, On Tuesday night, Hotel Novi Sad was the venue for the draw for the Tamanneftegas Women’s Europe Cup to be played this week in Serbia’s city of Novi Sad. In Group A the leading club is CP Lyssois Lille Métropole (France), followed by the hosts TTC Novi Sad (Serbia), and A.S.D. Tennistavolo Norbello (Italy). In Group B at position no. 1 is SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club (Hungary) and it is the only group with two clubs. The secon one is Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT (France).In Gropup C are TTC Carinthiawinds Villach (Austria), Alicante TDM (Spain) and Saint-Denis Us 93 Tennis De Table (France).In Group D SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin (Czech Republic) leads the standings followed by ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari (Italy) and Asea Sarises Florinas (Greece). The tournament commences on Thursday 6th May with the Group stages whilst the knock out stage will be played on weekend – quarterfinals on Saturday and semifinal and final on Sunday.
SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club aiming for medal
, The Hungarian SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club coming to Novi Sad at the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Women Final with the strongest team: Georgina PÓTA, Sabina SURJÁN, Maria FAZEKAS and Petra LOVAS. They are all in a good shape and currently are in the leading position in Hungary. After giving birth to her little girl in last June Georgina PÓTA will now be playing big international matches again. “Our club will organize, on 12-13 June in Budaörs, the “Final Four” of the national Hungarian league for woman and man teams. We are confident that our team can win at home and with that victory we will be five times Hungarian champions, and the most successful Hungarian women’s team of the last 15 years. Regarding Covid situation we were lucky, because behind closed doors, athletes were allowed to train, and the management of the city of Budaörs supported our work”, explained Team Manager Krisztina SZVITAN. In Novi Sad the club will go for the medal rostrum. In the season 2018/19 they succeeded to the bronze in Europe Cup. The SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club goal is to win a medal. There are a lot of good teams but we want the brightest medal possible. We are aware it certainly won’t be easy. We have played against several teams in the past Hodonin, Villach, Etival…The most memorable was against Etival Clairefontaine where we lost by point difference in the ETTU Cup quarterfinal.”
Long break caused by Pandemic keeps the expectations low
, French SDUS 93 Tennis de Table reached the final of the French League and they are looking forward the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Women Final to justify their good shape. The club will be one of 11 participants at the forthcoming tournament in Novi Sad to be staged in Spens from 6th to 9th May. “We have a very young team. This is the first time we participate the Europe Cup. Everyone has been preparing and looking forward to it for a long time, we are in good shape,” said coach Qiwen XIAO. It has been rough period for everyone, concerning COVID pandemic and restrictions. “During this epidemic period, it’s not easy for everyone, two of our team members have been infected, but we always try our best in every training, added XIAO. “Regarding our goal in this competition, the result will not be so important for us. I hope our players will play the best they can in every game and they will seized the opportunity to improve their game through this competition.” For Greek ASEA Sarises Florinas will play Judith LIU, Chrysi FOTIADOU and Romane LE SCOUR “French girls are without training for a long of time, whilst 16-years FOTIADOU started with trainings two months ago and she is in a good shape,” explained Marketing Manager Giaser ELSAMI. In Greece, the club had a chance to play only three matches before the Championships was cancelled. “Everything was closed, we did not have a chance to play not to have trainings, “added ELSAMI.”We are just happy to have opportunity to play in Europe and we promises the players will give their best. We played in ETTU Cup previously in 2017 and 2018, but never reached third phase. From adversaries who is coming to Novi Sad so far, we only met hosts and we lost to Novi sad in straight matches in season 2016/17.” The tournament gathered 12 teams: Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT (France) , ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari (Italy), Alicante TDM (Spain), TTC Novi Sad (Serbia), A.S.D. Tennistavolo Norbello (Italy), Asea Sarises Florinas (Greece), Saint-Denis Us 93 Tennis De Table (France), SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin (Czech Republic), CP Lyssois Lille Métropole (France), SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club (Hungary) and TTC Carinthiawinds Villach (Austria).
Two Italian clubs at the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Women Final in Novi Sad
, Two Italian clubs will play at the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Women Final: Tennistavolo Norbello A.S.D. and ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari. In Novi Sad will also play Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT (France) , Alicante TDM (Spain), TTC Novi Sad (Serbia), Asea Sarises Florinas (Greece), Saint-Denis Us 93 Tennis De Table (France), as well as SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin (Czech Republic), CP Lyssois Lille Métropole (France), SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club (Hungary) and TTC Carinthiawinds Villach (Austria) teams who relegated from the Champions League. Tennistavolo Norbello A.S.D. will be presented by Chiara COLANTONI of Italy, Krisztina NAGY of Hungary and Aikaterini TOLIOU of Greece from 6th to 9th May. “TOLIOU and NAGY are playing in their good shape, but COLANTONI just returns from a long injury. She is well now, but still fresh after recovery,” said President of the club Simone CARRUCCIU. Currently club occupies fourth position in the Italian League. “In Italy we are playing the Serie A1 championship with some difficulties like everyone else, but we play. Trainings are done regularly. As for the performance of the Club, we have suffered a lot from the logistical problems caused by Covid, generating numerous additional costs.” The club’s best position so far at the ETTU-Europe Cup is quarterfinal. “Now the goal is to perform at the best possible level and to try to pass the Group stage. Do you play against other clubs in recent past? “ We played 12 official matches with the other Italian team, Quattro Mori. The record is 9 wins for Tennistavolo Norbello, 2 wins for Quattro Mori and one draw,” stated President Simone CARRUCCIU. In ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari team will be Tania PLAIAN, JIAN Wei and Rossana FERCIUG and they hope to reach the quarterfinal like they did last year.
First title for Omar ASSAR at Dusseldorf Masters
, Egypt’s veteran Omar ASSAR entered the list of winners of the Düsseldorf Masters for the first time, but two DTTB talents made remarkable appearances in the limelight of the fourth edition in 2021. The 20-year-old finalist Cedric MEISSNER and the 18-year-old Kay STUMPER turned the seeding list upside down with their successes over the world-class players Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Kanak JHA and Dang QIU. Sporadic falls of favorites have enriched the Düsseldorf Masters since its premiere last year, but the elimination of three top seeders is unique in the tournament’s history to date. Cedric MEISSNER had the lion’s share of this. He overcame US star Kanak JHA and Germany’s penholder ace Dang QIU (Grünwettersbach) as it did two weeks against the world number 15. Liam PITCHFORD (England). MEISSNER was happy with his good performance: “My record against Kanak was 1: 2 before. I was good in the long rallies today and was also a bit lucky in the decisive game. But overall it was a very good game of mine. That also applies to the match against Dang. He had some problems with my serves. In the third set I broke down a bit, but I was able to fight my way back. It’s a shame that it wasn’t enough in the final against Omar, but there are still a few more tournaments to come. Omar deservedly won the final. “ The Egyptian, who is ranked 42nd in the world, prevailed in the final in four games and was happy about his first ever Masters success after losing a final four times in 2020 and 2021: “Finally! It’s a good feeling, that I won the final this time. I trained a lot this week and went into the tournament very optimistic. I had three good opponents today, but went into the games with a lot of self-confidence. Many thanks to Borussia and DTTB, that I was allowed to be there, especially with regard to my preparations for the Olympic Games. “ Judging by the World ranking positions, however, Kay STUMPER (Neu-Ulm) made the biggest coup today. The winner of the Europe Youth Top Ten 2020 threw the world number nine, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, out of the title race in the quarter-finals. The 2017 World Cup winner made up for the quick 2-0 set lead of the cheeky and carefree teenager, but game five went back to STUMPER with 11: 8, who said: “I got into it very well. Because Dima and I have been training a lot together lately, we know each other very well. That was particularly noticeable in the service and return game. Actually, I could have closed the game in the fourth set. That’s why I’m special glad that I was able to win the decisive set against Dima. “ In the subsequent semifinals, however, the hurdle was too high for Stumper. The winner of the third Masters edition was defeated by the multiple African champion Omar ASSAR in four games. After a break on the next Sunday, the fifth Düsseldorf Masters will be held on May 16 in the ARAG CenterCourt. Düsseldorf Masters 4/2021 Final Omar ASSAR – Cedric MEISSNER 3: 1 (-10,5,3,9) Semifinals Qiu DANG – Cedric MEISSNER 1: 3 (-9, -6.5, -9) Omar Assar – Kay Stumper 3:1 (5,-11,10,7) Quarterfinal Dang QIU – Kirill FADEEV 3:0 (4,6,5) Kanak JHA – Cedric MEISSNER 0:3 (-10,-8,-7) Omar ASSAR – Benno OEHME 3:0 (-4,4,5,8) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Kay STUMPER 2:3 (-6,-10,7,9,-8)
Champions League participants looking for a second chance for the trophy in Europe
, Between 6th and 9th May 12 clubs will fight for the title at the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Women Final in Novi Sad. Four clubs, SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin (Czech Republic), CP Lyssois Lille Métropole (France), SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club (Hungary) and TTC Carinthiawinds Villach (Austria) relegated from the ChampionsLeague Women Final played in the bubble tournament last December in Linz. Austria’s TTC Carinthiawinds Villach is coming to Novi Sad to seek for a second chance in Europe at the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Women Final this season with Austria’s 14 years old Kiara SEGULA, Ivana MALOBABIC of Croatia, Anna FENYVESI of Serbia and Champions League Liudmila KIRITSA of Russia. “We played in the first Bundesliga for 28 years, 25 times internationally, including Champions League in the last two years,” reminded us Manager Werner FEUERABEND. “We were often Austrian runner-up and once cup winners and were in the semifinals of the ETTU Cup last year.” The year of the greatest success for the club was 1995 when the team was voted for the best club of the Year in Carinthia. Currently they are second in the Bundesliga Austria. The list of clubs at the at the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Women Final goes on with Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT (France) ,Tecnigen Linares (Spain), ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari (Italy), Alicante TDM (Spain), TTC Novi Sad (Serbia), A.S.D. Tennistavolo Norbello (Italy), Asea Sarises Florinas (Greece), Saint-Denis Us 93 Tennis De Table (France).
Inga NAVICKIENĖ re- elected President of the Lithuanian Table Tennis Association
, The Lithuanian Table Tennis Association held an elective General Assembly with 26 members with the right to vote taking part. There was one candidate for the position of the President – Inga NAVICKIENĖ. 25 members voted in favor, 1 abstained. NAVICKIENĖ was re-elected by a majority of votes. Evaldas SKYRIUS and Žygimantas MALECKAS were elected Vice-Presidents. Justė MAŽEIKIENĖ was re-elected Secretary General. Viktor FRIZEL was elected chair of the board of coaches. There were two candidates for the position of the Chairman of the Chamber of Judges: Šarūnas STANKEVIČIUS and Gediminas GÉPECKAS. A secret ballot was held, after which it became clear that the two candidates had received the same number of votes. The statutes of the LSTA provide that in such cases the president has the deciding vote. NAVICKIENĖ chose table tennis judge. There were 8 candidates for the members of the Executive Board. It was decided to vote by secret ballot and the following candidates were elected: Aurelija KYBARTAITĖ, Lina SABALIAUSKIENĖ, Gabrielė MATUKAITYTĖ – KLIMIENĖ, Matas SKUČAS, Matas VILKAS. The chairman of the Legal and Ethics Commission is Paulius GŪRA, other members of the commission are: Auksė GECEVIČIŪTĖ and Monika MAZUR. Ingrida MAKNEVIČIENĖ, President of Jonava Table Tennis Club, has been elected the Chairperson of the Audit Commission, and Lorenas VISMANTAS (coach of Akmenė SC) and Eugenijus JAFIMOVAS (President of the Lithuanian Veterans’ Union) will work with the Board.
CP Lyssois Lille Métropole in pursuit for another title at the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup
, From 6th to 9th May Serbia’s city of Novi Sad will be the host of the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Women Final. The tournament gathered 12 teams: Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT (France) ,Tecnigen Linares (Spain), ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari (Italy), Alicante TDM (Spain), TTC Novi Sad (Serbia), A.S.D. Tennistavolo Norbello (Italy), Asea Sarises Florinas (Greece), Saint-Denis Us 93 Tennis De Table (France), SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin (Czech Republic), CP Lyssois Lille Métropole (France), SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club (Hungary) and TTC Carinthiawinds Villach (Austria). The winners of the ETTU Cup trophy in season 2015/16, French CP Lyssois Lille Métropole topping the seedings list for the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Final. In the team will play Hungarian player Dora MADARASZ, Swede Linda BERGSTROM, Andrea TODOROVIC of Serbia and Agnès Le LANNIC of France led by coach Nicolas BAUDOUX. “The shape is getting better and better. I have had an overtraining injury in my foot, but it’s getting better every day so I will be ready for the Europe cup. We had two matches in French league in the end of March which we won and the team is looking forward to this competition. There are many strong teams playing next week, for example St Denis, Etival and Hodonin, so it will be many hard and exciting matches. Our goal is that the whole team have a good performance in Novi Sad and if we manage that we will have a chance to play for the title, “said Linda BERGSTROM. Pongiste Lyssois Lille Metropole Manager Franck SEYNHAEVE has no problem with the shape of the players before the start of the competition. “All girls are fine and we are looking forward to the start of the competition”, said Manager SEYNHAEVE. Despite optimism, Manager SEYNHAEVE remained cautious when we spoke about the outcome of the final in Novi Sad. “At this stage we hope we will finish in top four clubs. We have a good record against Stavoimpex Hodonin. We beat them in semifinal of the ETTU Cup in 2014 and in quarterfinal in 2017. This year in French League we beat Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT and lost to Saint-Denis Us 93.” After the Group phase, French pro League reached the final phase and the club is in good competitive swing. “We reached the ultimate phase of the League and I think, we will finish on sixth or fifth place among 12 teams. It has been difficult time, we all struggled with the COVID “situation”, but eventually we were able to organise the trainings and to play.”
Hosts from Novi Sad promises great fight
, The hosts of the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Women Final, Serbian champion, STK Novi Sad awaits 11 clubs from 6th to 9th May. In Serbia’s city of Novi Sad will play: Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT (France) ,Tecnigen Linares (Spain), ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari (Italy), Alicante TDM (Spain), TTC Novi Sad (Serbia), A.S.D. Tennistavolo Norbello (Italy), Asea Sarises Florinas (Greece), Saint-Denis Us 93 Tennis De Table (France), SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin (Czech Republic), CP Lyssois Lille Métropole (France), SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club (Hungary) and TTC Carinthiawinds Villach (Austria). The host club will be presented by Tijana JOKIĆ, Aneta MAKSUTI, Alina ZAHARIA, Radmila TOMINJAK. Asked about current shape of the players, coach Slobodan STOJANOV was satisfied. “I can only judge from what I see at the trainings, concerning the fact that we did not have the cahnce for control matches. From what I see, we awaits our adversaries ready for the good matches,” said coach Slobodan STOJANOV. The team is looking forward playing at the home soil, but regrets they will not be able to repeat the atmosphere from the last season. “Last time we played here in Europe Cup we beat Spanish Linares in front of 7.000 spectators. It was magical moment. Overall we lost that match, but playing in front of so much enthusiastic fans was something we cannot forget” said STOJANOV. The club is currently at the leading position in National League, but all the players are aware of level of clubs coming to play at the Europe Cup final. “Europe Cup is a huge challenge for us and I am happy we will have a such big event in Novi Sad. I am also sorry we will not be able to have our fans at the tribunes, nevertheless I cannot wait for the moment to play at European competition. Every team is very strong and a lot of players are in the European top rankings. That is why I do not want to look much further than group stage. To pass the first stage and reach knock out phase is our first goal,” said JOKIC.
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV on duty at 4th Düsseldorf Masters 2021
The finest table tennis awaits the fans on Sunday at the fourth edition of the Düsseldorf Masters 2021. Dang QIU US star Kanak JHA and Egypt’s idol Omar ASSAR three world-class players will challenge Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in the ARAG CenterCourt. Number nine in the ITTF rankings leads the field of eight participants at his second start to the Masters which is completed by four strong DTTB youngsters. The Düsseldorf Masters is a joint project between the host Borussia Düsseldorf and the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB). There is no play on the next Sunday events five six and seven will be played on May 16 23 and 30. As in the previous year all tournaments will be streamed completely and with multiple cameras live on sportdeutschland.tv on Borussia TV and on tischtennis.de. On-site spectators are not permitted due to the pandemic. The Schedule Quarter finals 10.00 a.m: Dang Qiu – Kirill Fadeev 10.30 a.m: Kanak Jha – Cedric Meissner 11.00 a.m: Omar Assar – Benno Oehme 11.30 a.m: Dimitrij Ovtcharov – Kay Stumper – about 30 minutes break – Semifinals 12.30 p.m: Winner Qiu / Fadeev – Winner Jha / Meissner 1 p.m: Winner Ovtcharov / Stumper – Winner Assar / Oehme – approx. 60 minutes break – Final 2.30 p.m. The participants The four top seed 1 Dimitrij Ovtcharov GER (Fakel Gazprom Orenburg RUS) 2 Kanak Jha USA (TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen) 3 Omar Assar EGY (GV Hennebont TT FRA) 4 Dang Qiu GER (ASV Grünwettersbach) The other participants Kiril Fadeev GER (Borussia Dortmund) Cedric Meissner GER (FSV Mainz 05) Benno Oehme GER (TTC RöhnSprudel Fulda-Maberzell) Kay Stumper GER (TTC Neu-Ulm)
