Germany’s Elisa NGUYEN and Austria’s Benjamin GIRLINGER clinched gold medals at the 2022 Europe Under 13 Challenge in Podgorica.
Elisa NGUYEN prevailed against Portugal’s Julia LEAL in the final of the Girls Singles event 3:0 (11:5 11:8 11:5). In Boy’s Singles in much closer duel Benjamin GIRLINGER overcame Poland’s Samuel MICHNA 3:1 (15:13 11:13 11:5 11:9).
On the third step of the medal rostrum were Aleks PAKULA of Poland and Turkiye’s Berk ÖZTOPRAK. In Girl’s Event Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA of Poland and Beatriz PINTO of Portugal won bronze.
Day after they played in the final of the Mixed Team Event three players from the Poland’s team reached the semi final of the singles event. Only one progressed to the very last match. In the penultimate stageBenjamin GIRLINGER overcame Aleks PAKULA of Poland (9:11 11:9 11:7 11:9). For Poland’s Samuel MICHNA it was reverse scenario. Turkiye’s Berk ÖZTOPRAK put young Polish player under severe pressure but Samuel prevailed 1:3 (11:13 9:11 12:10 6:11).
In the semi final of the Girls Singles Elisa NGUYEN overcame Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA of Poland in full distance match (7:11 8:11 11:8 11:9 11:5). Elisa was two games down before she recovered to win next three. Teammates Beatriz PINTO and Julia LEAL decided who will represent Portugal in the final. After PINTO had a better start Julia recovered and progressed to the ultimate stage 1:3 (11:9 11:13 10:12 9:11).
