European Team Championship 2017

Team European Championship Day 1: How the Steel is Tempered

The Ukrainian national team had a rather unsuccessful start at the European Team Championship. Unfortunately, we again failed to qualify from the group, despite the fact that we managed to impose a serious struggle on each of the opponents.

WORTHY RESISTANCE

Group A, in which the Ukrainians performed, had a clear favorite. They were the Dutch, who got the first seed - it was predictable. Our squash players were able to provide worthy resistance to eminent rivals - which was reflected in each of the matches. This confrontation started with the fight of the third rackets, where Valeriy Fedoruk simply exhausted Bart Raveli. In two games out of three played, the Ukrainian kept his opponent on the hook, but Ravelli's experience took its toll. Then the leaders of the teams played - there Denis Podvorny lost without a chance to Piedro Schweertman. Dmitry Pogrebnyak, who tormented Mark Ter Sluis for a long time, undertook to save the situation. The lost first game only turned Dmitry on, who then defeated his opponent in the second, pulled out the third one more or less, but, unfortunately, there was no more strength for more - Pogrebnyak lost the remaining two games. The captain of the national team Konstantin Rybalchenko tried to preserve the reputation of our team in the last meeting. He understood that the total score would still be in favor of the Netherlands, but he tried to charge his colleagues with optimism as much as possible. Frankly, he succeeded - Rene Miis had to make every effort. In two games he survived only by winning two points (we will modestly keep silent about the tie-break in the second), and only then the Dutchman managed to find his game and get a 4-0 dry for his team.

A DEFEAT OF WHICH IS NOT SHAME

With little or no respite, the Ukrainians fought the Israelis. The level of play of these teams can be at least indicated by the seeding number. Moreover, by this moment our "train" gained traction and went forward. Fedoruk fired on the move, simply destroying Nadav Raziel. In the fight of the first rackets, Podvorny lost to the young Daniel Poleshchuk, but he also made him make every effort to win in every game. Then it was more difficult. Pogrebnyak, who played out in the game against the Netherlands, somewhat died out in the game with Ron Levy, and Rybalchenko, who tried to save the situation, managed to withstand only two games with dignity against Roe Avraham.

Unfortunately, we again have to fight not for the first division, but for the right to stay in the second. But with how sincerely the Ukrainians fought on the first day of the European Team Championship, there is confidence that our five will be able not only to prove their right to be called one of the best European teams, but also to be vividly remembered at this European Championship.

PASSION AT ALL LEVELS

What happened on the courts in Helsinki on the first day of the European Championship is difficult to describe in words. Judging by how worthy our squash players fought against their rivals (even if they lost), one can only roughly imagine the situation on other courts. For example, in the same Group D, the Italians, who outright lost to the Danes, then managed to defeat the Belgians only due to the only game they won - now their fate depends entirely on the face-to-face meeting between Denmark and Belgium. And what is happening in the games of the first division is completely indescribable. Look at the results: in two confrontations, the winner was determined solely by the total number of goals scored. But there each of the teams has to play two more games. So, if the first day turned out to be so interesting, then we can expect even more from the next. And against this background, you can be sure that our team will definitely leave its unforgettable mark on this continental championship - as it happened before.

2017 European Team Championship (Helsinki, Finland)

Group stage 04/26/2017

Division II

Group A

Netherlands - Ukraine - 4:0 (12: 2)

3 Bart Ravelli - Valeriy Fedoruk - 3:0 (11: 8, 11: 4, 11: 7)

1 Piedro Schweertman - Denis Podvorny - 3:0 (11: 8, 11: 3, 11: 3)

4 Mark Ter Sluis - Dmitry Pogrebnyak - 3:2 (11: 3, 5:11, 12:14 , 11: 6, 11: 3)

2 Rene Miis - Konstantin Rybalchenko - 3:0 (11: 9, 13:11, 11: 1)

Israel - Ukraine - 3:1 (10: 4)

3 Nadav Raziel - Valeriy Fedoruk - 1: 3 (11: 6, 1:11, 3:11, 6:11)

1 Daniel Poleshchuk - Denis Podvorny - 3: 0 (11: 8, 11: 4, 11: 9)

4 Ron Levy - Dmitry Pogrebnyak - 3: 0 (11: 5, 11: 7, 11: 4)

2 Roe Avraham - Konstantin Rybalchenko - 3: 1 (11: 9, 10:12, 11: 4, 11: 4)

The Netherlands - Israel

will play on April 27

Other matches

Group B

Ireland - Norway - 4:0 (12: 0)

Hungary - Norway - 3:1 (10: 6)

April 27 will play

Ireland - Hungary

Group C

Wales - Portugal - 4:0 (12: 0)

Austria - Portugal - 4:0 (12: 3)

On April 27

Wales - Austria

will play

Group D

Denmark - Italy - 4:0 (12: 1)

Belgium - Italiya - 2: 2 (6: 7)

on April 27

Denmark - Belgium

I division

Group A

England - Switzerland - 4:0 (12: 0)

Germany - Spain - 2: 2 (7:7, on points - 138:133 )

On April 27

Germany - Switzerland

England - Spain

England - Germany

Spain - Switzerland

Group B

France - Czech Republic - 3: 1 (10:4)

Scotland - Finland - 2:2 (7: 7, on points - 130:117)

27 April will play

France - Finland

Scotland - Czech Republic

France - Scotland

Finland - Czech Republic

Team European Championship, Day 2-3: One Step Down

The current European team championship turned out to be not entirely successful for our team. Having lost in the group stage, the Ukrainians were forced to fight for survival in the second division. Despite all the efforts, this process was extremely difficult.

After two unpleasant losses in the group stage, our team had a day of rest before starting the fight for 9-12 places. In a sense, it was beneficial - the Ukrainians were able to both relax and recharge their energy, watching the games between the representatives of the teams of the first division. Many of them are the strongest world-class players and almost legends of squash (what is the skill of the same Finn Ollie Tuominen, Swiss Nicholas Muller, Englishmen Nick Matthew, Daryl Selby and James Willstrop, Frenchmen Gregory Goltier, Mathieu Castagnier, Lucégua Marsh , Scotsman Alan Kline and German Simon Rosner).

The biggest charge was received by Dmitry Pogrebnyak, who just this year moved from the category of reserve players of the national team to the main team. Moreover, on Friday, the confrontation began with games between the fourth rackets of the teams - and here Dmitry showed himself in all his glory, immediately joining the fight. Italian Gianluca Poggiale was able to resist the Ukrainian only in the first game, after which he preferred to surrender resignedly. With the same vigor, Pogrebnyak began the battle with the Portuguese national team, immediately defeating Tomas Silva in two games - only then tiredness began to overcome our player, because in the most difficult struggle he still lost.

[caption id="attachment_17130" align="alignright" width="720"]Команда Португалии[/caption]

But these were the games of the fourth "numbers" of the national teams - the main battles were still unfolding between the most experienced players. And here, unfortunately, unpleasant surprises befell us. Denis Podvorny and Konstantin Rybalchenko lost without options to the first rackets of Italy and Portugal. The reputation of the Ukrainian national team managed to support Valeriy Fedoruk - despite the fact that the outcome of the confrontations was known in advance, he gave the maximum. Fedoruk's games in both meetings were the last, but Valeriy first made Andrea Torricini nervous by taking one game from him, and a little later he completely bombed the third racket of the Portuguese national team Pedro Pinto in three games.

Unfortunately, we have to admit that this year has turned out to be extremely difficult for our team - in 2018 we will have to fight to get to the second division. All that remains is to hope for a worthy end to this championship (there are still games with the Norwegian national team ahead). And clear preparation for next year's games.

European Team Championship 2017 (Helsinki, Finland)

27-28.04.2017

Division II Group stage Group A Netherlands - Israel - 4:0 (12:1)

Group B Ireland - Hungary - 2: 2 (9: 8, on points - 171: 149)

Group C Wales - Austria - 4: 0 (12:1)

Group D Denmark - Belgium - 3: 1 (11: 3) Standings

Play-off

For 1-8 places

Netherlands - Hungary - 4:0 (12: 3)

Ireland - Israel - 3:1 (9:5)

Denmark - Austria - 3:1 (8:5)

Wales - Belgium - 3:0 (9:2)

Hungary - Belgium - 2:2 (7:5)

Israel - Austria - 3:1 (9:6)

Wales - Netherlands - 3:1 (8:3)

Denmark - Ireland - 3:1 (10:7)

Hungary on April 29 - Israel

Belgium - Austria

Wales - Denmark

Netherlands - Ireland

For 9-12 places

Ukraine - Italy - 1:3 (4: 9)

4 Dmitry Pogrebnyak - Gianluca Poggiali - 3:0 (15:13, 11: 6, 11: 5)

1 Denis Podvorny - Yuri Farneti - 0:3 (5:11, 7:11, 3:11)

2 Konstantin Rybalchenko - Dimitri Diamantopoulos - 0:3 (4:11, 7:11, 5:11)

3 Valery Fedoruk - Andrea Torricini - 1:3 (11: 9, 8:11, 4:11, 5:11)

Ukraine - Portugal - 1: 3 (5: 9)

4 Dmitry Pogrebnyak - Tomas Silva - 2:3 (11: 8, 12:10, 8:11, 5:11, 9:11)

1 Denis Podvorny - Rui Soares - 0:3 (6:11, 2:11, 2:11)

2 Konstantin Rybalchenko - Claudio Pinto - 0:3 (5:11, 5:11, 6:11)

3 Valeriy Fedoruk - Pedro Pinto - 3:0 (11: 6, 11: 6, 11: 3)

Other matches Portugal - Norway - 3:1 (9: 6)

Italy - Norway - 3:1 (9: 4)

April 29 play

Ukraine - Norway

Portugal - Italy

Division I

Group A Germany - Switzerland - 4:0 (12: 0) England - Spain - 3:1 (11: 6) England - Germany - 2: 2 (7: 6) Spain - Switzerland - 4:0 (12: 0) Tournament table

Group B France - Finland - 4: 0 (12: 1) Scotland - Czech Republic - 4: 0 (12: 0) France - Scotland - 4: 0 (12: 3) Finland - Czech Republic - 2: 2 (8: 7) Tournament table

Play-off

For 5-8 places

Spain - Czech Republic - 3:1 (11: 4)

Finland - Switzerland - 2:2 (8:8, on points - 150:149)

April 29 play Spain - Finland

Switzerland - Czech Republic

For 1-4 places

England - Scotland - 4:0 (10: 0)

France - Germany - 4:0 (11: 2)

April 29 play Scotland - Germany

England - France

Team European Championship, day 4: With an eye on 2018

The last day of the European Championship has become a kind of Rubicon for many teams. As for the Ukrainian national team, it has already approached the Friday games in the status of a team, which next year will have to play in the third division and fight for the right to be promoted in class. Therefore, it remained only to withstand the last blow and prove their claims to be called one of the most worthy. To be honest, our squashists succeeded.

WORTHY COMPLETION

In fact, the games against the Norwegians were more nominal - both teams already knew before this confrontation that they were losing their place in the second division to the teams of Slovakia and Poland, which won the tournament in Jersey in early April. Nevertheless, the battle in each of the matches turned out to be tough. Dmitry Pogrebnyak, taken aback in the first game of the rivalry with Trim Osness, managed to pull himself together and gave a wonderful fight, taking one game from his opponent, and losing two more games with a minimal lag. Denis Podvorny squeezed out the maximum in the game with Adrian Estbier, finishing him off in the fifth tie-break game. Then our team was brought forward by Valeriy Fedoruk, who managed to cope with the experienced Sindre Roaldsøy. The last to enter the battle was our champion among juniors Artur Sikora, for whom it was the first game at a tournament of this level. But here the gaming experience has already played a role - Kim Are Killingberg performs at such tournaments much more often, therefore he managed to withstand Arthur's starting pressure and take all three games.

Thus, the Ukrainian national team finished their performance at the 2017 European Team Championship in last place and next year they will have to fight for a return to the II division. Judging by how our guys fought in Helsinki, I believe that in a year they will be able to win this right with ease. In the meantime, we have the right to let Slovaks and Poles feel the taste of games at this level - at least for a while.

CULTURE FINALS

The exchange between divisions also took place at the highest level. Despite the support of the native tribunes, the hosts of the tournament, the Finns, dropped out of the 1st division, taking only seventh place. Finland and the main loser of the European Team Championship Switzerland next year will be replaced by Wales and Denmark.

But the main sensation was the victory of the French team, which won the title of European champion. Recently, the French often overlap with the founders of squash, the British in the finals of the team European Championship, but in seventeen years they were able to defeat them only once - in 2015 in Herning. Last year, France lost 1:2 to England, and the only victory was gained by the most experienced player of the team, Gregory Goltier, who managed to cope with James Willstrop in four games. At the same time, in the ranks of the British there was no Nick Matthew, injured at that time, one of the strongest players of this team. This time the revenge came out more than confident. Goltier, Gregua Marsh and Mathieu Castagnier dealt with Matthew, Daryl Selby and Willstrop, respectively, so the meeting between Luke Serme and Tom Richards no longer made any sense.

Bronze medals were won by the Germans, who managed to defeat the Scottish national team - and here the intrigue was present to the last. This confrontation ended in a draw and the fate of the medals had to be postponed until the total number of goals scored was counted. In many respects, the Germans got the "bronze" because of the crazy resistance in the last match - although Valentin Rapp lost his meeting to Kevin Moran with a score of 0: 3, he gave each of the games with a minimal lag - 9:11, 8:11, 9:11. In order to rise to the podium, the German national team needed an advantage of only four goals scored.

European Team Championship 2017 (Helsinki, Finland)

04/29/2017

Division II

Play-off

For 9-12 places

Ukraine - Norway - 2:2 (7:8)

3 Dmitry Pogrebnyak - Trim Osness - 1:3 (0:11, 9:11, 11: 6, 7:11)

1 Denis Podvorny - Adrian Estbier - 3:2 (11: 9, 8:11, 11:13, 11: 4, 12:10)

2 Valery Fedoruk - Sindre Roaldsøy - 3:0 (11: 8, 14:12, 11: 8 )

4 Artur Sikora - Kim Are Killingberg - 0:3 (9:11, 2:11, 4:11)

Another match

Portugal - Italy - 2:2 (8: 8, on points - 146: 150)

For 7th place

Belgium - Austria - 3:1 (10: 6)

For 5th place

Hungary - Israel - 3: 1 (9: 4)

For 3rd place

Netherlands - Ireland - 1: 2 (4: 7)

Final

Wales - Denmark - 3:0 (9: 0)

Division I

Play-off

For 5-8 places

Spain - Finland - 3:1 (11: 3)

Switzerland - Czech Republic - 1: 3 (5: 9) Tournament table

For 3rd place Scotland - Germany - 2: 2 (7: 7, on points - 127: 133) Final England - France - 0: 3 (3: 9)

Final position

France
England
Germany
Scotland
Spain
Czech Republic
Finland
Switzerland
9 (1). Wales

10 (2). Denmark

11 (3). Ireland

12 (4). Netherlands

13 (5). Hungary

14 (6). Israel

15 (7). Belgium

16 (8). Austria

17 (9). Italy

18 (10). Portugal

19 (11). Norway

20 (12). Ukraine

Places of the men's national team of Ukraine since participation in the team European championships