Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships

Leading name unbeaten but Polish trio steals the show

04 Feb 2017

Top place in the group for Belgium’s Martin Allegro, the leading name on first stage duty in the Men’s Singles event at the Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships in Sochi, Russia on Thursday 2nd February; however, he was not necessarily the player to attract the attention.

It was the Polish trio of Marek Badowski, Tomasz Kotoswski and Patryk Zatowka alongside Denmark’s Claus Nielsen and Slovenia’s Deni Kozul who caught the eye.

Bogdan Pasek caught the eye on the first day of play (Photo: Bogdan Pasek)

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

All five remained unbeaten; all five beat the top rated player in their respective groups.

Marek Badowski accounted for Romania’s Rares Sipos (13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 10-12, 11-8); Tomasz Kotoswski defeated Germany’s Denis Klein (11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5), whilst Patryk Zatowka overcame Austria’s Andreas Levenko (8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9).

“I am so full of confidence. I just knew I am going to win”, Patryk Zatowka after beating Andreas Levenko

Similarly, Claus Nielsen proved too strong for the Czech Republic’s David Reitspies (11-5, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-8); Deni Kozul emerged successful against Denmark’s Tobias Rasmussen (10-12, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9).

Problems for notable names; not for Martin Allegro; he beat England’s Tom Jarvis (11-8, 8-11, 15-13, 11-4, 12-10) and Turkey’s Ibrahim Gündüz (7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3, 12-10, 12-10). Tom Jarvis secured second place; he accounted for Ibrahim Gündüz in four straight games (14-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7).

“The crucial moment was when I won the opening game. I was 7-10 down. Ibrahim is a very good player; this is an important win for me”, Tom Jarvis after overcoming Ibrahim Gündüz.

In the remaining group, as anticipated, it was top spot for Russia’s Sadi Ismailov, Hungary’s Janos Majoros, Sweden’s Simon Berglund, Portugal’s Diogo Chen, Germany’s Qiu Dang and Aliaksandr Khankin of Belarus.

Play in the second stage of proceedings, in both the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events, commences on Friday 3rd February.

Day One: Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships
Photos: Alex Lomaev – Butterfly

Latest results: Stag European Under 21 Championships.

Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships Marek Badowski Patryk Zatowka Tomasz Kotoski

Read more

Céline Reust determined to keep improving after Sochi outing

11 Feb 2017 Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships

Bronze for Slovenia, silver for Germany, gold for Croatia

05 Feb 2017 Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships

Lose the first match but win the last, the most important, Chantal Mantz prioritises

05 Feb 2017 Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships

Brink of first round exit, Anders Lind and Alexander Valuch recover to secure top prize

05 Feb 2017 Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships