Minsk 2019 2nd European Games Saturday 29th June – Quotes of the Day by Milica Nikolic ETTU Press Officer 1.00 pm: Women’s Team Gold Medal – Nina Mittelham and Han Ying (Germany) GERMANY 3-0 ROMANIA Nina Mittelham and Shan Xiaona beat Elizabeta Samara and Daniela Dodean (9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11- 6). Han Ying overcame Bernadette Szocs (9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-2); Shan Xiaona accounted for Daniela Dodean (11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 11-7). “The doubles set us on course. It was a difficult match; the victory allowed us to be more relaxed and gave us more options. Defeat would have reduced our opportunities. In addition, the win made me feel more confident in case I was needed in the singles.” Nina Mittelham “She beat me at the European Championships. Now I was ready for her. I had avenged my defeat. Now I have year and half to prepare for Japan. It is great. Now we are not under pressure.” Han Ying 5.00 pm: Men’s Team Bronze Medal – Tiago Apolonia & Marcos Freitas PORTUGAL 3-1 DENMARK Tiago Apolonia and João Monteiro beat Anders Lind and Tobias Rasmussen (11-6, 11-5, 11-4). Jonathan Groth, levelled matters for Denmark, he overcame Marcos Freitas (11-9, 11-13, 11-7, 11-7). João Monteiro accounted for Anders Lind (6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4), before Marcos Freitas defeated Tobias Rasmussen (11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10). “Most important was to come prepared to the venue after yesterday’s defeat against Germany. It was a tough blow and we needed to re-build our confidence. We were confident and focused from the first point and throughout the match we proved the better team." Tiago Apolonia “Groth played perfectly in Minsk. He did not lose any matches in the team event. I started badly against him. I lost the opening game after being 9-4 ahead. After that I was upset, I lost my focus and he won. I managed to put it behind in match against Tobias." Marcos Freitas 8.00 pm: Men’s Team Gold Medal – Tiago Apolonia & Marcos Freitas GERMANY 3-0 SWEDEN Timo Boll and Patrick Franziska gave beat Kristian Karlsson and Jon Persson (11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8), Dimitrij Ovtcharov accounted for Mattias Falck (11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7). Matters concluded with Patrick Franziska overcoming Jon Persson (12-14, 11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9). Page 1 “The doubles already won, it took a lot of pressure off. Still it was a very difficult match. I had a game point at 10-6 in the second game and I lost it. However, I kept on trying and I was confident." Dimitrij Ovtcharov “I knew it is going to be a hard one, last time we played it was 3-2; he is so quick and aggressive but we had 2-0 already as team and I saw Timo warming up, so I was not under pressure." Patrick Franziska "The system worked in our favour and we took the best of it. Starting with the doubles was an easier option for me and it was good for the team to start the singles with advantage. It was very good tournament, we seized the first and the easiest opportunity to book the place at the Olympic Games. Also we were all the top level.” Timo Boll "Every match was very close it is far from what the result 3-0 predicts. We gave our best, our play was at very high level but Germany was better team today.” Kristian Karlsson Page 2 .