European Championships | 6 Oct 2013

Germany-Romania the Women’s Teams final

In the final of the Women’s Team’s Event at the LIEBHERR European Championships Germany will meet Romania. On the penultimate stage Germany beat Czech Republic, whilst Romania overcame Russia. Romania booked the place in the final after straight matches v

In the final of the Women’s Team’s Event at the LIEBHERR European Championships Germany will meet Romania. On the penultimate stage Germany beat Czech Republic, whilst Romania overcame Russia.

Romania booked the place in the final after straight matches victory over Russia. Elizabeta SAMARA overcame Anna TIKHOMIROVA, Daniela DODEAN beat Elena TROSHNEVA, whilst Bernadette SZOCS sealed the match with the victory over Polina MIKHAYLOVA. DODEAN was under severe pressure and she was stretched to full distance.

“At the beginning I did not enter the match good. I was not feeling like I am 100 percent in. I lost two opening games and I start to push myself to play better,” said DODEAN.

Romanian star admitted the hardest fight in the semi final was not against her adversary, but it was against herself. “I struggled to pull myself together. I screamed in my head: ”Fight!” Finally everything worked well. I started to play better and I succeeded,” explained DODEAN.

Two times in the row Romania’s progress to the highest step at the medal rostrum was halted in the final by Netherlands’ team. This time, even with LI Jiao in Dutch team, defending champions relegated to the Challenge Division. Different opponent in the final gave Romania new hope. “We lost in two finals against Netherlands, now I hope something will change. There is Dutch team on the other side. We want that gold.”

Renata STRBIKOVA gave Czech Republic the lead. She overcame SHAN Xiaona. Petrissa SOLJA beat Hana MATELOVA in four games, before YING Han brought back mighty German team back in game. In the third match Petrissa SOLJA played for a first time at the tournament. “It has been a while since I played last time. In 2009 I played in Team’s Event, whilst last year I only played in Doubles. That is why I was so happy when coach told me last night that I am going to play. I was not nerveus nor scared…just happy,” explained SOLJA.

However day latter the pressure was high. “I was little bit scared. I was good in the practice hall, but the match is something different. However, I started good and easily won in two opening games. Then I started to rush, made few mistakes…I told myself to calm down and to play as I did in two previous games, because there was no need for change.”

SOLJA won and HAN sealed the match three games latter against STRBIKOVA. “I was sure that we get the three points. I was not nervous even after the 0-1. It’s nice that we have reached the final, but it should not be the end.”

Coach Jie SCHOPP added: “We did not expect thy will come out with the such line-up, but we were also prepared. Shan Xiaona has changed the tactics in the first set too late and was too hectic towards the end. I’m glad the girls here shows team spirit.”








Milica NIKOLIC, EWT, Milica NIKOLIC, EWT

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