European Championships | 18 Sep 2018

Hard time for mums with new ranking system

Photo: Henk HOMMES

LIEBHERR 2018 ITTF European Championships

For a first time after 10 years Daniela Monteiro DODEAN has been required to compete in a preliminary round of the Women’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR 2018 ITTF European Championships in Spanish Alicante. However difficult, she adjusted to new situation and concluded the opening day in qualifications unbeaten. Same, difficult path Sara RAMIREZ had to go as well. Host nation’s representative had to start from the bottom of the group.

“It has been a decade since I played in the qualification and I guess I have to use to that now. My level of play is very high, I am motivated, but due the new system my rankings are below my performances,” said Daniela.

She elaborates: “This system does not work in favor of players like me, women with kids. Now the challenge is even greater. I can not travel that much like before and it takes its toll on my rankings.”

Daniela overcame Celia SILVA of Portugal in the opening round (11:7, 11:5, 11:5, 11:4) and Eva ODOROVA of Slovakia on second exit to the table (11:5, 11:8, 11:9, 9:11, 11:9).

For Sara RAMIREZ it was very long day in which she was forced to go through agonizing suspense of playing seven games in both her group matches. She overcame Lisa LUNG of Belgium (2:11, 11:6, 9:11, 11:7, 11:7, 4:11, 7:11) and Charlotte CAREY of Wales (11:13, 12:10, 7;11, 11:13, 11:8, 11:8, 8:11).

“I gave everything to win this. I had to do it in front of my people and family. It is not easy, nowadays I had to go from the bottom, from third or fourth place in the group, because I am so low on rankings. I can not go frequently on tournaments like before, since I have a daughter. Playing only on Worlds and Europeans is not enough. I am playing in clubs, have a Master and I am a teacher, luckily at the Academy which gave me less working hours, but still…I am in the phase where I have to make a decision, sport or “regular” job,” said RAMIREZ.

Photos:

ETTU Flickr ETTU_official -

Live Streaming:

The event will be streamed on ettu.tv

Live Scoring:

Live scoring can be followed here

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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