Finland’s men’s and women’s teams advanced to the next stage in the European Team Championships Stage 1 – B Groups Qualification Tournament played in Helsinki during the past weekend. Finland’s men’s first place was secured with Saturday’s 3-2 win over Latvia and 3-1 win over Montenegro. The second place was taken by Montenegro who beat Latvia 3-1 on Sunday. The overwhelming number one in the women’s pool was Croatia who beat both Finland and Norway clearly 3-0. In the fight for second place Finland was barely 3-2 stronger than Norway. The best player of the tournament was the host country’s Benedek OLÁH who won all his four matches. Croatia’s victorious trio Hana ARAPOVIC Ivana MALOBABIC Mateja Jeger MAJSTOROVIC and Finland’s Marina DONNER achieved two victories each.
Double celebration for Greece in Piraeus
At the Athens Riviera in Piraeus Greece celebrated double success. Both Men’s and Women’s teams secured the passage to the Stage 2 of the 2023 European Teams Championships by winning their respective B Groups. The winners in each Group moved to Stage 2 followed by teams finishing on the second position. In Group B1 Greek team composed of Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS Georgios STAMATOUROS and Giorgos KONSTANTINOPOULOS recorded two wins; all in straight matches and straight games. In front of home crowd they overcame Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lithuania. In the last match in the Group Lithuania overcame Bosnia and Herzegovina to pass the group. In the last match for Lithuania on duty were Valdas MARTINKUS Matas VILKAS and Kestutis ZEIMYS. In B2 in Sarajevo with two wins Netherlands is at the top. Kas VAN OOST Gabrelius CAMARA and Barry BERBEN overcame Norway in straight matches and with Milo DE BOER in the line up they also beat Ireland in five matches. Norway’s Haug BORGAR Alexander FRANSSON and Lars RONNEBERG were in line up for the victory over Ireland. Also in Bosnia and Herzegovina since Armenia withdrew only Turkiye and Estonia played to decide the positions in the Group B3. Turkiye’s Abdullah YIGENLER Batuhan ULUCAK and Ibrahim GÜNDÜZ overcame Estonia’s Maksim VUKHA Toomas LIBENE and Stanislav STROGOV in the match for the leading position. In Group B4 in Helsinki Finland led by Benedict OLAH beat Montenegro and Latvia. OLAH recorded all four wins in two team‘s matches although Daniels KOGANS of Latvia put him on severe pressure. Latvia forced Finland into the five matches with Daniels KOGANS and Olegs KARTUZOVS winning two points. Alongside OLAH Alex NAUMI was also in good shape to help Finalnd secure top spot at the standings. Montenegro’s Filip RADOVIC Filip RADULOVIc and iRfan CEKIC beat Latvia to move to the spot no. 2. At home soil in Budapest Hungary recorded two wins for the top spot at the standings. Against Cyprus Adam SZUDI Tamas LAKATOS and Nandor ECSEKI recorded straight three matches win whilst against Hungary they needed four since Elias HARDMEIR scored against LAKATOS. The duel between Switzerland and Cyprus concluded in favour of Swiss team. Loic STOLL Barish MOULLET and Pedro OSSIRO played for the winning side. In Strassen Luxembourg also took the advantage of the home soil. Eric GLOD Luka MLADENOVIC and Mael VAN DESSEL showed no mercy against Israel and Bulgaria. Israel’s team composed of Tal ISRAELI Michael TAUBER and Itay AVIVIV secured second position. In women’s Teams event in Helsinki Croatia concluded phase one at the top of the standings in Group B1. Ivana MALOBABIC Hana ARAPOVIC and Mateja JEGER MAJSTOROVIC recorded two straight matches wins against Norway and Finland. In all -Scandinavian duel Finland’s Marina DONNER Ramon BETZ Anna KIRICHENKO and Aleksandra TITIEVSKAJA beat Norway in five matches. In Group B2 was seen the biggest drama. All three duel went full distance. Belgium prevailed in both thrillers with Margo DEGRAEF Lilou MASSART and Juli VAN HAUWAERT all three scored against Switzerland and Israel. Israel’s Elinor DAVIDOV Karmit DOR and Sinai ITZHAKI lead the tam to the next phase. In Sarajevo in Group B3 England secured the place in the phase two. In two matches against Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina Emily BOLTON Tin Tin HO and are unbeaten whils Denise PAYET struggled against Ema LOVRIC and Vitalia REINOL. Estonia’s Reelca HANSON Airi AVAMRI and Vitalia REINOL overcame Bosnia and Herzegovina to book second position. In Pireaus host nation celebrated double success of their team since the women’s team also recorded two wins. Aikaterini TOLIOU Konstantina PARIDI and Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU beat both Wales and Montenegro in straight matches. Wales with Anna HURSEY Charlotte CAREY and Lara WHITTON beat Montenegro to secure next phase. In Saldus Bulgaria overcame the hosts Latvia and Lithuania. Polina DOBREVA Maria YOVKOVA and Tsvetlana GEORGIEVA recorded two striagt matches wins. Lithuania’s Emilija and Kornelija RILISKYTE and Egle JANAKAUSKIENE are second.
International camp for Under 15 and Under 17 players in NTC Havířov
The National Training Centre in Havířov hosted an international training camp for Under 15 and Under 17 players all week. Young players have had a lot of training sessions. On Thursday they played a traditional tournament. 24 players from 8 countries took part in the camp. There were players from the Czech Republic Slovakia Austria the Netherlands but also from Kosovo Greece Latvia or Azerbaijan. The training was led by experienced Czech trainers Josef PLACHÝ Renáta ŠTRBÍKOVÁ and Martin MERKER who were assisted by their guest colleagues from other countries.
Double joy for Romania in Bucharest
Like day earlier Romania beat Ukraine in straight matches. Today it was Christian PLETEA who gave Romania dream start with the four games victory over Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA (9:11 11:2 11:6 11:4). “It is allways great pleasure to play in front of our people friends and family. We are surprised with clear wins in both matches. However it is the resultat of the great atmosfere in the team good tactics and serious analize. Now I think that we are 95 percent qualified for the European Championships. On the presonal level it is great satisfiction for me because I was not able to play at the last Championships. I am looking forward Malmo next year ” said Cristian PLETEA. Ovidiu IONESCU needed one game less to overcame Anton LIMONOV (11:6 11:4 11:7) same as Eduardo IOENSCU against Andrii GREBENIUK (11:8 11:9 11:8).“We are very happy with the results. We did not expect to win both matches 3 0. We are happy that we did and we are almost qualified for the Europeans ” said Ovidiu. The action continues this weekend with the matches in B Groups. It was a good week for Romania in the opening round of the Stage 1 – A Groups 2023 European Teams Championships. Romania men’s team recorded second victory over Ukraine in two days whilst women’s team joined them with the straight matches victory over Turkiye. At the start of the duel against Turkiye Elizabeta SAMARA beat Ozge YILMAZ in straight games (11:7 11:4 11:9). ” It was a very good match. We were well prepaired and I am happy we managed to win in front of our supporters ” said SAMARA. Adina DIACONU folowed her path and beat Sibel ALTINKAYA in same impressive way (11:4 11:6 11:5). “Tonight I am very proud of my teammates and happy that we managed to keep a very good level against team Turkiye. Personally I am very happy with my performance and my match today I played very good and I improved my play in every game. It was also a special match for me …” said Adina and revealed: “It was my last match at age of 22 because tomorrow is my birthday.” Andreea DRAGOMAN sealed the match with the victory over Ece HARAC (11:9 11:7 11:4).
Coaching seminar in Podgorica gathered 14 coaches in Montenegro
With the assistance of European Table Tennis Union – National Associations Assistance Program Montenegro Table Tennis Association organized a seminar for Montenegrin coaches. The seminar was organized during the weekend 8-9 October and consisted of five sessions in total. Table tennis lecturing sessions were covered by ETTU Coaching Committee Chair Jaroslaw KOLODZIEJCZYK. The feedback from Montenegrin participants was extremely positive and they expressed interest in taking part in similar events in the future. During the course of three sessions KOLODZIEJCZYK covered the theoretical topics “Service and receive” and “Errors in technique their early detection and methods of correction” while one additional session was dedicated to practical exercises where the coach was assisted by two young Montenegrin players – Jaksa KRIVOKAPIC and Stefan RADONJIC. Besides the sessions directly related to theory and practice of table tennis two additional sessions were related to working with young players from a point of view from a psychologist (lecturer: Radmila Stupar ĐURIŠIĆ) and a fitness coach (lecturer: Vukajlo ČABARKAPA). Total of 14 participants took part (four of those women – 28%); coming mostly from Montenegrin clubs that have table tennis schools for young players. Montenegro TTA expressed thanks to European Table Tennis Union for supporting this project and is looking forward to future joint activities.
Romania opened the season in Groups A with the victory
Romania commenced the run in the Stage 1 – A Groups 2023 European Teams Championships with the victory. In the Opening match in the Men’s Event in Bucharest host nation overcame Ukraine in straight matches. The majority of the team arrived this week from China where they were at the World Championships but it did not affect their performance. Ovidiu IONESCU gave Romania the dream start with the four games victory over Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA (11:7 8:11 11:7 11:5). “Even though it was 3 0 we had to focus on every match. We are a stept closer to qualifing for Europeans said IONESCU. ”In my match I had the good start but later he found the way to come in to the match. I am happy I could bring the one point for us at he end.” Christian PLETEA added another point to the score line with the victory over Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO (11:6 11:5 11:9). Eduardo IONESCU was under severe pressure against Anton LIMONOV but he withstood LIMONOV’s spirited comeback from 0:2 to 2:2. IONESCU won the decisive game by narrow margin – 13:11 11:8 6:11 7:11 11:9.
2024 European Youth Championships awarded to Malmo
ETTU is pleased to announce the ETTU Executive Board has awarded the 2024 European Youth Championships to the Swedish Table Tennis Association to be played at the city of Malmö from Friday 12th to Sunday 21st July 2024. The Championships will return to Sweden after a break of 41 years. “We are delighted to be back to the city of Malmö in the summer of 2024 for the European Youth Championships after having the 2023 European Team Championships there. The Swedish Table Tennis Association is a recognizable organizer of international table tennis events and it not strange for us they earned the right to host two events in the row. The city of Malmö is very excited to receive the European table tennis community and so we are absolutely sure our youth stars will really enjoy playing there during 2024 European Youth Championships ” said ETTU Acting President Pedro MOURA. Last time the European Youth Championships was organized in Sweden was in 1983 and back then it was also held in Malmö in the same venue Baltiska Hallen. The winner in the men’s class was none other than Jan-Ove WALDNER and in third place we had Jörgen PERSSON two very familiar names in Swedish and international table tennis who need no further introduction. “I am very happy and proud to be able to develop the already good collaboration we have with the city of Malmö with another Championship. In the autumn of 2023 our biggest stars will put on a show in Malmö Arena and a little less than a year later it’s time for the next generation to take over the city – perhaps a new world star will be born then just like in 1983” said the President of the Swedish Table Tennis Association Dennis LINDAHL. In 2022 the Swedish Table Tennis Association together with the city of Malmö has launched “PING PONG POWER Malmö” with the purpose to make as many people as possible regardless of age and background to try table tennis. During the summer PING PONG POWER has been seen at various activities in the city such as the Big Five the Malmö Festival and on the popular beach at Ribersborg and during the autumn and spring the plan is to visit nursing homes libraries schools preschools and leisure parks. “The city and the people of Malmö are with us now it’s important to also get the associations and businesses on board so that we can create unique sustainable and memorable championships. With the help of PING PONG POWER we reach all target groups which means it will be much more than just a championship – table tennis for everyone everywhere” President Dennis LINDAHL continued. For the city of Malmö this will be the second international table tennis championship within 12 months. The European Table Tennis Championships 2023 will be played September 10–17 in Malmö Arena. The European Youth Championships 2024 will be played in July 2024.
Romania opens the run for 2023 European Teams Championships in A Groups
The Stage 1 – A Groups 2023 European Teams Championships commences tomorrow in Bucharest. Romania will meet Ukraine in men’s event tomorrow and on Thursday when women’s team of Rumania will clash against Turkey. The hosts just arrived from China where both men’s and women’s team were playing at the Team World Championships in Chengdu. Men’s team beat Hungary and Iran and lost to Japan and Hong Kong in China. All four duels were played in full five matches. Now they will play two matches in two days round 1 and round 4. “Ukraine is a good team very dangerous. But I believe in our team and we hope to win the both matches so that we can be closer to qualification for European Teams Championships Finals ” said Ovidiu IONESCU. Beside IONSCU in the team are also Eduard IONESCU Hunor SZOCS Rares SIPOS and Cristian PLETEA. “We are looking forward to this two home matches. We came only few days ago from China but we came with confidence from world Championships ” stated IONESCU. Women’s team of Romania will face Turkey. In the lineup are Elizabeta SAMARA Adina DIACONU Andreea DRAGOMAN Irina CUOBANU Tania PLAIAN and Elena ZAHARIA. Romania reached the Round of 16 in Chengdu. They lost that match to Hong Kong. Now they will meet Turkey. “We cannot underestimate any of our adversaries every team wants to win to qualify for the European Championships ” said SAMARA. The action starts tomorrow in Romania in A groups but by the end of the week we will have 31 more matches in B Groups during weekend. On Saturday and Sunday in Men’s Group B1 in Piraeus will play Greece vs. Lithuania Greece vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia Herzegovina vs. Lithuania. In B2 in Sarajevo: Netherlands vs. Norway Netherlands vs. Ireland Ireland vs Norway. In B3 in Sarajevo: Turkey vs. Estonia Turkey vs. Armenia Estonia vs. Armenia. In B4 in Helsinki: Finland vs. Latvia Finland vs. Montenegro Montenegro vs Latvia. In B5 in Budapest: Hungary vs. Cyprus Hungary vs. Switzerland Switzerland vs. Cyprus. In B6 in Strassen: Luxembourg vs. Bulgaria Luxembourg vs. Israel Israel vs. Bulgaria. In Women’s B1 in Helsinki: Croatia vs. Finland Croatia vs. Norway Norway vs Finland. In Group B2 in Spa: Belgium vs. Switzerland Belgium vs Israel Israel vs Switzerland. In Group B3 in Sarajevo: England vs. Bosnia Herzegovina England vs. Estonia Estonia vs Bosnia Herzegovina. In B4 in Piraeus: Greece vs. Montenegro Greece vs. Wales Wales vs. Montenegro. In B5 in Saldus: Bulgaria vs. Latvia Bulgaria vs. Lithuania Lithuania vs Latvia.
Jörg ROSSKOPF “This silver shines as bright as gold”
The triumph of German team at the Team World Championships in Chengdu could not have been more aptly summed up than the men’s national coach Jörg ROSSKOPF: “This silver shines as brightly as gold! Second place is an unbelievable success that almost nobody believed we are capable of. That was an amazing performance from my team at this World Championships.” European champions German women team reached the bronze medal; they lost to Japan in the semi final. It is the eighth World Championships medal for the German women’s team in the 96-year history of world title fights the fourth bronze medal for a female selection of the German Table Tennis Association and the first in twelve years. In Men’s Event China defeated Germany in re-run of the final of the last World Championships four years ago in Halmstad; they won 3-0 and clinched the title for the tenth time in a row including six times in finals against Germany. After outstanding performances and a difficult group phase with impressive spectacular courageous performances against Croatia (3:0) France (3:2) and South Korea (3:2) Jörg ROSSKOPF’s team reached their limits in the final against the defending champion and Olympic champion. “We are incredibly proud of this fantastic success. Playing a World Cup final against China in China is just electrifying. Not many people thought we were capable of the silver medal. But we came here with confidence because we play for Germany. We proved impressively that we can do this inexperienced troops can defeat any opponent and catch up on any deficit.” European champion DANG Qiu was proud of his team: “A silver medal at a World Cup is almost like gold if you exclude China’s superiority.” Benedikt DUDA: “I’m just happy and proud of our silver medal. For me it’s the biggest success of my career. Even if China deserved to win: This final was a fantastic experience and is super important for my further development. I’ve improved from game to game at this World Cup I’ve been able to deliver and I’ve had some important wins for our team.” The U21 European champion Key STUMPER who was successfully thrown in at the deep end against ex-European champion Emmanuel LEBESSON for his international debut in the important group match against France by national coach Jörg ROSSKOPF said after the award ceremony: “I am very happy but also incredible tired and exhausted especially mentally. Of course I’m very happy that I won the two important individual matches against France and Croatia in my first international appearances – I was able to help the team a lot with that. I played well. The only thing that annoys me is the defeat against South Korea because I could have played a little smarter in the end. The World Championships are of course my highlight so far but I hope that I will still have the opportunity to collect a few more medals. But of course it’s crazy to now at 19 after gold at the European Team Championships now also have silver at the World Championships. I learned a tremendous amount from it and to have gained this experience at the World Cup at my age is incredibly important. Not many get a chance like that. I’m super proud and super happy – of myself my team the coaches and everyone!” The finals of DANG Qiu Benedikt Duda Kay STUMPER Ricardo WALTHER and FANBO Meng is probably the most surprising triumph in the 96-year history of the World Cup after the silver medals in 1969 2004 2010 2012 2014 and 2018. Nobody from the quintet in Chengdu had ever worn the national jersey at a global team championship before. In addition this time Timo BOLL Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Patrick FRANZISKA who had won silver at the Olympic Games together last year were not part of the squad. BOLL and OVTCHAROV were involved in the silver medals at the World Championships in 2010 and 2012 and in 2014 and 2018 Patrick FRANZISKA was also part of the team alongside the two ex-European champions. BOLL was also part of the team that reached the final in 2004 together with the current national coach Jörg ROSSKOPF. The record European champion Timo BOLL followed the World Cup on TV and was thrilled: “We can all be really proud of the boys. I thought they were capable of a lot but getting into the final is crazy of course. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough against China again even if one or the other sentence was possible. But congratulations: you did a great job boys. I’m proud of you!”
Silver for Germany at the 2022 ITTF World Team Championships Finals
China the top seeds beat Germany the no.2 seeds clinched the men’s team title at the 2022 ITTF World Team Championships Finals Chengdu Presented by China Telecom. Germany reached the men’s team final for the sixth time and finished runners up at Chinese expense as in the previous occasions in 2004 2010 2012 2014 and 2018. Fan Zhendong beat Benedikt DUDA (11-8 11-8 11-9) MA Long overcame Dang QIU (11-9 11-6 9-11 11-1) before WANG Chuqin accounted for Kay STUMPER (11-7 11-8 11-4) to bring matters to a conclusion. China secured the title for the 10th consecutive occasion the 22nd time in their illustrious history. It was yet another landmark for Ma Long just eleven days before his 34th birthday. The senior member of the Chinese team collected his eight consecutive men’s team gold medal the first being in 2006 in Bremen. The curtain now closes on the 2022 ITTF World Team Championships Finals after 10 days of exciting table tennis action. “I want to thank the Chinese Table Tennis Association the Local Organising Committee and the City of Chengdu for such a successful event ” said Petra SORLING ITTF President Farewell to Chengdu the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals will return next year being staged in Durban South Africa; the second occasion when the continent has held the global event the previous gathering being in 1939 in Cairo.
