Defending champions and hot favourites from Russia, Primorye Vladivisok were taken to the wire but French vice champions AIX Universite in the pick of the semi-finals this evening at the 2014 European Club Championships in Amiens, France.
The Russians came to France as hot favourites to lift a third consecutive title but got a timely wakeup call against a French outfit bubbling with confidence.
There was a welcome return to tournament competition for 2012 Olympic women’s doubles bronze medallist, Valeria Sorikina and the veteran Russian got Primorye off to the best start winning the opening mixed doubles alongside Ivan Sozonov.
The French gained so traction thereafter with Inda Bagus Ade Chandra proving he is the best men’s singles player on show this week taking down European bronze medallist Vladimir Ivanov in two games.
“I told myself today that I was going to leave absolutely nothing behind me on the court and that I and my team had everything to gain with Ivanov with most to loose” said Milan based Indonesian after his victory.
The AIX steam train kept rolling as Petya Nedelcheva (pictured) overcame Olga Golovanova in what was arguably the best match of the week so far in an epic three game women’s singles that saw the Bulgarian come back from 17-12 down in the deciding game to take the match 25-23 in the third.
“This was a huge point for us at a crucial part of the match. We all got belief after Indra’s (Bagus Ade Chandra) win and even when I was down I kept fighting for this great team” said Nedelcheva.
As expected Sozonov team up with Ivanov (pictured) in the men’s doubles the and current European champions wasted little time seeing off the spirted challenge of Ronan Labar and Indra Bagus ade Chandra.
“This is the biggest competition for our club and it is our goal this year to win three in a row. This match has been very tough and we know to lift the title we will have to play to our very best level” said the European champions after their victory.
With the score at 2-2 in the overall tie the experience of Nina Vislova proved crucial alongside Zhang Yeqi as Nedelcheva in particular ran out of steam. Two losses on the day for Jillie Cooper, in what was a great week for the Scot, was a bitter pill to swallow and the Russians survived a potential semi-final banana skin running out 4-2 winners in the second men’s singles courtesy of Wenlong Zhou, who himself was taken the distance by Alexandre Francoise.
Chambly go one step further
Bronze medallists from 2013 and tournament hosts Chambly went one step further by defeating an understrength Czech team TJ Sokol Vesely Jehnice after the forced withdrawal of Petr Koukal at first singles. Koukal’s absence meant that Adam Cwalina had to deputise at second singles but the Polish doubles specialist did not get an opportunity to try his hand as the French romped to a 4-0 win.
Today's #ECC14 results from Amiens:
Quarter-Finals:
Primorye Vladivostok (RUS) - TBR (ICE) 4-0
TJ Sokol Vesely Jehnice (CZE) - Van Zundert VELO (NED) 4-3
BC Chambly Oise (FRA) - Multi Alarm SE (HUN 4-1
AIX Universite CB (FRA) - BC Milano (ITA) 4-0
Semi-Finals:
Primorye Vladivostok (RUS) - AIX Universite CB (FRA) 4-2
BC Chambly Oise (FRA) - TJ Sokol Vesely Jehnice (CZE) 4-0
For all results from Amiens click HERE
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Article and Image by Mark Phelan (Live in Amiens)