European Youth Championships | 15 Jul 2022

Eduard IONESCU at the top of the Europe

Romania's Eduard IONESCU won the title in the Under 19 Boy's Singles Event at the 2022 Dunav Osiguranje European Youth Championships in Belgrade. In the final he overcame Maciej KUBIK of Poland (6:11, 9:11, 11:6, 10:12, 5:11). Romania's Darius MOVILEANU and Andrea PUPPO of Italy are third.

“I am exercised. We played so many matches before and I know what kind of duel I can expect, but mental I was strong,” said IONESCU.

In all -Romanian clash in the semi final Eduard IONESCU overcame the favorite and his teammate Darius MOVILEANU (11:8, 8:11, 11:5, 11:5, 11:8).

“It was never a secret that this match is going to be very hard for both of us. We train together, we practice in the same club, so there were no tactical details in other's play that we are not aware of. It was all about the mental strength and it was good for me that I was in good shape mentally. Darius is so unpredictable and I had to be fully into the each and every point,” said IONESCU.”Most difficult moment for me in Belgrade was the match against RASSENFOSSE in the quarterfinals. Then I was very nervous, but from that victory my game took off.”

In the longest match of the semi final Maciej KUBIK overcame Andrea PUPPO (6:11, 8:11, 11:7, 11:6, 11:4, 9:11, 11:9). PUPPO had fantastic run, by winning two epic matches as this one yesterday against DESCHAMPS and ISTRATE, but this time could not pull out the victory.

“I am terribly tired now, but so happy to win. As you can see from the result I am a fierce fighter, I never gave up. Now I hope I can recover for the final. In the match I was forced to adjust my game to slow it down. Physically this was the toughest match for me,” said KUBIK.