European Games 2019 Minsk
In the match for bronze the winners of the 2015 edition of European Games team of Portugal overcame Denmark 3-1.
Tiago APOLONIA and Joao MONTEIRO overcame Tobias RASMUSSEN and Anders LIND in straight games (11-6 11-5 11-4).
“Most important thing was to come prepared to the venue after yesterday’s defeat against Germany. It was tough blow and we needed to re-built our confidence. We were confident and focused from the first ball and throughout the game we proved as a better team. We have gold from the European Games already but it is important for us to keep bringing the medals home every time ” said Tiago APOLONIA.
Jonathan GROTH had another brilliant performance in Minsk. This time he accounted for Marcos FREITAS (9-11 13-11 7-11 7-11); Joao MONTEIRO overcame Anders LIND (6-11 11-8 11-8 11-4) and in the last match Marcos FREITAS overcame Tobias RASMUSSEN (11-4 9-11 11-7 12-10).
“GROTH played perfectly in Minsk. He has not lost any match in the Team’s Event. I started bad against him. Lost the opening game after being 9-4 in advance. After that I was upset I lost my focus and he won. I managed to put it behind in match against Tobbias ” said FREITAS.
MONTEIRO had a shaky start against LIND but he recovered.
“I was even behind in the second game but I started to be more aggressive to attack on long balls ” explained MONTEIRO.
Germany clinched gold in the Men’s Teams Event at the European Games 2019 in Minsk. Like women’s team few hours earlier they also booked their place at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. In the final Germany overcame Sweden 3-0. Portugal overcame Denmark in the match for the bronze medal 3-1.
Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA had perfect start in doubles to set the pace of the match. They overcame Kristian KARLSSON Jon PERSSON (11-9 11-7 7-11 11-8).
Powerful rallies marked the duel between Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Mattias FALCK but in the end it was OVTCHAROV who celebrated (11-9 10-12 11-5 11-7).
“When you start after the doubles already won the opening point for team it took a lot of pressure off. Still it was very difficult match. I had a game point at 10-6 in the second game and I lost it. However I kept on trying and I was confident ” said OVTCHAROV.
FRANZISKA and PERSSON faced each other again in the singles (12-14 11-3 11-7 9-11 11-9) and it was very close duel.
“I knew it is going to be hard one since we played 3-2 last time we meet in singles. He is so quick and aggressive but we had 2-0 already as team and I saw Timo warming up so I was not under pressure ” said FRANZISKA laughing.
Timo BOLL summarize the event:” The system worked in our favor and we took the best of it. Starting with the doubles was easier option for me and it was good for the team to start the singles with advantage. It was very good tournament we seized the first and the easiest opportunity to book the place at the Olympic Games. Also our game was at the top level.”
Kristian KARLSSON praised the Germany’s success: ”Every game was very close it is far from what result 3-0 predicts. We gave our best our game was at very high level but Germany was better team today.”
