“Most Valuable Player of the Tournament”.
It was won by Elena Timina.
Alongside, Irina Palina and Galina Melnik, she had guided Russia to gold and she was very clear that without the support of her two compatriots, she would not have won the prize.
Sportingly and true to her sincere character, she shared the winnings with her colleagues.
Seventeen Years Later
Over 17 years later, once again, Elena Timina merited the “Most Valuable Player” tag.
In the final of the Women’s Team event at the Intersport European Championships in Gdansk-Sopot, she saved match points against a player who was born one year after her success in Birmingham.
High Tension
Elena Timina recovered from a two games to nil deficit, to beat Romania’s 16 year old Bernadette Szocs, in a full distance tension packed victory.
She won 9-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-2, 14-12.
Secured Title
The win secured a three-nil victory for the Netherlands in a repeat of the final of one year earlier when, in the Czech Republic city of Ostrava, the Netherlands had clinched gold with Romania having to settle for silver.
Common Factor
Defeat for Romania but it was a splendid effort from three players, who have all won the Junior Girls’ Singles crown at the European Youth Championships.
Daniela Dodean won in 2005 in Ostrava and retained her title one year later in Sarajevo, Elizabeta Samara succeeded in 2007 in Bratislava and, earlier this year in Kazan, Bernadette Szocs jumped for joy after winning the final point.
Age Difference
It is a young team, a team maturing and no doubt destined to climb one step higher in the not too distant future.
In addition to teenager, Bernadette Szocs, Daniela Dodean is 23 years old, Elizabeta Samara is one year younger.
Conversely, Li Jie is the baby of the Netherlands team at 27 years of age, Li Jiao is now 38 years old and Elena Timina is 42; however, judging by the enthusiasm that Elena Timina shows for table tennis, Daniela Dodean, Elizabeta Samara and Bernadette Szocs may well retire before she does!
