European Games 2019 Minsk
Seeded at the position no. 20 in the Men’s Singles Event Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece halted the progress of no. four seed Liam PITCHFORD of Great Britain in the Round of 32 (6-11 9-11 10-12 11-6 10-12).
“It was much better than I expected. I had some advantage of already playing yesterday in this hall. Also our games were much different then before. We usually play long rallies but this time everything came to the small points. I was very focused avoided unnecessary mistakes. I have been under pressure after fourth game. I felt he could recover and I could not allow that. I think it will be completely different match if I let him come back ” explained GIONIS.
In next round he will meet Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia.
“He improved a lot his game. Now we are in Top 16 and there are no easy adversaries ” added GIONIS.
Niagol STOYANOV of Italy put Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus under severe pressure (11-8 14-16 12-14 10-12 11-9 11-2 11-9). SAMSONOV was three games to one in reverse before he recovered to win the match in front of fully crowded stands that erupted.
“STOYANOV is a very difficult adversary for me. He plays in an aggressive style I do not feel safe playing against such style. Despite the fact that I lost three games I still had a chance to win. I was not going to give up. At some point I was a little unlucky but with at 10-9 in seventh game I made a very good return and won. Usually when you go through such a hard starting match it becomes easier to play more relaxed. There will not be the nervousness that was at the beginning of the first game. Now I have a feeling that I have already won the II European Games although I know that the medals are still very far away “ said SAMSONOV laughing.
He will meet SKACHKOV.
“Kirill knows me well besides before the II European Games we held a training camp. Now I will recover and tune in to the next game. I had a tough match and I thank everyone for support.”
Emmanuel LEBESSON of France overcame Anders LIND of Denmark (9-11 11-4 11-8 11-9 11-9).
“LIND played yesterday already so he felt the venue better but it did not change a course of the play because I feel really good. In past few weeks I had very good matches against European players at the Asian tournaments ” said European singles champion from Budapest LEBESSON. “I had to be cautious after his service game. He is dangerous on the first ball.”
Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden beat Robert GARDOS of Austria (9-11 11-8 8-11 11-9 11-7 11-9)
“To be me first game in this tournament I am happy. Of course there is some things that I need to work on until the next round. But I am pretty sure it will be better. I was very nervous. I think a lot of players here are under pressure. This is different tournament.”
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany beat Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece (11-5 11-3 11-9 11-3)
“I had good focus from the beginning and managed to avoid easy mistakes. Eventually that brought me easy win. I do not think about my next adversary. I will take it as it comes it makes not great difference if it is going to be WALKER or GROTH because I am very confident. The biggest obstacle here is the pressure: everyone is after the ticket for Japan 2020 ” said OVTCHAROV.
Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal suffered by the hands of WANG Yang of Slovakia (9-11 11-7 7-11 6-11 8-11). WANG will meet Bo0jan TOKIC of Slovenia in the Round of 16. Bojan beat Daniel HABESOHN of Austria (11-13 9-11 3-11 6-11).
“I feel good here and I did not lose that feeling in this match. I hope I will stay in game after tomorrow. Last time I beat WANG at the European Championships 2017 ” said TOKIC.
Jonathan GROTH of Denmark beat Sam WALKER of Great Britain in the match full of ups and downs (11-4 4-11 7-11 11-5 8-11 14-12 11-7).
“In the opening game I played really well. The trouble started in the next one. SAMSONOV was playing at that moment and the crowd was very loud. I should not allow this tings to distract me so much but it happened: it was 4:4 before I lost seven points in the row. Sam took over the control of the match. In the sixth game I was already out but mistake from the umpire took focus out of WALKER. I feel sorry for him but I seized my opportunity ” said GROTH.
