2016 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships
Par GERELL and Anton KALLBERG of Sweden were in in charge for the top rated upset in the Men’s Doubles Event at the 2016 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships. Gold medal winners in 2012 and silver medalists from 2013 and 2015 Robert GARDOS and Daniel HABESOHN of Austria suffered by the hands of Swedish pairings in the first round of the event.
GERELL and KALLBERG succeded in six games 8-11 9-11 11-7 11-8 11-8 11-7.
“When we saw the draw we were not afraid. We thought ‘That is it’ and we prepared for the challenge. We have not set the goals yet. It is important to go step by step ” said GERELL.
Tiago APOLONIA and Joao GERALDO had proved as a dangerous pairings at the European Games in Baku. In Budapest they withstood the pressure from Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA and Viktor YEFIMOV of Ukraine to record the opening game victory in seven games.
“There are no easy games here. You have to respect each adversary. We needed time to settle into the rhythm ” explained APOLONIA.
Vladimir SAMSONOV and Pavel PLATONOV were stretched to full distance in the opening round of the Men’s Doubles. Alexander SHIBAEV and Kirill SKACHKOV of Russia had 3:2 advantage before Belarus pairings recovered.
“We found our game but in seventh game it was very close too. We had 4:1 and then Russia’s players leveled. We won it with a little bit of luck by narrow margin 11:9 ” said PLATONOV. ”We were prepared for this. There are no easy balls or quick points when you play against SHIBAEV and SKACHKOV. You have to be ready for long rallies. They put everything on table. “
Zolt PETE and Marko JEVTOVIC prevailed against Frane KOJIC of Croatia and Alvaro ROBLES of Spain.
“We moved to the big hall and it was little bit difficult or us. We needed time before we “connected” with the ball and the table. Our adversaries played one pre round so they were more adjust to the conditions. However it is good we are through ” said JEVTOVIC.
Tristan FLORE and Emmanuel LEBESSON of France beat Polish pairings Tomasz LEWANDOWSKI and Patryk ZATOWKA.
“We won easily three opening games before Polish pairings recovered and settled into the rhythm. We struggled in next two games but with great attitude and in very close game we won. I am not in game in singles any more so I will give my best to get as far as we can in doubles ” said Tristan FLORE.
