The third day of the play at the GAZPROM European Team Championships brought the decisive Group matches for the place in the quarterfinal. In Men’s quarterfinal will play Germany vs. Czech Republic Denmark vs. England Sweden vs. Romania and Austria vs. Russia. Women’s Team quarterfinal will bring the clashes: Germany vs. Poland Portugal vs. Ukraine Austria vs. France and Luxembourg vs. Romania.
Russia โ France 3:0
Russia had performed expertly in the last round of the Group stage to dispatch the top seeded team of France in the group F. They clinched the top position after straight matches victory in a contest played at a breathtaking pace.
Maksim GREBNEV opened the match with the victory over Alexandre CASSIN (11:9 12:10 11:7).
โI played the opening match but I was not under pressure. I had the faith in my team and I knew that we could win this. I was just thinking of my match and just one ball ahead. I am happy I justified the trust coach had in me โ sad GREBNEV who recovered from 6:9 in the opening game.
Vladimir SIDORENKO overcame European Champion from 2016 Emmanuel LEBESSON (8:11 11:8 11:5 8:11 11:6).
โWe used to play in the same club last season so I learned a bit more about his game; little things about his service and receive also the fact that I am left hander helped. That is why I asked coach Valeriy SOLOBAEV to let me play against him. I was confident despite LEBESSON’s great experience. I guess a little luck was on my side as we all performed few remarkable recovering โ explained SIDORENKO.
Kirill SKACHKOV beat Can AKKUZU (10:12 10:12 11:7 11:2 12:10). He faced 5 match balls and saved it to win the match.
โI was calm. We were 2:0 up and we had space. I just kept on fighting. This is not the same French team as they would be if Gauzy is here but we seized the opportunity presented. We will celebrate for hour or two and then we will start to think about the quarterfinal. I just wish to thank all the coaches doctors and great supporters at home โ said Kirill.
Czech Republic โ Croatia 3:2
In a long distance thriller Czech Republic recovered from 1:2 to win the match against Croatia. In the opening duel Lubomir JANCARIK lost to Filip ZELJKO (11:13 8:11 11:8 3:11) but Tomas POLANSKY managed to level with the victory over Andrej GACINA (6:11 11:8 12:10 11:6). Frane KOJIC gave Croatia the lead once again after victory over Jiri MARTINKO (9:11 9:11 13:11 5:11) but then in thrilling five games JANCARIK overcame GACINA (8:11 11:7 13:11 8:11 11:6). In decisive match POLANSKY overcame ZELJKO (11:9 11:3 14:12).
POLANSKY: “My first match against gacina was definitely much harder. I lost to him recently at a tournament in Hungary and I know how great a player is. But I watched that match yesterday and tried not to make the same mistakes. I won an important finish at 2: 1 and then I already felt that I was in good shape. I had a lot of fights against ZELKO. Of course I haven’t played such an important match at the European Championships yet but I felt good. He is excellent at service so when there is no good receive it is complicated. But I made little mistakes in the first two games with the receive so I made advantage.”
Netherlands โ France 0:3
France will have representative in the quarterfinal but in the Women’s Event. Without great problems France remained unbeaten. Prithika PAVADE overcame Shuohan MEN (14:12 8:11 9:11 4:11) YUAN Jia Nan beat Emine ERNST (8:11 8:11 5:11) and Audrey ZARIF prevailed against Sanne DE HOOP (8:11 8:11 6:11).
โ It was our goal to reach the quarterfinals. I think my match was important for the team. It was close 1:1 and 4:4 but I managed to win. During the match I felt like I am not enough fast and I had some difficulties to get down and use my legs. I just tried to be a little bit more focused on my legs and to put more speed in the ball and then it was my turn to start to dominate a little bit the match โ said PAVADE.
Czech Republic โ Ukraine 1:3
Ukraine moved to quarterfinals after they victory over Czech Republic. Ganna GAPONOVA overcame Hana MATELOVA (6:11 2:11 11:4 5:11) Margaryta PESOTSKA overcame Katerina TOMANOVSKA (8:11 6:11 11:3 9:11) before Zdena BLASKOVA narrowed the gap with the victory over Solomiya BRATEYKO (11:7 8:11 11:4 11:8). In last match Hana MATELOVA lost to Margaryta PESOTSKA (6:11 8:11 3:11).
โWe achieved our goal and we reach the knock out stage. We were very focused and we prepared good tactics. In first match I did not feel comfortable playing against Katerina. Second duel against MATELOVA was easier โ said PESOTSKA.
Denmark โ Portugal 3:0
The day continued with the upsets. Next in line was Denmark who enjoyed the success against Portugal. Jonathan GROTH beat Joao GERALDO (11:8 9:11 8:11 11:7 11:9) but the biggest upset came from Anders LIND who overcame Marcos FREITAS (6:11 12:14 11:6 11:7 11:6). LIND had an traffic accident few months ago and had the surgery on his neck but he recovered well to push Denmark into the quarterfinal. Tobias RASMUSSEN closed the match with the victory over Tiago APOLONIA (11:9 13:11 4:11 6:11 11:7).
โWe had a perfect start in our match against Portugal Jonathan GROTH showed why he is the best by beating GERALDO. I believe that his spirit and his fighting attitude really helped the team in the next two matches by pumping us up so we could perform our best. In my match I had a very rough start I was down two zero and then I donโt know what changed but somehow I was able to turn around and for that I am very very happy. And Tobias RASMUSSEN won in the third match. Great performance and I am super proud of my team. I do not know against whom we are playing in the quarter finals. But whoever we are going to play our best. We will gonna do everything we can to beat them โ said LIND.
England โ Slovakia 3:0
England booked their place in the quarterfinal after success against Slovakia. Liam PITCHFORD started the wining row with the victory over Lubomir PISTEJ (11:3 11:8 14:12) and Paul DRINKHALL followed the path with the win over WANG Yang (9:11 11:4 8:11 11:8 11:6). Samuel WALKER was stretched to full distance against Jakub ZELINKA (9:11 11:7 11:7 12:14 11:6) but he prevailed.
โWe knew itโs gonna be a tough match against Slovakia. You know yesterday we didnโt play so well but today it was a new day and we knew that we had to perform better .I won my match against PISTEJ and that took a little bit of pressure off my colleagues. DRINKAL performed really well against WANG. It was a difficult match for him for sure. DRINKAL โs performance was very good so I am so happy for him. Sam did well to finish the match. To win against Slovakia 3 โ 0 obviously is a good performance. We are in the quarter finals and I think we are playing well enough to not be afraid of anybody. Weโll see who will get in the draw every team is difficult for sure. I think weโve shown today that we are capable to win any team we believe that. We just need to play our best and if we will do that weโll see how it goes โ said PITCHFORD.
Poland โ Austria 1:3
In thrilling four matches against spirited team of Poland Austria managed to pass to the quarterfinal. Daniel HABESOHN overcame Jakub DYJAS (3:11 7:11 11:9 5:11) to give Austria dream start. On his first exit to table Robert GARDOS overcame Marek BADOWSKI (8:11 11:5 12:14 13:11 8:11) whilst on second Robert succeed against Jakub DYJAS (11:8 11:4 11:13 5:11 9:11). SAMUEL KULCZYCKI beat Andreas LEVENKO (11:6 11:8 8:11 11:13 20:18).
โWe have to play always at our best not only mental but also in the game. I think both teams have been challenged by the combination between the balls and the table. I thing thatโs why in the very beginning I missed many first balls. It was quite difficult for me to come into the game. We just came from Qatar where we played with different balls on different tables. But it does not matter both opponents played in the same conditions and who was able to adapt faster won. Today we had a chance to win 3 – 1 Andrej lost at 2 โ 2 and 10-7. I was lucky to win my first match. I think that the difference was made by the fact that we were a little bit stronger mentally. We have to take care and to play at our best in the quarter finals. And then we will see if we can win a medal โsaid GARDOS.
Luxembourg โ Russia 3:0
Luxembourg created top rated upset by beating Russia. NI Xia Lian was at the top of her game and secured two wins as it was expected. She beat Mariia TAILAKOVA (7:11 11:8 11:8 11:4) and Polina MIKHAILOVA (11:5 11:7 11:8). Sarah DE NUTTE was the key to Luxembourg’s success with her victory over MIKHAILOVA (11:6 11:6 9:11 4:11 11:9). Tessy GONDERINGER lost to
Yana NOSKOVA (6:11 4:11 3:11).
โThe game was wonderful. We all played amazing so we are really happy that we beat Russia. We knew that we have a chance against them but it was a really though match and we gave our best. We are supper happy that we are in quarterfinal. It was very stressful match. Polina is my team-mate in France so I knew it will be though for me to win against her because for me she is really strong player. I felt comfortable in the beginning so I win the 1st 2 games. I was a little bit surprised that I felt so into the game immediately but then the third game I was down 6-2 and then I come back and then I lose 11-9 so I was thinking โok I have to stay calm and focus always on the next pointโ and then in the 5th set I was a little bit getting nervous โok now I have to come back to mood that I have in the opening gamesโ. After I had 10-7 then 10-9 and than the last ball was really long and strange one but Iโm just so happy that I could win this match and take a point for the team. Iโm happy Xia Lian won 2 matches โ said DE NUTTE.
Germany โ Spain 3:1
Even without top players Germany is safely through to the quarterfinal. Nina MITTELHAM lost to XIAO Maria (11:13 11:6 11:2 11:13 8:11) in the opening match but she beat ZHANG Sofia-Xuan (11:13 9:11 11:9 11:4 11:6) in the last. Sabine WINTER overcame ZHANG Sofia-Xuan (10:12 11:4 15:13 11:8) whilst Chantal MANTZ prevailoed against Galia DVORAK (11:5 11:6 11:8).
โIt was a though fight for us after Nina lost her opening match by narow margin. She was a little bit unlucky because she had a big advantage during the game. I was a bit nervous knowing that we only need to win 1 match to give us enough confidence to win this round. Iโm happy that I could win my match and Nina was mentally strong to come back victoriously. Itโs also good to have a fight and we are ready for tomorrow for the next match โ said WINTER.
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Romania โ Italy 3:1
Romania held host natiopn supporters on the edge of their seats but eventually beat Italy in four matches. Bernadette SZOCS gave her team good start with the victory over Debora VIVARELLI (11:9 11:4 11:6) but Elizabeta SAMARA lost to Giorgia PICCOLIN (9:11 11:9 11:1 9:11 9:11). Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN overcame Jamila LAURENTI (9:11 11:8 11:7 13:11) and in the last match SZOCS beat PICCOLIN (7:11 11:7 12:10 12:10).
โItaly played unbelievable well against us. It was a very difficult match. We did not expect such a fierce fighting. We knew it wonโt be easy but the Italian players took us by surprise using excellent tactics. My second match against PICCOLIN was a difficult because she won in the previous match against Elizabeta SAMARA and it boosted her self confidence. She had nothing to lose playing against Romanian players so she played at her best โ explained SZOCS.โ We are very happy to qualify to the main draw. The whole team is eagerly looking forward to beat Luxemburg tomorrow. The rostrum is now in sight and we will fight very strong to get a medal. We are aiming for gold.โ
Austria โ Belarus 3:0
Austria showed no weak spots in the duel against Belarus. Sofia POLCANOVA overcame Katsiaryna BARAVOK (11:8 8:11 11:2 11:5) LIU Jia beat Daria TRIGOLOS (11:6 8:11 11:4 12:10) and Karoline MISCHEK overcame Vera OLKAVA (11:7 11:6 11:4).
โ It was our goal to reach the quarterfinal and now we succed so I am happy. Agaianst BARAVOK Iโve tried to stop her of getting control over the match. I put a lot of variations and changed the rhythm constantly โ said POLCANOVA.
Portugal- Hungary 3:2
After long five matches thriller Portugal prevaile. YU Fu was at the top of the game. She beat Georgina POTA (11:8 11:4 11:8) and Dora MADARASZ (13:11 3:11 9:11 11:6 11:5). SHAO Jieni lost to MADARASZ (12:14 11:7 10:12 11:4 10:12) and Ines MATOS suffered by the hands of Mercedes NAGYVARADI (6:11 9:11 4:11). In the decisive duel SHAO beta POTA (11:6 11:9 11:7).
โAt start I was very nervous and I felt some pressure but as the game started I was playing well and feeling well and I was thinking โok lets keep going. Dora is a very good player. In the pervious match with Croatia I was losing too and than I managed to come back I just tried to keep focus doing my best and let the game continue โ said FU.
Poland โ Sweden 3:1
Poland secured the place in the quarterfinal but not before Sweden put them on severe test in the opening matches. Natalia BAJOR lost to Linad BERGSTROM (6:11 3:11 5:11) and Katarzyna WEGRZYN was strecehed to full distance against Christina KALLBERG (13:15 11:9 3:11 11:9). In next two matches Anna WEGRZYN overcame Jennifer JONSSON (11:6 6:11 11:6 11:8) and Natalia BAJOR beat KALLBERG (12:10 11:6 11:6).
โI canโt describe how happy I am now because we are now among the best eight teams in Europe. We played with a very young team without LI Qian and PARTYKA. We had a preparation in Budapest with Hungary and we are in excelent shape โ said BAJOR.
Romania โ Slovenia 3:2
Romania secured their place in the quarterfinal after victory over Slovenia. Ovidiu IONESCU beat Tilen CVETKO (11:1 11:3 11:2) before Rares SIPOS suffered by the hands of Darko JORGIC (8:11 4:11 11:13). Hunor SZOCS gave Romania the lead once again with the win over Peter HRIBAR (12:10 11:5 11:9) but Darko JORGIC proved to strong for IONESCU as well (11:13 13:11 4:11 11:9 12:14). SIPOS prevailed against CVETKO (11:8 11:7 11:5).
โWe are very happy that we qualified to the quarterfinal. Today was the thoughest match of the group. We faced a team that has a world class player Darko an amazing player top 25 in the world. Unfortunately Ovi did not take 2 match balls against him but he managed to win. This is one of the best performance from our team. We are very happy that we have the chance to play against Sweden tomorrow it will be a very very hard match but we will fight and give all from us. GO ROMANIA!โ said Rares.
Belarus โ Germany 0:3
Germany justified their status and booked their place in the quarterfinal after the victory over Belarus. QIU Dang overcame Pavel PLATONOV (9:11 11:8 2:11 7:11) Patrick FRANZISKA prevailed against Vladislav RUKLETSOV (7:11 7:11 6:11) and Gleb SHAMRUK could not halt Ruwen FILUS (2:11 6:11 8:11).
โIt was the first game for me so I was a little bit nervous before I have to play here. Iโm happy to know that I could win it . I know that the team had a good performane. Dang won against Pavel in the first game so it was important. After it was safe and easier. We are very happy and now we are looking for tomorrow. Our top players are not here but still we are aiming for gold โ said FILUS.โจ
Sweden โ Belgium 3:0
With fast 3:0 Sweden moved to the quarters. Anton KALLBERG overcame Florent LAMBIET (11:7 11:6 11:7) Truls MOREGARD beat Cedric NUYTINCK (5:11 18:16 9:11 12:10 11:7) and Mattias FALCK prevailed against Martin ALLEGRO (11:3 11:3 14:12).
โI am very happy that Sweden had such a good start. I feel good playing here. It is a nice venue and we have good atmosphere when Romania’s team is playig. It was my first match at this Championships and it is allways difficult at the start. I had to adjust to the atmosphere to tables and the balls but I played safe and tried to put the ball on table and not to make too many mistakes in the begining โ said FALCK.
