On Saturday, 11 October, the final countdown began before the start of the 38th European Table Tennis Team Championships in Zadar. The clock now measures hours rather than days — the first matches are scheduled for Sunday, 12 October, at 10:00 a.m. Less than 24 hours before the opening serve, Croatia’s representatives met the media at a press conference: Lea RAKOVAC and Andrej GAĆINA, national coaches Dragutin ŠURBEK Jr. and Neven KARKOVIĆ, and Josipa ZAJEC, Head of the European Championships Office. Lea RAKOVAC spoke first. “This is a team competition, where collective success is more important than individual performance. The key is that every player feels good and approaches each match with focus, energy, and a positive attitude. The atmosphere in our team is excellent and we want to keep it that way. We hope the home crowd will support us in large numbers — their energy can make a big difference,” said Rakovac, currently ranked No. 24 in Europe. Women’s team coach Dragutin ŠURBEK Jr. underlined the significance of finishing among the top two in the group, where Croatia will face England and Italy. “We start against England, and in that match we are the favourites. The priority is to qualify from the group, as doing so would automatically secure a place at the 2026 World Team Championships in London. Our players have vast experience from major international events, including European, World, and Olympic competitions. The leading contenders here are Romania, Germany, and France, with strong challenges also expected from Portugal, Sweden, and Austria with European Champion Sofia POLCANOVA. Finishing first in the group would give us a better draw in the round of 16,” said Šurbek. Men’s team coach Neven KARKOVIĆ noted the changes in modern table tennis and how the growing number of international events affects players and preparation. “The calendar has changed significantly in recent years — it now resembles tennis in intensity. Next year there will be as many as 60 international tournaments. At the same time, players earn most of their income through club leagues, which adds another layer of complexity. Maintaining form throughout the season is demanding; table tennis is a sensitive sport where even small changes in confidence can influence results. The players are very motivated, especially as they are competing at home in Zadar. The main title contenders are France, Sweden, and Germany, but every team will look for its chance,” he said. For years Croatia’s leading player, Andrej GAĆINA remains the country’s highest-ranked man in Europe (No. 16), just ahead of Tomislav PUCAR. Competing in his hometown brings an extra emotional dimension. “Playing the European Championships in my hometown is a special moment. It’s a privilege to represent Croatia here in Zadar. The goal for all of us is to give our best and enjoy every moment of the competition,” said GACINA. The Croatian men’s team will be the first to take to the tables on Sunday at 16:00, facing Moldova. “Our full focus is on the opening match against Moldova. They are a very competitive team, their top player was the best in the Polish league last year, one of the strongest in Europe. Austria will be our second opponent, and we have met them at most major events in recent years. Those matches are always close and demanding,” he commented. Reflecting briefly on his early beginnings, GACINA recalled that his table tennis journey started in Zadar during his childhood, training with his brother on a homemade table. “This is where it all began for me, and competing here again brings back great memories,” he added. Josipa ZAJEC, Head of the European Championships Office, closed the press conference by highlighting the scale of the event’s organisation. “Organising a tournament of this size cannot be compared to a WTT Contender in Zagreb, which can be prepared in two months. The preparation for this championship began a year ago. The biggest challenge was securing the financial structure, but thanks to the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the City of Zadar, and numerous sponsors, we have met the high standards of the European Table Tennis Union — from venue branding and TV production to the logistics of welcoming more than 600 participants through the airports of Zadar and Split. Everything is ready, and we are proud of the result,” said ZAJEC.

From October 12 to 19, the city of Zadar will become the heart of European table tennis, hosting the European Team Championships 2025. The spectacular Višnjik Sports Hall will welcome 24 men’s and 24 women’s national teams, gathering over 200 elite athletes, including Olympic and European medalists, for eight thrilling days of competition. This year’s edition carries a special sense of history: Zadar was the stage for the very first European Top 12 tournament in 1971, the event that laid the foundations for Europe’s premier table tennis competitions. “We are truly thrilled to bring the European Team Championships to Zadar, the hometown of one of Europe’s greatest table tennis players Zoran PRIMORAC. This event represents the pinnacle of our competitions, showing not only the very best players in Europe but also the exceptional spirit and unity that define our sport,” said ETTU President Pedro MOURA. “We look forward to a week of world-class table tennis, filled with intensity, teamwork, and passion. The European Team Championships always embody the essence of our sport, national pride, fair play, and the highest level of competition. I am confident that both the athletes and the fans will enjoy an unforgettable experience in Zadar.” ETTU Vice President and President of the Croatian Table Tennis Association (HSTS), Zoran PRIMORAC, a legendary Zadar native and seven-time Olympian, expressed immense pride ahead of the Championship: “When I became President of the Association, my wish was to bring a major tournament to Croatia. And as someone from Zadar, it was my dream that the event would be held here. I hope this will be a wonderful tournament, a true festival of table tennis. I expect many spectators and fans to come so that we can promote our sport and our city. I am convinced that fans from all over Croatia will come to watch great table tennis stars, Olympic medalists, and to cheer on our own players who will be fighting for medals here,” said PRIMORAC. Men’s Competition – Sweden Defends, Germany Chases In 2023, Sweden clinched the European crown, defeating Germany 3–1 in the final. France and Portugal shared the bronze medals. This year, the Swedes enter Zadar as top seeds, led by Anton KÄLLBERG, Mattias FALCK, and Kristian KARLSSON, with Elias RANEFUR. Germany, seeded third, returns with Benedikt DUDA, Patrick FRANZISKA, and Dang QIU forming a world-class trio eager to reclaim the title they held in 2021. France (seed 2) remains a major contender with the LEBRUN brothers, Félix and Alexis, supported by Simon GAUZY and Thibault PORET, while Portugal (seed 4) again fields its experienced lineup of Tiago APOLONIA, João MONTEIRO, João GERALDO backed up with young Tiago ABIODUN. The host nation Croatia (seed 7), powered by Andrej GAĆINA, Tomislav PUCAR, and Filip ZELJKO, will rely on home energy to reach the later rounds. Other teams to watch include Denmark (seed 5, with Anders LIND and Jonathan GROTH), Romania (seed 6, featuring Ovidiu and Eduard IONESCU), and Slovenia (seed 11, led by Darko JORGIĆ). Women’s Competition – Germany Targets a Record 10th Title The German women’s team continues to set the standard in Europe. After their commanding 3–0 victory over Romania in the 2023 final, the reigning champions arrive in Zadar as top seeds with Sabine WINTER, Nina MITTELHAM, and Yuan WAN, supported by rising stars Annett KAUFMANN and Mia GRIESEL. Romania, the silver medalist and five-time European champion, is again among the favorites with Bernadette SZŐCS, Elizabeta SAMARA, Adina DIACONU, and Elena ZAHARIA. The French team (seed 3), Yuan Jia NAN, Prithika PAVADE, and Charlotte LUTZ, aims to challenge for gold after reaching the 2023 semifinals. Portugal (seed 4) completes the top four, led by Fu YU and Jieni SHAO. Croatia, seeded 7, hopes for a deep run at home with Lea RAKOVAC, Ivana MALOBABIĆ, Hana ARAPOVIĆ, and Mateja Jeger MAJSTOROVIĆ. Historic Atmosphere Ahead With top-class lineups, historic legacy, and passionate hosts, Zadar 2025 promises to deliver one of the most memorable European Team Championships in recent years a true celebration of excellence, sportsmanship, and European unity through table tennis. The competition runs from October 12 to 19 at Višnjik Sports Hall, where Europe’s best will once again battle for glory and for a place in the sport’s history books.