by Ian Marshall, Editor
The German men’s trio comprising Timo Boll, Patrick Franziska and Dimitrij Ovtcharov completed proceedings without the loss of a single individual match; one of the most comprehensive performances since the tournament was first staged in 1958 in Budapest.
Likewise, in the women’s event it was a command performance from Bernadette Szocs, Daniela Monteiro-Dodean and Elizabeta Samara; they surrendered just one match when, at the semi-final stage against Poland, Daniela Monteiro Dodean had lost to Li Qian (11-3, 11-7, 13-11).
Ideal start
At the final hurdle, Dimitrij Ovtcharov game Germany the ideal start by beating Marcos Freitas (11-7, 11-7, 11-8), before Timo Boll accounted for João Monteiro (11-7, 4-11, 11-9, 11-7) and Patrick Franziska concluded matters by overcoming Tiago Apolonia (12-10, 11-9, 11-4).
“I think we are such a good team because we all trust each other and we all know that the pressure does not lay only on one player but on all of us.” Dimitrij Ovtcharov
Success for Germany against an outfit that had excelled expectations, Portugal commenced play as the no.10 seed; furthermore, to some extent they avenged the defeat in the 2014 Lisbon final when Portugal had secured the title for the one and only time in their history.
Overall, Germany has now won the title eight times, all notably in the modern era; arguably that of Timo Boll. The first win was in 2007 in Belgrade, followed in consecutive years by success in St Petersburg, Stuttgart, Ostrava and Gdansk, before once again succeeding in 2013 in Schwechat.
Clear goal
Success for Germany, followed success for Romania; the trio comprising Bernadette Szocs, Daniela Monteiro-Dodean and Elizabeta Samara highly focused. Bernadette Szocs beat Shao Jieni (11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6), before Daniela Monteiro-Dodean accounted for Fu Yu (7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8) to put her team in a commanding position.
“I felt very confident. My game was on the highest level. Even when I was down, I did not feel she can close the gap.” Daniela Dodean
Soon after, Elizabeta Samara prevailed against Leila Oliveira (11-9, 11-7, 11-6) to secure gold.
It is the fifth time that Romania has won the women’s team title at a European Championships; additional to two years ago in Luxembourg, they emerged successful in 1992 in Stuttgart, 2002 in Zagreb and 2005 in Aarhus.
Similarly, as in the men’s event, Portugal surpassed their status; they commenced play, the no.7 seeds, it was their first appearance in a women’s team final at a European Championships.
