The European Youth Championships are the undisputed season highlight for all the greatest talents in Europe. All these stars have proven their skills at a young age and have committed themselves to continue to pursue their careers.
This year the European Youth Championships took place in Ostrava, one of the Czech Republic’s table tennis strongholds. There was a lot of andro talent taking part in this event. Particularly with the German Juniors selection that earned the main focus, because four out of the five nominated players trust in andro equipment: Kirill Fadeev, Daniel Rinderer, Felix Wetzel and defensive artist Dominik Jonack completely loyal to andro, qualified for the World Junior Championships by winning the bronze medal. Although they will no longer belong to the Junior class nationally, Dominik Jonack and Kirill Fadeev can theoretically still participate in this huge event in November in Bangkok.
Unfortunately, two heroes from the competitive team had poor performances in the individual competition: Dominik Jonack, who was shining with partly outstanding victories, ran into some bad luck and lost in the first round against Tomas Martinko from Czech Republic, who apparently had no problem with Jonack’s defense. Wetzel too had to give up, because an old knee injury showed up again. No chance to continue into the next round. Our best wishes go out to Felix!
Kirill Fadeev, on the other hand, played his way under the last 16, where he lost in four sets to Poland’s Kulczycki, seated no. 2. Nevertheless, a strong performance by the young left-hander, who will start his professional career shortly after graduating high school.
Italian top talent Carlo Rossi also made it into the round of the last 16. He too had bad luck there, as a high-ranked Russian, Grebnev, was waiting for him there. Despite his 2:0 lead, Carlo was defeated 2:4.
Additional outstanding medals for the andro team were won by the European Championship debutantes: Tom Schweiger and the Polish Wegrzyn sisters.
Tom, who started in the German Cadet selection, could win bronze for the team as well as in the Cadets Doubles. An even more impressive achievement is the fact that Tom and his partner Vincent Senkbeil only played side by side for the first time during the team competitions.
Anna and Katarzyna Wegrzyn, Poland’s top players, dominated the events in the Girls class. Anna triumphed in the Girls Singles and won the final 4:2. Katarzyna won the Juniors Mixed competition with her partner Simon Kulczycki. Set on position 1, no competitor could hold a candle to them until the final.
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