Europe Youth Top-10 | 29 Sep 2023

Opening day at the HEIDELBERG MATERIALS Europe Youth Top 10

The 2023 HEIDELBERG MATERIALS Europe Youth Top 10 got underway today in Bucharest, Romania, and the opening day of play saw a few upsets.

The top seed in Bucharest, European Champion Eduard IONESCU of Romania, maintained his perfect record after three rounds. He remained unbeaten after facing teammate Darius MOVILEANU, Hugo DESCHAMPS of France, and Tom CLOSSET of Belgium. Last year's winner, Iulian CHIRITA of Romania, also secured all three wins today. CHIRITA triumphed over MOVILEANU, Teodor ISTRATE of Romania, and David SZANTOSI of Hungary.

In the Under 19 Girls Event, the leading duo, Elena ZAHARIA of Romania and Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland, seeded first and third, topped the standings on the first day of play. ZAHARIA defeated her teammates Ioana SINGEORZAN, Bianca MEI ROSU, and Clea DE STOPPELEIRE of France. WIELGOS emerged victorious against Ines MATOS of Portugal and two teammates, Anna BRZYSKA and Natalia BOGDANOWICZ.

In the Under 15 Boys Event, two players remained undefeated after three rounds. Top-seeded Portugal's Tiago ABIODUN lived up to his status as the European Champion from Gliwice. He overcame Danilo FASO of Italy, Sandro CAVAILLE of France, and Robert ISTRATE of Romania. Seeded at the fifth position, Damian FLORO of Slovakia also finished the day undefeated. He defeated ISTRATE, Patryk ZYWORONEK of Poland, and Botond VARGA of Hungary.

In the Under 15 Girls Event, top-seeded Leana HOCHART of France remained unbeaten. She secured victories over Nina GUO ZHENG of France, third-seeded Maria BERZOSA of Spain, and another teammate, Gaetane BLED. Seeded only at the tenth position, Andreea JIFCU shone on her home soil. Romania's player ended the day in second place with victories over Julia LEAL of Portugal and the second-seeded Josephina NEUMANN of Germany, who currently sits third in the standings. Only the European champion Hanka KODETOVA of Czechia managed to defeat her. However, KODETOVA also failed to secure all three wins, losing to Julia LEAL of Portugal.