LIEBHERR European Championships
The reigning champions team of Germany victoriously started the competition at the LIEBHERR European Championships in Nantes. On the second day of play Germany overcame Czech Republic Sweden overcame Hungary whilst in Women’s Singles Event Portugal prevailed against Croatia and France beat Greece.
Germany secured straight matches win over Czech Republic.
“Czech Republic was the expected solid opponent. We knew that this would not be an easy match. Tomorrow it will come to the last match in Group against Russia in our group and there it will be a bit harder. The Russians are highly motivated and have a strong team” said coach Jorg ROSSKOPF.
Timo BOLL gave his team a good start with the victory over Pavel SIRUCEK
“The 3:0 is a result with which we can be satisfied. I’m happy about every match I play: tournaments are the best training for me to keep my level high. It won’t be easy against Russia tomorrow. They have a good team and a strong top player in SHIBAEV who is in good shape” said BOLL.
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV played against Tomas POLANSKY.
“I had my match under control despite the lost game. Finally it was a very solid start for us. But tomorrow against Russia it’s going to be harder: We have to improve our game compared to today ” added OVTCHAROV.
Patrick FRANZISKA was stretched to full distance against Lubomir JANCARIK.
“We can be satisfied with the 3-0 win. I myself actually played quite well and didn’t go crazy after the lost sets. The Czech Republic has a good team but tomorrow against Russia we’ll have to play on an even higher level” FRANZISKA said.
Sweden played without enough recovered Kristian KARLSSON and when Bence MAJAROS leveled against Mattias FALCK after Jon PERSSON won over Adam SZUDI it was Truls MOREGHARD who stepped into the game. Young Swede overcame Tamas LAKATOS so FALCK managed to seal the duel against SZUDI.
Laura GASNIER won both matches for hosts. She beat Maria CHRISTOFORAKI and Aikaterini TOLIOU. TOLIOU beat Stephanie LOEUILLETTE and on position no. three Audrey ZARIF accounted for Konstantina PARIDI.
“The first rallies were not easy. When I first came in to the hall there were many people and such a great atmosphere. I was not paralyzed by that but it was a positive pressure for me during the whole game. When I heard the first “Come on Laura” I got goosebumps. For one second I even had to stop me from crying. I never have had played before with such a great atmosphere except in Bercy. You really notice the people around you and how they support you. I am impressed! For my second match I had the chance to watch Stephanie’s match already. I am not surprised and I like play against defender. My style was a problem for her ” said GASNIER.
France will meet Luxembourg in the battle for the spot in the main draw.
“Tomorrow we will play women that we never played against at the Tournaments. It can be a problem because NI Xia Lian the n°1 had a very high level of play. It means that we are not allowed to lose against n°2 and n°3. And these women are n°70 world. It’s not easy in the head to say that. Even if we will be led 2-1 we must hang on. We must give our best show the desire to the public not come just to watch the men’s team who will play in the same time.”
In team of Portugal YU Fu proved too strong for Petra PETEK and Ivana TUBIKANEC. SHAO Jeni beat TUBIKANEC and Mateja JEGERE beat Leila OLIVEIRA.
