Tournaments

05 Oct 2021

Outstanding performances, Germany won both the men’s team and women’s team titles at the Gazprom 2021 European Team Championships in Cluj-Napoca, play concluding on Sunday 3rd October.

However, if there was one player whose efforts were outstanding, it was that of Denmark’s Anders Lind, it was only against the champions elect, he experienced defeat.

by Arne Madsen

In itself that may not appear headline news but the fact he was even present was quite remarkable.

On Tuesday 23rd March, the 22 year old was involved  in a serious car accident. Driving at an estimated 100 kilometers in the outside lane, he was hit by another car, seemingly the driver having fallen asleep at the wheel.

Both cars were written off, Anders broke two vertebrae in the back.

At first doctors were not sure he would gain full mobility and perhaps would never play table tennis again. Following an operation and three months wearing a corset for back support, Anders was able to return to the training hall; practice went smoothly.

Nevertheless, Linus Mernsten, the national coach had no great expectations, Anders was not in the best shape and needed to play more matches, Jonathan Groth was recently married and was also believed not to be in the best of form.

The efforts of Anders Lind more than exceeded expectation

  • Group: v. Turkey (3-0) beat Batuhan Ukucak 11-7, 11-6, 11-6
  • Group: v. Portugal (3-0) beat Marcos Freitas 6-11, 12-14, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6
  • Quarter-Final: v. England (3-2) beat Liam Pitchford 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9
  • Quarter-Final: v. England (3-2) beat Paul Drinkhall 7-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7
  • Semi-Final v. Germany (0-3) lost to Patrick Franziska 7-11, 11-13, 5-11

Currently, Anders Lind plays in the French League and the Champions League for Hennenbont.

General News 2021 European Team Championships
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