Austria produced one of the biggest surprises of the Men’s Team Round of 32, defeating India 3-0 in a tie that turned out far more one-sided than many expected. It all started with a real battle. Robert GARDOS had to dig deep against Manush SHAH in a match full of momentum swings. After losing the opening game, GARDOS settled in, using his experience and clever serve variation to take control of the rallies. The drama peaked in the deciding game. SHAH looked in command at 7-2, but couldn’t close it out. A few mistakes opened the door, and GARDOS stepped right through it, staying calm under pressure to snatch the game 13-11 and put Austria ahead. That moment seemed to shift the whole tie. Daniel HABESOHN came in with confidence and never really let Manav THAKKAR settle. The Austrian controlled the pace from the start, taking initiative in the rallies and cruising to a straight-games win that put Austria within touching distance of victory. With the momentum fully on their side, Andreas LEVENKO made sure there would be no comeback. Facing Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN, he stayed aggressive and composed, taking charge early in each game and closing out the match in straight sets to complete the sweep. Austria now move on to the Round of 16, where an even bigger challenge awaits against Korea Republic. Austria – India 3-0

Sweden moved into the Round of 16 at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London with a 3-0 win over Hungary, but the result came with a worrying setback after Kristian KARLSSON picked up an injury late in the match. The scoreline suggests a smooth evening for Sweden, and in many ways it was. Still, there was enough quality on the Hungarian side to demand full focus from start to finish. Truls MÖREGÅRDH got Sweden off to a winning start. After a slightly shaky opening against Ádám SZUDI, he quickly settled into his rhythm and took control, closing out the match in straight games. Next up, Anton KÄLLBERG faced András CSABA in a more physical contest. The opening exchanges were evenly balanced, but Källberg gradually imposed himself, especially on serve and receive, to take the match 3-1 and put Sweden firmly in command. All eyes then turned to KARLSSON, who was making his first appearance of the tournament. The Swede looked sharp from the start against Dávid SZÁNTOSI and built a 2-0 lead, appearing in full control. But midway through the third game, the tone of the match changed. KARLSSON called for a medical timeout, clearly struggling with a groin issue. Despite the discomfort, he chose to continue and managed to close out the match 13-11, sealing the victory for Sweden. The moment, however, took the edge off what would otherwise have been a routine progression. Instead of celebration, there was immediate concern within the Swedish camp. According to team staff, KARLSSON had been dealing with muscle issues in recent weeks, making the situation particularly frustrating given his otherwise solid performance. Still, the main question now surrounds KARLSSON’S condition, with tougher challenges ahead. Sweden will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for the Round of 16, where the level only rises and there is little margin for error. Sweden – Hungary 3-0

Germany booked their place in the Round of 16 at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London with a 3-0 victory over Slovenia. While the scoreline looks convincing, the tie itself was far more closely contested. “On paper it’s a clear 3-0, but every match was really hard fought,” said Germany head coach Jörg ROSSKOPF. Germany were tested from the very start. Benedikt DUDA had to come through several difficult moments against Deni KOŽUL. The European Championships finalist found himself trailing early in key stages of the match, but still managed to keep control and close it out in straight games. “I was down 2-7 in the first set and 5-7 in the third, it was really back and forth,” Duda explained. “I’m happy with how I handled those situations.” The turning point of the tie came in the second match, where Patrick FRANZISKA faced his club teammate Darko JORGIĆ. Despite a heavy loss in the second game, FRANZISKA stayed composed and edged the key encounter in four games. “In matches like this, the small details make the difference,” said FRANZISKA. “I tried to stay calm, especially in the important moments, and in the end I was fully focused.” With Germany 2-0 ahead, Dang QIU sealed the win, defeating experienced Bojan TOKIČ in straight games to complete the sweep. The result sends Germany into the knockout phase, but the team remains cautious. “Slovenia are a very strong team. Jorgić can win two points and Kožul is always dangerous,” ROSSKOPF added. Germany now turn their attention to the Round of 16, where they will face Hong Kong. The Asian side has shown strong balance and consistency throughout the competition, presenting another serious challenge. “The matches are only getting tougher. This is where it really begins for us,” said DUDA. QIU also highlighted the physical and mental demands ahead: “In every knockout match, everyone gives everything. It’s physically demanding and mentally even more so. If you want to fight for a medal, staying fresh throughout a long tournament is crucial.” Germany – Slovenia 3-0

Luxembourg came through one of the most gripping matches of the Women’s Team Round of 32, edging Brazil 3-2 in a tie that swung back and forth until the very last point. Brazil made the stronger start, with Bruna TAKAHASHI putting her team in front after a solid win over Sarah DE NUTTE. But Luxembourg quickly found their rhythm. NI Xia Lian responded in style, fighting past Giulia TAKAHASHI in a five-game battle to level the score. The turning point seemed to come in the third match, when Enisa SADIKOVIC held her nerve in another decider against Laura WATANABE to push Luxembourg ahead. Still, there was no sense the match was settling. Bruna TAKAHASHI returned and once again delivered for Brazil, edging NI Xia Lian in five tight games to bring everything back to 2-2. With everything on the line, Sarah DE NUTTE stepped up in the deciding match. This time there was no hesitation. She produced a composed and confident performance, beating Giulia TAKAHASHI in straight games to seal the win and send Luxembourg into the Round of 16. For NI Xia Lian, the victory was all about the team: “It’s a very happy and exciting moment. I’m really proud of our team – everyone won a point, and that shows our strength. We have great team spirit and we fought together. It’s a wonderful result.” At the same time, she was honest about her own feelings: “I feel I should have won my second match, so I’m not completely satisfied. But after one year of injury, I’m still finding my rhythm mentally. Matches like this help. In the end, what matters most is the team – and today we were strong together.” Sarah DE NUTTE admitted it wasn’t easy to stay calm as the drama unfolded: “I was really nervous watching Xia Lian’s match. I didn’t know if I would need to play, so I just tried to stay focused and ready. At one point I thought it was over, but then Brazil came back and I had to switch quickly into match mode.” She also carried the memory of a painful defeat: “Two years ago we lost to Brazil in a very similar situation, so this time it feels like revenge. I really wanted to finish it, and I’m happy I could do it for the team.” Beyond the result, the sense of unity stood out: “It’s special to be part of this team. Xia Lian and I have been here for many years, and now the younger players are stepping up too. When everyone contributes, it means even more.” Luxembourg now face a huge challenge in the next round: “Japan is one of the strongest teams, so it will be very tough. But matches like this are great experiences. We’ll go there, enjoy it and give our best.” Luxembourg – Brazil 3-2