In the Stage one of the European Championships teams of France recorded wins tonight. In both Men’s and Women’s matches France came up with the clean record; in away matches they beat England and Slovakia.
England beat Serbia last night but tonight they failed to repeat the result. France was in the driving seat from the beginning. Paul DRINKHALL lost to Can AKKUZU after thrilling five games (12:14 13:11 9:11 11:5 8:11) at the beginning of the match. In next Tom JARVIS failed to change the course of the duel and lost to Felix LEBRUN (11:5 7:11 8:11 7:11). David MCBEATH suffered by the hands of Jules ROLLAND (7:11 11:13 13:15).
“I think I started well but Paul was playing quite well also. Felix was maybe a little bit nervous at the beginning but let’s not forget he’s only 16. He got better and better in the rally and in the receive. In the third match David was ahead in the beginning of every game but then he was more precise in the end of the games ” said AKKUZU.
In Women’s Event France won the match against Slovakia 3:0 but in two duels was forced to go full distance. Barbora BALAZOVA lost to YUAN Jia Nan after five close games (18:16 11:4 10:12 6:11 8:11). Only Prithika PAVADE solved her match against Ema LOBOSOVA in straight games (11:9 11:5 12:10). Charlotte LUTZ beat Tatiana KUKOLKOVA by narrow margin (13:11 10:12 9:11 11:9 13:11).
