After overcoming every challenge throughout the week, Amina ILIMBETOVA and Varvara TOLMACHEVA (AIN) sealed the Under 15 Girls Doubles title at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar. Germany’s Chenhao CHEN and Lotta ROTHFUSS finished as runners-up, while Poland’s Lucja KOBOSZ and Aleksandra NAWROCKA, together with France’s Eva LAM and Albane ROCHUT, took bronze.
Seeded No. 14, ILIMBETOVA and TOLMACHEVA continued their outstanding run by defeating the German pairing 11-9, 11-5, 11-5. After edging a closely contested opening game, the AIN duo took complete control of the match.
ILIMBETOVA credited the team’s mentality as the decisive factor behind their triumph.
“Every match is difficult, so we prepared carefully for each one. A lot depends on your mindset before the match, and today we were mentally ready. I think that was the key to our 3-0 victory.”
The champions had already underlined their title credentials in the semi-finals by eliminating third seeds Lucja KOBOSZ and Aleksandra NAWROCKA of Poland in straight games, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6. Although the scoreline suggested a comfortable victory, both players stressed that the match had been anything but easy.
TOLMACHEVA explained that careful preparation had made the difference.
“Our adversaries were very strong, so we prepared carefully for this match. In the end we won 3-0, but that doesn’t mean it was easy. We knew we had to be fully focused from the very beginning, and everything came together for us today.”
ILIMBETOVA praised both her opponents and her partner after securing a place in the final.
“It was a very difficult match, but we managed to prove we were the stronger doubles pair. Our adversaries kept fighting until the very end and never gave up, but we stayed composed and managed to get the win.”
The second semi-final also ended in straight games as CHEN and ROTHFUSS produced another outstanding performance to defeat eighth seeds Eva LAM and Albane ROCHUT of France 14-12, 11-8, 11-5 and book their place in the title match.
CHEN revealed that the German pair had entered the match determined to play freely.
“We were very motivated for this match and wanted to give our best. We went into it without any fear, just focused on playing our game and not overthinking things. We fought for every point, and in the end everything worked out for us.”
ROTHFUSS admitted she had not expected such a convincing victory.
“We didn’t expect to win as comfortably as we did. Our focus was simply to put every ball on the table, stay consistent and keep the pressure on our opponents. It worked really well, and we’re very happy with the result.”
Final
- Amina ILIMBETOVA, Varvara TOLMACHEVA (AIN) – Chenhao CHEN, Lotta ROTHFUSS (Germany) 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-5)
Semi-finals
- Amina ILIMBETOVA, Varvara TOLMACHEVA (AIN) – Lucja KOBOSZ, Aleksandra NAWROCKA (Poland) 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-6)
- Chenhao CHEN, Lotta ROTHFUSS (Germany) – Eva LAM, Albane ROCHUT (France) 3-0 (14-12, 11-8, 11-5)
