 The rest of the season brought her no podium placings and she lost in May her world No.1 ranking to Emese Szász.At the European Championships in Strasbourg Brânză could not defend her title as she was beaten 8–9 in the table of 32 by teammate Simona Gherman, who eventually won a bronze medal.In the team competition, No.2 seed Romania received a bye, then disposed of Ukraine 45–31, beat Italy 29–24 in the semi-final and overcame Russia 38–34 in a very tight and tactical final, allowing Brânză to win her fifth team European gold.