The draws of the Champions Leagues and Europe Cups was hel today in Luxembourg. You can see the outcome of the draw for Stage one and two in Champions Legue and the draw for the Stage one for the Europe Cup.
Hungary Greece Spain and Finland preparing together for Munich 2022
National teams of Hungary Greece Spain and Finland joined their forces in Hungary to prepare for the forthcoming European Championships in Munich (from 13th to 21st August). Leading Hungarian player at the seedings is Adam SZUDI at the position no. 52 Finland’s Benedek OLAH is placed at the position no. 24 at the list whilst Spain’ s top representative is Alvaro ROBLES at the position no.22. Unfortunately top Greek player Panagiotis GIONIS will not compete this year at the European Championships so all the eyes will be set on young Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS who will be the best seeded player at the list at the position no. 55. “Panos is still recovering from the injury so this year he will not be present. We hope Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS will manage to reach the main draw and then we will see ” said Greek coach Konstantinos VATSAKLIS. “We commenced with the preparations three weeks ago and here in Budapest we are already for a week. We made a really strong group and we are having very high quality preparations.”
The draws for the Champions Leagues and Europe Cups live today
The draws for the Champions Leagues and Europe Cups will be held in the ETTU office today Thursday 4th August starting at 1715 CEST. Watch it live on ETTU Facebook We will draw in the following order: Europe Cup women stage 1 Champions League women stage 1 Champions League women stage 2 Europe Cup men stage 1 Champions League men stage 1 Champions League men stage 2
GAUZY: I’m aiming to come back on top – Munich could be the stepping stone
European vice-champion from Budapest 2016 Simon GAUZY of France will play at the European Championships in Munich next week. GAUZY was playing in Budapest at the WTT Champions European Summer Series 2022. He reached the Round of 16 but he has mixed feelings after the tournament. “I played in Hungary and it performance with the many ups and downs. I just came back from Covid and had only three days to practice and my condition was not at the best. But there was some good things and worse things ” said GAUZY. Will you have some more tournaments before the start of European Championships in Munich? “No I commenced the preparation for Munich and I will not play anywhere before the Championships. We will have a small camp here in Ochsenhausen during Tunisian WTT and then LEBRUN’S brother will join are to finalise the preparation.” There are no big names missing at the list for Munich the competition will be fierce. Where you see yourself in that run? What is your goal for EC? “European level is extremely high players are tough to beat from 1st round. However I am aiming high do not know what high means but high ” GAUZY was honest. Who is currently in top shape in Europe who you see the challengers in Munich who is the top threat? “Definitely players like Truls MOREGARDH Patrick FRANZISKA Darko JORGIC Dima OVTCHAROV QIU Dang are the best right now but so many are able to beat them. It would be great to be part of that group.”. You have been at the medal rostrum at the Europeans can you compare current shape and state of mind and the one you had before Budapest? And of course can you compare European scene now and the one that was in 2016? “In 2016 I was younger I and everyone around had less expectation. I was playing one my best level to get to the final. Right now I’m not in the best 8 in the ranking but I’m aiming to be back. Maybe in Munich? The level of play is constantly increasing. Players are investing in their project more and more. Level is always going higher but that’s so good for Europe and table tennis in general.”
ETTU remains committed to supporting the Ukraine table tennis community
Today ETTU launched the Crowdfunding Campaign to give support to the Ukraine table tennis community. The campaign was preceded by a message from ETTU Acting President Pedro MOURA to ETTU family. “Dear friends I hope this finds you in good health. As you know the ETTU remains committed to supporting the Ukraine table tennis community. We continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and hope for a resolution to this terrible war. During these very difficult times we recognise that sport is not the first priority for Ukraine; however we have a duty to help the Ukrainian table tennis community as much as we can. Since the outbreak of the war the ETTU has provided its full support to Ukrainian table tennis including free hospitality and participation of the whole Ukrainian team at the European Youth Championships and free hospitality for seven players and a coach at the Eurotalents Development Camp. We are also very grateful to the Swaythling Club for their sponsorship of the Ukrainian team at the U13 Challenge and the many National Associations that have offered their support. We will continue to support the participation of the Ukrainian team at future events and with that in mind we have set up a crowdfunding page to raise much needed funds for Ukrainian athletes. All of the funds raised will go directly to supporting the athletes to be able to compete in international ETTU events this year and into 2023. ETTU has open a special bank account to receive all contributions and in line with good governance the fund and its distribution will be audited by the ETTU’s third party auditors. We have set a target of €100 000 which we have calculated will ensure the athletes can compete across all ETTU international events until the end of next year and will also contribute towards their participation in ETTU development camps. You can donate to the fund by clicking on the following link: https://donorbox.org/table-tennis-first We hope with the support of the European table tennis family we will be able to reach this target. The crowdfunding page will be closed once the target is reached. We thank you in advance for any contribution you may be able to make. Yours sincerely Pedro Moura Acting President of ETTU”
England moved into the men’s team semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games
England moved smoothly into the men’s team semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games with a victory over Cyprus. Cyprus had earned their place in the last eight as runners-up in the group won by Nigeria having beaten Ghana and South Africa. Afterwards PITCHFORD said: “I knew Marios YIANGOU could play. I knew I had to be ready and I was I played one of the best matches I’ve played for a long time. I was focused I was playing well and I didn’t give him a chance as I knew he would take it if I did. England will face Singapore who was 3-0 winners over Canada. “It is probably another step up so we need to be ready again. They are all good players and have a strong doubles pair. We need to get the first point on the board and put them under pressure. They are a bit more inexperienced than us so if we can capitalise on that and put them under pressure from the start we stand a good chance.” In Women’s semi final Wales lost to Malaysia 2:3. England – Cyprus 3-0 Tom JARVIS Paul DRINKHALL – Christos SAVVA Sharpel ELIA 3-0 (12-10 11-3 11-2) Liam PITCHFORD – Marios YIANGOU 3-0 (11-5 11-3 11-6) Paul DRINKHALL – Sharpel ELIA 3-0 (11-6 11-8 11-4) Wales – Malaysia 2-3 Chloe Anna THOMAS WU ZHANG Anna HURSEY – Ying HO Karen LYNEMAS 0:3 (7-11 5-11 5-11) Charlotte CAREY – Li Sian Alice CHANG 3-2 (7-11 11-8 11-7 7-11 11-7) Anna HURSEY – Karen LYNEMAS 3-1 (11-6 m 11-9 11-13 11-9) Chloe Anna THOMAS WU ZHANG – Li Sian Alice CHANG 0-3 (3-11 11-13 5-11) Charlotte CAREY – Ying HO 2-3 (11-7 9-11 12-10 7-11 8-11)
Wales beat England to reach semis at Commonwealth Games
Wales reached the semifinal of the Women’s Teams Event at the Commonwealth Games by beating England in straight matches. In the penultimate stage they will meet Malaysia. In the opening duel Chloe Thomas Wu ZHANG and Anna HURSEY overcame Maria TSAPTSINOS and Charlotte BARDSLEY 3-1 (11-3 5-11 11-9 11-9). After both sides won their games easily the third was tight but appeared to have turned on the 12th point when some brilliant defensive work by the English duo forced a mistake from Hursey. That made it 6-6 and England won the next three points – only for Wales to hit back and win the next five to move back in front. The match between the two countries’ respective No 1s Tin-Tin HO and Charlotte CAREY promised much and certainly lived up to its billing. CAREY won it 3-1 (14-12 6-11 11-5 11-6). At the end Maria TSAPTSINOS could not change the course of the match. Anna HURSEY won that one 3-0 (11-8 11-9 11-4). In other semifinal Singapore will meet Australia. In Men’s quarterfinal England will meet Cyprus Singapore will play against Canada India vs. Bangladesh and Malaysia vs. Nigeria.
POLCANOVA: Bernie and I understand each other well
Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA bronze medalists in singles and silver medalists in doubles in European Championships in Alicante 2018 will be on duty again in Munich in less than 3 weeks (August 13th to 21st). POLCANOVA is no 3 seed in Women’s Singles Event. Recently Sofia had played at the WTT Champions European Summer Series 2022 in Budapest and reached the Round of 16. Before she lost to Cina’s WANG Manyu she beat Georgina POTA of Hungary. “Generally I am satisfied with my results in Budapest. I lost in last 16 1:3 against WANG Manyu but overall the performance was good ” said POLCANOVA. What is the next step before Munich. “Before Europeans I will go for preparation to Sweden with the national team and just before the Championships I will spend short time in Romania. In Doubles in Munich I will play with Bernadette SZOCS so I will use few days before the start of Championships to practice with Berni.” POLCANOVA won silver in Alicante with Yana NOSKOVA of Russia but this one partnership looks equally successful. “We teamed up in 2019. From the beginning we played very well together and made good results at the tournaments. We also understand each other well outside of table tennis and I think that is an advantage. Our style of play is convenient for each other also because Bernie is right and I am left handed.” Top two seeds above Sofia in Singles are HAN Ying and Nina MITTELHAM of Germany and one place below is SHAN Xiaona also of Germany. Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic YUAN Jia Nan of France YU Fu of Portugal Bernadette SZOCS and Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania and Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine are in top 10. “I think everyone will try to be in the best shape because European Championships is the main goal for everyone. I cannot tell who is the main favorite for gold. It depends on many factors. The top nations’ players are always in good shape “stated POLCANOVA.
Kristian KARLSSON: I want to polish my medals to a higher shine in Munich
Only few weeks away from the European Championships in Munich (August 13th to 21st) No.8 seed Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON recorded fantastic win over China’s WANG Chuqin in the Round of 32 at the WTT Champions European Summer Series 2022 in Budapest. Celebrating his first international singles only two days back WANG Chuqin was left in a state of shock on his WTT Champions debut after losing out at the first hurdle of the Men’s Singles draw. “It was great win. Probably the best matches in my career. I will bring that to Munich. It boosted my self-confidence ” said KARLSSON. World champion in Doubles in Huston last year with Mattias FALCK and also silver medalist with FALCK at the European Championships in Herning 2012 and Alicante 2018 KARLSSON had a bronze medal from Spain in Singles and two bronze more ion Doubles in Budapest 2016 and Yekaterinburg year earlier. “I will move now to Tunis where both FALCK and I will play in doubles. We have two silvers from the Europeans and we hope to take home gold this time. Our goal in Doubles is to win the title. Speaking of singles I already have bronze and now I want to “polish” it into something more shiny – silver or gold medal.” The competition is very strong. Best European players will be on duty in Munich. “The European players are very close speaking of quality. More or less everyone can beat everyone. It will come down to who is best prepared at the moment of the play ” explained KARLSSON. Top 16 seeds are Truls MOREGARD of Sweden Darko JORGIC of Slovenia Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany followed by his teammates QIU Dang Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA. The list goes on with Swedes Anton KALLBERG and KARLSSON Liam Pitchford of England Andrej GACINA of Croatia Simon GAUZY of France Benedikt DUDA of Germany Marcos FREITAS of Portugal Robert GARDOS of Austria Mattias FALCK and Jon PERSSON of Sweden. “Looking by the list I am sure that all the top seeds has a chance to win the title in Munich. At least there are 16 names who can win in Singles. It will be interesting to see who will do it at the end. However I think that Truls has the biggest chances in the Swedish team.” Part of the team Sweden will have preparation camp whilst KARLSSON FALCK and PERSSON will move to Tunis to prepare by playing at the WTT Contender Tunis 2022. “There are not too much tournaments right now and I think the more you play the better. “ Asked about best moment at the European’s so far Kristian could not pick only one he listed all his medals at the Europeans in singles and in Doubles.
Petrissa SOLJA forced the withdrew from the European Championship du the injury
Reigning champion in Singles and Doubles from Warsaw 2020 Petrisa SOLJA was forced to withdrew from the European Championships in Munich (August 13th to 21st) due the injury. SOLJA is suffering from back problems and WAN Yuan will take her place in team Germany. It is bad news for the DTTB team a few weeks before the start of the European Table Tennis Championships as part of the European Championships: The six-time European Champion Petrissa SOLJA (TSV Langstadt) will not be going to the tables in Munich. An injury to the intervertebral disc from last year has broken out again and after consultation with the trainer and medical team SOLJA will take a few weeks off. “Of course it’s a pity that Petrissa can’t play the European Championships. But health always comes first and we wish her a speedy and good recovery ” says DTTB sports director Richard PRAUSE. This also makes it clear that new European champions will be crowned in singles and doubles in Munich. The girl from the Palatinate won her first European Championship singles title in Warsaw last year – in the final against SHAN Xiaona and in doubles with her. WAN Yuan (TTC Weinheim) will replace Solja in Singles. Sabine WINTER (TTC Schwabhausen) and Benedikt DUDA (TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt) are expected to be registered in mixed in doubles Annett KAUFMANN (SV Böblingen) and Franziska SCHREINER (TSV Langstadt). Men’s team Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (TTC Neu-Ulm WR: 9) Patrick FRANZISKA (1. FC Saarbrücken TT WR: 11) Dang QIU (Borussia Düsseldorf WR: 13) Timo BOLL (Borussia Düsseldorf WR: 14) Benedikt DUDA (TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt WR: 33) Women’s team HAN Ying (KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg/ WR: 8) Nina MITTELHAM (ttc berlin eastside WR: 12) SHAN Xiaona (ttc berlin eastside WR: 17) Sabine WINTER (TSV Schwabhausen WR: 45) WAN Yuan (TTC Weinheim WR: 106) Annett KAUFMANN (SV Böblingen WR: 122) Franziska SCHREINER (TSV Langstadt WR: 207) Doubles: BOLL/FRANZISKA DUDA/QIU MITTELHAM/WINTER KAUFMANN/SCHREINER MIXED: QIU/MITTELHAM WINTER/DUDA
