Other Events | 7 Nov 2019

Germany, England, Romania and Ukraine in quarters

Photo: Rémy Gros

ZEN-NOH 2019 ITTF Team World Cup

Four European teams reached the quarterfinals of the Men’s and Women’s Teams Event at the ZEN-NOH 2019 ITTF Team World Cup. Germany secured their pass to the knock out stage on the first day of the play and today England joined them. In Women’s Teams, Romania and Ukraine booked their places from the position no. two in their respective Groups.

Fantastic win recorded day earlier over Japan, England justified today with the straight matches victory over Austria. Tom JARVIS and Paul DRINKHALL gave good start with the 3-2 victory over Andreas LEVENKO and Daniel HABESOHN in doubles; Liam PITCHFORD overcame Robert GARDOS and DRINKHALL sealed the match with the victory over HABESOHN.

“I think we like this environment particularly playing in team event. It has now become like a fun to us and especially that we are in good form now. We love the atmosphere and this has really given us confidence going into any match. it is good to have a feel of what to expect at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games especially getting used to the venue. This is good and I know there will a lot of pressure then. We hope to get a good time out here in Tokyo,” said Liam PITCHFORD.

England is first in the group, whilst Japan finished second. Germany beat both Australia and Brazil and moved forward from the spot no. one. Sweden finished third after losing from the surprise winner USA.

USA qualified for the quarterfinals. The match started as the rankings predicted. Anton KALLBERG and Elias RANEFUR beat ZHANG Kai and FENG Yijun in straight games. However, pendulum swung and 19-year-old JHA Kanak overcame Kristian KARLSSON in four games. The nightmare continued and ZHANG accounted for Elias RANEFUR. KARLSSON tried to change the course of the match and he beat FENG on his second exit to the table, but in decisive match JHA showed better nerves and in five games beat KALLBERG.

In the round of eight, China will play against USA, Japan awaits Germany, Republic of Korea meets Brazil and England will face Chinese Taipei.

In Women’s Event, Ukraine overcame Egypt to secure quarterfinal Tetyana BILENKO and Ganna GAPONOVA gave Ukraine good start with the victory over Marwa ALHODABY and Yousra HELMY. Egypt recovered after Dina MESHREF beat Margaryta PESOTSKA, but GAPONOVA and PESOTSKA showed no mercy in their second matches; ALHODABY and HELMY failed to follow Dina’s success.

"We knew that the Egyptians have good players and we never expected that the match would be that easy for us. But overall, it was a bit easy because having won the doubles match, we had an edge playing the singles as we were aware that they found it difficult to play against defensive players. Even the match that PESOTSKA lost to Dina MESHREF was a bit close,” said BILENKO. “After seeing the draw where we were drawn alongside China and Egypt, our target was to qualify for the quarter-final because we knew we can conquer Egypt which we had done now.”

Team Romania have successfully made the quarter-finals of the Team World Cup as they beat Team Vanuatu 3-0. Bernadette SZOCS and Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO overcame Priscila TOMMY and Anolyn LULU in straight games whilst Elizabeta SAMARA and Daniela faced no problems in their singles against Stephanie QWEA and Anolyn LULU.

After defeat against Japan, Austria faced similar fate against USA and failed to progress to the knock out stage. Lily ZHANG and WU Yue beat Karoline MISCHEK and Amelie SOLJA in straight games in doubles and both Austria’s players suffered in their singles matches. Only point for European team has been won by LIU Jia who beat Amy WANG.

In the quarter final, tomorrow, China will play against USA, Hong Kong meets Chinese Taipei, Republic of Korea will play against Ukraine and Romania will meet Japan.

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