ZELENGOWSKI: I’m trying not to have big expectations

The opening rounds in the Men’s Group Stage at the European Under 21 Championships in Skopje announced exciting proceedings of the Championships in North Macedonia. A few favorites were already defeated or faced fierce challenges.

However the top-seeded player in qualifications Frenchman Flavien COTON was not among those who suffered. He overcame Miguel PANTOJA of Spain in straight games (6 10 9). In Group 2 Simon BELIK of Czechia also recorded a win over Daniel BERZOSA of Spain (9 9 12) but in the same group Mateusz ZELENGOWSKI of Poland was forced to go the full distance in the duel against Sharpel ELIA of Cyprus (-8 2 8 -6 8).

“I didn’t know much about the adversary because there weren’t videos on Youtube so I didn’t know what to expect. I was too nervous during the match. I was winning in the first game 6:2 and then the game was just lost. I lost the shape and the tactics started receiving badly and that was the key why the match was that tough ” explained ZELENGOWSKI who clinched the title at the WTT Youth Contender Linz 2023.

“Last year I won the title in Skopje in Mixed doubles but in singles I was pretty bad; I have to admit that but I really like the atmosphere here the city… For 2024 most likely I will try to qualify for the European Championships U19 and continue playing on a good score in the German league. Here I try not to have big expectations because when I create them they always disappear in the first rounds of the tournament. That was pretty close to happening today ” admitted ZELENGOWSKI.

A player who suffered an unpleasant fate in the opening round was the no. 14 seed Tom CLOSSET of Belgium who lost to no. 40 seed Wim VERDONSCHOT of Germany (-9 9 5 7). Adam KLAJBER of Slovakia the No. 15 seed lost to Petek BORNA of Croatia no. 38 seed (6 7 -8 12) and no. 44 seed Aljaz GODEC of Slovenia overcame Kas VAN OOST of Netherlands no. 18 seed (6 10 7).

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The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is the governing body of the sport of table tennis in Europe, and is the only authority recognized for this purpose by the International Table Tennis Federation. The ETTU deals with all matters relating to table tennis at a European level, including the development and promotion of the sport in the territories controlled by its 58 member associations, and the organization of continental table tennis competitions, including the European Championships.

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