Belgium’s TTC Sokah Hoboken delivered first upset in the opening leg of the ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16, defeating last season’s Final Four contenders KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów with a 3–0 victory at home. The Belgian side, seeded 19th this season, have already exceeded expectations by advancing from Stage 1, where they overcame Austria’s SPG Felbemayr Wels, Czechia’s SKST Havířov, and Croatia’s STK Starr. Their momentum carried into the knockout round, where they stunned the No. 6 seeds from Poland. On paper, the visitors were considered strong favourites, but on the table, after a fierce fight the night belonged to Hoboken. The 3-0 win The opening match set the tone as Rémi BETELU delivered a strong performance to defeat KOZUL 3–1, sealing the fourth game with 11–1. Benjamin BROSSIER then edged out AIDA in a dramatic full five-game battle, surviving a tight 11–13 fourth game before completing the job in the decider by death point. With the Polish side under pressure, Quentin ROBINOT completed the upset. After losing the first two games to ZALEWSKI, the Frenchman mounted a remarkable comeback, saving key points to take the third game 14–12 and maintaining control through the fourth and fifth to secure the victory for Hoboken. Hoboken Manager Marc GIJS: “Totally unexpected to win 3:0 against last year’s Final Four semi-finalist! A very good match with high quality from both sides. We’re looking forward to continuing this journey!” TTC Sokah Hoboken – KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów 3–0

The Czech capital hosted a high-profile open leg Round of 16 clash in the ETTU Champions League Men as El Niňo Praha welcomed Polish KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki. Despite the passionate home support and a spirited effort from the Prague side, the No. 3 seeds displayed their full strength and recorded 3–0 victory. Bogoria arrived in Prague with an all-star, internationally seasoned line-up featuring Miłosz REDZIMSKI, Marek BADOWSKI, and legendary Greek defender Panagiotis GIONIS a trio that made the visitors clear favourites on paper. El Niňo Praha, fielding Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA, Tomáš KONEČNÝ, and David REITŠPIES, were determined to challenge the odds but ultimately could not halt the Polish powerhouse. El Niňo gained early hope as REITŠPIES took the opening game with confident shot-making. But BADOWSKI quickly reset, tightening his rhythm and taking control of the match with three straight games to put Bogoria ahead. The rising Polish star REDZIMSKI proved unstoppable. His speed, accuracy, and aggressive timing gave PRYSHCHEPA little room to breathe, securing a dominant straight-games win and doubling the visitors’ lead. Against one of the sport’s most iconic defenders, KONEČNÝ worked patiently to break through GIONIS’ impenetrable wall of chops and counters. The Greek veteran, however, controlled every phase of play and sealed the tie for Bogoria. “We played against them last year and we knew this is a very good team. Although we won both matches last season, it was never easy. We were prepared for a difficult encounter and ready to stay fully focused. It is not easy to play in their venue, it’s a small hall, but the crowd is very enthusiastic. We had to perform at the top of our game, and I think we gave 100 percent. Now we wait for the return leg; we are not completely out of danger, only half of job is done. We have to stayed alert” said GIONIS. SF SKK El Niňo Praha – KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki 0–3

The 2025/26 season of the ETTU Champions League Men is about to begin, and the title defence by 1. FC Saarbrücken TT promises to be another spectacular campaign. In their opening Round of 16 match, the German powerhouse will face Dojlidy Białystok in Poland on 14 November 2025. “I think it’s hard to talk about the shape of the players right now because there have been so many tournaments recently. I played the quarterfinals in Montpellier, and Patrick FRANZISKA is always consistent when it matters most. Patrick played last week in Frankfurt, while FAN is not with us at the moment as he’s competing at the Chinese Championships. I believe we’re in solid form and, of course, we’ll give our best. We know what the Champions League means, and we can’t wait to play the first match,” explained Darko JORGIC. The German club returns as the top seed after lifting the trophy for the past three seasons. Now, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT come back even stronger—with a line-up that reads like a who’s who of global table tennis. The team has added one of the sport’s biggest names: FAN Zhendong, the reigning Olympic and World Champion, holder of three Olympic and nine World Championship gold medals. The line-up also features Sweden’s charismatic Truls MOREGÅRD, Europe’s No. 1 Darko JORGIC of Slovenia (world No. 4), and Germany’s own Patrick FRANZISKA (Europe No. 5). Romanian prodigy Eduard IONESCU and Japanese defender Yuto MURAMATSU round out what is arguably the strongest roster in European club competition. “The atmosphere in the team is great—it’s fun, but also very professional, exactly how I’ve always wanted it to be. We can’t wait for FAN to return, honestly. He’s a true professional, always ready both for training and for keeping the good spirit in the team. I hope he’ll stay with us next season as well, but we’ll see how things develop. He shows every day why he’s such a fantastic player and an Olympic champion. Of course, he needs some time to adapt, because everything here is different from China—tables, balls, style of play. It’s difficult for him, just as it is for all of us when we go to Asia, but we know he’s a true champion, and we can’t wait for him to join us again after the Asian Championships.” Speaking about the Round of 16 encounter, JORGIC added: “Against Dojlidy Białystok, it might be tricky because they have nothing to lose. They will surely give their all. I haven’t played with Konstantinos ANGELAKIS for maybe six years, and I haven’t faced the other players before. We are the favourites in this match, but anything can happen. The first leg is away, and we must show good play from start to finish. There will be some pressure, but I believe we can succeed and gain the advantage for the home match. We know it will be tough since they’re the hosts, which gives them an edge, but I hope for a good performance and form from all of us, to give our best and achieve the goal.” JORGIC also commented on the team’s current position in the TTBL Bundesliga: “We are all ready and well-prepared for the start. At the moment, we’re second in the Bundesliga, with the same number of points as the teams in third, fourth, and fifth place, and there’s still a lot to play for. We had two setbacks at the beginning of the season, but everyone knows how tough the Bundesliga is. I hope we’ll manage to reach the play-offs.”

No. 2 seeds in the ETTU Champions League Men, last year’s runners-up Borussia Düsseldorf, remain the most decorated club in the competition’s history with six Champions League titles and six European Cup of Champions trophies. Their campaign starts this week as they face No. 17 seeds Real Club Cajasur Priego TM in the knockout stage. Coach Danny HEISTER emphasised the importance of the upcoming match. “We will of course take the game very seriously, especially since we don’t even know who Priego will be playing. They have a lot of players on their list. We will play with the full team and try to achieve a good result. It is, of course, very exhausting for us right now with five games in ten days in the Bundesliga, the Cup… But the Champions League is very important to us, and we will give everything as always,” said HEISTER. Borussia Düsseldorf’s line-up includes Dang QIU, ranked number seven in Europe; Anton KÄLLBERG, ranked tenth; Kanak JHA currently world number 29; Yongyin LI and Borgar HAUG ranked 23rd in Europe. Their opponents, Real Club Cajasur Priego TM, earned their place in the knockout stage after a stunning performance in Novi Sad. The Andalusian club, seeded seventeenth, achieved one of the biggest surprises of the stage. Led by Hampus SÖDERLUND, Carlos MACHADO and Alejandro CALVO, Priego shocked the group favourites AS Pontoise Cergy TT of France, a team featuring Europe’s number 19 Liam PITCHFORD, Alexandre CASSIN and Flavio MOURIER. The Spanish team did it all without their top player Robert GARDOS.

Spanish Real Club Cajasur Priego TM is set for a thrilling Round of 16 encounter against the no. 2 seeds and last year’s runners-up Borussia Düsseldorf, six-time ETTU Champions League winners and five times Europe Club of Champions’ winners. The Andalusian club, seeded no. 17, earned its place in the knockout stage after a stunning performance in Novi Sad. Led by Hampus SÖDERLUND, Carlos MACHADO, and Alejandro CALVO, they shocked the group favourites AS Pontoise Cergy TT (FRA), featuring Europe’s no. 19 Liam PITCHFORD, Alexandre CASSIN, and Flavio MOURIER. Pitchford fell to both MACHADO and CALVO, sealing one of the most remarkable upsets of the stage and all that without their top player Robert GARDOS. Now fully reinforced, the Spanish champions are eager to continue their European adventure. “We’re in a great moment, having started the season with confidence, and everyone is excited to compete in the Champions League,” said the club Manager Alejandro Calvo MACHADO. “We have a strong squad of 8/10 players ready to enjoy this experience at the highest level.” Carlos MACHADO, a veteran of Spanish table tennis, highlighted an important milestone for the club this year: “Our biggest change this season is that our venue is undergoing major renovation works. It’s a big step for the club’s future.” Cajasur Priego TM remains one of Spain’s dominant sides, with three consecutive national league titles, 10 national championships, and 10 King’s Cup trophies. Looking ahead to the duel with the German giants, Machado stayed realistic but optimistic: “It’s going to be a great spectacle for everyone who comes to watch. Borussia Düsseldorf has no weak points, their biggest strength is their squad depth and consistency. For us, playing at home is a big advantage, and our motivation is sky-high. We must remember we’re facing Europe’s best team and keep our feet on the ground.” The manager added: “This competition means a lot to us it’s the highest level we can reach, and we’re proud to represent Spanish table tennis at this stage.” Ahead of the match, he sent a message to fans: “Come and enjoy world-class table tennis, support our players, and be part of a good cause this event will also help raise funds for ALS patients.” When asked about the team’s goals for the season, MACHADO emphasized passion and perspective: “We’re aware of the quality of all the participating clubs. Our goal is to enjoy the experience, play at our best, and promote table tennis in Spain.” Finally, reflecting on the preparation for this knockout phase, he concluded: “Every round requires more focus and precision. The level of difficulty rises, and we must give absolutely everything to achieve a positive result.”

The Polish club Dojlidy Białystok faces a great challenge in the Round of 16 of the 2025/26 ETTU Champions League Men, as they prepare to meet the top-seeded and reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT on 14 November. For the Polish side, seeded number 20, this encounter marks one of the biggest matches in their club’s history a chance to test themselves against Europe’s finest. The German powerhouse 1. FC Saarbrücken TT enters the knockout stage as the overwhelming favourite. The defending champions, winners of the last three editions of the Champions League, travel to Poland with a line-up that reads like a who’s who of world table tennis. Their squad features Olympic and World Champion Zhendong FAN, alongside some of Europe’s best-ranked players: Truls MOREGÅRD (ER 1), Darko JORGIC (ER 4), Patrick FRANZISKA (ER 5), Yuto MURAMATSU (WR 73) and Eduard IONESCU (ER 14). Dojlidy Białystok, led by team manager Piotr MICHALSKI, approach the match with optimism and unity. Their squad features Hong Kong’s Baldwin CHAN (WR 65) Greece’s Konstantinos ANGELAKIS (ER 98), Poland’s Patryk CHOJNOWSKI (ER 446), Piotr MICHALSKI (ER 526), Piotr CHODORSKI, Pawel PISZCZATOWSKI, Bohdan LINSKYI and Japan’s Kakeru SONE (26). “This match will be a true celebration of table tennis in our city,” said MICHALSKI. “We expect large crowds at the event. At this level, details and the players’ form on the day make the difference. Our team will do everything possible to surprise a much more decorated opponent, whose lineup includes medalists from almost every major competition in the world.” He added that the team’s morale is high despite a mixed domestic record. “Our league results have been varied we lost the last two games, but won the two before that. The atmosphere is good, and everyone is healthy and ready to compete. After our last league match, the players had a week to recover and train. The preparation is complete, and we can’t wait for the match to begin.” MICHALSKI also praised Piotr CHODORSKI, one of the team’s standout players this season. “CHODORSKI joined our club this season, and his excellent performance in the group stage was a key factor in our qualification for the Round of 16. He’s definitely a player to watch he plays in a very spectacular style and shows great fighting spirit.” Currently sitting 9th in the Polish Super League after eight rounds, Dojlidy Białystok are looking to climb higher domestically while using the ETTU Champions League as a springboard for experience and visibility. “This competition is a great opportunity for the club’s development, allowing us to see how things are organized and played in other places. We fight for every single point until the very end,” MICHALSKI added. The duel between the ambitious Polish side and the defending champions promises both intensity and spectacle. Dojlidy Białystok hope that home support and determination can help them push the limits. “Our main goal,” concluded MICHALSKI, “is to fight for victory in every competition we enter and this time, to make our fans proud against one of the best teams in the world.”