In the quarterfinal of the Under 19 Boys Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin Spain will meet Croatia Romania will play against Italy Poland will meet Germany and Hungary will play against Sweden.
In the Round of 16 Russia showed brave face but Croatia progressed to the quarters with 3:1 victory.. Maksim BOKOV and Damir AKHMETSAFIN exceeded the expectations after finishing second in their group day earlier with only two players. Today despite great efforts Russia were halted in the knock out stage. Croatia’s Ivor BAN won both his matches whilst Lovro ZOVKO lost his encounter.
“Yesterday we failed to book the place among top two teams but we kept our head high. Through play offs we found our way and now we will play for the medal now. I am so happy we will do that at home soil ” said Ivor BAN.
Romania booked their quarterfinal place after the victory over Portugal. Eduar IONESCU Darius MOVILEANU and Andrei ISTRATE overcame LI Tiago Goncalo GOMES and David BESSA in three straight games matches.
“We knew before the match that it will be very difficult because they have played in a lot of competitions and have a lot of experience. It proved right thinking. The first match that Edurad IONESCU played against Tiago LI was very important. When we stopped their best player everything was easier ” said Darius MOVILEANU.
Poland’s Maciej KUBIK Samuel KULCZYCKI and Milosz proved too strong for Norway’s Borgar HAUG Noah HOVDENAK and Alexander FRANSSON. They also secured the passage to the next stage in straight matches.
“I think that the first match was very important for our victory. Maciej KUBIK defeated Borgar HAUG a very good player – 3:1. It was a difficult match and after that I won 3:0 and Milosz REDZIMSKI celebrated with the same result. Very good match on our part ” concluded Samuel KULCZYCKI.
Spain’s Juan PEREZ Marc GUTIERREZ and Miguel NUNEZ overcame Swiss players Elias HARDMEIER Mauro SCHARRER and Barish MOULLET.
“We are very satisfied with our game in tonight’s match and we have been playing the whole tournament very well. Tomorrow we will meet Croatia to fight for a medal. We know that the first Croatian player is Igor BAN and if we can beat him we will have a very good chance in the match ” said Marc GUTIERREZ.
Italy’s Andrea PUPPO John OYEBODE and Marco CAPPUCCIO proved too strong for Slovakia’s Adam KLAJBER Filip DELINCAK and Kamil PACH.
“ Andrea PUPPO gave us perfect start after very close five games victory over Adam KALBER. All went well after that ” said John OYEBODE.”Next match will be much more difficult. We will play against Romania. They beat very good Portugal in straight matches in the Round of 16. so we have to prepare for tough encounter.”
Germany’s Kay STUMPER Hannes HOERMANN and Daniel RINDERER overcame Belgium’s Alesi MASSART Adrien RASSENFOSSE Nicolas DEGROS in four matches.
“I played against Alessi MASSART who had nothing to lose and played very relaxed. It is dangerous situation to be in. I managed to give good opening for my team but unfortunately we lost the second match against Adrien RASSENFOSSE. Daniel RINDERER played a very good match and achieved an important victory. In the next round we will play against Poland one of the best teams in the tournament. We are not without a chance and anything is possible ” said Kay STUMPER.
The marathon between Sweden and Czech Republic ended in favor of Sweden. Martin FRIIS won both his matches against Frantisek ONDERKA and Tomas MARTINKO .Daniel LINDSO added third point in the decisive game against ONDERKA.
