Samuel KULCZYCKI and Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland clinched the title in the Mixed Doubles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Sarajevo. In the final they overcame Romania’s pairings Eduardo IONESCU and Ioana SINGEORZAN. Bronze medalists are Flavien COTON of France and Mia GRIESEL of Germany and Milosz REDZIMSKI and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland.
It is the fist time in four years old history of Mixed Doubles Events at the Europeans Under 21 that Romania’s pairings could not reach the highest step at the medal rostrum.
“We are so proud that we managed to reach gold on our first ever championships together “ said KULCZYCKI.”I did not start well but Zuzanna played expertly and she helped me come to rhythm.”
In the semi final Samuel and Zuzanna prevailed against Flavien COTON of France and Mia GRIESEL of Germany (11 -7 3 7).
“From the begining we were not in the comfortable position. We were 6:10 down but we recovered to win that game. Just as we settled into the rhythm in the second game I had great difficulties with Mia GRIESEL’s style of play. I needed some time to adopt to it but it was too late for that part of the match. From third we finally found the way to control everything so it was 9:0 and 11:3. We did not make any easy mistakes ” explained KULCZYCKI.
Zuzanna WIELGOS admitted the success came as surprise for her.
“I did not expect we will reach this far on our first Championships together ” said Zuzanna.
On their way to the gold they also overcame last year’s champions Andrei ISTRATE and Luciana MITROFAN.
Romania’s Eduardo IONESCU and Ioana SINGEORZAN were so many times close to medal just to lost at the final hurdle before the medal. In Sarajevo they went further. In other semi final they overcame Milosz REDZIMSKI and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland (-8 11 9 7).
“It is the first semi final after two times we were playing in the quarters of the European Championships. It is very important for us and that is why we were little bit nervous at the begining. In addition BRZYSKA did not make it any easier with her pimples on both side. We had to stay focused and on alert ‘ said IONESCU.
Ioana SINGEORZAN pointed that confidence in each other was the key to success.
“From the third game we managed to settle into the rhythm and I think the way we encouraged each other and gave support to each other is very important part of our success ” added SINGEORZAN.
