For a first time in the history France is at the top place of the medal rostrum at the STERILGARDA European Youth Championships. In the Junior Girls Teams’ final they overcame Germany. France never won a team title in any girls category although t
For a first time in the history France is at the top place of the medal rostrum at the STERILGARDA European Youth Championships. In the Junior Girls Teams’ final they overcame Germany. France never won a team title in any girls category although they were close in 2013 losing the cadets final 2-3 to Romania. Germany won the title twice in 2000 and 2003.
European’s top ranked player Nina MITTELHAM opened the final with the duel against Europe’s no. 17 Marie MIGOT. Two opening games went on reigning European champion’s account but Marie managed to settle into the game in third set eventually. She created slight advantage but failed to stay on same course in the finish of the game. Nina recovered and won the match.
Europe’s no. 7 Yuan WAN play against Pauline CHASSELIN placed at position 15 at the rankings. Those numbers did not fit the situation on the table. CHASSELIN dominated leaving no space for Yuan to impose her rhythm. At 1:1 Europe’s no 2 Chantal MANTZ played against best-ranked French player Laura PFEFER at position no. 4. PFEFER won opening game but in next Chantal took over the control. The pendulum swung once again in very tight third game but in next MANTZ secured decisive fifth set. In fifth set PFEFER preserved cool head. She created advantage and even aggressive finish from MANTZ could not help German side.
Yuan WAN was powerless against Marie MIGOT. She stole one game but was never able to take control of the match. The winners of the bronze medals Romania and Russia showed no mercy against each other in the duel that had to determined who will be no. 3 and who will be no. 4. Bernadett BALINT was stretched to full distance against Maria MALANINA. She went through agonizing five games against Ekaterina GUSEVA as well before she succeeded. GUSEVA beat Diana LUPU and Ekaterina CHERNYAVSKAYA prevailed against Andreea CLAPA. However LUPU in another full distance duel overcame MALANINA to secure 3rd position to Romania.
Junior Girls Teams Final: Germany – France 1:3
Nina MITTELHAM – Marie MIGOT 3:0 (11:9 11:4 11:9)
Yuan WAN – Pauline CHASSELIN 0:3 (5:11 5:11 8:11)
Chantal MANTZ – Laura PFEFER 2:3 (6:11 11:9 9:11 11:8 9:11)
Yuan WAN – Marie MIGOT 1:3 (10:12 7:11 11:7 5:11)
