The Group Stage in the Under 19 Boys’ event at the ORLEN European Youth Championships was filled with drama in each group.
The top-seeded team Romania managed to escape the dramatic scenarios by reaching the Round of 16 undefeated in three rounds. Darius MOVILEANU Eduard IONESCU Iulian CHIRITA and Teodor ISTRATE overcame Spain Sweden and the Netherlands. Spain ranked second in Group A failed to secure a victory in their three matches while Sweden and the Netherlands competed in a direct clash to determine the second team advancing directly to the Round of 16. In a thrilling five-match clash Sweden emerged victorious.
Czechia with Ondrej KVETON Simon BELIK and Stepan BRHEL exceeded expectations and claimed the top spot in Group B. They defeated the top-ranked team France in four matches and also recorded wins over Hungary and Ukraine. In the match between the two leading teams in the group Stepan BRHEL secured an impressive victory over Flavien COTON.
“I still believed that Štepán BRHEL would secure a point. He is a player who can perform without nerves doesn’t allow himself to be pressured and already showed great form against France. We didn’t discuss any tactics before the match with Hungary. We wanted to win and I selected the roster accordingly. The opponent performed well but we were better especially Štěpán BRHEL who delivered an incredible performance. Šimon BĚLÍK and Ondřej KVĚTON also played their part. Winning such a tough group is fantastic ” said Karel KARÁSEK coach of the Czechia U19 boys’ team.
In their match against Hungary Czechia was initially trailing 0-2 before making a remarkable comeback to secure the victory. Handling a score of 0-2 is mentally challenging for many players but Štěpán BRHEL is different and doesn’t struggle with it.
“It is important to have a clear mind at that moment. Don’t think about the situation and the possible consequences of losing. Before my singles match I distanced myself from the team and focused on completely different things in the restroom or dressing room ” said BRHEL.
Germany remained untouched at the top of Group C. Tom SCHWEIGER Andre BERTELSMEIER Matthias DANZER Lleyton ULLMANN and Wim VERDONSCHOT defeated Slovakia Croatia and Turkey. VERDONSCHOT made his debut on the second day of play in the match against Turkey.
“It was my first match and I was very nervous. DURSUN had a very strong service game making it difficult for me. In the first two games I struggled to find my rhythm which is why I needed the full five games to overcome him ” shared VERDONSCHOT.
Even this group was not spared from upsets as Croatia beat Slovakia to secure the second spot and advance to the knockout stage.
In Group D Poland took advantage of playing on home soil and pushed the leading team Belgium down one spot to secure their place in the Round of 16. Milosz REDZIMSKI Mateusz ZALEWSKI Alan KULCZYCKI and Michal GAWLAS represented Poland.
