DANG Qiu at the top of the Europe in Munich

The full Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle erupted today after the last point in the Men’s Singles final. After fantastic performance Germany’s DANG Qui become the Europan champion in Munich 2022. He clinched the title in big style after victory over no. two seed Darko JORGIC of Slovenia. Two Swedes were together again at the same step of the medal rostrum. Mattias FALCK and Kristian KARLSSON clinched bronze medals. Three days earlier they won gold in Doubles.

“I feel like I am the happiest man alive right now. It is unbelievable I do not know how I achieved it but right now I just feel relieved and so happy. I think I need some time to think over all of these emotions I have right now ” said Qui.

In the opening game DANG Qiu had a better start but from the 4:5 JORGIC changed the course of the game. DANG saved two game balls to level but Darko used third to win the opening game. In next game JORGIC took the control created advantage 8:4 but DANG leveled. At 10:9 JORGIC had game point; DANG responded and created the chance to level and won the game. DANG kept the momentum in the next game to secure the 2:1 lead. The fierce fight continued but DANG was always one step forward and more precise in the finishes. He kept going in the same pace and recorded the victory without due alarm.

“The atmosphere was great. When I turned over the second game I knew I had the momentum and the crowd was always on my side. They just pushed me further and further and then I just kept rolling. Luckily I played really well after that and somehow managed to win all the games. This is the biggest achievement I ever had. I knew it was the biggest match I’d ever had today in the final.”

On what’s his next goal and what this gold medal means for his confidence looking forward to future competitions:

“It boosts the confidence. It is an amazing feeling to win this prestigious tournament in such a strong continent as Europe with such legends of this game who have won this tournament before and now I’m one of them. What is next? I feel that when I am European champion I have to focus my goals on the World Championships and the Olympics which will come up soon. Therefore I need to keep my results consistent otherwise this title means nothing.”

So far Dang has outstanding season.

“I think that my level was already good a few years ago. It was a bit unlucky for me that Corona came and I had to stop. I won the Portugal Open 2020 and then the virus came and stopped everything. When the tournaments kept rolling again and I started to get the rhythm and feeling I just play well. To be honest I don’t have secrets. I just try to do what I have to do every day; I go to the gym I go to the practice as a normal player and try to improve myself and that’s the receipt for the success; you need to be consistent and patient ” said Qiu.

Darko JORGIC won his first ever silver in singles at the European championships.

“I’m sad after the tough loss against Dang in the final. I am sad but overall I’m happy that I reached this final. I played an amazing tournament and I just want to congratulate Dang for an amazing performance these couple of weeks. I had some chances in the final as well. I was leading 1-0 8-4 but in the end I lost this match. Life goes on I have to train more to keep going and I hope next year is my year. DANG was playing really good tactically. He was fighting from the beginning until the end. I was leading in the second set 1-0 8-4 he reached me and won this set. I think this was the crucial moment for how the match would go. We both showed an amazing performance we both played amazingly and I’m really happy with how high I reached in the end ” stated JORGIC.