For the second consecutive year Maciej KUBIK has clinched the trophy in the Men’s Doubles event at the European Under 21 Championships this time teaming up with Milosz REDZIMSKI. In Skopje the Polish pair overcame a tough challenge from Eduard IONESCU and Darius MOVILEANU of Romania in a dramatic finish to the event. Securing the third step on the medal podium were Iulian CHIRITA and Andrei ISTRATE of Romania along with Ivor BAN and Borna PETEK of Croatia.
KUBIK and REDZIMSKI withstood the spirited comeback attempt from IONESCU and MOVILEANU (11-9 11-2 11-13 9-11 11-5).
“It was 2-0 and 10-9 for us but they received well with the ‘banana.’ I tried to catch it but I missed so they recovered. The last few balls they played really well and they were back. After that it became really close. We lost the two games by a narrow margin. We had a great problem with service; points were taken from us. I am trying to serve ‘legally ‘ but at least two or three points are taken from me and I got angry. Eventually it made us fight even harder and we won the decisive game ” said KUBIK who was the runner-up with Samuel KULCZYCKI in Sarajevo last year.
REDZIMSKI added that this was the hardest match for them at the tournament.
“Problems with service were overwhelming but we just kept on fighting and we won eventually ” said REDZIMSKI.