European Championships | 29 Sep 2014
Historical success for Portugal
First time in the history Portugal clinched medal at the European Championships in the Men’s Teams Event. They did it in great style, by beating the big champions, Germany – in front of home crowd in Lisbon. “This was difficult tournament for us. We strug
First time in the history Portugal clinched medal at the European Championships in the Men’s Teams Event. They did it in great style, by beating the big champions, Germany – in front of home crowd in Lisbon.
“This was difficult tournament for us. We struggled through the Group stages. We build our game through matches. We found our way here in Lisbon,” said coach Pedro RUFINO
The power of the team lays in their mental strength, according to coach. “They are working perfectly as a team. Their unity and mental power led to this big success.”
Beating Germany after their 6 consecutive titles was a huge task. “We overcame players ranked at position no. one and two in the Europe, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Timo BOLL. They made it possible by the only way- by being the best, at the top of their game.”
In the Group stages Marcos FREITAS and Steffen MENGEL already played against each other. After five games FREITAS won previous encounter. Now he needed three. “I was well prepared. I knew what to expect. The crucial match was against Timo. I was persistent, did not give up even when he won second game.”
Unlike Marcos, Joao MONTEIRO could not stop Timo BOLL in the final. “He is the top player. He is in good shape, I could not find the game to beat him.”
Tiago APOLONIA overcame Europe’s best player Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. “All I can say is that I am very happy. I helped the team when it was most important. I did it in the final and that makes me proud. I played so many times against Dimtrij, but this wan is most valuable victory of all. I would not trade it for any other.”
