Antonin GAVLAS and Renata STRBIKOVA of Czech Republic clinched the title at the 2013 ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships in Buzau. In the final they overcame Slovakia’s pairings Lubomir PISTEJ and Barbora BALAZOVA. “The hardest moment was in the ,
Antonin GAVLAS and Renata STRBIKOVA of Czech Republic clinched the title at the 2013 ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships in Buzau. In the final they overcame Slovakia’s pairings Lubomir PISTEJ and Barbora BALAZOVA.
“The hardest moment was in the semi final when we played against Michal OBESLO and Hana MATELOVA. We know each other very well, but we were good prepared. We knew what was coming,” stated Renata STRBIKOVA after seven games duel against bronze medalists.
In the final they prevailed in five games. “The tactic was to slow down Lubomir PISTEJ, to forced him into mistakes, or just to force him to play slowly. In that case we dictated the rhythm. Usually he is very aggressive player with very fast balls,” explained GAVLAS.
12 years ago and Antonin GAVLAS clinched the mixed doubles title in Bratislava as Cadet at the European Youth Championships. “That was a long time ago…In a meanwhile, I proved myself much more as a club player, then as a member of a national team. I guess I am not that good when I play alone. For a team it is a different story. In Bundesliga I played in club with Timo BOLL at the beginning, then I moved to Italy in Torino, won Scudetto and finally I returned to Czech Republic this season. With El Nino we won title. This is my best season ever,” said GAVLAS.
He was teamed up with Renata STRBIKOVA for a first time. “She is so good tactic player. Her technique is very good. She is playing attacking style. Her opponents never know where the ball will go, so everyone must slow down and it gives me opportunity to play my aggressive style.”
Asked will this partnership lasts, GAVLAS answered: “At every moment there are 10 men good enough for the national team. It is hard to make promises that I will play again here. We will see.”
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