The inaugural Open European Games of TT Hopes concluded successfully in Hungary after four days of competition, bringing together 93 young players from 11 countries. Held from 18 to 21 June as part of the Veszprém–Balaton European Sports Region project, the event was jointly organized by Veszprém, Balatonfüred, and Várpalota, providing Europe’s youngest talents with an international stage to compete alongside invited teams from beyond the continent.
The tournament opened with the Under 13 singles events, where Hungary’s Bálint GILICZ lived up to his status as favourite by securing the boys’ title with a series of commanding performances. In the girls’ competition, China’s Liu Qianyu enjoyed an outstanding debut against European opposition, capturing the title in impressive fashion.
The official opening ceremony featured addresses by ETTU President Pedro MOURA and Roland NÁTRÁN, Chairman of the Organising Committee. The medal ceremony was attended by László FÁBIÁN, Secretary General of the Hungarian Olympic Committee.
The following two days were dedicated to the team events, with both Under 13 and Under 15 categories in action. Table Tennis England emerged as the dominant force, winning three of the four team titles. The only exception came in the Under 15 Girls Team event, where China’s Liu Qianyu and Pan Enxi claimed gold.
The championships concluded with the Under 15 singles competitions, where several Under 13 players also tested themselves against older opponents. Liu Qianyu completed a remarkable tournament by winning the girls’ singles title, finishing with three gold medals from the three events she entered. In the boys’ competition, Hungary’s Simon ZSIGMOND produced a convincing display to secure the title.
Among the clubs, Turris SE Sopron finished as the most successful Hungarian club, while Table Tennis England topped the international team standings.
Following the successful debut edition, the Open European Games of TT Hopes will return next year.
Under 13 Boys Singles
- Bálint GILICZ (HUN)
- Lusio WEN (ENG)
- Yang HAOLIN (CHN)
- Csongor HALMAI (HUN)
Under 13 Girls Singles
- Liu QIANYU (CHN)
- Sara SZONDY (HUN)
- Serene RAHMANI-WALENTYNSKA (ENG)
- Dorina LACZKO (HUN)
Under 15 Boys Singles
- Simon ZSIGMOND (HUN)
- Adam TOKAI (HUN)
- Pablo Rioja RAMIREZ (ENG)
- Zsombor VARY (HUN)
Under 15 Girls Singles
- Liu QIANYU (CHN)
- Pan ENXI (CHN)
- Soraya RAHMANI-WALENTYNSKA (ENG)
- Zsofia FEGYVER (HUN)
Under 13 Boys Team
- Lusio WEN / Malek SHAMAKH (ENG)
- Yang HAOLIN / Lin DONGZE (CHN)
- Peter KISS / Martin KUKUCSKA (HUN)
- Csongor HALMAI / Erik PALOS (HUN)
Under 13 Girls Team
- Serene RAHMANI-WALENTYNSKA / Bethany YANG (ENG)
- Nina CRNKOVITY / Kriszta Orsolya UNGVARI (SRB/ROU)
- Isabella DEAC / Sara SZONDY (ROU/HUN)
- Zsofia LICSAK / Alina WINTER (AUT)
Under 15 Boys Team
- Pablo Rioja RAMIREZ / Rishaan SAWANT (ENG)
- Zsombor VARY / Matyas KAROLY (HUN)
- Pietro BOLOGNA / Loris CECCOLI (SMR)
- Zalan GARNAI / Alexandru DEHELEAH (ROU)
Under 15 Girls Team
- Liu QIANYU / Pan ENXI (CHN)
- Emma VARADI / Kincso Zoe PENTEK (HUN)
- Borbala VASS / Julia BARANYAI (HUN)
- Soraya RAHMANI-WALENTYNSKA / Kiishi ADEKOLA (ENG)
