alessandro BACIOCCHI. Player who helped Italy reach the gold medal in Junior Team’s Event suffered by the hands of Henrik JOHANSSON of Sweden in the first round. They went full distance and in the seventh game Swede won by 13:11. BACIOCCHI is currently ranked at the position no. 26 at European rankings, whilst JOHANSSON is no. 64. “I always play bad in the morning. Also it is hard for me to play after Team’s Event. But I hope everything will be better in Boy’s and Mixed Doubles. I am still in game in both events,” said BACIOCCHI. “Big guns” were free of duty in singles today, whilst other players mainly preserve the ranking’s order. Even before first points were played in singles, the Event has been already shook up. Winners of the bronze medal in the Junior Boy sTeam’s Event, Germany’s player no. one Marc RODE and no. three Florian SCHREINER has been withdrew from the competition. They were penalised for disciplinary reason. “With the leaders of the teams we consider all the aspects and we decided it is the only decision we can make. They played very good in the Team’s Event, but we reacted on their misbehaver,” explained DTTB Sport Director Dirk SCHIMMELPFENNIG. It is the last year in youth category for German juniors and despite the fact that RODE is no. 16 at the rankings, his performance in team’s event created a space for believe he could won the medal in singles. However, rules are rules. In Junior’s Girls Singles Event, whilst the top favourites gathered the strength for tomorrow’s duels, some of less favourites produced few surprises. Lois PEAKE of England, currently placed at position no. 281 at the European Junior rankings, beat Austria’s Melanie LUGINGER in seven thrilling games. Austrian player stands at position no. 115. Also, Slovenia’s Zala VERONIK created another upset by beating Hungarian Csilla NAGYPAL. Chilla is currently ranked at position no. 92 and her adversary is 116th. In Junior Mixed Doubles Jakub SEIBERT and Karolina MYNAROVA of Czech Republic created big upset by beating top seeds Joao GERALDO of Portugal and Bernadette SZOCS of Romania. They booked their place in the quarterfinal after full five games. Decisive one concluded by 12:10. Also no. three seeds Jakub DYAS and Sandra WABIK of Poland are out. Alessandro BACIOCCHI was the player who suffered from the hands of lower ranked player this morning, but in the afternoon he was ready to made some upsets on his own…or with the help of Giorgia PICCOLIN. In Cadet Mixed Doubles Andreas LEVENKO and Karoline MISCHEK of Austria suffered by the hands of Marcus HILKER and Jennie WOLF of Germany, Tomasz KOTOWSKI of Poland and Lisa LUNG of blgium are also out and Nolan GIVONE and Audrey ZARIF departed the competition earlier then their rankings predict.
36 Men’s and 36 Women’s Teams in Schwechat
At the LIEBHERR European Championships in Schwechat will compete 36 Men’s and 36 Women’s teams. On preliminary entries, so far, there are representatives of 42 countries. The preparation for the Championships is going according to plans and , At the LIEBHERR European Championships in Schwechat will compete 36 Men’s and 36 Women’s teams. On preliminary entries, so far, there are representatives of 42 countries. The preparation for the Championships is going according to plans and everything will be ready for the big event starting from 4th to 13th October.
“Bernie” two steps away from SAMSONOV
Bernadette SZOCS, the jewel of the generation, added another gold medal to her record book by winning top prize in the Junior Girls Team’s Event at 2013 EYC in Ostrava. Romanian team succeeded once again and defended gold title won last year in Aus, Bernadette SZOCS, the jewel of the generation, added another gold medal to her record book by winning top prize in the Junior Girls Team’s Event at 2013 EYC in Ostrava. Romanian team succeeded once again and defended gold title won last year in Austria’s Multiversum. It was fantastic success once again, achieved in impressive style against worthy adversaries from Germany. Now, SZOCS has 11 gold medals overall. That is one less then all times record counts. Vladimir SAMSONOV still holds that record as most successful player at the European Youth Championships. Vladimir SAMSONOV has 13, but Bernadette SZOCS has three more Events in her schedule before she departed junior category at the end of this week. “I dream of winning all gold medals. I want them so much. It is important for me. This is my last year and I have to be the best.” SZOCS had not lost singles match on her way to the final, and in the ultimate stage despite severe pressure that Nina MITTELHAM made, Bernadette preserved unbeaten status. “Nina started very bad against Irina CIOBANU. She had not created the single chance, but when she started to play against me it was completely different story. I turned around to my coach Petre ARNAUT and asked “What is going on?” She was superb,” explained SZOCS. Being no. 1 player brings a lot of pressure. “I know that I have to win two matches and that is it. I am not under stress. It is just a fact and I except it without any problem.” – Is there some player especially difficult for you? “Each team now has at least one good player. Croatia has two: RAKOVAC and JAGER. Germany has complete tam of very good players. It is not easy at all to stay in the game.” – Now when she leave the juniors, would it be difficult? “Oh yes. Being senior will bring a big difference. It is not like when you are a junior and when you enter the hall everyone knows you…”This is SZOCS” situation. Now I will become one of many players fighting for the space under spotlight.” In order to be ready for that challenge Bernadette will move. “Now I will be 18 and I am eligible to go aboard and to play for some club outside Romania. I will go to training centre in Bremen where I will have fantastic conditions. Romanian coach Cristian TAMAS is there, my brother Hunor, Adrian CRISAN, Paul DRINKHALL…At the same time I will play for French Lille, the club that was first in Pro A two years ago and finished second this season.” Whilst we talked about her plans and success, the shadow of sadness covered Bernadette’s face for a while. “I miss my coach, Gheorghe BOZGA. During the matches I often think what he would say. I look up and talk to him…” The record of EYC gold medals of SAMSONOV and SZOCS Vladimir SAMSONOV (13): 1987:CBT 1988: CBD (with AVERKIN), CXD (with Kusch, now FADEEVA) 1989: CBS, CXD (with KUSCH) 1990: CBT, CBD (with FADEEV), CXD (with Tatiana KULAGINA) 1991: none 1992: JBS, JBT, JXD (with KUSCH) 1993: JBS, JBD (with KOSTNER) Bernadette SZOCS (11): 2008: CGT 2009: CGD (with NOSKOVA) 2010: CGT, CGS, CGD (with CIOBANU) 2011: JGS, JGD (with P. SOLJA) 2012: JGT, JGS, JGD (with P. SOLJA) 2013: JGT and ……
Italy changed the map of Europe
The map of Europe has changed. After five years of dominance France stepped off and the throne now belongs to Italy. Italian Junior Team clinched the title at the 56th European Youth Championships in Ostrava. They did it in very convincing style, by beati, The map of Europe has changed. After five years of dominance France stepped off and the throne now belongs to Italy. Italian Junior Team clinched the title at the 56th European Youth Championships in Ostrava. They did it in very convincing style, by beating last year’s champions. Or to be precise champions for last five years – France. “Winning the final against the France, it is a surprise. I can not say we planned that, but I was very confident in my team,” explained coach Lorenzo NANNONI . The things has not started good for Italian team. They were seeded no. two, but ended the Group stage at position no. four. Italy suffered defeat against Hungary and Slovakia. They overcame Netherlands. “We started very bad, but this system is good for players. It gives you the chance to come back into the game. It is very important for teams like Italian, with players such is Alessandro BACIOCCHI. He is slow starter. He needs the time to get into the game and he build his performance from round to round. So, even we were last in the Group we succeeded through the play off matches. We rose our game during that matches.” The main force of the team are Leonardo MUTTI and BACIOCCHI. “We have players that were sixth in Kazan two years ago and fourth in Austria last year. Looking under that light, this success is not a big surprise. Also MUTTI already has very good record of beating top players. He is not afraid of them and especially he has a game from adversaries from France. In Ostrava he exploded after the play off match against England.” For BACIOCCHI, coach NANNONI said: “I can not remember when he has played good opening match. At the beginning of national or international tournaments he always need the time to get into the game. From round to round he gets better and better. He is great fighter and one his great qualities is that he is very brave. Alessandro is not afraid of coming into the fight. Some players does not like to play when the result is 2:2, but he just love to compete under extra pressure.” Third player in the team is Maurizio MASSARELLI. “He gave 100 percent here. I could not ask more of him. Against Swede Anton KALLBERG in quarterfinal he was 2:1 up, and 10:7, but he lost. After that he did not give up and won that match 3:2,” said coach NANNONI.
