by Ian Marshall, Editor
In the group phase of affairs, Leonardo Bassi and Federico Vallino Costassa recorded a 3-0 win in opposition to the no.10 seeds, the Czech Republic pairing of Daniel Kostal and Borek Otahal, to end matters unbeaten and thus in first place.
Success against the host nation duo was followed by success in opposition to the no.7 seeds, the Netherlands combination formed by Milo de Boer and Gabrelius Camara, a contest in which Leonardo Bassi excelled. He accounted for Milo de Boer (11-8, 5-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-3) and Gabrelius Camara (11-4, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8) to set the scene for Federico Vallino Costassa to be the hero of the hour. He duly obliged, in the vital fifth match of the engagement he sealed the victory with a four games win in opposition to Milo de Boer (11-13, 11-6, 12-10, 11-6).
Similarly, contrary to expectations, Soren Dreher and Vincent Senkbal secured first place, as did the no.14 seeds, the Russian outfit formed by Vladislav Bannikov, Aleksei Samokhin and Roman Vinogradov. Notably, Soren Dreher and Vincent Senkbal duly advanced directly to the quarter-finals, for the Russians, with Aleksei Samokhin resigned to the bench, it was a 3-1 opening round defeat at the hands of the no.6 seeds, Spain’s Daniel Berzosa and Miguel Angel Pantoja.
Surprise outcomes but not amongst the leading outfits; the Czech Republic’s Simon Belik, Ondrek Kveton and Martin Skotnica duly booked their quarter-final place without due alarm, as did the no.2 seeds, the Chinese selection formed by Tao Yuchang, Chen Yuanyu and Lin Shidong.
Play in the cadet boys’ team competition concludes on Thursday 18th April.
