European Championships | 18 Sep 2018

Brave effort from young SGOUROPOULOS

Photo: Rémy Gros

LIEBHERR 2018 ITTF European Championships

The qualification stage of the Men’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR 2018 ITTF European Championships in Spanish Alicante provide already exciting matches and few upsets. Already in Group one, European champion in junior category Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece proved he is matured for bigger challenge and secured leading position with two wins over Serbia’s Marko JEVTOVIC and Slovakia’s Samuel NOVOTA.

“It is always difficult to play first match at the Championships. It was especially hard for me this time, since I never had play against NOVOTA previously. I kept him close to the table and luckily I found a good rhythm from the start,“ said SGOUROPOULOS before match against JEVTOVIC.

Marko is the second in the group, which is also surprise since he came in Spain unranked.

“I have been absent from the Championships for three years, I was not even playing at the tournaments. I did not know what to expect here. I feel like I was absent for 20 years, those kids are total mystery to me,” said JEVTOVIC.

In Group 2 Paul DRINKHALL of ENGLAND and Truls MOREGARD of Sweden will decide the top spot in the group tomorrow, when they meet each other. So far both are unbeaten. Same status goes with Alexander SHIBAEV of Russia who overcame Patryk ZATOWKA of Poland and Jordan WYKES of Jersey.

“I am feeling very tired now. The match against WYKES concluded in straight games, but the one against ZATOWKA was very close and difficult,” said SHIBAEV.

In the same group Carlos FRANCO of Spain accounted against Jordan and lost against ZATOWKA.

“I was under great pressure after this morning’s defeat since I lost against lower ranked player, but this victory gave me hope and new motive for tomorrow’s duel against SHIBAEV,” said FRANCO.

Portugal’s Diogo CARVALHO overcame Kalinikos KREANGA of Greece and Finalnd’s Alex NAUMI.

“I have to play against the favorite in our Group, Bence MAJOROS of Hungary but I know I have a chance. He has very dangerous return of service and I hope I will find a way to answer that,” said Diogo.

Jesus CANTERO of Spain had surprise free day. He justified his leading position in his Group and beat Filip RADOVIC of Montenegro and Arturs REINHOLDS of Latvia.

“Now I will play against Martin ALLEGRO of Belgium. Last time we met at the European Championships I remember I had a very difficult time; I will have to be fast and focused,” said Cantero.

Photos:

ETTU Flickr ETTU_official -

Live Streaming:

The event will be streamed on ettu.tv

Live Scoring:

Live scoring can be followed here

Tickets for the European Championships ticketmaster

The links to the live tables for each day:

o http://bit.ly/ETTC2018_Day1_Table1

o http://bit.ly/ETTC2018_Day1_Table2

o http://bit.ly/ETTC2018_Day1_Table3

o http://bit.ly/ETTC2018_Day1_Table4