European Championships | 10 Mar 2019

Gold for Darko JORGIC and Peter HRIBAR

BUTTERFLY Under 21 European Championships

 

New champions in Men’s Doubles Event at the BUTTERFLY Under 21 European Championships are Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC and Peter HRIBAR. In the final they overcame Tibor SPANIK and Adam BRAT of Slovakia 3:1 (8, -6, 6, 3). Bronze medalists are Denis IVONIN and Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia and Antonino AMATO and Daniele PINTO of Italy.

 

“It is my first medal at the European Championships and will not make it without great support from Darko JORGIC. It was great experience,” said HRIBAR.

 

Darko JORGIC showed impressive form in Gondomar. He was main favorite to win the Singles tournament, but he lost in the Round of 16 against Artur ABUSEV of Russia.

 

“He was fantastic and deserved that win, but I did not let emotion overwhelmed me; I promised I will come back home with the medal,” said JORGIC.

 

In the penultimate stage JORGIC and HRIBAR overcame Antonino AMATO and Daniele PINTO of Italy 3:2 (4, -7, 9, -2, 6).

 

“We did not expect this. We are playing together for two years, we clinched titles twice in National championships, but we do not have international medals together. It is first big tournament fight for HRIBAR, so it was great achievement. He overcame the pressure and played really good in decisive moments,” said JORGIC.

 

Tibor SPANIK and Adam BRAT of Slovakia also clinched their first medal together at the international level. In the semis they overcame Denis IVONIN and Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia 3:2 (-10, 9, 9, -3, 9).

 

“We are playing four years together and we waited a long for this success. We kept game simply, moved good and relied a lot of good service. It paid off,” explained BRAT.

 

SPANIK said that there was one more important factor for success. “In the moments when I was not up to the task Adam played very well and via verse. We complemented each other.”