European Youth Championships | 16 Jul 2013

Italian gold hailed as a masterpiece

After five years of ruling Europe, France was forced to give up the crown to new champions. Italy won the Junior Boy’s Teams Event, after fantastic final in Ostrava. For a first time in history Italy won the event. The team who already achieved so m

After five years of ruling Europe, France was forced to give up the crown to new champions. Italy won the Junior Boy’s Teams Event, after fantastic final in Ostrava. For a first time in history Italy won the event.

The team who already achieved so much had a shaky start. Alessandro BACIOCCHI took the first game from Enzo ANGLES, Europe’s no. two , but in the meter of minutes, Enzo was back on his feet. BACIOCCHI maintained his discipline and recovered to level, but in the decisive game ANGLES had all the right answers at the beginning. And just when everyone felt it is over, Alessandro upset the order.  With courageous performance he won that match in close finish 14:12.

Leonardo MUTTI continued where BACIOCCHI left off. Against Alexandre ROBINOT  he won first game. In second he saved two set points, before French coach called for time out. It proved good decision, because on his return to the table ROBINOT immediately scored and won second game. Third went on MUTTI’s account in another close contest. At that point ROBINOT’s game was broke. MUTTI brought Italy to 2:0 lead.

Europe’s best cadet player, Alexandre CASSIN had the difficult task of withstanding the pressure to keep France in final. Maurizio MASSARELLI did not make it easy for him a bit. After quick first game, the next one was nervous wrecking and it ended with 15:13 for CASSIN. It was just worm up for Maurizio, who took next game without great difficulties. In last set CASSIN was saved by the bell, it was 12:10.

The duel between Enzo ANGLES and Leonardo MUTTI fulfil all the expectations of table tennis fans. Great suspense and thrilling duels whilst advantage went from one side to another. However at the end it was MUTTI who celebrated. “We were nervous, but now time changes. Now it is time for our adversaries to be afraid of us,” said Alessandro BACIOCCHI

Poland and Germany played thrilling five matches duel for third position. In close finish Michal BANKOSZ, Adrian WIECK and Jakub DYJAS on position no. three prevailed. Germany was without Marc RODE. Kilian ORT played alongside QIU Dang and QIU Liang.

Slovakia beat Turkey to avoid relegation. England won their match for 17th position.

Junior Boy’s Teams final: France – Italy  1:3
Enzo ANGLES – Alessandro BACIOCCHI 2:3 (10:12, 11:7, 11:5, 9:11, 12:14)
Alexandre ROBINOT – Leonardo MUTTI 1:3 (9:11, 11:9, 13:15, 6:11)
Alexandre CASSIN-Maurizio MASSARELLI 3:1 (11:6, 15:13, 6:11, 12:10)
Enzo ANGLES-Leonardo MUTTI 1:3 (7:11, 11:5, 6:11, 9:11),