European Championships | 14 Sep 2017

Hungary won thrilling match against Sweden to book quarterfinal

Top seeds in the Women’s Teams Event at he LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships, team of Germany is safely through the quarterfinal. They reached the position among the top 8 teams alongside Hungary.

 

Germany beat Sweden and Hungary yesterday, whilst today they overcame Croatia. The match had not started well for German side; Sabine WINTER suffered by the hands of Mateja JEGER. However next three matches all went to reigning champion’s account. Nina MITTELHAM beat Dorina SREBRNJAK, WAN Yuan overcame Mirela DURAK.

 

“It is my first match in the Championships and I am very happy that I contributed with the win. I was very nervous, but at the end I am happy that I had a chance to play,” said WAN.

 

Despite the shaky start Germany justified their rankings in a safe way eventually. In the duel between Hungary and Sweden the result was even more impressive, but it does not reflects the drama we saw in every match of the encounter.

 

All matches were decided by narrowest of margins in the 5th decisive game. Dora MADARASZ had to recover from two games in reverse to beat LI Fen and that match was a key to victory. Georgina POTA overcame Matilda EKHOLM to give Hungary a dream start.

 

“Matilda EKHOLM is my doubles partner and a good friend and it made the game even more difficult. We knew each other very well and there is nothing in our tactics that can surprise the other. During matches like this I have to set aside the emotions and have to be focused on the game,” said Georgina POTA.

 

In last duel Szndra PERGEL overcame Linda BERGSTROM.

 

In the group C Austria concluded the Group stage at the position no. one. They overcame Portugal and Ukraine and suffered in the duel against Spain. Portugal secured second place in the group after a difficult win against Ukraine. The players from East Europe were leading 2/1 but the Portuguese squad came back with the experienced YU Fu and the fighting spirit of SHAO Jieni in the deciding match against PESOTSKA who is back in competition after a long break due to injury.

 

“This was my first match, said ZHANG Xuan Xu of Spain who beat Karoline MISCHEK in the decisive match.” Yesterday I didn’t play, because I’m only the number 4 in the team. We didn’t have any chance to pass the group. I played the first match and lost 3-0 against SOLJA and then I had to play the fifth and deciding match against MISCHEK. The match did cost me a lot of nerves, and due to the change in climate I was not feeling very well. Additionally we hadn’t won a match in the tournament yet. We were under pressure to win at least one.”