Ukraine held off a combative Turkey to chalk up a 3-2 win on the opening day of the in Kazan yesterday.

Ozge Bayrak and Neslihan Yigit helped Turkey claw back to 2-2 by winning the second Women’s Doubles over Yuliya Kazarinova/Yelyzaveta Zharka 22-24 21-9 21-9, but Maria Ulitina (featured image) – who had won her opening singles over Neslihan Yigit – returned for the second doubles with Natalya Voytsekh and clinched the tie beating Cemre Fere/Ebru Yazgan 21-14 21-11.

The women’s team championships also saw Bulgaria get past Spain 3-2, Germany beat France 4-1 and Estonia blank Belgium 5-0.

In the men’s team event (Group 3), Czech Republic overcame a tough challenge from Ireland, nosing ahead 3-2.

Scott Evans expectedly gave Ireland the lead, beating Milan Ludik, but Petr Koukal and Adam Mendrek won the next two singles for Czech Republic. Magee brothers Joshua and Sam helped Ireland back on level terms by winning their doubles over Jakub Bitman/Pavel Drancak.

Ludik returned for the second doubles with Jan Frohlich and they had little trouble fending off the challenge of Nhat Nguyen/Paul Reynolds, 21-14 21-14.

Other results in the men’s team championships: Denmark bt Turkey 5-0; Croatia beat Finland 3-2; Bulgaria bt Hungary 3-2; Sweden bt Slovakia 5-0; Poland bt Norway 5-0; Belgium bt Italy 5-0; Germany bt Lithuania 5-0; France bt Scotland 4-1; England bt Estonia 5-0; Russia bt Slovenia 4-1; Ukraine bt Austria 4-1; Spain bt Norway 5-0; Poland bt Belgium 5-0.

Click here for detailed results.