European Under 21 Championships
For a first time Leili MOSTAFAVI and Nolwenn FORT of France reached the final of the International competition. French pairings will play in the ultimate stage of the European Under 21 Championships tomorrow in Varazdin. On the opposite side of the net will be Kristina KAZANTSEVA and Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia.
Leili MOSTAFAVI and Nolwenn FORT overcame the European junior’s silver medalist Anna and Katarzyna WEGRZYN of Poland in the semi final (6:11 11:9 5;11 9:11).
“We played few times together in France but never reached the medal rostrum. That is why we were very relaxed today. Before yesterday’s quarterfinal we were under pressure and nervous but after we won the medal we played without stress. Especially against WEGRZYN sisters. They have much more experience and we all know how good they are. They were favorites ” explained MOSTAFAVI.” At the beginning they managed to keep us far from table but we improved our service and receive and came forward.”
IN other semi final Kristina KAZANTSEVA and Mariia TAILAKOVA overcame top seeds Andreea DRAGOMAN and Adina DIACONU of Romania (11:7 5:11 11:9 5:11 9:11).
“We never played against them before but nevertheless we knew it will be hard match. Romania’s pairings do not have weak spots and they are not making easy mistakes ” said KAZANTSEVA.
TAILAKOVA added: “We put them under pressure with the heavy top spin. We had to attack first and to finish the point quickly. In longer rallies we did not have a chance.”
Results here
General information here
Official site here
