After five matches in the Mixed Teams Event at the Under 13 European Championships in Zagreb Italy has maintained their unbeaten record. However justifying their leading position in the standings has proven to be a tough challenge.
Yesterday Italy emerged victorious against Portugal (3-2) Switzerland (3-2) and Kosovo (5-0). Today they demonstrated their strength by defeating Ukraine. They are yet to face Sweden.
Italy holds the number one seed in the mixed teams event with Danilo FASO and Francesco TREVISAN ranked first and second in the singles standings. FASO and Matilde BUZZONI are the second seeds in Mixed Doubles.
“I am satisfied with our current position. We faced some tough moments but despite the difficulties we managed to win all the matches. Against Ukraine today Francesco TREVISAN and Federica INTERLANDI lost their match against Volodymyr NEVIZHYN and Diana KOLIENIKOVA despite being favorites. On the other hand Gioa Maria PICU had a successful match against Tatiana PUKALO which gave us a great boost of confidence. FASO and Trevisan lived up to their expectations ” said coach Emmanuele DELSANTO.
The coach also highlighted the improvement in PICU’s game.
“Previously Gioa struggled during crucial moments when the score was at 10-8 or 8-10. She lacked self-confidence. Now she has managed to turn those close games in her favor ” added DELSANTO.
Coach Delsanto expressed his disagreement with the scoring system where a 5-0 win gives 5 points to the winner a 4-1 win gives 4 points to the winner and 1 point to the defeated team and a 3-2 win gives 3 points to the winner and 2 points to the defeated team.
“I believe this scoring system is flawed because in certain situations narrow victories may not be sufficient.”
In the same group Ukraine defeated Sweden (3-2).
See the pictures here
