Slovakia recorded second victory in the opening Stage of the European Championships Teams in Group A 5 in Men’s Event. At home soil in Bratislava they overcame Czech Republic.
The match went full distance tonight WANG Yang beat Tomas POLANSKY (8:11 15:13 11:8 11:13 11:2) and Davis REITSPIES (11:8 7:11 9:11 11:4 11:8). Lubomir PISTEJ lost his first clash against Lubomir JANCARIK (7:11 10:12 6:11) but he won the decisive match against POLANSKY (11:6 6:11 7:11 11:7 11:8). Jiri MARTINKO beat Alexander VALUCH (12:14 14:12 11:5 11:6) to add the second point to Czechs side.
“Such a match has not been played in Slovakia for a long time. The fans must have been pleased. Of course we were very lucky but that’s part of the sport. WANG Yang was the key player but we expected that. Both of his wins were important. And the decisive fifth match between PIŠTEJ and POLANSKÝ? That was really a lot of luck ” commented Czilárd CSÖLLE coach of Slovakia.
The coach of the Czech Republic Josef PLACHÝ said:
“Although we lost I have to praise all the players. It was a nice fight everyone gave their best and often lacked a bit of luck. We knew WANG was a key player for the other side. But POLANSKÝ and then REITŠPIES could beat him. However he played great in those important moments. The fifth singles match was already a challenge the score kept changing and in the end the win stayed at home. But we certainly have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Previously both Czech Republic and Slovakia beat Italy in their Group.
