by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

In the second match of the contest, Carlos Machado, who earlier in the month celebrated his 38th birthday, accounted for Joe Seyfried in the second match of the contest against France (11-8, 11-9, 11-7), before in the fourth match, overcoming Alexandre Robinot (11-8, 11-2, 3-11, 11-9).

The wins set the scene for Jesus Cantero to be the hero of the hour; in the fifth match of the engagement he overcame Joe Seyfried (9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 14-12) to seal the victory.

Earlier French success had come from Alexandre Robinot against Jesus Cantero in the opening match of the fixture (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6) and in the doubles when Alexandre Robinot and Joe Seyfried had recorded a five games win (11-8, 8-11, 10-12, 11-2, 11-3).

First place for Spain but some consolation for France; it was their only defeat thus second position and a place in the main draw was secured. Four groups in the first phase of proceedings, those finishing in first and second places advanced to the main draw.

Meanwhile, in the remaining groups, it was first place for the top three seeds.

gypt with Khalid Assar and Mohamed El-Beiali on duty, the top seeds, finished ahead of Tunisia’s Thameur Mamia and Adam Hmam. Similarly, it was first position for the no.2 seeds, the Slovenian outfit comprising Darko Jorgic, Deni Kozul and Bojan Tokic completed matters ahead of Portugal’s André Silva, Diogo Carvalho and Diogo Chen.

A successful day for Egypt and Slovenia; likewise Italy’s Niagol Stoyanov, Mihai Bobocica and Marco Rech Daldosso, the no.3 seeds, ended the initial phase in first position in their group. They finished ahead of Turkey’s Ibrahm Gündüz and Abdullah Yingeler.

Play concludes on Saturday 30th June.

Tarragona Mediterranean Games: Full Results