European Championships | 9 Aug 2022
Olympic quarterfinalist, Darko JORGIC hungry for medal at Europeans
Gold medalists in teams event at the recent Mediterranean Games, Darko JORGIC of Slovenia is coming to European Championships in Munich (August 13th to 21st) as a big favorite and no. 2 seed. So far, Darko was in team Slovenia at the European Championships in 2017 when they won bronze in the Team’s Event, but he still hungry of medals in singles.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics quarterfinalist had a good run in at the recent tournaments.
“I do not play in singles in Oran, but I am happy that we won gold in Teams. After Mediterranean Games I took few days off to recharge and I went to Hungary to play two tournaments. I am very happy with my performance there,” said JORGIC.
More recently JORGIC lost to Patrick FRANZISKA in the quarterfinal of the WTT Champions European Summer Series 2022 in Budapest.
“It was very close. In the opening game I had advantage 10:5 and 11:10. In third game 10:7…and yet I lost 0:3. However it is always tough when you play against someone you know so well. We are teammates and I guess I was unhappy with the draw,” explained JORGIC.
However, Darko has a good reason to be satisfied with important wins over adversaries who will be also favorites in forthcoming European Championships. JORGIC beat Andrej GACINA of Croatia no. 10 seed in Munich, as well Timo BOLL of Germany, no. 5 seed, one tournament earlier. We all remember at 2020 Europe Top-16 Cup when Darko narrowly missed out on gold to the legendary BOLL in the final.
“Those victories are very good for my self-confidence,” commented Darko.
Top seed in Munich 2022, Swede Truls Truls MOREGARDH, on the other side, justified his status by beating JORGIC in first tournament in Budapest. However earlier this year it was JORGIC who celebrate against Truls MOREGARDH in the final of the Europe Cup in Montreux.
“It is irrelevant to comment his shape. It is Truls’ style that makes the damage. His way of play is very dangerous and it is incredibly hard for everyone to find the right answer to his strokes.”
Beside Truls MOREGARDH, who are top favorites for the gold in Munich?
“My goal for sure is to reach the medal rostrum and it will not be easy with Truls at the top of the list and with very good German squad. BOLL, Patrick, OVTCHAROV are always there looking for gold. We cannot underestimate Portugal’s players. All of them are dangerous and capable for big results. It is going to be very interesting event,” promised JORGIC.
Will you play at some tournaments before Championships.
“No. I took few days off and I just started preparations with the team Slovenia in Saarbrucken. Players from team Poland, Czech Republic and Italy will join us, so will be really good group for training.”
In the doubles. JORGIC decided to teamed up with his partner from the junior’s days Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic.
“For already four season we are playing doubles in the club, so we rejuvenated our partnership on national level. When we were juniors we won few titles together,” stated Darko JORGIC.
