Europe Cup Men | 12 May 2021

Favorites in good run at the beginning of the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Men's Final

The Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Men's Final in Varazdin commenced today with the matches in the Group Stages.

In Group D TTC Ostrava's had a rough start; the match between Jakub KLEPRLIK and Sebastian LOSO went full distance. KLEPRLIK won in five games to give team from Czech Republic good start and Chile's Felipe OLIVARES stayed at the winning path against Szilard GYORGY and Sebastian LOSO.

Experienced Petr KORBEL, who has on his record the titles in European competitions with Grenzau and Borussia Dusseldorf lost to Krisztian CSERVIK in full distance match by death point.

“I enjoyed playing here. My team gave me great support and I have confidence; I played without the fear. We were much stronger 'in our heads', said OLIVARES.”I came to Czech Republic three years ago. Although I live in Ostrava, I had played for German team. At the beginning, I only trained with TTC Enfireex Ostrava, but they accepted me as their member. As soon as they suggested me to play for Ostrava I accepted with great pleasure and I am very thankful for that.”

Tomorrow, Ostrava will meet Solex-Consult Wiener Neustadt.

Group D

CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc - TTC Enfireex Ostrava 2016 1:3
Sebastian LOSO – Jakub KLEPRLIK 2:3 (6:11, 11:9, 1:11, 11:5, 0:6)
Szilard GYORGY – Felipe OLIVARES 0:3 (2:11, 2:11, 7:11)
Krisztian CSERVIK – Petr KORBEL 3:2 (11:9, 11:8, 3:11, 6:11, 6:5)
Sebastian LOSO – Felipe OLIVARES 1:3 (7:11, 9:11, 1:11)

Austria's Solex-Consult Wiener Neustadt overcame Russia's TTSC UMMC-ELEM in straight matches.

“The crucial moment of the match was the opening duel between Andy PEREIRA and Mikhail PAIKOV. When we gained advantage it become easier. Felix WETZEL and I faced no big difficulties against Anton KOTOV and Danila TRIVAN,” said Tomas KONECNY.

TTSC UMMC-ELEM - Solex-Consult Wiener Neustadt 0:3
Mikhail PAIKOV – Andy PEREIRA 2:3 (6:11, 7:11, 11:6, 12:10, 3:6)
Danila TRIVAN – Tomas KONECNY 1:3 (11:4, 8:11, 6:11, 7:11)
Anton KOTOV – Felix WETZEL 1:3 (8:11, 6:11, 12:10, 5:11)

In Group B AS Pontoise Cergy TT needed only three matches to conclude the opening duel in the Group Stage against SK Vydrany.

“It is always good to start with the win, especially when we have to meet Top Spin Messina in the next round. Today, I needed some time to catch the right rhythm. The opening game against Samuel NOVOTA was very close, then I lost the next one, but after that everything was fine,” explained Quentin ROBINOT.

Group B

SK Vydrany - AS Pontoise Cergy TT 0:3

Samuel NOVOTA – Quentin ROBINOT 1:3 (10:12, 11:8, 5:11, 6:11)
Peter SEREDA – Patrick BAUM 0:3 (9:11, 7:11, 4:11)
Zoltan LELKES – Adrien MATTENET 0:3 (6:11, 6:11, 7:11)

Spanish Asisa Borges Vall proved as a worthy adversary with a quality to put favorites under severe pressure. Top seeded team in Group A, Germany's Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. Played four matches before they recorded first victory in Group A.

“Marc DURAN was i great shape and his opening match victory surprised me a little. We realised how tough will it be after 0:1 in reverse, but we continued to fight. The third match between Lubomir JANCARIK and Albert VILARDELL was very important. He recovered from 1:2 in reverse to win it and that was crucial,”said MENGEL.

Group A

Asisa Borges Vall - Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V.1:3

Marc DURAN - Ovidiu IONESCU 3:2 (11:5, 14:16, 9;11, 11:8, 6:2)
Joan MASIP - Steffen MENGEL 1:3 (4:11, 5:11, 11:7, 5:11)
Albert VILARDELL - Lubomir JANCARIK 2:3 (11:7, 7:11, 5:11, 12:10, 1:6)
Marc DURAN - Steffen MENGEL 1:3 (9:11, 11:8, 4:11, 10:12)

Hungarian champion, PTE Peac Kalo-Meh overcame Spanish Irun Leka Enea Marpex in straight matches.

“Spanish club put their first player to play second match, so we knew it is going to be the crucial for our win. Endika DIEZ stretched Gyarfas LEHEL DEMETER to full distance, before Gyarfas won the match by sudden death point. After that win our path was cleared, but nevertheless I had to play close duel against Oriol MONZO,” explained Gabor GEROLD.

Group C

PTE Peac Kalo-Meh - Irun Leka Enea Marpex 3:0
Szolt PETO – Daniel PALACIOS 3:0 (11:2, 11:2, 11:4)
Gyarfas LEHEL DEMETER – Endika DIEZ 3:2 (11:7, 8:11, 15:13, 8:11, 6:5)
Gabor GEROLD – Oriol MONZO 3:0 (11:7, 12:10, 11:8)

In the last Round of the day Group D was under spot light once again. On their second exit to the table Russia's TTSC UMMC – Elem recorded the win against Romania's CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc. Danila TRIVAN needed full five games to overcame Sebastian LOSO and after that Russia's team was in the driving seat.

“This morning we played against the strongest team in our Group, Solex-Consult Wiener Neustadt, now we meet the weakest, so I guess tomorrow will be D day for us. In the match against Ostrava we will decide who will go to the quarters,” announced Mikhail PAIKOV.

Group D

CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc – TTSC UMMC – Elem 0:3

Sebastian LOSO – Danila TRIVAN 2:3 (13:11, 5:11, 9:11, 11:6, 4:6)
Szilard GYORGY – Mikhail PAIKOV 1:3 (11:7, 3:11, 3:11, 4;11)
Krisztian CSERVIK – Anton KOTOV 1:3 (11:6, 9:11, 1:11, 6:11)

The duel between Andy PEREIRA of Cuba and Felipe OLIVARES of Chile ended in favor of Solex-Consult Wiener Neustadt's player. PEREIRA set the path of the match and in next, all-Czech duel between Tomas KONECNY and Jakub KLEPRLIK, KONECNY maintained the momentum. Peter KORBEL had a chance to prolong the match, but Felix WETZEL recovered from 0:2 in reverse to win the match.

Group D

TTC Enfireex Ostrava - Solex-Consult Wiener Neustadt 0:3

Felipe OLIVARES - Andy PEREIRA 1:3 (13:11, 6:11, 4:11, 12:14)
Jakub KLEPRLIK - Tomas KONECNY 0:3 (9:11, 7:11, 5:11)
Petr KORBEL - Felix WETZEL 2:3 (11:4, 11:4, 9:11, 7:11, 4:6)