After one year break Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS will be again on duty at the China Construction Bank Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February 2023. The winner of the 2014 edition in Lausanne missed last year’s action but only due the health issue.
Year earlier in Thessaloniki on his 8th appearance he was runner up.
“I am happy to come back to play in Montreux. Unfortunately I could not play at last year’s edition because I had Covid infection. Now I am coming back with big goals as always. I had played at this event for eight times and I won it when it was played in Top 12 format; I also clinched two silver medals when the list of participants was extended to 16 players. Europe Top 16 Cup is very important tournament with historical significance. It is the tournament that I always have played well and of which I have great memories. It is always fan to play at this event ” explained FREITAS.
Two weeks ago FREITAS was playing in Jordan at the WTT Contender Amman 2023 and he lost to another player from Top 16 list – Jonathan GROTH of Denmark. It was the last test for his shape before the start of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup.
“In general I am in good shape. It is true I lost in the opening round against GROTH. He played very well. It was tough and close game. At the end I made more mistakes than Dane. I am little bit frustrating that I made a mistakes in crucial moments in the final moments of the game. I have some time before Montreux for some more practice to improve my game and performance a bit ” added FREITAS.
Asked about best moments at the tournament Marcos had no doubt.
“I remember with great joy the season of 2014 when I had clinched the title. I beat Michael MAZE in the final. I hope I could still fight for another final and who knows maybe I could bring the Cup once again to Portugal ” stated Marcos FREITAS.
Beside Marcos at the event this year will also play: Truls MOREGARD of Sweden Darko JORGIC of Slovenia Dang QIU and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden Liam PITCHFORD of England Andrej GACINA of Croatia Simon GAUZY of France WANG Yang of Slovakia Robert GARDOS of Austria Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia Jonathan GROTH of Denmark Joao GERALDO of Portugal Elias HARDMEIER of Switzerland and Emmanuel LEBESSON of France.
