Austria’s Linz AG Froschberg concluded Stage 2 of the Champions League Women with the victory over French Saint-Quentin TT. In their Group they recorded three wins in four matches suffered only one defeat last week by the hands of the same French side. Previously Linz AG Froschberg beat TT Moravsky Krumlov twice 3:0; Saint-Quentin TT also beat Czech club once. Tonight Sofia POLCANOVA overcame Olga MIKHAYLOVA in three quick games (11:4 11:3 11:4) before Suthasini SAWETTABUT beat Camille LUTZ in same style (11:9 11:3 12:10). Margarita BALTUSHYTE sealed the match with the victory over Sarah DE NUTTE (11:7 13:11 12:10). “It was unbelievable match today we are very happy with the win and I am proud of my teammates they did an amazing job. It was almost impossible to win like this and to be number 1 in the group. We were in the situation where we could only lose one game. If we had lost 2 then the points would be counted…but we won 3:0 and all matches 3:0 unbelievable! Also big respect for our opponents even though they maybe feel sad today they delivered a very good match in France and they all play very good ” said Sofia POLCANOVA. After long five matches TTC Berlin eastside overcame Spanish UCAM Cartagena TM 3:2. That is the first defeat for Spanish side in Group A. On the other side Germany’s club beat UCAM Cartagena TM and ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari but also lost to both clubs previously so the win ratio is 2:2. In next Round the last match in the group will be played between Italian and Spanish club. ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari has two defeats and win. In tonight’s match Nina MITTELHAM gave TTC Berlin eastside perfect start with the victory over Silvia ERDELYI (11:4 12:10 11:9) but Maria XIAO leveled the score with the win over SHAN Xiaona (11:7 11:6 11:9). In five long games DING Yaping beat Dora MADARASZ (5:11 13:11 11:5 2:11 6:0). That was really close but next match was even closer because Nina MITTELHAM lost to Maria XIAO by sudden death point (9:11 11:9 11:3 10:12 5:6). In the decisive match SHAN Xiaona beat Silvia ERDELYI (12:10 11:4 11:6).
Wins for Linz AG Froschberg
Austria’s Linz AG Froschberg concluded Stage 2 of the Champions League Women with the victory over French Saint-Quentin TT. In their Group they recorded three wins in four matches suffered only one defeat last week by the hands of the same French side. Previously Linz AG Froschberg beat TT Moravsky Krumlov twice 3:0; Saint-Quentin TT also beat Czech club once. Tonight Sofia POLCANOVA overcame Olga MIKHAYLOVA in three quick games (11:4 11:3 11:4) before Suthasini SAWETTABUT beat Camille LUTZ in same style (11:9 11:3 12:10). Margarita BALTUSHYTE sealed the match with the victory over Sarah DE NUTTE (11:7 13:11 12:10). “It was unbelievable match today we are very happy with the win and I am proud of my teammates they did an amazing job. It was almost impossible to win like this and to be number 1 in the group. We were in the situation where we could only lose one game. If we had lost 2 then the points would be counted…but we won 3:0 and all matches 3:0 unbelievable! Also big respect for our opponents even though they maybe feel sad today they delivered a very good match in France and they all play very good ” said Sofia POLCANOVA. After long five matches TTC Berlin eastside overcame Spanish UCAM Cartagena TM 3:2. That is the first defeat for Spanish side in Group A. On the other side Germany’s club beat UCAM Cartagena TM and ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari but also lost to both clubs previously so the win ratio is 2:2. In next Round the last match in the group will be played between Italian and Spanish club. ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari has two defeats and win. In tonight’s match Nina MITTELHAM gave TTC Berlin eastside perfect start with the victory over Silvia ERDELYI (11:4 12:10 11:9) but Maria XIAO leveled the score with the win over SHAN Xiaona (11:7 11:6 11:9). In five long games DING Yaping beat Dora MADARASZ (5:11 13:11 11:5 2:11 6:0). That was really close but next match was even closer because Nina MITTELHAM lost to Maria XIAO by sudden death point (9:11 11:9 11:3 10:12 5:6). In the decisive match SHAN Xiaona beat Silvia ERDELYI (12:10 11:4 11:6).
Stefan FEGERL and Elizabeta SAMARA Athletes’ Commission – deputy chairs
For the first time the International Table Tennis Federation Athletes’ Commission will have two chairs – one woman and one man – elected to lead the body today in Amman Jordan ahead of the ITTF Summit. Sharath Kamal ACHANTA and LIU Shiwen were elected as joint Athletes’ Commission chairs a shift into how the commission is run as part of the ITTF’s drive for gender parity at more levels in the federation. In addition to Sharath Kamal ACHANTA and LIU Shiwen’s election the Athletes’ Commission elected two deputy chairs Stefan FEGERL and Elizabeta SAMARA. Like the two chairs one male athlete and one female athlete was elected to ensure gender parity at the highest levels of the commission. The other members of the Athletes’ Commission are Omar ASSAR Ingela LUNDBACK Jon PERSSON Daniely RIOS Melissa TAPPER and Kelly Van ZON. The Athletes’ Commission is the voice of table tennis athletes in the federation allowing an avenue for them to advocate for themselves directly to the ITTF leadership. To further reinforce the voice of athletes and provide overall support the ITTF also established an Entourage working group.
Stefan FEGERL and Elizabeta SAMARA Athletes’ Commission – deputy chairs
For the first time the International Table Tennis Federation Athletes’ Commission will have two chairs – one woman and one man – elected to lead the body today in Amman Jordan ahead of the ITTF Summit. Sharath Kamal ACHANTA and LIU Shiwen were elected as joint Athletes’ Commission chairs a shift into how the commission is run as part of the ITTF’s drive for gender parity at more levels in the federation. In addition to Sharath Kamal ACHANTA and LIU Shiwen’s election the Athletes’ Commission elected two deputy chairs Stefan FEGERL and Elizabeta SAMARA. Like the two chairs one male athlete and one female athlete was elected to ensure gender parity at the highest levels of the commission. The other members of the Athletes’ Commission are Omar ASSAR Ingela LUNDBACK Jon PERSSON Daniely RIOS Melissa TAPPER and Kelly Van ZON. The Athletes’ Commission is the voice of table tennis athletes in the federation allowing an avenue for them to advocate for themselves directly to the ITTF leadership. To further reinforce the voice of athletes and provide overall support the ITTF also established an Entourage working group.
Borussia Düsseldorf went full distance against Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki
In the Second Stage of the Champions League Men in Group A Borussia Düsseldorf went full distance against Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki in Poland. Previously they overcame HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod twice. Tonight Anton KALLBERG was the backbone of Borussia Düsseldorf’s success. He won two matches against Michal GAWLAS (11:6 11:9 11:5) and against Milosz REDZIMSKI (11:8 11:3 9:11 11:5). Timo BOLL lost the opening match against REDZIMSKI (7:11 11:8 12:14 5:11) but overcame GAWLAS in the decisive match (11:7 11:6 11:6). Panagiotis GIONIS overcame QIU Dang (11:7 3:11 12:10 11:9). “It was very close match. I am very glad we have Anton in our team. He saved us again. We faced very enthusiastic team and enthusiastic fans in Poland. It was not easy. Now we have to close this and to beat them in Germany ” said Timo BOLL. Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki will play against HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod on December 16 and two days later against Borussia Düsseldorf.
Borussia Düsseldorf went full distance against Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki
In the Second Stage of the Champions League Men in Group A Borussia Düsseldorf went full distance against Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki in Poland. Previously they overcame HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod twice. Tonight Anton KALLBERG was the backbone of Borussia Düsseldorf’s success. He won two matches against Michal GAWLAS (11:6 11:9 11:5) and against Milosz REDZIMSKI (11:8 11:3 9:11 11:5). Timo BOLL lost the opening match against REDZIMSKI (7:11 11:8 12:14 5:11) but overcame GAWLAS in the decisive match (11:7 11:6 11:6). Panagiotis GIONIS overcame QIU Dang (11:7 3:11 12:10 11:9). “It was very close match. I am very glad we have Anton in our team. He saved us again. We faced very enthusiastic team and enthusiastic fans in Poland. It was not easy. Now we have to close this and to beat them in Germany ” said Timo BOLL. Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki will play against HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod on December 16 and two days later against Borussia Düsseldorf.
STK Novi Sad joined Metz TT in the quarterfinals
In Group B of the Women’s Champions League Serbia’s Novi Sad joined Metz TT in the quarterfinal. Novi Sad beat SKST Plus Hodonin in Czech Republic to recorded second victory in the Group. Novi Sad beat Hodonin in both legs whilst Metz recorded all four wins. “For the first time in the history of the club we made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League so we are very happy. The home match against Hodonín which we won 3:0 was very important for our success. But we also came here to win. Two games were enough for us to advance but a win is better. We were the stronger team the win at the end of the second game of the match between Aneta MAKSZUTI and Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ was very important. Then the huge weight and pressure fell off us it was a good match from both sides ” said Novi Sad coach Slobodan STOJANOV. The key player in winners side was Anamaria ERDELYI with two wins over Natalia PARTYKA (12:10 11:8 5:11 11:8) and Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ (9:11 11:7 11:7 11:2). At the beginning Aneta MAKSZUTI beat Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ (14:16 12:10 11:3 15:13). Karin GROFOFA scored for HODONIN. She overcame Tijana JOKIC (10:12 8:11 11:8 20:18 6:3). SKST Plus Hodonín coach Jaroslav MIKESKA said: “We had a very difficult task. To advance we needed to win three times 3:0. That’s why we subordinated the line up to this goal. I believed that Natalia PARTYKA had the best chance against ERDELYI. In the end everything was different. The key moment was the end of the second set of the first singles. As soon as MAKSZUTI won the set she calmed down and was better.” This is historical achievement for Novi Sad. It is the first time since the new format of Champions League that Serbia’s club reached the Top 8. Previously in 1967 55 years ago Novi Sad reached the quarterfinal of the Cup of European Champions. Further back in history Serbia’s Coka reached the semifinal of the same competition at the end of 1970.
STK Novi Sad joined Metz TT in the quarterfinals
In Group B of the Women’s Champions League Serbia’s Novi Sad joined Metz TT in the quarterfinal. Novi Sad beat SKST Plus Hodonin in Czech Republic to recorded second victory in the Group. Novi Sad beat Hodonin in both legs whilst Metz recorded all four wins. “For the first time in the history of the club we made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League so we are very happy. The home match against Hodonín which we won 3:0 was very important for our success. But we also came here to win. Two games were enough for us to advance but a win is better. We were the stronger team the win at the end of the second game of the match between Aneta MAKSZUTI and Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ was very important. Then the huge weight and pressure fell off us it was a good match from both sides ” said Novi Sad coach Slobodan STOJANOV. The key player in winners side was Anamaria ERDELYI with two wins over Natalia PARTYKA (12:10 11:8 5:11 11:8) and Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ (9:11 11:7 11:7 11:2). At the beginning Aneta MAKSZUTI beat Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ (14:16 12:10 11:3 15:13). Karin GROFOFA scored for HODONIN. She overcame Tijana JOKIC (10:12 8:11 11:8 20:18 6:3). SKST Plus Hodonín coach Jaroslav MIKESKA said: “We had a very difficult task. To advance we needed to win three times 3:0. That’s why we subordinated the line up to this goal. I believed that Natalia PARTYKA had the best chance against ERDELYI. In the end everything was different. The key moment was the end of the second set of the first singles. As soon as MAKSZUTI won the set she calmed down and was better.” This is historical achievement for Novi Sad. It is the first time since the new format of Champions League that Serbia’s club reached the Top 8. Previously in 1967 55 years ago Novi Sad reached the quarterfinal of the Cup of European Champions. Further back in history Serbia’s Coka reached the semifinal of the same competition at the end of 1970.
Croatia opened the European championships campaign with the win
In the opening match in the Men’s Group A4 in the First Stage of the European Teams Championships Croatia beat Spain in Granada 3:1. In the same Group is also Austria. Andrej GACINA opened the encounter with the win over Marc GUTIERREZ 3:1. “It was very close match and very tough. The Spanish side came with the very young team but nevertheless it was far from easy. They put a lot of pressure on us. Maybe it was less stressful in my opening encounter which I won in four games and the last one that Filip ZELJKO won in straight games but the other two matches were really close ” said GACINA. Young Miguel Angel PANTOJA created big upset by beating ZELJKO and leveled the score after Croatia took the lead with GACINA’s win. “We did not have enough time to prepare we were not familiar with those balls and tables…We were not adjust to the conditions and struggling a bit at the start. On the other side PANTOJA played very good. He seized the opportunity and grab it to overcame ZELJKO. At 1:1 Tomislav PUCAR beat Carlos CABALLERO. He went full distance and succeeded at 11:7 in the last game. That made a big step forward toward our victory. We expected it but not as hard as it came ” said GACINA. In the last match Filip ZELJKO beat GUTIERREZ in straight games.
Portugal overcame Czech Republic to record two out of two in Funchal
Portugal recorded second victory in two days of action in Funchal. In the opening Stage of the European Championships Teams in Group A 2 in Women’s Event yesterday Portugal beat Italy whilst today hosts prevailed against Czech Republic. At the start SHAO Jieni needed to go full distance to overcame Zdena BLASKOVA (12:10 10:12 11:5 8:11 11:8) but for YU Fu who beat Hana MATELOVA it was opposite scenario. YU prevailed in quick three games (11:3 11:5 11:2). Ines MATOS beat Katerina TOMANOVSKA (11:2 8:11 11:5 11:8) to seal the encounter in three matches.
