DavidC wrote:

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Oscariyan wrote:

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Great news! Shame there isnt a stream to watch the euro final but should be a good set of matches albeit tough for Hannah against Samson.

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 The Czech Republic don't have their strongest team out (no Samson or Kovackova) but their number 1 Krejcova is still top 50, and backed up by a fast rising 2009 Hettlerova.  Hannah may have a similar experience to Mimi last year, who lost a few matches, having to play the number 1 singles.  Many European nations have strong number 1s but considerably weaker number 2s, which may benefit Mika, in the same way as it did Hannah last year.

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 Mika took the first rubber so a good start!

Hannah beat Krejcova 6-3 4-6 6-4

A long match but she came out the right side - and no one wants to play the doubles (which is quite understandable ) so it's forfeited

So GB finish top of their group

The under 16 finals take place from Monday in the Czech Republic. We will be seeded 1, based on Tennis Europe under 16 rankings, and can draw one of Germany, Spain or (Italy/Sweden, still to complete their match). Germany appear to be the strongest of those options, as they have strengthened their squad for the European finals by adding Julia Stusek (who beat Hannah in the Les Petits As), who was absent this week to join another top 50 player. Spain has a strong number 1, but much weaker number 2.

The under 18s beat Slovenia 3-0 but lost to Greece 2-1 to finish sixth in their group

Coup Droit wrote:

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Hettlerova didn't play so Mika played the #3 player (I think she's an imposter - Natalie Donald - surely she should be British/American? )
Natalie is also playing the doubles
So either Hettlrova is slightly injured - or they just wanted to give Natalie a proper chance, given that this match is the least important by far of all of them

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 A few years ago there was a Czech player called Matthew William Donald in the Juniors, often cropping up as an opponent for Brits.  I did a spot of research and found that his dad was a New Zealand tennis coach, who had spent many years coaching in Europe.  He moved his family to the Czech Republic from NZ  later on.  I guess Natalie must be Matthew's sister.

GB have been drawn against Spain in the finals of the U16 girls

So that's (in theory) Hannah versus Charo Banuls - where Charo is almost certainly the favourite on clay

But, of course, that may not be the case

And Mika has a good chance/will be favourite in singles too

So it may well come down to the doubles

Hannah sneaked home 3-6 7-5 6-4 (a very good win, considering the standard of her opponent on clay) so we win 2-0 and therefore reach the semis, plus qualify for the Junior BJK Cup later in the year