Fan Zhendong celebrated his first title in Germany as 1. FC Saarbrücken TT lifted the LIEBHERR German Cup after a 3–1 victory over TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell at the Pokal Final Four in Ulm/Neu-Ulm. In front of a record crowd of 5,200 spectators at the ratiopharm arena, Saarbrücken secured the Cup for the third time in club history, following previous triumphs in 2012 and 2022. The event was also watched live by a large television audience in Germany and internationally. Olympic champion Zhendong played a decisive role in the final, defeating Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and later Ruwen FILUS, both in straight games, setting the tone for Saarbrücken’s success. The Cup victory marks the first step in the club’s ambitious “triple mission”, with further title opportunities still ahead in the Table Tennis Bundesliga and the ETTU Champions League Men, where Saarbrücken will face GV Hennebont TT in the quarterfinals. “I am very happy to win this title,” said Zhendong. “It was my first Cup Final Four, and it was a special moment in my career. I hope to return to this event in the future.” Saarbrücken had earlier defeated TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen in the semifinals, while Fulda reached the final after a narrow win over TTC OE Clarity-Telefonie Systeme Bad Homburg. Final Semifinals
Brunetti Castel Goffredo Clinch Eighth Women’s Italian Cup
At Palascherma in Ancona, Brunetti Castel Goffredo lifted their eighth Women’s Italian Cup, extending their dominance with a sixth consecutive title. In the final, they defeated Tennistavolo Norbello 3–1, receiving the trophy from Ancona Deputy Mayor Giovanni ZINNI and Italian Table Tennis Federation President Renato DI NAPOLI. Earlier in the competition, Castel Goffredo overcame Quattro Mori Cagliari 3–1 in the semifinals, while Norbello defeated Tennistavolo Sassari 3–1. Quattro Mori secured third place after a 3–1 victory over Sassari. The final opened with a dramatic doubles encounter, where Anastasiia KOLISH and Ana TOFANT edged Andreea DRAGOMAN and Nikoleta STEFANOVA in a fifth-game decider, settled at 6–4 following a sudden-death finish. In the first singles, Bernadette SZOCS produced an impressive comeback against TAN Wenling, recovering from two games down to claim a crucial 3–2 victory. DRAGOMAN then restored Castel Goffredo’s lead, closing a tense five-game battle against KOLISH after letting a 2–0 advantage slip. SZOCS sealed the title in the fourth match with a commanding straight-games win over TOFANT, handing Castel Goffredo yet another Italian Cup. “We had to fight tooth and nail,” said Castel Goffredo Technical Director Alfonso LAGHEZZA. “We faced difficulties, some of them unexpected, but the girls reacted very well. After losing the doubles, Bernadette’s comeback against TAN was fundamental. Her style is extremely difficult to face, especially with the heavy spin on long serves. We adjusted the tactics, and Bernadette managed the match brilliantly. Andreea also showed great character in the deciding game. We are very happy to win our eighth Italian Cup and now look ahead to our next goal, the Italian championship.” FINAL BRUNETTI CASTEL GOFFREDO – TENNISTAVOLO NORBELLO 3–1 Match for Third Place QUATTRO MORI CAGLIARI – TENNISTAVOLO SASSARI 3–1 Semifinals BRUNETTI CASTEL GOFFREDO – QUATTRO MORI CAGLIARI 3–1 TENNISTAVOLO NORBELLO – TENNISTAVOLO SASSARI 3–1
Linus MERNSTEN Named Denmark’s Coach of the Year at Sports Galla 2025
Danish national team head coach Linus MERNSTEN has been honoured as Coach of the Year 2025 across all sports in Denmark, a prestigious recognition announced on Saturday evening during Sports Galla 2025 in Herning. The award was presented in front of 10,000 spectators at the venue and witnessed by approximately one million viewers watching live on Denmark’s public service broadcaster, DR (Danmarks Radio and Television). MERNSTEN has served as Head Coach of the Danish National Table Tennis Team since 2014, playing a central role in Denmark’s steady rise on the international stage. Prior to his work in Denmark, he held national coaching positions in Sweden, Luxembourg, Spain, and England, building an extensive international coaching career. Denmark’s leading player Anders LIND (World No. 16) underlined MERNSTEN’s impact by stating that without him, he would likely have remained around No. 200 in the world rankings, highlighting the coach’s decisive influence on elite player development. This marks only the second time in history that a table tennis coach has received Denmark’s Coach of the Year award across all sports. The first came in 2002, when Peter SARTZ was awarded. In a special moment, MERNSTEN was informed of the award in advance at Michael MAZE’s restaurant “John and Woo” in Copenhagen, before the public celebrations during Sports Galla 2025.
