Europe Top-16 Cup | 3 Feb 2019

Third time lucky – SOLJA clinched the title in Montreux

CCB Europe Top 16 Cup

 

After being runner up twice, Petrissa SOLJA of Germany clinched the title at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux. In fantastic final, she produced remarkable recovering and came back from three null in reverse to win the match against title defender Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS (9:11, 9:11, 6:11, 12:10, 11:8, 11:8, 11:4).

 

“I was very nervous at the beginning. I did not play at my best. Also, Bernadette knows my service game, she can read my spin…After I lost three games, coach encouraged me to win at least one game, to play with less pressure. Slowly I returned into the game. I was thinking only about next ball,” explained SOLJA.

 

Two players are god friends and well know each other.

 

“We played against each other since the cadet’s days. Who knows how many matches we played in juniors and cadets, and most of it were finals. I am happy that we are playing finals as seniors now, that we both are among top European players,” said Petrissa.

 

In the match for the third position Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria overcame Natalia PARTYKA of Poland (7:11, 11:4, 7:11, 12:10, 11:7, 11:6).

 

“In the opening games I could not find the right pace. It took some time before I settled into the rhythm. Natalia was very difficult adversary,” said POLCANOVA.