After six days of competition, the Men’s Singles events at the 2025 European Veterans Championships concluded in Novi Sad with thrilling performances across all age groups  from the 40+ to the 90+ category. Over 2,500 participants from across Europe showed not only skill and experience, but also passion and camaraderie that define veteran sport at its best. In the youngest age group (Over 40), top-seeded Grigory VLASOV (AIN) justified his ranking by securing the gold medal after a strong campaign. France’s Thomas GUIGNAT clinched silver, while Josip HUZJAK (Croatia) and Mathias HABESOHN (Austria) earned bronze. The Over 45 event saw a familiar face return to the top of the podium Lucian FILIMON, last year’s Over 40 champion, now competing under the French flag, lost in the final. Cédric MERCHEZ (Belgium) claimed gold, while Wojciech KOŁODZIEJCZYK (Poland) and Aleksei MLINARZH (AIN) shared bronze. In the singles there was no medal for Serbia’s Aleksandar KARAKAŠEVIĆ, one of the most recognizable names in the Over 50 field, as Ioannis VLOTINOS (Greece) emerged as the champion in that category. Czechia’s David ŠTĚPÁNEK finished runner-up, and Fredrik ÅBORG (Sweden) and Krisztian SZABÓ (Hungary) completed the podium. However partnering Croatia’s Dragutin SURBEK in Doubles, KARAKASEVIC clinched gold. In the Over 55, Lorestas TRUMPAUSKAS (England) proved unstoppable on his path to gold. Lars MATTSSON (Sweden) took silver, while Henric FORSBERG (Sweden) and Iván VITSEK (Hungary) shared third. Hungary’s Zsolt-Georg BÖHM stood tall in the Over 60, ahead of Carsten EGEHOLT (Denmark). Serbia’s Zvonimir BRITKA and Miklós NAGY (Hungary) picked up bronze medals. Austria celebrated gold through Yi DING in the Over 65 age group, with Igor ROLDUGIN (AIN) taking silver. Miroslav CECAVA (Czechia) and Šandor JANKOVIĆ (Serbia) completed the medal count. The Over 70 category was dominated by Manfred NIESWAND (Germany), with Alexandr SAPRYKIN (Ukraine) taking silver, and Paal GUTTORMSEN (Norway) and Hristo DASKALOV (Bulgaria) earning bronze. Germany’s strength in the older age groups continued in the Over 75, Over 80, and Over 90 categories: Gerd WERNER won gold in Over 75.Wilfried LIECK led a full German podium in Over 80, with Germany sweeping all medals. In Over 90, Hans NOLTE (Germany) earned gold, followed by Georgijs LOBONOSOVS (Latvia), while Heini FUCHS (Switzerland) and Henri YAHIEL (France) took bronze. Spain’s Josep MADURELL RODRIGUEZ also made headlines by winning the Over 85 crown, proving that age is truly just a number in veteran sport. See the pictures here Men’s Singles 40 Men’s Singles 45 Men’s Singles 50 Men’s Singles 55 Men’s Singles 60 Men’s Singles 65 Men’s Singles 70 Men’s Singles 75 Men’s Singles 80 Men’s Singles 85 Men’s Singles 90 MEN’S DOUBLES EVENTS Men’s Doubles 40 Men’s Doubles 45 Men’s Doubles 50 Men’s Doubles 55 Men’s Doubles 60 Men’s Doubles 65 Men’s Doubles 70 Men’s Doubles 75 Men’s Doubles 80 Men’s Doubles 85

The Women’s Singles competitions at the 2025 European Veterans Table Tennis Championships in Novi Sad came to an emotional and energetic close, crowning champions across ten age categories — from 40+ to 85+. What began as a show of top-seeded experience turned into a festival of fierce competition and heartwarming stories of resilience. In the Over 40 category, Marina DONNER (Finland) successfully defended her title, confirming her top-seed status with a commanding run. Hungary’s Tímea AMBRUS earned silver, while Kätlin PÕLDVEER (Estonia) and Emilia KIJOK (Poland) completed the podium. The Over 45 division followed the script as well, with Portugal’s Olga CHRAMKO converting her top seeding into gold. Svetlana POPOVTSEVA (AIN) finished second, and Laura KRUMINA (Norway) and Diana PATAKI (Hungary) shared bronze. A surprise came in the Over 50, where Serbia’s Stanisava DIMANIĆ emerged as the champion, ahead of AIN’s Elena CHUNIKHINA. Pre-tournament favorites Krisztina SPENGLER (Hungary) and Larisa LAVRUKHINA (AIN) settled for bronze. In the Over 55 category, Elżbieta KAZBERUK (Poland) took top honors, defeating Sweden’s Ulrika HANSSON in the final. Fellow Swede Lena JOHNSSON, the No. 1 seed, reached the semifinals alongside Jutta ERNST (Germany). AIN’s Inna TIKHOMIROVA was crowned champion in the Over 60, with a strong showing against Ukraine’s Galyna YENENKO in the final. Spain’s Maria VINTILA TIFACHI and Marta DAUBNEROVA (Slovakia) took home bronze. Croatian legend Branka BATINIĆ lived up to expectations in the Over 65 category, claiming gold in dominant fashion. Germany’s Birgit FINGER took silver, while Kai THORNBECH (Estonia) and Giulia SOBRERO (Italy) earned bronze. BATINIĆ also secured gold in the Doubles event, completing a remarkable campaign. Novi Sad holds a special place in her career — she competed at the European Championships in the same venue in 1974 and returned to play again in 1981 at SPENS when she clinched bronze. In the Over 70, Switzerland’s Elmira ANTONYAN BRUNNER topped a highly competitive bracket. The AIN contingent swept the remaining medals with Ekaterina KRASNOVA taking silver, and Dina MINAKOVA and Larisa ANDREEVA each securing bronze. Italy’s Rita POGOSOVA emerged victorious in the Over 75 group, with Larisa ILINSKAIA (AIN) taking silver. Bronze went to Linda SIMPSON (England) and Alicja SKRZYPICKA (Poland). The Over 80 category saw Gizella ZACHER (Hungary) claim gold, ahead of Renata BURG (Austria). Bronze was awarded to Mirosława BUTRYM (Poland) and Colette LE CORVEC (France). Finally, in the Over 85, Gertrud MIKYSKA (Austria) stood atop the podium, with Heidi WUNNER (Germany) earning silver. Eva ŠVECOVÁ (Czechia) and Chantal MASSET (France) completed the medal round. The atmosphere in Novi Sad proved once again why the European Veterans Championships remain a cherished fixture on the calendar — a celebration of sport at every age. See the pictures here WOMEN’S SINGLES Women’s Singles 40 Women’s Singles 45 Women’s Singles 50 Women’s Singles 55 Women’s Singles 60 Women’s Singles 65 Women’s Singles 70 Women’s Singles 75 Women’s Singles 80 Women’s Singles 85 WOMEN’S DOUBLES Women’s Doubles 40 Women’s Doubles 45 Women’s Doubles 50 Women’s Doubles 55 Women’s Doubles 60 Women’s Doubles 65 Women’s Doubles 70 Women’s Doubles 75 Women’s Doubles 80

The 2025 European Veterans Table Tennis Championships concluded after six vibrant days of competition at the Novosadski Sajam, gathering 2,593 participants from across Europe. On the final day of the event, ETTU Vice President Ina JOZEPSONE shared her impressions, reflecting on the organization, atmosphere, and future of the championships. Despite a late start in preparations due to internal changes, the Serbian Table Tennis Association managed to organize the event. From your perspective, did they succeed? “Absolutely. Despite the initial delay in starting the preparations, the Serbian TTF delivered an exceptional European Veterans Championships . From our perspective, everything was organized at a high level — from logistics and venue readiness to hospitality and overall event management. The seamless execution reflected the professionalism and dedication of the entire team,” explained ETTU Vice President in charge for Veterans. JOZEPSONE added: “Remarkably, although the core preparations were completed in just three months, there were no visible shortcomings. The event met all expectations, and most importantly, spectators and participants alike would never guess how limited the timeframe truly was. It’s a testament to how focused planning, hard work, and experience can overcome even the toughest constraints. Everything was really well organized. The team in Novi Sad did a great job — you could feel their energy and commitment. The whole event went smoothly, and the atmosphere was fantastic. Honestly, it didn’t feel at all like it was put together in just a few months.” How would you assess the level of play and competition among the participants? “The level of competition was awe-inspiring, especially in some of the age groups. You can clearly see there are still many players who train regularly and bring great skills to the table. It’s always refreshing to witness such dedication and passion for the sport, even at veteran levels.” Were there moments outside the matches that stood out to you — did you reconnect with old friends? “Yes, I did! It was great to reconnect with old friends and colleagues from across Europe. These moments are really important — beyond the competition, it’s about staying connected, sharing experiences, and strengthening the table tennis community. Spending time together like this is what makes events like the EVC so special.” Looking ahead, are the preparations for the 2027 European Veterans Championships in Latvia already underway? “ Yes, preparations for the European Veterans Championships 2027 in Riga, Latvia are well underway. A dedicated logo has already been created, and the official website is live at evc2027.com. The organizing team has also been actively promoting the event — they had a visible presence at EVC 2025 in Novi Sad, with their own stand to engage with athletes and visitors.” How many participants do you expect in Riga in 2027? “Based on the strong interest shown during EVC 2025 and the enthusiasm we saw at the Latvian booth, it’s clear that the event is already generating significant excitement. With this momentum, it’s reasonable to expect that the participant count in Riga could reach — or even surpass — the 3,000 mark.”