Romania and Poland booked their places in the final of the Under 19 Boy’s Teams event at the 2022 Dunav Osiguranje European Youth Championships. In the penultimate stage Romania beat Belgium whilst overcame Poland succeeded against France. Beside Under 15 Boy’s Event all other three events will have the same protagonists.
Darius MOVILEANU overcame Louis LAFFINEUR in the opening match before Adrien RASSENFOSSE leveled the score with the victory over Eduard IONESCU. Iulian CHIRITA went full five games against Tom CLOSSET but showed better nerves at the end of the match. On his second exit to the table Darius MOVILEANU overcame Adrien RASSENFOSSE to push Romania into the final.
“We expected very hards match as it happened tonight. It is great releive that we won it. I am happy that I won both my encounters and I think that we were very good as a team. We fought hard and I expect the same tomorow ” said Darius.
Maciej KUBIK secured good start for Poland after he beat Alexis KOURAICHI in the opening match. Milosz REDZIMSKI overcame Thibault PORET to push Poland one more step closer to the final. Hugo DESCHAMPS saved match ball again him and managed to beat Mateusz ZALEWSKI to push Poland into the fourth duel. KUBIK won the nail bitting duel against PORET to seal the final.
Poland was the first team to book its place in the semi final in the quarters they overcame Turkiye in straight matches. Milosz REDZIMSKI Maciej KUBIK and Mateusz ZAELEWSKI beat Hakan ISIK Ugurcan DURSUN and Yigit SIMSEK.
“After very difficult match against Czech Republic we played yesterday this was comparatively easier duel. Maciej KUBIK secured very important victory over DURSUN and that was the crucial moment ”said Mateusz ZAELEWSKI.
Romania accounted for Slovakia in straight matches.
Darius MOVILEANU Eduardo IONESCU and Iulian CHIRITA beat Adam KLAJBER Filip DELINCAK and Samuel PALUSEK.
“We were under pressure because it as the match for the medal. However we stayed focused and determined. Darius and Eduard had much harder job than I did. After they secured 2:0 it was much easier for me ” said CHIRITA.
Belgium’s Adrien RASENFOSSE Louis LAFFINEUR and Tom CLOSSET overcame Italy’s Tommaso GIOVANETTI Andrea PUPPO and Federico VALLINO in straight matches.
“We saved some energy again with another 3:0 victory. We are going to need it because the next step will be much harder. I won my match against GIOVANETTI and that was very important because I did not play well at the beginning. Eventually I needed four games to secure 1:0 but after that LAFFINEUR and CLOSSET won in straight games ” explained Adrien.
In thrilling five matches France overcame Croatia to book the last place among top four teams. Ivor BAN created very good opportunity for Croatia after beating Thibault PORET and Alexis KOURAICHI. Ban pushed to decisive match after Petek BORNA suffered in the opening match and Hugo DECHAMPS won at the position no. three. BORNA was close to create big upset but he lost fifth match in fifth game against KOURAICHI by narrowest margin (11:8 12:10 7:11 12:14 13:11).
“I am so happy that I managed to win the last one. After I had a led 2:0 Borna recovered to level and the pressure was enormous. It was amazing match. I had to adjust my service and receive game. I made long service in backhand and short in forehand ”said KOURAICHI.
