Romania wins team gold and bronze at Balkan Table Tennis Championships

Romania won gold in the women's team event and bronze in the men's team competition on Thursday at the Balkan Table Tennis Championships in Istanbul, according to the website of the Romanian Table Tennis Federation.

The Romanian women's team defeated Kosovo 3-0 in the quarterfinals, without dropping a single set. Elena Zaharia beat Leoresa Imeri 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-3), Bianca Mei-Rosu won against Shega Hashani 3-0 (11-2, 11-3, 11-3), and Ioana Singeorzan also overcame Leoresa Imeri 3-0 (11-3, 11-1, 11-6).

In the semifinals, Romania swept Greece 3-0. Zaharia defeated Ioanna Gerasimatou 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-8), Singeorzan edged Aikaterini Toliou 3-2 (10-12, 19-17, 6-11, 11-6, 12-10), and Mei-Rosu topped Elisavet Terpou 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-4).

In the final, Romania overpowered Turkey 3-0. Zaharia prevailed over Sibel Altinkaya 3-2 (11-9, 4-11, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8), Singeorzan won a five-set thriller against Ece Harac 3-2 (5-11, 11-6, 11-3, 7-11, 15-13), while Mei-Rosu sealed the victory with a 3-1 win over Ozge Yilmaz (11-6, 8-11, 11-3, 11-9).

On the men's side, Romania lost 1-3 in the semifinals against Greece. The team's only point came from Andrei Istrate, who defeated Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos 3-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4). Darius Toma fell to Georgios Stamatouros 1-3 (11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 9-11), Matei Dumitrescu was defeated by Gerasimos Chatzilygeroudis 1-3 (11-2, 6-11, 6-11, 7-11), and Istrate lost to Stamatouros 0-3 (3-11, 10-12, 8-11).

In the bronze-medal match, Romania defeated Italy 3-0. Toma beat Tomas Sanchi 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-3), Istrate overcame Giacomo Allegranza 3-2 (11-3, 13-15, 11-9, 3-11, 11-4), and Dumitrescu sealed the win against Costantino Cappuccio 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-4).

The 50th edition of the Balkan Championships will continue on Friday with the singles events.