Romania's Under-19 men's and women's teams both qualified for the finals on Monday at the European Youth Table Tennis Championships in Gondomar, Portugal, according to the Romanian Table Tennis Federation (FRTM).
Romania's Under-19 men's team defeated Austria 3-1 in the quarter-finals, with Robert Istrate contributing two victories: a 3-0 (11-9, 11-4, 13-11) win over Petr Hodina and a 3-1 (11-3, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8) victory against Julian Rzihauschek. Andrei Tibirna also recorded a straight-games 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-8) win over Tobias Hold, while Robert Podar was defeated by Julian Rzihauschek 0-3 (7-11, 14-16, 6-11).
In the semi-finals, Romania swept Spain 3-0. Robert Istrate defeated Francesc Carrera 3-2 (7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4), Robert Podar overcame Luca Khidasheli 3-2 (4-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6), and Andrei Tibirna beat Dario Salcedo 3-1 (6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9).
Romania will face France in the gold medal match on Tuesday evening.
In the Under-19 women's competition, Romania edged Poland 3-2. Bianca Mei-Rosu earned two points with straight-games victories over Karolina Holda, 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-8), and Katarzyna Rajkowska, 3-0 (11-4, 11-8, 11-6). Alesia Sferlea secured the decisive point with a 3-2 (11-8, 4-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6) victory over Holda. Sferlea was beaten by Rajkowska 2-3 (7-11, 11-6, 14-12, 7-11, 7-11), while Patricia Stoica lost to Natalia Bogdanowicz 1-3 (11-9, 1-11, 3-11, 6-11).
Romania then defeated hosts Portugal 3-1 in the semi-finals. Bianca Mei-Rosu recorded victories over Mariana Santa Comba, 3-1 (4-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8), and Julia Leal, 3-0 (11-8, 12-10, 11-7), while Alesia Sferlea beat Julia Leal 3-1 (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7). Romania's only defeat came when Andreea Baiasu lost 1-3 (11-5, 6-11, 5-11, 8-11) to Beatriz Pinto.
Romania will also meet France in the women's final on Tuesday. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Mihai Tenea; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)
- Category: English
- Date: 2026-07-14 10:52:33
