European Veterans Championships 2013
The Ladies’ View
‘Vorsprung durch tecknik‘ summed up Teresa’s magnificent achievements in the 2013 European veterans championships, Bremen. With German-like precision and dogged determination, Teresa fought her way to a bronze in the women’s singles over 60’s, having already secured a quarter-finals finish in the doubles.
An agonising 25 minute delay had the assembled crowd in the ÖVB arena on edge even before Teresa’s semi-final started. On edge they remained throughout a nail biting five setter, as Teresa exchanged point for point with her Russian rival, and long time friend, Larisa.
Holding the opening set to 9-10, an uncharacteristic unforced error lost Teresa the first set. Teresa fought back to clinch the second 13-11 on a net, her only bit of luck on the day! A more confident Teresa took an early 2 point lead in the third, but was hauled in at the last to lose it 10-12. A cautious exchange in the opening of the fourth set, saw Teresa build a 10-8 lead, only to go behind 10-11. Unperturbed, Teresa hung in to win this set 14-12.
The 5th set was another tense affair, with Teresa trailing 5-1 at the change of ends. A timeout called by Larisa at 6-8 afforded Teresa an opportunity to recompose herself and take the next point in convincing style. Despite Teresa continuing with her controlled offensive play, her opponent held out to win the fifth by 3 points.
Each of the other Irish ladies secured their own personal victories. Sharon, having come second in her group, drew the defending European champion in the second round of the women’s singles over 40 main draw. The on-paper
0-3 result masked a steely performance, with Sharon coming out on top of several lengthy rallies. Audrey too qualified for the main draw, winning her group outright, before going out in the last 8 of the over 75 singles.
Having been pipped 9-11 and 6-11 in the first two sets of their last 16 match in the over 50’s doubles consolation draw, Carmel and Margaret steadied themselves and won the third set 11-8. Unfortunately, home advantage saw the German opponents clinch the match in the fourth.
After a convincing 11-5 win in the first set, a temporary lapse in concentration saw Vivienne and her partner fall behind 2 sets to 1 in the last 8 of the over 65’s doubles, consolation draw. The ladies soon returned to form, winning the remaining 2 sets in style. They continued this form into the opening set of the quarter finals, winning it 11-9, before narrowly losing each of the next 3 sets.
Summing up the tournament shortly after her bronze medal win, Teresa said her achievement hadn’t yet sunk in, half expecting the fact that she finished in the European top 4 to hit her only after a good night’s sleep! Whilst understandably disappointed at narrowly missing out on the chance to compete for gold, Teresa consoled herself with some last minute bargain hunting amongst the TT stalls in preparation for 2014….roll on New Zealand!