by Simon Daish

Both sets of finalists achieved major upsets earlier in the tournament: Eric Jouti and Gustavo Tsuboi put in a fearless display at the quarter-finals stage, ousting top seeds Nandor Ecseki and Adam Szudi from the competition while the pairing of Marek Badowski and Patryk Zatowka, fifth seeds, stunned Hong Kong’s Lam Siu Hang and Ng Pak Nam one round later.

There was no question of how impressive the Brazilian and Polish combinations had both been in Otocec, but on the final day of play the plaudits would be reserved for just the one partnership.

In a rather tense encounter, narrow two point margins decided the opening two games of the final with Marek Badowski and Patryk Zatowka ultimately coming away with a two games to nil advantage. Eric Jouti and Gustavo Tsuboi tried to put the disappointing start behind them, however, another defeat in game three brought the tie to a close.

Always a useful combination on the world stage but for Marek Badowski and Patryk Zatowka it is a first title win as a partnership in the Men’s Doubles competition with their previous best finish at an ITTF Challenge Series event coming at last year’s tournaments in Minsk and Warsaw where they reached the quarter-finals.

No dream finale for Eric Jouti and Gustavo Tsuboi but a praiseworthy effort from the Brazilian duo in Otocec nonetheless.