Perfect 2016 World Team Championships
Germany the no. two seeds suffered another defeat on the third day at the play at the Perfect 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur. Three times silver medalists at the most recent three editions of the tournament they suffered defeat at the hands of newly promoted England the no.18 seeds.
Paul DRINKHALL beat Bastian STEGER before Ruwen FILUS leveled matters by overcoming Liam PITCHFORD. Sam WALKER added another point to the England’s record by beating Patrick FRANZISKA (11-6 11-5 12-14 11-4) before Liam PITCHFORD succeeded against Bastian Steger.
“I knew BASTIAN was under pressure Germany was down two-one and in the first match he had lost to Paul” said Liam PITCHFORD. “I’ve played him in the German Bundesliga but I’ve lost more times than i have won against him. I made a good start and went two-nil up but the lost the third game in the fourth I was down 5-1. I just stuck in and came through.”
Sam WALKER added:“I had played Patrick in the German Bundesliga and won so I came into the match with some confidence but not too much; he’s a great player” said Sam Walker. “Yesterday helped I won my first match; today I went two-nil ahead I felt I was in a good rhythm I think the key was to stay close and play fast.”
In the same group France beat Sweden in full distance duel.
Father- to -be Emmanuel LEBESSON beat Anton KÄLLBERG and in the deciding match he overcame Mattias KARLSSON.
“My wife is expecting our first child any day now” said Emmanuel LEBESSON. “I really want to be there for the birth; I’ve told to hang on for a few days until I get home! I am always thinking of home but here first place is beyond our expectations; a place in the quarter-final and who knows what may happen. Here we have a great team and Simon is a great leader.”
The Russian trio comprising Grigory VLASOV Alexander SHIBAEV and Kirill SKACHKOV beat Hong Kong. Asian team occupy the no.6 seeded position Russia is the no.11 seeds.
