Portugal faced spirited youngsters

Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships,

 

 

In the morning program of the Men’s Event at the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Portugal recorded straight matches victory over Belarus. The player who can cause most of the damage, Vladimir SAMSONOV was not in the playing line up for Belarus for this match. However, the match against unknown players proved it could be risky business as well.

 

At the very beginning of the duel Marcos FREITAS faced inspired Aliaksandr KHANIN who stretched the World’s no. 11 to full distance.

 

“It is tough to play against the unknown adversary. I did not know what to expect. From the opening moments of the match he established the lead. It makes me feel uncomfortable and less confident. He received my service very well. It took me some time to regain the control,” said Marcos FREITAS.

 

Joao MONTEIRO beat Pavel PLATONOV, before Tiago APOLONIA sealed the match with the victory over Gleb SHAMRUK.

 

“As I told yesterday, the key moment of the match will be to stop SAMSONOV. He did not play; instead we faced unknown youngsters who played very well. We had to adjust quickly. I had to be focused from the first moment of the game.”

 

Asked about reason for his absence from the match, SAMSONOV answered.

 

“I am struggling a bit with the knee and elbow injury, but I hope it will be better before the afternoon’s match against Ukraine.”

 

Only 17- years old KHANIN was the main topic of brief encounter in the mix zone.

 

“He is the player with the variety of strokes, well balanced and complete. Mentally, KHANIN is already very strong and his service, return and backhand are very good,” SAMSONOV praised his teammate.

 

KHANIN himself was pleased about his performance, despite the defeat.

 

“I played very well. Against FREITAS in the second game I had a set ball at 10:6, I had few opportunities in the decisive game. I have the tendency to speed up the game unnecessarily. I have to learn to slow down and to have more patience.”

 

Surprisingly KHANIN added:

 

“For me it is easier to play here. In the junior category I am under bigger pressure. I have to face the players from the same category and I have to achieve the expectations. Here I am free from that kind of thinking.”

 

 

 

Related News

German Championships: Multi-Event Spectacle

From June 6 to 9, 2025, the Erfurt Trade Fair will become the heart of German table tennis. Over 1,000 participants will compete in three event halls for prestigious national...

Read more

ETTU opened the application process for the 2025 NAAP

ETTU is pleased to open the application process for the 2025 National Association Assistance Program (NAAP). This program provides financial support of €2,000 to 15 selected Associations. To apply, please...

Read more

Finlandia Open Victories for the Netherlands and France

The international Finlandia Open table tennis tournament concluded over the weekend at the Kisakallio Sports Institute in Lohja, Finland. In the Men’s Singles, Dutch player Milo de BOER emerged victorious,...

Read more

Finlandia Open 2024 – U21 Titles Clinched by VAN DESSEL and Jeanne ROBBES

The first champions of the 2024 Finlandia Open table tennis tournament were crowned on Friday evening. In the U21 Men’s category, Mael VAN DESSEL of Luxembourg triumphed over Norway’s Alexander...

Read more

Contact

About Us

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is the governing body of the sport of table tennis in Europe, and is the only authority recognized for this purpose by the International Table Tennis Federation. The ETTU deals with all matters relating to table tennis at a European level, including the development and promotion of the sport in the territories controlled by its 58 member associations, and the organization of continental table tennis competitions, including the European Championships.

Powered By

All Competitions

Senior Competitions

Club Competitions

Youth Competitions

More Competitions