The third edition of the German Table Tennis Finals promises to deliver the strongest German National Championships for Women and Men in many years. Hosted at the Messe Erfurt exhibition halls, the LOTTO Thüringen TT-Finals 2026 will bring together Germany’s leading players for a weekend of world-class table tennis, while a historic mixed doubles debut will add a new chapter to the rich history of the championships. The 94th German Championships feature virtually every major name in German men’s table tennis. Dang QIU, Benedikt DUDA, Patrick FRANZISKA, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Andre BERTELSMEIER – the entire German squad that represented the country at the recent World Championships in London – will compete in Erfurt. QIU arrives as the 2022 European Champion, while DUDA was runner-up at the 2024 European Championships. FRANZISKA, winner of the Europe Top 16 Cup in 2021, remains one of Germany’s most accomplished players, while OVTCHAROV, a two-time Olympic singles bronze medallist, continues to rank among the nation’s greatest players of the modern era. Several former champions will be chasing another title. QIU (2022, 2023), DUDA (2021), OVTCHAROV (2014) and Ricardo WALTHER (2020) have all lifted the trophy before. The field also includes defending champion Kay STUMPER and 2013 winner Steffen MENGEL, both representing Bundesliga club Post SV Mühlhausen. Former German international Torben WOSIK, now 52, returns to the championships after his triumphs in 1999 and 2008. Among the leading contenders, only FRANZISKA is still waiting to win the national singles title. “I’ll take my next shot in Erfurt and would love to bring the title home,” said FRANZISKA with a smile. “Everyone else has already won it.” One of the players hoping to challenge the established stars is 21-year-old Wim VERDONSCHOT. The young German has climbed into the world’s top 75 over the past seven months thanks to two WTT Feeder titles and another semi-final appearance. Fans can also look forward to watching Florian BLUHM, whose spectacular defensive style has made him a crowd favourite. The Cologne-based defender regularly produces some of the most entertaining rallies in German table tennis and has often troubled higher-ranked opponents. In the women’s event, Sabine WINTER enters as one of the favourites. Following a remarkable rise into the world’s top ten after changing her playing system, the Bavarian is aiming for a third national singles title after victories in 2022 and 2023. However, the competition is expected to be fierce. Leading the challenge is 19-year-old Annett KAUFMANN. The 2024 World Under-19 Champion has captured the last two national titles and is aiming to complete a hat-trick in Erfurt. “Winning for a third consecutive year won’t be easy,” admitted KAUFMANN. “It would be great, but Sabine is the favourite.” Together with Nina MITTELHAM, they form a formidable trio of contenders. The European Championships bronze medallist has successfully returned from long-term back problems and recently celebrated her marriage. German champion from 2019 to 2021, MITTELHAM is now targeting a fourth national title. Former champion Xiaona SHAN remains a dangerous outsider. The winner of the 2013 and 2014 editions continues to be one of the most experienced and respected players in German table tennis. Team European champions Yuan WAN and Mia GRIESEL are also expected to challenge for the latter stages, while Under-15 World Champion Koharu ITAGAKI will be one of the most closely watched young players in the draw. The women’s doubles competition will also produce new champions. WINTER, who partnered Katrin MÜHLBACH to the title last year, will team up with Yuan WAN. The pair reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 World Championships and previously won the German title together in 2022. WINTER already holds the all-time record with eight national women’s doubles titles, achieved with six different partners. A landmark moment in German table tennis history will take place in Erfurt when Paralympic champion Valentin BAUS and former European doubles champion Kristin LANG compete together in the mixed doubles event. For the first time since the inaugural German Championships in 1931, an inclusive mixed doubles pair will take part in the senior competition. The historic participation follows a decision by the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB), whose Congress approved the inclusion of inclusive competitions at the federation’s premier national event in December 2025. By competing together, BAUS and LANG will send a powerful message in support of inclusion in elite sport while creating a memorable milestone in the history of the German Championships.

Alfa Food Bagnolese crowned their 20th anniversary celebrations in the most memorable way possible by winning the first Italian Men’s Team Championship title in club history. In one of the most dramatic finals in recent seasons, Bagnolese overcame Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether after three fiercely contested encounters. The newcomers to the top of Italian table tennis won the first leg away from home 3-2, lost the return match 3-1 and then prevailed 3-2 in the decisive playoff on home soil, recovering from a 1-2 deficit to lift the trophy. On their road to the final, Bagnolese defeated Muravera Tennistavolo Sardegna Prodotti Tipici 3-0 in both semi-final matches, while Top Spin Messina ended the title defence of Tennistavolo Sassari with victories of 3-1 and 3-2. The first leg of the final belonged largely to Bagnolese. Mihai BOBOCICA proved decisive with two impressive victories over Vladislav URSU and Niagol STOYANOV, while Hampus SODERLUND saved four game points against Danilo FASO in the opening game before going on to secure a convincing straight-games victory. The second leg produced a remarkable response from Top Spin Messina. Despite the absence of their number one player, Vladislav URSU, the Sicilian club levelled the tie thanks to an outstanding performance from 15-year-old Danilo FASO. The young talent defeated both SODERLUND and BOBOCICA, while STOYANOV added another point against Jordy PICCOLIN. Everything therefore came down to a winner-takes-all playoff match in front of a packed home crowd. SODERLUND once again became one of the heroes of the evening, defeating both Frane KOJIC and Danilo FASO to keep Bagnolese alive. In the decisive final match, BOBOCICA delivered under enormous pressure. He saved four game points in the second game against Humberto MANHANI JR and refused to let missed opportunities in the third affect his concentration, eventually sealing the victory and the championship title. “This playoff was incredible,” said Paolo FRIGERI, head of Bagnolese’s table tennis section. “The crowd was fantastic. Winning our first national title during the year of our 20th anniversary is the most emotional way we could have celebrated. For a town of only 6,000 inhabitants, this is an extraordinary achievement. Even the mayor told us that we have made history.” Bagnolese finished the regular season at the top of the standings and proved their consistency throughout the campaign. “We were the most consistent team during the season and spent almost the entire year at the top of the table. It was not easy because the level of competition is very high. We dedicate this title to our main sponsor, who believed in us from the beginning and helped us live this dream.” FRIGERI also highlighted the unity within the squad as the key to success. “We are a great team with a big heart and everyone loves this club. Our unity made the difference and helped us overcome every difficulty. We played all three final matches with only three available players, while Top Spin could field five. This group, including Tommaso GIOVANNETTI and Rafael DE LAS HERAS, who contributed throughout the season, makes us very proud. The same goes for our supporters. I thank everyone — dreaming together was wonderful.” Final First Leg Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether – Alfa Food Bagnolese 2-3 Second Leg Alfa Food Bagnolese – Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether 1-3 Playoff Alfa Food Bagnolese – Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether 3-2

1. FC Saarbrücken TT completed a historic season by securing their third title of the campaign and claiming the first treble in club history. In his final match for the club, FAN Zhendong led Saarbrücken to a 3-1 victory over Borussia Düsseldorf in the Liebherr TTBL Final4 final, securing the German championship title. Around 5,600 spectators attended the event over the weekend at the Süwag Energie Arena in Frankfurt, witnessing top-level table tennis and a memorable farewell performance from the Chinese superstar. Just two weeks after lifting the HYLO Champions League trophy and following their German Cup triumph in January, Saarbrücken added the Bundesliga title to complete a remarkable treble. It is the club’s second German championship after their first success in 2020. “I am very happy that I could help the team with two victories,” said FAN Zhendong. “Even when I was not at my best during parts of the season, the team was always there. That shows how strong this team really is.” FAN Zhendong shines in his farewell appearance The final carried special significance for FAN. The Olympic champion not only completed the mission for which he was signed last summer, but did so in his final appearance for Saarbrücken and against Borussia Düsseldorf, the club he will join next season. FAN once again demonstrated why his arrival had electrified the German Bundesliga. He remained unbeaten throughout the weekend, winning all four of his matches and captivating the crowd, many of whom celebrated every point he won with thunderous applause. Chants of “FAN Zhendong” echoed around the arena during the closing stages of the final. The Chinese star laid the foundation for Saarbrücken’s victory with a 3-1 win over Dang QIU in the opening match. Although the German international produced several strong passages and came close to taking a 2-1 lead in games, Fan proved too strong in the decisive moments. “Of course we are disappointed after losing the final,” said QIU. “We played a very good match, but against a team as strong as Saarbrücken everything has to be perfect, and today it wasn’t.” After Kanak JHA levelled the score for Düsseldorf with a convincing victory over Darko JORGIC, the third match became crucial. Patrick FRANZISKA rose to the occasion. One day after suffering a defeat against Bremen’s Kirill GERASSIMENKO in the semi-final, the German international produced an excellent display to beat Anton KÄLLBERG 3-1 and restore Saarbrücken’s lead. Had KÄLLBERG won, the final could have gone to doubles, where Düsseldorf would likely have held the advantage. Asked afterwards whether he would have liked the final to go to doubles, FRANZISKA smiled and replied: “No.” Borussia manager Andreas PREUSS remained optimistic at that stage: “In table tennis, anything can happen.” Fan ZHENDONG then completed the job with a 3-2 victory over Kanak JHA, sealing the championship and the treble. “I am incredibly proud of this team,” said FRANZISKA. “We were favourites in all three competitions, but the margins are so small. We managed to deal with the pressure. I joined Saarbrücken ten years ago, and if somebody had told me then that we would one day win the treble, I would never have believed it.” Congratulations also came from Borussia Düsseldorf coach Danny HEISTER. “They deserved it,” said HEISTER. “I cannot blame my team. We gave everything, but this time it was not enough.” The day before, Düsseldorf had survived a four-hour thriller against TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt. After falling behind 1-2, the record champions fought back through Anton KÄLLBERG’s dramatic comeback victory over Benedikt DUDA before Dang QIU and Li YONGYIN secured the decisive doubles win. Saarbrücken booked their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over SV Werder Bremen. Fan ZHENDONG avenged his surprise defeat to Marcelo AGUIRRE from earlier in the season, while Darko JORGIC recovered from a two-game deficit against Mattias KARLSSON in a crucial encounter. For the first time, the German champion was decided through a Final Four format featuring semi-finals and a final over one weekend. Former European champion Timo BOLL praised the concept. “As a player I always enjoyed the Final Four format. It is excellent for the sporting level and also a great event for spectators.” The attendance figures reflected that enthusiasm, with approximately 5,600 fans attending throughout the weekend. Many spectators travelled from China specifically to watch Fan ZHENDONG compete. TTBL Managing Director Nico STEHLE described the event as a major success for the league. “With the Liebherr TTBL Final4 we wanted to bring together all the top players in one place and offer world-class table tennis over one weekend. We achieved that. Combined with attendance records, growing media reach and increasing international visibility, the league can look back on an excellent season.” Foto: BeLa Sportfoto Final 1. FC Saarbrücken TT – Borussia Düsseldorf 3-1 Semi finals Borussia Düsseldorf – TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt 3:2 1. FC Saarbrücken TT – SV Werder Bremen 3:1

SPO Rouen captured the first French Pro A Men title in club history after edging GV Hennebont 3-2 in a dramatic final played in front of a packed Kindarena on 29 May. In only the second edition of the French championship final played as a single-match event, regular season winners GV Hennebont came within one match of the trophy before Rouen produced a remarkable comeback in front of their home supporters. Hennebont made the perfect start through Vladimir SIDORENKO. The Russian international fully justified his favourite status against French international Lilian BARDET, dominating the opening game before showing impressive composure in the crucial moments of the next two games to secure a straight-games victory and put Hennebont ahead. With Rouen trailing 0-1, all eyes turned to the clash between two members of France’s victorious 2025 European Team Championships squad, Thibault PORET and Simon GAUZY. The encounter lived up to expectations. PORET edged the opening game before building confidence and taking a two-game lead. GAUZY responded strongly to claim the third game and force a tense fourth. Both players had opportunities to close the match before PORET converted his fourth match point to level the final at 1-1. The third match proved equally dramatic. China’s Qihao ZHOU and Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES traded games throughout a high-quality encounter before ZHOU prevailed in the deciding game to restore Hennebont’s advantage. With the title within reach for Hennebont, SIDORENKO returned to the table to face PORET. Inspired by his earlier victory and driven on by the home crowd, the Frenchman produced one of the finest performances of his career. PORET edged a dramatic opening game before taking full control of the match, defeating the Russian star in straight games and once again bringing Rouen level. Everything came down to the decisive fifth match between Simon GAUZY and Lilian BARDET. BARDET made a fearless start, racing into a two-game lead and moving Rouen within one game of a historic triumph. GAUZY fought back brilliantly, winning the next two games to force a decider. However, backed by the passionate Kindarena crowd, BARDET held his nerve in the decisive game to secure the winning point and spark celebrations among the Rouen supporters. The victory crowned an outstanding season for SPO Rouen, who claimed their first-ever French Pro A Men championship title in front of their home fans. PHOTO: FFTT / Rémy Gros SPO Rouen – GV Hennebont 3-2

Table Tennis Denmark has been named Sports Association of the Year 2026 in Denmark. The award was presented during the General Assembly of the Danish Sports Confederation and the Danish Olympic Committee. Table Tennis Denmark was shortlisted alongside the Danish Golf Association and the Danish Motor Sports Federation, but the final vote among the country’s 63 sports associations went in favour of table tennis. The federation received the recognition after recording more than a 10 percent increase in membership, particularly among young players. Over the past year, Table Tennis Denmark has also educated 150 new youth coaches, helping clubs across the country prepare to welcome even more new members. The association was additionally praised for its sporting results, as well as its continued efforts to expand activities for players over the age of 60. As part of this initiative, ten new clubs for senior players have been established throughout Denmark. “It is well deserved that Table Tennis Denmark is the Sports Association of the Year 2026,” said Hans Natorp, President of the Danish Sports Confederation. “It is an association that works strategically in many different areas, both in talent development and in creating opportunities for special groups within society, and we can clearly see the results.” The award also included a prize of 100,000 Danish kroner, approximately 15,000 euros. Danish Table Tennis Federation President Henrik VENDELBO expressed great pride after receiving the award. “Thanks to all our volunteers and clubs who have worked so hard. This recognition is the result of a tremendous amount of work both within the federation and in the clubs,” said VENDELBO. The award was presented to the Danish federation by Thomas BACH, Deputy President of the Danish Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.