Panathinaikos A.C. are back on top of the Men’s Europe Trophy Grand Final, lifting the title in Niš after a convincing 3-0 win over CTT Olot in the final. Serbia has once again proven to be a happy hunting ground for the Greek club, who also lifted the trophy in Beočin two years ago.
The final was closer than the scoreline suggests, with all three matches featuring tight moments, but Panathinaikos showed composure when it mattered most. Tamas LAKATOS edged a five-game battle in the opening match to give his team the lead, before Taehyun KIM extended the advantage with another strong performance.
The title was sealed by Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS, who came through a hard-fought encounter to confirm the victory and spark celebrations for Panathinaikos.
Reflecting on the final, Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS praised both the level of the match and the spirit within the team.
“I’m very satisfied with my performance in the final. I think it was the toughest match, because the Spanish team had three very strong players. Still, we found solutions and all three of us performed at a very high level.
We showed great team spirit throughout the competition. Everyone supported each other. Taehyun KIM played extremely well, as did Tamas LAKATOS, and we are all very happy with our overall performance.
I’m especially proud that we won our second European trophy with Panathinaikos, the team of my heart. Step by step, we are becoming a traditional force in European table tennis.
I really want to thank Panathinaikos, our supporters, the whole team, my family and every person who believed in us.”
On their way to the final, CTT Olot impressed with a 3-1 semi-final win over TTC Radnički Beočin 1972. Rafael DE LAS HERAS set the tone early, and after Marko PETKOV briefly brought the Serbian side level, Damien PROVOST and DE LAS HERAS secured the win for the Spanish club.
Panathinaikos A.C. booked their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over UKS Piast Poprawa Ostrzeszów. Taehyun KIM dominated the opening match, while Tamas LAKATOS added a crucial second point. Adrian SPYCHALA kept the Polish side in contention, but KIM returned to seal the tie.
FINAL
CTT Olot – Panathinaikos A.C. 0-3
- Rafael DE LAS HERAS – Tamas LAKATOS 2-3 (11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 2-6)
- Miguel PANTOJA – Taehyun KIM 1-3 (6-11, 8-11, 11-9, 10-12)
- Damien PROVOST – Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS 2-3 (4-11, 8-11, 11-2, 11-7, 2-6)
MATCH FOR 3rd PLACE
UKS Piast Poprawa Ostrzeszów – TTC Radnički Beočin 1972 3-0
- Michal BANKOSZ – Jovan JOCKOV 3-0 (11-2, 11-9, 11-8)
- Antoni WITKOWSKI – Marko PETKOV 3-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-6)
- Adrian SPYCHALA – Bojan CREPULJA 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-4)
SEMI-FINAL
CTT Olot – TTC Radnički Beočin 1972 3-1
- Rafael DE LAS HERAS – Bojan CREPULJA 3-1 (11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7)
- Miguel PANTOJA – Marko PETKOV 1-3 (9-11, 14-12, 7-11, 6-11)
- Damien PROVOST – Jovan JOCKOV 3-1 (11-5, 11-2, 8-11, 11-7)
- Rafael DE LAS HERAS – Marko PETKOV 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 14-12)
Panathinaikos A.C. – UKS Piast Poprawa Ostrzeszów 3-1
- Taehyun KIM – Michal BANKOSZ 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-8)
- Tamas LAKATOS – Antoni WITKOWSKI 3-1 (9-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-6)
- Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS – Adrian SPYCHALA 2-3 (11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 4-6)
- Taehyun KIM – Antoni WITKOWSKI 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 13-11)
