2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup   The winner of the 2019 edition of the Women’s Event Petrissa SOLJA is no. three seed at the 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup to be held on 8th and 9th February in Swiss town Montreux. Germany’s star played five times so far at the Event and she also has two silver medals in 2015 in Baku and in 2017 in French Juan-Les-Pins Antibes.   SOLJA is looking forward event in Switzerland but her season starts little bit earlier.   “I had a good time during break; I spent the holidays with my family and friends. Also I had few matches with my club TSV Langstadt and now I am preparing for German Open for the end of the January. German open are always nice to play. It is great atmosphere there ” said SOLJA.   In Montreux top seeds are Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria and Bernadette SZOCS of Romania. Below SOLJA at the list are: her compatriot HAN Ying Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine Georgina POTA of Hungary NI Xia Lian of Luxembourg Britt EERLAND of Netherlands Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic Barbora BALAZOVA of Slovakia Natalia PARTYKA OF Poland Dora MADARASZ of Hungary Yana NOSKOVA of Russia and host nation representative Rachel MORET.   SOLJA stayed secretly about the odds for the winner.   “Only the strongest players in Europe will compete at Top 16 everybody can win. If I catch a good weekend then I can go far.”   Petrissa already proved it by winning the title last year. In 2019 SOLJA came back from 3 games down to win gold against Bernadette SZOCS   “I am looking forward to be back in Montreux It’s a beautiful city with great memories. The best of all is of course winning the title but I also remember how I had to give the interview straight after the final victory. I was crying whole the time; could not stop.”   Can you compare Top 16 with other tournaments?   “It gives me mixed feelings. Top 16 is similar to others because it is knock out and I have to be in shape from the very first moment. However it is different from other because top 16 is only once a year. You only have one chance to achieve something big.”   Does it put you under extra pressure?   “I never felt fear but I am still nervous before the matches. However it is a good sign the tension helps me play better.”   Solja won silver in the team event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. In 2017 Solja alongside Fang BO won bronze in the mixed doubles at the World Championships in Düsseldorf. This was the first World Championship medal in mixed doubles for Germany since 1971.  

2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup   Rachel MORET will represent the host country at the 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup once again. She awaits the competition in good spirit.   “I’m feeling well. I was really tired at the end of December. The holidays spent with my family were good for me. Since the beginning of January I’m feeling better and better. So I’m going to be in good shape for Top 16 ” said MORET.   What are your goals for this Top 16?   “It’s difficult to say a specific goal everything will depend on the draw. My first game will be difficult anyway because I’m going to play a Top 8 player. I hope to play at my best level.”   What learning experience can you draw from your last 2 participations?   “The Top 16 especially in Switzerland is a really special competition for me. The fact that I’ve already participated twice allows me to be better prepared for what can happen.”   How important is this Top 16 for your Olympic qualification?   “Each match won represents bonus points earned which will give me a better chance of eventually being qualified into the world ranking of June 2020. But so much things can happen in 4 months…”   What do you still have to do to qualify for the Olympics?   “Nothing is done yet. The European qualifications are in April and then the World qualifications will be in May. I need to be in really good during these two decisive months. “   The Top 16 will take place in Montreux for the next 3 years. What do you think this can bring to Swiss Table Tennis?   “I think it’s really beneficial for young players to see the best European players. And I also hope that will bring a few more players in Swiss Table Tennis. “   Which player would you like to meet in the first round?   “Since the players ‘list has changed due to injuries it’s difficult to say a name. But I’m ready to face all the players and I’ll give my best!”  

2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup   Lionel WEBER is happy that he will be part of the one of the most prestige’s European event. On his home soil he will represent Switzerland at the 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup this weekend.   “ I feel very well especially physically. I’m ready for this Top 16. I had a good preparation with German Open. I have to focus and be mentally ready now. But I really looking forward! I enjoy experience; I will try to focus and play my best table tennis. It’s sure that I always want to win my matches but I think results come in 2nd place.”   This is third time for WEBER to participate at the 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup   “I could learn a lot. I was very stressful and pretty nervous during my first year. Last year I had a little bit too high expectations wanted to make it too good and I wasn’t happy about my performance. Now I’ll try to just play my game and try to make it better this year.”   What are your goals for 2020 season?   “I would like to reach Top 100 in World Ranking. I’ll try to go to Olympic Games as well. It will be hard but I had to try it.”   Top 16 will be in Montreux for 3 years again. What do you think it can make for Swiss TT ?   “It’s very important for Swiss Table Tennis because it gives incredible atmosphere for the public and swiss people can be inspired by the best players.”   Which player do you want to play against at Top 16?   “I don’t prefer a specific player. All are very strong. I will play against a top 8 player I will be the underdog and it will be a great experience anyway.”  

2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup   Six-time Europe Top 16 Cup winner Timo BOLL of Germany is just one title behind record-holder Jan-Ove WALDNER of Sweden and maybe he will make history by the end of this week playing 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Swiss town Montreux (February 8-9). Borussia Dusseldorf’s star actual no.2 seed has nice memories from Montreux as he won there 2018 edition and finished 3rd last year.   How do you comment your 2019 Europe Top 16 result? “I was satisfied. Dima (OVTCHAROV) played a great tournament and deservedly won.”   Rotterdam 2002 Saarbrucken 2003 Copenhagen 2006 Dusseldorf 2009 Dusseldorf 2010 and Montreux 2018 were marked by Timo BOLL! What is going to happen in 2020? “I think my shape is okay. But the level in Europe is close together. But I will try to win it a 7th time.”   What is the difference between Timo BOLL from 2002 and actual one (beside years)? “The game has changed and I changed my style too. Otherwise I wouldn’t have a chance to compete against the young fellas.”   Are you satisfied with your current shape? “Yes I don’t have the highest expectations to myself anymore. I’m just happy to be able that I still can play table tennis on a high level.”   How do you see the list of 2019 favorites and your chances to reach WALDNER’s record (seven titles)? “The chance is realistic but I’m not a very optimistic guy before a tournament. There are for sure 6-8 players who can win the title.”   When you play alongside so many good teammates in the club and national team you must be ready to fight against them in biggest international events. How do you feel when you face them? “I don’t like it but I try to handle it professional. I think I behave more calm during a game against teammates or friends.”   Your best and worst memory in 2019? “Becoming German champion for the last time in my career was emotional. Becoming ill during World Championship was tough.”   Who was the best world’s athlete in 2019 in your opinion? “First half MA Long second half FAN Zhendong.”   What is your plan towards 2020 Olympics and what is your aim? “Just try to stay healthy.”   2020 CCB EUROPE TOP 16 CUP – LIST OF CONFIRMED PLAYERS   Men’s Singles: Mattias FALCK (no.1 seed Sweden) Timo BOLL (no.2 Germany) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (no.3 Germany) Simon GAUZY (no.4 France) Vladimir SAMSONOV (no.5 Belarus) Liam PITCHFORD (no.6 England) Kristian KARLSSON (no.7 Sweden) Marcos FREITAS (no. 8 Portugal) Jonathan GROTH (no. 9. Denmark) Daniel HABESOHN (no. 10 Austria) Tomislav PUCAR (no.11 Croatia) Robert GARDOS (no.12 Austria) Emmanuel LEBESSON (no.13 France) WANG Yang (no.14 Slovakia) Darko JORGIC (no.15 Slovenia) Lionel WEBER (no.16 Switzerland).   Women’s Singles: Sofia POLCANOVA (no.1 Austria) Bernadette SZOCS (no.2 Romania) Petrissa SOLJA (no.3 Germany) HAN Ying (no.4 Germany) Elizabeta SAMARA (no.5 Romania) Matilda EKHOLM (no.6 Sweden) Margaryta PESOTSKA (no.7 Ukraine) NI Xia Lian (no.8 Luxembourg) Britt EERLAND (no.9 Netherlands) Polina MIKHAILOVA (no.10 Russia) Hana MATELOVA (no.11 Czech Republic) Barbora BALAZOVA (no.12 Slovakia) Natalia PARTYKA (no.13 Poland) Dora MADARASZ (no.14 Hungary) Yana NOSKOVA (no.15 Russia) Rachel MORET (no.16 Switzerland).

2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup   The 2018 Europe Top 16 Cup semi-finalist Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden is going to be satisfied if she repeats same result at 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup to be held in Swiss town Montreux this Saturday and Sunday February 8-9. Berlin’s player is very optimistic regarding her aim to get spot for World Cup.   Last year you couldn’t repeat your 2018 achievement at Europe Top 16. How do you comment your results in 2019 Europe Top 16? “Not much to say I lost to a strong opponent Nina MITTELHAM who I think has chances to be no.1 in Europe in the future.”   What do you remember most from your previous Europe Top 16 appearances? “Fourth place from 2018 and to play in the beautiful city of Montreux.”   What is your goal now and are you satisfied with your current shape? “My goal is semi-final and to qualify for World Cup. My shape is fine and looking forward to come back to Montreux.”   Have you change anything in your game since 2019 Montreux? “Trying sometimes to play with speed not just spin. Let see how it goes (smile).”   When you play alongside so many good teammates in the club you must be ready to fight against them in biggest international events. How do you feel when you face them? “I try to separate club events with national team events and usually it’s not a problem. However of course it’s a different match when the opponent knows your game well and vice versa.”   How do you see the list of 2020 favorites? “Very open no clear favorite but lately the last years Top 3 has been the best ones in Europe.”   Your best and worst memory in 2019? “In 2019 I met my girlfriend which was nice not many terrible things happened. Trying to be thankful generally.”   Who was the best world’s athlete in 2019 in your opinion? “SUN Yingsha”.   What is your plan towards 2020 Olympics and what is your aim? “To qualify and to reach quarter final in any event.”   2020 CCB EUROPE TOP 16 CUP – LIST OF CONFIRMED PLAYERS   Men’s Singles: Mattias FALCK (no.1 seed Sweden) Timo BOLL (no.2 Germany) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (no.3 Germany) Simon GAUZY (no.4 France) Vladimir SAMSONOV (no.5 Belarus) Liam PITCHFORD (no.6 England) Kristian KARLSSON (no.7 Sweden) Marcos FREITAS (no. 8 Portugal) Jonathan GROTH (no. 9. Denmark) Daniel HABESOHN (no. 10 Austria) Tomislav PUCAR (no.11 Croatia) Robert GARDOS (no.12 Austria) Emmanuel LEBESSON (no.13 France) WANG Yang (no.14 Slovakia) Darko JORGIC (no.15 Slovenia) Lionel WEBER (no.16 Switzerland).   Women’s Singles: Sofia POLCANOVA (no.1 Austria) Bernadette SZOCS (no.2 Romania) Petrissa SOLJA (no.3 Germany) HAN Ying (no.4 Germany) Elizabeta SAMARA (no.5 Romania) Matilda EKHOLM (no.6 Sweden) Margaryta PESOTSKA (no.7 Ukraine) NI Xia Lian (no.8 Luxembourg) Britt EERLAND (no.9 Netherlands) Polina MIKHAILOVA (no.10 Russia) Hana MATELOVA (no.11 Czech Republic) Barbora BALAZOVA (no.12 Slovakia) Natalia PARTYKA (no.13 Poland) Dora MADARASZ (no.14 Hungary) Yana NOSKOVA (no.15 Russia) Rachel MORET (no.16 Switzerland).  

2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup   The 2014 Europe Top 16 Cup winner Marcos FREITAS of Portugal is looking forward to 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup to be held in Swiss town Montreux this Saturday and Sunday February 8-9. In last couple of years he didn’t reach his aim but this time he is determined to remind on his glorious days at Europe Top 16 Cup…   After the title in 2014 and runner-up position year later you missed quarterfinal stage in the next two editions and did not participate at the event in 2018? “Yes I have got some injuries this last couple years and didn’t play so well in the Europe Top 16 but I hope this year will be better. It’s a tournament that I enjoy playing and I will give my best to go far and qualify for the World Cup”.   Last year was not so successful in Montreux too. Do you feel ready now? “Last year I lost 3-4 to HABESHON it was a very close match and he played well and went far in the tournament. I will prepare well to do it better.”   How do you see the list of 2020 favourites and your chances at Europe Top 16? “There are strong players and even tough I believe there are a couple favorites for the tittle but I believe others have chance too.”   When you play alongside so many good teammates in the club you must be ready to fight against them in biggest international events. How do you feel when you face them? “It’s good to have strong team mates like Dima (OVTCHAROV) and Vladi (SAMSONOV) because we practise together and I can learn from them as well. But off course when we play against each other we have respect but we want also to win.”   Your best and worst memory in 2019? “Best memory of 2019 was reaching the final at the Europeans in Nantes and winning the TTCLM with Fakel Gazprom. Worst memory was probably when I got injured.”   What is your plan towards 2020 Olympics and what is your aim? “Now that we are qualified for the Olympics the goal is to go far. I will prepare it well and I will try to be in my best shape to fight for a high place.”   2020 CCB EUROPE TOP 16 CUP – LIST OF CONFIRMED PLAYERS   Men’s Singles: Mattias FALCK (no.1 seed Sweden) Timo BOLL (no.2 Germany) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (no.3 Germany) Simon GAUZY (no.4 France) Vladimir SAMSONOV (no.5 Belarus) Liam PITCHFORD (no.6 England) Kristian KARLSSON (no.7 Sweden) Marcos FREITAS (no. 8 Portugal) Jonathan GROTH (no. 9. Denmark) Daniel HABESOHN (no. 10 Austria) Tomislav PUCAR (no.11 Croatia) Robert GARDOS (no.12 Austria) Emmanuel LEBESSON (no.13 France) WANG Yang (no.14 Slovakia) Darko JORGIC (no.15 Slovenia) Lionel WEBER (no.16 Switzerland).   Women’s Singles: Sofia POLCANOVA (no.1 Austria) Bernadette SZOCS (no.2 Romania) Petrissa SOLJA (no.3 Germany) HAN Ying (no.4 Germany) Elizabeta SAMARA (no.5 Romania) Matilda EKHOLM (no.6 Sweden) Margaryta PESOTSKA (no.7 Ukraine) NI Xia Lian (no.8 Luxembourg) Britt EERLAND (no.9 Netherlands) Polina MIKHAILOVA (no.10 Russia) Hana MATELOVA (no.11 Czech Republic) Barbora BALAZOVA (no.12 Slovakia) Natalia PARTYKA (no.13 Poland) Dora MADARASZ (no.14 Hungary) Yana NOSKOVA (no.15 Russia) Rachel MORET (no.16 Switzerland).    

2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup. Player with most appearances in the history of this event gives his advice to future table tennis stars   The 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup once again will be hosted by the Swiss city of Montreux from Saturday 8th to Sunday 9th February. All Europe’s best players are invited to Salle Omnisport du Pierrier led by last year’s winners Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Petrissa SOLJA of Germany.   No.6 seed Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus actual runner up and former four-time winner is ready to improve one of his records. It will be his 23rd appearance at this prestigious event after his debut in the French city of Dijon in 1995. Then he was the youngest participant now he is the oldest one. Over a span of 25 years he won four titles (Halmstad 1998 Split 1999 Wels 2001 Arezzo 2007) and finished nine times runner-up (Eindhoven 1997 Rotterdam 2002 Saarbrucken 2003 Rennes 2005 Frankfurt 2008 Dusseldorf 2009 and 2010 Liege/Luttich 2011 and Montreux 2019).   Speaking about last year’s edition (lost by Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in the final) SAMSONOV stated that he is satisfied how he played during 2019 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup. Currently he is not sure how good his shape is but he has been always focused on big goals in his career.   “Goal is to reach semi-finals while favourites will be same as the last year ” stated SAMSONOV who didn’t reach main draw at the recent 2020 German Open.   When you play alongside so many good teammates in the club you must be ready to fight against them in biggest international events. Fakel-Gazprom’s SAMSONOV experienced it many times during his career and last year in Montreux he faced OVTCHAROV in the final. Asked how does he feel in this situation he responds simply: “I still want to win.”   Who was the best world’s athlete in 2019 in your opinion? “In table tennis – the current single world champions. Overall – not sure there are many athletes I probably do not know about”.   What is your plan towards 2020 Olympics? “First – to qualify”!   Bearing in mind all your experience and achievements what would you advise to kids who are starting to play table tennis? “Be ready to work hard believe in yourself.”   2020 CCB EUROPE TOP 16 CUP – LIST OF CONFIRMED PLAYERS   Men’s Singles: Mattias FALCK (no.1 seed Sweden) Timo BOLL (no.2 Germany) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (no.3 Germany) Simon GAUZY (no.4 France) Vladimir SAMSONOV (no.5 Belarus) Liam PITCHFORD (no.6 England) Kristian KARLSSON (no.7 Sweden) Marcos FREITAS (no. 8 Portugal) Jonathan GROTH (no. 9. Denmark) Daniel HABESOHN (no. 10 Austria) Tomislav PUCAR (no.11 Croatia) Robert GARDOS (no.12 Austria) Emmanuel LEBESSON (no.13 France) WANG Yang (no.14 Slovakia) Darko JORGIC (no.15 Slovenia) Lionel WEBER (no.16 Switzerland).   Women’s Singles: Sofia POLCANOVA (no.1 Austria) Bernadette SZOCS (no.2 Romania) Petrissa SOLJA (no.3 Germany) HAN Ying (no.4 Germany) Elizabeta SAMARA (no.5 Romania) Matilda EKHOLM (no.6 Sweden) Margaryta PESOTSKA (no.7 Ukraine) NI Xia Lian (no.8 Luxembourg) Britt EERLAND (no.9 Netherlands) Polina MIKHAILOVA (no.10 Russia) Hana MATELOVA (no.11 Czech Republic) Barbora BALAZOVA (no.12 Slovakia) Natalia PARTYKA (no.13 Poland) Dora MADARASZ (no.14 Hungary) Yana NOSKOVA (no.15 Russia) Rachel MORET (no.16 Switzerland).

2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup   For a third year in a row the prestigious 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup will be held in Swiss town Montreux. The best players from Europe are invited and the competition will be fierce once again.   In Men’s Event the winners of previous two tournaments Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Timo BOLL of Germany will be present alongside with Mattias FALCK of Sweden who lead the seedings. Simon GAUZY of France is fourth at the seedings followed by Liam PITCHFORD of England Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden Marcos FREITAS of Portugal Jonathan GROTH of Denmark Daniel HABESOHN of Austria Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia Robert GARDOS of Austria Emmanuel LEBESSON of France WANG Yang of Slovakia Darko JORGIC of Slovenia and host nation representative Lionel WEBER.   HABESOHN will play for a second time at the Top 16 and his aspirations are high.   “My goal for the Top 16 is to reach again the semifinals like last year and maybe even to top it. After last year’s good result on my premiere I am confident ” said HABESOHN who continued jokingly. “Last year was my first time at the top 16 and I reached the round of four so I have to say that my chances are very good. But serious the organisers offers good conditions and they also take good care of the players. The size of the hall is just right and the spectators are quite close to the table which is good. I really like it there and with this feeling and emotions I try to reach my goal in Switzerland.”   Have you been busy during the holidays’ break?   “This year I spent the holidays just with my family wife and two kids. Previously I always invited my whole family mother father; both brothers with their wife’s and some cousins so all together there were always around 17 people in my flat. However this year we were focused just on our kids.”   The end of the year was successful.   “Recently I have played the World Team Cup in Tokyo the Austrian top 12 which I won and the World Cup Singles event in Chengdu. In China I passed the group stage with OVTCHAROV and SAMSONOV in the group.”   HABESOHN is not happy with the current shape.   “Right now I am not in a good shape. In the last four weeks I was three weeks with different kind of illnesses home: respiratory infection conjunctivitis and viral infection so really it was not the best preparation for the New Year but I am optimistic for the future.”   Speaking about the competition Daniel stated:   “There are top favorites players for the title like BOLL OVTCHAROV FALCK … but in Europe the quality of the players at the top are leveled and even these players are beatable. I like the playing style of BOLL. When I watch his matches somehow I have the feeling that he will not miss any ball ever. FALCK is a unique player of the new generation. So many adversaries have problems against short pimples that’s why he plays also very good now.”   This will be very busy season with Olympic Games knocking of the door:   “The main goals this year is the good result at the European Top 16 which will give me a direct qualification for the World Cup in singles; to get a first time medal at the World Championships in Korea and of course to qualify for the Olympic Games this summer ” summaries Daniel HABESOHN.