The last Eurotalents Camp U-13 this year is underway in Romania’s Buzau. It is the fourth edition of the camp and once again it gathered the best players from Europe. “After World Junior Championships in Thailand’s Korat we continue with our development program. This camp in Buzau gathered 13 players from seven countries in Europe who works with 18 Romania’s representatives. Players are accompanied with their coaches. The spairing partners are aged from 8 to 16 ” reported ETTU Development Manager Neven CEGNAR. There are four trainers on duty from Romania Table Tennis Association: Emilian BULBUC Anamaria SEBE Aleksandru DINCA and Ionut SENI. Andrei NEF is in charge for fitness trainings. “We are very grateful for hospitality and great support from whole FRTM led by Beatrice and Cristian ROMANESCU ” added CEGNAR.
Registration for the European Universities Games 2020 is open
EUSA announced the opening of registrations for the European Universities Games Belgrade 2020. Next year between July 12 and 25 over 6.000 participants from Europe’s leading sport universities will be able to attend the event and compete across 19 sports in the Serbian capital. Sports programme of the European Universities Games Belgrade 2020 includes Badminton Basketball 3×3 Basketball Beach Handball Beach Volleyball Chess Football Futsal Handball Judo & Para Judo Karate Kickboxing Orienteering Rowing Table Tennis & Para Table Tennis Taekwondo Tennis Volleyball and Water Polo. Competitions are open to both men and women including competitions for students with disabilities in Para Judo and Para Table Tennis. European students between the ages of 17-30 will represent their respective universities at the Games. If you are interested in being involved in the largest gathering of European student athletes in 2020 then contact the national university sport body in your country to find out how to be there! Alongside the sport competitions the games focus on educational and social aspects of university sport in Europe featuring conferences and workshops in the topics of Anti-Doping Inclusion Dual Career Equal Opportunities Safeguarding in Sport Skills Development as well as a Rectors Conference. For more information about the European Universities Games Belgrade 2020 and for further information regarding registration for the games please click here. The European Universities Games are licensed by the European University Sports Association (EUSA) and are supported also by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The event enjoys highest national and local support so we look forward to the next summer for the best Games ever! You can find up to date information on the official European Universities Games Belgrade 2020 webpage at www.eug2020.eu and don’t forget to stay up to date with the latest information by following the games on social media using @eug2020. More information…
Ken Strong receives a Volunteer in Sport Award
The Volunteer in Sport Awards ceremony took place on Tuesday 12th of November 2019 in Farmleigh House in Dublin. At the ceremony Ken Strong was announced as the overall winner of the Volunteer in Sport Award for Co. Tyrone respresenting the sport of table tennis. Ken has been involved in many capacities in Irish Table Tennis for 50 years from Chairman of Tyrone Table Tennis to National Senior Men’s coach at World European and Six Nations Championships. He has served as Chairperson Secretary and International Director on the Board of Table Tennis Ireland as well as on the management committee followed recently by 4 years as President. His longevity dedication personal sacrifice and professional contribution continues to this day. The Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport Awards recognise the contribution of the 450 000 people who ensure sport in Ireland happens each week. It is estimated that 37.2 million hours of volunteering across Ireland’s 14 000+ sports clubs and associations occurs each year.
ECLW: Team work prevails in Linz
European Champions League Women Linz AG Froschberg beat SKST STAVOIMPEX Hodonin 3:2 in the latest ECLW Round 5 to conclude group stage with a perfect 4-0 win-loss record. It was a good team work of Austrian side former two-time ECLW champion as each player contributed with one point. Sofia POLCANOVA overcame Natalia PARTYKA in straight games of the opener while other two Linz’s points were taken by Linda BERGSTRÖM and SOO Wai Yam Minnie. Sweden’s player was extended to full distance by Solomiya BRATEYKO and SOO prevailed against PARTYKA in the decisive fifth clash. Hong Kong’s NG Wing Nam was the only winning player in Czech team defeating two strongest Linz players after full five games her compatriot SOO Wai Yam Minnie and Austria’s POLCANOVA. Hodonin has one more game in Group D against Leka Enea on December 6th. Czech team needs just one game to get quarter-final spot as it won in Spain 3:0 (9:0). ECLW Round 5 Group D Linz AG Froschberg – SKST STAVOIMPEX Hodonin 3:2 Sofia POLCANOVA – Natalia PARTYKA 3:0 (11:4 11:6 12:6) SOO Wai Yam Minnie – NG Wing Nam 2:3 (11:7 11:9 9:11 9:11 9:11) Linda BERGSTRÖM – Solomiya BRATEYKO 3:2 (11:8 11:5 9:11 6:11 11:10) Sofia POLCANOVA – NG Wing Nam 2:3 (9:11 12:10 5:11 11:8 1:11) SOO Wai Yam Minnie – Natalia PARTYKA 3:1 (11:5 11:8 9:11 11:6)
Japan’s rising stars send out clear statement at NSDF 2019 ITTF World Junior Table Tennis Championships
The future looks bright for Japan’s rising table tennis stars after the nation collected the girls’ singles girls’ doubles and mixed doubles titles at the NSDF 2019 World Junior Table Tennis Championships in Korat Thailand. Never before had Japan lifted any of the above titles as they enjoyed their most successful day ever at the annual event which has been running since 2003. Miyu Nagasaki won the girls’ singles crown before partnering Miyuu Kihara to girls’ doubles success; earlier in the day Kihara had secured the mixed doubles title in partnership with Yukiya Uda. The efforts of the Japanese teenagers rather overshadowed Chinese success; Xiang Peng secured the boys’ singles title; the boys’ doubles was won by Liu Yebo and Xu Yingbin after earlier in the week China had captured both the boys’ team and girls’ team titles. Signs that Japan may challenge the dominance of China became evident early on in the eight-day event in Korat; at the semi-final stage of the boys’ team event they extended China the full five match distance the outcome being decided by the very narrowest of margins. In the decisive contest to determine a place in the final Xiang Peng beat Shunsuke Togami by the minimal two-point advantage in the decisive fifth game (13-11 13-11 9-11 9-11 11-9). A place in the final booked selecting Xiang Peng alongside Xu Yingbin and Liu Yebo a 3-0 win was recorded in emphatic style against the Chinese Taipei trio comprising Feng Yi-Hsin Tai Ming-Wei and Huang Yan-Cheng to seal the title. Similarly in the girls’ team final the Japanese trio of Miyu Nagasaki Kyoka Idesawa and Miyuu Kihara gave the Chinese combination of Shi Xunyao Kuai Man and Chen Yi more than food for thought. A 3-1 win was the verdict in favour of China the one win for Japan being recorded in the third match of the fixture when Kihara beat Chen Yi (11-3 9-11 11-3 11-7). However could the outcome have been so different? In the opening match of the engagement Shi Xunyao the 2016 world junior champion had to recover from a two games to nil deficit and the precipice of defeat to overcome Nagasaki (11-13 9-11 11-9 11-8 11-8). “Our win was mainly due to great teamwork. It was a group effort. Our goal is always to get the gold medal but you can’t keep thinking that it will definitely happen. We still need to give our best for every point and show our full potential.” – Shi Xunyao. Earlier at the semi-final stage fielding the same three players China had recorded a 3-1 win against the DPR Korea trio formed by Kim Kum Yong Pyon Song Gyong and Kim Un Song; bronze the end result for DRP Korea their first ever medal at a World Junior Championships. Following the disappointment of defeat in the team event Miyu Nagasaki ended her week in Thailand on the highest note possible. The no.4 seed at the semi-final stage of the girls’ singles event she beat China’s Wu Yangchen the top seed (10-12 11-1 13-11 11-6 7-11 11-7) to reserve her place in the final where she overcame 14 year old compatriot Haruna Ojio (11-4 11-7 11-5 8-11 5-11 11-7). Thus she added to her Asian junior girls’ singles title won earlier in the year in September in Ulaanbaatar; more significantly she ended the run of Chinese success; in all previous 16 editions of the World Junior Championships the girls’ singles event had been won by China. “I feel like I have won a World Tour title. I’m just very happy that I have managed to win here. I would like to thank my coaches and family who have supported me.” – Miyu Nagasaki. A first for Japan it was the same in both the girls’ doubles and mixed doubles; in both events overcoming Chinese opponents in the final. In the former Kihara and Nagasaki accounted for Kuai Man and Shi Xunyao (11-5 11-6 12-10); in the latter Yukiya Uda and Kihara overcame Xu Yingbin and Shi Xunyao (11-9 11-1 11-7). “At last year’s World Junior Championships in Australia China won every single event. I was very upset. I told myself I did not want to lose anymore so I trained very very hard. We won the women’s doubles event at the Austrian Open so we can participate at the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals. Now we want to win there together.” – Miyuu Kihara. It was not the best of reading for China very much Xiang Peng alongside Liu Yebo and Xu Yingbin saved the blushes. Xiang Peng justified his top seeded position to win the boys’ singles title; at the semi-final stage once again he beat Shunsuke Togami (14-12 12-10 13-11 10-12 11-9) before overcoming Sweden’s Truls Möregard (12-10 11-3 11-8 11-5). A runners up spot for Möregard and a case of déjà vu; he had finished the silver medallist two years earlier in 2017 in Riva del Garda. Impressive from Xiang Peng his fine work was followed up by compatriots Liu Yebo and Xu Yingbin. After accounting for Singapore’s Josh Chua Shao Han and Pang Yew En Koen (11-8 8-11 13-11 11-8) they beat Russia’s Vladimir Sidorenko and Artem Tikhonov in straight games (11-3 11-6 11-2) to reserve the top step of the boys’ doubles podium. Bronze for Singapore; their first ever medal at a World Junior Table Tennis Championships. A first for Singapore and more than one first for Japan have left China with plenty to ponder.
Fan Zhendong wins Chengdu Airlines 2019 ITTF Men’s World Cup
Top seed and defending champion China’s FAN Zhendong successfully retained his title at the Chengdu Airlines 2019 ITTF Men’s World Cup in Chengdu China. The 22-year-old defeated Japan’s 16-year-old Tomokazu HARIMOTO in the final (9-11 11-4 6-11 11-8 11-2 11-7) after accounting for Chinese Taipei’s 18-year-old LIN Yun-Ju in the semi-final (11-8 11-6 11-8 11-5). FAN meant business here from the outset posting 4-0 and 4-1 victories respectively against Daniel HABESOHN (AUT) and two-time champion Timo BOLL (GER) to kick off his successful campaign in style. This is FAN Zhendong’s third career Men’s World Cup title after winning in Saarbrucken in 2016 and Disneyland Paris in 2018 thus joining three-time champions Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) and WANG Hao (CHN) and sitting just one behind four-time winner and all-time record holder MA Lin (CHN). Victory in Chengdu sees Fan Zhendong’s quite incredible run of form continue. Having not secured a major title for almost a year he has swept all before him in the last two months securing gold at the ITTF World Tour Platinum German and Austrian Opens in October and November whilst also a member of Team China’s successful outing at the ZEN-NOH Team World Cup in Tokyo. “This is my third Men’s World Cup title but every time feels new to me. Every time is different. This one was more about proving myself. I experienced some lows during the past few months but now I know to focus on the situation at hand ” said FAN Zhendong Tomokazu HARIMOTO (JPN) and LIN Yun-Ju (TPE) took silver and bronze medals respectively in Chengdu. Harimoto became the first Japanese player to reach a Men’s World Cup final after the no.3 seed defeated MA Long (CHN) in the semi-final (11-6 11-9 11-8 8-11 4-11 11-5). Prior to that the teenager completed a spirited comeback victory over seven games against compatriot Koki NIWA. “I thought I actually performed quite well today. To be able to have won a silver medal at the Men’s World Cup I think I can be proud of what I have done ” explained HARIMOTO LIN Yun-Ju became Chinese Taipei’s first ever player to stand on the Men’s World Cup podium after securing the bronze medal with victory over MA Long (11-4 13-11 8-11 9-11 11-8 5-11 11-4). This completed an impressive Men’s World Cup debut for the no.7 seed who had romped to 4-1 victories over Kristian KARLSSON (SWE) and Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) in the round of 16 and quarter-final respectively. “This is my first Men’s World Cup. I really did not expect that I could take home a medal. Ma Long is a very strong player so I just tried to challenge him. When I led I started to play more conservatively. Then as he started to come back into the match I made some changes in terms of my receiving and ball placement. I am happy that I won” said LIN Yun-Ju This meant that MA Long finished without a medal at a Men’s World Cup for the very first time. The no.2 seed making his return to action after a month’s break since the Team World Cup had been impressive in defeating Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in Saturday’s quarter-final but fell short when silverware was in sight – highly uncharacteristic for the sport’s most decorated men’s player in history and “The Dragon” has work to do in order to come roaring back into contention at December’s ITTF World Tour Grand Finals. Silver medallist in Chengdu and Japan’s first ever player to win a medal of any colour at the Men’s World Cup this was a timely display of strength by Tomokazu HARIMOTO to show what he is capable of on the big stage as time ticks towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. His nation’s highest ranked men’s player Japan have high hopes for HARIMOTO next summer and will be keen that he continues to deliver more performances like these starting with the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals between 12th-15th December in Zhengzhou China where Harimoto is defending his crown after celebrating gold in 2018 in Incheon. China meanwhile remain the dominant force and can take plenty of comfort in FAN Zhendong’s recent revival though will be wary of needing to counter the growing threat posed by Harimoto and company when Tokyo hosts the globe’s biggest sports event.
Silver for Truls MOREGARD in Karat
NSDF 2019 ITTF World Junior Table Tennis Championships Swede Truls MOREGARD clinched silver medal at the NSDF 2019 ITTF World Junior Table Tennis Championships in Karat. He lost in the final of the Junior Boys Singles Event to XIANG Peng of China. On the final hurdle Chinese player won in straight games. (12-10 11-3 11-8 11-5). Camille LUTZ and Prithika PAVADE of France as well as Anna WEGRZYN and Katarzyna WEGRZYN of Poland in Junior Girls Doubles clinched bronze and Vladimir SIDORENKO and Artem TIKHONOV of Russia won silver in Junior Boys Doubles. Russia’s pairings lost to LIU Yebo and XU Yingbin of China (11-3 11-6 11-2) in the final. On his way to the ultimate stage Truls overcame FENG Yi-Hsin of Chinese Taipei (11-7 12-10 11-7 11-9); in quarters he overcame China’s LIU Yebo (11-6 6-11 11-8 13-11 11-9); in Round of 16 Swede accounted for TAI Meng-Wei of Chinese Taipei (11-6 11-6 11-9 11-7). In the quarterfinals also played Poland’s Samuel KULCZYCKI who lost to Shunsuke TOGAMI of Japan (6-11 10-12 9-11 10-12) and Vincent PICARD of France who suffered by the hands of FENG Yi-Hsin of Taipei in full distance match (5-11 11-9 11-9 13-11 5-11 8-11 8-11). On their way to the boys doubles final Vladimir SIDORENKO and Artem TIKHONOV overcame XIANG Peng and ZENG Beixun (11-8 11-5 12-10). In the match for the medal Russia’s pairings overcame Lilian BARDET and Vincent PACARD (10-12 12-10 12-10 11-13 12-10). Also in quarterfinals Maksim GREBNEV and Lev KATSMAN lost to gold medal winners LIU Yebo and XU Yingbin of China (11-8 9-11 11-13 4-11); XIANG Peng and ZENG Beixun of China beat Maciej KUBIK and Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland (9-11 11-8 11-7 5-11 12-10). Camille LUTZ and Prithika PAVADE in Junior Girls Doubles Event lost in the semifinal to Miyuu KIHARA and Miyu NAGASAKI of Japan (4-11 6-11 2-11). Japan’s pairings clinched gold in the final. Anna WEGRZYN and Katarzyna WEGRZYN of Poland lost semis to silver medalists KUAI Man and SHI Xunyao of China (9-11 8-11 7-11). In the Juior Girls Singles Event Italy had two representatives in Round of 16 whilst Poland has one. Poland’s Katarzyna WEGRZYN lost to WANG Crystal of USA (7-11 11-3 11-13 10-12 6-11); Gaia MONFARDINI lost to CHEN Yi of China (14-12 11-5 11-9 11-2) and Jamila LAURENTI suffered by the hands of KIM Un Song Korea (9-11 11-9 11-4 7-11 11-6 7-11 13-15). Lev KATSMAN and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia lost in the quarterfinal of the Junior Mixed Doubles Event.
BOLL and OVTCHAROV halted in quarters in Chengdu
2019 Chengdu Airlines Men’s World Cup On his way to his second consecutive Men’s World Cup final China’s FAN Zhendong has beaten Germany’s Timo BOLL in five games before he overcame Chinese Taipei’s LIN Yun-Ju in straight games (11-8 11-6 11-8 11-5). On the lower part of the draw MA long also needed five games to halt progress of Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in quarters of the 2019 Chengdu Airlines Men’s World Cup before he lost to Japan’s teenager Tomakazu HARIMOTO in six games (11-6 11-9 11-8 8-11 4-11 11-5). In quarterfinal FAN Zhendong accounted for Timo Boll the no.5 seed (11-6 11-9 11-5 7-11 12-10); Ma Long beat Dimitrij OVTCHAROV the no.9 seed (6-11 11-9 11-4 13-11 11-3). “Frankly speaking I played better than Timo today. I made full preparations before the match. For sure both of us watched the match footage of our last encounter at Austria Open. Today I had a more positive mindset. When the score tied up I played more aggressively ” said FAN.
BOLL and OVTCHAROV in the quarterfinals
2019 Chengdu Airlines Men’s World Cup Only two Europeans “survived” the Round of 16 at the 2019 Chengdu Airlines Men’s World Cup and both coming from Germany. Timo BOLL and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV will play in the quarterfinal tomorrow. OVTCHAROV had a very hard task. He was stretched to six and seven games in his both previous matches in the Group Stage and the duel against Mattias FALCK today was not any easier. Swede put OVTCHAROV at severe test (11-8 3-11 8-11 11-8 10-12 11-7 13-11). “Mattias is one of the strongest players in the world reaching the finals of the World Championships. One year ago we played in the same stage of the Men’ World Cup in Paris and I won 12-10 in the last set today was 13-11 so it’s getting closer. It’s the fourth victory in a row but before that I lost some matches so it’s always a tough battle with Mattias and today he deserved the victory as much as I do. It’s tough sometimes for me I don’t know if it was better for me to defend or attack which is what I usually like to do before Mattias is very strong defensively. Its’s a little bit like chess on the table tennis table. I’m happy I get to play with MA Long again. He is probably the strongest player in the world and a measure to where you are but Simon had given him a good fight so I will try as well ” announced Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. For Timo BOLL it was much easier ride. He beat Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN of India in five games (7-11 11-8 11-5 11-9 11-8). “It was my first time to play against him. We’ve never played each other before so I am quite happy that I won in the end. A tough start in the beginning but yeah in the end I think I moved much better and feeling better. Now I have another big task with FAN Zhendong so looking forward” stated BOLL. Indeed the big test is coming tomorrow –FAN Zhendong. The world no.1. overcame Austria’s Daniel HABESOHN in straight matches in Round of 16 (11-8 13-11 11-7 11-2). LIN Yun-Ju of Taipei proved too strong for Kristian KARLSSON today (11-8 11-4 11-7 4-11 11-9). Korea Republic’s LEE Sangsu could not stop Koki NIWA from moving on to the final 8 as the Japanese international won 4-2 (11-6 11-8 14-16 11-7 8-11 13-11). MA Long booked his place in the quarter-final after seeing off France’s Simon GAUZY who showed brave face against Chinese star (11-7 11-8 9-11 11-5 8-11 15-13). “It was a tough match especially after the third game every game was really close. I have not played matches for a long time and World Cup is an important tournament so I felt a bit stressed during the match. I expected that this match would not be easy. Luckily I won and I still have some time to adjust and get into better shape ” said MA.
Berlin Eastside cemented top spot in Group A UCAM Cartagena wins first time in Group B
ECLW Round 5 Former four-time ECLW winner cemented top spot of Group A as they beat 2016 ETTU Cup women winner CP Lyssois Lille Métropole 3:0. French side will fight for the second spot in the last round to be held on December 10th against GIRBAU-VIC at home. SHAN Xiaona beat Andrea TODOROVIC in straight games of the opener. Bernadette SZOCS was extended to full distance by Dora MADARASZ 3:2 (14:12 8:11 11:1 6:11 11:5) while Matilda EKHOLM confirmed victory for host side defeating Tamolwan KHETKHUAN in four games. UCAM Cartagena has recorded its very first win thanks to good team work of its players. Each member of the host line-up won one encounter against Saint Quentinois: Silvia ERDELYI DE SOUZA vs. ZHANG Mo 3:0 Ana GARCIA MONTERO – Aurore LE MANSEC 3:0 (11:5 12:10 11:4) and LIU Xin – ZHANG Mo 3:0 ECLW Round 5 GROUP A TTC Berlin Eastside – CP Lyssois Lille Métropole 3:0 SHAN Xiaona – Andrea TODOROVIĆ 3:0 (11:5 11:5 12:10) Bernadette SZOCS – Dora MADARASZ 3:2 (14:12 8:11 11:1 6:11 11:5) Matilda EKHOLM – Tamolwan KHETKHUAN 3:1 (11:5 10:12 11:9 11:5) GROUP B UCAM Cartagena TM – TT Saint Quentinois 3:1 LIU Xin – Polina MIKHAILOVA 1:3 (4:11 12:10 9:11 7:11) Silvia ERDELYI DE SOUZA – ZHANG Mo 3:0 (11:5 11:3 11:7) Ana GARCIA MONTERO – Aurore LE MANSEC 3:0 (11:5 12:10 11:4) LIU Xin – ZHANG Mo 3:0 (11:9 11:7 11:9)
