European Youth Championships | 16 Jul 2019

Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV underlined their status with gold

2019 STAG European Youth Championships in Ostrava

 

Top seeded pairings in the Junior Boys Doubles Event Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia justified their rankings and won the gold medal in the Junior Boys Doubles Event at the 2019 STAG European Youth Championships in Ostrava for a second year in the row. In the final they overcame Truls MOREGARD of Sweden and Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia (11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11).

 

Bronze went to Vladislav URSU of Moldova and Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK of Austria and Vincent PICARD and Lilian BARDET of France.

 

 

Photo: Rémy Gros

 

“We defended our title and I am very happy for it. The final was difficult, but for us it made not difference if on the other side were Vincent PICARD and Lilian BARDET or MOREGARD and SIDORENKO. We kept to our game and we have been focused only on our tactics,” said KATSMAN.

 

GREBNEV felt a little pressure by playing against SIDORENKO.

 

“We were on our own. There were no coaches to seek for advice so talk we have to talk with each other about the tactics. In addition, SIDORENKO is our teammate...”

 

KATSMAN added: “Mentally it was more difficult than tactically.”

 

 In the penultimate stage Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia easily prevailed against Vladislav URSU of Moldova and Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK of Austria (11-7, 11-5, 11-9).

 

 

Photo: Rémy Gros

 

Truls MOREGARD and Vladimir SIDORENKO had a much harder task in second semi final against Vincent PICARD and Lilian BARDET of France. They were stretched to full distance (11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9).

 

“We expected such a tough match. And it is our first tournament to play together in doubles. It is nice to play with SIDORENKO, he gets angry very easy, but is okay, it is him, he is the serious guy,” said MOREGARD.