European Championships | 6 Sep 2019

Portugal won first ever medal in Women’s Team

Liebherr European Championships

 

Portugal won first ever medal at the Women’s Teams Event at the European Championships. In the quarterfinal, in Nantes they overcame Germany, no. two seeds. In Men’s Event Sweden overcame England.

 

The duel against Germany stretched to full distance. HAN Ying opened the encounter with the victory over SHAO Jeni (11-8, 15-13, 11-13, 11-5), but YU Fu brought Portugal back on tracks with thrilling 3-2 victory over Petrissa SOLJA (12-10, 6-11, 8-11, 11-9, 5-11). SHAN Xiaona succeded against Rita FINS (11-3, 11-2, 11-5), before Nina MITTELHAM entered the game to meet YU Fu. It did not surprise their adversaries so YU secured another point and it was once again to SHAO to play decisive match (11-4, 8-11, 4-11, 8-11). In the duel against SOLJA, SHAO was two games down, but recovered to win (11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 2-11, 6-11).

 

“Before the match I was nervous because Germany has a really good and dangerous team. That is why I played slowly in the beginning of the match, but when I was down to 2 :0 I knew I had to be more aggressive, play harder and put more speed into the match,” said SHAO Jeni.

 

Photo: Rémy Gros

 

Jon PERSSON proved again as fantastic team player he paved the path to Sweden’s win over England.He had performed expertly in the opening game to overcame Europe’s no. 5 just one day after Liam PITCHFORD beat legendary Vladimior SAMSONOV. Liam came close in the third game, but he could not stop Jon (6-11, 7-11, 11-13).

 

“I managed to halt any of hiss attempt to impose his rhythm. My service and receive was on high level and it blocked him. I controlled the game until the third game 10-6, he narrowed the gap, but I concluded it successfully,” explained Jon.

 

On a remark that Liam is his best Europe top 10 win, he just smiled: ”I beat Mattias once, that counts too.”

Mattias FALCK was on top his game today against Paul DRINKHALL (2-11, 11-7, 7-11, 2-11). His risky attacks gave no many options to DRINKHALL.

 

Truls MORGARD was next in line up. He faced Samuel WALKER. The player that promises a successful era for Sweden and already established himself against more experienced players seized his opportunity in a victorious style. In solid performance he justified his rankings and overcame WALKER in four games (11-9, 6-11, 6-11).