News

11/07/08

Justin Lee and Ingrid Neel - 7th "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players - won the OUATT Kids Cup World Final in Paris - under 10 age group

Justin Lee, Ingrid Neel and Paulina Ferrari were part of the “Little Mo” team that played traditional 7th annual “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl on Sunday, 29th of June 2008 in Smrikve.

Few days after the “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl competition they were competing in the OUATT Kids Cup World Final in Paris that was played at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy.

I am so glad that both Justin Lee and Ingrid Neel won the finals while Paulina Ferrari reached the semi finals. In doubles Ingrid and Paulina played the finals against Romanian players that played Smrikva Bowl. The results obtained by Justin, Ingrid and Paulina confirm the quality of their game.

The organiser of the OUATT Kids Cup Philippe Sautet e-mailed me that the final between Ingrid Neel and Maia Lumsden was bautiful and I was very glad to hear that because Maia also played “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl competition. During “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl competition Maia Lumsden won both matches and contributed to the victory of the Smrikva Bowl team. On the other side Justin Lee won both matches for the “Little Mo” team.

The Smrikva Bowl team defeated the “Little Mo” team 9:8 by counting the sets won because the overall result was 4:4. Overall Smrikva Bowl team leads 7:0 and this year competition was the most equal one that is also confirmed by Justin’s, Paulina’s and Ingrid’s success in Paris.

Justin Lee, William Blumberg, Ingrid Neel and Paulina Ferrari have been selected by the MCB Tennis Foundation to represent the United States in the 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl.

For the Smrikva Bowl team the players were selected among the finalist of the 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008. Luka Panic (Sui), Mihnea Turcu (Rom), Katarina Jokic (BiH), Maia Lumsden (Sco) represented Smrikva Bowl team on 7th “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl.

7. “Little Mo”/SMRIKVA BOWL RESULTS

«Little Mo»SMRIKVA BOWL

Ingrid Neel (USA) – Katarina Jokic (BiH) (6:3 6:4)
Paulina Ferrari (USA) – Maia Lumsden (Sco)(1:6 0:6)

Justin Lee (USA) – Luka Panic (Sui) (6:4 6:0)
William Blumberg (USA)– Mihnea Turcu (Rom) (3:6 6:3 12:10)

Ingrid Neel (USA) – Maia Lumsden (Sco) (3:6 5:7)
Paulina Ferrari (USA) – Katarina Jokic (BiH)(2:6 0:6)

Justin Lee (USA) – Mihnea Turcu (Rom) (6:1 6:0)
William Blumberg (USA) – Luka Panic (Sui)(1:6 3:6)

FINAL RESULTS (matches count) 4 – 4
FINAL RESULTS (set count) 8 – 9

In end compliments again to Justin Lee, Paulina Ferrari, Ingrid Neel and to Maia Lumsden.

Maia has a beautiful forhend, Paulina jumps to hit every ball, while Ingrid has a very fast and attack style of game. Justin is a complete player with very good tecnique and he also likes doubles :).

Thanks to Justin’s request we decided to introduce the exhibition doubles in the “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl competition. Jose Gracia’s expressed that desire few years ago and from this year the exhibition double will become traditional. It is mostly a merit of Justin Lee and Jose Gracia.

Your results on the Smrikva Bowl, “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl and on OUATT Kids Cup confirms the World quality of your game in your age group.

Simply congratulations to Justin, Ingrid, Paulina and Maia!

Please visit www.smrikve.com to learn more about Smrikve, Istria from Smrikve, Smrikva Bowl, one of the most important under 10 tennis tournaments in the World, and Villa Smrikve, for your accommodation with swimming pool in Stinjan (Pula – Pola) if you decide to spent your holiday in Istria, Croatia.

11/07/08

Rémy BERTOLA al 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008

Rémy BERTOLA is from Switzerland from the Ticino area and an article has been published by Associazione Regionale Tennis Ticino about his participation on the Smrikva Bowl that I am pleased to publish on our website.

If you are interested to visit Rémy BERTOLA’s website please visit www.remybertola.ch .

Rémy BERTOLA al 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
Tra i più importanti tornei internazionali under 10 del mondo

Dal 25 al 29 giugno si è svolto a Pula, in Croazia la 13ima edizione dello Smrikva Bowl, forse il più importante torneo internazionale per ragazzi under 10 al mondo.

Quest’anno ben 25 nazioni, provenienti dai 5 continenti (tra cui Australia, Porto Rico, Spagna, Francia, Inghilterra, ecc…) hanno risposto presente con i loro migliori giocatori in campo.

Tra loro anche due Svizzeri, di cui uno ticinese, Rémy Bertola, che si presentava per la prima volta in un torneo di tale livello.

Dopo una cerimonia di apertura degna dei grandi tornei ATP (100 tra ragazzi e ragazze), il torneo si è svolto su quattro giorni, sotto un sole cocente e con 36 gradi all’ombra. Gli incontri si sono rivelati di una intensità e di un livello davvero eccezionali, sia per i ragazzi che per le ragazze.

Rémy Bertola è riuscito a superare il primo ostacolo croato, per 9 a 2 (si gioca al meglio dei 9 games), ma non riuscirà a superare il suo secondo avversario, l’italiano Andrea Guerrieri, che poi arriverà in semifinale.

Il torneo è stato vinto da Luka Panic (classe 1998, R5) il quale si allena presso una Swiss Tennis Partner Academy in Svizzera interna e che senza dubbio è un valore montante del tennis Svizzero.

Un’esperienza sportiva e umana senz’altro da consigliare ai nostri giovani campioni in un ambiente accogliente e caloroso, all’immagine del direttore del torneo Miodrag Bozovic.

Anche se non è riuscito ad andare fino in fondo, complimenti a Rémy, che senz’altro non ha demeritato per coraggio e determinazione.

Altre informazioni su www.smrikve.com/smrikva-bowl

Ace

09/07/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Video is now on line on www.smrikve.com

The idea of this year Smrikva Bowl video was to show some of the most important Smrikva Bowl moments by separating the parts of the movie with the short messages. I hope you will enjoy the video and given the fact the resolution is not so high you will find the main messages here below that you find also in the video.

Part I – Introduction

Smrikva Bowl is played in Smrikve nearby Pula in Istria since 1996… over the years it has grown in one of the most important under 10 tennis tournaments in the World… it is a children’s tennis festival that in its history has gathered top players from over 30 countries and 5 continents…

Players travel over 16000 kilometres to take part to this festival… Smrikva Bowl is more than tennis… since the beginning its vision was to promote values that pass all frontiers…

Culture, sport, children and music goes beyond all frontiers and are part of the Cosmopolitan world…

Wellcome to the 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008!

Part II – Smrikva Bowl Ambassador Nomination Cerimony

Several years ago every Smrikva Bowl player started to become the Ambassador of the tournament… there are many players coming from places that are far away from Smrikve… and it is their word, as a Smrikva Bowl Ambassador, that help us to continue to attract each year the new talented players emerging in the World today and help us to spread the word about Smrikva…

“Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire and the power to unite people in a way little else can – it is an instrument of peace.” – Nelson Mandela

Part III – Centuries Old Olive Tree planting as part of the Smrikva Bowl Ambassador Nomination Cerimony

Planting of an century old olive tree is also a part of the Smrikva Bowl Ambassador’s nomination cerimony… it is a special moment for the children and for us…

Olive tree is a symbol of peace and its age is the symbol of intergenerational responsibility…

Every person is born without knowning anything about life on this earth and it is the responsibility of every generation to understand and to learn to preserve and respect all that each of us is born with… intergenerational responsibility alone will allow future generations to enjoy the beauty of life, the sunsets and the seasons of the earth…

Part IV – 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl team presentation

In 2002, the Smrikve Tennis Club and the Maureen Connolly Brinker tennis foundation joined forces with aim to create the first ever international competition between the United States and Europe for boys and girls under 10… the event was named “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl and the realisation of this idea united the names of two of the most prestigous under 10 tournaments…

Smrikva Bowl is today a global tournament and “Little Mo” has also grown into an international tournament but the “Little Mo” National Champions continue to meet with the best Smrikva Bowl players comming from all over the world and the event has arrived to its 7th annual…

A wise persone once wrote: “The future is always in a minority. Yet the history of the future is more important than the history of the past. It is for the old to remember the past. It is for the young to build the World of tomorrow…”

Part V – 13th Smrikva Bowl finals and thanks to the Smrikva Bowl Sponsors, Staff and Honorary Members

The finals are the special moment… it is the first time for the most Smrikva Bowl players to play with the ball boys and hopefully not only the winners will have good memories about one of their first international tournaments…

Thanks to all the major sponsors for their gifts for the children…

to Ronzio Oleodinamica for the t-shirts, hats and all the support since the foundation of the tournament… to Claudio Montanelli for the brochures… to Luca Appino for the special support… to Patrick Mouratoglou for the 7 days stage in his prestigious Academy in Paris… to Wilson for the contract for the winners, tournament balls and other gifts… to Ana Ivanovic for the signed t-shirts for the finalists… to Royal Boats for the mountain bikes… to Svijet biljaka for the Istrian Lavander products…

to Shake and SM Design for the gifts that were given to each players… to Agrofarmacija for arranging the central court with flowers… to Duravit, Puljanka, Restoran Oaza, IZO and other sponsors that allowed the preparation of more than 2000 sandwiches and 3000 liters of soft drinks that were offered to the children… thanks to the towns of Pula and Vodnjan and also to the Pula’s tourism office for their support… to Zdravec, Vedran Catela, Gordana Petersic, Vlado Bzik and all the other sponsors…

In end a special thanks is due to every single person that is part of the Smrikva Bowl staff, to the Smrikve Tennis Club players and in particular to the Smrikve Tennis Club President Vlado Juricic… to every Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member and their families… to the people from Smrikve and to my family…

Miodrag Bozovic

Enjoy the video and this year 13th Smrikva Bowl Champions and 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl Champions: Luka Panic, Katarina Jokic, Mihnea Turcu, Maia Lumsden, Ingrid Neel, William Blumberg, Paolina Ferrari, Justin Lee, Luka Spelic, Antonio Capasso, Patrik Rikl, Letizia Gussetti, Estela Perez Somarriba, Paola Maza, Mattia Bedolo, Filippo Mora, Jame Schelmit, Borna Cilic Kraljevic, Popyrin Brothers, Alessandro Visentini, Viktoria Kuzmova, Nina Marijanovic, Ivona Radanovic and several other players.

08/07/08

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update July 2008)

1996 – 1st Smrikva Bowl
Vilim Visak, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #926 on ATP list. Vilim’s best ranking was #612 in March 2006. Vilim Visak is currently ranked #415 on ATP Doubles Ranking.

1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #330 on WTA list. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 in June 2006.

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy, is ranked #432 on WTA list.

Deni Zmak, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #1835 on ATP list. Deni Zmak is currently ranked #1016 on ATP Doubles Ranking.

2000 – 5th Smrikva Bowl
Adelchi Virgili, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Italy. Adelchi is very talented player but he continues to be injured. Hopefully he will be able to start to play professional tennis.

Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #692 on WTA list.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #44 on ITF ranking list. Marin Draganja played in the finals of the last year Avenire in Milan, one of the most important under 16 tennis tournaments in the World.
Marcan Dino, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #73 on ITF ranking list.

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #371 on WTA list.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #634 on WTA list.

2002 – 7th Smrikva Bowl and 1st”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl
Javier Marti, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Spain, is ranked #892 on ITF ranking list.
Giaccomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, is ranked #53 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #1781 on ATP list. Giacomo Miccini trains at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Giacomo Miccini is among the best players in the World in his age group.

Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #975 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla Tomljanovic, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #40 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #1067 on WTA list.
Ema Burgic, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 16 age group cathegory, #135 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #971 on WTA list.

Jordaan Sanford, played 1st “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #831 on ITF ranking list.

2003 – 8th Smrikva Bowl and 2nd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl
Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #103 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
George Morgan, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #597 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #161 in Europe in under 16 cathegory. George Morgan won Junior Orange Bowl 2007 under 14 age group. George Morgan also played the finals of the Prince Cup 2007.
Ciprian Porumb, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #538 on ITF ranking list and and is ranked #10 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #214 on ITF ranking list.
Silvia Njiric, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #68 on ITF ranking list.
Ajla Tomljanovic, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #40 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #1067 on WTA list.

Emmett Egger, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #45 in the USA in under 16 cathegory and is ranked #631 on ITF ranking list.
Robert Stineman, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #255 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.
Karen Forman, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #325 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.
Katie Klyczek, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #396 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

2004 – 9th Smrikva Bowl and 3rd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #15 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Miki Jankovic, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #6 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Saska Gavrilovska, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is not ranked in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Ecaterina Opriou, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia, is ranked #105 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Mitchel Polnet, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #147 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Rayan Andrada, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #914 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Blair Shankle, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #5 in the USA in under 14 cathegory and is ranked #1140 on ITF ranking list.
Anna Mamalat, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #28 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

2005 – 10th Smrikva Bowl and 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl
Matteo Donati, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #38 in Europe in under 14 cathegory. Matteo Donati arrived in the semifinals of Junior Orange Bowl 2007 under 12 age group and he was the winner of the Prince Cup.
Gyore Laszlo, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #89 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gianluigi Quinzi, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #30 in Europe in under 14 cathegory. Gianluigi Quinzi trains at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Harry Busby, ranked 4th on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from UK, is not ranked in Europe in under 14 cathegory. In 2007, Harry Busby won Ouatt Kids Cup World Wide under 11 cathegory.
Nikola Milojevic, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #62 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Saska Gavrilovska, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is not ranked in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Olga Yanchuk, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #103 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Jeffrey Schorsch, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #322 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Jose Gracia, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #291 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Yale Goldberg, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #93 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Dorothy Tang, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #139 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl and 5th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl
Gianluigi Quinzi, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #30 in Europe in under 14 cathegory. Gianluigi Quinzi trains at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #25 in Croatia in under 14 cathegory.

Eleanor Dean, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is not ranked in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Dina Paocic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #275 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #85 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Aries Wong, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #35 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Christina Makarova, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #10 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Gabriella Umoquit, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #204 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

2007 – 12th Smrikva Bowl and 6th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl
Sacha Merzetti, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Bogdan Borza, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Gonzalo Morell, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Sergiu Bucur, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

Virginia Pena, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Ana Konjuh, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking and is ranked #5 in Croatia in under 12 cathegory. Ana Konjuh won the 2nd “Little Mo” International 2007 under 10 age group.
Nina Potocnik, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Katie Dayson, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from UK, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

Eduardo Nava, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #50 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Tommy Paul, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #89 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ndindi Ndunda, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #124 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #427 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

2008 – 13th Smrikva Bowl and 7th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl
Luka Panic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Switzerland, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Mihnea Turcu, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Grega Kokalj, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

Katarina Jokic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Maia Lumsden, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Viktoria Kuzmova, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Estela Perez Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

Justine Lee, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #278 in the USA in under 12 cathegory. In 2008, Justin Lee won Ouatt Kids Cup World Wide under 10 cathegory.
William Blumberg, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ingrid Neel, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #40 in the USA in under 12 cathegory. In 2008, Ingrid Neel won Ouatt Kids Cup World Wide under 10 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #987 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

03/07/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 photos are on line in the Smrikva Bowl Photo Gallery

In the new photo gallery under Smrikva Bowl section you can find some photos of the 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 players.

There are photos of Luka Panic, Katarina Jokic, Mihnea Turcu, Maia Lumsden, Ingrid Neel, William Blumberg, Paolina Ferrari, Justin Lee, Luka Spelic, Antonio Capasso, Patrik Rikl, Letizia Gussetti, Estela Perez Somarriba, Paola Maza, Mattia Bedolo, Filippo Mora, Jame Schelmit, Borna Cilic Kraljevic, Popyrin Brothers, Alessandro Visentini, Viktoria Kuzmova, Nina Marijanovic, Ivona Radanovic and several other players.

29/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Press Release

PULA, CROATIA 25 th JUNE – 29 th JUNE 2008

13th Smrikva Bowl – tennis tournament for boys and girls under 10 – gathered over 100 boys and girls from 24 countries and 5 continents. It was another successful annual.

The proof of the Smrikva Bowl importance is given by the names of the winners:
• Vilim Visak (Cro) Natali Zuliani (Cro) 1996
• Željko Perić (Cro)Ivana Lisjak (Cro) 1997
• Filip Kovačić (Cro) Mateja Horvat (Cro) 1998
• Borko Mudronja (Cro) Astrid Besser (I) 1999
• Adelchi Virgili (I) Tereza Mrdeža (Cro) 2000
• Marin Draganja (Cro) Petra Martić (Cro) 2001
• Javier Marti (ESP) Martina Caregaro (I) 2002
• Dominic Thiem (A) Jennifer Ren (UK) 2003
• Ivan Levar (Cro)S. Gavrilovska (SRB)2004
• Matteo Donati (I)S. Gavrilovska (SRB)2005
• Gianluigi Quinzi (I)Eleonor Dean (UK)2006
• Sacha Merzetti (I)Virgina Pena (ESP)2007
• Luka Panic (SUI)Katarina Jokic (BiH)2008

Luka Panic won boys finals and Katarina Jokic the girls finals. The winners won mountain bikes sponsored by Royal Boats, 7 week stage at Patrick Mouratoglou Academy in Paris and Wilson’s sponsorship contract.

On 29th of June 2008, the selected Smrikva Bowl players – Luka Panic (Sui), Mihnea (Rom), Katarina Jokic (BiH), Maia Lumsden (Sco) – played the 7th «Little Mo» / Smrikva Bowl in Smrikve Tennis Club in Pula, Croatia. Justin Lee, William Blumberg, Ingrid Neel and Paulina Ferrari have been selected by MCB foundation to represent the United States.

Smrikva Bowl team won the 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl by counting the difference in sets with the result of 9:8. The result counting matches won was equal – 4:4.

The Smrikve Tennis Club and the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation have created «Little Mo» / Smrikva Bowl, the first-ever international competition between the United States and Europe for boys and girls 10 & under. Today Smrikva Bowl gathers top players from all around the World.

13th SMRIKVA BOWL RESULTS

Boys:
Finals:
Luka Panic (Sui) – Mihnea Turcu (Rom) (6:3 1:6 6:2);

Semifinals:
Luka Panic (Sui) – Grega Kokalj (Slo) (9 : 5);
Mihnea Turcu (Rom) – Andrea Guerrieri (I) (9 : 2);

Quarterfinals:
Luka Panic (Sui) – Karlo Boljat (Cro) (9 : 6);
Grega Kokalj (Slo) – Matija Selak (Cro) (9 : 2);
Mihnea Turcu (Rom) – Charles Broom (Eng) (9 : 4);
Andrea Guerrieri (I) – Alexei Popyrin (Aus) (9 : 4).

Girls:
Finals:
Katarina Jokic (BiH) – Maia Lumsden (Sco) (6 : 2 6 : 0);

Semifinals:
Katarina Jokic (BiH) – Estela Perez Somarriba (Esp) (9 : 1);
Maia Lumsden (Sco) – Viktoria Kuzmova (Slk) (9 : 4);

Quarterfinals:
Katarina Jokic (BiH) – Marija Curnic (Cro) (9 : 2);
Estela Perez Somarriba (Esp)– Iulia Maria Ivascu (Rom) (9:3); Maia Lumsden (Sco) – Petra Granic (Cro) (9 : 4);
Viktoria Kuzmova (Svk) – Ena Delibegovic (BiH) (9 : 6).

7. “Little Mo”/SMRIKVA BOWL RESULTS

«Little Mo»SMRIKVA BOWL

Ingrid Neel (USA) – Katarina Jokic (BiH) (6:3 6:4)
Paulina Ferrari (USA) – Maia Lumsden (Sco)(1:6 0:6)

Justin Lee (USA) – Luka Panic (Sui) (6:4 6:0)
William Blumberg (USA)– Mihnea Turcu (Rom) (3:6 6:3 12:10)

Ingrid Neel (USA) – Maia Lumsden (Sco) (3:6 5:7)
Paulina Ferrari (USA) – Katarina Jokic (BiH)(2:6 0:6)

Justin Lee (USA) – Mihnea Turcu (Rom) (6:1 6:0)
William Blumberg (USA) – Luka Panic (Sui)(1:6 3:6)

FINAL RESULTS (matches count) 4 – 4
FINAL RESULTS (set count) 8 – 9

Special thanks to: Smrikva Bowl Sponsors, Smrikva Bowl Staff and to the Honorary Smrikva Bowl Members!

28/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Main Draw Winners

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winners are Luka Panic from Switzerland and Katerina Jokic from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM the Smrikva Bowl team will play the 7th annual with “Little Mo” team, 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl.

The press release and the all draws will be available on line at the beginning of the next week.

27/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Main Draw Finalists

The boys that qualified for the finals are: Luka Panic from Switzerland and Mihunea Turcu from Romania. On the other side the girls that qualified for the finals are: Katerina Jokic from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Maia Lumsden from Scotland.

Tomorrow morning at 9:00 PM the girls finals will start and will be followed by the boys finals.

27/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Main Draw Boys Semifinalists

The boys that qualified for the semifinals are:

Luka Panic(Switzerland)
Grega Kokalj (Slovenia)

Mihunea Turcu (Romania)
Andrea Guerrieri (Italia)

At 4:30 PM the Girls semifinals will be played and followed by the boys semifinals.

At 6:00 PM Smrikva Bowl team and the “Little Mo” team will be presented.

27/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Main Draw Girls Semifinalists

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 continues today with beautiful matches and the girls semifinalists are already known.

The girls that will play this afternoon at 4:30 PM the semifinals are:

Katerina Jokic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Estela Perez Somarriba (Spain)

Maia Lumsden (Scotland)
Viktoria Kuzmova (Slovakia)

Right now are on the courts the boys and soon we will know the boys semifinalists. This evening we will also have the finalists and this year Smrikva Bowl team that will play on Sunday the 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl.

At 6:00 PM Smrikva Bowl team and the “Little Mo” team will be presented.

26/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Main Draw Boys Quarterfinalists

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 continues today with beautiful matches and the boys quarterfinalists are already known.

Before the tournament started it was known that the quality was expected to be good in the boys section but you can not understand the level till you do not see the players. Uptoday the shown level is of outstanding quality.

The boys that qulified to the quarterfinals are:

Karlo Boljat (Croatia)
Luka Panic(Switzerland)

Grega Kokalj (Slovenia)
Matija Selak (Croatia)

Charles Broom (England)
Mihunea Turcu (Romania)

Andrea Guerrieri (Italia)
Alexei Popyrin (Australia)

At 6:00 PM all the Smrikva Bowl players will be nominated the Ambassadors and the centuries old Olive Tree will be planted.

Tomorrow the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Main Draw will be played and we expect to enjoy in Smrikve many beautiful matches.

26/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Main Draw Girls Quarterfinalists

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 continues today with beautiful matches and the girls quarterfinalists are already known.

Before the tournament started it was known that the quality was expected to be good according to the information received from the players but you can not understand the level till you do not see the players. It is like with the wine. Until you do not taste the wine you do not know the wine you have made. It is a similar story with the Smrikva Bowl players you can expected new talents and every year you discover new talents with their different caracters, different styles. Also this year Smrikva Bowl is showing outstanding quality.

The girls that will play tomorrow the quarterfinals are:

Marija Curnic (Croatia)
Katerina Jokic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Iulia Maria Ivascu (Romania)
Estela Perez Somarriba (Spain)

Petra Granic (Croatia)
Maia Lumsden (Scotland)

Ena Delibegovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Viktoria Kuzmova (Slovakia)

In the afternoon we will have the Boys Main Draw Quarterfinalists and at 6PM all the Smrikva Bowl players will be nominated the Ambassadors and the centuries old Olive Tree will be planted.

25/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 has started today at 8:30 AM

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 started today at 8:30 AM with a nice openning cerimony. The balet dancers from the group “Rondo”, the World Champions, danced for the Smrikva Bowl players. It was a pleasure to enjoy the dance performance and the Smrikva Bowl players invited the dancers to enjoy their matches.

It is the first time that Smrikva Bowl gathered players from 5 continents and it is the first time that Australian players compete in the Smrikva Bowl. Sydney is located over 16000 kilometres far away from Smrikve.

There are several new countries represented such as: Algery, Australia, Egypt, France, Syria and Turkey. With this new countries Smrikva Bowl has gone to over 30 countries represented over the years and has also reached the fifth continent.

The level of the players is expected to be very high. There are many talented players among the 100 accepted participants: 39 girls and 61 boy:

Girls
Marija Curnic (Croatia)
Nikolina Jovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Anja Humar (Slovenia)
Tereza Mihalikova (Slovakia)
Martina Pratesi (Italia)
Olga Fridman (Ukraine)
Ivona Radanovic (Serbia)
Lana Lipovcevic (Croatia)
Nicole Taylor Pafundi(Italia)
Katerina Jokic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Iulia Maria Ivascu (Romania)
Zana Lukac (Slovenia)
Miriam Šiljic (Croatia)
Wiktoria Kulik (Poland)
Paola Maza (Puerto Rico)
Estela Perez Somarriba (Spain)
Sara Sanjug (Croatia)
Helena Tripunovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Zala Dovnik (Slovenia)
Nina Marjanovic (Serbia)
Costanza Pera (Italia)
Miriam Bulgaru (Romania)
Letizia Gussetti (Italia)
Petra Granic (Croatia)
Danche Krzovska (Macedonia)
Nina Alibalić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Gabriella P. Taylor (England)
Moni Potrc(Slovenia)
Maia Lumsden (Scotland)
Berfu Cengiz (Turkey)
Ema Mulalic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Bianca Elena Mihalescu (Romania)
Ena Delibegovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Hana A.K. Mortagy (Egypt)
Anette Sculac (Slovenia)
Patarina Kozarov (Serbia)
Ana Biskic (Croatia)
Camilla Moroni (Italia)
Viktoria Kuzmova (Slovakia)

Boys
Karlo Boljat (Croatia)
James Shemilt (Scotland)
Yossef Hossam Salah (Egypt)
Mattia Bedolo (Italy)
Ovunc Filiz(Turkey)
Matko Varga (Croatia)
Matic Zaplotnik (Slovenia)
Robbie Marshall (Russia)
Elia Coloretti (Italia)
Karlo Suevich (Croatia)
Anthony Popyrin (Australia)
Ali Amr Elhamshary (Egypt)
Dorian Roadonjic (Croatia)
Andrej Jokic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Luka Panic(Switzerland)
Grega Kokalj (Slovenia)
Federico Ghilardi (Italy)
Luka Spelic (Croatia)
Arslan Kellou (France)
Sven Lah (Slovenia)
Matteo Zanchi (Italia)
Antonio Capasso (England)
Mohamed Sabry (Egypt)
Jacopo Berrettini (Italy)
Adam McKinstry (Scotland)
Abdul Maten Khouja (Syria)
Nik Hribar (Slovenia)
Nejc Sitar (Slovenia)
Matija Selak (Croatia)
Alessandro Visentini(Italia)
Miomir Kecmanovic (Serbia)
Charles Broom (England)
Toni Simonovic (Croatia)
Gaber Zajc (Slovenia)
Matija Volarevic (Croatia)
Mark Keki(Hungary)
Matteo Mingori (Italia)
Patrik Rikl(Czeck Republic)
Mouhammad A. Rahouadj (Algery)
Federico Margotti (Italia)
Borna Cilic Kraljevic (Croatia)
Mihunea Turcu (Romania)
Gianmarco Moroni (Italia)
Omar Smajlovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Zvonimir Oreskovic (Croatia)
Adam Eduard (Romania)
Giorgji Popovski (Makedonia)
Vladan Bilandzic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Jernej Zaplotnik (Slovenia)
Matyas Fule (Hungary)
Remy Bertola (Switzerland)
Luka Petresic (Croatia)
Andrea Guerrieri (Italia)
Jakov Martinis (Croatia)
Alexei Popyrin (Australia)
Edoardo Picchin (Italia)
Bruno Novakovic (Croatia)
Emir Mulalic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Karlo Divkovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Viktor Flauder (Croatia)
Filippo Mora (Italy)

“Little Mo” team for the 7th „Little Mo“/Smrikva Bowl
Justin Lee(USA)
William Blumberg (USA)
Ingrid Neel (USA)
Paulina Ferrari (USA)

Tomorrow at 6PM Smrikva Bowl players will be nominated the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors that will be followed by the cerimony of the centuries old Olive Tree planting.

16/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Press Release for the Croatian Media

SVIM MEDIJIMA

Pula, 16. lipanj 2008.

Poštovani,

Obavještavamo Vas i pozivamo da popratite 13. Smrikva Bowl, međunarodni teniski turnir za djecu do 10 godina, koji će se održati od 25. do 28. lipnja 2008. godine na terenima tenis kluba Smrikve u Štinjanu pokraj Pule.

Nakon finala Smrikva Bowla, u nedjelju, 29. lipnja 2008. godine, održati će se 7. «Little Mo»/Smrikva Bowl, susret koji ujedinjuje dva važna dječija turnira. «Little Mo» slovi za najjači turnir u SAD-u koji je 1992. godine osvojio poznati svjetski tenisač Andy Roddick. «Little Mo»/Smrikva Bowl je stvoren kao susret Američkih i Europskih talentiranih igrača, a danas je to susret između najtalentiranih igrača Amerike i ostatka svijeta.

Konferencija za tisak će se održati u ponedjeljak 23. lipnja 2008. godine, s početkom u 11:00 sati u tenis klubu Smrikve.

Smrikva Bowl je odigran po prvi puta 1996. godine i danas slovi za jedan od ljepših i najvažnijih dječijih turnira na svijetu do 10 godina, koji je okupio djecu i njihove obitelji iz više od 30-tak zemalja u svojih 13 godina postojanja. Za ovu godine je prijavljeno više od 100 djece sa 4 kontinenta i iz 23 zemlje. Tako da će nastupiti na turniru djeca iz: Hrvatske, Bosne i Hercegovine, Alžira, Republike Češke, Egipta, Engleske, Francuscke, Mađarske, Italije, Makedonije, Poljske, Porto Rika, Rumunjske, Rusije, SAD-a, Srbije, Slovačke, Slovenije, Španjolske, Švicarske, Sirije, Turske i Ukrajine.

Na internet stranici Smrikva Bowl-a www.smrikve.com/smrikva-bowl moguće je pogledati 7 minutnu reportažu prošlogodišnjeg Smrikva Bowl-a.

Brojni takmičari su rangirani kao najbolji igrači u svojoj zemlji, a velika većina je rangirana među prvih pet igrača u zemlji. Igrači Smrikve dolaze iz dalekih krajeva a neki od njih putujući iz Kalifornije naprave i više od 10000 kilometara da bi nastupila na Smrikva Bowl-u.

Posebnost Smrikva Bowl-a čini i njegova ideja vodilja koja ga karakterizira od samoga počekta, a ta ideja vodilja kozmopolitanskih vrijednosti se prožima ne samo kroz sport i djecu nego i kroz kulturu i muziku.

Godinama, igrači Smrikva Bowl-a postaju Ambasadori turnira, i kao dio te ceremonije sva djeca zajedno sade stoljetnu maslinu. Ambasadori Smrikve imaju dužnost pomoći organizatoru u sakupljanju talenata za sljedeću godinu i zahvaljujući njihovim preporukama turnir iz godine u godinu raste. Maslina je simbol mira i prijateljstva, a njene godine su za sudionike Smrikva Bowl-a simbol mudrosti i međugeneracijske odgovornosti.

Nikada se ne zna gdje će se novi talenat roditi u svijetu, i isto tako se nikada ne zna pobjednik Smrikve. Skoro svakom irgaču Smrikve je ovo jedan od prvih velikih međunarodnih turnira gdje mogu izmjeriti svoj talenat sa ostalim talentima iz teniskog svijeta pa je tako svaka Smrikva jedno novo otkriće kako za djecu tako i za nas.

Ključni djelovi programa Smrikva Bowl-a koji bi mogli biti od interesa za praćenje od strane medija se mogu sažeti u sljedećem:

Prvi dan
25. lipanj – 8:30 otvaranje turnira

Drugi dan
26. lipanj – 18:00 imenovanje Ambasadora i sadnja stoljetne masline

Treći dan
27. lipanj – 18:00 predstavljanje «Little Mo» i Smrikva Bowl tima

Četvrti dan
28. lipanj – 9:00 finale Smrikva Bowl-a i svečano proglašenje pobjednika oko 12:00

Peti dan
29. lipanj – 9:00 «Little Mo»/Smrikva Bowl

Više dobrih igrača iz Hrvatske su postigli visoke rezultate na Smrikva Bowl-u igrajući finale ili čak pobjedivši turnir pa tako vrijedi spomenuti: Vilima Viška (1996), Ivanu Lisjak (1997), Denija Žmaka (1999), Terezu Mrdežu (2000), Marina Draganju (2001), Dina Marcana (2001), Petru Martić (2001), Indire Akiki (2001), Ajlu Tomljanović (2002 i 2003), Silviju Njirić (2003), Ivana Levara (2004), Filipa Kraljevića (2006) i Anu Konjuh (2007).

Razvoj turnira bi bio nemoguć bez brojnih volontera, zaljubljenika Smrikve i njenih sponzora. Tako se i ovim putem zahvaljujemo svim volonterima i zaljubljenicima Smrikve koji danas čine više stotina osoba i obitelji diljem svijeta. Do danas je kroz Smrikvu prošlo više od 4000 ljudi.

Zahvaljujemo se i ovogodišnjim sponzorima koji omogućavaju rast i posebnost Smrikve: igračima i rekreativcima Tenis kluba Smrikve, Ronzio Oleodinamici iz Milana, tvrtci teniske opreme Wilson, Teniskoj Akademiji Mouratoglou iz Pariza, MV Fotolito iz Milana, Duravitu iz Pule, IZO iz Balići, Agrofarmaciji iz Pule, Svijetu biljaka iz Vodnjana, Royal Boats-u iz Pule, SM Design iz Fažane, Ani Ivanović, Ledu, Radio Velenju, Product Impexu iz Pule, Genting-u iz Pule, Histrici iz Pule, Villi Kasćuni iz Pule, Restoranu Oaza sa Velog Vrha, Vita – Si sa Verude, Komot iz Zagreba, Nove Istarske Knjižare iz Pule, Balun Vodnjan, Gradu Puli, Gradu Vodnjanu, Turističkoj Zajednici Grada Pule, Istarskoj Županiji, Agroproduktu iz Vodnjana, Puljanci iz Pule, tvrtci Shake iz Pule, Zdravecu iz Ljubljane, Vladi Bziku, Vedranu Cateli i Gordani Peteršić iz Pule.

Očekujemo Vaš dolazak i sportski Vas pozdravljamo,

TENIS KLUB SMRIKVE

Kontakt osoba: Rossana Matejčić – Miljević [email protected]

16/06/08

Press Release 7th “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl - June 29, 2008 - Pula, Croatia - United States Team Announced

7th “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl
June 29, 2008 – Pula, Croatia
United States Team Announced
(U.S. vs. Europe)
For Boys & Girls 10 & under

Dallas…The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and Tennis Club Smrikve are proud to present the 7th annual international team competition between the United States and Europe for young players on Sunday, June 29, 2008. This is the only international team competition which features the top boys and girls from the United States and Europe who are 10 & under.

The “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl is named after two prestigious tournaments: the “Little Mo” Nationals which features the best young players in the United States from 7-11 years of age and the Smrikva Bowl which is one of the top European tournaments for boys and girls.

The 13th annual Smrikva Bowl will be held the week of June 23rd at the Tennis Club Smrikve in Pula, Croatia. The Smrikva Bowl is expected to have over 100 top players from 23 countries and 4 continents competing in this prestigious European tournament—over 20 players are ranked #1 in their country and many others are ranked in the top 5 in their country. The “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl meeting is probably the highest level competition for boys and girls who are 10 & under in the World.

The “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl will feature the top two boys and top two girls in the United States and Europe playing a total of eight matches. The competition was held the first two years in Austin, Texas at the Austin Tennis Academy and the past four years at the Tennis Club Smrikve in Pula, Croatia. Europe has won the competition each year and leads the USA in wins 6-0.

The players representing the United States are:
Boys:

#1: Justin Lee (Cos Cob, Connecticut)

#2: William Blumberg (Greenwich, Connecticut)

Girls:

#1: Ingrid Neel (Rochester, Minnesota)

#2: Paulina Ferrari (San Diego, California)

The U.S. players were selected due to their outstanding results in “Little Mo” competition at the Sectional, Regional and National level.

The USA team captain is Brian Cristensen from Rochester, Minnesota. Christensen has been teaching tennis since 1988, with the last 11 years at the Rochester Athletic Club (2007 USTA Outstanding Facility). In 2006, Brian was awarded the USTA Northern Section Jack Dow Adult Development Award having coached 11 teams to the USTA national competition. He is currently developing the games of Ingrid Neel and Jessie Aney, as well as 7-year old Sebastian Vile. Brian is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a B.A. in Economics.

This is one of the many events sponsored by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation to further junior tennis development. Maureen Connolly, who was known as “Little Mo” was the first woman to win the Grand Slam at age 18 in 1953. She is still the youngest Grand Slam winner and the only American woman. For more information, visit www.mcbtennis.org.

The players that will play for the Smrikva Bowl team in the 7th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl competition will be known after the Smrikva Bowl quarterfinals on Friday 27th, 2008.

On Friday 27th, 2008 at 6PM at the Smrikve Tennis Club the “Little Mo” and the Smrikva Bowl team will be presented and the players will receive their formal t-shirts. The updates will follow on Smrikva Bowl website www.smrikve.com.

14/06/08

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Sponsors Update

There is a long list of Smrikva Bowl Sponsors, Staff and Honorary Members that over the years support Smrikva Bowl growth.

I am pleased to thank all of them and you can find the list of the Staff and Honorary Members in the Smrikva Bowl Staff section while in the Smrikva Bowl Sponsors section you will find the main Sponsors and if you clik on their logos you will be linked to their internet sites.

13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Spnsors are: – Smrikve Tennis Club players – Ronzio Oleodinamica from Milan – Wilson sportswear company – MV Fotolito from Milan – Mouratoglou Tennis Academy from Paris – Duravit from Pula – IZO from Balici – Agrofarmacija from Pula – Svijet biljaka from Vodnjan – Royal Boats from Pula – Puljanka from Pula – “Shake” from Pula – SM Design from Fazana – Ana Ivanovic – Ledo from Zagreb – Radio Velenje from Velenje – Product Impex from Pula – Genting from Pula – Histrica from Pula – Villa Kascuni from Pula – Restoran Oaza from Veli Vrh – Vita – Si from Veruda – Komot from Zagreb – Nove Istarske Knjizare from Pula – Balun Vodnjan from Vodnjan – Grad Pula – Grad Vodnjan – Turisticka Zajednica Grada Pule – Istarska Zupanija – Vlado Bzik from Pula – Zdravec from Ljubljana – Vedran Catela from Pula – Gordana Petersic from Pula

Once again thank you all!

12/06/08

Arian Rabac played the finals of the 26th Stella Maris Cup, an under 12 tennis tournament in Umag

Ariana Rabac trains at the Smrikve Tennis Club and this week she played an under 12 tournament in Umag. Currently Ariana is ranked #15 in Croatia in under 12 age group cathegory.

Ariana’s road towards the finals was the following:

First round: Ariana Rabac – Petra Maric 6:0, 6:0
Second round: Ariana Rabac – Julijana Versic 6:3, 6:2
Semifinals: Ariana Rabac – Josipa Sakic 6:3, 6:3
Finals: Ariana Rabac – Barbara Bacic 4:6, 3:6

Jospia Sakic is ranked #6 in Croatia in under 12 age group while Barbara Bacic is ranked #11 in Croatia.

07/06/08

Ana Ivanovic - Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member - won her first Grand Slam Tournament - Roland Garros - and from Monday Ana will be ranked #1 in the World

Ana Ivanovic today reached two dreams in one: she won her first Grand Slam in Paris and from Monday she will be ranked #1 in the World.

Ana Ivanovic is a tennis superstar and is also Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member. I am very pleased that Ana Ivanovic signed the t-shirts that will be given to the 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 finalists. I am sure that girls will love Ana’s gift and I am also sure that this gift will inspire tham to do better and better in tennis.

On September 17th, 2007 Ana Ivanovic has been officially named the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ambassador. On that day, in relation with the nomination, Ana said “This is a great honour for me to be invited to be UNICEF Ambassador. I love children, and I relish this opportunity to help them in some small way.”

With the signed t-shirts Ana showed that she loves children and this way she also helps Smirkva Bowl development “in some small way”.

“Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire and the power to unite people in a way little else can – it is an instrument of peace.” said Nelson Mandela.

I am sure that Ana will soon have new dreams to share with her funs and I am also sure that with her personaility she will continue to insipre future generations. Todays success is probably just the beginning of the story Ana is writing.

Congratulations Ana from the Smrikva Bowl team and thank you for the emotions and smiles that you share with people! :)

03/06/08

Marin Draganja lost in the second round of Junior Roland Garros

Marin Draganja lost in the second round of Junior Roland Garros against Jerzy Janowicz from Poland 4:6, 4:6.

In the first round Marin Draganja defeated Julien Obry from France with the result 6:3, 7:6.

Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #44 on ITF ranking list. One year ago he played the finals of Avenire in Milan, one of the most important under 16 tennis tournaments in the World.

03/06/08

Gianluigi Quinzi won his first under 14 Tennis Europe tournament being 12 years and 3 months old

Gianluigi Quinzi, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 and 1st on 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006, from Italy, is ranked #73 in Europe in under 14 cathegory. Gianluigi Quinzi trains at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and this week he won an Tennis Europe under 14 tournament in Chisinau (Moldova)

Gianluigi Quinzi is 12 years and 3 months old and this is the first time that a player of his age reach the victory in under 14 cathegory in Europe. His road towards the victory was the following:

First round: Gianluigi QUINZI – ZABIROV (RUS) 6:1, 7:6
Second round: Ginaluigi QUINZI – KALYUZHNY (UKR) 6:0, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Gianluigi QUINZI – COZBINOV (MDA) 6:1, 6:4
Semifinals: Gianluigi QUINZI – SIPOS (SVK) 7:6, 6:0
Finals: Gianluigi QUINZI – KRYVOY (UKR) 6:2 6:4

Recently Gianluigi Quinzi won the important International under 12 tournament of Auray in France and also Le Passage.