European Youth Championships
In the early afternoon today four teams secured medals in the Cadet Girls Team’s Event at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava. In the semis Romania will meet France whilst Germany will play against Russia.
Three out of four matches concluded in straight matches. Romania was one of the team that secured 3-0 win. Reigning champions and no. one seeds overcame Ukraine. Elena ZAHARIA overcame Iolanta YEVTODII in singles and partnering Ioana SINGEORZAN prevailed against Vasilysa KANUNNIKOVA and YEVTODII in singles. SINGEORZAN beat KANUNNIKOVA in second singles match.
“We are so happy that we reached the medal rostrum but our aim is to defend our gold. We have strong team and we are very confident ” said ZAHARIA. “We played against Ukraine two years ago at the European Youth Championships but in that team was only one player that is present now. It was much more difficult.”
Seeded at the position no. two Russia overcame Belarus 3-0. Vlada VORONINA and Alina ZAVARYKINA beat Veranika VARABYOVA and Vera VOLKAVA both in singles and doubles.
Germany joined them with 3-0 victory over Poland. Annett KAUFMANN and Naomi PRANJKOVIC played singles and doubles together and they beat Ilona SZTWIERTNIA and Anna BRZYSKA.
“They both have similar technique. Naomi and I suffered a little because they are pimp-lers. It took time before we learnt how to play against them. When we adjust to their game we just stick to the tactics ” said PRANJKOVIC.
Annett added:”I was very nervous because I had to play the opening match. It always put some extra pressure. It become better when I won the opening game but my adversary started to play better. I told my self I had to keep on fighting and that is what I did. In the doubles we lost our focus at some point but we recovered and in decisive game we were very confident.”
Only duel that went four matches was the one between France and Slovakia. Adriana ILLASOVA gave Slovakia good start with the victory over Prithika PAVADE. Charlotte LUTZ succeeded in close five games match against Dominika WILTSCHKOVA who also lost her singles against PAVADE.
