The Czech capital city of Prague is hosting the 52nd European Youth
Championships from 10th to 19th July 2009. A total of 577 players from
46 associations will compete in seven events for Juniors (born in 1991
or later) and seven events for Cadets (1994 or younger).
Without last year’s star Paul Drinkhall, now a fully fledged senior, players from other countries can shine in Prague.
In addition to France and Germany, one should also keep an eye on the Hungarians.
England without Drinkhall
The
English team was the most successful with four gold medals last year in
Terni. Gavin Evans won the Boys’ Cadet Singles event and the
outstanding Paul Drinkhall won three gold medals in the Singles,
Doubles as well as in the Mixed Doubles with his Russian partner
Ekaterina Kolodyazhnaya.
This year the players born in 1990,
like Drinkhall and Kolodyazhnaya are too old for the Junior events and
it will be difficult for England to repeat the brilliant result of 2008.
France and Germany in the Pole Positions
In
last years medals table, the players from Germany had a total of eight
medals, as many as England. Even 11 medals went to France.
While
the French seem to be strong in all the events, the Germans have some
outstanding players like Cadet girl Petrissa Solja or the Junior boys
Patrick Franziska and Philipp Floritz.
Hungary and Romania Danerous
While
Ukraine’s Margaryta Pesotska might be hard to beat in the Singles, the
girls from Hungary can at least strive after gold in the Team event.
With Edina Totz, Krisztina Ambrusz and especially Dora Madarasz, no
other team is able to line-up such a talented squad.
Another
trump card of the Eastern European country is Daniel Kosiba. In his
last year as a Junior, the winner of the Slovak Junior Open is good for
a medal in the Singles, Doubles and Team event.
The mentioned
favourites should not forget the Romanians. Szocs, Sargu, Hirici and
company will surely not go home without some medals as souvenirs from
the Czech capital.
Find more information and results on the European Youth Championships website.
Source: www.ittf.com
