Team Croatia has created top rated upset by beating Chinese Taipei in Men’s Teams Group 7 at the 2022 ITTF World Team Championships Finals in Chengdu.
The back-bone of Croatia’s success was Andrej GACINA with two wins over PENG Wang-Wei and LIAO Cheng-Ting whilst Filip ZELJKO beat HUANG Yan-Cheng.
“The result shows things went smoothly but actually it was a tough match. They could have won. So we are happy that we managed to win. I think we all played well. We managed to win the match and we are happy about that. We need to take a rest try to recover as fast as possible. Because we have the match against Belgium tomorrow morning and the winner will win the number one position in this group ” said ZELJKO.
After victory over Taipei Belgium overcame Singapore today. Martin ALLEGRO Cedric NUYTINCK and Adrien RASSENFOSSE recorded straight matches win over PANG Yew En Koen CHEW Zhe Yu Clarence and QUEK Izaac.
Portugal also recorded second victory; after Slovakia it was Brazil who suffered by the hands of Marcos FREITAS Joao MONTEIRO and Joao GERALDO. Hugo CALDRANO won his both encounters on the other side. GERALDO played the decisive match against Eric JOUTI.
“We are happy with having a good experience we hope to keep the good shape. We were used to this kind of long match in the past. Basically we’re happy that in the end we could manage the match. Denmark’s team is a good team they made a lot of troubles to Brazil. We’ll have a rest now and start to prepare for the matches tomorrow ” said GERALDO.
Germany suffered defeat by the hands of India’s players
“I think they played well over the last few years and put themselves at many different international stages. For us we give everything today. The match was very close and I think we could do better in one or two matches. For example my 4th match was leading 2-0 at first we could win this match and maybe we would win overall. But the India always believe themselves they deserve to win at the end ” explained QIU Dang.
In the Women’s Event Germany beat Egypt in straight matches.
“I’m really happy. We did it that’s great. I did not feel so much pressure we were leading two-zero. In my first game I missed some easy balls it was a pity. But the most important thing is that in the end I won the serve and I was also leading all the time in the second game. I got the chance to come back I managed to win the game at the end ” said Nina MITTELHAM.
Italy also recorded another victory. South Africa’s Danisha PATEL Lailaa EDWARDS and Zodwa MAPHANGA suffered by the hands of Debora VIVARELLI Giorgia PICCOLIN and Nicole ARLIA
“We prepared quite well for the match today and yesterday against Brazil. With this victory we found it quite good. And we are happy about this match. Now we are thinking about the match with France tomorrow. I think this is the most important match. We know them a little bit since we played against them before. We know that they have a good number one. But we have nothing to lose so we want to be prepared ” said PICCOLIN.
Team Luxembourg added another victory to their scoreboard. After win over Korea and defeat against Singapore they beat Iran in the third round.
“So far so good I’m happy. Every player is professional. They are very good. For me every match is very serious and not easy. I still have to prepare well and fight very hard. I must sleep well. I have my own problem but I think I’m happy with my result. And in the future the game will be tough ” said NI Xia Lian.
Sarah DE NUTTE beats Neda SHAHSAVARI: “I’m happy to win my first single game. I had some troubles to get into the tournament. I was sick before coming here. I didn’t practice so much and now I think it’s good to win one match to get some confidence. Hopefully I can play better in the next matches.”
Tessy GONDERINGER succeeded against Shima SAFAEI after five games: “For me it was a very tough game. All the games are very close and I needed to fight every ball to continue. I’m very happy to win the game. Today my condition was good but for me playing with Thailand will be difficult.”
