European Youth Championships | 19 Jul 2024
BERZOSA and MATIUNINA Clinch Gold in Under 19 Mixed Doubles
Photo: Manfred SCHILLINGS
Daniel BERZOSA of Spain and Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine are the newly crowned champions in the Under 19 Mixed Doubles event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö. This victory marks the eighth gold for Spain and the 11th for Ukraine.
In the final, they overcame the Polish pairings Marcel BLASZCZYK and Zuzanna WIELGOS. Bronze medals were awarded to two French pairs: Celian BESNIER and Clea DE STOPPELEIRE, as well as Flavien COTON and Leana HOCHART.
In the final, BERZOSA and MATIUNINA dominated with speed and precision, leaving their adversaries without many options.
MATIUNINA remarked, “It feels unbelievable. In the first match, we almost lost; we came back from 0:2, and the deciding set was 11-9, so it was a very difficult match. And after that, we also had some troubles. In the last two matches, we won 3:0, 3:0, so we were really good today.”
BERZOSA added, “I don’t know what to say really, European Champions… I think the most difficult match mentally was in the quarterfinals because we fought for the gold against ISTRATE and ARLIA. After that, we played without pressure. Unbelievable.”
Under 19 - Final
Daniel BERZOSA (Spain), Veronika MATIUNINA (Ukraine) - Marcel BLASZCZYK, Zuzanna WIELGOS (Poland) 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-3)
Photo: Manfred SCHILLINGS
Daniel BERZOSA and Veronika MATIUNINA needed only three games to book their place in the final. Celian BESNIER and Clea de STOPPELEIRE of France, seeded just one position below the Spanish-Ukrainian duo at No. 8, couldn't halt their progress.
“We played a good match and followed our tactics perfectly. We were relaxed and played without pressure,” said BERZOSA. “I started playing with Veronika this season, and it’s fun to play with her.”
Photo: Manfred SCHILLINGS
Top seeds Marcel BLASZCZYK and Zuzanna WIELGOS faced a spirited challenge from Flavien COTON and Leana HOCHART of France. The French pair won the opening game and pushed the Polish players to the limit in the next two games, but the favorites prevailed.
“We are in the final for the first time. Last year we came third, so we are very happy,” said WIELGOS.
Mixed doubles Under 19 semi final
Celian BESNIER, Clea DE STOPPELEIRE (France) – Daniel BERZOSA (Spain), Veronika MATIUNINA (Ukraine) 0-3 (8-11, 5-11, 7-11)
Marcel BLASZCZYK, Zuzanna WIELGOS (Poland) – Flavien COTON, Leana HOCHART (France) (6-11, 15-13, 12-10, 11-7)
