Events

Nelte & Goliswewski deliver crucial point for Germany
Germans squeeze past resilient Poles
Date: 2/17/2017 11:34 PM
Published by : Nelte & Goliszewski celebrate Germany's winning point
Today in Lubin saw the start of the knock out stages of the 2017 edition of the European Mixed Team Championships. As expected Denmark were effortless in seeing off a Swedish badminton revival while Germany were made fight tooth and nail against the resilient host nation. 

Team Germany came into the tie as hot favourites and many expected a 3-0 whitewash with the might of Marc Zwiebler leading the lines in men’s singles. The German number 1 was pushed deep into the first set by Michal Rogalski before sealing the opening point with a 21-14 win in the second.

Fabienne Deprez took the German’s to within one point of the semi-finals seeing off Wiktoria Dabczynska in two games with the young Pole once again bringing the fight to the more experienced German. 

With a 2-0 lead team German would have been hugely confident that Peter Kaesbauer and Josche Zurwonne would seal the deal in the men’s doubles against the unpractised but hugely experienced Robert Mateusiak and Adam Cwalina. 

In what was one of the match of the tournament so far the Poles went on court and expressed themselves with the full backing of the Polish supporters and edged out a tight first game 25-23

With the momentum on their side the veteran Poles virtually led from start to finish in the second game to win in two sets to send the tie into the women’s doubles

“We went out today to have fun and enjoy the occasion” said Adam Cwalina. “We have not practised together but it was very enjoyable to play men’s doubles with Adam in what will be probably my last tournament for Poland” commented Mateusiak.

In the women’s doubles the Wojtkowska sisters sensed an upset when they got to game point in the opening set. The experience and calm German duo of Johanna Goliszewski and Carla Nelte were never going to let the Poles repeat their group heroics and the Germans duly took the opening game 22-20.

“The first game was very tight and it just took us some time to find a rhythm” said Nelte. “We knew once we won the first set that we could break the Polish spirit and that’s what happened so we are happy to deliver the win for Germany. 

That was effectively the end of the Polish challenge as the sisters buckled under the German pressure in the second set and with a two game win the German’s won the overall tie 3-1 to make yet another European semi-final.

Team Germany will now face the might of Denmark in tomorrow’s semi-final after the top seeds and defending champions beat Sweden 3-0. 



Another great escape for team England

Second seeds team England had to pull a win from the jaws of death in the early session today after losing the opening singles to The Netherlands. Gayle Mahulette beat Fontaine Chapman in three sets and one of the players of the tournament Mark Caljouw gave the Dutch a 2-0 lead with another 3 set win over Toby Penty. 

UP step the might of the English doubles and after Smith and Walker won England’s first point in the women’s doubles the power of Langridge/Ellis pictured above) and the Adcock’s were always hot favourites to seal the win in the men’s doubles and mixed. 

The stars of English badminton delivered and England advance to the semi-final by the skin of their teeth. 

Their opponents in tomorrow’s semi will be Russia who beat France convincingly 3-1. The French needed the opening mixed doubles to realistically have a chance and after Labar and Fontaine lost out to Bolotova and Ivanov the writing was on the wall for the French. 

Brice Leverdez scored the only point for the French and Ivanov and Sozonov wrapped up the win for the Russians in two games beating Kersaudy and Maio. 

#EMTC17 SEMI FINALS

DENMARK V GERMANY
ENGLAND V RUSSIA

For all results from today’s quarter final action in Lubin click HERE

For a full Facebook photo gallery from today’s action click HERE

Article by Mark Phelan. Images by Mark/Ben Phelan for Badminton Europe

©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

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