by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Italy ‘B’ represented by Matteo Cerza, Gabriele Piciulin and Carlo Rossi caused the biggest surprise.
After recording a three-one win against the Romanian combination of Paul Mladin, Dragos Florin Oprea and George Vrabie, the no.9 seeds; they posted a three matches to two success in opposition to the trio formed by Australia’s Rohan Dhooria who partnered Belgium’s Laurens Devos and Olav Kosolosky, the no.4 seeds.
Against Romania, Carlo Rossi had been the backbone of success. He had accounted for Dragos Florin Oprea (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) and George Vrabie (12-10, 11-7, 13-11); in opposition to the group favourites, he was again the star man.
He beat Rohan Dhooria (11-3, 11-3, 11-6) and Laurens Devos (11-7, 11-8, 11-9) to set the scene for Gabriele Piciulin to cement the victory; in the decisive fifth match of the contest, he overcame Rohan Dhooria (11-3, 11-2, 11-5). The wins for the defeated were recorded by Laurens Devos in opposition to Gabriele Piciulin (11-6, 11-9, 11-9) and by Olav Kosolosky when facing Matteo Cerza (11-7, 11-4, 11-5).
Day Three: action from the 2017 Italian Junior and Cadet Open
Carlo Rossi in form, Maciej Kolodziejczyk, the winner one day earlier of the Junior Boys’ Singles title, maintained his form.
Lining up alongside Christian Freidrich and Martin Radel, the Austrians, the no.10 seeds, as predicted overcame the Greek trio of Konstantinos Lykostratis, Andreas Mintsis and Nikolaos Vlachakis by three matches to nil, prior to recording a three-one success when facing the formation of Bulgaria’s Ilyan Doychev, the Czech Republic’s Tomas Martinko and Thailand’s Yanapong Panagitgun, the no.5 seeds.
Setting the example, Maciej Kolodziejczyk beat Yanapong Panagitgun (11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10) and Tomas Martinko (10-12, 1-8, 11-8, 17-15). The one further win was secured by Martin Radel in opposition to Ilyan Doychev (11-7, 12-10, 11-7); for the vanquished, in the second match of the engagement, Tomas Martinko overcame Christian Freidrich (11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9).
Impressive performances but for an overall team performance, the most imposing of all was that enacted by Spain, the no.12 seeds.
Selecting Adrian Fernandez, Sergi Grau and Joan Masip, a three-nil was recorded against the unseeded combination of Moldova’s Mihai Turea and Arseni Iacubenco who joined forces with San Marino’s Federico Giardi.
Success as expected, in the next encounter victory by the same margin in opposition to Portugal, the no.7 seeds, was contrary to predictions.
Francisco Miguel Ruiz replaced Adrian Fernandez in the line-up and duly set the Spaniards on course to victory. He accounted for José Pedro Francisco (9-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7), before Joan Masip defeated Vitor Amorin (11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7) and Sergi Grau concluded proceedings with victory over Samuel da Silva (12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 10-12, 11-7).
Problems for three notable outfits but not for the top three teams; all secured first places in their respective groups.
It was first place for Antonino Amato, Matteo Mutti and Daniele Pinto on duty for Italy ‘A’; as it was for Germany’s Tobias Hippler, Cedric Meissner and Meng Fanbo. Likewise, the Slovak Republic who selected from Stefan Peko, Tibor Spanik, Markus Tonkovic and Jakub Zelinka topped their group.
Play in the Junior Boys’ Team event concludes on Saturday 11th March.
