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[Milica Nikolic]

Several leading contenders saw their title hopes ended in the opening knockout round of the Under 19 Singles events at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar. While most of the favourites advanced, both the boys’ and girls’ draws witnessed notable upsets that opened up the competition.

The Under 19 Boys Singles Round of 64 produced a series of surprises, with four of the top ten seeds eliminated.

Top seed Marcel BLASZCZYK of Poland made an impressive start, beating Spain’s Alvaro GIMENO in straight games. Second seed Nathan LAM of France also progressed, although Montenegro’s Stefan RADONJIC provided strong resistance before LAM sealed a five-game victory.

Fourth seed Antoine NOIRAULT of France had to dig dip against Poland’s Mateusz SAKOWICZ. Portugal’s fifth seed Tiago ABIODUN delighted the home crowd with a commanding straight-games win over Israel’s Natanel ABRAMOV, while seventh seed Robert ISTRATE of Romania recovered from losing the opening game to defeat Israel’s Or MAGEN in six.

The biggest upset came when third seed Samuel ARPAS of Slovakia was eliminated by Serafim ORLOV (AIN). After trailing by two games, ARPAS fought back to level the match, but ORLOV regained the initiative to clinch the deciding game 11-9.

Another major surprise followed as sixth seed Balazs LEI of Hungary suffered a straight-games defeat to Croatia’s Deni VALE.

VALE admitted that facing a higher-ranked opponent allowed him to play freely.

“Before the match, I didn’t feel any pressure because he was the sixth seed. I just focused on playing my own game and doing what I normally do. I’m very happy with my performance today. My tactic was to serve to his forehand and be aggressive from the start. If he was able to make the first attack, I knew I would be in trouble because he’s a very powerful player on both sides. That’s why I tried to keep the serve short and make the first attack myself. That worked well today.

“I just want to take it one match at a time. Every player at this stage knows how to play, so I don’t think about whether I have a good or a bad draw. Everyone is strong, and I just want to focus on the next match.”

Eighth seed Ivan KAHN of the Netherlands also exited the competition after losing in six games to Poland’s Jan MRUGALA, while tenth seed Samuel MICHNA of Poland fell to Sweden’s Peter ALESTEDT in five games.

Nathan PILARD of France advanced comfortably against Belgium’s Matt CLOSSET, Romania’s Robert PODAR defeated Spain’s Dario SALCEDO in five games, and Hungary’s Botond VARGA impressed with a straight-games victory over Austria’s Julian RZIHAUSCHEK.

Among the closest encounters, Scotland’s Kailun YUAN edged Denmark’s Dominykas SAMUOLIS 12-10 in the deciding game, while Poland’s Patryk ZYWORONEK recovered from two games down to defeat Estonia’s Pert LEHTLAAN in another seven-game thriller.

Spain’s Francesc CARRERA also needed the full distance before overcoming Germany’s Noah HERSEL 11-8 in the seventh game. Ukraine’s Nazarii SOLODKYI, Sweden’s Noa DAHLSTROM, Slovakia’s Damian FLORO and Serbia’s Uros NINKOVIC were among the other players to secure places in the Round of 32.

The Under 19 Girls Singles draw was considerably kinder to the favourites, although it still produced one major upset.

The biggest shock came when Poland’s Matylda HADRYS eliminated eighth seed Maria BERZOSA of Spain in emphatic fashion. HADRYS dominated the encounter from start to finish, recording a convincing 11-6, 11-2, 11-6, 11-8 victory.

Top seed Nina GUO ZHENG of France recovered after dropping the opening game against Poland’s Zofia SLIWKA before prevailing in six games. Third seed Leana HOCHART of France advanced comfortably in straight games, while fourth seed Julia LEAL delighted the home supporters with a commanding victory over Austria’s Mariia LYTVYN.

Fifth seed Karolina HOLDA of Poland and sixth seed Veronika POLAKOVA of Czechia also advanced without dropping a game. Seventh seed Natalia BOGDANOWICZ of Poland progressed against Bulgaria’s Sidelya MUTLU.

Ninth seed Alesia Sofia SFERLEA of Romania survived one of the most dramatic matches of the day, edging Denmark’s Maja HANSEN in seven games after recovering from an early deficit.

Tenth seed Lilou MASSART of Belgium enjoyed a comfortable straight-games victory over Romania’s Andreea BAIASU, while 11th seed Nina SKERBINZ of Austria fought back from 2-1 down to eliminate Sweden’s Gabriela AALTONEN in six games.

France’s Alexia NODIN, Germany’s Lisa-Sophie WANG, Israel’s Elinor DAVIDOV, Hungary’s Judit NAGY, Luxembourg’s Enisa SADIKOVIC, Hungary’s Rebeka NAGY, Eseniia SHIROKOVA (AIN), Uliana TIMASHEVA (AIN), Poland’s Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA and Zlata TEREKHOVA (AIN) also advanced to the Round of 32.

The post Upsets Shake Under 19 Singles Draw as Top Contenders Progress in Gondomar first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Antoine NOIRAULT and Leana HOCHART of France claimed the Under 19 Mixed Doubles title at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar, defeating Romania’s Robert ISTRATE and Bianca MEI ROSU 3-1 in a high-quality final. Bronze medals were awarded to France’s Nathan LAM and Jade HUYNH, and Portugal’s Tiago ABIODUN and Mariana SANTA COMBA.

The final lived up to expectations, with three of the four games decided by the narrowest of margins. After edging a tense opening game 13-11, the French pair responded to dropping the second by taking both the third and fourth games 12-10 to seal the title.

NOIRAULT and HOCHART had booked their place in the final with a commanding straight-games victory over teammates Nathan LAM and Jade HUYNH. Although the scoreline looked one-sided, NOIRAULT explained that facing fellow French players brought its own challenges.

“It was a difficult match because we were playing against another French pair, and it’s never easy in that situation. But I think we prepared really well together and played a very good match. We had a clear strategy, we stuck to it throughout, and it worked really well for us. We’re very happy with this victory, and now our goal is to win the title. We’re delighted to keep our run going and have the chance to fight for gold.”

The Romanian finalists reached the title match after overcoming Portugal’s Tiago ABIODUN and Mariana SANTA COMBA in a gripping five-game semi-final, using a well-prepared tactical plan to neutralise the home favourites.

MEI ROSU explained that varying the rhythm was central to their success.

“We knew before the match that it was going to be very tough because we know our opponents well. Tiago is a very strong player, so before the match we discussed our tactics and stuck to the plan throughout. The main idea was to change the rhythm, especially against Tiago. We also wanted to keep the rallies short and keep the ball close to the table, because he likes to stay well behind it. That was our game plan, and it worked well.”

The partnership of ISTRATE and MEI ROSU has been playing together for around three years, but Gondomar marked their first European Youth Championships as a pair, and already their best result.

ISTRATE highlighted the importance of executing their tactical approach.

“The key was to keep the ball short and make sure we were the ones starting the rallies, not our opponents. We knew we were facing two very strong players. If they were able to attack first, it would have been very difficult for us. I think we followed our plan well and that made the difference.”

Final

• Antoine NOIRAULT, Leana HOCHART (France) – Robert ISTRATE, Bianca MEI ROSU (Romania) 3-1 (13-11, 4-11, 12-10, 12-10)

Semi-finals

• Antoine NOIRAULT, Leana HOCHART (France) – Nathan LAM, Jade HUYNH (France) 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-6)
• Robert ISTRATE, Bianca MEI ROSU (Romania) – Tiago ABIODUN, Mariana SANTA COMBA (Portugal) 3-2 (11-5, 11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7)

The post NOIRAULT and HOCHART Capture Under 19 Mixed Doubles Crown first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Ladimir MAYOROV of Spain and Aleksandra NAWROCKA of Poland captured the Under 15 Mixed Doubles title at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar, overcoming Türkiye’s Görkem OCAL and Ela Su YONTER 3-1 in the final. Bronze medals went to Artem SAVELEV and Daria KHARLOVA (AIN), and Sweden’s Emil ELLERMANN and Siri BENJEGARD.

After dropping the opening game, MAYOROV and NAWROCKA took control of the match, winning the next three games to seal the title 4-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5.

The champions had already shown their resilience in the semi-finals, where they twice came from behind to defeat Sweden’s ELLERMANN and BENJEGARD in a thrilling five-game encounter. Their opponents in the final, OCAL and YONTER, reached the title match by defeating SAVELEV and KHARLOVA in four games.

For NAWROCKA, the victory crowned a memorable tournament.

“I feel very good and I’m really happy to play mixed doubles with Ladimir. We complement each other very well and I feel very comfortable playing with him. This is also my first medal and my first final at a European Championships.”

MAYOROV, who reached his second Under 15 final in Gondomar after winning silver in boys’ doubles last year, highlighted the strength of their partnership.

“I feel very good after reaching my second Under 15 final. I really enjoy playing with my Polish partner. She is left-handed, which suits my playing style very well, and we complement each other really well. We knew we would face the Turkish pair in the final, and we were determined to give everything to win.”

Despite missing out on the title, OCAL remained positive after the semi-final victory that secured Türkiye a place in the final.

“We didn’t play our best today, but we’re very happy to have won. We knew the final would be difficult and that we would have to play much better. This was also the first time we had faced the AIN pair, and although they are a good team, we managed to do enough to reach the final.”

Final

• Görkem OCAL, Ela Su YONTER (Türkiye) – Ladimir MAYOROV, Aleksandra NAWROCKA (Spain, Poland) 1-3 (11-4, 5-11, 6-11, 5-11)

Semi-finals

• Görkem OCAL, Ela Su YONTER (Türkiye) – Artem SAVELEV, Daria KHARLOVA (AIN) 3-1 (11-7, 15-13, 8-11, 11-8)
• Ladimir MAYOROV, Aleksandra NAWROCKA (Spain, Poland) – Emil ELLERMANN, Siri BENJEGARD (Sweden) 3-2 (9-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-3, 11-7)

The post MAYOROV and NAWROCKA Claim Under 15 Mixed Doubles Crown first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The draw for Stage 1 of the 2026/27 HYLO ETTU Champions League Men was conducted today at the Multiusos venue in Gondomar during the European Youth Championships.

Sixteen clubs were drawn into four groups, with Stage 1 set to take place from 28 to 30 August 2026 in Lille, France.

The top two teams from each group will advance to Stage 2 of the HYLO ETTU Champions League Men, where they will face the eight highest-seeded clubs already qualified for the Round of 16. The Round of 16 and quarter-finals will be played in a home-and-away knockout format, with the winners progressing to the Final 4. The third- and fourth-placed teams from each Stage 1 group will continue in Stage 2 of the ETTU Europe Cup.

The post Stage 1 Draw for the HYLO ETTU Champions League Men first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The draw for Stage 1 of the 2026/27 ETTU Champions League Women was conducted today during the European Youth Championships in Gondomar.

Stage 1 will take place from 28 to 30 August 2026 in Budaörs, Hungary, where 8 clubs will compete in two groups in a single round-robin format.

The two winners of those qualification matches will secure places in Stage 2 of the Champions League, joining the six clubs already directly qualified. All remaining teams will continue in the Europe Cup Stage 2.

The post Stage 1 Draw for the ETTU Champions League Women first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Under 15 Girls Doubles event at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar has reached the semi-final stage, with four pairs guaranteeing themselves at least bronze medals.

AIN’s Amina ILIMBETOVA and Varvara TOLMACHEVA recovered from dropping the opening game to defeat Germany’s Amelie Guzi JIA and Anna WALTER in four games. After a closely contested start, the AIN duo took control of the match to book their place in the last four.

Poland’s Lucja KOBOSZ and Aleksandra NAWROCKA also came through in four games against Zsófia FEGYVER of Hungary and Kariss SERBAN of Romania. Following a tight opening game, the Polish pair settled into their rhythm to secure a semi-final berth.

Germany will also be represented in the medal rounds thanks to Chenhao CHEN and Lotta ROTHFUSS, who overturned a first-game deficit to overcome Switzerland’s Enya HU and Michelle WU in four games.

France’s Eva LAM and Albane ROCHUT completed the semi-final line-up with the only straight-games victory of the quarter-finals. They edged a dramatic opening game before taking full control against Adela BRHELOVA and Laura MARSICKOVA of Czechia.

Under 15 Girls Doubles – Quarter-finals

• Amina ILIMBETOVA, Varvara TOLMACHEVA (AIN) – Amelie Guzi JIA, Anna WALTER (Germany) 3-1 (9-11, 11-1, 11-3, 11-2)
• Lucja KOBOSZ, Aleksandra NAWROCKA (Poland) – Zsófia FEGYVER (Hungary), Kariss SERBAN (Romania) 13-1 (12-14, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7)
• Chenhao CHEN, Lotta ROTHFUSS (Germany) – Enya HU, Michelle WU (Switzerland) 3-1 (4-11, 11-3, 11-6, 13-11)
• Eva LAM, Albane ROCHUT (France) – Adela BRHELOVA, Laura MARSICKOVA (Czechia) 3-0 (14-12, 11-8, 11-2)

The post Semi-final Line-up Confirmed in Under 15 Girls Doubles first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The battle for the Under 15 Boys Doubles title narrowed to four pairings at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar, with the quarter-finals deciding this year’s medal winners.

Onur GULUZADE of Azerbaijan and Gorkem OCAL of Türkiye survived one of the closest encounters of the round, overcoming Ondrej MORAVEK and Oliver OLEJNIK of Czechia in four tightly contested games. After surrendering the opener, they responded by edging each of the remaining games to seal victory.

Louis FEGERL of Austria and Ladimir MAYOROV of Spain produced the most convincing performance of the quarter-finals, defeating Hubert KWIECINSKI and Jakub TURECKI of Poland in straight games. The second game proved the biggest challenge, but the Austrian-Spanish combination maintained control throughout the contest.

Germany’s Tien Nghia PHONG and Lukas WANG also advanced with a four-game victory over Roger QUESADA of Spain and David TORO of Romania. After building a two-game advantage, they saw their adversaries reduce the deficit before closing out the match in a tense fourth game.

The final semi-final berth was decided in dramatic fashion as Emil ELLERMANN of Sweden and Peadar SHERIDAN of Ireland completed a remarkable comeback against Marcos GOMEZ and Alexander MALOV of Spain. Trailing by two games, they fought their way back to force a decider and eventually prevailed by the narrowest of margins.

Under 15 Boys Doubles – Quarter-finals

• Onur GULUZADE (Azerbaijan), Gorkem OCAL (Türkiye) – Ondrej MORAVEK, Oliver OLEJNIK (Czechia) 3-1 (10-12, 13-11, 11-9, 12-10)
• Louis FEGERL (Austria), Ladimir MAYOROV (Spain) – Hubert KWIECINSKI, Jakub TURECKI (Poland) 3-0 (11-6, 13-11, 11-8)
• Tien Nghia PHONG, Lukas WANG (Germany) – Roger QUESADA (Spain), David TORO (Romania) 3-1 (11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 12-10)
• Emil ELLERMANN (Sweden), Peadar SHERIDAN (Ireland) – Marcos GOMEZ, Alexander MALOV (Spain) 3-2 (10-12, 11-13, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10)

The post Last Four Confirmed in Under 15 Boys Doubles first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Under 19 Girls Doubles Event at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar reached the medal stage, with four pairs advancing to the semi-finals and securing at least bronze medals.

France enjoyed a perfect quarter-final session, placing both of its partnerships in the last four. Nina GUO ZHENG and Leana HOCHART produced a commanding display to defeat Germany’s Koharu ITAGAKI and Lisa-Sophie WANG in straight games. Although the second game proved competitive, the French pair maintained control to seal their place in the semi-finals.

Their teammates Jade HUYNH and Alexia NODIN had to work considerably harder before overcoming Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania and Maria BERZOSA of Spain in a gripping five-game encounter. After a challenging opening game, the French pair regrouped and gradually turned the momentum in their favour.

“Reaching the semi-finals was a huge goal for us because of how difficult our part of the draw was,” explained NODIN. “The start was terrible, we lost the first game 11-2 and we weren’t really into the match. But after that we found our rhythm, especially against the defender. We managed to make our opponents doubt themselves, while we stayed confident, even in the deciding game. We’re very happy to have secured a medal.”

The closest contest outside the French victory saw Aleksandra BOKOVA and Anastasiia IVANOVA (AIN) edge past Portugal’s Julia LEAL and Mariana SANTA COMBA in five games. The momentum shifted repeatedly before the AIN combination prevailed in the decider to keep their title ambitions alive.

Poland’s Natalia BOGDANOWICZ and Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA completed the semi-final line-up with a convincing straight-games victory over Eseniia SHIROKOVA and Zlata TEREKHOVA (AIN), controlling the match from start to finish.

Under 19 Girls Doubles – Quarter-finals

• Nina GUO ZHENG, Leana HOCHART (France) – Koharu ITAGAKI, Lisa-Sophie WANG (Germany) 3-0 (11-3, 13-11, 11-6)
• Aleksandra BOKOVA, Anastasiia IVANOVA (AIN) – Julia LEAL, Mariana SANTA COMBA (Portugal) 3-2 (11-4, 7-11, 14-12, 8-11, 11-8)
• Natalia BOGDANOWICZ, Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA (Poland) – Eseniia SHIROKOVA, Zlata TEREKHOVA (AIN) 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-6)
• Jade HUYNH, Alexia NODIN (France) – Bianca MEI ROSU (Romania), Maria BERZOSA (Spain) 3-2 (2-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-8)

The post France Places Two Pairs in Under 19 Girls Doubles Semi-finals first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

France will have two pairs competing for places in the Under 19 Boys Doubles final after an eventful quarter-final session at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar. Alongside the French combinations, Sweden and the Austrian-Bulgarian pairing also secured their places in the last four, guaranteeing themselves at least bronze medals.

Nathan LAM and Antoine NOIRAULT overcame Francesc CARRERA and Luca KHIDASHELI of Spain in four games. After edging a marathon opening game, the French pair recovered quickly from dropping the second to take control of the contest and advance.

Sweden’s Noa DAHLSTROM and Adam WALLIN also progressed in four games, defeating Croatia’s Gabriel MARJANOVIC and Andrej MRKIC. The Swedish duo dominated the opening two games, briefly saw their opponents extend the contest, but regained control to close out the match.

“We hadn’t played any tournaments together before this one, so we didn’t really have any expectations,” said WALLIN. “But we trained together in China before coming here and quickly realised we had good chemistry. Today the key was to keep moving. Earlier in the tournament we were standing too still, but this time my backhand flick created many chances for my partner to attack with his forehand. Tomorrow we’ll simply do our best and hopefully win.”

Julian RZIHAUSCHEK of Austria and Yoan VELICHKOV of Bulgaria continued their impressive run with a four-game victory over Italy’s Francesco TREVISAN and Danilo FASO, recovering well after losing the second game to secure a medal.

The most dramatic encounter of the round came in the all-French-Romanian clash, where Nathan DOUSSINET and Nathan PILARD fought back from two games down to defeat Robert ISTRATE and Robert PODAR of Romania in five games. After losing the opening two games, the French pair steadily turned the momentum in their favour before sealing victory in a tense deciding game.

Under 19 Boys Doubles – Quarter-finals

• Nathan LAM, Antoine NOIRAULT (France) – Francesc CARRERA, Luca KHIDASHELI (Spain) 3-1 (18-16, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6)
• Noa DAHLSTROM, Adam WALLIN (Sweden) – Gabriel MARJANOVIC, Andrej MRKIC (Croatia) 3-1 (11-7, 11-2, 11-13, 11-6)
• Julian RZIHAUSCHEK (Austria), Yoan VELICHKOV (Bulgaria) – Francesco TREVISAN, Danilo FASO (Italy) 3-1 (11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6)
• Nathan DOUSSINET, Nathan PILARD (France) – Robert ISTRATE, Robert PODAR (Romania) 3-2 (10-12, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9)

The post France Claims Two Semi-final Places as Sweden and Austria–Bulgaria Join Last Four first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Sweden’s Siri BENJEGARD and AIN players Amina ILIMBETOVA, Alisa USMANOVA and Varvara TOLMACHEVA secured their places in the semi-finals of the Under 15 Girls Singles event at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar, guaranteeing themselves at least bronze medals.

BENJEGARD ended France’s hopes in the opening quarter-final, overcoming Albane ROCHUT in five games. After racing into a two-game lead, the Swede briefly lost momentum before reasserting control to book her place in the last four.

“The key to the victory was having a very good tactical plan before the match, and I managed to execute it really well,” explained BENJEGARD. “I’ve played against her many times, so I knew what to expect. I focused on sticking to the tactics and fighting for every point. The main idea was to keep the ball short, take the first attack whenever I could and use a lot of variation with my serve. I think that made the difference.”

ILIMBETOVA produced the most convincing performance of the round, defeating France’s Lisa ZHAO in straight games. Never allowing her opponent to establish any rhythm, she dictated play from the opening point to reach the semi-finals without dropping a game.

“It was a very difficult match because my opponent was very strong, but I felt comfortable throughout and I’m happy with the way I played,” said ILIMBETOVA.

The closest encounter of the day came in the all-AIN clash between USMANOVA and Daria KHARLOVA. After building a 3-1 lead, USMANOVA saw her opponent fight back to level the match before producing a composed display in the deciding game to prevail after seven games.

In the remaining quarter-final, TOLMACHEVA overcame Lucja KOBOSZ of Poland in six games. The AIN player recovered from losing the second game and held her nerve in a closely contested sixth to complete the semi-final line-up.

Under 15 Girls Singles Quarter-finals

• Siri BENJEGARD (Sweden) – Albane ROCHUT (France) 4-1 (11-8, 11-3, 10-12, 11-4, 11-6)
• Amina ILIMBETOVA (AIN) – Lisa ZHAO (France) 4-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9)
• Alisa USMANOVA (AIN) – Daria KHARLOVA (AIN) 4-3 (7-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-4, 15-17, 9-11, 11-3)
• Varvara TOLMACHEVA (AIN) – Lucja KOBOSZ (Poland) 4-2 (11-3, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9)

The post BENJEGARD Leads Under 15 Girls Singles Semi-final Line-up first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Under 15 Boys Singles event at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar has its four medallists. Gorkem OCAL of Türkiye, Ladimir MAYOROV of Spain, Emil ELLERMANN of Sweden and Volodymyr NEVIZHYN of Ukraine all secured their places in the semi-finals and with it guaranteed at least bronze medals.

Top seed OCAL produced another commanding display, defeating Poland’s Hubert KWIECINSKI in straight games. The Turkish player controlled the rallies from the outset and never allowed his opponent to find a way back into the contest.

Spain’s MAYOROV was equally convincing against Germany’s Tien Nghia PHONG, completing a 4-0 victory. Only the fourth game proved closely contested, but the Spaniard held his nerve to finish the match in four.

“I’m very happy to have won another medal, especially because it is my first one in singles,” said MAYOROV. “Tomorrow, I hope to do my best, compete as I have done so far and give everything I can in every match.

“I don’t want to think too much about the medals or the possibility of winning three golds. I have to focus on my game, take it one match at a time and do the things that are under my control well. The most important thing is to stay focused. I hope to play at the same level as today, give my best and fight for every point until the end.”

Sweden’s ELLERMANN had to recover after dropping the opening game against Nazar BAKIROV of AIN. Once level, however, he took control of the match, winning the next three games comfortably to book his place in the last four.

The final semi-final berth went to NEVIZHYN, who ended the hopes of Portugal’s Rodrigo ANDRADE with a straight-games victory. Although the scoreline suggested a comfortable success, the opening game proved crucial, with the Ukrainian edging it 14-12 before maintaining the momentum for the remainder of the match.

“The most important part of my game today was my serve and receive,” explained NEVIZHYN. “I played Rodrigo about three years ago and it was a very tough match that I won 3-2. Since then we have both improved a lot, so I knew this would be difficult again. You can never predict who will win matches like this, but today I think I was the better player.”

Under 15 Boys Singles Quarter-finals

• Gorkem OCAL (Türkiye) – Hubert KWIECINSKI (Poland) 4-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7)
• Ladimir MAYOROV (Spain) – Tien Nghia PHONG (Germany) 4-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10)
• Emil ELLERMANN (Sweden) – Nazar BAKIROV (AIN) 4-1 (11-13, 11-8, 11-2, 11-8)
• Volodymyr NEVIZHYN (Ukraine) – Rodrigo ANDRADE (Portugal) 4-0 (14-12, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6)

The post OCAL, MAYOROV, ELLERMANN and NEVIZHYN Reach Under 15 Boys Singles Semi-finals first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Nina GUO ZHENG and Alexia NODIN of France, together with Zlata TEREKHOVA and Aleksandra BOKOVA of AIN, booked their places in the semi-finals of the Under 19 Girls Singles event at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar.

GUO ZHENG overcame Eseniia SHIROKOVA of AIN in five games, winning 4-1 (11-8, 11-4, 15-13, 9-11, 11-5). The French player controlled much of the contest, with the third game proving particularly important as she edged it 15-13 before closing out the match.

Having lost 3-0 to SHIROKOVA when they met in Tunis in February, GUO ZHENG produced a much more effective tactical performance this time.

“I played against her in February in Tunis and lost 3-0. I really had no chance because she was too fast and took the ball very early, almost on top of the table. This time I knew I had to change the rhythm because she likes to play at the same pace and attack every ball. I tried to add more spin and variation instead of giving her the same tempo, and I think that made the difference,” said GUO ZHENG.

TEREKHOVA also recovered from losing the opening game to defeat France’s Leana HOCHART 4-1 (9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5).

“I prepared very seriously for this match because my adversary was not an easy one. She is a French player, and France is one of the strongest countries here. In fact, there are so many strong players at this tournament – every country has a very high level,” said TEREKHOVA.

“From my very first match, I was afraid of losing to anyone because this is my first European Championships, so I approached every match with great responsibility.

“I am very happy that we were given the opportunity to compete at the European Championships. We had been waiting for this for a very long time and preparing for it, so I fought for every single point. No matter what happened, I wanted to give absolutely everything because I had been working towards competing at an international event like this for about five years.”

NODIN secured her place in the last four with a 4-1 (12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7) victory over Poland’s Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA.

BOKOVA completed the semi-final line-up after edging defending champion Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania in a dramatic seven-game encounter. She prevailed 4-3 (11-9, 11-5, 4-11, 11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 12-10), surviving a spirited comeback from the Romanian before sealing victory in the deciding game.

Under 19 Girls Singles Quarter-finals

Nina GUO ZHENG (France) – Eseniia SHIROKOVA (AIN) 4-1 (11-8, 11-4, 15-13, 9-11, 11-5)

Alexia NODIN (France) – Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA (Poland) 4-1 (12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7)

Zlata TEREKHOVA (AIN) – Leana HOCHART (France) 4-1 (9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5)

Aleksandra BOKOVA (AIN) – Bianca MEI ROSU (Romania) 4-3 (11-9, 11-5, 4-11, 11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 12-10)

The post GUO ZHENG, NODIN, TEREKHOVA and BOKOVA Secured the medals in Under 19 Girls Singles Event first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Nathan PILARD of France, Yoan VELICHKOV of Bulgaria, Danilo FASO of Italy and Aleksei SAMOKHIN of AIN secured their places in the semi-finals of the Under 19 Boys Singles event at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar.

PILARD produced one of the most convincing performances of the round, defeating Sweden’s Noa DAHLSTROM 4-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7) to guarantee himself a medal.

The French player admitted he had not expected to reach the last four but credited his energy and confidence for carrying him through.

“Honestly, it was an exceptional match. I never expected to get this far, but I managed to put together a good run to reach this stage. I had a match that gave me a real chance to fight for a medal. After winning my doubles quarter-final, I managed to recover all the energy I had spent there, and I think that was the key. I came into this quarter-final full of energy and determination.”

On the tactical side, PILARD kept his approach simple.

“The most important thing was to stay relaxed and have confidence in my game. I trusted my shots, let myself play freely and didn’t hold back. I was able to play the way I like, with a lot of freedom and confidence, and I think that’s what made the difference and helped me reach the semi-finals.”

Italy’s FASO also advanced with a 4-1 (11-8, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-2) victory over Poland’s Patryk ZYWORONEK. Although the scoreline looked comfortable, the Italian admitted fatigue had become a major factor after a demanding week of competition.

“I’m very happy with this match. I was really, really tired after such a long competition. I had played a lot of matches in the team event, as well as doubles, so physically it wasn’t easy. After the first game, though, I settled into my rhythm. I built up the lead step by step and eventually won 4-1. It wasn’t an easy match, but I’m very happy to have won another medal at this competition.”

His tactical focus was equally straightforward.

“I was mainly focused on myself. I knew I had to keep my legs moving because that was the key. I tried to use my whole body in every shot and stay active throughout the match. I think that made the difference.”

VELICHKOV joined them in the semi-finals after defeating Hungary’s Botond VARGA 4-1 (11-9, 11-6, 12-14, 11-8, 11-4), while SAMOKHIN recovered from dropping the opening game to beat Romania’s Robert ISTRATE 4-1 (7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 14-12, 11-3), sealing victory after edging a crucial fourth game 14-12.

Under 19 Boys Singles Quarter-finals

• Nathan PILARD (France) – Noa DAHLSTROM (Sweden) 4-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7)
• Yoan VELICHKOV (Bulgaria) – Botond VARGA (Hungary) 4-1 (11-9, 11-6, 12-14, 11-8, 11-4)
• Danilo FASO (Italy) – Patryk ZYWORONEK (Poland) 4-1 (11-8, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-2)
• Aleksei SAMOKHIN (AIN) – Robert ISTRATE (Romania) 4-1 (7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 14-12, 11-3)

The post PILARD, VELICHKOV, FASO and SAMOKHIN Reach Under 19 Boys Singles Semi-finals first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Amina ILIMBETOVA and Varvara TOLMACHEVA (AIN) completed a memorable run to the Under 15 Girls Doubles title at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar, defeating Germany’s Chenhao CHEN and Lotta ROTHFUSS in straight games in the final. The bronze medals were won by Poland’s Lucja KOBOSZ and Aleksandra NAWROCKA, and France’s Eva LAM and Albane ROCHUT.

Seeded No. 14, ILIMBETOVA and TOLMACHEVA continued their outstanding run by defeating the German pairing 11-9, 11-5, 11-5. After edging a closely contested opening game, the AIN duo took complete control of the match.

ILIMBETOVA credited the team’s mentality as the decisive factor behind their triumph.

“Every match is difficult, so we prepared carefully for each one. A lot depends on your mindset before the match, and today we were mentally ready. I think that was the key to our 3-0 victory.”

The champions had already underlined their title credentials in the semi-finals by eliminating third seeds Lucja KOBOSZ and Aleksandra NAWROCKA of Poland in straight games, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6. Although the scoreline suggested a comfortable victory, both players stressed that the match had been anything but easy.

TOLMACHEVA explained that careful preparation had made the difference.

“Our adversaries were very strong, so we prepared carefully for this match. In the end we won 3-0, but that doesn’t mean it was easy. We knew we had to be fully focused from the very beginning, and everything came together for us today.”

ILIMBETOVA praised both her opponents and her partner after securing a place in the final.

“It was a very difficult match, but we managed to prove we were the stronger doubles pair. Our adversaries kept fighting until the very end and never gave up, but we stayed composed and managed to get the win.”

The second semi-final also ended in straight games as CHEN and ROTHFUSS produced another outstanding performance to defeat eighth seeds Eva LAM and Albane ROCHUT of France 14-12, 11-8, 11-5 and book their place in the title match.

CHEN revealed that the German pair had entered the match determined to play freely.

“We were very motivated for this match and wanted to give our best. We went into it without any fear, just focused on playing our game and not overthinking things. We fought for every point, and in the end everything worked out for us.”

ROTHFUSS admitted she had not expected such a convincing victory.

“We didn’t expect to win as comfortably as we did. Our focus was simply to put every ball on the table, stay consistent and keep the pressure on our opponents. It worked really well, and we’re very happy with the result.”

Final

• Amina ILIMBETOVA, Varvara TOLMACHEVA (AIN) – Chenhao CHEN, Lotta ROTHFUSS (Germany) 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-5)

Semi-finals

• Amina ILIMBETOVA, Varvara TOLMACHEVA (AIN) – Lucja KOBOSZ, Aleksandra NAWROCKA (Poland) 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-6)
• Chenhao CHEN, Lotta ROTHFUSS (Germany) – Eva LAM, Albane ROCHUT (France) 3-0 (14-12, 11-8, 11-5)

The post ILIMBETOVA and TOLMACHEVA Crowned Under 15 Girls Doubles Champions first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Louis FEGERL of Austria and Ladimir MAYOROV of Spain captured the Under 15 Boys Doubles title at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar after overcoming Germany’s Tien Nghia PHONG and Lukas WANG in a thrilling five-game final. The bronze medals went to Onur GULUZADE of Azerbaijan and Gorkem OCAL of Türkiye, together with Sweden’s Emil ELLERMANN and Ireland’s Peadar SHERIDAN.

The fourth seeds prevailed 3-2 (11-7, 12-14, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8) in a final that featured several momentum swings before the Austrian-Spanish pairing held their nerve in the deciding game to complete an impressive championship.

For FEGERL, the victory was especially satisfying after last year’s disappointment.

“Last year we also reached the final, but we lost 3-0 and did not play particularly well. This time we knew we were the younger and smaller pair, so the match was always going to be difficult for us. We simply kept fighting, trusted our game and did what we had prepared. We are extremely happy to have won.”

MAYOROV admitted that the title match proved to be their toughest challenge of the tournament.

“I think the final was the most difficult match for us in the whole competition.”

Earlier in the day, FEGERL and MAYOROV had booked their place in the final by ending the run of top seeds Onur GULUZADE of Azerbaijan and Gorkem OCAL of Türkiye, prevailing in a hard-fought five-game contest, 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 3-11, 11-7). After twice seeing their opponents draw level, they regrouped to take the deciding game and secure a place in the gold medal match.

MAYOROV believed the semi-final was worthy of being the tournament’s showpiece encounter.

“I think this semi-final could easily have been the final because of the level of the players and the quality of the match. It was a spectacular contest. I think we played very well as a pair. My partner was outstanding, and I also felt good. Of course, we missed a few balls, but that’s part of the game. The important thing is that we kept fighting, and I hope we can continue to give everything we have. The key to winning the semi-final was staying positive and playing with discipline from the first point to the last.”

The second semi-final saw third seeds PHONG and WANG produce another composed display as they defeated eighth seeds Emil ELLERMANN of Sweden and Peadar SHERIDAN of Ireland in straight games, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6, to reach the final.

PHONG admitted the result exceeded the German pair’s expectations.

“I’m really happy that we won. Reaching the final is a great feeling and, to be honest, a bit of a surprise for us. I think we played a really strong doubles match. From the first day of the tournament we’ve been trying to improve with every match, and today we produced our best performance so far.”

He also credited their mental approach for carrying them through.

“I don’t think the key was just the tactics, it was our mentality. We stayed positive throughout the match and always made sure my partner felt confident and supported. We trusted each other, knew we could both contribute and win points, and I think that made the difference.”

Final

• Louis FEGERL (Austria), Ladimir MAYOROV (Spain) – Tien Nghia PHONG, Lukas WANG (Germany) 3-2 (11-7, 12-14, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8)

Semi Finals

• Louis FEGERL (Austria), Ladimir MAYOROV (Spain) – Onur GULUZADE (Azerbaijan), Gorkem OCAL (Türkiye) 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 3-11, 11-7)
• Tien Nghia PHONG, Lukas WANG (Germany)- Emil ELLERMANN (Sweden), Peadar SHERIDAN (Ireland) 3-0 (11-9, 12-10, 11-6)

The post FEGERL and MAYOROV Fight Their Way to Under 15 Boys Doubles Gold first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Only a year after joining forces, Nathan LAM and Antoine NOIRAULT of France celebrated their first major title together by winning the Under 19 Boys Doubles crown at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar. The French pair overcame Austria’s Julian RZIHAUSCHEK and Bulgaria’s Yoan VELICHKOV 3-1 (15-13, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6) in the final. Sweden’s Noa DAHLSTROM and Adam WALLIN, and France’s Nathan DOUSSINET and Nathan PILARD, completed the podium.

The final began with a dramatic opening game, eventually won by the French pair 15-13. That breakthrough allowed LAM and NOIRAULT to dictate much of the contest, although RZIHAUSCHEK and VELICHKOV fought back by taking the third game before France sealed victory in four.

NOIRAULT reflected on a memorable triumph.

“It was an incredible final. To win the title together is an amazing feeling. A year ago we had never even played together, and now we’re European champions. I’d like to congratulate Nathan and also ourselves because we’ve worked hard for this. We’ve shared so many moments together throughout the season, so to experience this success as a team is really special.

When they came back to make it 2-1, we just tried to forget that game and focus on the next one. We knew it is never easy to close out a European final, so we stayed calm, kept fighting and trusted each other. We have a great team spirit, and in the end it was enough. We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved.”

The eventual champions had been seriously tested in the semi-finals by Sweden’s Noa DAHLSTROM and Adam WALLIN before prevailing 3-2 (11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3). After surrendering the lead, the French pair responded emphatically, dominating the final two games to book their place in the title match.

LAM admitted the opening stages had not gone according to plan.

“We’re very, very happy to have won this match. The beginning wasn’t easy because I felt a bit of pressure, but Antoine gave me a lot of confidence and motivation during the match. We complemented each other really well, and we’re delighted to have reached the final.”

NOIRAULT explained how tactical adjustments changed the momentum.

“It was a very difficult match because our opponents played really well. At the start we weren’t at our best in the short game or when opening the rallies, but as the match went on we made the right tactical adjustments and started making better decisions. That made the difference. It’s another opportunity to play in a doubles final with Nathan and fight for the title, so we’re really happy to be there.”

The second semi-final saw sixth seeds RZIHAUSCHEK and VELICHKOV overcome France’s Nathan DOUSSINET and Nathan PILARD 3-1 (11-7, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9), earning their first appearance together in a European Youth Championships final.

VELICHKOV revealed that thorough preparation had laid the foundations for victory.

“We were expecting a tough match because our adversaries had just come through a 3-2 quarter-final, so we knew they would be full of confidence. But we had a very clear tactical plan and knew exactly what we wanted to do. It was important for us to make a good start and build confidence early in the match, and everything worked really well.”

He also admitted the closing stages required composure.

“The last game became a bit tense. We were leading 8-4, but they came back to 9-9. In the end we decided to take a few risks, and they paid off, so we’re really happy to be in the final.”

Speaking about their long-standing partnership, RZIHAUSCHEK added:

“We’ve been playing together for many years. The first time we partnered each other was in our last Under 15 season, four years ago, when we reached the semi-finals. Last year we also finished with a bronze medal, so this time we wanted to go one step further. We’re very happy that we managed to do that.”

Final

• Nathan LAM, Antoine NOIRAULT (France) – Julian RZIHAUSCHEK (Austria), Yoan VELICHKOV (Bulgaria) 3-1 (15-13, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6)

Semi finals

• Nathan LAM, Antoine NOIRAULT (France) – Noa DAHLSTROM, Adam WALLIN (Sweden) 3-2 (11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3)
• Julian RZIHAUSCHEK (Austria), Yoan VELICHKOV (Bulgaria) – Nathan DOUSSINET, Nathan PILARD (France) 3-1 (11-7, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9)

The post LAM and NOIRAULT Secure Under 19 Boys Doubles Crown first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Top seeds Nina GUO ZHENG and Leana HOCHART of France successfully defended their Under 19 Girls Doubles title at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar, defeating Poland’s Natalia BOGDANOWICZ and Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA in four games. The bronze medals went to AIN’s Aleksandra BOKOVA and Anastasiia IVANOVA, together with France’s Jade HUYNH and Alexia NODIN.

The French pair prevailed 3-1 (15-13, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6) in a high-quality final. After surviving a dramatic opening game, GUO ZHENG and HOCHART quickly took control of the contest before the Polish duo extended the match by claiming the third game. France regained the initiative in the fourth to seal back-to-back European titles.

GUO ZHENG admitted they had expected another close encounter.

“We had played them before and won 3-2, 11-9 in the deciding game, so we knew it was going to be another very difficult match. They’ve been playing together for a long time and have great understanding, so we expected a tough challenge. They were in front for much of the match, but we stayed patient, kept believing in ourselves and, in the end, we’re really happy to have defended our title from last year.”

The champions had earned their place in the final with a straight-games victory over Aleksandra BOKOVA and Anastasiia IVANOVA of AIN, seeded No. 21. Although the scoreboard read 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 12-10), the French pair had to withstand a determined fightback in the third game before completing the win.

GUO ZHENG explained that previous meetings with the AIN pair proved valuable.

“We had already played against this pair before, so we knew what we had to do. Léana had faced one of them previously, which also helped us with our preparation. Tactically, our plan against BOKOVA was to play long to her forehand because we felt she had some difficulties in that area. We managed to execute our game plan well, and we’re very happy with the win.”

She also made the pair’s ambitions clear before the final.

“Now we’re looking forward to the final. We really want to defend the title.”

BOGDANOWICZ and RAJKOWSKA secured the second place in the final by recovering from a difficult opening game to defeat seventh seeds Jade HUYNH and Alexia NODIN of France 3-1. After losing the first game heavily, the Polish pair responded impressively to prevail 2-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-6.

BOGDANOWICZ attributed the turnaround to the work done before stepping to the table.

“I think it was a great match for us. We gave everything we had from the first point to the last. We prepared really well beforehand, watched videos of our opponents and came into the match with a clear tactical plan. I think our preparation was one of the keys to the victory.”

Final

• Nina GUO ZHENG, Leana HOCHART (France) – Natalia BOGDANOWICZ, Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA (Poland) 3-1 (15-13, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6)

Semi finals

• Nina GUO ZHENG, Leana HOCHART (France) – Aleksandra BOKOVA, Anastasiia IVANOVA (AIN) 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 12-10)
• Natalia BOGDANOWICZ, Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA (Poland) – Jade HUYNH, Alexia NODIN (France) 3-1 (1-2, 2-11, 11-8, 11-6)

The post GUO ZHENG and HOCHART Retain Under 19 Girls Doubles Crown first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

A year of development culminated in European gold for Türkiye’s Gorkem OCAL, who delivered a commanding performance to secure the Under 15 Boys Singles title at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar. The top seed overcame Sweden’s Emil ELLERMANN 4-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9) in the final, with Spain’s Ladimir MAYOROV and Ukraine’s Volodymyr NEVIZHYN completing the podium.

Although the final was decided in straight games, every game was competitive, with OCAL producing a mature performance to secure the biggest singles title of his young career.

Reflecting on his triumph, the Turkish player highlighted both his progress over the past year and the challenges he had overcome during the tournament.

“This match was easier than the semi-final. I am so proud of myself. The most challenging moment was actually the Round of 32, when I had to play against my doubles partner. I won that match 4-3, and then the semi-final was also very difficult. Compared with last year’s European Championships in Czechia, I have improved a lot. I have matured in every aspect of my game, both mentally and tactically, and that helped me win the title.”

OCAL had earned his place in the final by producing an impressive comeback against fourth seed Ladimir MAYOROV of Spain. After trailing by two games, he recovered to win 4-2 (6-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-3, 11-9), gradually taking control of a contest between two players who know each other well.

“I’m very happy to have reached the final. I have known MAYOROV for about two years, and we sometimes practise together, so we know each other’s game very well. He played an excellent match today and had a great singles tournament. After I fell 2-0 behind, though, I managed to change the momentum and started playing with much more control, which made the difference.”

OCAL revealed that crucial advice from his father helped him reverse the match.

“At 2-0 down, my father advised me to stop trying to play cross-court so much and start using the parallel more often. I followed that advice, won a lot of important points down the line, and that tactical adjustment helped me turn the match around.”

The second semi-final produced an even more dramatic encounter, with ninth seed Emil ELLERMANN recovering from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Ukraine’s Volodymyr NEVIZHYN 4-3 (11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6).

ELLERMANN admitted his coach’s intervention proved decisive.

“It was a very tough match. I was trailing 3-1 and my adversary had all the momentum. My coach told me that I had to try something different because if I kept playing the same way, he was simply playing better than me and would go on to win.”

The Swedish player explained how a tactical adjustment completely changed the flow of the match.

“That’s when I started using more chop blocks. My adversary prefers fast topspin rallies, and by changing the rhythm with those shots I managed to disrupt his game. That completely changed the momentum, gave me confidence and created the opportunities I needed. After winning two games in a row, I felt the pressure had shifted to him. He became a little more nervous, especially on his serve, and I was able to take advantage of that to complete the comeback.”

Final

• Gorkem OCAL (Türkiye) – Emil ELLERMANN (Sweden) 4-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9)

Semi-finals

• Gorkem OCAL (Türkiye) – Ladimir MAYOROV (Spain) 4-2 (6-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-3, 11-9)
• Emil ELLERMANN (Sweden) – Volodymyr NEVIZHYN (Ukraine) 4-3 (11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6)

The post OCAL Completes Golden Run with Under 15 Boys Singles Title first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

After overcoming the top seed and then one of her most familiar adversaries, Amina ILIMBETOVA emerged as the Under 15 Girls Singles champion at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar. She defeated her AIN teammate Varvara TOLMACHEVA 4-1 (12-10, 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 11-8) in the final, while Sweden’s Siri BENJEGARD and AIN’s Alisa USMANOVA completed the podium.

The final brought together the two AIN representatives after both had impressed in the semi-finals. ILIMBETOVA made a strong start by edging a tight opening game before taking control of the match. Although TOLMACHEVA responded by claiming the third game, ILIMBETOVA quickly regained the initiative to secure the European title.

Reflecting on her success, ILIMBETOVA underlined just how demanding the tournament had been.

“The matches were all very difficult, none of them were easy. Playing the final against Varvara was a great honour. We’ve faced each other many times at home, where we’re the number one and number two players, so our matches are always very close. That’s why I would say this was one of the toughest matches of the entire tournament. Varvara played extremely well, and I’m equally happy for both of us.

The previous match was also very difficult because I was playing against the top seed. I’m pleased that I managed to come through both challenges and win the title.”

ILIMBETOVA booked her place in the final by producing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, defeating top seed Siri BENJEGARD of Sweden 4-1 (12-10, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5). Seeded No. 35, she displayed remarkable composure throughout the contest to overcome the tournament favourite.

“I was playing against the top seed, so of course I felt a little nervous before the match. But that’s something you have to overcome. She’s the top seed, while I’m nowhere near the top of the rankings, so it was definitely a difficult challenge. In the end, though, it came down to character and mentality. Maybe she made a few mistakes, maybe I had a bit of luck at certain moments, but I think matches like this are decided more by psychology than anything else. I’d say it’s 50 per cent mental strength, 25 per cent table tennis, and 25 per cent physical fitness.”

The second semi-final saw No. 23 seed TOLMACHEVA defeat teammate Alisa USMANOVA in straight games, 4-0 (13-11, 11-5, 11-2, 11-8). Despite the scoreline, the match demanded complete concentration from both players, who know each other’s games extremely well.

“Because we’re from the same team, we play against each other quite often at different tournaments. That actually makes these matches very difficult because we know each other’s game so well. Fortunately, I managed to come out on top today. Alisa has a defensive style of play, and I generally feel more comfortable playing against that type of adversary than against an attacking player. I stayed patient, waited for my opportunities, and that helped me secure the win.”

Final

• Amina ILIMBETOVA (AIN) – Varvara TOLMACHEVA 4-1 (12-10, 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 11-8)

Semi-finals

• Amina ILIMBETOVA (AIN) – Siri BENJEGARD (Sweden) 4-1 (12-10, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5)
• Varvara TOLMACHEVA (AIN) – Alisa USMANOVA (AIN) 4-0 (13-11, 11-5, 11-2, 11-8)

The post ILIMBETOVA Claims Under 15 Girls Singles Crown first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Nina GUO ZHENG of France lived up to her seedings as the tournament favourite, overcoming every challenge on her way to the Under 19 Girls Singles title at the European Youth Championships in Gondomar. The top seed defeated Zlata TEREKHOVA of AIN 4-1 (11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7) in the final, while France’s Alexia NODIN and AIN’s Aleksandra BOKOVA shared the bronze medals.

The final was close game, with GUO ZHENG edging the opening two games before TEREKHOVA reduced the deficit by claiming the third. The French player responded with strong performances in the fourth and fifth games to secure the title and complete a demanding tournament.

Reflecting on her victory, GUO ZHENG admitted the road to the title had been far from straightforward.

“To be honest, I still can’t quite believe I’ve won the title. Even though I was the top seed, every single match in this competition was incredibly difficult. I was very close to being eliminated in the Round of 16. I was leading 3-2 and 6-3, but my opponent came back and I lost that advantage. It was a very tough moment mentally, but I managed to stay focused, fight through it and keep believing in myself. Looking back at everything I’ve been through in this tournament, I can honestly say I’m very proud of myself.”

GUO ZHENG reached the final by defeating French teammate Alexia NODIN 4-1 (11-13, 16-14, 11-6, 11-3, 11-1). After dropping a close opening game, she survived a crucial second game before gradually taking control of the contest.

“I’m very happy to have reached the final. Playing against Alexia is always difficult because she’s a good friend, we’ve known each other for a long time and we’ve faced each other many times before. It is also the last day of a very long tournament, so physically and mentally it was a really demanding match. I had some difficulties at the beginning, but I eventually found the right solution and I’m delighted to have won.”

She explained that patience was the decisive factor against her defensive-style teammate.

“Against a defensive-style adversary, patience is the key. At the start I wasn’t patient enough, but as the match went on I became more disciplined, focused on keeping the ball on the table and waited for the right opportunity to attack. Once I found the right ball to finish the point, I was able to take control of the match.”

TEREKHOVA booked her place in the final with a convincing 4-0 victory (11-9, 12-10, 11-6, 11-5) over teammate Aleksandra BOKOVA, continuing an impressive run through the draw.

“I was playing against a teammate whom I’ve known for a long time, and we train together regularly. I’m really happy that I managed to come through such a difficult match because she’s a very challenging adversary with a unique style of play. Her game is unusual and very awkward to face, so I knew I had to be fully prepared.”

She also highlighted the strengths of her semi-final opponent.

“I fought for every point because Aleksandra BOKOVA is an extremely powerful player. She has very strong serves and generates a lot of spin, and even many of the top players struggle to cope with her game. She has already beaten some very strong players, which shows how talented and promising she is. Now I’ll focus on preparing for the final.”

Final

• Nina GUO ZHENG (France) – Zlata TEREKHOVA (AIN) 4-1 (11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7)

Semi-finals

• Nina GUO ZHENG (France) – Alexia NODIN (France) 4-1 (11-13, 16-14, 11-6, 11-3, 11-1)
• Zlata TEREKHOVA (AIN) – Aleksandra BOKOVA (AIN) 4-0 (11-9, 12-10, 11-6, 11-5)

The post Top Seed GUO ZHENG Lives Up to Expectations to Win Under 19 Girls Singles Title first appeared on European table tennis union.

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