European Youth Championships | 16 Jul 2024

France Clinched Gold Medal in Under 19 Girls Team Event after Thrilling Clash against Romania

France clinched the gold medal in the Under 19 Girls Team event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö. This victory marks their 25th overall title in the history of the EYC. On their way to the top of the medal rostrum, they halted the title defenders, Romania, after a grueling five-match encounter. Bronze medals were secured by Poland and Germany.

Both finalists experienced a generational change and had rejuvenated teams. Nina GUO ZHENG and Leana HOCHART led France to silver in the Under 15 category last year in Poland, while Romania had only one member of the gold-winning Under 19 team, Bianca MEI ROSU.

In the opening match of the final, Bianca MEI ROSU justified her status by defeating Nina GUO ZHENG. After being down 1-2, Bianca won the next two games 14-12 and 12-10. The match then entered a different pace as Leana HOCHART and Clea DE STOPPELEIRE won their duels against Alesia Sofia SFERLEA and Andrea TEGLAS in straight games. MEI ROSU, in another long-distance encounter, overcame HOCHART once again after being down 1-2. Throughout the entire team's event, MEI ROSU did not suffer a single defeat.

However, her effort saved her record but could not stop France. Eventually, Nina GUO ZHENG overcame Alesia 3-0.

"Last year in the final of the Under 15 event, we lost against Germany 2-3. In addition, I played the decisive match against Josephina NEUMANN and lost two games 13-11, 11-9. I was really nervous. I think I lost it because I was stressed and felt enormous pressure. Here we are now in another final, and I entered the game at 2-2. However, this time I was wiser and learned from my mistakes. All this stress looks different now, and it's something I can work on," said GUO ZHENG.

Before defeating Romania, France overcame Poland, Spain, and Belgium, with all duels concluding in straight matches.

"Before the final, our toughest challenge was the encounter in the group stage against Czechia. We were also forced to go the full distance, and then Leana HOCHART played the decisive match that concluded in the decisive game with 11-9," added GUO ZHENG

Elise PUJOL was also part of Team France, while Romania included Evelyn UNGVARI.

The bronze medalists from Poland were Zuzanna WIELGOS, Anna BRZYSKA, Natalia BOGDANOWICZ, Karolina HOLDA, and Zuzanna PAWELEC. The German team included Lorena MORSCH, Mia GRIESEL, Eireen KALAITZIDOU, Lena GOTTSCHLICH, and Melanie Maxi MERK.

Final Under 19 Girls teams event

Romania – France 2-3

Bianca MEI ROSU - Nina GUO ZHENG 3-2 (12-10, 9-11, 8-11, 14-12, 12-10)

Alesia Sofia SFERLEA - Leana HOCHART 0-3 (7-11, 9-11, 10-12)

Andrea TEGLAS - Clea DE STOPPELEIRE 0-3 (5-11, 4-11, 9-11)

Bianca MEI ROSU - Leana HOCHART 3-2 (3-11, 11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 11-8 )

Alesia Sofia SFERLEA - Nina GUO ZHENG 0-3 (5-11, 4-11, 4-11)