Anna Hursey . . . Olympian And Now Double European Champion

Anna Hursey has added another European title to her collection, winning the Under-19 Girls’ Singles at the European Youth Championships.

Wales’ Olympic star Hursey, seeded eighth, beat the top three seeds on her way to the title in Ostrava.

Her run culminated in a 4-1 (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9) victory over top seed Veronika Matiunina of Ukraine in the final – the same opponent she had beaten to win the European Under-21 title in May.

The 19-year-old – who became Wales’ first ever table tennis player to compete at an Olympic Games when she represented Great Britain in Paris last year - said: “I’m really happy. 

“Every time I play against Matiunina it’s always a tough and demanding match, she’s a great player who keeps a lot of points alive, so I knew I had to stay fully focused.

“The last game was especially difficult because I started thinking I might actually win. It’s an amazing feeling to be champion.”

Earlier, Hursey defeated her doubles partner Mia Griesel of Germany, the second seed, in the quarter-finals.

It turned into a marathon and Hursey, having seen her opponent come from 3-0 down to take it to a decider, got through 4-3 (11-5, 15-13, 11-4, 9-11, 3-11, 6-11, 11-7).

Anna Hursey on the European Youth Championships podium with her trophy.

In the semi-finals, it was a much more straightforward 4-0 (11-5, 11-2, 11-7, 11-5) win over Leana Hochart of France, seeded three.

“I won 4-0 against Hochart, and I think I played really well, especially tactically. I’ve played her a few times before and knew she’s a strong opponent, but today I was just better,” added Hursey.

“I stayed focused, especially because in my previous match I was 3-0 up and it ended up 3-3 – that was still on my mind a bit. But I stayed calm and stuck to my game plan.

“Compared to the U21 event, this U19 tournament is definitely more demanding. There are more matches, and I also played in the team event. I just hope to keep doing my best.”

Hursey & Griesel, seeded third, were also on the podium in the Junior Girls' Doubles, though had to settle for bronze this time having won gold at the Under-21s.

They were defeated 3-1 (11-9, 14-12, 4-11, 11-7) in the semi-finals by Hochart & Nina Guo Zheng of France, the top seeds who went on to win the title.

It means Hursey won one medal of each colour at the event, having taken Junior Mixed Doubles silver alongside Iulian Chirita of Romania. 

The pair, seeded fifth, lost the final 3-2 (3-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2) to Daniel Berzosa of Spain & Matiunina, the top seeds.

READ MORE: Anna Hursey’s Rise Tipped To Take Welsh Olympian To The Very Top After Stunning European Success