The U18 Men’s pair were already breaking new ground – alongside female U18 compatriots Maria Vitalis and Osla Johannesen – just by competing on this stage, having never happened before.
And the talented duo from the islands situated between Iceland, Norway and Scotland marked their trip in superb style as they won their opening Pool B match against Iceland’s Sigurdur Hardarson and Stefán Hákonarson.
Nón and Ákason had to do it the hard way as, first on court in their pool, they dropped the opening set 21-15 before hitting back to take the second set 21-14 and level at 1-1.
The deciding tie breaker was nip and tuck all the way before the Faroes pair sparked celebrations by nicking a 16-14 success.
Perhaps inspired by their team-mates, women’s pair Vitalis and Osla Johannesen followed suit by also clinching victory, overcoming England’s Daniella Tchandeu and Kyrstyna Ngatcha 21-13, 21-11.
Those matches were part of a four-court schedule that saw teams from seven countries – England, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Scotland and Ireland – battle it out under increasingly sunny East Yorkshire skies as the day wore on.
Pool matches are being played on the first two days before knockout matches will decide the medals on Thursday.
At U18 level, both the men’s and women’s sections are divided into two pools, while at U20 level, just one pool is being contested in each gender.
Mathias Smørholm and David Stenberg laid down a marker in Men’s U18 Pool A as they won all three of their opening matches in straight sets, including an emphatic 21-4, 21-6 success in their final match of the day against gallant Irish pair Jake Dalton and James Irwin.
As the only unbeaten team in their pool, they look well placed to move through to the knockout stages.
Men’s U18 Pool B sees two England teams unbeaten at the top of the group – Bailey Harsum and Lewis Bunton and Maks Makowski and Josh Cosgrove – and they are set to go head to head on day two to see who finishes at the summit.
Sweden’s Ebba Welander and Ellen Källströmer conceded just 32 points in winning their two matches to top Women’s U18 Pool A.
However, they are likely to face tougher matches on day two against fellow unbeaten sides Sóldís Sigurpálsdóttir and Helena Kristjánsdóttir and Anna Szentessy and Tilly Hutton of Iceland and England respectively.
The latter pair had to work hard to preserve their unbeaten record as they fought back from 9-7 down in the third to win 15-9 against fellow English duo Robyn Clifford and Olivia Cross.
In Women’s U18 Pool B, two teams emerged as dominant forces – and it will make interesting viewing when they play each other on day two.
England’s Alice Jagielska and Molly Quinn top the pool with three wins out of three, all by 2-0 scorelines, and are just ahead of Norwegians Tiri Skojld and Maren Våge, courtesy of a slightly superior points difference (+58 to +45).
The U20 Men’s Pool features another England versus Norway race for top spot, with teams from those nations having 100 per cent records after day one.
Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallists Rob Morgan and Peter Soczewka were matched by Norway’s Jonah Kjemperud and Eskil Engås in recording three wins out of three, with the two pairs set to play-off in their respective final matches of the pool.
Maia Darling and Anja Erminio were quick out of the blocks in Women’s U20 Pool for an important first game success against Norway’s Tale Fosseli and Solveig Sunde.
They teamed up to win 21-16, 21-18 against strong opponents to finish day one on top of their group with four set won and none dropped.
They were joined on maximum points by Icelanders Heba Stefánsdóttir and Helena Einarsdóttir who were pushed hard by home country pairing Izzy Hames and Charlie Chambers before triumphing 21-19, 21-17.
Don’t forget to tune into day two’s live streaming by clicking here.
Check out the Pool standings and schedule by clicking here.
