Liebherr European Championships
Germany in Men’s Team’s Event and Poland in Women’s secured their place in the semi final of the LIEBHERR European Championships. Germany beat Slovenia and Poland overcame Netherlands.
The duel against Slovenia ended in straight matches but it was not that easy for reigning champions as the result predicts. With sharp attacks to the middle Darko JORGIC built big 2-0 advantage against Dimitrij OVTCHAROV but he failed to withstand the pressure in the third game. OVTCHAROV moved to another gear and recovered to win the third game and he dominated in next. In decisive game Darko save match balls at 10-7 but OVTCHAROV managed to seal the match eventually at 10-12 (19-17 12-10 8-11 4-10 10-12).
“So far I had negative record against JORGIC. He is excellent player and he beat me twice before. I had to change my game today to adapt few things to beat him ” said OVTCHAROV.
Solid performance from Timo BOLL left no many options to Bojan TOKIC who left the arena after straight games (9-11 9-11 8-11).
“It was not that easy. It was very close duel in both Dimas and my match. Only Patrick’s match was less uncertain ” said BOLL.
Deni KOZUL Patrick FRANZISKA (8-11 6-11 6-11)
In the match between Poland and Netherlands European singles champion LI Qian was the back-bone of team’s success. She secured two points against both Britt EERLAND and LI JIe.
“We did not have place for error. I had to win both my matches and it put a lot of pressure which made game more difficult. Natalia gave her best against LI at some moments she were close but failed to post the victory. She wanted so much to win and it made her very nerveus. It is good that BAYOR was very strong today and overcame Kim ” said LI Qian. ”My matches against LI are always difficult. We played against each other so many time there are no secrets and hidden aces.”
LI Qian overcame Britt EERLAND (11-9 11-6 11-7) and LI Jie (11-8 11-5 15-13) LI Jie beat Natalia PARTYKA (6-11 10-12 4-11) and Natalia BAYOR succeeded against Kim VERMAAS (11-8 11-9 13-11).
