The match between Bogoria of Panagiotis Gionis and Djialdovo was expected to be balanced and, thus, it went to its initial part, but as soon as the home team made a great turnaround to make it 1-0, it seemed that they also got a psychological boost.
From his team’s No. 1 position, the top Greek athlete faced a former European champion, Denmark’s Jonathan Groth, and, understandably not yet finding his true competitive face, not long after his latest return from injury, he with 3-0 sets. Bogoria’s task of qualifying for the final became extremely difficult. The rematch will be held in Grodzisk next Wednesday.
Both Polish teams had started their journey from the Champions League. Bogoria had taken the second place in the first group, Dzialdovo had also been ranked second in the third group and, thus, they had acquired the right to continue their European journey in the Europe Cup.
In the quarter-finals of the tournament, Bogoria beat the also-Polish Bydgosz inside-out, while Dzialdovo achieved two victories against Wiener Neustadt from Austria.
Thousands of Polish fans eagerly awaited the first “civil war” of the four and the gym was also full of fervent supporters of Bogoria, as the team’s hometown is just over two hours’ drive from Dzialdovo.
In the crucial (as it turned out) opening match, two Polish champions, who are related to Panathinaikos, faced off. Dias, who had worn the green jersey in the last part of last year’s championship, and Badovski, who has agreed for this season with the Athenian team (regardless of whether he has not played in Greece yet). Badowski took a 2-0 set lead, but his compatriot turned it around to make it 3-2 in his favor, winning the soul-crushing fifth set 6-4!
Next, No. 86 on this week’s world ranking list) met the top Dane, left-hander Jonathan Groth (No. 50). With the same opponent, he had very strong matches in the past, but this time he could not give 100% of his potential.
The first set was decided in overtime. Then the 2016 European men’s doubles champion became more consistent and at the same time it was clear that Gionis was not playing comfortably and lacked the required energy. So naturally came the 3-0 sets defeat and later so did the team scores with the Bogoria coach’s son, young international Rezimski, losing to Japan’s Kai Konichi.
In detail, the progress of the match Dzialdovo-Bogoria 3-0:
Jakub Diaz-Marek Badowski 3-2 (7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 6-4)
Jonathan Groth-Panagiotis Gionis 3-0 (14-12, 11-4, 11-6)
Kai Konitsi-Milos Regimski 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-8)
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