Eslöv once again showed proof of its impressive width when the team defeated Halmstad at home. With victories from all players and decisive efforts in the toughest situations, Eslöv continues to impress in the Table Tennis League.
Eslöv started during the evening with Vladislav Ursu, Alex Naumi, Martin Friis and William Bergenblock. Halmstad gave the chance to Gabrielius Camara, Dominykas Samuolis, Isak Alfredsson and Noa Dahlström.
Vladislav Ursu started in the best way for his Eslöv. In three straight sets he defeated Dominykas Samuolis, often by coming first to attack. On the other table, William Bergenblock did not want to be worse, but he also won 3-0 in a set against Isak Alfredsson. Two players who have faced each other countless times.
The score was 2-0 to Eslöv and two important clashes awaited visiting Halmstad.
On the first table, Alex Naumi played against Gabrielius Camara. Before tonight’s meeting, they had faced each other once before on Swedish soil, and then Naumi emerged victorious from the duel. This time, however, Camara took revenge, and through a strong defensive game he resisted Naumi’s attacks. After an even battle, Camara finally managed to win 3-1.
At the same time, the meeting between Martin Friis and Noa Dahlström was played on the other table. It was a swinging story that went to the tiebreaker, after Friis failed to decide on the match point he had in the fourth set. Once there, Friis showed evidence of a varied game and finally secured the victory with 11-5.
The score was 3-1 and the home team had the upper hand after the break.
The next match on the agenda was the meeting between the teams’ two firsts for the evening, Vladislav Ursu and Gabrielius Camara. Eslöv’s Ursu, with the best quota in the league after the autumn matches, showed again why he is undefeated in the Table Tennis League. Through a dazzling offensive, he controlled the game and won 3-0 in the set.
Eslöv then made sure to close the night and take his sixth straight three-pointer. Alex Naumi got his revenge by defeating Dominykas Samuolis in a well-played duel that went to a decision. The decision ended 11-8, and Naumi, with strength in serve and return, got to cheer to the applause of the home crowd in Blomsterbergshallen.
Eslöv’s team manager Peter Andersson is satisfied with the team’s performance.
– It was a good and stable effort. There was good focus and energy in the paddock right from the start this time. Last time we were 0-2 down and then managed to turn around.
How significant were the two victories in arbitration?
– One match here or there and it’s even as hell. It’s important as hell to win the close games.
Eslöv shows its strength through the great breadth of the squad, something that turns out to be a winning concept.
– It’s great fun. William enters and wins his first match solidly, Marre (Martin Friis) wins 3–2 in a tough match. Then Ursu takes two and Alex one, so everyone contributes today and it’s great fun.
Alex Naumi, who decided the team match with his referee win, thinks his own level varied.
– Sometimes it felt good and sometimes not so good, but it was very nice to win the second game in any case. I’ve had a lot of even losses this year, so it feels really good to get an arbitration win.
In the next round for Eslöv, an away match awaits against Spårvägen, who in the evening took their first three points of the season.
– I think we have a good chance. We have good cohesion and several strong players in the team. It will probably go well if we do the work, concludes Naumi.
Halmstad’s team manager Fredrik Håkansson is quite satisfied with the team’s performance.
– It is perfectly fine. We put a few games in the referee and that means quite a lot. We are a bit of underdogs and you can see that they are more experienced. They also have one player who wins two and that makes it easier for the others to play out.
The next challenge for Halmstad is a trip to Kosta, which shadows behind in the table.
– It’s a new round so we’ll see which team we bring, even if it won’t be the same as tonight, says Håkansson.
Already on Thursday, new matches await in the Table Tennis League. The season continues with continued excitement and important points at stake for the teams in the table.
Full results from the match:
Vladislav Ursu – Dominykas Samuolis 3-0 (15-13, 11-7, 11-9)
William Bergenblock – Isak Alfredsson 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 12-10)
Alex Naumi – Gabrielius Camara 1-3 (5-11, 11-8, 12-14, 9-11)
Martin Friis – Noa Dahlström 3-2 (11-9, 4-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5)
Vladislav Ursu – Gabrielius Camara 3-0 (12-10, 11-7 11-7)
Alex Naumi – Dominykas Samuolis 3-2 (8-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8)
All matches in Round 9:
13/01, 18:30: Eslövs AI BTK – Halmstad BTK 5-1 Webcast
13/01, 18:30: Spårvägens BTK – Kosta SK 5-3 Webcast
15/01, 18:30: BTK Record – Falkenberg’s BTK Webcast
15/01, 18:30: Eskilstuna by STIGA – Söderhamn UIF Webcast
You can find all the results and game schedule from the Ping League By STIGA here.
Bild: William Bergenblock, Eslövs AI BTK Photo: Linda Carlsson/SBTF
