Germany – Armenia
In the final round of the ETCC Open Section Armenia exercised the well known strategy of neutralising opponent’s white pieces in the decisive match against the co-leading Germany. On boards one and three Levon Aronian and Vladimir Akopian quickly drew with Arkadij Naiditsch and Daniel Fridman, respectively.
On the 2nd board German rising star Georg Meier applied pressure on Sergei Movsesian’s setup, achieved a substantial advantage and consequently converted into the full point.
Jan Gustafsson eventually pulled a draw in the exhausting game against Gabriel Sargissian and marked a huge celebration for the German team. Congratulations!
Azerbaijan – Romania
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov’s swift victory against Levente Vajda from Romania put the Azerbaijan team in comfortable position. His teammates decided not to take any chances and routinely drew on the top board. Vugar Gashimov later also won for the final score 3-1 in favour of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan moved into the second position and took a silver medal.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria was under pressure in the match against the charging Hungary. Zoltan Almasi was the first to score against Ivan Cheparinov, and then everything fell apart as Veselin Topalov and Alexander Delchev also lost.
Update: Hungary crushed Bulgaria by 4-0, overtook Armenia in the final standings and claimed a bronze medal!
Wow!. Congrats to Germany!
What a finish in the last two rounds!!
Viva Germania!!
What a clinical finish!!!
Total team performance!
Each player rose to the occasion. Gusti against Hungary (Rnd 3), Fridi against Romania(7th), Nadi against Azerbijan(8th) and Meiri against Armenia(9th).
To beat reigning champions Azeris and world champions Armenians in the last rnds.
As a long term hard core fan of German soccer team, never expected this from you.
Vow! I salute!!!!!
Joby Mathew George, India