European Under 21 Championships
After three days of qualifications in Men’s Singles Event 16 players continues their journey in the main draw of the European Under 21 Championships. Top seed Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia and best ranked player at the ETTU u 21 Rankings Bastien REMBERT of France are safely through to the knock out stage.
In the Group A SIDORENKO had to settle with the second position. Leo DE NODRES of France beat him in the last round to secure top position (7:11 11:6 4:11 13:15 6:11).
“I did not know what to expect; we were playing against each other first time. Now I am happy with my performance here ” said DE NODRES who also prevailed against Valentin PIERAERT of Belgium and Cedric MEISSNER of Germany.
In Group B Bastien REMBERT of France overcame Dimitrije LEVAJAC of Serbia in the direct clash for the first position in the group (11:8 11:9 11:8 11:8).
“I controlled the match with my service and return game. LEVAJAC tried to change the pace and tactics but I always had the answer to his game. I was very focused ” said Bastien.
In Group C still unhappy with his performance Romania’s Rares SIPOS managed the find the way to the Round of 16. In the third round he beat Lars POSCH of Switzerland and finished second (9:11 9:11 11:6 11:7 12:10 11:9).
“I managed to rise my level of play a little but I am still far from the shape I had in past five six months. I feel under lot of pressure here. It comes from inside. However I am winning and I hope it will stay that way in knock out stage ” said SIPOS.
Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova is first in Group C with all three wins. In last match he overcame Joan MASIP of Spain (3:11 8:11 7:11 7:11).
Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary is first in Group D. He beat Abdullah YIGENLER of Turkey in third round (11:2 11:5 11:3 7:11 7:11 7:11 13:11). Jules ROLLAND of France is second after he overcame Tilen CVETKO of Slovenia today (11:9 11:6 11:3 11:4). Irvin BERTRAND of France joined his teammates in the next stage after victory over Jiri MARTINKO of Czech Republic (11:1 8:11 11:5 11:7 11:13 11:5). Florian CNUDDE of Belgium is second.
Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova is first in Group C with all three wins. In last match he overcame Joan MASIP of Spain (3:11 8:11 7:11 7:11).
Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary is first in Group D. He beat Abdullah YIGENLER of Turkey in third round (11:2 11:5 11:3 7:11 7:11 7:11 13:11). Jules ROLLAND of France is second after he overcame Tilen CVETKO of Slovenia today (11:9 11:6 11:3 11:4). Irvin BERTRAND of France joined his teammates in the next stage after victory over Jiri MARTINKO of Czech Republic (11:1 8:11 11:5 11:7 11:13 11:5). Florian CNUDDE of Belgium is second.
Lev KATSMAN of Russia overcame Samuel KLUCZYCKI of Poland in the third round to secure top position in group F (15:13 8:11 9:11 11:13 7:11).
“It was very difficult tournament for me so far. It was physically demanding to play so many matches in five six seven games. It is hard to keep the level of game high and on the other side all the adversaries are very strong; you have to be at the top of your game ” said Lev.
Laurens DEVOS of Belgium beat Uladzislau of Belarus (11:2 10:12 12:10 12:10 8:11 11:4) and finished second . Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece moved to next stage from the top spot in group G unbeaten. Last in line to suffer against him was Fanbo MENG.
“My first goal to reach the last 16 is achieved now I will go match after match ” said Greek player.” Against MENG I played recently at the German Open so I had idea what to do. Against IVONIN I played for a first time and that was very difficult encounter. I had to adjust my style at the beginning of the match. GRELA lost against me twice in previous matches so I was very confident.”
Gerrit ENGEMANN of Germany played against Cristian PLETEA of Romania for the top position in the Group H. He won (11:5 9:11 5:11 11:8 9:11 12:10 8:11). PLETEA finished third in the group eventually. Artur ABUSEV of Russia is second.
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General information here
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