The 2023 12 & Under European Summer Cups by Dunlop Finals have been won by Israel (girls) and France (boys). Writing their names into the history books, the Israeli girls will be taking home the first ever European team title for their nation - in either Summer or Winter Cups. The French boys on the other hand add to a plethora of titles already won in the other team competitions. In this particular event, it is the third title for the team.
The final rounds of both events were held in France with the collaboration of the Fédération Française de Tennis. The girls played in the Corsican capital of Ajaccio, while the boys played in Dijon, in the Burgundy region.
Full Results | Photo Gallery (girls) | Photo Gallery (boys)
Road to the Final: Round-Robin Stage
Girls - Group A (Israel, Italy, Slovakia, Ukraine)
After the first two days of play, team Israel was the only nation to have secured two wins, with every other team, having a win-loss of 1-1. Slovakia notched their second win yesterday but Israel’s 3-0 victory over Italy sent them through to the final as undefeated group winners.
Girls - Group B (Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Spain)
It was the same case for Great Britain, being the only team with two wins after two days. Their 2-1 win over the Czech Republic yesterday secured their undefeated path to the final.
Boys - Group A (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary)
On home soil, and in hot form, the French boys were clear winners of this group. Undefeated and unrelenting in three straight rounds, they were inspired, making a statement and winning all three of their ties 3-0.
Boys - Group B (Belgium, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain)
The first match turned out to be the decider: Slovakia were made to fight against their Belgian opponents in the first tie, with a 2-1 victory coming in the decisive doubles. This proved to be a key victory as both teams won their next two ties 3-0 and 2-1, meaning that the vital win on day 1 was what had secured Slovakia their spot in the final.
The Finals
Girls - Israel def. Great Britain 2-0
A two-time finalist on the Junior Tour in 2023, it was Daniel Baranes who sent Israel up 1-0 with a 6-3 6-3 win over Liv Zingg. Then Ofir Manhard conceded only one more game than her compatriot to outdo Megan Knight 6-4 6-3 and give the Israelis an unassailable lead. The doubles match between Baranes & Daniel Blustein against Knight & Zingg was not played, with young team already celebrating the well-earned honour of taking home the first European junior team trophy for Israel. Prior to this win, Israel’s closest brush to victory came in 1988, when their boys’ 18&U team lost to Sweden in the Summer Cups final.
Boys - France def. Slovakia 3-0
The French boys kept up their momentum from the Round Robin stage, refusing to give an inch yet again to their opponents. Mario Vukovic, winner at Passagespoirs and finalist in Porto San Giorgio, got the ball rolling for France with a 7-5 6-3 win over Andrej Adamovic. Evan Giurescu, already a winner of two titles this year, then gave the home nation a decisive 2-0 lead with a tough 6-4 3-6 6-3 win over Max Lorincik, himself a three-time winner on the TEJT in 2023. And to keep an immaculate sheet, Giurescu & Samuel Dakessian ensured that France’s incredible unbeaten run remained intact, beating Adamovic & Matteo Sanson 6-0 6-0.
This third victory at this event for the French was made even sweeter by playing at home and given that their last win came all the way back in 2010 when the event was held in Alghero, Italy.
Final Standings
Girls
- Israel
- Great Britain
- Slovakia
- Czech Republic
- France
- Italy
- Ukraine
- Spain
Boys
- France
- Slovakia
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Germany