Semi finals In the semis on her first appearance at the Europe Top 16 Cup YU Fu beat the winner from the 2018 Bernadette SZOCS of Romania in thrilling match with lot of ups and downs (8:11 11:9 6:11 7:11 12:10 11:8 11:8). “I am in top 16 players for years but this is my first year when I am eligible to play for Portugal at the Europe Top 16 Cup. I am happy that I reached the final despite a very tough challenge I faced. I was dow 1:3 but I kept on fighting ” said YU Fu. With less drama in the second penultimate stage match Nina MITTELHAM overcame Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic (2:11 4:11 8:11 8:11) “I was very confident because in all previous encounters I beat her. Of course this was the semi final of the Top 16 and there were not guarantees. Day earlier Hana played at the top level and her performance here no one can underestimate. However when the match started I felt I am mentally much stronger. I am looking forward my match against FU. I think physically I am better right now but experience is on her side ” said Nina. In Men’s Event first semi final seeded no. three Patrick FRANZISKA who won the first three games withstood a spirited comeback from no. one seed Mattias FALCK to book his place in the final (8:11 8:11 11:13 11:6 11:9 8:11). “FALCK is the player who never gives up. He just played better and better as the match progressed. He improved everything in his game today and it was difficult to stop him ” said FRANZISKA. Marcos FREITAS overcame Emmanuel LEBESSON of France in straight games but not as easy as the result predicts (11:6 12:10 13:11 11:6). “ LEBESSON is the among very dangerous players for my game. It was very close especially in the third game. Now I am happy I managed to finish the match in four games and to gain some extra time to recover. Patric is playing very well here and he is very confident ” said FREITAS. Nina MITTELHAM and Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany clinched the titles at the POMEGRANATE Europe Top 16 Cup in Thessaloniki. In the final FRANZISKA overcame Marcos FREITAS of Portugal (12:10 11:8 11:6 11:13 11:5). “This was my best performance at the tournament. We played fantastic rallies but at the end all comes to small points and there I was mush better today ” said FRANZISKA. Nina MITTELHAM of Germany  won her first title in singles at the major European tournament after she already won gold in doubles and mixed doubles. In the final Nina overcame Portugal’s FU Yu (11:8 8:11 11:6 11:3 14:12). YU Fu who won the European Games in 2019 and was finalist in the EC women’s singles in 2016 could not find the game for Nina who came in Thessaloniki after withdrawal of Petrissa SOLJA and HAN Ying. “This victory is so important for me. For some time I am always close but now I finally won the title. It means so much to me for the future and for the European Championships. FU was strong today but I felt very well and I had full control ” said MITTELHAM. This is the first top 16 or12 in this century in which neither BOLL SAMSONOV or OVTCHAROV is playing. These 3 players won 13 of the 19 Tops played in this century (2013 was not played) and 8 from the last 9. The 9th was won by FREITAS in 2014. The other exceptions: SCHLAGER in 2000 and 2008 NAZE in 2004 SMIRNOV in 2005 and KREANGA in 2011.

  In the semi final of the POMEGRANTE Europe Top 16 Cup in Thessaloniki in men’s event tomorrow will play Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany vs. Mattias FALCK of Sweden and Marcos FREITAS of Portugal will meet Emmanuel LEBESSON of France. In women’s semi final FU Yu of Portugal will meet Bernadette SZOCS of Romania whilst Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic will face Nina MITTELHAM of Germany. Round of 16 Ruwen FILUS was in charge for the first upset of the day 16 Cup. In the opening match in Round of 16 FILUS who is seeded at the position no. 12 overcame no 8 seed Kristian KARLSSON 2:4 (8:11 6:11 11:6 6:11 11:5 5:11). “I beat him only once recently in the Bundesliga but before that his record against me was clear. I was afraid of his service game. Today I managed to find the game although it was very difficult after fifth game because the match could go both ways ” said FILUS. In the powerful exchange of rallies the duel between Jonathan GROTH of Denmark and Marcos FREITAS of Portugal brought a lot of good action but Dane failed to stop the favorite 2:4 (13:11 5:11 11:8 7:11 7:11 12:14). “The matches between us in Russia’s League were always close. I was expecting difficult match ” said FREITAS.   FU Yu of Portugal proved to strong in Thessaloniki for NI Xia Lian of Luxembourg – 2:4 (11:7 11:9 9:11 11:8 9:11 11:9) so NI exited the competition earlier than her rankings predicted. In the clash against FU Yu NI failed to hold the control over the match after being 2:0 up. FU recovered to level and to win the match. Bernadette SZOCS of Romania responded to very hard challenge from Yana NOSKOVA of Russia. Despite the 4:1 win it was very close encounter (11:9 13:11 11:13 11:6 11:7). Dora MADARASZ of Hungary changed her fortune. For a first time in her career she overcame last year’s silver medalists Britt EERLAND of Netherlands 2:4 (11:6 9:11 12:10 3:11 6:11 9:11). “We are playing against each other from the cadet’s category and I am so happy that I finally managed to beat her. My style of play is attacking but against Britt I could not play that way. I had to play save and to take care that every ball goes to the table ” explained Dora. Pure drama was seen in the match between Daniel HABESOHN of Austria and Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany 3:4 (8:11 11:5 11:7 7:11 11:4 9:11 17:19). The match concluded by narrowest margin after HABESOHN saved seven match points before he lost. ‘I thought I had a smart ideas how to play my service. It turned into the drama instead of victory but from the beginning I knew it will be difficult and I was ready for the fight” said FRANCISKA smiling at the end. Simon GAUZY of France faced Gionis PANAGIOTIS and more than enthusiastic crowd who cheered Greek starfrom full lungs . It gave GIONIS good win in the back at the beginning but from second game Simon took over the control 4:1 (6:11 11:7 11:4 11:9 11:6).   Georgina POTA of Hungary inflicted the pain in the harts of the host nation supporters by beating Alkaterina TOLIOU (11:6 13:15 8:11 11:7 12:10 11:9). Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic was in charge for another surprise after she halted the progress of Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania (11:8 11:8 11:6 12:14 11:8). Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria justified her status by beating SHAI Jieni of Portugal but she faced tough moments. Sofia was two games to one down but she recovered to win 4:2 (11:7 5:11 6:11 11:8 11:7 11:6). Nina MITTELHAM of Germany went full distance in the duel against Barbora BALAZOVA of Slovakia (7:11 11:9 10:12 12:10 11:9 5:11 11:7).   Darko JORGIC of Slovenia was at the top of the game against Andrej GACINA of Croatia (11:2 11:3 11:6 8:11 11:9). “We were together at the preparations for the European Championships and Olympic Games this year so there is no big secret between us when it comes to game. I had fantastic start of the match; I was in control in three opening games even had advantage 7:3 in the fourth. Then I lost the focus; managed to recover and faced problems again in the fifth game. I was 9:4 up before GACINA leveled to 9:9. He is very strong and if you do not play at the top he knows how to find the opportunity to attack ” said JORGIC. Liam PITCHFORD of England overcame Croatia’s Tomislav PUCAR (3:11 11:4 11:3 11:6 8:11 11:4) to move to the quarterfinals. In the last match of the round  Austria’s Robert GARDOS put Emmanuel LEBESSON of France under severe pressure but former European champion succeeded in six games (8:11 5:11 11:9 9:11 11:5 13:15). QUARTERFINALS In all German semi final Ruwen FILUS Patrick FRANZISKA 1:4 (11:9 7:11 7:11 6:11 5:11). “We were club mates for so long and we know each other so well. It was difficult game always hard for the attacker like me. It is my first semi final at the Top 16 and I had also to be thankful for the support I got here from the fans. They pushed me forward it was amazing ” said Patrick. FU Yu proved too strong for Dora MADARASZ (4:11 8:11 8:11 12:14). Dora managed to put some pressure only in the fourth game but then it was too late. Bernadette SZOCS performed at the top level against Ganna GAPONOVA (4:11 11:13 2:11 4:11 11:9). “It was long time since we played against each other so I spent all my time between matches today to study her game. I knew I had to be patient. I had to wait for the right ball because she could bring back million balls after my mistake. I beat her and it is important to me for so many reasons. Last time I had three players with defensive style of play

The draw for the 2021 POMEGRANATE European Top 16 Cup was conducted today in the Pomegranate Wellness Spa Hotel in Nea Moudania near Thessaloniki. In the Round of 16 top seed Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) will meet SHAO Jieni (Portugal) Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) will play against Yana NOSKOVA (Russia) Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) vs. Dora MADARASZ (Hungary) Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) vs. Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic) Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) vs. Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) vs. Ganna GAPONOVA (Ukraine) Georgina POTA (Hungary) vs. Aikaterini TOLIOU (Greece) NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) vs. FU Yu (Portugal). Top seed in Men’s Singles Event Mattias FALCK (Sweden) will meet Yang WANG (Slovakia) Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) will play against Ruwen FILUS (Germany) Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) vs. Patrick FRANZISKA (Germany) Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) vs. Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) vs. Robert GARDOS (Austria) Tomislav PUCAR (Croatia) vs. Liam PITCHFORD (England) Andrej GACINA (Croatia) vs. Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) Simon GAUZY (France) vs. Panagiotis GIONIS (Greece). The first matches of the Round of 16 starts at 9 am CET.

Number one seed at the 2021 POMEGRANATE European Top 16 Cup in Thessaloniki Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria is ready for this weekend’s challenges. “I like to play Top-16 tournament it is one of my favorite tournaments ” admitted POLCANOVA. “Last year in Montreux I was third and that is my best memories of the tournament so far.” Like every year the competition is fierce. “I don’t know if I am adjusted I think every player here is very strong and anyone can win. This year the competition is in a different country we moved to Greece this is new experience. In general I am happy that we are allowed to participate in Top-16 because of COVID-19. I am looking forward to the start of the tournament! “ This summer Sofia was at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “The Tokyo Olympics was of course something special. I am happy that it took place. It was strange and a little bit sad to play without spectators but that’s the situation now. My result was good considering my form at that moment. Of course I wanted to come further but in general I am satisfied with being in the last 16.” We ask her how she used her break. “I had 2 and half weeks rest after but the first week was a little bit stressful because I flew home for the opening of the first ever table tennis academy in Chisinau. It was very emotional. The other 10 days I enjoyed my time with family and friends ” stated Sofia POLCANOVA. The competition starts tomorrow. Watch it live on ettu.tv.  

Mattias FALCK of Sweden is at the top on the list of the favorites at the forthcoming 2021 POMEGRANATE Europe Top 16 Cup in Thessaloniki (Greece) on 18-19 September. This year it will be his fifth appearance at the tournament and he features as the number one seed. Last time in Montreux he was also the top seed but finished the tournament seventh. Timo BOLL Darko JORGIC and Robert GARDOS secured the top three places in Montreux. We asked FALCK how the pressure of being at the top of the list of seedings affects his performance. “I am getting used to it now. But it’s very close in Europe between the players so I know it will be a hard competition with hopefully a lot of tough matches ” said FALCK. “I am looking forward to playing in the Europe Top 16 Cup and playing against the best players in Europe. It’s a big title and I hope I can perform well.” FALCK played for a first time at the Top 16 in 2017 in Juan-Les-Pins Antibes. In Tokyo he reached the quarterfinal with the Sweden team and finished in the third round of the Singles Event. “The Tokyo Olympics was better than I thought. Of course it was not a “normal” Olympics but everything was good and I had a good experience there. The results could of course have been better but I’ve learnt a lot from there that will make me a better player. “ The base after the Olympics and before POMEGRANATE Europe Top 16 Cup in Thessaloniki is the same. “I took 10 days off after the Olympics and I was home in Halmstad recharging. I prepared with a lot of matches in Bundesliga and the same week as top 16 I had practice in Halmstad to come in a good shape.”      

On his seventh appearance at the POMEGRANATE Europe Top 16 Cup in Thessaloniki Panagiotis GIONIS has a chance for the first time to play in front of his home crowd. On 18 and 19 September the five-time Olympian will keep the Greek flag flying high in second biggest city in Greece. “It is amazing that Greece finally will host one of the biggest events in Europe and for me it will be very exciting that I will have the opportunity to play for first time in this level with the best players of Europe in front of the Greek public ” admitted GIONIS. GIONIS also pointed out that he expects the event will generate a lot of attention. “Thessaloniki is a very beautiful city and it is a great opportunity for the people of Greece not only table tennis fans to watch the best players of Europe live! I am sure that the venue will be a full house. In addition I am sure that it will be exciting like always and I am sure that the Greek Federation with the help of ETTU will organize everything perfectly.” The venue is YMCA Sports Center “Mimis TSIKINAS”. Despite his big international experience the European silver medalist has not had a chance to play there yet. “It will be the first time I will play in this venue and in Thessaloniki ” explained GIONIS who was born in Athens. From his previous six apparencies in the Europe Top 16 GIONIS singled out one memory in particular. “My fondest memory is from Baku 2014 when I won the bronze medal! My performance was amazing; I beat the legendary Vladimir SAMSONOV in the group stage and I had an amazing match in the semifinal against Dimitrij OVTCHAROV that I lost 4-3.” At the Olympics in Tokyo GIONIS beat Zolt PETE and Ahmed SALEH before he lost to JEOUNG Youngsik. “I had one of the best performances in my career and also the most unluckiest against JEOUNG Youngsik. For me it was very difficult after this defeat but this is the magic of sport and I have to live with this and to go through for new goals.” The Greek star took a short break after the Olympic Games in Japan. “I had a few days to rest but not as much as I would like. However always after the Olympics there is not enough time. On the other hand I’m very motivated for this season generally so I cannot wait to start. Right now I am in Greece with my teammates in the national team and I will try to enjoy it.”  

At the 2021 POMEGRANATE European Top 16 Cup Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS will fight for the title again on 18 and 19 September. The winner of the 2018 event will be the No. two seed this year in Thessaloniki. “I am very happy to play again at the Top 16 Cup. I want to win it again. When I learnt that we will play it this year it was great news for me ” said SZOCS. Asked about memories from the competition when she clinched her crown in Montreux Bernadette said: “I could not forget 2018 when I won the title but my memories from the year after that are also very vivid. In 2019 I was one step short from doing it twice in a row – I reached the final. It was hard but being second among the 16 best players in Europe is not that bad after all ” smiled Bernadette. SZOCS was a member of team Romania at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 this summer. “It was a very good tournament for me. In the singles and doubles I finished fifth. I did not manage to reach the medal rostrum but above us were only Asian players. That is something that makes me proud ” explained Romania’s young player. Bernadette used the short break after the Olympic Games for a little getaway to Egypt. “I went there to “chill” a bit and then I flew back quickly to start preparations. We have a very hard September with the Top 16 Cup and European Team Championships in Cluj Napoca. I want to defend our title and win it for the third time in a row in front of a home crowd. I have only gold on my mind and I prepare in order to achieve this.” How do you prepare? “My training is very hard but I also spend a lot of time watching the videos of matches. I am also very positive and I am trying to keep that attitude no matter what ” said SZOCS.