Reigning champions Germany are just one step away from defending their title in the Under 15 Girls teams event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö. Tomorrow in the final they will meet no. 2 seeds Poland. Bronze medals were secured by Portugal and Czechia.
In the semifinal top-seeded Germany represented by Koharu ITAGAKI Lisa-Sophie WANG and Josephina NEUMANN overcame no. 7 seeds Portugal with Beatriz PINTO Julia LEAL and Joana PINTO. Germany’s Lisa-Sophie WANG crushed Portugal’s hopes at the very beginning after a hard-earned victory over LEAL in five games. Afterwards ITAGAKI justified her status in both singles and doubles with NEUMANN.
“This match was very difficult for us. We were never challenged in Malmö the way we were challenged now in the semis. The crucial moment was Lisa’s win over LEAL. She was forced to go the full five games and was down in the decisive game. It could have gone the other way around. That is why we are very happy to reach the final and I hope we will achieve our goal and defend the title again. It doesn’t matter who will be on the other side of the table we will be focused on us ” said ITAGAKI.
For a second time today Poland was stretched to five full matches. After overcoming last year’s finalists France Poland beat no. 3 seeds and last year’s bronze medalists Czechia in the evening program. Both Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA and Maja LAKOMA scored in their singles and doubles matches while Hanka KODETOVA secured two wins for Czechia.
“I’m very happy with my team. We played very well. I hope we will be even better tomorrow ” said LAKOMA.
Tomorrow’s final is scheduled for 17:30.
