The ITTF Executive Committee met on Thursday 4th June 2020 to discuss the latest situation for international table tennis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon receiving a comprehensive update report from the COVID-19 Task Force which was set up to monitor the global situation closely and after deliberations with key stakeholders here are the key outcomes reached during the meeting: • The Executive Committee agreed to ask the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Busan to look for new dates to host the Hana Bank 2020 World Team Table Tennis Championships in the early months of 2021 due to the fact it would be unlikely that the majority of teams would be able to travel to Korea Republic in September 2020. • The ITTF will go ahead with holding its AGM on 28th September 2020. If the World Championships are postponed the AGM will be conducted online. • Once the situation regarding the World Championships is confirmed and with the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games also in mind the ITTF will look at an overhaul of its original 2021 calendar planning in the coming weeks. • In terms of the 2020 calendar the ITTF remains hopeful of staging full open international events in the last quarter of 2020. The ITTF is also investigating the possibility of holding alternative regionally based and invitational events earlier in 2020. • After a thorough consultation process with the active participation of the ITTF Athletes Commission the Executive Committee ratified the qualification system adjustments for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Once confirmed by the IOC and IPC respectively these qualification systems will be formally announced. • The Executive Committee through its foundation together with World Table Tennis (WTT) will be providing financial support for National Associations players and foundation projects affected by the COVID-19 crisis. More information will be announced soon. • In light of recent global events the ITTF underlines its zero-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination. The ITTF Executive Committee will meet again on 23rd June 2020 and will continue to provide further updates on all upcoming decisions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
EOC President Janez KOCIJANČIČ passed away
European sport community was deeply saddened by the death of European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Janez KOCIJANČIČ aged 78 on 1 June following a courageous battle against a sudden and severe disease. The Olympic Movement has lost a great ally; the world has lost a great man. “My sincere condolences on behalf of the European Table Tennis Union. We will miss Janež’s wisdom energy and drive in supporting European sports ” stated ETTU President Ronald KRAMER. The eighth President of the EOC KOCIJANČIČ was elected to the top post in November 2017 after four years as Vice President. He joined the EOC in 2005 as a Member of the Executive Committee. “Janez KOCIJANČIČ was a great ambassador and promoter of the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Values ” said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach. “He was a true believer in the Olympic values for education for peace and for social inclusion. “For me like many in the Olympic Movement he was a true friend and I deeply admired the dignified way he faced his illness. We will always remember and honour him and the Olympic flag will fly at half mast for this great man of our Olympic Movement.” During his term as President KOCIJANČIČ oversaw the successful staging in 2019 of the 2nd edition of the European Games in Minsk and European Youth Olympic Festivals (EYOF) in Baku and Sarajevo & East Sarajevo. “He has left a huge void in the heart of the Olympic Movement of Europe ” EOC Secretary General Raffaele PAGNOZZI said. “He will be remembered for his professionalism and wise vision in profoundly understanding the diversity between the European countries. His cultural and historical knowledge was of great benefit to the sport movement in Europe and helped lead it to a prominent position globally.” “Janez was a true friend for me and many other Members of the EOC Executive Committee ” Pagnozzi concluded. Kocijančič was highly praised for his unwavering belief in the power of sport and the unity of the Olympic Movement and for always drawing attention to the European National Olympic Committees outside of the EU when fighting for continent-wide improvements. He previously served as President of the National Olympic Committee of Slovenia (1991-2014) President of the Slovenian Ski Association (1974-1984) and President of the Yugoslav Ski Association (1984-1988). He was also a Member of the Council of the International Ski Federation (FIS) since 1981 and its Vice President since 2010. Since 2017 he was also the Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) for Europe. A lifelong fan and champion of sports who enjoyed playing tennis golf and skiing KOCIJANČIČ was recognised for his many years of service in 1984 when he received the Bloudek Award the highest sports honour in his native Slovenia. A lawyer by education KOCIJANČIČ had a successful career in both politics and business. Among other roles he was a Member of the Slovenian Government and Parliament from 1982-1997 and President of Adria Airways the national airline of Slovenia from 1982-1993. Since 1997 he was the President of JK Consulting Ltd. In 1990 KOCIJANČIČ received the highest award given by the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Slovenia for his contributions to the Slovenian economy. KOCIJANČIČ is survived by his wife Andreja son Gorazd and daughter Nike.
LINZ AG Froschberg prepares more surprises
Austria’s LINZ AG Froschberg reached the semi final of the European Champions League Women this year. Because of the Pandemic they could not fight for the title this year alongside TT Saint Quentinois KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg and TTC Berlin Eastside but by welcoming back LIU Jia in the club they revealed their ambitions for the next one. “From 13. March on we had to stop our table tennis routine. More than one month ago the Austrian National Team members could start again to practice under hard hygienic restrictions.The rest of the season was canceled because of the unsure reopening of the borders. It was the right thing to do because there is no real WECL match possible as long as players from other continents can`t come and also travel within European countris is not easy so far ” said President Günther RENNER. Marketing Manager Robert RENNER announced. “We`ll play WECL next season again because it`s just the best possible League to be part of. The new rules e.g. late registration of players and late start in the season is absolutely brilliant concerning the Corona circumstances. The crisis had a immense financial impact on us we lost approximately 80% of the media value. We hope that all the clubs will somehow survive the crisis and fight again for the prestigious crown of the Champions League. After LIU Jia`s homecoming we are ready to beat whoever might come in our way.” Robert RENNER added that the further details on club’s line up will be published later.
Croatia’s Tomislav PUCAR joined UMMC
This season last year’s runners up TTSC UMMC reached the semi final of the Table Tennis Champions League Men alongside with Germany’s 1. FC Saarbrücken TT and Borussia Düsseldorf and Russia’s Fakel Gazprom Orenburg. Unfortunately Pandemic destroyed their plans for this year. “In the last two months our players stayed at home so most of them did not have the opportunity to practice. But the club’s coaches were constantly in touch and gave them tasks for physical training ” explained Anastasia BELOVA on club’s Management behalf. The health situation in Russia is still very severe and the isolation regulations are very strict. “Unfortunately we have not started training yet. We really expect that in the near future we will have the opportunity to return to training.” Russia’s League is also interrupted. “We do not yet know whether the season of the Russian championship will be completed everything will depend on how soon all teams will be able to start training.” Andrej GACINA left the club and next season will play in Poland but UMMC has another Croat on their team line. “In the new season the UMMC roster will include Jonathan GROTH a young UMMC trainee Alexander TYUTRYUMOV who won the second place in the Russian championship. We are also very pleased to announce that Tomislav PUCAR will play for the UMMC club. In the next season we hope that we will be able to perform well in the Champions League our team always sets the bar high and competes for the highest places. Athletes will try to show a fine play to make our fans happy.” After PUCAR signed UMMC have further strengthened the team. Liam PITCHFORD joined Russia’s club after he spent the season in Japan. Liam said: “I’ve known Jonathan since we were growing up. We lived together in Germany when we were younger and then when I was based in Copenhagen we were together a lot. He’s been trying to get me out to Russia for a few years and now is the right time. We’ve got a good young team. Obviously there are a lot of strong teams and it’s not going to be easy but if we play well there’s a chance of going far in the competition. It’s another challenge I’m looking forward to it.”
Timo BOLL won first Dusseldorf Masters
Germany’s Timo BOLL triumphed at the first tournament at the Dusseldorf Masters. In the final no. one seed overcame his compatriot Steffen MENGEL. “It was a good final Menzi put up a lot of resistance. There was a good level and some really top-class rallyes. I really had to work hard to bring the game home. I’m really very happy with the first competition in a long time ” said Timo BOLL. Steffen MENGEL (after the final):”Timo played well I think the match was nice to watch. All in all I had my chance in the first game when Timo was down and changed hands. There were one or two points that could have been mine. In the end Timo played really strong and deserved to win.” On the second day of play Dang QIU caused the biggest upset by beating no. two seed Dimitrij OVTCHAROV after five games battle. Dang QIU (after his victory in the quarter finals):”I definitely played very well. It was difficult for both of us: We both know each other very well and also train together a lot. There is little to hide. Which plays into my cards because he’s actually a little better.” Dimitrij OVTCHAROV explained and pointed at the good side. “In any case it was a close and good match. I didn’t start so well into the match. I’m still lacking my usual rhythm in a competition but there is still enough time left to get into shape. These competitions are definitely good for me to improve even more.” The next Düsseldorf Masters start on Monday 08.06.2020. ROUND OF 16 Benedikt DUDA (5) – Gerrit ENGEMANN (13) 3:0 (11:4; 11:7; 12:10) Steffen MENGEL (8) – Dennis KLEIN (14) 3:1 (11:5; 5:11; 11:3; 11:7) Anton KÄLLBERG (7) – Nils HOHMEIER (12) 3:0 (11:8; 11:4; 11:4) Omar ASSAR (4) – Alberto MINO 3:0 (11:8 11:6 11:6) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (2) – Fanbo MENG (10) 3:1 (12:10 7:11 11:9 12:10) Timo BOLL (1) – Kirill FADEEV (16) 3:0 (11:4 11:5 11:7) Kristian KARLSSON (3) – Cedric MEISSNER (11) 3:1 (9:11 11:8 11:5 11:6) Dang QIU (6) – Tobias HIPPLER (9) 3:0 (11:5 11:8 11:9) QUARTERFINAL BOLL – KÄLLBERG 3:1 (11:5 7:11 11:5 11:9) DUDA – MENGEL 0:3 (8:11 10:12 9:11) ASSAR – KARLSSON 0:3 (6:11 1:11 3:11) QIU – OVTCHAROV 3:2 (11:5 15:17 11:7 7:11 11:9) SEMIFINAL BOLL – KARLSSON 3:1 (11:4 6:11 11:5 11:6) MENGEL – QIU 3:1 (11:5 8:11 11:3 11:7) FINAL BOLL – MENGEL 3:1 (12:10 11:8 10:12 11:6) STANDINGS AFTER 1ST TOURNAMENT 1 Timo BOLL (GER) 50 2 Steffen MENGEL (GER) 30 3 Kristian KARLSSON (SWE) 20 4 Dang QIU (GER) 20 5 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) 10 6 Anton KÄLLBERG (SWE) 10 7 Benedikt DUDA (GER) 10 8 Omar ASSAR (EGY) 10 9 Fanbo MENG (GER) 5 10 Dennis KLEIN (GER) 5 11 Cedric MEISSNER (GER) 5 12 Tobias HIPPLER (GER) 5 13 Alberto MINO (ECU) 5 14 Gerrit ENGEMANN (GER) 5 15 Nils HOHMEIER (GER) 5 16 Kirill FADEEV (GER) 5
BOLL secured his semi final place at the Düsseldorf Masters
ARAG CenterCourt is the venue for the Düsseldorf Masters which started today. On the opening day of the first of series of tournaments the first quarterfinal is concluded. Timo BOLL reached the penultimate stage after his victory over Anton KÄLLBERG 3:1. In other quarterfinal tomorrow Omar ASSAR will play against Kristian KARLSSON Steffen MENGEL will meet Benedikt DUDA and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV will play against Dang QIU. BOLL will face Omar ASSAR or Kristian KARLSSON in the semi final. “For the players it is of course not so easy to play completely without spectators but they have to get used to it for this tournament. The matches were good. The players were pretty hot. I’m satisfied with day one and I think the players are satisfied too“ Germany’s men’s head coach Jörg Roßkopf said. From June to August the home of Germany’s top club Borussia Düsseldorf will host the German national team players the players of Borussia Düsseldorf and the players of the training group at the German Table Tennis Centre in Düsseldorf. Both days of the opening tournament and all other Düsseldorf Masters events will be broadcasted live on sportdeutschland.tv www.tischtennis.de and on Borussia TV in full and with three cameras. Timo BOLL after the round of 16: “It was a strange feeling to play a competition like that without spectators without atmosphere. But I am glad that Borussia and the DTTB created the chance to get real match practice again. I am satisfied with my performance.” After the quarter finals: “My last match I played on my birthday in a league match against Ochsenhausen. So it’s quite different whether you play a training match or the tournament now which puts you under stress in a completely different way. Therefore we are all very happy that we can finally play a match again. I’m in the semi-finals after a good duel with Anton but I also saw what I still have to work on. Kristian KARLSSON: “It was a really nice game against Cedric. He was hot and wanted to win so I had to step on the gas and so a great fight developed right in the first match. I’m very pleased with my opening.” Dimitrij OVTCHAROV: “I didn’t get the flow today that I was after like in training. Fanbo held against it very well and made it difficult to get into my rhythm. Anyway it was a solid start. I won and that makes me satisfied.” Results Düsseldorf Masters Round of 16 Benedikt DUDA – Gerrit ENGEMANN 3:0 (4 7 10) Dennis KLEIN – Steffen MENGEL 1:3 (-5 5 -3 -7) Anton KÄLLBERG – Nils HOHMEIER 3:0 (8 4 4) Omar ASSAR – Alberto MIÑO* 3:0 (8 6 6) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Fanbo MENG 3:1 (10 -7 9 10) Timo BOLL – Kirill FADEEV 3:0 (4 5 7) Kristian KARLSSON – Cedric MEISSNER 3:1 (-9 8 5 6) Dang QIU – Tobias HIPPLER 3:0 (5 8 9) QUARTERFINAL BOLL – KÄLLBERG 3:1 (5 -7 5 9) ASSAR- KARLSSON 2 June 9.30 AM DUDA – MENGEL QIU – OVTCHAROV
Omar ASSAR and Anders LIND joined GV Hennebont TT
French GV Hennebont TT lost to the Fakel Gazprom Orenburg in the quarterfinal of the Table Tennis Champions League Men; after that Pandemic forced everyone globally to take a break. How did you spend past few months? “We were present on social networks with different sections to make people discover or rediscover the club and our sponsors ” answered Marketing Manager Fabien BOUGUENNEC. Have you start with trainings. “In the club not for the moment but our professionals are training in their national team currently.” BOUGUENNEC announced the club is reinforced for next season. “For next season we want same like every season to fight for title and go as far as we can in champions League. We wil play with Cedric NUYTINCK Samuel WALKER and two new players Omar ASSAR and Anders LIND.”
Nothing compares to being back in the venue
The Hungarian men’s table tennis team is preparing together for two weeks now which is especially rejoicing in the light of what we know about foreign players who could even not leave their apartment for two months. Since the outbreak of the epidemic most athletes have missed the competitions and matches the most but there is also a good side to the current situation. “During the season we have so many competitions and travelling that we do not have time for longer trainings ” said Bence MAJOROS about their “virus-free” life during the break of a training in the Ormai Hall. “The positive side of the current situation is that we do not have to travel from competition to competition the atmosphere is much calmer and we really just need to focus on how to become even better and develop as players.” MAJOROS spent most of the time during the isolation at home on the table tennis court in Nyírbátor together with Ádám SZUDI in a kind of two-person training camp. We asked did he gain a few pounds thanks to the home-cooked food: “In fact I lost weight! What was weird is that I got to spend two months in Nyírbátor. I think it was more than I managed during the last five years combined. I did not sleep at home but in the table tennis hall but it still felt good.” Nándor ECSEKI also spent the most difficult weeks in his hometown. “I was able to prepare in Szolnok with István Patrik MOLNÁR and we got a serving machine from the Hungarian Table Tennis Association. I took great advantage of it at home” said the left-handed player who we also asked about how he maintains motivation. “This is our life we come down to the court every day to be better and better. It is one thing that we cannot compete for a few months but I think this does not make our motivation to diminish as long as we keep eyes on our goals which is to be the best players which later we can show to the world when the tournaments restart.” Compared to the others perhaps Tamás LAKATOS found himself in the most difficult situation he is also hindered by a knee injury but he has also had the opportunity to play in the recent months. “I went to Denmark on March 6th and I was still able to train until the first half of April after that almost everyone went back home. There was only one French guy left but he also came back from an injury and therefore did not want to play too much and there were other difficulties due to the situation caused by the pandemic. All in all I do not think I was that much unlucky as others did not have such opportunities either” recounted Tamás LAKATOS who will join the French Amiens STT next season but will move to Porto with Nándor ECSEKI to develop at the training centre there. Three younger players Csaba ANDRÁS Olivér BOTH and Patrik JUHÁSZ also train with the senior national team. “I was lucky because we have a table tennis table at home I could play with my brother; I could practice the serves but it was still a very difficult time. I am glad to be able to practice with the national team again” Olivér BOTH reported about the last few weeks. Csaba ANDRÁS was also longing for being back on the court: “I got used to staying here every day and to the continuous trainings. I fell out of the rhythm and I just could not stand being at home.” A new but by no means unknown head coach is holding the training sessions for the boys. “We kept in touch with Peti MUSKÓ when we were still in Nyírbátor so he has been part of our trainings beforehand and we have also known him for a long time” commented Ádám SZUDI. “As the assistant coach of the women’s national team he helped us in some competitions so we already had connection with him we knew what to expect. So far everything is fine.” The new captain can count on the help of his predecessor Péter ARANYOSI and on the expertise and experience of Dániel ZWICKL who acts as the manager of the national team in his spare time. “He can help a lot from providing background information in terms of in which team the players will play next season what training camp they will be preparing and on other organizational issues as well. And Peti ARANYOSI will remain bound to the HTTA and he will be able to deal with the players not only at this time but also when the competition season starts and I have to be on the road a lot” clarified Péter MUSKÓ. So far the members of the Hungarian national team have survived the virus situation relatively fit and fortunate but this cannot be said of several of their foreign “colleagues”. “We have snatches of news about the international field” the captain continued. “There is a training centre where four people have been admitted but no more. There are places where the two players have to play in a mask but we also know of someone who has been locked in a fifty-square-foot apartment for two months now and cannot even hold a racket in the hand. So it can definitely be to our advantage that we can prepare together in such circumstances.”
Timo BOLL is the No. 1 seed in new tournament series
Düsseldorf Masters No national league matches no Champions League no international tournaments – table tennis professionals have not competed for many weeks due to the Corona pandemic. But that will change by next Monday. On 1 June will be the kick-off for the new tournament series “Düsseldorf Masters”. The new format which will be played almost weekly at the ARAG CenterCourt from June to August the home of Germany’s top club Borussia Düsseldorf is intended to give the German national team players the players of Borussia Düsseldorf and the players of the training group at the German Table Tennis Centre in Düsseldorf intensive practice matches. Timo BOLL Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Patrick FRANZISKA three world-class table tennis aces are among the participants. Four players from the world’s top 50 as well as four other athletes from the top 100 make the Düsseldorf Masters a – on this level – unique tournament format during the pandemic. Weekly tournaments final in August The tournament which is organized by Borussia Düsseldorf with the support of the German Table Tennis Association will take place at the start (1-2 June) and in the second week of June (8-9 June) as a two-day format. From the third week of the tournament onwards matches will be played on three weekdays. The Düsseldorf Masters will be played in a knock-out system with up to 16 participants. The series will conclude with a final tournament with eight professionals in August for which the athletes must qualify or be enter through a wildcard. The premiere at the beginning of June has already attracted top-class participants. Düsseldorf‘s Timo BOLL currently ranked 10th in the world ranking list leads ahead of Orenburg’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (11) and Boll’s Swedish Bundesleague team-mate Kristian KARLSSON (24). The start on Monday is at 9.30 am CEST with the first round of 16 match followed by the seven other matches of this round and one quarter-final. On Tuesday the three further matches of the 2nd round will take place as well as the semi-finals and the final all best of 5. Coach ROSSKOPF: „Players absolutely thrilled“ / Free Livestream of all matches “With this tournament series we are pioneers for table tennis all over the world in these times. Table tennis fans worldwide will focus Düsseldorf from Monday on ” says Borussia Düsseldorf‘s manager Andreas PREUSS. “The Düsseldorf Masters are a great opportunity to play regular competition again after weeks of pure practice ” adds Germany‘s men’s national head coach Jörg ROSSKOPF. “Our players were absolutely thrilled when we presented this idea to them.” Both days of the opening tournament and all other Düsseldorf Masters events will be broadcasted live on sportdeutschland.tv www.tischtennis.de and on Borussia TV in full and with three cameras. Spectators on site are not admitted due to the pandemic. Here is the draw of the first event done by former World Doubles Champion ROSSKOPF: Düsseldorf Masters ARAG CenterCourt Düsseldorf Week 1 Round of 16 1 Benedikt DUDA (5) – Gerrit ENGEMANN (13) 1 June 9.30 am CEST 2 Steffen MENGEL (8) – Dennis KLEIN (14) 3 Anton KÄLLBERG (7) – Nils HOHMEIER (12) 4 Omar ASSAR (4) – Benno OEHME (15) 5 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (2) – Fanbo MENG (10) 6 Timo BOLL (1) – Kirill FADEEV (16) 7 Kristian KARLSSON (3) – Cedric MEISSNER (11) 8 Dang QIU (6) – Tobias HIPPLER (9) Quarter finals 9 BOLL/FADEEV – KÄLLBERG/HOHMEIER 1 June 10 ASSAR/OEHME – KARLSSON/MEISSNER 2 June 9.30 CEST 11 DUDA/ENGEMANN – MENGEL/KLEIN 12 QIU/HIPPLER – OVTCHAROV/MENG Semi finals 13 Winner 9 – 10 2 June 14 Winner 11 – 12 Final 15 Winner 13 – 14 2 June
Thomas BUZA: Don’t cancel – adap
Sweden Table tennis Association Secretary General Thomas BUZA gave us an overview how the Association copes with the very severe situation due the global pandemic. “First of all our main priority is health and we are closely following the regulations recommended by our authorities. Everything other than that is secondary. That said even though we are hoping that things will return to normal we are also trying our best to be creative and find new and exiting solutions under the motto “don’t cancel – adapt”. We also try to use the situation we are in now to start up different development programs that we havent had the time to work with during normal circumstances and we are also working hard to finalize our educational platform which is an essential part of our strategy for the future” explained Thomas BUZA. Q&A for the players Filippa BERGAND How are you right now? “I’m fine! It’s a special time for everyone but I know there are people having it a lot worse.” How is your life affected by the coronavirus? “The biggest difference is of course that there are no tournaments going on which means no travel. I’m not used to be in the same place for this long.” What do you do to stay in shape? Do you practice like normal or do you do anything different? “I practise just as i normally do if not harder. We have the privilege to practise like we usually do in Eslöv but we pay attention to all the rules that are set in Sweden.” What is the biggest difference from a “normal” life? “Not to travel is of course the biggest difference. I’m not used to be at home for this long.” How does a regular day look like now with all competitions and league matches cancelled? “I practise twice a day and I try to make physical practise every day. It’s like I usually do things but it’s weird not knowing when the next tournament will be.” What do you look forward the most when all this is over? “To travel and compete! It’s been a while now and I miss it a lot. I also wanna give my grandparents a big hug. I miss hanging out with them like we could a few months ago!” Jon PERSSON How are you right now? “I’m doing fine except some back problems that has forced me to stay out of practise for a while.” How is your life affected by the coronavirus? “The most significant thing is of course that all competitions and league matches are cancelled. It is also a bit strange not to meet my parents as I normally do during the summer. Most things have been and are open as normal in Sweden but of course we all have been forced to follow the recommendations from the authorities.” What do you do to stay in shape? Do you practice like normal or do you do anything different? “I’ve been practising quite normal until I got the problems with my back so right now I’m doing some rehab but I think I will start to work out harder soon.” What is the biggest difference from a “normal” life? “Hmm I would say all the travel restrictions.” How does a regular day look like now with all competitions and league matches cancelled? “Relaxing rehab sleep and soon playing some golf I hope :)” What do you look forward the most when all this is over? “That all competitions and league matches will start and of course be able to visit my family again.”
