GV Hennebont TT started at the end of June with trainings. In the summer camp they respected the measures and restrictions during the Covid pandemic. The professional players practiced with national team (Cedric NUYTINCK Anders LIND Samuel WALKER) and Omar ASSAR had played Dusseldorf series. In France for the moment the mask is mandatory during traveling everyone must use hydro-gel as well as playing with a limited number of balls clean balls tables and separations after every practice showers and locker room are not allowed for the moment booking slots to play… The club prepares as best they can for the French Championship and the Champions League and they look forward to play with the new team. Only half of the team remained the same – Cedric NUYTINCK and Samuel WALKER will play together this season too. GV Hennebont TT welcomed two new players: Omar ASSAR and Anders LIND. FAN Sheng Peng and Quentin ROBINOT left the club. French club is in the same group with Borussia Dusseldorf. “It is always an honor to be in the group with Düsseldorf one of the greatest clubs in Europe. We are looking forward good fight with them. We are also looking forward to play in this new formula of Champions League. Our Goal is to reach semi final in this season ” said Marketing Manager Fabien BOUGUENNEC.
ETTU President Igor LEVITIN: Now is when the hard work begins
President Igor Levitin’s open letter to the Table Tennis Family Dear world table tennis family dear international sports community dear friends Following my election as ETTU President on 16 September I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have sent me your congratulations and best wishes. I have been touched by the support I have received. It is indeed a great honour to have been elected to this position and it is an immensely proud moment in my life. But now is when the hard work begins. European table tennis is in a difficult position as we are at a critical crossroads in our history; we must take the efficient approach to ensure we have a stronger and more prosperous future. Working with my colleagues in ETTU I am confident that we will find this path and take our sport into a new period of growth. Drawing from the wealth of expertise that exists within our sport we will innovate and embrace reform to ensure we attract new generations of players and fans and generate new revenues to reinvest into the ETTU family. Together we will deliver the collective change that European table tennis needs. I thank you again for you your support and wish you all good health. Yours in sport Igor Levitin ETTU President
Timo BOLL: We can expect very heavy season
Borussia Düsseldorf is in the Group stage of the Table Tennis Champions League Men with French GV Hennebont TT. Like everyone else they had a long break but as soon as situation improved they were on competition tracks. “In March we have been shocked. Suddenly it was not possible anymore to play any table tennis match or to practice. A few weeks later some players could come back to the training centre. In mid of June all the players in the training group could re-start and since that time the training is going on – all with respect to the health of all players coaches and people around. Borussia Düsseldorf started in June the tournament series „Düsseldorf Masters” to offer opportunities of playing competitions not only to practice. Finally several pro took this unique chance. Unfortunately we had injuries of Timo BOLL Kristian KARLSSON and Ricardo WALTHER so that these guys couldn´t prepare their shape for the upcoming season as we wished to ” explained PR Manager Alexander SCHILLING. What is the new routine under measures in your country? “There is no big difference in our routine comparing to the time before Corona. But we do it with less benefit and with more efforts because of many rules we have to follow as wearing masks staying at least 1 5m away from each other using disinfection for hands etc.” What is your plan for near future? “The German Bundesliga has started in the first week of the September. We know how important this is for every club for the players for the fans. So we hope that the season will run on a good way. We are looking forward to TTCL season which will be different to National league because of travelling in Europe travelling in countries with high infection rates. We think that we have to find another way to play this TTCL season 2020/21. “ The line-up of Borussia Düsseldorf is nearly the same as last: Timo BOLL Kristian KARLSSON Ricardo WALTHER Anton KÄLLBERG and Kamal ACHANTA will play for the club in Europe this season. Omar ASSAR left to Hennebont. In the Group stage favorites from Germany will play onl against two clubs. “It is not allowed to lose one match to reach the semifinals. And this will be very interesting for all favorites. Hennebont is strong and we had many duels in the past. The second team in the group we don´t know so far.” Timo BOLL: „It will be a very interesting season. The last one was influenced by Covid 19 and the new one will also influenced by this virus. No one knows what will be in four weeks in three months next summer. If the Olympic Games will take place World and European Championships the new ITTF-Competitions TTCL Bundesliga and Cup – the schedule will be very very full of dates. Then it will be a heavy year.”
EUROPE YOUTH TOP 10: Europe’s talents in Germany for the third time
The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) as organiser the German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB) as host and local club ttc berlin eastside will jointly host the ranking tournament Europe Youth Top 10 from 9 to 11 October with the 40 best young players on the continent including four Germans. The second weekend in October will see the 36th edition of the European ranking tournament. After events in Löhne in 1993 and 1999 the tournament will be held in Germany for the first time after 21 years. At the most important continental tournament after the European Championships four prestigious titles will be awarded in the German capital in the categories Junior Girl Junior Boys Cadet Girls and Cadet Boys. In the 35-year history of this traditional event German players have won 18 gold medals and a total of 38 medals. Prominent names on the list of winners include the stars Timo BOLL Dimitrij OVTCHAROV Patrick FRANZISKA Petrissa SOLJA and Sabine WINTER who are still competing internationally. As things stand at present host Germany will be represented in the Berlin sports hall on Anton-Saefkow-Platz with at least four youngsters among the total of 40 participants including even two players who have already entered the winners’ list. Kay Stumper who intends to defend his title in the Junior Boys’ competition will be at the start as will Sophia KLEE who was successful in the 2017 Cadet Girls’ competition. As in the previous year Annett KAUFMANN who won silver in her debut in the youngest class in 2019 would like to have a say in the awarding of the Cadet Girls’ title. Fourth in the German quartet will be Lleyton ULLMANN int the Cadet Boys’ event who unlike the three other DTTB aces is not directly qualified but the place for the host association. The current top favourites in the four categories are the leaders of the European ranking: Samuel KULCZYCKI from Poland (Junior Boys) Isa COK from France (Junior Girls) Darius MOLIVEANU from Romania (Cadet Boys) and Anna BRYSKA from Poland (Cadet Girls). Three rounds per day will be played in Berlin according to the ‘everyone against everyone’ system. All matches are player in the system ‘best of five’ Cadet-categories play in the morning Junior-categories in the afternoon and early evening. Two of the five tables will be streamed live on Laola1.tv for the entire tournament. With ttc berlin eastside an experienced organiser is dedicating itself to the exclusive meeting of talents. President Alexander TEICHMANN is looking forward to the tournament: “Through women’s table tennis at the highest level in the Bundesliga and Champions League but also through the organisation of international matches and the German Championships 2018 we are very familiar with the organisation of top events in Berlin. We are looking forward to hosting Europe’s youth elite in October and we are well prepared in every respect also with regard to the conditions caused by the Covid 19 pandemic”.
Step by step for K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo
Poland’s K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo will meet TTC Enfireex Ostrava of Czech Republic in the opening round of the Table Tennis Champions League Men. The club is stronger for two top players – Jakub DYJAS and Croatia’s Andrej GACINA whilst WANG Yang and Paweł FERTIKOWSKI left the team. “Past few months were very difficult for everyone. It was challenging period but everyone from the club gave their best to stay in good shape as much as it is possible. Each player has individual program regarding to practice during the lockdown ” explained DYJAS. Like Champions League the schedule for Polish League changed also so club could only wait for updated information. “From beginning of August everybody starts to find themselves back in sports routines. In Poland situation is stable but the number of Coronavirus cases are still quite high. We have fewer restrictions but still everybody is obligated to wear the mask in indoor public places like grocery stores shopping malls etc…” What is the goal for this season? “First of all we try to focus on our goals in Polish league and after first few rounds we will prepare for Champions League opening round game. We can only speak about near future because situation regarding pandemic is changing very fast.”
Big venue gift for the Tagnarog fans
The new season is another déjà vu for TMK-TAGMET Taganrog (RUS). The club experienced similar situation in the 2014/2015 season when they joined the European League for the first time and it resembles the time when TMK-TAGMET from Taganrog played for the first time in the European Cup. “However for the start in the European Cup we were technically prepared and we expected to play in that event whilst participation in the European Champions League was a surprise for us and the club is not quite ready technically for the strongest European League ” explained coach Sergey BELOVOL. This primarily concerns the arena “Our matches will not be played in our home and successful arena “Admiral” but in another venue which complies with the European Champions League regulations on the number of seats. There are some other technical difficulties concerned more stringent requirements for matches in the Champions League. We are working and we hope that we will have time to do everything before the start of the games.” Club always try to pay maximum attention to local audience. “At every international match TMK-Tagmet fans creates a full house. Taganrog spectators were expecting the semifinal match for the European Cup which was not destined to take place due to the pandemic. Therefore a more spacious arena as well as the arrival of the best clubs in Europe will be a reward for the audience for almost half a year of absence of table tennis in Taganrog. We hope that the local restriction on the number of spectators in the sports tribunes will be removed by the first match of the League.” Coach Sergey BELOVOL is pleased to announce that this summer a new arena has been opened on the ground of the Tagmet enterprise for the employees of the enterprise including a table tennis training hall. “We cannot say for sure that the training and tournament level is similar to the semi-final level of the 2019/2020 season. For example unlike Austria just the other day the decision to cancel the Russian Cup was published. Although this is not due to the pandemic but to a large number of postponed events and as a consequence the planned arena is very busy according to the schedule.” The TMK-TAGMET team is in the position 2 in group C. The no. one in this group is TT Saint Quentinois from France and Taganrog fans are already waiting for Polina MIKHAILOVA’s team. “Regarding the composition of the TMK-TAGMET team for the 2020/2021 season. We like some other European clubs are limited only on local players from Russia. The experienced and reliable Yulia PROKHOROVA is still with us obviously progressing Anastasia KOLISH and the most successful player of the 2019/2020 European Cup quarterfinals TMK-TAGMET vs SH–ITB Budaörsi 2i SC Margarita FETUKHINA stayed also. This season they will be accompanied by Olga KULIKOVA. This is the main composition. A few more players will be in reserve.” The club’s goals for the 2020/2021 season? “It is difficult for a newcomer to the League to plan something. In the European Champions League 2020/2021 TMK-TAGMET will first of all strive to confirm the high European rating.”
ETTU reinforced ITTF Board of Directors with table tennis aces
All the elections successfully concluded yesterday during the ETTU Congress. The new circumstances and online premiere of the Congress did not affect the working process. Newly elected President is Igor LEVITIN and Deputy President is Pedro MOURA. Vice President for Finances is Sandra DEATON. Vladimir SAMSONOV joined ETTU Executive Board by becoming Vice President alongside Sonja GREFBERG Miguel VICENS Heike AHLERT and Ina JOSEPSON. In four years term members of the Board of the Directors will be Jörgen PERSSON (SWE) Claude BERGERET (FRA) Cristinel ROMANESCU (ROU) Lucjan BŁASZCZYK (POL) Heike AHLERT (GER) Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC (SRB) and Sonja GREFBERG (FIN). ETTU also awarded Badges of Honour 2020: Vincas FRANCKAITIS (LTU) Member of Executive Committee of Lithuania TT Federation Started umpiring in 1959 ITTF International Umpire 1990 Blue Badge status 2011 Has officiated at 12 World Championships and more than 25 ETTU events Leader of ‘Banga’ TTC Kaunas Established and curator of museum of Table Tennis history in Kaunas Zbigniew NECEK (POL) Graduated at University of Technology and Sport Academy i Three times head coach of Polish Women National Team (1994 – 1996 2008-2009 2018- ) Runner up with team in ECC in Stuttgart 3rd place with team in Minsk Coach at Olympics in Beijing 2008 London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 (qualified also to Tokyo) From 1987 until now coach and manager of KTS Tarnobrzeg: 29 times Polish Champion Winner of Champions League and ETTU Cup. Andreja OJSTERSEK URH (SLO) As a player won more than 20 national titles in singles doubles mixed doubles and team events 2006-2009 Women’s National Team Coach Slovenia 2009-2013 Junior Girls National Team Coach Italy 2011-2013 Women’s National Team Coach Italy 2014-2017 Junior boys National coach Slovenia 2017-2020 Senior boys National coach Slovenia (Best player: Darko Jorgic) Joze URH (SLO) As a player won more than 20 national titles in singles doubles mixed doubles and team events played as professional in Switzerland Italy and Austria 1989-2001 Club coach in Italy 2001-2007 Responsible for Slovenian table tennis centre (men and women) and main coach for men`s team. 2007-2012 Cadet and mini cadet boys coach Italy responsible for coaching education program in Italy 2012-2017 Responsible for Slovenian table tennis centre and Slovenian youth national team. From 2019 working as responsible coach with Italian cadet girls team
President LEVITIN: Table tennis has been my passion my whole life
At the ETTU Congress held for a first time online due to the COVID-19 pandemic Russia’s Igor Levitin was today elected President of the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) for a four-year term. President Levitin is also member of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President’s Advisory Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Table Tennis Federation of Russia. In his first interview as a newly-elected President he talked about the forthcoming challenges. President LEVITIN what motivated you to take charge of ETTU in such a delicate moment when COVID 19 caused one of the biggest crises in our sport? “Table tennis has been my passion my whole life. I have always felt strongly about ensuring that table tennis in Europe is in the strongest possible position. This was my ambition before COVID-19 and the global pandemic has only strengthened my resolve to help European table tennis overcome the challenges it is facing. I humbly believe that with the collective experience and expertise of the new ETTU Executive Board we can deliver the change that European table tennis needs ” explained President LEVITIN. Where this crisis took us and what is your view of the current situation in Europe table tennis? “Table tennis like all sports is facing significant challenges because of the current global pandemic. Outgoing President Mr Kramer did a lot for the development of European Table Tennis. But I think everyone in the ETTU family agrees we have a lot more potential we have not yet realised. Now because of the challenges table tennis is facing due to the global Pandemic it is more important than ever that we encourage innovation and embrace change so we can emerge stronger.” Your vision of new ETTU comprises two key pillars – innovation and influence. Can you please explain us the basic of your mission in future period? “My vision for the ETTU was developed in collaboration with the ETTU family. I believe we all share a common desire to deliver the change that European table tennis needs at this time to achieve this the two pillars I identified are: growing sustainably through innovation; and raising the ETTU’s international influence. It is clear to me that if we are going to grow we must innovate. We must try new things and push boundaries if we are to engage new audiences and expand beyond where we are currently. And if we want to secure our long-term potential we need to raise our influence. We need a stronger voice and to take control of our future.” You expressed the optimism during your campaign that we can seize this opportunity to make the changes to ensure our sport’s return even stronger. Your manifesto includes a lot of innovations literally all the segments of our sport will be affected by the changes and it starts from the engaging a modern generation of fans. Can you explain how to do it? “If we are going to grow and achieve our potential we must be ambitious. We must strive for excellence and push ourselves collectively. That is why I want to harness the experience and expertise within the ETTU and undertake a review of our sport and explore new competition models. We are living in a digital age in which sport is consumed in a completely different way to how it was 10 or 20 years ago. We need to respond to these changes and maximise the opportunities they present to put fan engagement particularly young fans at the forefront of our attention. Whether they are a spectator a viewer or a participant we need to concentrate our efforts on keeping today’s youth excited and involved. Just as the ITTF is doing with World Table Tennis we need to be ambitious and ensure we elevate European table tennis to new standards.” The level of development between European member Associations is very different and you proposed the innovations that will help smaller federation. How can we help them? “As you say our Member Federations are at different stages of development. We need to recognise that and provide opportunities for our developing federations. Because the stronger they are the stronger European Table Tennis is as a whole. I have proposed launching an ETTU tournament for smaller federations who are the majority in Europe so that they have regular opportunities to compete and develop their athletes. This is something we will be working on in the future.” Professional players and coaches are also included in your mission. You announced you will make sure their voices to be heard? “Athletes are at the heart of our sport and coaches are vital to their development Therefore it is critical we listen to our athletes and coaches so they can guide the development of our sport. I want to ensure our event formats competitions calendars anti-doping policies and much more are all developed with athletes in mind. Athletes and coaches need to be represented not only in Athletes and Coaches Commissions but also in our working bodies so they can contribute to the building process of a stronger Europe. I would like to thank Vladimir Samsonov for his intent and interest in ETTU work. I am sure he will bring a valuable view from the athletes’ side.” What is your vision of the future of European Championships? “The European Championships can play a major role in helping us attract young people to play and stay in table tennis. I would therefore like to secure financial investments to improve the organisation and presentation of the European Youth Championships. In addition I plan to allocate my Presidential compensation to increase prize money to support active participation in the ETTU Under 18 and Under 15 Championships. All together this will help improve the pathway for young talent from across Europe and attract more young people to our sport. “ How can we improve Championships
Newly-elected ETTU President Igor Levitin promises innovation as he looks to elevate European table tennis
First online ETTU Congress was held today Russia’s Igor Levitin was today elected President of the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) for a four-year term. The ETTU Congress was held online for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world looks to emerge from this crisis President Levitin shared a vision comprising of two key pillars – innovation and influence – that will provide certainty and strength for the European table tennis family in the years ahead. As ETTU President he has pledged to grow the sport throughout Europe in a sustainable way and enhance the voice of Europe on the global stage. President Levitin is a member of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President’s Advisory Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Table Tennis Federation of Russia. Standing unopposed for the ETTU Presidency he was elected after a vote by the Congress. In the current challenging times facing the whole sports movement newly-elected President Levitin wants to inspire optimism by embracing new ideas and implementing changes that will develop table tennis across Europe. His manifesto outlines his determination to: Engage with a modern generation of fans and attract young people to the sport; Place athletes at the heart of all key decisions; Empower member associations and increase ETTU influence on the global stage; Grow and promote women’s table tennis; Increase transparency and become an example of good governance; Increase revenues for reinvestment to European table tennis; Develop a fairer quota system in the sport. Following his election President Levitin said: “First of all I would like to thank the ETTU family for placing their trust in me to lead our organisation. Sport like all aspects of society has been affected deeply by the COVID-19 pandemic and we need strength and unity to drive European table tennis forward. This period of disruption has allowed us to think about our sport’s future and the necessary changes to maximise our potential as a continent. “I humbly believe that with the collective experience and expertise of the new ETTU Executive Board we can deliver the changes that European table tennis needs. I am convinced that if we work together in a true partnership our sport will enter into a new period of growth which will see more young people becoming professional players more people watching our sport and greater revenues generated to reinvest into the ETTU family.” Newly elected Deputy President is Pedro MOURA (POR). The ETTU Congress also elected six ETTU Vice Presidents: Sandra Deaton (ENG) – Vice President for Finance Heike Ahlert (GER) – Vice President Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) – Vice President Sonja Grefberg (FIN) – Vice President Ina Jozepsone (LAT) – Vice President Miguel Vicens (FRA) – Vice President
Largest specialized table tennis hall in the Czech Republic opened in Havířov
Czech Republic National Table Tennis Training Center was officially opened yesterday. From the end of June 2020 already players began to use the indoor facilities of the venue in Havířov under strict hygienic conditions. In July the women’s national teams from Poland and Hungary as well as the men’s team from Austria trained in the hall. The first tournaments took place in August. Natalia PARTYKA from Poland Maria MIGOT from France and Neven CEGNAR Development manager of European Table Tennis Union also trained in the hall. The grand opening was attended by President of Moravian-Silesian Region Mr. Ivo VONDRAK Mayor town of Havirov Mr. Josef BELICA president of Czech TTA Mr.Zbyněk SPACEK and ETTU Vice-president Mr. Nikolas ENDAL. The management of the association have been talking about the construction of the National Training Center for many years. It was necessary for further improvement of the training of athletes not only of the Havířov club but especially for camps of national teams of all categories. “We have assembled a team of experienced coaches most of whom work for the Czech national team. Players regularly train under the leadership of Josef PLACHÝ Petr NEDOMA Renáta ŠTRBÍKOVÁ Marek KLÁSEK Kamil KOUTNÝ Ján MEDVECKÝ or Marek ČÍHÁK. And fitness coach Patrik KAIZAR is also available ” said Nikolas ENDAL Czech Table Tennis Association 1st Vice President and ETTU Vice President. In addition the center offers the possibility of sports for the public. It has a regular floorball court there is the opportunity to play tennis badminton and many other indoor sports. The area of sports facilities is 2000 square meters and it is possible to place up to thirty-two tables. The background offers area of 1500 square meters. The sports hall is built on a so-called green field. It is the largest specialized table tennis hall in the Czech Republic. “I dare to say that not only in the Czech Republic. Its parameters are among the five largest and most modern sports facilities for national table tennis centers in Europe. The construction cost over 4.5 million euros and the costs were paid through subsidies from the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports of the state from the Statutory City of Havířov the Moravian – Silesian Region and the SKST Havířov club itself ” continues Nikolas ENDAL. He admits that the intention to build a modern stand for table tennis has always been his dream. “I have been working as a manager of the Havířov table tennis club for twenty years. All this time I had a big dream to create a specialized hall for this sport in Havířov. A hall that matches its parameters with similar centers in Europe. I believe it will become a popular training center not only for Czech players but also that foreign clubs and national teams will come to us. The first weeks have shown that everyone likes the hall and appreciates its quality equipment and above all its dimensions. There is no such thing in the Czech Republic.” Several modern sports grounds not only in the Czech Republic but also in the Moravian-Silesian Region have grown in recent years. The National Table Tennis Training Center is one of them. Table tennis has a huge tradition in this region and with the construction of the National Table Tennis Training Center it has gained a unique sports ground that can be envied throughout the Czech Republic. The complex includes accommodation for athletes a bistro for athletes a rehabilitation line a gym a video analysis room and office space for employees of the Czech Table Tennis Association.
