Most of the favorites had the successful morning round at the Under 19 Girls Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships but it was far from easy ride. Two years break changed the map of power in table tennis.
In Group A top seeded team of Russia prevailed against Sweden in straight matches. Natalia MALININA Elizabet ABRAAMIAN and Liubov TENTSER proved too strong for Nomin BAASAN Rebecca MUSKANTOR and Matilda HANSSON. It was only BASSAN who created extra pressure to stretch MALININA to full distance match.
“It was a tough match since it was the first one at the Championships and we had to give our best. We played point by point thinking only of next one. And since it was the first match our opinion is that we did very well and that we deserved the victory ” said Elizabet ABRAAMIAN.
In the same Group Czech Republic faced defeat by the hands of very good Netherlands’ team. Emine ERNST gave her team dream start with the 3:2 win over Klara HRABICOVA but Linda ZEDEROVA managed to level the score and brought back Czech Republic on good course in the match against Karlijn VAN LIEROP. The very close duel between Chana VAN DER VENNE and Anna KLEMPEREROVA gave her team new advantage and ERNST sealed it with win over ZADEROVA.
“In my first match I was very anxious but despite that I think I did a good job. By the time when the second match started I was not nervous anymore and I could play my game. I played against a high quality and a very skilled player. The third match was very important KLEMPEREROVA played great and in the end I think we deserved the victory. We prepared a long time for this and I’m very happy we won in the first match ” explained ERNST.
Leader in Group B team Romania overcame Ukraine in straight matches. Ioana SINGEORZAN was forced to go full distance against Anastasiya DYMYTRENKO but Elena ZAHARIA and Luciana MITROFAN were more effective.
“We trained hard and we will certainly try to get the best possible result. I had a tough match our second player and our third player did great and it really helped out with the victory ” said Elena ZAHARIA.
Belarus overcame Slovenia in the opening round.
In Group D Germany recorded 3:1 win over Hungary.
“My opening match against Irisz LASKAI went well but after that Anastasia BONDAREVA lost first game against Helga DARI and the rest of the match was very close. Eventually she won and it made me very happy since she put up a good fight. Naomi PRNJAKOVIC was maybe a little nervous it was tough to play against Anna FEJOS. But we still managed to win and we are very happy because of that ” stated Sophia KLEE.
Italy was severely tested. They were 2:0 up and then the pendulum swung and Poland leveled to 2:2. In fifth match Anna BRZYSKA was 1:0 up against Nicole ARLIA when Italy withstood their spirited comeback. The creator of biggest upset was Ilona SZTWIERTNIA who overcame Jamila LAURENTI in straight games.
France and Turkey underlined their status in Group C. Both teams concluded opening round in straight matches. France beat Serbia and Turkey overcame Norway.
“We were aware how the opening match could be tricky and that is why we commenced very carefully. Serbia is a fierce adversary with a good players and we are very happy that we made a good job of it ” said Isa COK.
