Spain pushed Japan to the wall tonight. It was some amazing table tennis by the left handed penhold player, Cantero that got the Spanish off to a fly. He downed the heavily fancied Matsudaira in the first match to set things going. Then it was Machado who really said to the Japanese team we are not joking here. In a nail biting finish, Macahdo defeated the right handed penholder, Yoshida. An upset was brewing. However the third match saw an easy win to Kishikawa over Caneros. 2 -1 to Spain and the Japanese juggernaut was starting to get out of idle.

Then Matsudaira righted the ship by winning in comfortable fashion against Machado.

So 2 – 2 and the appropriately named Jesus Cantero comes to the table trying to pull off an unlikely victory. If Cantero walked into your club you would think who is this overweight young man, a European playing with the penhold grip. I think I would fancy my chances… until he hit the first ball through you and somewhere approaching the speed of a jet fighter in full flight. Can he move?… like the wind…

He comes out firing hitting winners from everywhere to take the first game. He fires up the crowd blasting winner after winner. Using deft touch early in the rally to set up his opportunities.

The second game sees Yoshida keeping up in the forehand winners stakes. Then at 7 all a point that may just turn the match. Yoshida from wide on his backhand side makes a topspin that hits the net and just gets over but there is some uncertainty as to whether it then hits the net support or the table. The Spaniard thinks it hits the net post, the umpire and his assistant both insist the contrary. Point to Japan. The Spaniard and the Spanish bench argue the point, but the umpires are not to be moved. The effect is a gush of points and the third set flows away quickly to Japan 11 – 7. Again at the end of the set Cantero shows his anger to the bench, the umpire and anyone else that is willing to listen.

The start of the third set and Cantero still shows signs of being unsettled. Down 7 – 3. The fire that was present for the first set and a half is dwindling. He fights on, making a huge slap off a Yoshida forehand… 10 -8 and another big forehand winner is unleashed… 10 – 9 timeout to Yoshida… then a long backspin sevre to Cantero’s backhand sees a missed return. Yoshida immediately looks back to his bench and points to his coach.. a gem of wisdom no doubt during that timeout.

Start of the 4th game the momentum clearly with Japan. Yoshida starts again with the same serve he finished off the 3rd set and another error by Cantero … a couple of good points to Yoshida and 3 – 0 timeout Cantero… very needed to try to change the momentum that has now become a rushing tidal wave. Cantero composes himself somewhat but can’t get back into the game. The victory to Yoshida, and Japan 3 matches to 2. The little point at 7 -7 in the second set that turned out to perhaps be a BIG point indeed.