European Youth Top 10 in Berlin
Last year’s winner in Junior Boys Singles Event in Netherlands Germany’s Kay STUMPER defended his crown at the European Youth Top 10 in Berlin. First time in history of Youth Top 10 events Belgium has two players on the same medal rostrum. Olav KOSOLOSKY and Nicolas DEGROS are second and third.
STUMPER could played relaxed the last match on the tournament against Nicolas DEGROS since he entered the last round unbeaten and with the victories over his main adversaries. However he did not spoiled the moment and he finished the tournament with the clean record.
“I felt very good. I just did what I was doing throughout all tournament – fight for each ball. This is fantastic opportunity to play with the best players on the field and I took the best of it ” said STUMPER.
Was it easier than the last year?
“It should have been; we played best of five matches instead best of seven; there were only seven players juniors in the tournament; I already been there…but it was not like that. There is a little bit of pressure to defend the good result and I came here after being ill. I resumed my training on Monday and I was not in top shape when the Top 10 started. During the competition my game improved and I became more confident. I enjoyed my game ” said STUMPER.
There were few close matches: 3:2 against KLAJBER3:1 against Olav and Tomas MARTINKO?
“When it came to close games I proved I am better. I played very well in tricky situations ” explained Kay.
Kay leveled the family record that his half-sister Laura set with titles in 2000 and 2001.
“That is true but I always chose my own path and game. I was not thinking of that record ” said Kay.
Olav KOSOLOSKY had a very good tournament and his second position is the best result for Belgium since Julien INDEHERBERG won Cadets Event in 2011. Olav equals Jean Michel SAIVE’s result from 1985 and 1987.
In the last Round KOSOLOSKY and Ivor BAN of Croatia played against each other. BAN suffered and lost his place at the medal rostrum.
Overall Standings
Kay STUMPER (Germany) 6/0
Olav KOSOLOSKY (Belgium) 5/1
Nicolas DEGROS (Belgium) 3/3
Ivor BAN (Croatia) 3/3
Adam KLAJBER (Slovakia)2/4
Tomas MARTINKO (Czech Republic) 2/4
Filip DELINCAK (Slovakia) 0/6
Junior Boys
Round 7
Olav KOSOLOSKY – Ivor BAN 3:1 (9:11 11:3 11:9 11:5)
Kay STUMPER – Nicolas DEGROS 3:0 (11:9 11:4 11:7)
Filip DELINCAK – Tomas MARTINKO 1:3 (9:11 11:6 8:11 3:11)
Round 6
Ivor BAN – Kay STUMPER 1:3 (8:11 11:13 11:7 11:13)
Nicolas DEGROS – Filip DELINCAK 3:2 (11:3 10:12 13:11 6:11 11:9)
Tomas MARTINKO – Adam KLAJBER 0:3 (9:11 6:11 8:11)