Europe Top-16 Cup | 26 Feb 2022

Day one packed with fierce matches in Montreux

Photo: Rémy Gros

The 50^th edition of 2022 CCB Europe Top-16 Cup in Montreux (first one in 1971 in Zadar was experimental) commenced today with the Round of 16 matches. Follow the action live on ettu.tv, and check the latest photos on https://www.flickr.com/photos/ettu_official/.

Round of 16

Robert GARDOS – Panagiotis GIONIS 2:4 (4:11, 11:9, 11:13, 11:13, 11:8, 7:11)

Robert GARDOS of Austria finished the tournament, last time played in Montreux, at the medal rostrum and he is also very famous as a player who has a game for the adversaries with the defensive style of play. For the first match at the tournament it was not pleasant task for Greek star Panagiotis GIONIS. Coming from the injury, GIONIS managed to take the control over the match in the early stages and then to withstood the spirited comeback from Austria's player to win the match.

“This was difficult one for me, but I had a good feeling from the beginning. It seams that I had a better focus in the crucial moments, since I won two games that ended 13:11. It is great thing that I reached the quarterfinal of such important event,” said GIONIS.

Dora MADARASZ - Britt EERLAND 1:4 (11:4, 8:11, 10:12, 4:11, 8:11)

Last time they met Dora MADARASZ of Hungary overcame Britt EERLAND of Netherlands, so Dutch player was on alert today.

“I am coming back from the injury and I was not sure how my body will respond. It was important that I felt good before the start, but still, I was not happy with the way I moved – you need legs here, you know,” said Britt laughed.”I am so happy I am invited here, it is great pleasure and honor to play in Montreux. It is was not easy to play against Dora, especially in the closing stages, because she is very dangerous with her bombs, but I managed to survive her pressure.”

Tomislav PUCAR – Patrick FRANZISKA 0:4 (11:13, 9:11, 4:11, 4:11)

Reigning champion, Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany reached the quarterfinal after straight games victory over Croatia's Tomislav PUCAR.

“I used to dislike the morning matches, but as I getting older I waking up earlier and earlier and it seams I like it more. I felt good this morning. It was not an easy match but I am satisfied with the outcome. The key was the second game. After very close game, PUCAR failed to make the breakthrough and after that all I have to do was to stay in the game. I expect it will be very difficult to play against GIONIS. Firstly we know each other very well and then, he proved here he is in good shape after he managed to beat GARDOS who is specialist for his defense.”

Bernadette SZOCS - SHAO Jieni 4:2 (9:11, 11:6, 12:10, 12:14, 11:7, 11:9)

The winner from 2018, Bernadette SZOCS of Romania overcame Portugal's SHAO Jieni in superb style.

“I felt very good and I was prepared for a hard match. From the begining I felt the ball well and that alowed me to play relaxed in a good way. I did not lose my focus, I did not get angry even if I lost point or two. I was ready to return and to fought back. I studied her tactics I know that she could put million balls on the table and that I must fight long battle. She never gives up,” said SZOCS.

Sofia POLCANOVA – Georgina POTA (4:11, 11:5, 11:7, 11:9, 11:9)

Austria's Sofia POLCANOVA overcame Hungary's Georgina POTA in the match that started well for POTA.

“Now I am very happy, because I managed to overturned the duel that started very bad for me. I lost the opening game 4:11, and then I was 0:3 down,” said POLCANOVA.”I rushed, I wanted to finish the point with one stroke and that is very hard when you play against POTA. She is capable to put 100 balls on the table. That is why I needed to calm down and to start playing with my head. I had to start use the tactics I was planing before the start. “

Kristian KARLSSON - Kirill SKACHKOV (11:7, 11:7, 11:5, 11:9)

Swede Kristian KARLSSON overcame Russia's Kirill SKACHKOV is straight games, but he stated the win did not come easy.

“We played only once and it was at the World Championships in Paris when he beat me. He has very dangerous style of play. In addition, I think that in closing stages the lucky balls was on my side. When you are winning a close games little stroke of luck could help,” said KARLSSON.

Yana NOSKOVA - NI Xia Lian 0:4 (3:11, 7:11, 16:18)

Experienced NI Xia Lian overcame Russia's Yana NOSKOVA. My tactis is working, but still there “Yana is a very good player, but today I played much better than I expected. There are things I could change and improve for the following days. Despite what the results predicts it was not easy. Maybe little bit easier in opening two games, but then I lost the focus a little. She did not give up at any moment,” said NI.

Emmanuel LEBESSON – Truls MOREGARD 1:4 (12:10, 7:11, 7:11, 10:12, 6:11)

Truls MOREGARD of Sweden lost only one game to the Emmanuel LEBESSON of France to secure his place in the quarterfinal. In next stage he will meet his compatriot Kristian KARLSSON.

Daniel HABESOHN – Simon GAUZY 4:0 (11:2, 11:5, 11:9, 11:8)

Austria's Daniel HABESOHN seeded at the position no. 12 booked his place in the quarters without giving any chance to French player Simon GAUZY who is seed no. five.

Nina MITTELHAM - Rachel MORET 4:1 (8:11, 11:5, 11:7, 11:7, 11:8)

Reigning champion Nina MITTELHAM of Germany inflicted the pain in the harts of host nation supporters by beating Rachel MORET.

“I knew I could be difficult and I was very nervous at the beginning. I won this tournament last time and I am playing under pressure of the result I achieved last year. That is why I lost the opening game but then I improved my service I rose my game to better level and I become more confident,” said MITTELHAM.

Hana MATELOVA – Polina MIKHAILOVA 1:4 (11:3, 6:11, 8:11, 10:12, 3:11)

Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia seeded at the position no. 11 in Montreux, upset the rankings and overcame Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic seeded at the position no. 5. After no. 5 in Men's event GAUZY departed earlier than his rankings predicts, it seams that this position has been unlucky for the favorites.

Darko JORGIC – Jonathan GROTH 4:0 (11:5, 11:5, 11:7, 11:2)

In superb style without due alarm Slovenia's Darko JORGIC moved to quarterfinal. He accounted for Jonathan GROTH of Denmark in four straight games.

Timo BOLL - Barish MOULLET 4:0 (11:7, 11:4, 11:6, 11:4)

Swiss representative Barish MOULLET had a tough draw. No. one seed Timo BOLL of Germany finished his first appearance at the tournament today with 4:0 win.

Elizabeta SAMARA – YU Fu 4:1 (11:13, 12:10, 11:9, 11:8, 11:5)

Romania's Elizabeta SAMARA had a shaky start of the the duel against Portugal's YU Fu, but as the game progressed she was taking control.

“It was hard. When I saw the draw, I was not happy at all. We are teammates in Poland and we know each other very well. On the paper I was the favorite, but those numbers means nothing here,” said SAMARA.

Barbora BALAZOVA – HAN Ying 2:4 (2:11, 11:7, 8:11, 11:8, 8:11, 8:11)

HAN Ying completed the list of 4 players from Germany who progressed to the quarters. HAN overcame BALAZOVA.

“Barbora knows me well and she is very good against the defense. We did not play against each other for a long time and I did not know what to expect. Today it was important that I halted her from playing strong balls, to attack as much as I can to control the match,” said HAN.

WANG Yang – Andrej GACINA 4:2 (10:12, 12:10, 11:7, 11:6, 11:13, 11:7)

Slovakia's WANG Yang was under severe test against Andrej GACINA of Croatia, but he managed to survive.

“It was very close, especially the two opening games. In second it was 10:6 and it finished 12:10 for me. After that I took the control over the match, but still, GACINA was not giving up, he won fifth game,” said WANG.