Other Events | 28 Apr 2014

Netherlands put Korea under pressure

At the Women’s Teams Event at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships in the Japanese capital city of Tokyo in the first stage of the group phase Netherlands put great pressure on favorites. Dutch team, currently ranked at position no. 15 at the seeding

At the Women’s Teams Event at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships in the Japanese capital city of Tokyo in the first stage of the group phase Netherlands put great pressure on favorites. Dutch team, currently ranked at position no. 15 at the seeding, had 2:1 advantage over third seeds, Korea Republic. Korea prevailed at the end but seriously tested.

Two times European champion in singles LI Jiao placed at position no. 13 at World rankings beat SEO Hyowon, World’s no 8 and the leading name in Korea’s team. With the experience of LIU Jia this result could have been expected, but 20 years old Britt EERLAND exceeded all the expectations. In 2010 Britt won the title as junior in Istanbul at the European Championships and year latter she clinched another medal at youth level. In Herning at senior European Championships she reached gold with the team and year latter silver in doubles.

Now she is ranked at position no. 100 and today she beat world’s no 15 SEOK Hajung, the player who has same technique as LI Xiaoxia as they grew up together. Britt gave big chance to Dutch team after four games victory. LI made great effort to seize the opportunity when it occurs, but after full distance duel YANG Haeun leveled the score. In the same Group Singapoer beat Luxembourg 3:0, whilst France overcame Russia by same margin.

In Group D Hong Kong prevailed against Czech republic, whilst Ukraine beat Serbia. Germany overcame Croatia. WU Jiaduo beat Lea RAKOVAC, Petrissa SOLJA overcame TIAN Yuan Kristin SILBEREISEN succeeded against Petra PETEK.

SILBEREISEN said: “The first match is always the most difficult, even against weaker opponents. It is not so easy to get into the game, so the opening victory is feeling all right now. I knew before that I’m in good shape, but am always a bit nervous. I appreciate that because then I’m more focused. I didn’t manage to play my service really short today but yet that was not so important”. Korea DPR was also seriously tested, basically thanks to great performance from LIU Jia. She beat both KIM Jong and RI Myong Sun, but that insufficient for overall victory.