Events

Malaihollo guides VELO to victory
Date: 6/25/2014 8:08 PM
Published by : Manuel Røsler

The clash between Van Zundert Velo, the Dutch champions and Recreativo Les La Orden was always going to be the crunch match of group two of the 2014 European Club Championships in Amiens. Top spot in the group was essential to avoid the reigning champions Primorye Vladivostok in the quarter finals and a pair of Lisa Malaihollo (pictured) points puts Velo in pole position to win the group.

Velo, who already had one match under their belt after their victory over TBR of Iceland yesterday, got off to the worst start possible losing the opening mixed doubles which they would have expected to win and after the first three matches trailed the Spanish 2-1 thanks in no small part to the performance of men’s singles circuit champion Pablo Abian.

Malaihollo then steadied the Dutch ship taking the women’s doubles alongside Myke Halkema which came as a relief to the Dutch youngster. “After losing the first mixed it was nice to get back out on court soon after alongside Lisa and get that winning feeling again” said Halkema.

That women’s doubles victory proved to be the catalyst for a Dutch comeback led by Malaihollo who was soon back out on court in the second women’s singles. In a tight match the Dutch girl was very relieved to come through in two tight games.

“I am very happy to win the vital fourth point for the team” said Malaihollo. “We have a really good team spirit and even though I was tired in the singles match I just kept fighting for the team”

The Dutch went on to win the match 4-3 which all but guarantees themselves top spot in the group.

BC Milano on the cusp of an historic quarter final spot

Italian Champions BC Milano look to be heading to an historic quarter final spot after defeating Portuguese side ACD Che Lagoense in a tense group three encounter. Wisnu Putro proved to be the Italian hero winning both his mixed doubles and singles as the Italian champions walked away with a 4-3 victory. A victory tomorrow for Milano against BC Uzwil of Switzerland will see the Italians into the quarter final.

The big surprise of the tournament so far has been Portuguese Olympian, Pedro Martin’s inability to win either of his group matches to date at second singles which the Portuguese would have banked on ahead of the tournament.

Hosts Chambly have all but secured top spot in the group as they introduced Kirsty Gilmour to the action with the Scot showing no ill effects of her recent Super Series trip to Asia.

Reigning Champions Primorye Vladivostok eased into their title defence with a 7-0 win over BC Zwijndrecht.

Today's results of the group stage:

Primorye Vladivostok (RUS) - BC Zwijndrecht (BEL) 7-0
TJ Sokol Vesely Jehnice (CZE) - BC 82 Bettembourg (LUX) 6-1
SCB - Stara Zagora (BUL) - AIX Universite CB (FRA) 0-7
BC Chambly Oise (FRA) - BC Uzwil (SUI) 7-0
Van Zundert VELO (NED) - Recreativo Ies La Orden (ESP) 4-3
BC Milano (ITA) - ACD Che Lagoense (POR) 4-3

For all results from Amiens click HERE

For facebook photo gallery follow Badminton Europe by clicking HERE

To revisit all the action on demand from court 1 on Badminton Europe’s streaming channel click HERE

Article and photos by Mark Phelan (Live in Amiens).

©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

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