Russia’s cadets at the top of Europe again

Russia defended their title in the Cadet Boys Teams Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Guimaraes. At the ultimate stage they prevailed against France. Golden boys are: Vladimir SIDORENKO, Maksim GREBNEV, Vladislav MAKAROV and Gleb IVANOV. Silver medal went to France for Bilal HAMACHE, Dorian ZHENG, Jules CAVAILE and Myshaal SABHI.

Bronze medalists are Hungary’s Csaba ANDRAS, Oliver BOTH, Eric HUSZVAR, Mate OCSAI and Belgium’s Nicolas DEGROS, Olav KOSOLOSKY, Adrien RASSENFOSSE.

At the opening of the match Vladimir SIDORENKO left no trace of hope to Bilal HAMACHE. Until the closing stages of the third game he was in charge. HAMACHE seized the opportunity to won third game by narrow margin. He also forced SIDORENKO into few errors for tight finish of the match, but the favorite and last year’s singles champion prevailed.

Dorian ZHENG proved too strong for Maksim GREBNEV at the beginning. It did not stopped GREBNEV who stay close; he sought for the chance to recover. GREBNEV seized it in the closing stages of the second game. Soon, he was the one who is in the driving seats, forcing ZHENG into mistakes.

“Against BILALA after the third game I was nervous, because I had advantage 6:2 and he recovered. BILAL had good service and I had a hard time to put it short and to attack. However, I never lost the focus. I felt well from the beginning,” said SIDORENKO. “ I am very proud now and I am proud that I had a chance to win gold for Russia.

Russia – France 3:0

Vladimir SIDORENKO – Bilal HAMACHE 3:1 (11:4, 11:3, 11:13, 12:10)

Maksim GREBNEV – Dorian ZHENG 3:1 (8:11, 13:11, 11:4, 11:7)

Vladimir SIDORENKO, Maksim GREBNEV – Jules CAVAILLE, Myshaal SABHI 3:0 (11:7, 11:9, 11:5)

ΠΗΓΗ:ETTU