European Youth Championships | 15 Jul 2024

Slovakia Beat the Odds and Reach the Medal Rostrum in Under 19 Boys Teams Event

Slovakia created the biggest upset of the Under 19 Boys teams event at the European Youth Championships. Led by no. 10 seed in singles, Samuel ARPAS, Slovakia secured a medal after pushing themselves forward from Level 2 of the competition. Slovakia was placed at position no. 17 at the start of the Championships.

Leon BENKO gave Croatia a dream start with a victory over Samuel PALUSEK in the opening duel of the match against Slovakia. However, ARPAS changed the course of the match and, with a victory over Borna PETEK, started a row of victories. Damian FLORO beat Ivan HENCL, before ARPAS beat BENKO again.

In the semifinal later today, they will meet last year's bronze medalists and no. 3 seeds, Germany. In a match that was much closer than the 3-0 result suggests, Andre BERTELSMEIER, Wim VERDONSCHOT, and Manuel PROHASKA beat Giacomo ALLEGRANZA, Federico VALLINO, and Giacomo IZZO. All three matches were extended to the full distance.

In the top half of the draw, titleholders Romania overcame Poland 3-1. Mateusz ZALEWSKI won the only point for Poland, beating Darius MOVILEANU before Iulian CHIRITA leveled the match with a victory over Dawid MICHNA. CHIRITA secured his second win with a 3-1 victory over ZALEWSKI.

Last year's bronze medalists France equaled their previous result. In the quarters, they overcame Hungary 3-1. Flavien COTON won both his matches against Balazs LEI and David SZANTOSI. Nathan LAM lost to LEI, but Antoine Jean Christian NOIRAULT overcame Botond Zoltan VARGA.