by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
It was only marginally less traumatic for Germany; the trio comprising Jennie Wolf, Franziska Schreiner and Sophie Klee experienced defeat against Romania; the no.4 seeds; a three-one reverse was the outcome against the tried and trusted outfit formed by Adina Diaconu, Andreea Dragoman and Tania Plaian with 13 year old Elena Zaharia in the supporter’s role.
Adina Diaconu, as the previous day, proved the backbone of Romanian success, she beat both Franziska Schreiner (12-10, 11-4, 13-11) and in the contest the clinch the verdict, she accounted for Jennie Wolf (12-10, 11-9, 11-8).
However, on both those occasions she played when her team was ahead, the antithesis of the previous day against the Czech Republic when twice she had brought Romania level; in the contest against Germany the mantle of responsibility fell on the shoulders of Andreea Dragoman,
An important fixture, a good start essential; Andreea Dragoman gave Romania that good start, she beat Jennie Wolf in the opening match of the engagement (12-10, 11-4, 11-6).
“I like to play the first match, I practised for 40 minutes before the match started so I was ready; I played against Jennie earlier this year at the Europe Top 10 and won four-nil.” Andreea Dragoman
“If I played with a lot of topspin both Franziska and Jennie found it difficult to block the return. It was a hard first match against Franziska, I’d never played her before; last night against Russia she had played really well. Andreea had won the first match, so I felt it was important for me to win as well; usually I was able to top spin her serves.” Adina Diaconu
“I played better than yesterday but she felt my game; I did not know her, she adjusted to how I play; next time!”
“It was really emotional watching them play, even more than yesterday!” Elena Zaharia
Success for China and Romania in convincing fashion; it was exactly the same for Korea, the no.3 seeds and for Japan, the top seeds,
Japan with Miyu Kato, Miyu Nagasaki and Miyuu Kihara on duty recorded a three-nil win against Chinese Taipei’s Lee Yu-Peng, Su Pei-Ling and Chen Ting-Ting, the no.6 seeds; by the same margin. Korea with Kim Jiho, Kim Youjin and Shin Yubin in action proved too strong for the United States combination of Crystal Wang, Amy Wang and Racel Sung, the no.8 seeds.
At the semi-final stage Japan plays Korea, Romania confronts China; the fixtures are scheduled for later in the day sat 6.00pm (local time)
