Fans present in the sports hall in Kutná Hora and also those watching on TV saw two seven-game-thrillers in the final stages of the National Championships. The women’s singles final between Kateřina TOMANOVSKÁ and Zdena BLAŠKOVÁ was decided in the seventh set just like the men’s duel between David REITŠPIES and Tomáš TREGLER. The two finalists are also the two most successful players in this season’s Czech top division. David REITŠPIES got the better of Tomáš POLANSKÝ in the first semifinal and in the second one it was Tomáš TREGLER who came on top against the titleholder Jiří VRÁBLÍK. The final offered table tennis of the highest quality. Both players experienced highs and lows one time it was TREGLER with the lead then it was REITŠPIES. It had to be the seventh set to decide the tie. And David REITŠPIES was the better one towards the end. Kateřina TOMANOVSKÁ lost in the last year’s final in Havířov against a seven-time-winner Hana MATELOVÁ who said after the game that her rival will lift the trophy one day. Back then she had no idea how soon it was going to happen. Just a year later TOMANOVSKÁ defeated Zdena BLAŠKOVÁ in the final. Her opponent was already 3:0 up and TOMANOVSKÁ struggled to find her rhythm. But the Bundesliga player of TTG Büngen/Münster-Sarmsheim didn’t give up. She fought her way back to tie the game and then finish at 4:3 for the gold. The winners in each category: Men’s singles: David REITŠPIES (SKST Cheb) Women’s singles: Kateřina TOMANOVSKÁ (TTG Büngen/Münster-Sarmsheim) Men’s doubles: Šimon BĚLÍK (SKST Havířov) Tomáš MARTINKO (TJ Ostrava KST) Women’s doubles: Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ (SKST Hodonín) Tamara TOMANOVÁ (TJ Ostrava KST) Mixed doubles: Petr DAVID Kristýna ŠTEFCOVÁ (SKST Havířov)

Estonian individual championship in 2022 was held last weekend in Tallinn. Men’s Singles Aleksandr SMIRNOV (LTK Kalev) Toomas LIBENE (LTK Kalev) Maksim VUHKA (Viimsi PINX) Vallot VAINULA (Pärnu LTK Vint-90) Women’s Singles Airi AVAMERI (Taltech SK) Reelica HANSON (Aseri SK) Vitalia REINOL (LTK Narova) Kätlin LATT (LTK Kalev) Women’s Doubles Reelica HANSON / Kätlin LATT (Aseri SK/ LTK Kalev) Airi AVAMERI/ Alina JAGNENKOVA ( Taltech SK/ Maardu LTK) Vitalia REINOL/ Sofia Viktoria GEROISKAJA (LTK Narova/ LTK Kalev) Liidia ANDREEVA/ Arina LITVINOVA (LTK Narova/ LTK Narova) Men’s Doubles Vallot VAINULA/ Aleksandr SMIRNOV (Pärnu LTK Vint-90/ LTK Kalev) Stanislav STROGOV/ Aleksandr LUŠIN (Taltech SK/ Maardu LTK) Mart LUUK/ Mihkel PAE (Pärnu LTK Vint-90/ Viljandi LTK Sakala) Sergei PETROV/ Maksim VUHKA (Viimsi PINX/Viimsi PINX) Mixed Doubles Vallot VAINULA/ Airi AVAMERI (Pärnu LTK Vint-90/ Taltech SK) Maksim VUHKA/ Liidia ANDREEVA (Viimsi PINX/ LTK Narova) Mihkel PAE/ Reelica HANSON (Viljandi LTK Sakala/ Aseri SK) Stanislav STROGOV/ Vitalia REINOL (Taltech SK/ LTK Narova)  

Hundreds of guests met for a gala dinner after the English national championships including former European champions Jill HAMMERSLEY-PARKER and John HILTON and other legends including Desmond DOUGLAS Mary WRIGHT and Paul DAY. ETTU acting president Pedro MOURA made a presentation to the Table Tennis England Chairperson Sandra Deaton on behalf of the ETTU and also on behalf of his home nation Portugal. Sandra DEATON said: “We were so pleased to welcome Pedro because we know how busy he is – I was delighted he could join us for such a special occasion. “It was wonderful to receive his gifts in the spirit of friendship co-operation and a shared passion for table tennis. “It’s so important for us to have that strong relationship because the European events are the first step on the performance ladder for so many young athletes.”

Tom JARVIS won the English national men’s singles title for the first time and Maria TSAPTSINOS beat Tin-Tin Ho to win the women’s singles for the second time. JARVIS was in his first final and WALKER his fourth but whoever won would be champion for the first time at the Mark Bates Ltd National Championships held in Nottingham. WALKER took the first game but JARVIS won the next three and despite WALKER fighting back in the fifth JARVIS won 4-2 (3-11 11-8 11-8 11-4 3-11 11-6). In the women’s event TSAPTSINOS did not allow four-time champion Ho to settle as she won 4-0 (11-5 11-4 11-7 14-12) on her fourth match point. WALKER and JARVIS won the men’s doubles by defeating Chris DORAN and Joe FERGUSON 3-2 (11-5 9-11 9-11 11-2 11-5) and HO and TSAPTSINOS won the women’s doubles against Emily BOLTON and Charlotte BARDSLEY 3-1 (11-6 6-11 11-6 11-6). The mixed doubles was won by WALKER and TSAPTSINOS who beat Josh BENNETT and Lois PEAKE 3-0 (11-4 11-3 11-3) meaning TSAPTSINOS won all three trophies she was competing in. There were two para finals with Tokyo Paralympics medallist Jack HUNTER-SPIVEY defeating Daniel BULLEN 3-0 (11-3 11-7 11-7) in the Class 3-5 final and Ross WILSON beating Kim DAYBELL 3-1 (11-7 11-6 9-11 11-9) in the Class 6-10 final. The under-21 men’s singles trophy was won by Shayan SIRAJ and the under-21 women’s singles by Charlotte BARDSLEY  

Eric GLOD and Sarah De NUTTE are the 2022 national champions crowned last weekend at FOYER National Championships in Coque. It is Sarah 9th title in the row and 10th overall whilst Eric won his second. Eric GLOD prevailed 4-0 against Evgheni DADECHIN while Sarah De NUTTE defended her title in a thrilling and very dramatic final against Tessy GONDERINGER 4-3 after Tessy GONDERINGER had led 3-0.

The 28th table tennis championship of Moldova which ended last weekend (March 26 and 27) took place in the new capital’s specialized table tennis hall (Bucuriei st. 12 A). For the second year in a row the players of the honored coach of Moldova Valery GROSUL Alexandra KIRYAKOVA from Dubossary and the student of the honored coach of Moldova Vladimir SEMIPYADNY Vladislav URSU from Chisinau became the absolute champions of Moldova. Men’s singles: Vladislav Ursu – Andrei Putsuntica 4:0 Women’s singles: Alexandra Kiryakova – Natalina Brynza 3:2 Men’s doubles: Vladislav Ursu-Andrei Putsuntike Veniamin Dubrovin-Evgeny Koshchug Igor Ni-Mihai Ginda Women’s doubles: Alexandra Kiryakova-Valeria Vieru Natalina Brynza-Vitalina Brynza Vlada Karaulnaya-Camellia Merenko Mixed Doubles: Alexandra Kiryakova-Vladislav Ursu Victoria Parfeni-Denis Cerna Vlada Karaulnaya-Andrey Putsuntike

Last weeked on March 26 and 27 Montenegro Table Tennis Association hosted Montenegrin senior singles championships for the season 2021/22. This years’ champions are Ivona PETRIĆ and Filip RADOVIĆ who defended their singles titles from last year in two exciting final matches. In the womens’ singles final Ivona PETRIĆ won against Simona PEROVIĆ 4:2 and third places were awarded to Snežana ĆULAFIĆ and Azra KALAČ. Filip RADOVIĆ was victorious over Filip RADULOVIĆ his club team mate 4:2 while the semifinalists and bronze medal winners were Andrej MILOŠEVIĆ and Bojan CUBOVIĆ. Womens’ doubles champions this year are Ivona PETRIĆ and Simona PEROVIĆ who won in the final against sisters Snežana and Dragana ĆULAFIĆ. In the thrilling men’s doubles final Filip RADULOVIĆ and Irfan ČEKIĆ became this year’s champions by winning the title from last year’s gold medalists – Filip RADOVIĆ and Luka BAKIĆ. Mixed doubles champions title was defended by Simona PEROVIĆ and Filip RADULOVIĆ. The event was held in sport hall „Verde Sport“ in Podgorica Montenegro which will host ETTU’s pilot event – Europe U13 Challenge in June 2022.

Polish Table Tennis Association proudly announced the results of 90. Individual National Championships that took place in Czestochowa last weekend (25th – 27th March 2022). Polish Woman National Single Champion become Katarzyna Węgrzyn (born 2001) who defeated in final Natalia Bajor (born 1997) 4:1 (11:9 11:5 11:4 6:11 11:6). Natalia lost the championship after a four-year streak (2018 2019 2020 2021). In semi-final Katarzyna won with her twin sister Anna Węgrzyn 4:1 (11:6 11:7 5:11 11:9 11:6). Węgrzyn sisters become champions in women doubles after five-game final against Paulina Krzysiek and Katarzyna Ślifirczyk 3:2 (11:9 5:11 11:7 8:11 11:7). Jakub Dyjas turned out to be the best among men and won his third championships (2018 2020 2022) after winning with Marek Badowski 4:1 (11:7 8:11 12:10 11:5 12:10). In semi-final Jakub defeated Tomasz Lewandowski 4:1 (10:12 11:9 11:7 11:7 11:7). In men’s doubles on the highest step of the podium for the third time in history stood Konrad Kulpa and Tomasz Kotowski after winning with Daniel Bąk and Robert Floras in final 3:1 (10:12 11:3 11:9 11:9). Konrad and Tomasz won men’s doubles in 2019 and 2020 before. Gold medal in mixed doubles the gold medal was awarded to Katarzyna Węgrzyn and Maciej Kubik who won after tie-break with Natalia Bajor and Marek Badowski 3:2 (9:11 10:12 11:6 11:8 13:11). Same way the undisputed dominator of the tournament become Katarzyna Wegrzyn who won triple crown during 90. Individual National Championships she won gold medal in women’s singles doubles and mixed doubles. Total prize money in championships was 23.500 EUR. The tournament was held under the honorary patronage of the Polish Prime Minister.

Daniels KOGANS for first time clinched gold in Men’s Singles at the Latvian National Championships 2022 and Sabina MUSAJEVA for second time is the crowned champion in women’s Singles Event. Men’s Singles 1st place – Daniels KOGANS 2nd place – Artūrs REINHOLDS 3rd place – Oļegs KARTUZOVS 3rd place – Aleksandrs MASKAĻONOKS Women’s Singles 1st place – Sabina MUSAJEVA 2nd place – Baiba BOGDANOVA 3rd place – Ina JOZEPSONE 3rd place – Margarita SMIRNOVA Men’s Doubles 1st place – Artūrs REINHOLDS / Dainis REINHOLDS 2nd place – Daniels KOGANS/ Artūrs SPALIS 3rd place – Sandijs VASIĻJEVS / Viktors TOLKAČEVS 3rd place – Aleksandrs MASKAĻONOKS / Andrejs ČEMIRTĀNS Women’s Doubles 1st place – Sabina MUSAJEVA / Ina JOZEPSONE 2nd place – Baiba BOGDANOVA / Inta ĶUDA 3rd place – Viktorija MAJOROVA / Diāna AFANASJEVA 3rd place – Ieva LEPSE / Zane ŠVARCA-FRĪDENBERGA Mixed Doubles 1st place – Artūrs REINHOLDS / Baiba BOGDANOVA 2nd place – Oļegs KARTUZOVS / Sabina MUSAJEVA 3rd place – Aleksandrs MASKAĻONOKS / Diāna AFANASJEVA Daniels KOGANS/ Margarita SMIRNOVA  

On 26-27th of March the Lithuanian Table Tennis Championship was held at the Druskininkai city Lithuanian Sports Center with the participation of 32 women and 32 men. New title holders are Kornelija RILISKYTE and Alfredas UDRA. In the women’s semi-final Emilija RILIŠKYTĖ (coach Jolanta PRŪSIENĖ SM “Sostinės Tauras”) beat Egle JANKAUSKIENĖ (coach Artūras Orlovas Vilnius) 4:2. In the other semi-final Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ fought with Laura ABARAVIČIŪTĖ 4:0. Both athletes are the players of coach Jolanta PRŪSIENĖ representing the sports school “Sostinės Tauras”. Emilija RILIŠKYTĖ and Laura ABARAVIČIŪTĖ were awarded bronze medals. Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ won the final 4:1. In the men’s semi-finals Alfredas UDRA (coach Indra UDRIENĖ Klaipėda) overcame Ignas NAVICKAS (coach Inga NAVICKIENĖ Kaunas) and Kęstutis ŽEIMYS (coach Viktoras RYBAKAS) met Tomas MIKUTIS (coach Ona JUCEVIČIŪTĖ Klaipėda). Alfredas UDRA defeated his opponent 4:1 and Tomas MIKUTIS defeated Kęstutis ŽEIMYS 4:1. Ignas NAVICKAS and Kęstutis ŽEIMYS were awarded bronze medals. Alfredas Udra won the title of Lithuanian champion in the final defeating Tomas MIKUTIS 4:0. There were 15 pairs in the women’s doubles match. Third place went to Auksė Gecevičiūtė with Gerda ŠIŠANOVAITĖ and Laura ABARAVIČIŪTĖ with Marija MIKALAUSKYTE. Vitalija VENCKUTĖ (coach Viktoras STANKEVIČIUS) with Egle JANKAUSKIENĖ met Emilija RILIŠKYTĖ with Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ in the final. Emilija and Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ became the women’s doubles champions. There were also 15 pairs in the men’s doubles match. Third place is shared by Ignas NAVICKAS (coach Inga NAVICKIENĖ) with Kęstutis ŽEIMIS and Andrius PREIDŽIUS (coach Rytis VELIČKA) with Rimas LESIV. In the final Matas VILKAS (coach Jonas PIEKAUTAS) with Matas SKUČAS (coach Romualda GARKAUSKIENĖ) met Agnius KAČERAUSKAS and Lukas RIMKUS (coach of both athletes Artūras ORLOVAS). Matas VILKAS and Matas SKUTIS became the men’s doubles champions. The winners of the mixed doubles became Matas SKUČAS and Emilija RILIŠKYTE who defeated Matas VILKAS and Kornelia RILIŠKYTE 3:0 in the final. Third place is shared by Rimas LESIV (coach Saulius BUREIKA) and Aukse GECEVIČIŪTĖ and Rokas KISIELIUS (coach Romas Stankevičius SM “Gaja”) and Lukrecija JUCHNAITĖ (coach Jolanta PRŪSIENĖ SM “Sostinės tauras”).