Team Scotland have struggled to make it out of the group stages in recent editions of the European U19 team event. This year the Scot’s have come to Tallinn as 5/8 seeds and today they seized control of that group beating nearest rivals The Netherlands.
Rachel Andrew teamed up with Matthew Grimley to give Scotland the crucial opening mixed doubles point. The Scots took three sets to get by Van Der Lecq and Lugters which proved the catalyst for the Scottish victory.
Christopher Grimley followed up with a convincing 2 set win over Dennis Koppen which served to completely banish the opening day loss to Luka Ban. Rachel Sugden was then afforded the opportunity to seal with win for Scotland against Amy Tan.
Sugden got off to a great start winning the opening set 21-17 but history between these two players shows that the matches have always been close. Tan took the second by the same score and at 20-20 in the decider it was a case of who dares wins and Sugden wanted it more.
Two quick points for the Scot sealed the deal to give Scotland an unassailable lead. The Grimley twins took the following men’s doubles and there was some consolation for the Dutch who took the final women’s doubles to leave the final score 4-1.
- I was nervous in the match said Sugden but I also felt little pressure as the team had given me a two point lead which was so important. I knew I could win that match and I just kept telling myself that throughout.
France continued their dominance of group two with Christo Popov (pictured above) getting his first taste of action at these championships. The French were up against host nation Estonia but there was no room for sentiment as the reigning champions steam rolled past Estonia only dropping a single set in the women’s doubles along the way.
- I felt good out there today said Popov. The shuttles were a bit fast for me but I adapted well and got a chance to feel the courts and the hall. We are here to win just as we did at home last time and we have the depth in the team to take gold.
Sweden now look the biggest opposition to the French in group 2 after they beat Ukraine on the adjoining court. France now play Sweden tomorrow for top spot in the group with the French clear favourites to do so.