David McBeath - a superb deciding game win to take a medal

A tremendous team performance despite a good performance for Serbia from European No 7 Dragan Subotic, the Serb star beat both David McBeath and Liam Pitchford both in 3 straight sets. But wins from Liam Pitchford over Vladimir Radonic and Sean Cullen over Kristian Dalea both also in 3 straight sets evened the match up at 2-2.

This setup a final game contest between David McBeath and Vladimir Radonic, Radonic started the stronger taking the first game but David responded well taking the next two games to lead 2-1, the Serb then took the fourth game to tie the match at 2-2 and 2-2. One game for a medal, the muttered cry from the watching coaches was – I hope he gets a good start – he didn’t. The Serb started the stronger moving to a 3-1 lead but David pegged it back and turned around 5-4 up. The Serb then responded as well to take a two point lead again at 7-5. David then produced two sublime serves to tie at 7-7, and produced some sublime shots to move to 9-7 ahead, 9-7 became 10-7 and then 10-8, another super shot from David left the Serb floundering and England will play No 1 seeds France in the Semi Finals this evening.

A real team performance, one win from each of the players and their delight at the end of the match was a joy to see. They have been punching above their weight, there is just one more battle to fight this evening if the boys have any energy left after the battle just won.

Photo: David McBeath playing Vladimir Radonic – Courtesy Henk Hommes

Results

Junior Boys

England 3 Serbia  2

PITCHFORD, Liam (ENG) beat RADONJIC, Vladimir (SRB)              12:10 11:5 11:7
McBEATH, David (ENG) lost to SUBOTIC, Dragan (SRB)       10:12 5:11 5:11
CULLEN, Sean (ENG) beat DALEA, Kristian (SRB)    11:7 11:6 11:2
PITCHFORD, Liam (ENG) lost to SUBOTIC, Dragan (SRB)   9:11 3:11 1:11
McBEATH, David (ENG) beat RADONJIC, Vladimir (SRB)   8:11 11:8 11:7 6:11 11:8

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