European Youth Championships in Ostrava
Azerbaijan recorded another victory at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava to book the place in the quarterfinal of the Junior Boys Team’s Event. They will meet France. At the bottom of the draw Germany progressed to meet Spain. Also in quarters Belgium will play against Poland and Sweden against Russia.
Belgium overcame Croatia in straight matches. Adrien RASSENFOSSE showed no mercy against Jakov JAKELIC Olav KOSOLOSKY beat Ivor BAN in four games and Nicolas DEGROS overcame Leon SANTEK by same margin.
“I am satisfied with my performance but it was a difficult match. I felt that I am better than my adversary but he played also really good. I was leading 2-0 then he came back he changed service and I don´t like these serves from left-handed players. In this Championships I am still very nervous I can´t feel the ball well but I hope than in next rounds it will be better ” said Nicolas DEGROS.
Azerbaijan also needed only three matches to reach the quarterfinal. They overcame Portugal. YU Khinhang prevailed against Samuel DA SILVA YANG Xiny beat Jose MAGALHAES and WANG Chenxi beat Goncalo GOMES.
Poland prevailed against Slovakia 3-0. Maciej KUBIK Samuel KULCZYCKI and Szymon KOLASA overcame Filip DELINCAK Adam KLAJBER and Samuel FECO.
“I think I played really well and our team was very focused and we were supporting each other. In the beginning I was little bit nervous it is round of sixteen and it has a different atmosphere than the group stage. But after the first game I was relaxed and I played good. Last year I won cadet boys singles but now for me it is a new tournament new challenge and I want to start it with clear head and fighting spirit ” explained Maciej KUBIK.
Sweden overcame Moldova in express way 3-0. Truls MOREGARD beat Felix COZMOLICI Martin FRIIS beat Vladislav URSU and Jonatan MCDONALD accounted for Danila TITOV. In same style Russia prevailed against Hungary. Vladimir SIDORENKO gave Russia the dream start with the victory over Patrik JUHASZ Maksim GREBNEV prevailed against Csaba ANDRAS and Lev KATSMAN beat Oliver BOTH.
“We lost yesterday against Azerbaijan so we were on alert today. We started the match by being very focused and cautious ” said Lev KATSMAN.
French coach David Johnson praised his team after victory over Serbia.
“Vincent PICARD and Lilian BARDET played two very close encounter at the beginning of the match. They overcome Nemanja DJILAS and Dimitrije LEVAJAC after very brave and good performance. Dorian ZHENG had less difficult job after. We needed match like this at the beginning of the main draw to prepare for what is coming in the duel against Azerbaijan ” explained JOHNSON.
Germany progressed to the semi final after victory over hosts. Czech Republic lost in four matches. Dominik JONACK beat Radek SKALA Kay STUMPER overcame Michal BLINKA before Radim BAKO overcame Kirill FADEEV in full distance match. STUMPER sealed the match with victory over SKALA.
Spain progressed to the quarterfinal after win over Italy. Alberto LILLO was the backbone of Spanish success. He overcame Andrea PUPPO and Carlo ROSSI. ROSSI managed to score against Francisco RUIZ but Miguell NUNEZ was ready for Johnh OYEBODE.
“It was a really good match we were 2-1 up and then I won a hard match in five sets so I am really happy. We made it into the quarterfinals and we will face Germany and it is great that we can fight for medal. My tactic in the last match was to play everything with my backhand to his backend but he started to push into my forehand so it was not so easy. However in the final game I played really well. Of course I was little bit nervous but in this tournament I feel comfortable and it went well ” said LILLO.
In the the Round of 16 of the Cadet Boys Team’s Event Romania beat Belgium 3-0. In the quarter final they will meet Spain. Spain needed four matches to beat Turkey. Poland was stretched to full distance against Sweden but they prevailed. In next round they will meet France who needed four matches to overcame Portugal.
In the lower half of the draw Russia overcame Ukraine 3-1 and they will meet Czech Republic. Host nation prevailed against Italy in straight matches. Germany and Hungary will meet tomorrow. Germany beat Slovakia 3-0 and Hungary beat Croatia by same margin.
