Germany waited 11 years for the title in Junior Boy’s Teams Event

60th STAG European Youth Championships

 

Germany waited 11 years for the title in Junior Boy’s Teams Event at the European Youth Championships. After the generation of Dimitrij OVTCHAROV Ruwen FILUS Steffen MENGEL Markus SCHLICHTER and Hendrik FUSS that has clinched the title in Sarajevo Germany is at the top of the Europe again. In Guimaraes at the 60th STAG European Youth Championships Tobias HIPPLER Gerrit ENGEMANN Cedric MEISSNER and FANBO Meng led by the coach ZHU Xiaoyong avenged their defeat in the group stage and beat Russia on their way to the highest step of the medal rostrum.

 

“ I think that mental part of the game prevailed in the final. We lost against Russia very close encounter by narrow margin and we wanted to prove we could beat them. It could easily be different but the opening game made a difference. ENGEMANN’s five games victory over Denis IVONIN opened the doors for success. In the second match HIPPLER already proved his skills against players with the defensive style. Artur ABUSEV had no chance ” explained coach ZHU Xiaoyong.

 

It was not only the match against Russia in group that was stretched to full distance. On their way to the final Germany beat Romania 3:2 in semis; by same margin Italy was denied of medal.

 

“Last year it was opposite situation concerning Italy. They overcame us and reached the gold. This year I changed the formation; we beat Italy in the quarterfinal and we made it to top.”

 

Coach ZHU Xiaoyong admitted no one expects gold. They lost against Russia and against Spain they were only two points away from a defeat and the third place in the group in the preliminary round.

 

“We fought hard for each win. Against Romania ENGEMANN had 2:2 and he was were 5:10 down against Rares SIPOS in the decisive game of the decisive match before we recovered to win and move to final. We had very hard time. Maybe we hope for medal but gold came as a surprise for us at the end. There are a lot of teams with equal quality here. Everyone can beat everyone.”

 

The team already won the gold at the Italy Open earlier this year whilst in Spain they were third. Can they repeat the success in singles event?

 

“It will be very difficult. We have very good team but in individual competition there are a lot of favorites. Cristian PLETEA of Romania showed good shape Greek’s Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS is also very good Sweden has their aces….Very tight competition ” commented ZHU Xiaoyong.

 

 

Related News

Record-Breaking Participation at the EYS Croatia Open in Osijek

The Europe Youth Series traditionally kicks off its season in Croatia. For the third consecutive year, Osijek is hosting the EYS Croatia Open. With 187 players competing at the NSD...

Read more

Marcozzi Cagliari Clinches Historic First Italian Cup

In front of a passionate home crowd at the PalaTennistavolo, Marcozzi Cagliari made history by winning their first-ever Men’s Italian Cup, adding to their collection of four Italian Championship titles...

Read more

ETTU Opens Tender for Para U23 Camp 2025 Hosting

The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is pleased to announce the opening of the tender to host the Para U23 Camp, which will take place between June and December 2025....

Read more

ETTU Strengthens Professional Team with New Marketing and Digital Media Experts

The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is pleased to announce the addition of Carla FERNANDEZ and Chiara COLANTONI to its professional structure, reinforcing its commitment to digital media and marketing...

Read more

Contact

About Us

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is the governing body of the sport of table tennis in Europe, and is the only authority recognized for this purpose by the International Table Tennis Federation. The ETTU deals with all matters relating to table tennis at a European level, including the development and promotion of the sport in the territories controlled by its 58 member associations, and the organization of continental table tennis competitions, including the European Championships.

Powered By

All Competitions

Senior Competitions

Club Competitions

Youth Competitions

More Competitions