by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

A direct entry to the semi-finals, they accounted for the Japanese trio of Kaho Akae, Yua Yamasaki and Sakura Yokoi, before securing the title at the final expense of Russia’s Anastasia Kolish, Kristina Kasantseva and Ekaterina Zironova.

Most impressive, the journey to the final being without any great moments of drama; for Anastasia Kolish, Kristina Kasantseva and Ekaterina Zironova it was somewhat different.

At the quarter-final stage they recorded a three-one success in opposition to the host nation combination of Anna Wegrzyn, Kristina Wegrzyn and Julia Symczak; the one win for the Polish outfit being recorded by Anna Wegrzyn in the opening match of the fixture when she accounted for Kristina Kasantseva (12-10, 11-8, 11-5).

The Russians duly recovered but the recovery did not compare with the fightback performed in the semi-final round; they came back from two matches to nil and the brink of defeat in the third match to overcome the Japanese trio comprising Honami Nakamori, Hikari Okubo and Yukari Sugasawa.

Yukari Sugasawa gave her team the perfect start by beating Kristina Kasantseva (11-3, 11-6, 11-8), before Honami Nakamori accounted for Anastasia Kolish to double the lead (7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 13-11). It was at that stage tables turned; by the very narrowest of margins Ekaterina Zironova accounted for Hikaro Okubo (11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 9-11, 12-10), before Anastasia Kolish overcame Yukari Sugasawa (14-12, 11-8, 13-11) and Kristina Kasantseva completed the fightback by defeating Honoka Nakamori in a tense five games duel (11-8, 11-13, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6).

Play in the junior events over, attention now turns to the individual competitions in the cadet age group. Proceedings conclude on Sunday 27th May.