2017 ITTF World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda
Romania caused the great upset in the Second phase of the Junior Boys Team’s Evant at the 2017 ITTF World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda. Seeded at the position no. 6 they overcame Korea the no.3 seeds in five thrilling matches.
Cristian PLETEA beat BAEK Hogyun in the opening encounter in three straight games (11-5 11-6 11-9).
“We are well prepared for this tournament we came here seven days ago to practise; I was totally focused from the very first point I received service well he was unsure. Today’s results just prove that we are really together as a team.” Cristian PLETEA
Rares SIPOS secured furter advance by beating AN Jaehyun (9-11 11-13 14-12 11-4 11-8) before Dragos Florin OPREA suffered at the hands of KWAK Yubin (11-6 12-10 12-10) and AN Jaehyun accounted for Cristian PLETEA (11-9 8-11 5-11 11-5 11-3) to push the duel into fifth match.
Rares SIPOS; in a dramatic five games contest beat BAEK Hogyun to seal the victory (7-11 11-4 5-11 18-16 11-6).
“An Jaehyun is a great player when I started the match I thought I could win; he stole the first two games I had game points I had chances. In the third game he led 11-10 he had match point I came back to win. Against Baek Hogyun I saved three match points in the fourth game and won; it’s not about me we are a team that is the important point.” Rares SIPOS.
Earlier in the day Korea with the same three players on duty had recorded a three-one in opposition to Sweden’s Simon Soderlund Truls Moregard and Martin Friis the no.10 seeds.
It was not the end of the upsets. In the Junior Girls Serbia beat Hong Kong 3-1. Romania concluded successful day by progressing to quarterfinal. They overcame Czech Republic and Chinese Taipei.
