Hugo DESCHAMPS and Thibault PORET of France clinched gold medal in the Men’s Doubles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the final they overcame Maciej KUBIK and Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland (4 8 10). Two Romania’s Doubles had to settle with the bronze: Iulian CHIRITA and Andrei Teodor ISTRATE as well as Eduard IONESCU and Darius MOVILEANU finished third. Polish duo failed to avenge the recent defeat against Hugo DESCHAMPS and Thibault PORET at the WTT Feeder in Dusseldorf. “In February we beat them and we remember how aggressive we had to be in order to win. Last night we watched the video from that match again and we were prepared well. We sticked to the tactics and we did not allowed them to take the control ” said Thibault PORET. It is first European Championships’ title for the French pairings. “It is amazing. It was really not easy. Not only in the final but we also beat the last year’s champions Ivor BAN and Csaba ANDRAS in the quarterfinal ” added Hugo DESCHAMPS. In the semis ESCHAMPS and PORET overcame Iulian CHIRITA and Andrei Teodor ISTRATE of Romania after four very close games (-3 16 9 10). Maciej KUBIK and Samuel KULCZYCKI overcame Eduard IONESCU and Darius MOVILEANU of Romania (8 -7 -9 10 6).

On their first tournament where they have played together Mia GRIESEL of Germany and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania clinched the title in the Women’s Doubles Event at the European under 21 Championships in Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the final they overcame Anastasiya DYMYTRENKA and Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine. Ines MATOS and Matilde PINTO of Portugal and Agathe Anne AVEZOU and Isa COK of France were halted in the semis. The final match started in favor of DYMYTRENKA and MATIUNINA but from the second game pendulum swung (4:11 14;12 11:8 11:4). “I think it ws great idea to make our partnership in doubles here. We proved as a very good double. We communicated very well and that was the key to our success ” said Bianca MEI ROSU. Mia GRIESEL of Germany pointed they had a difficult start of the match. “For Ukrainian girls it is easer to understand each other and they know each other better as well. However we managed to take the control of the match. This was the biggest challenge for us in Sarajevo.”

Samuel KULCZYCKI and Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland clinched the title in the Mixed Doubles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Sarajevo. In the final they overcame Romania’s pairings Eduardo IONESCU and Ioana SINGEORZAN. Bronze medalists are Flavien COTON of France and Mia GRIESEL of Germany and Milosz REDZIMSKI and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland. It is the fist time in four years old history of Mixed Doubles Events at the Europeans Under 21 that Romania’s pairings could not reach the highest step at the medal rostrum. “We are so proud that we managed to reach gold on our first ever championships together “ said KULCZYCKI.”I did not start well but Zuzanna played expertly and she helped me come to rhythm.” In the semi final Samuel and Zuzanna prevailed against Flavien COTON of France and Mia GRIESEL of Germany (11 -7 3 7). “From the begining we were not in the comfortable position. We were 6:10 down but we recovered to win that game. Just as we settled into the rhythm in the second game I had great difficulties with Mia GRIESEL’s style of play. I needed some time to adopt to it but it was too late for that part of the match. From third we finally found the way to control everything so it was 9:0 and 11:3. We did not make any easy mistakes ” explained KULCZYCKI. Zuzanna WIELGOS admitted the success came as surprise for her. “I did not expect we will reach this far on our first Championships together ” said Zuzanna. On their way to the gold they also overcame last year’s champions Andrei ISTRATE and Luciana MITROFAN. Romania’s Eduardo IONESCU and Ioana SINGEORZAN were so many times close to medal just to lost at the final hurdle before the medal. In Sarajevo they went further. In other semi final they overcame Milosz REDZIMSKI and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland (-8 11 9 7). “It is the first semi final after two times we were playing in the quarters of the European Championships. It is very important for us and that is why we were little bit nervous at the begining. In addition BRZYSKA did not make it any easier with her pimples on both side. We had to stay focused and on alert ‘ said IONESCU. Ioana SINGEORZAN pointed that confidence in each other was the key to success. “From the third game we managed to settle into the rhythm and I think the way we encouraged each other and gave support to each other is very important part of our success ” added SINGEORZAN.  

The draw for the Second Stage of the European Championships in Osijek was conducted today in Sarajevo during the European Under 21 Championships. The top seeds in 5 Groups in Men’s Event are Poland Hungary Serbia Ukraine and Spain. Top seeded teams in four groups in Women’s event are Austria Italy Netherlands and Turkiye. After the withdrawal of teams Estonia (both men’s and women’s) and Montenegro (men’s) the ETTU Executive Board decided to offer vacant places to teams who finished third in the Stage 1 B groups tournaments. For two vacant places in Men’s Tams events applications from the following Associations were received: Bosnia Herzegovina Latvia and Ireland. For the vacant place in the Women’s T eam event following applications were received: Bosnia and Herzegovina Latvia and Norway.

The emotions reaches new heights and the tension rase as we approaching the final day of the European Under 21 Championships in Sarajevo. In women’s singles event at the penultimate day of play Nicole ARLIA of Italy Sophia KLEE and Mia GRIESEL of Germany as well as Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia booked their places at the medal rostrum. Less than an hour after Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania and Mia GRIESEL of Germany reached the final of the Women’s Doubles event they returned to the venue to clash against each other in the quarters of the singles. It was Mia GRIESEL who progressed further after a close seven games battle (9 -8 6 -9 10 -7 7). Another partnership tasted same fate. Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia overcame Elena ZAHARIA of Romania (-8 6 10 11 -4 10). “We know each other since we were kids. We played at the tournaments for decade and each time we met it is fierce and close battle. Sometimes she wins sometimes it is me…and then again and again we go round in circle. We know each other to the soul and it is only the current inspiration and stronger head that prevailed. This time was no difference. Both of us made so many variations in tactics each time we were down ” said Hana. Nicole ARLIA of Italy overcame Anna BRZYSKA of Poland after seven games (-9 8 -9 3 -6 6 5) and she bursted into tears at the end. On the other side Sophia KLEE of Germany concluded her match in more safe mode. KLEE needed five games to overcame Anna HURSEY of Wales (10 9 -3 5 3).

In the semi final of the Men’s Singles Event at the European under 21 Championships top seeded player Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland will meet his teammate Samuel KULCZYCKI whilst in other penultimate stage match we will see Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary and Andrei Teodor ISTRATE of Romania. In quarters Csaba ANDRAS was driving seat in the match against Maciej KUBIK of Poland (9 3 4 8). He was first to reach the semi final. “Yes it was very fast and I have to thank my coach for the perfect preparation. In three previous occasions it was different case scenario. At Top 10 in Tours KUBIK beat me 2:4 and later in juniors I succeeded twice but in both matches we went full distance. That is why I put great effort to prepare myself. I talked with my coach watched videos and even had a good run training before the match ” said Csaba.”I commenced the quarters with great dose of confidence and won it comfortably.” Earlier in morning session ANDRAS overcame Darius MOVILEANU of Romania. Opposite to ANDRAS last to leave the venue after the quarters was Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland who accounted for Eduardo IONESCU Romania (-7 11 8 -12 8 -10 6). IONESCU won the opening game recovered after 1:2 and 2:3 to level the match and then had a lead 5:2 in decisive game before he lost 6:11. Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland overcame Iulian CHIRITA of Romania (4 10 -2 -6 10 2) and Andrei Teodor ISTRATE of Romania accounted for Albert VILARDELL of Spain (7 4 4 -8 9).

  The finalists of the Men’s Doubles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Sarajevo are Hugo DESCHAMPS and Thibault PORET of France and Maciej KUBIK and Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland. That is the outcome of the semi final clashes after which two Romania’s Doubles had to settle with the bronze as a consolation. Hugo DESCHAMPS and Thibault PORET overcame Iulian CHIRITA and Andrei Teodor ISTRATE of Romania after four very close games (-3 16 9 10). “It was really close three out of four games ended with narrow margin. To acheived that you need to be very strong mentally and to maintain the focus ” said Hugo DESCHAMPS. It commenced well for the Romania’s CHIRITA and ISTRATE. “They had 1:0 and 5:1 and if they had managed to close the second game in their favor we would be lost. We fought hard to come back and we managed it. We even faced six game points against us before we won 18:16 second game. We had another bad start in third game by being 1:5 down…we had to come back so many times in semis but eventually we played very good at the end ” said Thibault PORET. Maciej KUBIK and Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland overcame Eduard IONESCU and Darius MOVILEANU of Romania (8 -7 -9 10 6). “We had to comeback from 1:2 and to survive 10:10 before we managed to settle into the rhythm. In the last game it was much easier. We made 4:0 very quickly and at the end I was able to play few very risky points that paid off. Maciej sealed the match in effective way ”explained KULCZYCKI. KULCZYCKI hopes Polish duo will avenge the recent defeat against Hugo DESCHAMPS and Thibault PORET at the WTT Feeder in Dusseldorf. “They beat us two months ago I hope it will be opposite now ” stated KULCZYCKI.

In tomorrow’s final of the Women’s Doubles event at the European Under 21 Championships in Sarajevo Mia GRIESEL of Germany and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania will play against Anastasiya DYMYTRENKA and Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine. Ines MATOS and Matilde PINTO of Portugal and Agathe Anne AVEZOU and Isa COK of France were halted in the semis. Anastasiya DYMYTRENKA and Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine were in fast line in their match against Agathe Anne AVEZOU and Isa COK of France (7 5 1). “The preparations were crucial for this victory. We came here in good shape and my coach Christina TOTH prepared us very well ” explained MATIUNINA. “I was working with TOTH in Munich whilst DYMYTRENKA prepared in Kyiv but we put all together very well here.” Anastasiya DYMYTRENKA added:”Our team spirit is very high. We really enjoy our game here.” Mia GRIESEL and Bianca MEI ROSU overcame Ines MATOS and Matilde PINTO of Portugal (-7 11 5 5). “We reached the final on our very first Championships together so we are very happy ” said Mia.”We have very good communication and despite the fact that we did not have chance to play together against Portugal’s pairings we know them very well from the singles.” What can we expect in the final. “For us it is important that we show the best of us and we hope we will enjoy the game ” said Bianca MEI ROSU.

Poland secured two medals in the Mixed Doubles Event at the European under 21 Championships in Sarajevo. Romania reserved one and French-German combination also won the medal. In the quarterfinal Romania’s Eduardo ONESCU and Ioana SINGEORZAN overcame no. one seeded pairings Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia (6 -6 8 -11 6). They will meet Milosz REDZIMSKI and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland. Polish duo accounted for Darius MOVILEANU and Elena ZAHARIA of Romania (10 -14 9 6). Samuel KULCZYCKI and Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland prevailed against Andrei ISTRATE and Luciana MITROFAN of Romania (9 2 6). They will play in the semi final against Flavien COTON of France and Mia GRIESEL of Germany who departed Iulian CHIRITA and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania (8 11 -10 -4 5)

In the Men’s Doubles Event at the European Under 21 Championships we saw the scenario from the Women’s Doubles repeated. Reigning champions exited the venue one round short of medal rostrum. In the quarterfinal of Hugo DESCHAMPS and Thibault PORET of France overcame title holders Ivor BAN of Croatia and Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary (-10 8 7 -6 2) “In such close matches it is important to stay calm and focused and we did it especially in nerves wrecking fifth game. We lost fourth game but we did not let affect our game ” said PORET. PORET and DESCHAMPS won silver medal at the European Youth Championships in Under 19 category. “We also played at the French nationals ” said DESCHAMPS.”This was so far hardest match for us in Sarajevo.” In the semi final they will meet Iulian CHIRITA and Andrei Teodor ISTRATE of Romania who overcame Milosz REDZIMSKI and Mateusz ZALEWSKI of Poland in straight games (8 8 8). “We were very calm. We did not play under pressure especially since we were confident after very important win in previous round. We managed to beat VILARDELL and GOLDIR from Spain pairings with very difficult style. We came back from losing second game to win third 11:9 and in fourth we were down 7:10 to win 12:10. It gave us confidence ” said ISTRATE. CHIRITA was ready for some jokes after the match and he said laughing:”We won because Teodor was not so agitated. However in more serious tone he continued:”It was not so easy to beat Polish pairings as the results predicts. It was very close and we played point for point.” Romania will have another representative in the semi final. Eduard IONESCU and Darius MOVILEANU of Romania overcame John OYEBODE of Italy and Borgar HAUG of Norway (-15 9 10 8). They will meet Maciej KUBIK and Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland who beat Ondrej KVETON and Radim MORAVEK of Czechia (7 -8 1 8). “We were very consistent with our game which is important for doubles. Of course the service and receive game worked well for us today. “