Anna BRZYSKA and Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland captured the Women’s Doubles title at the ROMSTAL European Under 21 Championships in Cluj-Napoca, overcoming top seeds Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania 3-1 (12-10, 11-4, 8-11, 13-11) in the final. Bronze medals were awarded to Alexandra CHIRIACOVA of Moldova and Sara TOKIC of Slovenia, as well as France’s Leana HOCHART and Elise PUJOL.
The final brought together two pairs that had already survived dramatic semifinal encounters yesterday. MATIUNINA and MEI ROSU edged CHIRIACOVA and TOKIC in a thrilling five-game battle, while BRZYSKA and WIELGOS also needed the full distance to overcome HOCHART and PUJOL.
The Polish duo started strongly in the gold medal match. After saving a game point in a tense opening game, they secured a crucial 12-10 victory and immediately built momentum. Their confidence grew in the second game as they dominated the rallies and moved into a commanding two-game lead.
The top-seeded pair responded in the third game. Backed by the home crowd, MEI ROSU and MATIUNINA found greater consistency and reduced the deficit by taking the game 11-8. The fourth game proved decisive. Neither pair managed to establish a clear advantage, with the lead changing hands several times. In the closing stages, BRZYSKA and WIELGOS held their nerve, converting their opportunity at 13-11 to seal the title.
After the victory, the Polish pair highlighted the tactical preparation that helped them succeed.
“We knew it would be difficult. They are a very good pair. We had a very good tactic and started well with a 2-0 lead. We were ahead in the third set but lost it, and the fourth was very close, but we managed to win,” said BRZYSKA.
Asked about the key to the victory, WIELGOS pointed to the importance of the first two strokes.
“The service and receive were very important. We tried to place the ball well and stay very close to the table. They play many balls over the table, so we had to stay close and take away their time.”
Communication was another decisive factor for the experienced partnership.
“It was really important. We talk a lot between points about what to play and how to play. We have played together for a long time. This is not our first final,” explained BRZYSKA.
The champions admitted that the semifinal was their toughest challenge of the tournament.
“The semifinal was the most difficult match. We won 3-2 and had a lot of trouble on receive,” they noted.
For BRZYSKA and WIELGOS, the victory represents another milestone in their successful partnership.
“We are really happy to win. This is our second title together after winning Under 19 before. We also had two bronze medals in Under 21, so this means a lot to us.”
Final
Veronika MATIUNINA (Ukraine), Bianca MEI ROSU (Romania) – Anna BRZYSKA, Zuzanna WIELGOS (Poland) 1-3 (10-12, 4-11, 11-8, 11-13)
Semifinals
Veronika MATIUNINA (Ukraine), Bianca MEI ROSU (Romania) – Alexandra CHIRIACOVA (Moldova), Sara TOKIC (Slovenia) 3-2 (6-11, 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 12-10)
Anna BRZYSKA, Zuzanna WIELGOS (Poland) – Leana HOCHART, Elise PUJOL (France) 3-2 (7-11, 11-4, 12-10, 6-11, 11-7)
PHOTO by: Mihaela-Ionela BOBAR and Simion Sebastian TĂTARU
