Belgium beat Greece 3-2 on Tuesday in their first match of the men’s Euro table tennis tournament held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Robin Devos was first beaten 3-2 by Ioannis Sgouropoulos. Cédric Nuytinck put the two teams back on an equal footing by beating Giorgos Konstantinopoulos in three sets. Martin Allegro gave the Belgians the advantage by playing 3-1 against Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos. Sgouropoulos’ three-set victory over Nuytinck forced both teams to play a decisive fifth game. Devos took Giorgos Konstantinopoulos’ measure 3-2 and handed the victory to Belgium, who will play their second and final group stage game against Sweden on Thursday.
In the women’s tournament, Belgium lost 3 to 0 against Italy. Margo Degraef was beaten 3-2 by Giorgia Piccolin, Nathalie Marchetti lost 3-1 to Debora Vicarelli and Julie Van Hauwaert failed to take a set to Jamila Laurenti. The Belgians will face Romania on Wednesday.
The eight group winners advance to the quarter-finals.
