European Youth Championships | 1 Aug 2021

Sophie EARLEY together with Silvia COLL brought Ireland first medal ever at the European championships

In tomorrow's semi final of the Under 15 Girls Doubles Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin Event Sophie EARLEY of Ireland and Silvia COLL of Spain will meet Annett KAUFMANN of Germany and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania, whilst Sofiia SHEREDEHA and Olha PONKO of Ukraine will play against Russia's Anastasiia IVANOVA and Zlata TEREKHOVA.

In the quarterfinal Event Sophie EARLEY and Silvia COLL overcame Sara TOKIC and Enya MOLTARA of Slovenia in straight games (7, 4, 9). It is the first medal ever at any European Championships for Ireland.

“We were focused and we did not want to make any mistake, but it was difficult” said COLL.

Sophie EARLEY added: “We are overall better than the Slovenia's pairings.”

Sofiia SHEREDEHA and Olha PONKO beat Wiktoria WROBEL and Natalia BOGDANOWICZ of Poland (-9, 8, 8, 5).

“I am so happy that we won this one. It was very difficult,” said Sofiia.

PONKO added that they are playing at the first European Championships.

Russia's Anastasiia IVANOVA and Zlata TEREKHOVA beat top seeded pairings Anna HURSEY of Wales and Matilde PINTO of Portugal (9, 6, 6).

“We prepared very well for this match because they are high on the seedings. Every game was close and we played with lot of variations in tactics. Now, we succeeded to the first medal in Under 15 event and we are very happy,” said coach Artem UTOCHKIN.

Annett KAUFMANN of Germany and Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania teamed up for a first time at the Championships in Varazdina nd they reached the medal rostrum. In the quarters they overcame

Ukraine's Veronika MATIUNINA and Anastasiia KHACHATUROVA (9, -5, 8, -9, 8).

“It was very close games. Each game concluded by narrow margin. The last one was hardest of all. None of use managed to make a break,” said KAUFMANN.