Even before the final of the Champions Legue men we can say that we are heading Germany vs. Russia clash. Two dominate forces in European club competition booked their places in the semifinal. Borussia Düsseldorf will meet 1. FC Saarbrücken TT whilst Russia’s TTSC UMMC will meet Fakel Gazprom Orenburg. This afternoon Borussia Düsseldorf beat K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo in the second leg of the quarterfinal but unlike the opening match which finished 3:0 this time winners were stretched to full distance. Anton KALLBERG was the key player with two wins over XU Wenliang (11:2 11:8 11:8) and his compatriot Truls MOREGARD (8:11 11:6 11:7 11:4). On the other side Truls took one point by beating QIU Dang (9:11 12:10 13:11 11:8). With very good performance Jakub DYJAS secured other point to Polish club in thrilling five games match against Kristian KARLSSON (11:5 8:11 13:11 7:11 6:3). At 2:2 Kamal ACHANTA sealed the victory for hosts in the duel against Kamil KUROWSKI (11:4 11:7 11:4). “It was very close match and very difficult for us. We had a lot of problems caused by Corona and today we won very hard battle. This was one of my hardest matches since I become coach in Dusseldorf ” said coach Danny HEISTER.” I was focused on this match and I did not think about the one we are going to play against 1. FC Saarbrücken in the semis. However Borussia has always one goal and that is – to win.”
KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg completed the list for the semi final
The list of the semifinalists in the TAMANNEFTEGAS European Champions League Women is completed after today’s KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg win in Poland. They recorded another 3:0 win over French TT Saint Quentinois and next month they will meet Austria’s Linz AG Froschberg. In other semifinal TTC Berlin eastside will meet Metz TT. The opening duel in today’s match was the closest one; YANG Xiaoxin was stretched to full distance against Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN (11:6 6:11 8:11 11:7 6:4) but after YANG stood the pressure it was one way street for KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg. YU Fu beat Emily BOLTON in straight games (11:7 11:5 11:1) and Elizabeta SAMARA showed no mercy against Sarah DE NUTTE (11:2 11:8 11:6). “It was great match. The key to success was the opening win. Both XIAO and Daniela played at fantastic level and showed great performance. For FU it was bit easier and I am happy with my performance against Sarah. I am coming back from injury and I need matches like this. This gave boost of confidence said Elizabeta SAMARA.”It will be very difficult in the match against Linz. Both clubs are at the top of the Europe. For sure it is going to be good clash.”
TTC Berlin eastside and Linz AG Froschberg moved to semis
Last year’s champions TTC Berlin eastside and finalists Linz AG Froschberg booked their places in the semifinal of the TAMANNEFTEGAS Europe Champions League Women. TTC Berlin eastside won their opening match in Czech Republic in straight matches but tonight they were forced to go full distance against SKST PLUS Hodonin 3:2. Nina MITTELHAM secured the place in the semis by beating Tetyana BILENKO in the opening duel (11:7 11:5 11:2) and SHAN Xiaona continued in the same pace with the victory over Natalia PARTYKA (9:11 11:8 11:7 11:9). Marketa SEVCIKOVA made first point for the guests after victory over Britt EERLAND (20:18 10:12 12:10 11:7). In another duel Natalia PARTYKA prevailed against Sabina SURJAN (12:10 14:12 11:7) but in the decisive match SHAN sealed the match in favor of club from Germany. She beat BILENKO (11:8 11:4 11:4). Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT lost to Linz AG Froschberg in straight matches but after defeat in the opening leg Austria’s team progressed to the semis after golden match 2:1. In return leg SHAO Jieni lost to Suthasini SAWETTABUT 1:3 (5:11 11:9 9:11 11:13) before Sofia POLCANOVA overcame Hana MATELOVA (11:4 14:12 11:4) AND Margarita PESOTSKA beat Marie MIGOT (11:8 8:11 11:9 11:6). In golden match SAWETTABUT and PESOTSKA secured two points whilst SHAO Jieni scored for French side. Metz TT beat CP Lyssois Lille Métropole once again in five matches. With two close wins they are in the semis. Adina DIACONU beat Sibel ALTINKAYA 3:0 (11:8 11:6 11:7) but she lost to Linda BERGSTROM (11:13 11:9 5:11 11:3 4:6). Mariia TAILAKOVA beat BERRGSTROM (7:11 11:1 11:9 11:9) and she added another point after victory over ALTIKNAYA in the fifth match (11:9 13:11 11:9). In the middle Andrea TODOROVIC prevailed against WU Jiaduo (11:9 10:12 19:17 11:4).
UCAM Cartagena T.M safely through the semis
The winners from the 2019 UCAM Cartagena T.M progressed to the semifinal of the TAMANNEFTEGAS Europe Cup Women. They overcame Tecnigen Linares in the return leg tonight 3:1. In the first match Linares won 3:2. Only Roxana ISTRATE scored for Linares. She overcame Maria XIAO (1:11 11:5 11:7). Next three matches went to UCAM Cartagena’s account. LI Fen beat Orawan PARANANG (11:5 11:8 11:9) Silvia Assis de Souza ERDELYI prevailed against Lucia AGUAYO (11:4 11:2 11:1) and Dora MADARASZ beat PARANANG (11:9 11:9 11:9).
Thrillers in Spain and Austria in the return leg of the TAMANNEFTEGAS Europe Cup Men
The return leg of the quarterfinal of the TAMANNEFTEGAS Europe Cup Men brought two close duels. In Spain ASISA Borges Vall beat HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod 3:2 and another long distance match was played in Austria where SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt overcame SPG FELBERMAYR. USD Apuania Carrara Tennistavolo justified their supremacy against Top Spin Messina Fontalba. Tonight they succeeded by the same margin like in the opening leg – 3:0. Andrej GACINA overcame Marco RECH DALDOSSO (11:9 11:9 11:3) Lubomir PISTEJ needed one game more against Joao MONTEIRO (11:7 11:9 6:11 11:8) and Mihai BOBOCICA overcame Yarolsva ZHMUDENKO (11:7 11:9 6:11 11:8). KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki lost by narrow margin in first leg against Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 3:2 but tonight they succeeded and by doing so they showed no mercy 3:0. All three matches concluded in straight games. Panagiotis GIONIS overcame Michael MAZE (11:7 11:8 11:4). This victory for the host was followed by wins from Marek BADOWSKI in the match against Jens LUNDQUIST (11:6 11:8 11:9) and Pawel SIRUCEK against Allan BENTSEN (13:11 15:13 11:8). SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt repeated the 3:2 win from the opening leg and moved forward. They overcame SPG FELBERMAYR Wels. Last week Jiri MARTINKO beat Tomas KONECNY in straight games but tonight he was stretched to full distance before he gave his team a dream start (11:3 9:11 11:4 6:11 6:4). Andreas LEVENKO beat Frane KOJIC (8:11 11:4 11:8 9:11 6:2) to level the match before Felix WETZEL gave guests advantage again. Felix beat Gabor BOHM (11:9 6:11 11:6 11:7). On his second exit to the table KOJIC beat MARTINKO 11:13 11:8 11:9 11:9) and KONECNY overcame LEVENKO (11:5 4:11 11:8 12:10). After another close encounter HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod lost to ASISA Borges Vall in the return leg. Tonight it was 3:2 for Borges. Michal OBESLO beat Viktor BRODD (9:11 11:6 11:9) then Marc DURAN responded and overcame Tomas TREGLER (17:19 12:10 11:1 9:11 6:2) Marc DURAN continued with the win over Dimitrij PROKOPCOV (11:7 13:11 11:6). Tomas TREGLER won the next point for Ostrov. He overcame BRODD (11:5 8:11 7:11 11:7 6:4). DURAN beat OBESLO (11:9 11:9 11:5). Borges progressed to the next stage after they won 2:1 in the golden match.
After close match 1. FC Saarbrücken TT moved to the semi final
Last year’s finalists of the Champions Legue Men Germany’s 1. FC Saarbrücken TT overcame French GV Hennebont TT in both matches to reach the semifinal. Their adversary in the penultimate stage will be the winner of the tomorrow’s match between Borussia Düsseldorf and K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo. Despite their straight matches defeat in the opening leg GV Hennebont TT made it clear they will not let the hosts in Germany to move forward easily. Darko JORGIC was two games down before recovered but Andres LIND withstood his spirited comeback to win the opening match by sudden death point (11:3 11:7 9:11 8:11 6:5). Patrick FRANZISKA faced very determined Omar ASSAR who widener the gap to 2:0 in favor of the guests. ASSAR won (11:7 11:8 11:8). Tomas POLANSKY ended all uncertainties by beating Cedric NUYTINICK (11:8 11:6 12:10) and he changed the course of the match. In following duel JORGIC beat ASSAR (11:6 11:4 13:11) and FRANZISKA overcame Saidi ISMAILOV (11:5 5:11 6:11 11:4 6:5). “At the beginning the match did not go our way. We were two to null down but we managed to recover. We showed good teamwork ” said Tomas POLANSKY.
First semifinalists: Fakel GAZPROM Orenburg vs. TTSC UMMC
The first semifinalists in the European Champions Legue Men are known: TTSC UMMC will meet Fakel Gazprom Orenburg. In the second leg of the Quarterfinal played today TTSC UMMC prevailed against Germany’s TTC Neu-Ulm in the match played in Verkhnaya Pyshma. Two Russia’s heavyweights will clash in the second half of the February. In the opening leg UMMC beat Neu Ulm 3:0 in Germany but big advantage did not make them less cautious nor less thirsty for victories today. Liam PITCHFORD beat Vladimir SIDORENKO 3:0 after young Russia’s star managed to put Liam under pressure at the begining of the encounter. Two opening games concluded by narrow margin but after the finish of the second game when SIDORENKO did not take advantage of the game point at 12:11 Liam took control over the match (13:11 14:12 11:5). Jonathan GROTH overcame Lev KATSMAN 3:0 (11:7 11:4 11:5); Tomislav PUCAR prevailed against Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS (11:5 16:14 11:2). “We are very pleased to go through to the semifinal. It was very good match from all of three of us. We were focused we knew what we needed to do. We won the first duel 3:0 but since the new system is on the game we knew we have to be focused and to win the match. We did not give them any chances. To win 3:0 twice against such strong team gives us confidence and we are looking forward semifinal ” said PITCHFORD. After defeat in the opening leg in straight matches Sporting Clube de Portugal announced they will not travel to Orenburg due the outbreak of the Corona virus. That means we will have two Russia’s team in the run for the place in the final next month.
TTC Berlin eastside recorded win in Hodonin
TTC Berlin eastside secured great advantage in the opening leg of the TAMANNEFTEGAS Champions Legue Women quarterfinal. In the first match played in Czech Republic they overcame SKST Plus Hodonin 3:0. Is was far from easy as the result 3:0 predicts. Two matches went full distance. In the opening one Britt EERLAND was stretched to full five games in the match against Tetyana BILENKO. Dutch player was 2:1 in reverse before she recovered to win the duel (5:11 11:6 6:11 12:10 6:2). Nina MITTELHAM was under less pressure against Natalia PARTYKA 3:0 (11:7 11:7 11:6). The tension returned in the third duel. Lin Ye played five games before she overcame Marketa SEVCIKOVA (12:10 6:11 7:11 11:8 6:2). With this match the quarterfinal opening leg is completed. KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL Tarnobrzeg overcame TT Saint-Quentinois 3:0 and they will play next match in Poland on Sunday. Metz went full distance against CP Lyssois Lille Métropole and they will have hardest task as a hosts on Friday. As a guests Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT overcame Linz AG Froschberg and they will meet again on Friday when TTC Berlin eastside will hosts SKST Plus Hodonin as well.
ETTU Executive Board meeting – Monday 17th January
On Monday 17th January a meeting of the ETTU Executive Board was held virtually under the leadership of President Igor Levitin. The President reported on the first meeting of the ITTF Continental Council which he had attended the day earlier. The President thanked ITTF President Petra Sörling for her trust in the Continental Federation Presidents. The Executive Board members supported the President’s proposal that the intercontinental team quota for the 2022 World Team Championships be determined either by intercontinental play-off matches as originally planned or by World Team Ranking. Marketing Manager Beatrice Romanescu detailed the 2022 marketing budget and Vice President Finances Sandra Deaton reported an overall projected surplus for 2022. It was agreed that prize money for the 2022 Europe Top 16 Cup at Montreux will match the figure of the 2021 edition and will make 100k Euros. It was noted that the Top 16 Cup hygienic guidelines in accordance with Swiss Federal regulations will be published later this month and it was recommended to LOC that there should not be discrimination regarding vaccines. It was decided that the 2022 European Under 21 Championships will take place from 14th to 18thSeptember at Cluj Napoca ROU. The Executive Board discussed a proposal to organise a new event for Under 13 boys and girls. It was agreed that a Europe Under 13 Challenge will be held and to discuss arrangements with the Montenegro Table Tennis Association to host the event at Podgorica MNE in June. It was agreed that athlete eligibility will be as for the European Youth Championships. A further update on the European Ranking was received and discussion continued on its imminent implementation. The President also instructed to prepare proposals to be included in the agenda of the ETTU Congress which will take place in Munich this year and asked to inform all National Associations accordingly. President Levitin thanked members and staff for their contributions to the meeting and sent them greetings before closing the meeting.
Apuania Carrara Tennistavolo showed no mercy
In all Italian clash in the quarterfinal opening leg of the TAMANNEFTEGAS Europe Cup Men USD Apuania Carrara Tennistavolo overcame Top Spin Messina Fontalba 3:0 to secure advantage before return leg on Friday. Lubomir PISTEJ opened the match with the straight games win over Matteo MUTTI (11:4 11:9 14:12). In next duel Andrej GACINA justified his status after Joao MONTEIRO put him under pressure (11:9 8:11 11:3 11:6). Mihai Razvan BOBOCICA sealed the duel after victory over Marco RECH DALDOSSO in four games (11:5 10:12 11:6 11:7). All opening leg quarterfinals in TAMANNEFTEGAS Europe Cup Men are concluded. In other duels Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 beat KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki 3:2 HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod overcame ASISA Borges Vall 3:2 and SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt secured victory over SPG FELBERMAYR Wels 3:2.
