European Youth Championships | 21 Jul 2024

Darius MOVILEANU Clinches the Crown in Under 19 Boys' Singles

Darius MOVILEANU of Romania won the Under 19 Boys' Singles event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö. Silver medalist is Flavien COTON of France, while the bronze medalists are Andrei ISTRATE of Romania and Leon BENKO of Croatia.

In a fantastic and powerful final, MOVILEANU enriched his treasury with his fifth gold medal. He had previously won the singles title in 2019 in Under 15 and the Doubles in 2022 and 2023 in the individual events. Last year, he also won gold in Mixed Doubles.

Today, he beat the French player in a very powerful display of play.

MOVILEANU: “Feels amazing. After winning in cadets in singles, I wished that I would play at least one final in this tournament. COTON is an amazing player, and I knew that it would be very difficult for me, but somehow, with my coach and my team, we managed to win this final. At the beginning of this tournament, I was very sick. I couldn't even believe that I reached the quarterfinals. And now winning, it feels unbelievable.”

In the penultimate stage, No. 9 seed Flavien COTON exceeded his ranking to overcome No. 3 seed Andrei ISTRATE. Romania's player had a better start, but from that point, COTON took control.

COTON: “I started badly, but I changed some details in my play. After that, I played better and better. I'm very happy with my performance so far, and I have won against very good players to reach the final. If I can keep this high level, I think it will work in the last match also.”

Romania still secured a place in the final after a solid win by ISTRATE over Leon BENKO. No. 26 seed BENKO failed to put severe pressure on No. 2 seed ISTRATE.

MOVILEANU: “It feels great to be in the final. I won in Under 15 in 2019, and I hope that I will get the title, but the match will be very hard because Flavien COTON is a really good player. I am really looking forward to the final. The semifinal was a good match, even though I started not so well. After the first game, I found a good tactic, and after that, I think things worked out.”

Under 19 Boys Singles

Final

Flavien COTON France - Darius MOVILEANU Romania 2-4 (11-4, 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 6-11, 11-13)

Semi-final

Darius MOVILEANU Romania - Leon BENKO Croatia 4-1 (7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5)

Flavien COTON France - Andrei ISTRATE Romania 4-1 (10-12, 11-7, 12-10, 11-2, 11-7)