The qualification stage of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup got underway today at the Omnisports venue in Montreux. On Thursday, eight players in both the Men’s and Women’s events are competing for the final two places in the Round of 16. The qualification is played over two rounds, with the winners of the second round securing their spots in the main draw. All matches of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup will be available live worldwide on ETTU.tv and YouTube ETTU official, except in the following countries and territories, where specific broadcast agreements apply and access is restricted (geo-blocked). In these regions, fans should follow the tournament exclusively on the official local broadcasters listed here. In the opening round, top seed Anna HURSEY of Wales recorded a swift straight-games victory over Georgina POTA of Hungary 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 .

One year after ending one of the most dominant recent reigns in the history of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup, defending champion Alexis LEBRUN of France returns to Montreux with renewed confidence, greater experience, and the same hunger to compete at the very top. With the main draw commencing tomorrow, Europe’s elite once again gather for one of the season’s most prestigious stages. After reaching the semi-finals in 2024, the French star produced a breakthrough performance in 2025, defeating Darko JORGIC in the final to stop the Slovenian’s run of three consecutive titles and claim his first CCB Europe Top 16 Cup crown. Now, ahead of his third appearance at the iconic event from 5 to 8 February, he embraces the challenge of coming back as the player everyone wants to beat. “It always feels very nice to come back after winning a title. I am very happy to play again in Montreux and I hope I will have a great tournament this year,” said LEBRUN. The past twelve months have been a period of steady success. European champion in singles and doubles in 2024, he also added the team crown to his growing list of achievements. “A lot of things have happened, but I think I learned a lot during the last year. I tried to improve some aspects of my game, so I hope it will work.” That growth has been reflected in his recent results, but he remains cautious, aware that form can shift quickly at an event as intense as the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup. “I feel good, but every tournament is different, so I will try my best to make a good tournament.” Few events in European table tennis offer the same atmosphere as Montreux. The unique format, the full stands, and the proximity of the crowd create a pressure cooker that leaves no room for mistakes. “It’s always perfect conditions in a beautiful place with a full crowd, so it’s always a pleasure to play this tournament.” With only Europe’s elite invited, every round feels like a final. “It’s just the top European players, so of course it’s very strong. It’s very exciting to fight with so many strong players for the title and I will take a lot of pleasure.” Despite the growing expectations that follow him, the reigning champion remains focused on his own path, refusing to be distracted by labels or predictions. “I am just focused on myself and I want to continue my way.” That mindset also extends to his approach to the season ahead. “This tournament is one of the important ones in my season, so I will prepare and practice a lot to be able to play my best. It’s a special place for table tennis and for the Top 16, so I am very happy to play here.” As the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup returns, the story comes full circle. The champion is back, no longer the challenger, but the reference point. And once again, Europe will be watching. Men’s event In the Men’s event will play Truls MOREGARD of Sweden, Alexis LEBRUN of France, Felix LEBRUN of France, Darko JORGIC of Slovenia, Benedikt DUDA of Germany, Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany, Dang QIU of Germany, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany, Anton KALLBERG of Sweden, Anders LIND of Denmark, Simon GAUZY of France, Jonathan GROTH of Denmark, Marcos FREITAS of Portugal, Eduard IONESCU of Romania. Qualification Stage – Men Alvaro ROBLES of Spain, Andrej GACINA of Croatia, Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland, Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia, Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden, Daniel HABESOHN of Austria, Joao GERALDO of Portugal and Pedro OSIRO of Switzerland. Reserve players Iulian CHIRITA of Romania, Thibault PORET of France, Andre BERTELSMEIER of Germany, Martin ALLEGRO of Belgium, Adrien RASSENFOSSE of Belgium, Luka MLADENOVIC of Luxembourg, and Ovidiu IONESCU of Romania. Women’s event In the Women’s event will play Sabine WINTER of Germany, Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria, Bernadette SZOCS of Romania, Ying HAN of Germany, Jia Nan YUAN of France, Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania, Prithika PAVADE of France, Jieni SHAO of Portugal, Nina MITTELHAM of Germany, Linda BERGSTROM of Sweden, Fu YU of Portugal, Maria XIAO of Spain, Natalia BAJOR of Poland, Xiaona SHAN of Germany. Qualification Stage Anna HURSEY of Wales, Annett KAUFMANN of Germany, CharlotteLUTZ of France, Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania, Izabela LUPULESKU of Serbia, Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia, Georgina POTA of Hungary, Rachel MORET of Switzerland. Reserve players Christina KALLBERG of Sweden, Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy, Britt EERLAND of the Netherlands, Yuan WAN of Germany, Gaia MONFARDINI of Italy, Adina DIACONU of Romania, and Ivana MALOBABIC of Croatia.