Table Tennis: England's double medal haul
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ENGLAND'S women failed to reach the final last night but had already ensured the country's best European Championships for 14 years by reaching the semi-finals at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham yesterday, writes James Leigh.
Their 4-1 defeat by Russia contained the most exciting match of the tournament, Andrea Holt saving eight match points to beat Elena Timina - and their 4-1 victory over The Netherlands in the morning made certain both England's men's and women's teams would get a medal for the first time since 1980.
Against the Russians, Holt was heroic, chopping and pushing so that the first game lasted more than 15 minutes, thus causing the 12-stroke expedite rule to be invoked.
Holt, usually the more frequent attacker, should have been favoured by this, but she nevertheless lost the first game and went 20-15 down in the second game. The noisy crowd lifted her as she saved the match points and after Holt had won that second game with a lucky edge, Timina wore a fatalistic look.
Holt got a yellow card for kicking the ball away in disgust and Timina collapsed in despair on the table after sending a smash into the crowd. From
11-11, the Russian began to fret and Holt's forehand loop acquired better timing and accuracy to help her to an extraordinary 19-21, 27-25, 21-17 success.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments