Larnaka, Cyprus, July 28, 2016 – With two wins each Brazil’s Eduarda ‘Duda’ Lisboa/Victoria Lopes Pereira and Latvia’s Tina Graudina/Paula Neciporuka are all set for the pool B decider on Friday at the FIVB U19 World Championships in Larnaka.
Reigning U19 and U21 world champion Duda and her partner for this occasion Victoria booked straight wins against lucky losers Spela Morgan and Tajda Lovsin from Slovenia (21-12, 21-14) and Poland’s Martyna Kloda and Monika Gorzka (21-17, 21-15).
The U18 European champions Graudina and Neciporuka did the same but in a different order. They first defeated Poland (21-12, 21-13) and then Slovenia (21-16, 21-17).
“It was a good start and it was good to get used to the weather conditions here. So we’re happy with our first day”, said 18-year old Graudina. “Both matches were very smooth. But we came very well prepared and focussed because we know these teams and that they play quite good. So we came out with our best motivation.”
According to the international coaches the Latvian girls are one of the favourites for a medal here in Larnaka. “That’s no surprise”, said Graudina. “Since we won the European championships last year. So everybody is looking at us, what we have been doing during the winter, how good we have become.”
It will be the first time the Latvian and Brazilian girls meet on the court. Graudina is confident. “We never played them before, but we want to play them badly. So tomorrow we’ll see.”
Another strong team here at the U19 are Dutch champion and reigning U20 European champion Nika Daalderop and her partner Mexime van Driel. They only played one match on Thursday, but didn’t falter against Argentina’s Virginia Berguiristain and Julia Diaz Neli (21-9, 21-8).
Third seeded Hanna Viemann and Lena Günther are also still undefeated with straight wins over Norway and Namibia. The Germans will play Ukraine’s Viktoria Lysytsia and Kateryna Dashevska for the pool win on Friday.
In pool A Czech team Martina Maixnerova and Marie-Sara Stochlova and Italy’s Chiara They and Reka Orsi Toth will decide on Friday who will win the pool and go straight to the second knockout round. Both teams also booked two wins on Thursday.
Quick Links•
U19 World Championships Larnaka, Cyprus 2016 - website•
Qualification - Men•
Qualification - Women•
Main draw - Men•
Main draw - Women