Tobias HIPPLER in good run in Croatia

European Under 21 Championships

Tobias HIPPLER of Germany recorded two six games wins to book his place in the second stage of the qualifications in the Men’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Croatia’s town of Varazdin.

On the opening day of play top ranked player in first stage of play overcame Tilen CVETKO of Slovenia (9:11 11:6 11:2 7:11 12:10 11:4) and Adrian WETZEL of Norway by same margin (11:5 10:12 11:4 11:6 10:12 11:6). CVETKO also progressed to the next stage of the qualifications after win over WETZEL (11:7 4:11 7:11 8:11 7:11).

Artur ABUSEV of Russia showed no mercy today. He beat Paul MLADIN of Romania (11:7 11:7 11:7 11:3) and Alberto LILO of Spain (11:3 11:5 11:1 11:7). Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece joined him in similar style. He overcame Uladzislau RUKLIATSOU of Belarus (11:9 11:3 11:8 11:9) before he beat Bogdan SINGEORZAN of Romania (11:2 9:11 11:9 11:6 12:10).

Irvin BERTRAND of France justified his status in group 5. He overcame Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK of Austria (11:6 11:5 11:4 9:11 11:4) and Lars POSCH of Switzerland (11:8 11:8 11:8 8:11 11:2) before he beat Mikhail TSYHANOUSKI of Belarus (11:5 11:8 11:6 11:0). His compatriot Leo DE NODREST faced more difficulties. French player lost to Maciej KUBIK seven games thriller (9:11 11:5 11:5 4:11 11:6 9:11 7:11) but he beat Cedric TSCHANZ of Switzerland and Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary. ANDRAS overcame KUBIK and TSCHANZ to book first place in the standings.

Cedric MEISSNER of Germany prevailed against Aleksa GACEV of Serbia Artur GRELA of Poland and Lovro ZOVKO of Croatia to book the top place. GRELA finished second. To the next stage also progressed Abdullah YIGENLER of Turkey Jan ZANDECKI of Poland Jiri MARTINKO of Czech Republic Valentin PIERAERT and Adrien RASSENFOSSE of Belgium FANBO MENG of Germany Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova and Lev KATSMAN of Russia.

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