European Youth Championships | 23 Jul 2017

Cristian PLETEA and Denis IVONIN finally reached gold

STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal

Cristian PLETEA of Romania and Denis IVONIN of Russia beat Simon SODERLUND of Sweden and Cedric MEISSNER of Germany in the final of the Junior Boy’s Doubles Event to clinch gold at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. Istvan MOLNAR of Hungary and Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova and Patrik JUHASZ and Norbert NAGY of Hungary won bronze medal.

 

Denis IVONIN was overwhelmed with emotions after the ultimate match.

 

“I am so proud. I waited so long for this gold. I have seven silver medals, so far,” said IVONIN.

For PLETEA is also first gold in Junior’s category.

 

“It was very hard journey. I think we were challenged more in the semis then in the final,” said PLETEA.

 

In the semi final PLETEA and IVONIN beat Istvan MOLNAR of Hungary and Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova. They lost only one game.

 

“We faced very strong partnership of left-hander and right-hander. IVONIN and I know each other for a very long time, but we played for first time at the European Championships together. Although, we have some experience of playing together at the Open tournaments,” explained PELETEA.

 

SODERLUND and MEISSNER overcame Patrik JUHASZ and Norbert NAGY of Hungary in straight games to reach the final.

 

“We played very calm and well. We felt their service and receive game. What was the problem was the fact that we did not know what to expect from Hungarian pairings. In the final we will play without the pressure at all,” said SODERLUND.

 

 

Final

Cristian PLETEA (Romania), Denis IVONIN (Russia) - Simon SODERLUND (Sweden), Cedric MEISSNER (Germany) 3:0 (11:7, 11:8, 11:9)

Semi final

Cristian PLETEA (Romania), Denis IVONIN (Russia) - Istvan MOLNAR (Hungary), Andrei PUTUNTICA (Moldova) 3:1 (11:7, 6:11, 11:8, 11:9)

Patrik JUHASZ, Norbert NAGY (Hungary) - Simon SODERLUND (Sweden), Cedric MEISSNER (Germany) 0:3 (8:11, 7:11, 11:13)