When you're on top, everyone is gunning for you. Such was the enviable predicament facing defending European team champions Romania (women) and Germany (men) as they set out to the 2019 European Team Championships. Held in Nantes, France, the six-day tournament saw 24 national associations vying for continentals bragging rights, not to mention automatic invitations to the 2020 World Teams Championships next March in Busan, South Korea. The top-seeded German men's team of Timo Boll, Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Patrick Franziska more than justified their top billing, retaining their title from two years ago in Luxembourg without dropping a single match. Surprise finalists Portugal, seeded 10th, were happy just to be there. The Romanian women's team were dark horses when they won in 2017. This time, they entered as the top seeds, which of course includes complimentary targets to hang on their backs. Showing no signs of strain under pressure, Romania cruised to the finals, dropping only one match along the way. In the championship round, they faced upstarts Portugal, the #7 seeds. In the first matchup, Portugal's Shao Jieni led 2-1 against Bernadette Szocs before the Romanian ace rallied to get the defending champs on the board first. “I was focused; I know how dangerous she is," said Szocs afterward. "There was no room for mistakes.” Next, Romania's Daniela Monteiro Dodean had the daunting task of facing Fu Yu, the 2019 European Games women's singles gold medalist. Dauntless Dodean, however, was best when it mattered most, giving Romania a 2-0 lead with her (7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-3) win. Down 0-2, it then fell on Portugal's Leila Oliveira to spark a comeback. Romania's Elizabeta Samara, on the other hand, had the chance to seal the deal, a chance she did not squander. With a clinical (11-9, 11-7, 11-6) win, Samara celebrated with her victorious countrywomen. “I felt the pressure... I had to finish that match," said Samara. "We have a fantastic team that deserved the victory.” Despite Portugal's heroic efforts to "pull a Romania" and stage a shocking win, Romania proved that the best (title) defense is a good offense.

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