Unlike Men’s Event Women’s was full of surprises
Top seeds at the Women’s Teams Event at the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships team of Germany beat Czech Republic in the opening round of the Group Stage but it was Russia who stole the limelight. Russia overcame Poland in four matches and the hero of the day was Polina MIKHAYLOVA.
After LI QIAN overcame Yana NOSKOVA in the opening match Polina took the control. MIKHAYLOVA overcame Natalia PARTYKA in full distance match. Anna TIKHOMIROVA overcame Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA. Once again Polina was on duty against LI QIan. In full five games she overcame favorite and sealed the victory for Russia.
“It seems to me that right now our team is in good condition; we support each other being strong in spirit. Emotions are overwhelming. Today we need to have a rest as tomorrow is a tough day – two games. We need to rejoice over the victory and to start over tomorrow ” said Polina MIKHAYLOVA.
In the same Group C Hungary overcame Luxembourg.
“We have very hard group and we can not allowed any unexpected results. That is why I am very happy now after the victory. We were under pressure. When you play against Luxembourg everyone knows NI Xia Lian will win her two matches so there is no space for mistakes. I played against her recently in Baku and I had no chance. We were focused on other players ” said Georgina POTA.
Nevertheless POTA had a great change to avenge her recent defeat. She went full distance against NI.
“With this new balls I can feel her game better. I can control her service much better so I had a good chance today. I am sorry I did not took advantage of 1:1 and 9:6.”
POTA overcame Sarah DE NUTTE in the opening match Szandra PARGEL lost against NI in next. Dora MADARASZ prevailed against Egle TAMASAUSKAITE.
“In the decisive game Szandra played very good against Sarah but before that there were no option for Dora but to win. Her victory kept us alive.”
In Group A Germany lost only one game against Czech Republic.
“Czech Republic tried to surprise us with a new tactic – this time without their best player VACENOVSKA. My team showed a very good and focused performance. Before a tournament you don’t know where you are actually. Our win could be crucial for us to win the group ” said coach Jie SCHÖPP.
Petrisa SOLJA overcame Renata STRBIKOVA in third match.
“I am not happy with my game at the beginning. I needed time to get into the rhythm. STRBIKOVA also plays some unpleasant balls; therefore it was not easy at the beginning. For me and for us it was a great start of the tournament even though I lost the only one set.
Romania beat Serbia. After two years of absence due the maternity reasons Daniela DOEDAN MONTEIRO is back.
“It is my first big match at this level and first victory after two years. It is great feeling to be back. I made two breaks after knee injury and surgery but never for so long. We played very close duel against Serbia and it is good that we won. I missed my little girl. My mother and sister send me pictures of her every five minutes.“
Ukraine overcame Netherlands to prolong the list of surprises. It happened twice in Group D. Sweden also suffered against Portugal. YU Fu was the instrumental of achieving the victory for Portugal side. She beat Matilda EKHOLM and Stina KALLBERG. In the match Ukraine against Netherlands it was more team effort. Margaryta PESOTSKA overcame Rianne VAN DUIN Tetyana BILENKO beat Rianne as well whilst Ganna GAPONOVA overcame Kim VERMAAS.
