European Championships | 30 Aug 2019
GACINA is back on tracks and ready for challenge
Photo: ITTF
LIEBHERR 2019 European Championships, Nantes, France, Sept 3-8
The final preparations before the start of the LIEBHERR 2019 European Championships in Nantes, team of Croatia is conducting in Zagreb. The bronze medalists from Portugal in 2014 had shorter preparations than it was planned.
“Unfortunately, we had a little set back,” explained Andrej GACINA.”Tomislav PUCAR, Frane KOJIC and I got sick at the Bulgaria Open. We had to make a break. Everything is all right now, even before we finished with antibiotics therapy we were back in the training hall.”
That is why, GACINA is cautious about his shape, but still optimistic.
“I played only three matches in August so I cannot say much about the shape, but I think that I am in good form and I am ready to give my best at the upcoming European Championships.”
Croatia is the second seeded team in Group E with Slovenia on the top and Netherlands at position no. three.
“It is really hard to talk about favorites. The essence of quality teams will be in Nantes. Everyone can win. The only team that stands out high above the rest is Germany and there is at least 7 or 8 others who can reach the medal rostrum. We can only promise we will give our best.”
Remembering the best moments at the European Championships, Andrej explained why Portugal was so special.
“We celebrated the bronze with special dinner. We were together with the people from the federation, my family was there as well as my girlfriend at that time, Ana,” said GACINA, whilst he was cuddling with his 1,7 years old son Adrian in his home in Zagreb.
Andrej, Ana and Adrian spent their holidays in family home in Primosten at the Adriatic coast.
