From August 9th until 16th Hungarian town of Kiskunfélegyháza will host Eurotalents Pre-Selection Camp II. Coaches on duty in camp are Ferenc KARSAI (HUN) Attila HALMAI (HUN) and Renata STRBIKOVA (CZE). They also has a support from 15 coaches from Hungary. They work with 57 players from 16 countries and 23 player’s coaches. “ We expressed our great satisfaction with the response of our young players and their coaches as well as with the kindness and excellent organization of the entire camp. We have accommodation in a newly arranged student dormitory and we have top training with as many as 15 local coaches who work individually many balls technical training.Tomorrow we will have a short seminar for coaches with current topics in the field of the current situation of our sport ” said ETTU Development Manager Neven CEGNAR. At the end of the training camp coaches will evaluate and select the best young players who will join those who have already been selected in Podgorica at the first Eurotalents Pre-Selection camp.
One year to go to European Championships Munich 2022
We are one year before the European Championships Munich 2022 one of biggest sporting events to be held in the Bavarian state capital since the 1972 Olympic Games. Today you can get a first glimpse of what is to come in the summer of 2022: sports combined with a festival feel exciting competitions complemented by a light-hearted atmosphere. For the “one year to go” milestone we will bring our nine sports as well as our festival ‘The Roofs’ to life. The organisers are implementing interactive sporting activations at various locations in Munich to promote the nine sports of the European Championships and the diversity of the multi-sport event.In addition to the activations for the public they will also produce a livestream in the evening to kick off the official one-year countdown and allow all interested parties to experience the extraordinary day in a compact and interactive way. The English livestream will start at 7:15 pm and be broadcast on Facebook and Youtube as well as on www.munich2022.com/live. The day of action in the city will also be duly addressed and exciting features and high-profile interviewees will give an insight into how Munich 2022 will realise the vision of creating a sustainable heritage.
History made table tennis records broken at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Fourteen days of enthralling table tennis action from the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium have left a legion of table tennis fans spellbound as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games draw to a close. From Syria’s Hend Zaza making her debut as the youngest Olympian to Japan creating history in the Mixed Doubles event. Germany underlined its dominance as Europe’s powerhouse and challenged the swashbuckling run of China. Table tennis action has captured the imagination of a global audience over the past fortnight. History was first made at the table tennis competition when at 12 years of age Hend Zaza (SYR) became the youngest Olympian in any sport since 1968 to compete in the Women’s Singles preliminary round for the first time. Not since the 1968 Winter Olympics has the Games welcomed another youngster when 11-year-old Beatrice Hustiu competed in figure skating. Zaza inked her place in the record books when she qualified for the Tokyo Games by winning the West Asia qualifiers in Amman Jordan at 11 years old and 56 days old in 2020. Despite falling to a 4-0 defeat to Austrian veteran Liu Jia in 24 minutes Zaza who was her country’s flag bearer was confident of making her return to the Games again as a more accomplished player. “This is my first Olympics and I’ll work harder for a better result the next time. It’s a good lesson for me. I was hoping for a winning match a better play but she (Liu) was a tough opponent and it was a good lesson for me ” said Zaza of her 39-year-old rival who is also a mother to a 10-year-old daughter. The third day of competition saw even more significant milestones as Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito outplayed China’s Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen to win the gold medal for Japan in the inaugural Mixed Doubles event. That historic victory meant the host nation had claimed its first-ever gold medal across all table tennis disciplines at the Olympic Games since the sport’s debut at the Seoul Olympics in 1988. “I’m so proud. We knew the Chinese pair were very strong and we knew we would have to give 150%! Even then we weren’t sure if we would have enough to overcome them. I feel the Olympic Games is a special occasion ” said Mizutani “I’m so so happy! I just enjoy the Olympic Games so much because there are lots of unpredictable elements ” added Ito. The Mixed Doubles bronze medal went to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching number three seeds following their 4-0 win over France’s Emmanuel Lebesson and Yuan Jia Nan. Upsets unbridled joy and drama inside the courts continued to make the table tennis competition such a compelling spectacle. Egypt’s Omar Assar went against the form books with his stunning upsets over Sweden’s Mattias Falck followed by another big triumph over Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan in the round of 16 of the Men’s Singles. “I’m very proud of myself and also happy with the support I got from my family. They woke up so early in Egypt and Germany. Making my son wear a shirt with the logo of Egypt. It is really nice. To be able to play in the quarter-final is a very big thing for me ” said Assar. The Egyptian became the first player from an Arabic-speaking country to reach the Men’s Singles quarter-final where he would eventually bow out after falling to China’s Ma Long. Whilst there was joy for the Egyptian it was the reverse for Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto. He was left stunned by his round of 16 defeat to Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic. Seeded 18th Jorgic made a mockery of the rankings and dashed the third-seeded Japanese teenager’s dreams of landing a gold medal on home soil. “It’s just an amazing feeling for me to beat Harimoto in his own country and be in the quarter-final. I prepared well with my coach. I was fighting for every point and this was my goal ” said Jorgic. Ito became the first player from Japan to win a Women’s Singles medal at the Olympic Games following her win over Singapore’s Yu Mengyu in the bronze medal match. Top seed Chen Meng from China had an Olympic Games debut to remember as she won the gold medal by defeating compatriot Sun Yingsha in a breath-taking final. Another golden moment would come for Ma as the Chinese legend outplayed teammate Fan Zhendong in an epic Men’s Singles final showdown to become the three-time World Table Tennis Champion and the first man to defend the Olympic gold medal. Ma’s victory over Fan the world number one quashed all debate on who is the greatest table tennis player of all time. “It’s nice to see all the compliments about me. I want to continue playing table tennis for as long as I can. I like to thank my team and my family for their support and encouragement all these years ” said Ma in his victory speech. Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov also savoured moments of his own when he overcame Lin in a seven-game thriller to secure the singles bronze medal after battling to save four match points. It was Ovtcharov’s second Olympics medal after his bronze in 2012 and sweet relief for the 32-year-old who had contemplated retiring from the sport after his heart-breaking semi-final loss to Ma. “I truly feel the last four days felt like five years. I called my dad and my wife and said I never want to play table tennis again. It’s really too hard. But they gave me so much strength and my dad said to me that if I’m going to win again today the world will be great again. But yesterday evening I didn’t even believe I could lift a racquet again ” said an emotional Ovtcharov Minnie Soo Wai Yam was undoubtedly the star for Hong Kong China. She displayed incredible spirit and determination to help win the Women’s Team bronze medal and first
Silver for Germany China secures gold
A campaign to remember the silver medal the end result for Germany in the men’s team event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In the splendid setting of the Metropolitan Gymnasium on the concluding day of play Friday 6th August a 3-0 defeat was the order of the day against China. XU Xin and MA Long the 2011 World champions gave China the perfect start; they beat Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA in straight games (11-7 11-3 11-9). FAN Zhendong extended the advantage but he was tested by Dimitrij OVTCHAROV he was required to recover from a two games to one deficit to claim victory (3-11 11-6 9-11 11-5 11-3). Ever closer to the goal MA Long resisted a spirited performance by Timo BOLL to end matters (11-5 11-9 11-13 11-7) and seal gold. The result came after earlier in the day Japan the no.3 seeds had recorded a 3-1 success in opposition to Korea Republic the no.4 seeds. Jun MIZUTANI very much the mainstay of the victory; partnering Koki NIWA the duo accounted for JEOUNG Youngsik and LEE Sangsu in the opening contest (11-9 8-11 15-13 11-5). Later and somewhat appropriately when considering the years of unstinting service it was Jun MIZUTANI who concluded matters. After Tomokazu HARIMOTO had beaten JANG Woojin (11-7 8-11 12-10 11-7) and Koki NIWA had experienced defeat at the hands of JEOUNG Youngsik (11-3 11-8 11-7) Jun MIZUTANI accounted for JANG Woojin (14-12 11-9 11-9) to seal bronze. Thus since the team events were introduced in Beijing in 2008 China has always reserved the top step of the podium for Germany they maintained their record of always winning a medal silver had been the colour in Beijing bronze on both London and Rio de Janeiro. Repeat success but there was a first. It was the first time in a men’s table tennis team event at an Olympic Games when every fixture was won by the higher seeded outfit; no surprises but nevertheless the action was enthralling.
Germany falls one step short in the Women’s Team Event
Silver medallists in the women’s team event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Thursday 5th August Germany fell one step short of a podium place at Tokyo 2020; the no.3 seeds they experienced a 3-1 defeat in the bronze medal fixture when opposing Hong Kong China the no.4 seeds. An astute change of plan by LI Ching the Hong Kong coach was a major reason for Germany’s undoing. Previously LEE Ho Ching and Minnie Soo Wai YAM had formed the doubles partnership; against Germany LEE Ho Ching paired with DOO Hoi Kem. It meant that Minnie Soo Wai YAM would play the potential two singles matches. Significantly in the second match she would oppose the defensive skills of HAN Ying. Minnie Soo Wai Yam is adept against the backspin art. If the same doubles as previously had been selected DOO Hoi Kem would have competed in the second match. DOO Hoi Kem is a fine player but in the past has found such a style not to her liking. Li Ching could be confident Germany would not change their doubles pairing; HAN Ying’s style complements neither Shan Xiaona nor Petrissa SOLJA. Furthermore they are the reigning European champions. SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA beat DOO Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching to give Hong Kong the ideal start but that was the sum total of their success (8-11 11-5 11-7 15-13). In the second match of the fixture Minnie Soo Wai YAM overcame HAN Ying in four games (12-10 9-11 11-9 11-7) to turn the tide. Time and again Germany has relied on HAN Ying winning both her singles matches; for Germany it was a major blow. Doo Hoi Kem proved too consistent for Petrissa SOLJA winning in straight games (11-5 11-6 11-9); immediately following Minnie Soo Wai YAM beat SHAN Xiaona to end matters (12-10 13-11 11-7). Later in the day China secured women’s team gold the top seeds they recorded a 3-0 win in opposition to Japan the no.2 seeds to reserve the second step of the podium. CEHN Meng and WANG Manyu beat Miu HIRANO and Kasumi Ishikawa in four games (9-11 11-6 11-8 11-7) to set the scene. Sun Yingsha who had overcome Mima ITO at the semi-final stage of the women’s singles event (11-3 11-9 11-6 11-4) repeated the feat (11-8 11-5 3-11 11-3) before Wang Manyu accounted for Miu Hirano to end matters (11-5 11-9 11-3). China has won the women’s team title on every occasion since the event was first held in Beijing in 2008; furthermore they have never surrendered a single game the record reads 51-0! Matters conclude on Friday 6th August with the men’s team medal events: Bronze medal: Japan (3) versus Korea Republic (4) Gold medal: China (1) versus Germany (2)
Germany progressed to the final of the Olympic Games
Germany booked their place in the final of the Men’s Teams Event at he 2020 Tokyo Olympics. On their way to the ultimate stage they overcame Japan in full distance thriller. The early advantage goes to Germany in the closing fixture of the day with Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA combining to doubles success against their Japanese counterparts. Jun MIZUTANI and Koki NIWA did well to recover a two-game deficit to force a decider but BOLL and FRANZISKA held their nerve to edge the contest 3-2. Tomokazu HARIMOTO beat Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (7-11 13-11 11-5 11-9) to level the match before Timo BOLL pug Germany in lead once again. He beat Jun MIZUTANI in four games (11-7 11-13 7-11 7-11). Tomokazu HARIMOTO proved too strong for Patrick FRANZISKA (5-11 9-11 11-5 11-9 11-9) and the match moved to decider. In the last duel OVTCHAROV overcame Koki NIWA in straight games (9-11 7-11 8-11) China proved too strong for Germany as the trio of CHEN Meng WANG Mangyu SUN Yingsha defeated their German opponents 3-0 to set up a clash with Japan in the Women’s Team final. The Germans could not find an answer against the dominant Chinese as Petrissa SOLJA and SHAN Xiaonan fell early with an opening 3-0 loss to CHEN and WANG. SUN continued the charge for China by taking down HAN Ying in straight games 3-0. SOLJA took a game off Chen but the world number one would recover quickly and win her next three games.
German medal hopes alive
A fruitful day for Germany on Tuesday 3rd August in the table tennis events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games; both men’s and women’s teams booked semi-final places. Conversely for Sweden in the men’s team event it was the end of the road. At the quarter-final stage of the women’s team competition Germany the no.3 seeds recorded a 3-2 win against Korea Republic the no.7 seeds. HAN Ying was the mainstay of the German win. In the second match she beat Choi Hyojoo (11-3 11-3 11-8) later in the fourth match she overcame SHIN Yubin to level matters (11-6 10-12 11-6 11-9). The wins for Korea Republic were recorded by SHIN Yubin and JEON Jihee in opposition to SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA (9-11 11-8 6-11 11-6 11-8) and by Jeon Jihee in the third match of the fixture against Petrissa Solja (11-6 13-11 11-3). Hard fought for the German women it was the same for the men the no.2 seeds they recorded a 3-2 win against Chinese Taipei the no.7 seeds. LIN Yun-Ju remained unbeaten for Chinese Taipei. In the second match of the fixture he beat Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and thus avenged the men’s singles bronze medal match defeat (10-12 14-12 7-11 12-14 11-7). Later in the fourth match he accounted for Patrick Franziska in straight games (11-9 13-11 11-6). Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA gave Germany the ideal start. They beat CHEN Chien-An and CHUANG Chih-Yuan in the opening match (11-0 6-11 11-6 12-10). Later Timo BOLL overcame CHEN Chien-An in the third match of the engagement (11-4 11-4 11-6); thus setting the scene for Dimitrij Ovtcharov to conclude matters. He responded he accounted for CHUANG Chih-Yuan in straight games (11-8 11-9 11-7) to seal the victory; it was their 11th meeting on the international stage Dimitrij Ovtcharov has now won nine times. Success for Germany disappointment for Sweden the no.5 seeds at the quarter-final stage of the men’s team event they were beat by Japan the no.3 seeds. Tomokazu HARIMOTO and Koki NIWA remained unbeaten. They combined to secure the doubles at the expense of Anton KÄLLBERG and Kristian KARLSSON (11-8 13-11 8-11 11-9). Later in the third match of the fixture Tomokazu HARIMOTO beat Anton KÄLLBERG by a similar margin (10-12 11-9 11-9 12-10) Koki NIWA accounted for Mattias FALCK to conclude matters (12-10 11-5 11-6). Mattias Falck secured the one win for Sweden; in the second match of the engagement he beat Jun Mizutani in four games (11-3 11-9 10-12 11-8). It was the first time he had beaten Jun Mizutani on the international stage he had lost both previous encounters. In the remaining fixtures concluded on the 11th day of action in the women’s team quarter-finals China the top seeds beat Singapore the no.6 seeds; one round later at the semi-final stage Japan the no.2 seeds overcame Hong Kong the no.4 seeds. Both contests ended with a 3-0 margin of victory. China now faces Germany in the remaining women’s team semi-final; in the men’s team penultimate round fixtures China opposes Korea Republic Germany confronts Japan. The contests will be played on Wednesday 4th August.
Felix LEBRUN crowned champion in Under 15 Singles
Felix LEBRUN climbed the highest step at the medal rostrum at the Singles Doubles and Team’s Under 15 Boys Events at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin. At the very last one final in Boys Singles he beat Iulian CHIRITA of Romania. Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland and Horia Stefan URSUT of Romania won bronze. Felix LEBRUN beat Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland on his way to the final. In the penultimate stage REDZIMSKI got a better start but after opening game LEBRUN was in control. “ The beginning of the match was difficult I had the lead in the opening game 8:2 but I lost 11:8.I improved my service game in the next game. REDZIMSKI could not follow the change. I think my service was the key to win this match. At the beginning of the tournament I was impressed with the atmosphere and with the European Championship and I did not provide games like now “ admitted LEBRUN. In all-Romanian semi final CHIRITA overcame Horia Stefan URSUT. “It is never easy to play against teammate. It is bitter-sweet taste at the end ” said CHIRITA. In the quarterfinal CHIRITA overcame Belgiums’s Tom CLOSSET. Tom came close in third and fourth game but CHIRITA was already in fast lane. “I had a right feeling for the game. All fist perfectly despite very good performance despite CLOSSET’s good performance ” said CHIRITA. Unlike CHIRITA his teammate Horia Stefan URSUT was stretched to full distance before he prevailed against Russia’s Aleksei SAMOKHIN. “At 3:3 I 4:6 down and I managed to recover. It was psychologically hard for my adversary and he could not return ” said URSUT. The matches in the lower half of the draw failed to produce any drama. Milosz REDZIMSKI overcame Nikon SHUTOV of Belarus. “This was the easiest match for me at the tournament I do not mind lack of drama at all ” smiled REDZIMSKI. Felix LEBRUN repeated the scenario from the Team’s Event. He beat Dragos Alexandru BUJOR of Romania. “I already beat him once here and I knew what to do. It was important to took the control in the early stage of the match. I did today and I faced no problems in the match :” said LEBRUN. Final Iulian CHIRITA (Romania) – Felix LEBRUN (France) 1:4 (6:11 2:11 11:8 5:11 4:11) Semi finals Iulian CHIRITA (Romania) – Horia Stefan URSUT (Romania) 4:0 (13:11 11:4 11:8 11:5) Felix LEBRUN (France) – Milosz REDZIMSKI (Poland) 4:1 (8:11 11:8 11:8 11:5 12:10) Quarterfinals Iulian CHIRITA (Romania) – Tom CLOSSET (Belgium) (11:3 11:1 11:9 11:9) Aleksei SAMOKHIN (Russia) – Horia Stefan URSUT (Romania) 3:4 (5:11 11:5 11:8 3:11 11:5 9:11 7:11) Dragos Alexandru BUJOR (Romnia) – Felix LEBRUN (France) 0:4 (7:11 2:11 8:11 7:11) Milosz REDZIMSKI (Poland) – Nikon SHUTOV (Belarus) 4:0 (11:6 11:2 11:1 11:5)
Annett KAUFMANN won the title in young- SAMSONOV’s style
Annett KAUFMANN of Germany is crowned champion of the Under 15 Girls Singles Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin. In the final she overcame Ukraine’s Veronika MATIUNINA. Bronze went to Agathe Anne AVEZOU of France and Sophie EARLEY of Ireland. Throughout all the Championships during seven days of the tournament in Team’s and Singles Events Annett KAUFMANN lost only four games. The superb run she justified with the express win on the last hurdle. In very much Vladimir SAMSONOV’s style she cruised the competition. In doubles she lost only two games. “ I can’t describe how happy and proud I am.. It was an easier match than in the semifinals. I couldn’t even imagine it would be like that .” Sophie EARLEY rewrites history books at this Championships. Soon after she become first player from Ireland to win the medal at youth or senior European Championships she won another one. She added the medal in singles to one she already clinched in doubles. Like in doubles EARLEY was halted in the penultimate stage of the Singles Event. Annett KAUFMANN ended her progress with 4:1 win in the semi final. “The match was not easy because my adversary played very well and she played some balls really amazing. When I changed tactics she couldn’t return the balls so well. After that it was easier for me to win ” explained KAUFMANN. In other match in the penultimate stage Veronika MATIUNINA was 0:3 down against Agathe Anne AVEZOU before she made a remarkable recovery with more aggressive approach. “I was 0:3 in reverse but then I changed tactics calmed down and won 4-3. It is amazing for me to play in the final of the European Championship ” said MATIUNINA. In the quarterfinal Agathe Anne AVEZOU overcame Matilde PINTO of Portugal in straight games. “I already did a great job by securing the medal. I am also happy that I did it in very close and difficult match. My service game was very good and PINTO failed to find the answer to that ” said AVEZOU. Veronika MATIUNINA needed six games against Clea DE STOPPELEIRE of France “I stayed calm and focused even when Clea managed to recover and to level the match. I kept the high level of my play ” said MATIUNINA. Sophie EARLEY overcame Gaetane BLED of France in straight games to secure second medal for Ireland. “I knew it is going to be difficult match because BLED’s style is something I am not used at all. I am happy I managed to pulled this of ” said Sophie EARLEY.”I feel the difference by being the first medal holder in Ireland at the Europeans. I am very happy above all.” Annett KAUFMANN overcame Russia’s Anastasiia IVANOVA of Russia after a shaky start. “ I was at the pressure at the beginning of the match and I wasn’t focused enough in the opening game. After that I found my rhythm and won ” said Annett KAUFMANN. Final Annett KAUFMANN (Germany) – Veronika MATIUNINA (Ukraine) (11:2 11:1 11:1 11:7) Semi finals Agathe Anne AVEZOU (France) – Veronika MATIUNINA (Ukraine) 3:4 (14:12 11:5 11:7 2:11 4:11 6:11 5:11) Sophie EARLEY (Ireland) – Annett KAUFMANN (Germany) 1:4 (11:9 7:11 2:11 9:11 6:11) Quarterfinals Agathe Anne AVEZOU (France) – Matilde PINTO (Portugal) 4:0 (15:13 16:14 11:8 11:9) Veronika MATIUNINA (Ukraine) – Clea DE STOPPELEIRE (France) 4:2 (11:4 11:6 9:11 8:11 11:8 11:6) Anastasiia IVANOVA (Russia) – Annett KAUFMANN (Germany) 1:4 (12:12 6:11 1:11 7:11 6:11) Sophie EARLEY (Ireland) – Gaetane BLED (France) 4:0 (11:9 11:5 11:5 12:10)
Felix LEBRUN and Flavien COTON won the title in Boys Doubles
Felix LEBRUN and Flavien COTON of France clinched gold in Under 15 Boys Doubles Event at the GAZPROM European Youth Championships in Varazdin. In the final they overcame Romania’s pairings Iulian CHIRITA and Dragos Alexandru BUJOR. Bronze went to Daniel BERZOSA of Spian and Lleyton ULLMANN of Germany and Milosz REDZIMSKI and Alan KULCZYCKI of Poland. In the final newly crowned champions were under pressure only in the opening stages. “We lost the opening game and then it was 9:9 but from theat moment we took the complete control over the match ” said COTON. In the semi final Iulian CHIRITA and Dragos Alexandru BUJOR overcame Daniel BERZOSA and Lleyton ULLMANN in straight games. “We played a very good match. We did not miss easy balls and we played perfectly tactically. We are ready for the final ” said Dragos Alexandru BUJOR. Iulian CHIRITA highlighted good tactics that helped them win. “It was a very difficult match but we had very good tactics we knew what we needed to do.” In other semi final match as a seedings predicted French pairings prevailed but without the doubts they had a very hard task against Milosz REDZIMSKI and Alan KULCZYCKI of Poland. “It was very close match and big battle before we won the fourth game but then we managed to take control ” said LEBRUN. COTON added: “The beginning of the match was very difficult. We lost the opening game but very quickly we managed to recover. We led 9: 6 in the third but we lost by narrow margin 13:11. The key was the fourth game.” Final Iulian CHIRITA Dragos Alexandru BUJOR (Romania) – Felix LEBRUN Flavien COTON (France) 1:4 (11:7 7:11 9:11 5:11) Semi-final: Iulian CHIRITA Dragos Alexandru BUJOR (Romania) – Daniel BERZOSA (Spian) Lleyton ULLMANN (Germany) 3:0 (11:6 11:8 11:3) Milosz REDZIMSKI Alan KULCZYCKI (Poland) – Felix LEBRUN Flavien COTON (France) 2:3 (11:6 3:11 13:11 6:11 5:11)
