This May Swede Truls MOREGARDH hit the top spot at European Rankings and reached the position no. 5 in World. Last year very same when he finished the junior’s career at the top spot of the World’s list Truls clinched the silver medal at the World Championships in Huston. He proved he is already mature for the world’s heights even before he reached senior age category. “It feels amazing to say that I am number 1 in Europe and number 5 in the World. It has been a long time goal and I am “super” happy to achieve it. Ever since I was a little kid at like 8 years old I said that I want to win medals at the Championships and to be top 10 in the World so it feels fantastic ” explained Truls. When you become sure you will achieve it? “I become sure I would achieve the goals when I saw the rankings yesterday ” said MOREGHARD laughing. What is your vision of moving next step how to become World’s no. 1? “It’s extremely difficult to become the World number one. FAN Zhendong has like double the ranking points of MA Long who is number 2 in the World .So that’s not my goal my goal is to improve my level so I can feel that I fit in there on that position and try to stay in the top 10 ” explained Truls. Can you give the major highlights of first part of your season which led to this success on the World championships success and top spot at the rankings in Europe? “When I won the WTT in Budapest my life started to change. I felt it. I was extremely happy with that achievement and one achievement led to another one.” European championships is getting closer less than 100 days to go how you will prepare for that? “It is still long time to Europeans but that is obviously a Championship and one of the most important tournaments of the year. First it’s a long summer I will take care of and then I will be in top shape for the Europeans. My goal is to take the medal in Munich.” Before EC in Munich what is your plans for next few months which tournaments has priority? “Swedish championship is in one month from now and then hopefully a grand smash in July. These tournaments will be fantastic.” Are you satisfied with the results in club? “My season in DEKORGLASS was successful in the European Champions League. We reached the quarterfinals and that was the first time for the club. We were happy with that. It is pity that Eslövs AI BTK didn’t win Swedish league.” What motivate you the most? Who is your inspiration? “I’m motivated by myself. I want to be better all the time. In life in general it’s my dad that motivates me. In the way he works really hard and is very motivated but still a fantastic father is amazing. We have little bit same mindset in stuff.” How can you describe yourself? “Motivated for more!”
Fourth title for Metz TT in France
The winners in Europe Cup 2018 Metz TT won this year’s French Championships title after victory over Entente Saint Pierraise. After winning 3-0 in the first leg the Messines repeated the performance in Saint-Pierre-les-Elbeuf. Deprived of their n°1 ZENG Jian vice champions fought a good battle with in particular a very tight match 2 (5 sets) between Stephanie LOEUILLETTE and Adina DIACONU. Lucie GAUTHIER lost to the Russian Mariia TAILAKOVA 3:1 just like Laura GASNIER to the Germany’s WU Jiaduo. Laura had not been able to play the first leg final because of COVID.
DR CASL defended the title in Croatia
The women’s Super League in Croatia came to conclusion. For a seventh time in the row DR CASL is the champion in Croatia. It is club’s nineth title overall. Dr CASL won the title in the European Champions Legue in the season 2017/18. In this season for DR CASL played: Klara Cakol Mirela DURAK BLAZICEVIC NI Xialian Dorina SREBRNJAK ZHANG Mo i Tena POZNIC led by a coach Luka VRANCIC. DR CASL justified their status of top favorite by reaching the top position without major problems. The closest adversaries Varazdin and Aquaestil both recorded three defeats. On the other side DR CASL remained unbeaten until the last round. They suffered only one defeat against Aquaestil (3:2). Before this match DR CASL was unbeaten in 65 matches since 18th November 2018 (1260 days). Interestingly on that date they were defeated by the same adversaries. Final standings: DR CASL 35 (17-1) Varazdin 33 (15-3) Aquaestil 33 (15-3) TIS 28 (10-8) Zagreb 27 (9-9) Vrsar 26 (8-10) Mladost 25 (7-11) Bjelovar 22 (4-14) Pula 22 (4-14) Pozega 19 (1-17).
Krisztina TOTH helps Ukrainian players
Seven time European champion and World Championships bronze medalists Krisztina TOTH of Hungary she is very involved in helping Ukrainian players. TOTH is looking for opportunities to help Ukrainian girls to attend international tournaments as Youth WTT in Poland Germany and Spain. Veronika MATIUNINA runner up at the Youth European in cadet girls singles in 2021 who won altogether 3 medals Olya PONKO and Anastasiia KHATCHATUROVA arrived after a long trip from Kyiv to Munich at the end of March with a lot of help from Family Hermann MÜHLBACH and Thomas THEISMAN. They live now in the Internat in Munich at the Bavarian national center. They are fully integrated into the group with German youth national players such as Hannes HÖRMANN Tom SCHWEIGER Matthias DANZER and Naomi PRANJKOVIC. They study German with Krisztina every day and the Internat helps them also a lot same as their coaching team Dustin GESINGHAUS. Bavarian table tennis association provides the practice facilities where Krisztina is the head coach. “I try to help girls to attend international tournaments such as Poland Germany and Spain. I’m very happy the girls are here and we become friends and work very good together! They adjusted very fast they are in one Internat so they can combine practice with school and to learn the language. Now we are in contact with the ITTF federation about getting help from them ” said TOTH.
OVTCHAROV plans comeback for early July
How difficult the past weeks have been for Dimitrij OVTCHAROV the six-time Olympic medalist has now shared in major interviews with the German leading quality newspapers “Süddeutsche Zeitung” and “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. The 33-year-old former world number one was born in Kiev came to Germany with his parents as a small child and has friends and relatives in Ukraine. Since 2010 OVTCHAROV played for the Russian top club Fakel Gazprom Orenburg. The war now also changed everything for the 2017 World Cup winner and his family as he describes in the interviews. “At the beginning (Editor’s Note: of the war) I didn’t think about table tennis at all I only thought about how I could move my grandma out of Kiev ” he tells FAZ. His 85-year-old grandmother is the mother of Dimitrij’s father Mikhail who was also born in Kiev too and was a former national champion and national player for the Soviet Union. After a few weeks she escaped to Germany with the help of an old friend of Mikhail. Even though Dima helped and continues to help friends and acquaintances from Ukraine who are seeking refuge in Germany he does not consider himself an “active refugee aid worker”. In the first two weeks of the war he made a huge number of phone calls learned a lot about German entry regulations and above all experienced a wonderful willingness to help among his German compatriots OVTCHAROV told the FAZ. A real estate company in Düsseldorf for example made several flats available at short notice and without red tape to the Ukrainians who had approached OVTCHAROV. Many friends and acquaintances of Germany’s number one had also arranged housing. Borussia Düsseldorf was one of the first to help. OVTCHAROV also called in the German Table Tennis Association. When he decided to change clubs the Fakel Orenburg did not put any obstacles in his way. The personal bond after 12 successful years is a strong one. “I told them: I know you have nothing to do with it but I can’t play in Russia any more. They showed understanding for that ” Dimitrij OVTCHAROV told the Süddeutsche Zeitung. “Sport should be a symbol that anyone can play with anyone no matter where you come from.” He had turned down offers from Japan for his transfer back to Germany to TTC Neu-Ulm for the news season and it was OVTCHAROV himself who made the fist approach and gave a phone call to club boss and publisher Florian EBNER. Ovtcharov: “He was extremely enthusiastic and wanted to make a big project out of it right away. Within a week we then put the team together.” In addition to the Champions League the current world number seven will play in the German Cup and possibly – depending on the WTT calendar – in TTBL the Bundesliga every now and then. After his foot injury and surgery in the autumn and a relapse in February he is planning his comeback for the beginning of July. He is currently training 4 hours a day 2 at the table 2 in the gym. “Out of caution however I am still playing with protection on my foot and I am not moving to the maximum yet because I want to avoid another setback by all means ” explains Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. Fortunately the international calendar currently allows him time for convalescence. Links To the detailed interviews in the FAZ and the Süddeutsche Zeitung in German (both free to subscribers only) https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/mehr-sport/dimitrij-ovtcharov-ueber-den-ausschluss-russischer-sportler-17982619.html https://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/tischtennis-dimitrij-ovtcharov-krieg-in-der-ukraine-russland-interview-1.5572257?reduced=true
ETTU EB
The ETTU Executive Board has received the decision of the Board of Appeal (BoA) on the appeal of the Table Tennis Federation of Russia Fakel Gazprom Orenburg and TTSC UMMC. The ETTU welcomes the BoA’s ruling to uphold the decision that Russian and Belarusian national teams are banned from ETTU competitions until further notice and that no Russian or Belarusian national symbols flags or anthems will be displayed at ETTU events until further notice. The ETTU notes with disappointment that the BoA has ruled against its decision to suspend Fakel Gazprom Orenburg and TTSC UMMC from last season’s semi-final and final of the Champions League. While the ETTU has no wish to punish athletes for the decisions of their governments the decision to suspend the Russian clubs was taken to protect athlete safety and ensure the integrity of its competitions in line with the recommendations of the IOC and ITTF. The ETTU Executive Board will meet to discuss the next steps following the BoA’s decision.
ETTU launches the Network of European Training Centres
The European Table Tennis Union is pleased to announce the Network of European Training Centres. The Network will consist of various Training Centres endorsed by their respective National Associations and open for international players and coaches. The goal of this project is to strengthen the collaboration between the European Table Tennis Union and their members by firstly having an updated database of high performance centres and then promoting the exchange of knowledge and implementing development projects such as training camps seminars or individual training arrangements. Each Centre as part of this network will continue operating on its own financial merit under the laws and regulations of that country and with their own set of priorities. The Network for its functioning doesn’t require any affiliation fees nor is a membership fee envisaged to be charged by ETTU. It is understood by all the parties that the ETTU financial support is completely tied to activities events and individual support of players and coaches towards their long term or short term training stays in a particular Centre. In exchange the centres willing to be part of the Network are expected to be able to provide operational technical and scientific support services to high performance athletes and coaches and be willing to exchange knowledge with the other high performance sport centres to interact and share ideas and work methods. The minimum standards required to be part of the Network are: Venue The 10 ITTF approved tables a non-slippery sports floor and light intensity at the table surface of at least 800 Lux a ceiling height of at least 3.5 m. Coaches 2 coaches (one with international level experience). Players and Capacity A regular group of 12 players + capacity to host at least 6 more players (total capacity to host at least 18 players). Accommodation Accommodation restaurant and gym at walking distance. Training Centres interested in becoming members of the Network are requested to fill in the form and enclose an endorsement letter from their National Association not later than Tuesday 31st May 2022. if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact ETTU Special projects Operations Manager Galia Dvorak: projects@ettu.org Application form is here
Fusuon TTC are the Women’s ETTU Europe Trophy Regional Champions
In region A women in Europe Trophy Fusion TTC reached the number one spot. They completed the Group stage of the event with four wins and one defeat. Fusion beat Joola Plymouth TTC Draycott & Long Eaton TTC St. Neots Table Tennis Club Murrayfield TTC and lost to Ormesby Table Tennis Club. For the winners were playing: Danielle Kelly Elena Todirca Sanna De Hoop and Tiana Dennison. The path was very narrow at the start of the day having to win both matches against very tough opponents but they overcame the challenge and came out as triumphant victors. “The team spirit this weekend gave them the extra push to reach for the number 1 spot” said Jamal DENNISON who coached the team to success over the weekend.
Grantham Academy Became Region A Europe Trophy Champions
After second weekend of action in Europe Trophy men and women there are still two more regions yet to play – Region G men and Region BDGH women. Both regions will be played May 28th/29th. This weekend in England Grantham Academy Became Region A Europe Trophy Champions. They beat Draycott & Long Eaton in play off. Draycott & Long Eaton were the winners of Group b whilst Grantham Academy won Group A. In region B TalTech Sports Club the hosts clinched the top position above Pöytätennis 75 PT Espoo and TTC Hercogs. Region A Group A/Group B men GROUP A 1 2 3 4 Score Points Ranking Fusion TTC (ENG) x 1-3 0-3 3-1 1:2 4 3. Batts (ENG) 3-1 x 2-3 3-2 2:1 5 2. Grantham Academy (ENG) 3-0 3-2 x 3-2 3:0 6 1. Murrayfield TTC (SCO) 1-3 2-3 2-3 x 0:3 3 4. GROUP B 1 2 3 4 Score Points Ranking Ormesby Table Tennis Club (ENG) x 3-2 0-3 3-2 2-1 5 2. Joola Plymouth (ENG) 2-3 x 2-3 1-3 0-3 3 4. Draycott & Long Eaton TTC (ENG) 3-0 3-2 x 3-0 3-0 6 1. Somerset Sabres (ENG) 2-3 3-1 0-3 x 1-2 4 3. Winner A WINNER B Score Grantham Academy (ENG) vs Draycott & Long Eaton TTC (ENG) 3-1 Region B men Region B 1 2 3 4 Score Points Ranking Pöytätennis 75 (FIN) x 2-3 3-0 3-1 2-1 (5-4) 5 2. PT Espoo (FIN) 3-2 x 3-0 0-3 2-1 ( 3-5) 5 3. TTC Hercogs (LAT) 0-3 0-3 x 0-3 0-3 3 4. TalTech Sports Club (EST) (host) 1-3 3-0 3-0 x 2-1 ( 4-3) 5 1. Region C Group men 1 2 3 Score Points Ranking Arteal Tenis De Mesa (ESP) x 3-0 3-0 2-0 4 1. Clube Desportivo 1º de Maio (POR) 0-3 x 3-0 1-1 3 2. Club Tennis Taula Valls Del Nord (AND) (host) 0-3 0-3 x 0-2 2 3. Region D Group men 1 2 3 Score Points Ranking Metz TT (FRA) x 3-2 3-0 2-0 4 1. TT Vedrinamur (BEL) (host) 2-3 x 3-0 1-1 3 2. TTV Red Stars Venray (NED) 0-3 0-3 x 0-2 2 3. Region E F Group men 1 2 3 4 5 Score Points Ranking SKST Tesla Batteries Havirov (CZE) (host) x 3 – 2 3 – 0 3 – 0 3-0 (WO) 4-0 8 1. TJ Geolog Roznava (SVK) 2 – 3 x 3 – 0 3 – 1 3 – 0 3-1 7 2. SK Přerov 1908 (CZE) 0 – 3 0 – 3 x 0 – 3 3 – 2 1-3 5 4. UTTC Raiffeisen Kennelbach (AUT) 0 – 3 1 – 3 3 – 0 x 3 – 0 2-2 6 3. STK Aladza (BIH) 0-3 (WO) 0 – 3 2 – 3 0 – 3 x 0-4 4 5. Region A women 1 2 3 4 5 6 Score Points Ranking Joola Plymouth TTC (ENG) x 0-3 0-3 3-0 3-2 3-2 3-2 (3-2) 8 3. Fusion TTC (ENG) 3-0 x 3-2 3-1 1-3 3-1 4-1 ( 3-2) 9 1. Draycott & Long Eaton TTC (ENG) 3-0 2-3 x 3-0 3-1 3-1 4-1 (2-3) 9 2. St. Neots Table Tennis Club (ENG) 0-3 1-3 0-3 x 1-3 1-3 0-4 4 6. Ormesby Table Tennis Club (ENG) 2-3 3-1 1-3 3-1 x 3-1 3-2 (2-3) 8 4. Murrayfield TTC (SCO) 2-3 1-3 1-3 3-1 1-3 x 1-4 6 5. Region EF Group A women 1 2 3 4 Score Points Ranking TT Moravský Krumlov (CZE) (host) x 3-1 3-0 3-0 3-1 7 1. SCO Ossiachersee Bodensdorf (AUT) 1-3 x 3-0 3-0 2-1 5 2. SG Motor Wilsdruff (GER) 0-3 0-3 x 3-1 1-2 4 3. A.S.D. Tennistavolo Norbello “Guilcer” (ITA) 0-3 0-3 1-3 x 0-3 3 4. Region EF Group B women 1 2 3 4 5 Score Points Ranking Stolnotenisove Centrum SKST Bratislava (SVK) (host) x 3-0 3-1 3-1 2-3 3-1 (5-3) 7 1. SU Sparkasse Kufstein (AUT) 0-3 x 3-1 3-0 3-0 3-1 (3-3) 7 2. ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari “B” (ITA) 1-3 1-3 x 3-1 2-3 1-3 5 4. AD Muravera TT “A” (ITA) 1-3 0-3 1-3 x 0-3 0-4 4 5. AD Muravera TT “B” (ITA) 3-2 0-3 3-2 3-0 x 3-1 (3-5) 7 3.
ETTU Executive Board meeting 20th and 21st April
On Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st April a meeting of the ETTU Executive Board was held at Malmö SWE under the leadership of Acting President Pedro Moura. The Acting President welcomed the ITTF President Petra Sörling and Swedish Table Tennis Association President Dennis Lindahl to the meeting and looked forward to the 2023 European Team Championships final stage at the Malmö Arena. On Wednesday 20th morning the Acting President and ETTU staff had toured and inspected the Malmö Arena in Malmö Hyllie the connected Malmö Arena hotel and adjacent training venue. Hyllie is an expanding district and just 12 minutes by train from Copenhagen Kastrup airport. Completed in 2008 the Arena will also host next year’s men’s World Handball Championships and provides all required facilities to an exceptional standard. Mr Moura announced the appointment of Heike Ahlert GER as the Acting Deputy President. The Acting President and the Vice President for Finances Sandra Deaton reported on the positive progress towards the signing of the ITTF ETTU Master Continental Agreement addendum for 2022 detailing the governance and development objectives.The Executive Board received updates on the balanced budget for this year and the projected 2022 financial result. The Executive Board accepted reports from the Competitions Development and Marketing Managers on the January to March 2022 activities together with their plans for the remainder of 2022. The Board received a verbal report from the Special Projects Operations Manager Galia Dvorak. The Executive Board agreed the appointment of Richard Scruton as Technical Delegate for the 2023 European Games in Kraków Małopolska POL. It was confirmed that the Table Tennis competition will consist of 3 events men’s singles women’s singles and mixed doubles. It was agreed that existing ETTU committees shall remain in office until 2024. The Executive Board considered and agreed a number of amendments to the constitution and regulations to be added to the agenda of the August 2022 Congress meeting.It was agreed to publish an ETTU European Ranking and to implement for the invitations to the 2022 European Under 21 Championships. The Executive Board agreed to the inauguration of an ETTU Parkinson’s European Championships and accepted a proposal from the Swedish Association to host the event during the 2023 European Team Championships final stage at Malmö. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks. Finally the Executive Board also agreed to increase to five the maximum number of teams per National Association allowed to play in Table Tennis Champions League Men and European Champions League Woman. The Acting President thanked the ITTF President for her attendance at the meeting and for her contributions and advices during all discussions. He looked forward to welcoming Mrs Sörling to future meetings. Mr Moura thanked the Swedish Association for their kind help and assistance with arrangements for the Executive Board meeting at Malmö and closed the meeting.
