The newly crowned champions at the European Under 21 Championships in Skopje in the Mixed Doubles Event are Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIC. In the final they prevailed against the European champions from Gliwice Darius MOVILEANU and Elena ZAHARIA of Romania. The bronze medalists are Hugo DESCHAMPS and Leana HOCHART of France and Maciej KUBIK and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland.
In the final a real drama unfolded. In a full five-game match with twists and turns (9-11 11-9 11-7 11-13 11-8) the Croatian pair managed to overcome the Romanians. In the decisive game BAN and ARAPOVIC came from 4-8 to 11-8.
“They played better at the start but we found our peace we found our way our way to play the first ball and to receive…” said BAN.
The focus and nervousness at the end of the match were crucial.
“I gained self-confidence for my match in singles and the close win against KLEE. In the final stages of the mixed doubles match I found the peace and the focus to push the match to success ” said ARAPOVIC.
Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIC overcame Maciej KUBIK and Anna BRZYSKA of Poland (11-13 12-10 13-11 11-7).
“The tactic was to stick close to the table because BRZYSKA gives really short balls. Sometimes we managed to do that sometimes we didn’t but in the end we won and we are very happy ” said BAN.
ARAPOVIC added: “Our priority was for Ivor to attack more and for me to create the point and create conditions for the attack that he receives a good ball. Ivor was responsible for attacking and taking the points. And of course a big advantage is the fact that one is left-handed and one right-handed. We can play more with the forehand better services and it is easier to move around.”
In the semifinal Darius MOVILEANU and Elena ZAHARIA overcame Hugo DESCHAMPS and Leana HOCHART of France (11-4 8-11 11-8 12-10). Romania’s pair had a furious start before the French side brought the match to a more leveled state.
“The changing of sides helped our adversaries but we managed to keep the match under control despite losing the second game ” said ZAHARIA.
Since the European Championships Romania’s pairings played at the World Junior Championships but clashing with the silver medalists brought them an early departure.
“We played only one Championship together since Gliwice but we trained together and played together since 2021 so we do not need much time to get into shape ” said MOVILEANU.
