LINZ AG Froschberg and SPG LINZ are looking for an experienced Head Coach to lead their professional table tennis programme. The clubs operate a high-performance tournament system focused on top-level national and international competition, with the clear goal of developing players to world-class level and promoting table tennis through modern, attractive formats. The Head Coach will be responsible for managing and further developing training operations at the highest national level, planning and delivering individual and team sessions, creating training and tournament schedules, and supporting the development of young talents. Coaching at national and international events and close cooperation with the sports management and tournament organisation are also key parts of the role, as well as building and leading a professional team of coaches and support staff. Candidates should hold a top-level coaching licence (e.g. A-licence or equivalent) and bring several years of experience as a professional or national coach, with proven success in player development and competition coaching. Leadership, organisational strength, strong communication skills, resilience, and a passion for table tennis are essential. Very good English is required; additional languages are an advantage. Applications (CV, cover letter, references) should be sent to: robert.renner@mail.com
Draw for the WTT Finals Hong Kong 2025
Only 16 men, 16 women, and 8 mixed doubles pairs have been invited to the prestigious WTT Finals Hong Kong 2025, taking place from 10–14 December. The Men’s Singles draw opens with several high-profile European clashes. France’s Alexis LEBRUN will face Germany’s Dang QIU, while an all-Scandinavian duel features No. 4 seed Swede Truls MOREGÅRD against Denmark’s Anders LIND. Another highlight sees Félix LEBRUN renew his rivalry with Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO, just five months after their dramatic Ljubljana final. Germany’s Benedikt DUDA meets former WTT Champions winner LIN Yun-Ju, and France’s Simon GAUZY will take on Japan’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO. The opening round also includes a headline showdown between three-time WTT Finals champion Wang Chuqin and rising star Sora MATSUSHIMA, fresh from his WTT Frankfurt triumph. In Mixed Doubles, Spain’s María XIAO and Álvaro ROBLES arrive as the world No. 7 pair, following a standout season highlighted by a semifinal run at the Singapore Smash 2025 and their title at WTT Contender Muscat 2025. Only eight pairs worldwide qualified for the Finals, placing the Spanish duo among the sport’s elite. Xiao and Robles have been drawn into a highly competitive Group 2, where they will face: Each pair will play three matches from 10–12 December, with the top two advancing to the semifinals on 13 December and the final scheduled for 14 December.
OLÁH Cruises to Finlandia Open Title With Los Angeles 2028 Already on His Mind
Finland’s top player Benedek OLÁH claimed the men’s singles crown at the traditional Finlandia Open, held at the Kisakallio Sports Institute in Lohja. In the final, OLÁH defeated Denmark’s Dominykas SAMUOLIS in straight games, 3–0 (11–9, 11–5, 11–3). “Preparation was a bit tricky, as I had a fever earlier in the week and was still recovering from jet lag after returning from the United States. By Friday the fever had settled, but at times it felt like I couldn’t see the ball properly or hear anything,” OLÁH reflected after the victory. Earlier on Sunday, OLÁH swept aside Sweden’s Obada TABBAKH in another 3–0 win (11–3, 11–7, 11–2). His tightest challenge came in Saturday’s quarter-final, where Sweden’s Noa DAHLSTRÖM pushed him to a deciding fifth game before Oláh narrowly prevailed. “On Saturday I still felt a bit foggy, but on Sunday the game really clicked. I’m very pleased with that.” A Rio 2016 Olympian, OLÁH currently competes professionally across four leagues in the United States, Poland, Spain and Saudi Arabia. After missing out on Tokyo and Paris, he remains determined to return to the Olympic stage. “I’ll try to earn a bit of money over the next couple of years and then make a real push for Los Angeles.” The Finlandia Open win marks the third title of his career, and his second in Kisakallio after triumphing there in 2023. In the bronze-medal match, Finland’s Alex NAUMI defeated Norway’s Khai LAM 3–0 (11–6, 11–5, 11–3). Naumi narrowly missed out on the final, having held two match balls in his semifinal against SAMUOLIS before losing in a tight fifth game. In the women’s final, Luxembourg’s Vivian SCHOLTZ overcame Denmark’s Maja HANSEN 3–0 (11–6, 11–2, 11–9). Belgium’s Julie VAN HAUWAERT secured the bronze medal. This year’s Finlandia Open featured 169 players from 27 countries, with a remarkable 777 matches contested. Results and photo gallery.
