The Greek Open which was part of the ETTU’s Europe Youth series concluded in Loutraki Corinthia with thrilling finals a vibrant atmosphere from all the young athletes and many smiles. For four days 37 athletes from three countries gave their best for honors and enjoyed the matches at the Sport Camp facility. Denmark’s Malik SEVERINSEN was the victor in the boys’ Under 13 singles. In the girls’ Under 13 singles Greece’s Anna-Fanouria MITKA claimed the title. In the Boys’ Under 15 singles Greece’s Ioannis KOUTRA lifted the cup adding to his victory in Croatia in the Europe Youth Series last April.
The girls’ Under 15 singles was dominated by Anastasia CHKHARTISHVILI of Georgia. In the doubles gold medals were earned by Denmark’s Emil HASSELBLANK/Malik SEVERINSEN in the boys’ Under 13 Anna-Fanouria MITKA and Elpida TASIOU of Greece in the girls’ Under 13 Ioannis KOUTRA/Ioannis KIOSELOGLOU in the boys’ Under 15 and Vassiliki BOULA/Stella MAVROMATAKI of Greece in the girls’ Under 15. The tournament which didn’t have strong international participation nevertheless featured excellent organization and suitable conditions for the athletes. It marks a new beginning for the Greek federation.
The president of the H.T.T.F. Kostas PAPAGEORGIOU was present. Awards on behalf of the federation were presented by Stefanos STOGIANNOPOULOS general secretary of the local Sports Club Poseidon Loutraki. The finals saw an enthusiastic audience creating an incredible atmosphere alongside the athletes.
In the mini cadet boys there was a field of eight players. Left-handed Malik SEVERINSEN and right-handed Emil HASSELBACK from Denmark advanced to the final. SEVERINSEN showed his prowess and secured the highest step of the podium with a 3-1 victory (11-4 11-7 11-3).
Ioannis KIOSELOGLOU and Konstantinos ALEXOUDIS reached the semifinals but were defeated by the excellent Danes earning bronze medals. Giannis KYOSELOGLOU was beaten 3-0 by SEVERINSEN and Konstantinos ALEXOUDIS lost 3-1 to HASSELBLANK.
In the mini cadet girls four Greek athletes secured medal positions on October 27th. In the final Anna-Fanouria MITKA and Athanasia GOGA who overcame their Greek counterparts faced off.
In the boys’ Under 15 competition Ioannis KOUTRA and Ioannis KIOSELOGLOU local athletes from the Poseidon team in Loutraki won the gold and bronze medals respectively. KOUTRA emerged as the victor prevailing 3-1 (11-9 11-7 7-11 11-6). KOUTRA eliminated Denmark’s Malik SEVERINSEN in 3-0 sets in the semifinals. KIOSELOGLOU had defeated the second seed Emil HASSELBLANK in the quarterfinals with a 3-2 score and also vanquished Konstantinos ALEXOUDIS with a 3-2 score in the semifinals.
In the girls’ Under 15 category Anastasia CHKHARTISHVILI of Georgia secured the top position. She met China-born Sami LU of Denmark in the final. CHKHARTISHVILI demonstrated great consistency after the second set and won 3-1 to claim the trophy (11-6 9-11 11-2 11-5). Vasiliki BOULA and Angela NURE won the bronze medals. The former was defeated in the semifinals by LOU in a five-set thriller.
“I am very happy because I managed to win my second tournament in the Europe Youth series. I prepared quite well as I recently returned from an 8-day training camp in Taipei thanks to an Olympic Scholarship secured by the Greek Federation. The camp was very intense and I had a unique experience in general ” said the 15-year-old champion. “It was an honor and a pleasure for us kids from Loutraki to play international games in our city and in front of our own people. The most challenging moment on my way to the three gold medals was in the final of the team event when I faced the Georgian CHKHARTISHVILI. The match went to the 5th set but with composure I managed to win. It’s the end of a fantastic year for me in the youth category. We promoted the national team to the A category in Europe barely won the bronze medal at the Balkan Championships secured four first-place finishes in the Europe Youth Series and I believe I’ve made significant progress in my competitive skills.”
In the final of the girls’ Under 13 doubles Anna Fanouria MITKA and Elpida TASIOU defeated Andrea GREGERSEN/Celinda VUNG of Denmark 3-1 (11-8 11-13 11-5 13-11).
In the boys Under 13 doubles final Denmark’s Emil HASSELBACK/Malik SEVERINSEN defeated Konstantinos ISAAKIDIS/Konstantinos ALEXOUDIS 3-1 (16-14 12-10 11-13 11-8).
In the thrilling final of the girls’ Under 15 doubles Vasiliki boula/Stella Mavromataki overcame Anastasia tskartishvili/Tekla Liparteliani of Georgia 3-1 (11-8 15-17 11-6 11-3).
The boys’ Under 15 doubles final was a Greek affair. Yiannis KOUTRA/Yiannis KIOSELOGLOU celebrated the first place defeating Theofanis-Giorgos MITKAS/Kosta FAKAROS 3-0 (11-9 11-3 11-4).
The bronze medals had been secured since Friday: The Greek pairs Sophia filis/Athanasia Goga and Despina DEMETRIOU/Afroditi-Ioanna SARIKAKI in the girls U13 category. Sally LOU/Filippa MIKELBORG from Denmark and Alexandra BITCHAVA/Angela NURE from Greece in the girls U15 category. Dimitris ALEXANDRIDIS/Giorgos SASSANIS and Dimitris GEORGALLIDIS/Nikos ANGELIDIS also from Greece in the boys U13 category. Denmark’s Vilage BERGHOLT/Gustav HOYSLETT and Georgia’s Nikola CHKHARTISHVILI/Mate GABARASVILI in the boys U15 category.
