Day 1 at the European Club Championships in Bialystok proved difficult for 2016 bronze medallists Recreativo Ies La Orden of Spain. The Spanish champions went down heavily to tournament big guns Primorye Vladivostok and as a result were consigned to fighting it out for runners up spot in group 4.
In this mornings second round group ties the Spanish puts yesterdays defeat to the back of their minds as they eased past Luxembourg minnows BC Jonglenster to reassert themselves in the competition.
The Spanish could afford to empty the bench but the ever-present Pablo Abian once again proved his worth taking another men’s singles point as Recreativo ran out 5-0 winners without dropping a set.
- This is my sixth year in the club and I look forward to year 7 next year. This club is like my family and we all fight for each other and always do our very best at these club championships.
The Russians are out of sight in the group and judging by their performances are clear favourites for the title. The battle is now between Recreativo (pictured above) and home team Bialystok for the runners up spot in group 4.
The Poles had an easy win on day one but like the Spanish came unstuck on day two with a heavy defeat to Primorye Vladivostok. The big prize in tomorrows match between Recreativo and Bialystok is the winner is guaranteed to progress to the quarter final as runners up and because they already played the Russians in the group will avoid them in the knockout stages, until the final that is and both may have realistic chances of making it to Saturday.