Bernadette SZOCS, the jewel of the generation, added another gold medal to her record book by winning top prize in the Junior Girls Team’s Event at 2013 EYC in Ostrava. Romanian team succeeded once again and defended gold title won last year in Aus,
Bernadette SZOCS, the jewel of the generation, added another gold medal to her record book by winning top prize in the Junior Girls Team’s Event at 2013 EYC in Ostrava. Romanian team succeeded once again and defended gold title won last year in Austria’s Multiversum. It was fantastic success once again, achieved in impressive style against worthy adversaries from Germany.
Now, SZOCS has 11 gold medals overall. That is one less then all times record counts. Vladimir SAMSONOV still holds that record as most successful player at the European Youth Championships. Vladimir SAMSONOV has 13, but Bernadette SZOCS has three more Events in her schedule before she departed junior category at the end of this week. “I dream of winning all gold medals. I want them so much. It is important for me. This is my last year and I have to be the best.”
SZOCS had not lost singles match on her way to the final, and in the ultimate stage despite severe pressure that Nina MITTELHAM made, Bernadette preserved unbeaten status.
“Nina started very bad against Irina CIOBANU. She had not created the single chance, but when she started to play against me it was completely different story. I turned around to my coach Petre ARNAUT and asked “What is going on?” She was superb,” explained SZOCS.
Being no. 1 player brings a lot of pressure. “I know that I have to win two matches and that is it. I am not under stress. It is just a fact and I except it without any problem.”
– Is there some player especially difficult for you?
“Each team now has at least one good player. Croatia has two: RAKOVAC and JAGER. Germany has complete tam of very good players. It is not easy at all to stay in the game.”
– Now when she leave the juniors, would it be difficult?
“Oh yes. Being senior will bring a big difference. It is not like when you are a junior and when you enter the hall everyone knows you…”This is SZOCS” situation. Now I will become one of many players fighting for the space under spotlight.”
In order to be ready for that challenge Bernadette will move. “Now I will be 18 and I am eligible to go aboard and to play for some club outside Romania. I will go to training centre in Bremen where I will have fantastic conditions. Romanian coach Cristian TAMAS is there, my brother Hunor, Adrian CRISAN, Paul DRINKHALL…At the same time I will play for French Lille, the club that was first in Pro A two years ago and finished second this season.”
Whilst we talked about her plans and success, the shadow of sadness covered Bernadette’s face for a while. “I miss my coach, Gheorghe BOZGA. During the matches I often think what he would say. I look up and talk to him…”
The record of EYC gold medals of SAMSONOV and SZOCS
Vladimir SAMSONOV (13):
1987:CBT
1988: CBD (with AVERKIN), CXD (with Kusch, now FADEEVA)
1989: CBS, CXD (with KUSCH)
1990: CBT, CBD (with FADEEV), CXD (with Tatiana KULAGINA)
1991: none
1992: JBS, JBT, JXD (with KUSCH)
1993: JBS, JBD (with KOSTNER)
Bernadette SZOCS (11):
2008: CGT
2009: CGD (with NOSKOVA)
2010: CGT, CGS, CGD (with CIOBANU)
2011: JGS, JGD (with P. SOLJA)
2012: JGT, JGS, JGD (with P. SOLJA)
2013: JGT and ……
