LIEBHERR 2018 World Team Table Tennis Championships
In the Championships Division Group A at the LIEBHERR 2018 World Team Table Tennis Championships Russia overcame Belarus in thrilling five matches duel. The back bone of the Russia’s success was Yana NOSKOVA who overcame experienced Viktoria PAVLOVICH and Aleksandra PRIVALOVA.
Viktoria PAVLOVICH gave Belarus a good start. She beat Russia’s no. one Polina MIKHAILOVA before NOSKOVA overcame Alexandra PRIVALOVA. However. Daria TRIGOLOS brought her team back in game with the victory over Mariia TAILAKOVA. Polina beat PRIVALOVA to secure the decisive match for Yana.
“We played so many matches against each other at the biggest tournaments and that is what makes over encounters so difficult. We know each other very well. Viktoria is especially hard to beat and Yana success is great” stated Polina.
NOSKOVA radiated with happiness after the match.
“I like to play against the players with the defensive style of play. I have a lot of opportunities to practice this kind of game. It was very close game but I knew I had to play until the last point. You must never give up. I stayed focused until the end.”
In past few years Russia was always close but failed to reach the crucial matches for the medals.
“In last two World Championships we were third in the Group. Always very close. We want to beat that tradition now and to enter the round of best 12 ” stated Polina MIKHAILOVA.