After the weekend full of action in C Groups Stage 1 of the European Teams Championships six teams in each in Men’s and Women’s Event completed the draw for the B Groups. First three teams from the each group qualified for the B groups Stage 1. In sub Group A in C Groups at the tournament played in the Nicosia at Cyprus top three teams are Lithuania Armenia and Cyprus. Lithuania represented by Andrius PREIDZIUS Lukas RIMKUS Matas VILKAS and Kestutis ZEIMYS beat all five teams in the Group. Beside Armenia and host they met San Marino Scotland and Malta. Armenia represented by Varuzhan BAGHDASARYAN Davit GHOTANYAN and Harutyun HARUTYUNYAN suffered only one defeat whilst Cyprus with Marios YIANGOU Yiangos YIANGOU Iosif ELIA Sharpel ELIA Stylianos GEORGIOU Hristo HRISTONOV Christos SAVVA and Andreas TSISSIOS lost to top two teams. Lithuania is in B 1 Group with Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina Armenia is in the B3 Group with Turkey and Estonia and Cyprus is in the B5 Group with Hungary and Switzerland. In Bulgaria hosts booked top position in second Group of C Groups whilst Norway and Latvia follows. The lineup for hosts included the names of Teodor ALEXANDROV Eren BEKIR Denislav KODJABASHEV Radoslav KOTEV Petyo KRASTEV and they remained unbeaten after four matches. They did not lose even one individual match. In the Group also played Iceland and Kosovo. Norway with Borgar HAUG Lars RØNNEBERG and Finn VETVIK had one defeat whilst Latvia lost two matches. For Latvia played Arturs REINHOLDS Daniels KOGANS Aleksandrs MASKALONOKS Olegs KARTUZOVS. Bulgaria will play in Stage 1 B Groups in B6 against Luxembourg and Israel Norway is in B2 with Netherlands and Ireland and Latvia is in B4 with Finland and Montenegro. In Women’s Teams Switzerland Finland and Latvia clinched top three places in A Group. Switzerland played with Rachel MORET Fanny DOUTAZ Ludivine MAURER and Nina TULLII. Finland listed with Ramona Maarit BETZ Marina DONNER Anna KIRICHENKO and Aleksandra TITIEVSKAJA lost only to Switzerland and Latvia with Baiba BOGDANOVA Sabina MUSAJEVA and Margarita SMIRNOVA failed to beat the top two teams. In the Group also played Scotland and Malta. In other Group Israel clinched top position ahead of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Elinor DAVIDOV Sinai ITZHAKI and Vital KARLIN remained unbeaten after four matches. Montenegro with Dragana and Snezana CULAFIC Simona PEROVIC and Ivona PETRIC lost only to Israel. Dzana BIOGRADLIC Marija GNJATIC Ema LOVRIC Snezana MARKOVIC and Harisa MESETOVIC were on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s list. In the Group also played Kosovo and Cyprus. In Group B1 in Stage 1 will play Croatia Norway and Finland. In Group B2 will play Belgium Israel and Switzerland; in B3 will play England Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; in B4 Greece Wales and Montenegro and in Group B5 Bulgaria Lithuania and Latvia. The final stage of the 2023 European Team Championships will be played in Malmo from 10th to 17th September 2023.
Ina Wiekart – Jager passed away
On Thursday March 31 2021 Ina WIEKART – JAGER passed away after a very short illness at the age of almost 75. Ina Member of Merit of the Dutch Table Tennis Association was a well-known national and international umpire. A role she fulfilled since 1978. Since 1978 she fulfilled the role of national umpire and in 1988 she became an International Umpire and in 2004 she passed the exam for a Blue Badge umpire. Ina was a frequently requested umpire/referee at tournaments in The Netherlands and also umpired at several international events including at World Championships European Championships European Youth Championships European Championship and World Championship for Veterans European Games European Cup competitions and Open Championships. She has officiated at more than 80 international events. She traveled frequently to represent her beloved sport of table tennis and was regularly asked to act as Umpire. The highest achievement of her career was the Paralympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. When fulfilling her role as an umpire/(deputy-)referee she is characterized as being resolute and clear. In The Netherlands she is considered one of the driving forces behind the expert group Training Arbitration as trainer and a coach of starting umpires and as an assessor of umpires. The Dutch Table Tennis Association appointed her as a member of the Awards Grant Committee. On 31 May 2008 Ina WIEKART – JAGER received the NTTB Insigne and on 12 May 2018 was appointed as Member of Merit of the Dutch Table Tennis Association. For Ina’s many national and international achievements she was appointed Knight in the Order of Oranje-Nassau in 2004. The table tennis world lost a very active and driven volunteer in Ina. We wish her husband friends and acquaintances a lot of strength in processing this loss.
UCAM Cartagena T.M
Spanish UCAM Cartagena showed no weak spots in the opening leg of the Europe Cup final. As guests in France they overcame ALCL TT Grand Quevilly in straight matches. Maria XIAO opened the winning row with the victory over Pauline CHASSELIN. She lost only one game. LI Fen needed only three to overcame Anis SALPIN. Dora MADARASZ was forced to go full distance before she overcame LI Samson. The second leg is scheduled for Friday.
KONECNY: It is only the first step
The opening leg of the Europe Cup Men final brought fierce fight in Italy. Hosts USD Apuania Carrara Tennistavolo lost after the long distance thriller against Austria’s SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt 2:3. The crowned champion of the WTT Star Contender Doha 2022 held this week Andrej GACINA justified his fantastic shape by beating Felix WETZEL and Frane Tomislav KOJIC but Austrians proved they have stronger team at this moment. Frane beat Lubomir PISTEJ. Mihai Razvan BOBOCICA lost against Tomas KONECNY and in the decisive duel WETZEL beat PISTEJ. “It was a very good match on hight level. Every player made perfect job. But we know that is only first step. Next week will be big fight and we want to use our spectators” said Tomas KONECNY. After 1:1 it was very important for KONECNY to score. “We had to put thye host team to the pressure and we succeeded. I was down 2:4 in the decisive game but I made it ” said KONECNY.
TTC Berlin eastside aiming sixth title
Germany’s TTC Berlin eastside will try to defend the title in the Champions League Women at the forthcoming clash against Poland’s KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg. First leg is scheduled for Sunday 20.15 in Poland. The experience of winning the trophies in Champions Legue is surely on TTC Berlin eastside. They have been at the top of the medal rostrum for five times. I think for this particular match it doesn’t matter how many times we won the Champions League. It is only matter what is now and we will try to win it ” said coach Irina PALINA. Nina MITTELHAM SHAN Xiaona Britt EERLAND and WU Jiaduo had lead the team to the final. On their way they succeeded against French TT Metz Czech Republic’s SKST Plus Hodonin whilst in group stage they remained unbeaten after the clashes against CP Lyssois Lille Métropole SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club and Gdcs Juncal. Before the duel against KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg coach PALINA has no doubts. “The players know each other well I think there is no obvious favorite in this match and everything will be decided by who will be better and luckier on this day!” TTC Berlin eastside will start the play-off from the leading position.
HAN Ying and YANG Xiaoxin proved their good shape in Doha
In the first leg of the Europe Champions League Women final Poland’s KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg will host Germany’s TTC Berlin eastside on Sunday at 20.15 CET. Hosts will play in the final for the fourth time and they clinched the title in 2019. On their way to the ultimate stage KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg beat Linz AG Froschberg in the semis and TT Saint Quentinois in the quarterfinal. In Groups stage they recorded 3 straight matches win over Linz AG Froschberg Saint-Denis US 93 Tennis de Table and Ttc Moravsky Krumlov. However there is no doubt they are going to meet toughest adversary now -five time winner of the Champions Legue. “Of course our opponent has much more experience they won title many times and they are favorite. Individual duels is a matter of momently shape mostly everyone can beat everyone. The players knows each other very well ” said coach NECEK Zbigniew. Portugal’s FU Yu Germany’s HAN Ying and Monaco’s YANG Xiaoxin alongside Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA are the leading stars. “ I am happy that HAN Ying and YANG Xiaoxin play very well in Doha but unfortunately they can come for final tired. Berlin has no such worries. But honestly we are happy we can play in the final this is our success and it is a kind of fest for us.” HAN Ying reached the final of the WTT Star Contender Doha 2022 and she lost in the ultimate stage against Miyuu KIHARA 3:4. YANG Xiaoxin reached the quarterfinals of the tournament . In Polish League is the leader in the regular part before the start of the play-off.
Andrej GACINA ready for the Austrians after success in Doha
Italy’s USD Apuania Carrara Tennistavolo will host first leg of the Europe Cup men final on Saturday (17 CET) against Austria’s SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt. In previous round USD Apuania Carrara Tennistavolo overcame Poland’s KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki whilst in quarters they beat Top Spin Messina Fontalba from Italy. “Our players are in good shape. They all played in recent international competitions in Doha with acceptable results ” said coach Claudio VOLPI.” We never played against SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt. It will be a very difficult match; we have the maximum respect for their team composed of valid and experienced players capable of any victory. The final result will be surely determined by both legs not by just one. Then we know that the first leg’s result will not be sufficient. Their strongest point is for sure the international experience of both the players and their coach and also their experience at the field. I expect it will be a difficult match and it will be determined by the details. My goal is to make a good impression in a final and that our players can play at 100%.” The team is currently leader in the Italian championships and Andrej GACINA performs at the top level at the WTT Star Contender Doha 2022 where he beat China’s XUE Fei to reach the semi final of the Men’s Singles Event and after Kristian KARLSSON withdrew due the injury GACINA clinched gold by beating Korea’s LIM Jonghoon in the final. “I am very satisfied with my performance and current shape. For the other team members I am not quite sure since we did not meet for a while. Last weekend Mihai Razvan BOBOCICA finished third in Italian Championships and Lubomir PISTEJ had a very good result here in Doha by reaching the quarterfinals in the Mixed Doubles Event. For sure we will be ready for the challenge ” said Andrej GACINA. Straight from Doha GACINA will join the club day before the final. “It will not be the problem. Now it is only one hour difference and it is all right. “ In SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt is Frane KOJIC and there is a big chance those two will meet in the final. “Frane and I train together every day so we know very well each other. If it happens it will be very open match. I have not play against Tomas KONECNY recently and I never met Felix WETZEL so it is hard to speak about odds ” said GACINA.
ETTU Executive Board meeting on 30th March
On Wednesday 30th March a meeting of the ETTU Executive Board was held virtually under the leadership of Acting President Pedro MOURA. Mr Moura reported on the recent meeting of the ITTF Continental Council at Singapore during the first WTT Grand Smash event which he had attended. He thanked ITTF President Petra SÖRLING ITTF Executive Committee members and Continental Presidents for their discussions and exchanges of ideas. Mr MOURA reported to the Executive Board members on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualification system proposals and the implications for European players. He also reported on the latest World Table Tennis Championships updates for Chengdu 2022 and Durban 2023. The Executive Board discussed arrangements for the 2022 European Youth Championships to be played at Štark Arena Belgrade SRB from Wednesday 6th to Friday 15th July 2022. Vice President for Finances Sandra DEATON reported on the current 2022 budget and the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on finances and expenditure. The Executive Board approved financial compensation for the Acting President Pedro MOURA while carrying out his duties as ETTU Acting President. The Executive Board clarified that Russian and Belarusian players and coaches registered to clubs outside of Russia and Belarus can continue to compete for their clubs in ETTU competitions. A report was received on the recent meeting of the Women’s Champions League management board and the arrangements for the newly introduced Europe Trophy competition due to start next month. It was agreed to meet at Malmö SWE on 20th and 21st April 2022. Mr MOURA thanked members and staff for their contributions to the meeting.
Historical moment for Grand Quevilly
French Grand Quevilly will host the opening leg of the Europe Cup Women final against Spanish UCAM Cartagena T.M. “We are delighted with the opportunity to play in our first ever final of the Europe Cup. It is historical moment for our Region. Concerning our players Pauline CHASSELIN played a lot at WTT tournaments Anais SALPIN prepared well too whilst LI Samson suffered from the injury but now she is recovered said coach Guillaume LIOT. UCAM Cartagena T.M. LI Fen played for a while in Grand Quevilly so they know her very well. “Our players had different programs last weeks one was in WTT events with the French team and the others were preparing the upcoming matches in League and the final of the Europe Cup. They are in shape we had difficult time in the beginning of the season but since January we lost only one match and the team spirit is really good. We were playing the play off in league places 9-12 and we just won those two matches to stay in 1st league next season. It was the main goal this season. We still have to play the place 9-10 later in April but we know that we stay in Pro A. Now we can really focus on the final ” explained Pauline CHASSELIN. Speaking about the adversaries SHASSELIN said: “We never played against Cartagena before but we know all the girls because they all played in French league during their career. LI Fen was playing in our club few years ago so we know her really good. At the International level we already played against them few times. Cartagene has really strong team they were playing in Champions league all their players are equal. We are prepared for a really hard match a big fight and a great atmosphere fighting. All matches are going to be hard but we are prepared for it.” The French team is ready. “We have our chances our players are in good shape. I think Cartagene is favorite on this final but to play the 1st match at home i think it’s really good we wait a lot of spectators in the hall to support clap and push the girls. We had hard matches since the first stage and we are ready for a new one. The goal of course is to win the title now that we are in final we will give our best we will fight on every points every matches and we will enjoy this game all together. We showed this year that we have a great team with our performances in League and Europe Cup and we believe in our chances to bring back the title and we are ready for this match. We are excited for the upcoming final ” concluded Pauline Chasselin ALCL TT.
Lg Martin DOPPLER: Carrara is the favorite in the final
For the first leg of the Europe Cup Women final SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt will travel to Italy to meet USD Apuania Carrara Tennistavolo. In the semi final SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt beat Spain’s ASISA Borges Vall and in quarterfinal they overcame Austria’s SPG FELBERMAYR Wels. For coach Martin DOPPLER there is no big doubt who has better odds. “As the coach of TTC Solex Consult Wiener Neustadt I can say one thing: Carrara is the favorite in the final. I spoke with our players and we think the chance is 35:65.We never met them since we play at the International level.” Despite weak chances players are talking about; some other numbers speaks in favor of the Austrian’s. “We are on the very good run and won every game since December 10th last year. We are first in our national league and won the last four matches 4:0.” Where you see your chance? “Our biggest advantage is our teamwork. Carrara has top players with much better rankings but our target is clear we want to win the final but we will not be sad if we lose. In sport is everything possible. We are highly motivated and no meter how it looks hard from the outside it is not impossible to record the win. Of course it will be very difficult in Italy but at home it is manageable. “ Coach and the players analyzed the adversaries. “In addition Lubomir PISTEJ played for year in Austria so we know him very well. We are ready and we will fight for this title.”
