The singles events at the JOOLA Europe Youth Series in Czechia concluded with a show of emerging European talent. Sweden clinched titles in Under 13 Boys’ and Under 15 Girls’ Singles; Czechia clinched gold in Under 15 Boys’ and Switzerland in Under 13 girls.
Under-15 Boys’ Singles – MORAVEK Claims Gold for Czechia
Czechia’s Ondrej MORAVEK delighted the home supporters by capturing the Under-15 Boys’ Singles title, overcoming Sweden’s Emil ELLERMANN in a high-quality final.
In the semi-finals, MORAVEK defeated Austria’s Sung Bing CHEN 3–1 (9–11, 11–7, 11–8, 11–4), while ELLERMANN advanced after a Finland’s Jimi KOIVUMÄKI did not play in the penultimate stage.
The final saw MORAVEK start confidently, taking the opening game 12–10. Although ELLERMANN levelled with a narrow second-game win, the Czech player regained control through composed rallies and excellent balance between attack and placement to close the contest 3–1 (12–10, 9–11, 11–8, 11–7).
Under-15 Girls’ Singles – BENJEGÅRD Continues Swedish Success
Sweden’s Siri BENJEGÅRD captured the Under-15 Girls’ Singles crown after another impressive run through the knockout stage. She overcame Switzerland’s Michelle WU in the semi-finals 3–1 (7–11, 12–10, 11–2, 11–7), while Germany’s Amelie Guzi JIA defeated Czechia’s Adela BRHELOVA 3–0 (11–6, 13–11, 11–9).
In the final, BENJEGÅRD remained composed under pressure, to seal victory 3–1 (11–9, 11–5, 6–11, 13–11) and the gold medal for Sweden. JIA took silver, with WU and BRHELOVA collecting bronzes.
Under-13 Girls’ Singles – HU Strikes Gold for Switzerland
Switzerland’s Enya HU claimed the Under-13 Girls’ Singles title with a string of strong performances. HU defeated Slovakia’s Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO 3–1 (9–11, 11–2, 11–9, 11–9) in the semi-finals, while Czechia’s Adela BRHELOVA produced a comeback to beat Swiss player Michelle WU 3–2 (4–11, 9–11, 11–3, 11–9, 11–7).
In the final, HU maintained her composure throughout the tight exchanges to prevail 3–0 (12–10, 11–6, 12–10) and capture gold, with BRHELOVA taking silver. WU and GUASSARDO each earned bronze medals.
Under-13 Boys’ Singles – HALLÉN Tops All-Swedish Final
An all-Swedish showdown closed the Under-13 Boys’ Singles event, where Zac HALLÉN triumphed over Joel ISAKSSON in a five-game thriller. ISAKSSON had earlier defeated Germany’s Paul FLEMMING 3–1 (11–4, 14–16, 11–6, 12–10), while HALLÉN reached the final after a straight-games win over Austria’s Sung Bing CHEN (11–5, 11–8, 11–3).
The final lived up to expectations, going the distance before HALLÉN sealed the win 3–2 (5–11, 11–5, 10–12, 11–9, 12–10). ISAKSSON claimed silver, with FLEMMING and CHEN completing the medal line-up.
Sweden’s Emil ELLERMANN and Siri BENJEGÅRD emerged as the Under-15 Mixed Doubles champions. In the semifinals, the Swedish pair overcame Andrej BRECE and Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO of Slovakia. On the other side of the draw, Ondrej MORAVEK and Laura MARSICKOVA of the Czechia prevailed in a duel against Mikolaj PILCH and Lucja KOBOSZ from Poland.
In the final ELLERMANN and BENJEGÅRD started strongly, taking the opening two games 11–6 and 11–7 before the Czech duo responded to level the score with 11–9 and 11–8. From there, the Swedes regained full control, winning 11–7 in the decider to seal a 3–2 victory (11–6, 11–7, 9–11, 8–11, 11–7).
Germany celebrated a victory in the Under-13 Mixed Doubles as Jonathan KRAFT and Ksenja POZNIC produced a confident performance to overcome their compatriots Benno DETTMER and Kristin TUVE in the final.
In an all-German duel KRAFT and POZNIC showed greater stability after a tight opening game, pulling away to secure the title 3–1 (10–12, 11–6, 11–5, 11–6). Filip NAGY and Bianka BACSOVÁ (Slovakia) as well as Kirill MANALAKI and Anna RADENBACH (Germany) clinched bronze.
