European Championships | 27 Jun 2021

Petrissa SOLJA is crowned champion in Singles and in Doubles in Warsaw

Germany's Petrissa SOLJA clinched two gold medals today at the LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships. After she become a champion in Doubles Event with SHAN Xiaona, Petrissa beat her doubles partner in the final of the Women's Singles Event (7:11, 3:11, 9:11, 11:4, 2:11). Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine and Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania has their consolation in bronze.

Although SOLJA and SHAN are teammates it looked like Petrissa had few surprises ready for her adversary. SOLJA took three opening games by the storm.

“It is so difficult to play against the teammate. I just think that I managed to find the way to refresh myself better than SHAN. We played so many matches here. I have been in the venue for whole days in past week,” explained SOLJA. “It is fantastic to have gold at the Europeans.”

In the first semi final of the day Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine, seeded no. 7 could not find the answer for SHAN Xiaona's spirited performance . SHAN forced Ukraine's player, seeded no. 7, into errors whenever she tried to take the control (11:6, 11:9, 11:7, 11:4).

“We played twice before and especially in the Champions League it was difficult match for me. I was behind and I had to work very hard to beat her then. Thus, that gave me valuable experience and I was able to prepare properly for this match. The problem with PESOTSKA is that she never gives up, she keeps her level of the game high constantly throughout the match. I had to be fully on alert for each ball,” said SHAN.

The clash between no. two Petrissa SOLJA and no. six seed Elizabeta SAMARA in the Women's Singles went in favor of higher ranked player (11:4, 14:12, 9:11, 7:11, 11:8, 11:6). Favorite, SOLJA could not escape drama, but at the end SAMARA failed to capitalise from the few opportunities she made. In the second game which proved as crucial she missed to close the game after 10:7.

“I am finally in the final of the European Championships! I will play against the SHAN Xiaona my doubles partner with who I also reached the final and it is incredible result for the team and great journey for me,” said SOLJA.