The Under 19 Girls Teams event got underway at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar with all four groups in action. Second seeds Romania produced the day’s most dramatic comeback by recovering from 2-1 down to defeat last year’s runners-up Ukraine, while top seeds France, Poland, Germany and Spain all opened their campaigns with convincing victories.
Top seeds France began their title bid with a commanding 3-0 victory over 12th seeds Croatia. Alexia NODIN was tested by Leeloo HAN VUKELJA, but recovered after dropping the third game to claim the opening point in four games. Leana HOCHART then dominated Franka MISKIC, conceding just 14 points, before Jade HUYNH completed the clean sweep with a straight-games victory over Lana BENKO.
Austria also enjoyed a comfortable start, defeating Serbia 3-0. Nina SKERBINZ overcame Maja VANJO in straight games, while Elina FUCHS defeated Teodora GOJKOV in four games after briefly being pegged back in the second. Mariia LYTVYN then sealed Austria’s victory with a convincing straight-games success over Sladana KNEZEVIC.
In Group B, second seeds Romania had to come from behind to overcome last year’s runners-up and 10th seeds Ukraine 3-2. Fresh from the Under 21 European title, Bianca MEI ROSU gave Romania the perfect start with a straight-games victory over Tetiana PUKALO, but Daria KOVALOVA and Olha PONKO responded with consecutive straight-games wins over Alesia Sofia SFERLEA and Patricia STOICA to put Ukraine within one point of victory. MEI ROSU kept Romania alive with another commanding straight-games success, this time against KOVALOVA, before SFERLEA defeated PUKALO in three games to complete Romania’s comeback.
Eighth seeds Belgium also opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over 16th seeds Türkiye. Kathe DE MEYER recovered from the loss of the opening game to defeat Busra DEMIR in four games and put Belgium ahead. Aybuke SIMSEK levelled the tie for Türkiye with a four-game victory over Lilou MASSART, but Lotte NUYTTENS restored Belgium’s advantage by overcoming Nil BASARAN in four games. MASSART then wrapped up the victory with a straight-games win over DEMIR.
In Group C, third seeds Poland recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over 11th seeds Italy, although the second singles proved far closer than the scoreline suggested. Natalia BOGDANOWICZ recovered after dropping the opening game to defeat Manon LOTH in four games and give Poland the lead. Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA then survived a five-game battle against Sofia MINURRI, regaining control in the decider after Italy had recovered from two games down. Karolina HOLDA completed the sweep by overcoming Francesca SEU in four games.
Fourth seeds Germany were equally impressive, allowing Slovakia just 40 points across three matches in a commanding 3-0 victory. Lorena MORSCH set the tone with a straight-games win over Vanda VANISOVA, before Koharu ITAGAKI overwhelmed Emma MOLNAROVA, conceding only 14 points. Lisa-Sophie WANG completed the clean sweep with another dominant straight-games victory over Sara HABAROVA.
In Group D, Portugal opened with a 3-1 victory over Hungary. Mariana SANTA COMBA gave Portugal the lead with a straight-games win over Judit NAGY, before Julia LEAL doubled the advantage by defeating Rebeka NAGY, also in three games. Hungary stayed in contention through Nora DOHOCZKI, who edged Beatriz PINTO in a five-game battle. LEAL returned to the table to overcome Judit NAGY in straight games and secure Portugal’s victory.
Spain also made a strong start, defeating Bulgaria 3-0. Maria BERZOSA opened with a straight-games victory over Nina NIKOLOVA, while Camila MOSCOSO survived a tense opening game against Sidelya MUTLU before taking control of the match. Irina GIMENO FONT then completed the sweep by edging Anita PETKOVA 13-11 in the deciding game of a dramatic five-game encounter.
