Italy emerged triumphant against Spain in another series of straight matches. Danilo FASO and Matilde BUZZONI opened the encounter with a victory over Ladimir MAYOROV and Renata SHYPHA.
“Our mixed doubles team had performed well in two matches prior to the team event so they were well warmed up ” said Italian coach Gianluca ABBATICCHIO.
Italy boasts two leading players in the seeding list Danilo FASO and Francesco TREVISAN but Gioia PICU has proven that the team can rely on her.
“Gioia’s victory over Jiaqi GUO was a surprise but in this tournament she has already shown that she can compete against any opponent. It was not a major surprise considering how well she played in previous days in Zagreb. After her win most of the work was done as we were confident in TREVISAN’S abilities. TREVISAN and FASO are very strong in this category ” explained Coach ABBATICCHIO.
Speaking about the forthcoming match against Turkey the coach promised “It is going to be a battle.”
Spain -Italy 0-3
Ladimir MAYOROV Renata SHYPSHA – Danilo FASO Matilde BUZZONI 0-3 (6-11 10-12 7-11)
Jiaqi GUO – Gioia PICU 2-3 (11-6 9-11 11-8 7-11 3-11)
Roc GILBERT – Francesco TREVISAN 1-3 (2-11 7-11 11-9 5-11)
Germany – Turkiye 0-3
Samuel KUHL Anna WALTER – Gorkem OCAL Buse KOCAK 1-3 (8-11 7-11 11-8 4-11)
Amelie JIA – Nil BASAN 1-3 (7-11 11-8 8-11 9-11)
Lukas WANG – Kenan KAHRAMAN 0-3 (8-11 11-13 5-11)
Italy and Türkiye’s Mixed Teams have secured their places in the final of the Under 13 European Championships in Zagreb. They emerged victorious in superb style during the semi-finals.
Turkish team unlike Italy the top seed exceeded expectations to reach the ultimate stage. Seeded at position number 13 Turkey will compete for the gold medal tomorrow at 7 PM CET. In the penultimate stage they showed no mercy in the match against Germany.
“We are very happy to have reached the final. It is very important for us. This achievement is significant for our players as it would be their first medal at the Europeans. We have worked very hard for this and remained highly focused ” said coach Gökmen OCAL.
Throughout the match Türkiye dominated their opponents. Gorkem OCAL and Buse KOCAK set the pace of the duel with their victory over Samuel KUHL and Anna WALTER which proved challenging for their adversaries. Nil BASARAN and Kenan KAHRAMAN won their individual matches against Amelie JIA and Lukas WANG.
“Tactically we outplayed them but I believe that more than tactics and strategy it was our desire to win that prevailed ” added coach OCAL.
