European Youth Championships | 11 Jul 2019

Golden dream come true for Junior Girls

European Youth Championships

 

Germany upset the ranking order and overcame Russiasia to clinch the title in the Junior Girls Team’s Event. In thrilling five matches final, they secured gold. Czech Republic finished third at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava and thus booked their place at the World Junior Championships.

 

Mariia TAILAKOVA gave no chance to Anastasia BONDAREVA at the start of the duel. Only second game was close, but eventually the match finished in straight games. Franziska SCHREINER had a much better start then her teammate. It took a while before Anastasia KOLISH warmed up and won the second game before pendulum swung again. After that Franziska stayed at the winning path to level the match.

 

Surprisingly, Elizabet ABRAAMIAN failed to close her match after being 2 games up against Sophia KLEE. There were still plenty of space for top seeds to win the final when Mariia TAILAKOVA scored for a second time against Franziska SCHREINER but Anastasia KOLISH lost against Anastasia BONDAREVA decisive match.

 

“It is like dream come true, only difference is we did not even dear to dream this. It is huge surprise for us. It is not the technique that led us to win, it is our team spirit, our faith in our team and great support for each other,” said Anastasia BONDAREVA.

 

 

Photo: Rémy Gros

 

Battle for third position and last available place at the World Championships, concluded in favor of Czech Republic. Host prevailed in the match against France. Isa COK overcame Gabriela STEPANOVA in four games. After close game, she completely took over the control in last set. Only in second game Camille LUTZ put pressure on Zdena BLASKOVA, but it was not enough to won it. Linda ZADEROVA widened the gap with the victory over Julie PENNEC. BLASKOVA justified her status and showed she has a nerve when it meters. She overcame COK in five games.

 

"We are the best team in the World! We are supporting each other and it is incredible that we won bronze medal and also ticket to the World Championships. In the match against Isa COK I saved four match points but I was really afraid of losing. I just tried to attack and I was saying to myself that I just have to win because it is a very important match," said Zdena BLASKOVA.

 

Gold medal match

Russia – Germany 2-3

Mariia TAILAKOVA - Anastasia BONDAREVA (11-3, 14-12, 11-5)

Anastasia KOLISH - Franziska SCHREINER (9-11, 11-5, 5-11, 8-11)

Elizabet ABRAAMIAN - Sophia KLEE (11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 7-11, 10-12)

Mariia TAILAKOVA - Franziska SCHREINER (11-5, 11-9, 11-7)

Anastasia KOLISH - Anastasia BONDAREVA (14-12, 11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 7-11)

 

Match for third position

France - Czech Republic 1-3

Isa COK - Gabriela STEPANOVA (12-10, 7-11, 15-13, 11-2)

Camille LUTZ - Zdena BLASKOVA (5-11, 13-15, 4-11)

Julie PENNEC - Linda ZADEROVA (8-11, 6-11, 6-11)

Isa COK - Zdena BLASKOVA (13-11, 6-11, 11-9, 13-15, 11-9)

 

Photo: Rémy Gros