After breathtaking finals Darko JORGIC of Slovenia and HAN Ying of Germany clinched the gold medals in their respective Men’s and Women’s Event at the 2022 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup. It was fantastic finish of two days battles in Montreux. Truls MOREGARDH – Darko JORGIC 3:4 (11:8 11:5 9:11 12:10 1:11 10:12 10:12) Darko JORGIC recovered from the 3:1 in reverse to win the final against Swede Truls MOREGARDH who beat Timo BOLL just few hours earlier. “I could not find the game for his service and first strokes. I struggled a lot before i managed to make my forehand deep and to push him ” said JORGIC. For Darko JORGIC (23) it his 3rd appearance and 2nd final (2020) whilst for MOREGARDH it is first. The 2021 World Championships finalist was a substitute player. oHe is nr.7 in Europe but had 2 Swedish countrymen ahead of him and only got his chance when Matias FALCK had to cancel. JORGIC is the first Slovenian to win this event. He won the youngest final in the history of the Top12/Top16 since the two players being together only 43 years. Truls Möregardh is one of the youngest finalists ever. The youngest finalist was also the youngest winner: Jan Ove WALDNER (18) in 1984. The second youngest winner was Jörgen PERSSON (19) in 1986 during this event acting as coach of Truls MOREHARDH. Polina MIKHAILOVA – HAN Ying 0:4 (8:11 12:14 11:13 7:11) In the final HAN Ying overcame Russia’s Polina MIKHAILOVA in straight games. “The win came far from easy. I was down in three games each time until the closing stages. I had to be very patient but I made mistakes by rushing and trying to finish the points quickly ” said HAN. HAN was the member of the team Germany that won gold at the European Games in Baku and Minsk and at European Championships in Schwechat Lisbon and n Yekaterinburg. In singles she got bronze. Here in Montreux HAN said she was under severe pressure in the final but yesterday’s duel against Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania was equally difficult. “SAMARA played so well against me and generally against the players with the defensive style ” said HAN. This is HAN’s second appearance at a Europe Top 16 Cup in 2019 she lost in quarterfinal. On the other side for Polina MIKHAILOVA it was 8th appearance (2015-2022) in Top 16 best result so far was place 9 (5 times) never reached the quarterfinal or beyond. Although both players are basically defenders both have strong attacks and are not afraid to use it. The final was never near the start of the expedite system. That is why the final was not as long as the previous 2 Top 12/Top16 finals between two defenders (2009 Li Qian – Li Jie and 1999 Qianhong Gotch – Jing Tian Zörner). HAN Ying is now the oldest winner of a Top 12/Top 16 in the history of the event. She won at 38 years and 10 months breaking LI Jiao’s record (38 and 1 month at her last victory in 2011). Bernadette SZOCS – HAN Ying 0:4 (5:11 5:11 2:11 6:11) HAN Ying faced no difficulties on her way to the ultimate stage against Bernadette SZOCS. “I think her style worked just fine for me today. She could not find the game for my spin ” said HAN. Sofia POLCANOVA – Polina MIKHAILOVA 2:4 (11:9 9:11 13:11 7:11 7:11 4:11) Polina MIKHAILOVA prevailed against top seed top reach the final in superb style. “In Hungarian League was different but on International scene it was 50:50. The main thing is that I felt the ball well from the beginning. I could easily attack and defend and that makes me dangerous for each adversary ” said Polina MIKHAILOVA.   Darko JORGIC – Patrick FRANZISKA 4:1 (13:11 11:9 11:13 11:6 11:9) Reigning champion Patrick FRANZISKA is out of the tournament beaten by his club-mate Darko JORGIC. “This is the first time that I overcame him and I am very happy. It is so hard to do when you play against the players you know so well. In the beginning of three first games I was to passive I waited for his mistakes for long. As soon as I took initiative I regained control and I started to win ”said JORGIC. Semifinals Timo BOLL – Truls MOREGARDH 1:4 (7:11 8:11 12:14 11:7 6:11) World Championship’s semi finalists met again after few months and Truls MOREGARDH repeated the success even in more convincing manner. Last time they met in the semifinal of World Championships it was 4:3 for Truls MOREGARDH but in this semi final in Montreux he beat BOLL in five games. “I learned a lot about BOLL’s service game so I was able to respond more precise. I am aware that you can not let BOLL lead the game. If he start to control it it is the end. That is why I changed the tactics even when it was not much successful it worked just fine in order to keep BOLL out of his rhythm. I tried to confuse him. In addition his heavy spin game suits me well ” said Truls MOREGARDH.  

The evening program in Montreux continued with the quarterfinals. Follow the action live on ettu.tv and check the latest photos on https://www.flickr.com/photos/ettu_official/. Bernadette SZOCS – Britt EERLAND 4:2 (9:11 6:11 11:8 11:8 11:8 12:10) Another former winner Bernadette SZOCS overcame Britt EERLAND to reach the semis. “I lost against her last time but I took it as an advantage. It gave me great motive to play better. Also I proved to myself that each match is new story. I was maybe too much motivated because I rushed into the mistakes in the opening game. I wanted so much to win and I wanted to don it quickly. On the other side Britt is the player who puts a lot of rotations in her balls and she put so many balls on the table. Good thing is that I had prepared various tactics for this match. When plan A and B did not work I had another one. I was fighting and I was not losing my confidence. Even when she was better I kept on fighting ” said SZOCS. Panagiotis GIONIS – Patrick FRANZISKA 1:4 (6:11 13:11 7:11 7:11 9:11) Reigning champion Patrick FRANZISKA start powerfully the match against defender Panagiotis GIONIS but soon he was under attack. “GIONIS played very aggressive today. I started very good won the opening game and even I had a game ball at 10:7 when he recovered. I lost the second game and I was forced to calm down and to change something. I never sit in between the games but today I did. I thought what to do. I needed my focus back and all the strength I could get because you can not win quickly against GIONIS ” said FRANZISKA. Sofia POLCANOVA – Ni Xia Lian 4:3 (13:11 11:2 14:12 10:12 1:11 5:11 11:7) The second quarterfinals in Men’s and in Women’s Event brought big drama. On both table we saw remarkable comebacks. Top seeded Sofia POLCANOVA had 3:0 before NI Xia Lian of Luxembourg recovered to level. “NI is so clever and I respect her so much as everyone here. In this spirit I started the match but when I reached 3:0 I mistakenly thought that nothing bad could happen. I just thought I already win but NI took advantage of my attitude. She started to play much more aggressive. At point when it was 3:2 I was afraid but when she leveled I stopped thinking that way. I said to myself now it is 0:0 we are going with the new game ” said POLCANOVA. Kristian KARLSSON – Truls MOREGARDH 3:4 (11:13 11:8 4:11 9:11 11:9 11:8 8:11) Without coaches two Swedes clashed for the place in the semis and it was Truls MOREGARDH who won epic battle against Kristian KARLSSON. “It is always hard when you play against your teammate. There are no secrets there. I had a good start with 3:1 but then I went to much back I was passive and Kristian took over the control. It did not kill my spirit. I had very good wins recently and I keep repeating to my self that I am the winner ” said MOREGARDH. Polina MIKHAILOVA – Nina MITTELHAM 4:2 (11:7 9:11 4:11 11:8 11:7 11:8) Polina MIKHAILOVA’s defensive skills proved too strong for last year’s champion Nina MITTELHAM. “I am still in shock I did not believe I will win this and reach the semifinal. I think that Nina could not find the game for my style. She made too much mistakes but at the end in the last game I had a little luck ” said MIKHAILOVA. Darko JORGIC – Daniel HABESOHN 4:2 (11:8 11:9 11:6 6:11 7:11 13:11) Darko JORGIC was on the way to exit with the win in his pocket with 3:0 and 5:2 when Daniel HABESOHN showed he has other plans. “I was too much sure I could win and I become too relaxed. I become too passive and HABESOHN took advantage of it. At the end I managed to halted his forehand attacks and to win this ” said JORGIC. Timo BOLL – WANG Yang 4:1 (11:6 11:8 9:11 11:6 12:10) Timo BOLL maintained his patience to overcame defensive skills of WANG Yang. “He is a very good player and he improved his game a lot. Physically it was hard to stay on right way especially since he has a lot of variations in his game. To play against him you need to have a lot of confidence and that is what I have to rebuild again. I had a very long brake; can not remember when I had it that long in the past. That is why I am very happy that I managed to succeed ” said BOLL.”Tomorrow will be completely different match against Truls. I already played against him at the World Championships and I know how unusual style he has.” Elizabeta SAMARA – HAN Ying 3:4 (11:9 9:11 12:10 10:12 11:9 4:11 8:11) HAN Ying is a defensive player of the very highest order but when a positive approach was needed her attacking skills are also from the book of technical excellence. That she proved once again against Elizabeta SAMARA. “I was always in the lead but in the closing stages SAMARA managed to overcame me in three game. I could of win it much easier. If I had lose this one I will be so mad at myself ” said HAN.

The 50th edition of 2022 CCB Europe Top-16 Cup in Montreux (first one in 1971 in Zadar was experimental) commenced today with the Round of 16 matches. Follow the action live on ettu.tv and check the latest photos on https://www.flickr.com/photos/ettu_official/. Round of 16 Robert GARDOS – Panagiotis GIONIS 2:4 (4:11 11:9 11:13 11:13 11:8 7:11) Robert GARDOS of Austria finished the tournament last time played in Montreux at the medal rostrum and he is also very famous as a player who has a game for the adversaries with the defensive style of play. For the first match at the tournament it was not pleasant task for Greek star Panagiotis GIONIS. Coming from the injury GIONIS managed to take the control over the match in the early stages and then to withstood the spirited comeback from Austria’s player to win the match. “This was difficult one for me but I had a good feeling from the beginning. It seams that I had a better focus in the crucial moments since I won two games that ended 13:11. It is great thing that I reached the quarterfinal of such important event ” said GIONIS. Dora MADARASZ – Britt EERLAND 1:4 (11:4 8:11 10:12 4:11 8:11) Last time they met Dora MADARASZ of Hungary overcame Britt EERLAND of Netherlands so Dutch player was on alert today. “I am coming back from the injury and I was not sure how my body will respond. It was important that I felt good before the start but still I was not happy with the way I moved – you need legs here you know ” said Britt laughed.”I am so happy I am invited here it is great pleasure and honor to play in Montreux. It is was not easy to play against Dora especially in the closing stages because she is very dangerous with her bombs but I managed to survive her pressure.” Tomislav PUCAR – Patrick FRANZISKA 0:4 (11:13 9:11 4:11 4:11) Reigning champion Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany reached the quarterfinal after straight games victory over Croatia’s Tomislav PUCAR. “I used to dislike the morning matches but as I getting older I waking up earlier and earlier and it seams I like it more. I felt good this morning. It was not an easy match but I am satisfied with the outcome. The key was the second game. After very close game PUCAR failed to make the breakthrough and after that all I have to do was to stay in the game. I expect it will be very difficult to play against GIONIS. Firstly we know each other very well and then he proved here he is in good shape after he managed to beat GARDOS who is specialist for his defense.” Bernadette SZOCS – SHAO Jieni 4:2 (9:11 11:6 12:10 12:14 11:7 11:9) The winner from 2018 Bernadette SZOCS of Romania overcame Portugal’s SHAO Jieni in superb style. “I felt very good and I was prepared for a hard match. From the begining I felt the ball well and that alowed me to play relaxed in a good way. I did not lose my focus I did not get angry even if I lost point or two. I was ready to return and to fought back. I studied her tactics I know that she could put million balls on the table and that I must fight long battle. She never gives up ” said SZOCS. Sofia POLCANOVA – Georgina POTA (4:11 11:5 11:7 11:9 11:9) Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA overcame Hungary’s Georgina POTA in the match that started well for POTA. “Now I am very happy because I managed to overturned the duel that started very bad for me. I lost the opening game 4:11 and then I was 0:3 down ” said POLCANOVA.”I rushed I wanted to finish the point with one stroke and that is very hard when you play against POTA. She is capable to put 100 balls on the table. That is why I needed to calm down and to start playing with my head. I had to start use the tactics I was planing before the start. “ Kristian KARLSSON – Kirill SKACHKOV (11:7 11:7 11:5 11:9) Swede Kristian KARLSSON overcame Russia’s Kirill SKACHKOV is straight games but he stated the win did not come easy. “We played only once and it was at the World Championships in Paris when he beat me. He has very dangerous style of play. In addition I think that in closing stages the lucky balls was on my side. When you are winning a close games little stroke of luck could help ” said KARLSSON. Yana NOSKOVA – NI Xia Lian 0:4 (3:11 7:11 16:18) Experienced NI Xia Lian overcame Russia’s Yana NOSKOVA. My tactis is working but still there “Yana is a very good player but today I played much better than I expected. There are things I could change and improve for the following days. Despite what the results predicts it was not easy. Maybe little bit easier in opening two games but then I lost the focus a little. She did not give up at any moment ” said NI. Emmanuel LEBESSON – Truls MOREGARD 1:4 (12:10 7:11 7:11 10:12 6:11) Truls MOREGARD of Sweden lost only one game to the Emmanuel LEBESSON of France to secure his place in the quarterfinal. In next stage he will meet his compatriot Kristian KARLSSON. Daniel HABESOHN – Simon GAUZY 4:0 (11:2 11:5 11:9 11:8) Austria’s Daniel HABESOHN seeded at the position no. 12 booked his place in the quarters without giving any chance to French player Simon GAUZY who is seed no. five. Nina MITTELHAM – Rachel MORET 4:1 (8:11 11:5 11:7 11:7 11:8) Reigning champion Nina MITTELHAM of Germany inflicted the pain in the harts of host nation supporters by beating Rachel MORET. “I knew I could be difficult and I was very nervous at the beginning. I won this tournament last time and I am playing under pressure of

The draw for the 2022 CCB Europe Top-16 Cup in Montreux Switzerland was held today in the Fairmont le Montreux Palace. In the Round of 16 to be played tomorrow no one seed Timo BOLL of Germany will meet host nation representative Barish MOULLET whilst no. 2 seed and reigning champion Patrick FRANZISKA will play against Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia. In Women’s Event no. one seed Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria in the Round of 16 will play against Georgina POTA of Hungary no. two seed HAN Ying will meet Slovakia’s Barbora BALAZOVA. The competition commences tomorrow with the Round of 16 at 9.30 CET.

In Montreux on 26-27 February 13 years after her first appearance Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania will play for a 12th time at the Europe Top 16. Last year in Thessaloniki SAMARA was 9th but the best results she recorded were in the city we are returning to now. In Montreux in 2018 SAMARA finished third in 2019 she reached the sixth position and in 2020 she was fifth. In addition in 2016 in Gondomar SAMARA finished fourth. The first time she played in Dusseldorf in 2009 she finished fifth. With the Polish KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL Tarnobrzeg approaching SAMARA will also be on duty in the semifinal of the European Champions League Women later this month. “Recently I played in the POLISH league and Champions League matches. My shape is quite good hopefully I will remain the same for the competition in Montreux ” said SAMARA. Joining SAMARA in the Women’s Event will be: Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) HAN Ying (Germany Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) Margaryta PESOTSKA (Ukraine) NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) Hana MATELOV (Czech Republic) YU Fu (Portugal) Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) Georgina POTA (Hungary) Rachel MORET (Switzerland) Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) Yana NOSKOVA (Russia) SHAO Jieni (Portugal). “This year Top16 Cup will be even stronger than last year. I cannot say which is my hardest adversary everybody who is competing there is among the best players from Europe and everybody who is going to play Top 16 wants to win! That includes me ” added SAMARA. SAMARA is also happy that the spectators will be present in the venue. “I like Montreux I like the venue so I want to enjoy to play. I hope spectators will come to watch us.” SAMARA has gold medals at the European championships in all four events: in teams in 2019 2017 2005; in singles in 2015; in doubles in 2009 2012; and in mixed doubles in 2011 and 2012.

For an 8th time in his career French star Simon GAUZY is invited to play at the 2022 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux on 26th and 27th February. His best result in the competition was third position in his homeland in Juan Les Pins Antibes in 2017. The first time Gauzy played in a Top 12 was in Baku 2015 when he reached the fourth position. In Thessaloniki last year he was fifth. Gauzy was a European silver medallist in singles in 2016 and he also played in the quarterfinal of the World Championships in 2019. In the early days he won bronze at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010. At the beginning of this year there are not many tournaments so it will be difficult to judge the shape of the participants. “I have played in the German Bundesliga only lately ” said the TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen player.” I am not in the best shape I am working hard to come back as fast as possible at a good shape but I am not doing great recently I hope I will l find my shape soon.” The list of confirmed players is impressive: Timo BOLL (Germany) Patrick FRANZISKA (Germany) Mattias FALCK (Sweden) Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) Robert GARDOS (Austria) Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) Yang WANG (Slovakia) Tomislav PUCAR (Croatia) Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) Barish MOULLET (Switzerland) Andrej GACINA (Croatia) and Kirill SKACHKOV (Russia). GAUZY’s comment on it was very short. “Top 16 means what it means they are the best in Europe so that’s tough ” said Gauzy. Montreux proved itself so many times in past as a good host and the location follows the glamorous list of participants. “Those tournaments are the best and I cannot wait to be there and see the Swiss public once again at such a beautiful location.” Speaking about his goals GAUZY was cautious. “As I’m not playing my best at the moment I do not have any goals but there is still three weeks to go it can come back we will see.” Last time when GAUZY played in Montreux it did not end well for him. “My worst Top 16 was two years ago when I lost with 2 match balls against WANG Yang a great player though ” admitted Gauzy:” My best memory was my 3rd place at home in France in 2017.”