On tomorrow’s final of the Women’s Singles Event Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria will meet Nina MITTELHAM of Germany to determine the gold medal winner at the European Championships in Munich 2022.
In the semi final Sofia POLCANOVA overcame Sabine WINTER of Germany (11:9 11:3 6:11 14:12 9:11 9:11 12:20).
“It’s very emotional. I still can’t believe that I’m in the final after such a close game. At 3-1 4-0 I thought that I could be in the final and this was a big mistake because I got passive and thought that she would make mistake but she did not this was a mistake by me. I am just happy that I did not give up and that I continued to play how I can play. In the end there were just two points difference. Both deserved the win today but this is sport and today I was maybe more lucky.”
On winning the deciding points in the last set as the sold-out Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle cheered for WINTER:
“I was so focused I just talked to myself ‘come on be on the table be on the table be aggressive every time’. When I won the point I told myself ‘come on keep it going keep it going don’t be passive’ and I think this was the key. I did not even scream or do something I was so focused to not losing concentration to keep going and keep playing.”
At the end of the match POLCANOVA was crying.
“I thought about my father because my father passed away in 2015 and he was my coach. When I play big tournaments I always think about him and today he gave me strength in the game to continue playing.”
On her friendship with WINTER:
“It’s a very good relationship. It was a very nice match and even if I would’ve lost I would have been sad but we are very good friends she was bridesmaid at my wedding and she was also in Linz where I live a couple of times and I was in Düsseldorf where she lives and we understand each other very well.”
Nina MITTELHAM overcame her compatriot SHAN Xiaona (11:3 5:11 11:3 11:6 13:11).
“I’m really happy I couldn’t have imagined this before. I was dreaming about this but that it’s true is unbelievable ” said Nina who underlained how hard is to play against the teammate.” It’s always hard. Here then we don’t have any coach and you are really alone in the box. If it’s going well then it’s nice but if you don’t have the best start then a coach can help you a lot. I’m really happy that I managed to win but I would’ve preferred to play against some other players.”
On the support from the crowds at the sold-out Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle:
“The atmosphere here is amazing. There are so many spectators and they are all for the German. It’s really really nice and it’s a lot of fun to play in the hall.”
On what was key for the win:
“The first set was the key for me. I started unbelievably good and I had a good feeling a good self confidence. Then at the end I had the feeling I cannot lose. I’m so good I’m mentally good and I think that was the key now.
“I had the game in my hand and I was bringing it home.”
On playing Sofia POLCANOVA in Sunday’s gold medal match:
“We have played before I have lost and won against her so I think it will be an open match. It will not be easy but it’s a final and finals are never easy. We are both in good shape we both won all our matches until now in the singles event and she’s a really great player. She has a high confidence she’s already won two medals here before. I hope that I can play my best and hopefully I can win.”
On whether she before the tournament could have imagined that she would make it to the gold medal match:
“Not really. Last year I lost in the first round and I was really chocked because before the tournament I was in a good shape. Now it’s the total opposite; before I wasn’t feeling so good the mixed doubles didn’t go as I hoped but now I’ve been fighting and match by match I’ve got better. I hope that tomorrow it will be even better than today. If I play my level and still lose it is OK.”
On whether she is happy not to have to play another German opponent in the gold medal match getting the whole crowd on her side:
“Yes. Then the atmosphere is much better there are more spectators who are cheering but I would also have liked to play against Sabine she played a great tournament and she also would’ve deserved to be in the final tomorrow.”
