Great Finnish Cadet Girls breakthrough at ISTANBUL EYC



18/07/2010 - Finland was in charge for the big upset at the Cadet Girls Team’s Event at the 2010 ISTANBUL Metropolitan Municipality European Youth Championships. Coming from the lower division Pinja ERIKSSON, Sannamari BOLENIUS and Anna KIRICHENKO booked the place among 16 best teams.

On their way to the main draw girls from Finland overcame Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland in the group and in final play off match they beat Hungary. No meter who is in Hungarian team, they always represent the quality in female table tennis.“It was a surprise, because they are traditionally strong in this field,” explained Finnish coach Johan KRATZ. ”We have a very good situation now. Finally we can count on two good players, and not only one as it was the case previously. Now we have Pinja ERIKSSON and Sannamari BOLENIUS. Sannamari lived in Spain, and for three years she plays in for us. Her mother is a former national player, so she has a good sport background.”

One of the biggest problems in Finland is lack of possibilities for trainings. “We are not like the countries where kids can practice twice per day. We do not have sport schools, and we can not neglect education. Table tennis is small sport in Finland and you can not live from that. The only chance is to play somewhere out of country. It is hard since you have to be enough good to do that.”

There is only league for men’s, whilst girls do not have their league. “The only solution now is to find them clubs in Germany, Sweden, France…Our junior Pauli HIETIKKO and Otto TENNILA are in Sweden’s clubs, girls also play in Sweden and Denmark.”

In the first round of the main draw, Finland will play against one of the biggest favorites, and reigning champions Germany. “For us every team is strong in first division. It does not make the difference who is at the opposite side of the net. There is no good and bad draw, we must concentrate only on our game and try to survive in top division. We have little Anna born 1997, and it is important that she can play in the top division next year,” said coach Johan KRATZ.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)

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