2019 Europe Youth Top-10 in Noordwijk Last year bronze medalist Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA aiming for gold in Cadet Girls Event at the 2019 Europe Youth Top-10 in Dutch Noordwijk. After six rounds she lost only four games and she is in full speed on her way to her goal. On the second day of the play at the Europe Youth Top-10 she was under pressure against Germany’s Naomi PRNJAKOVIC. Naomi won second game but ZAHARAIA’S reaction was instant. The match is decided after European champion had won third game by 17-15. “I came very positive in Netherlands with one goal to won gold. I am feeling good and I am playing better and better as the tournament progresses. I do not think a lot about my adversaries I already beat them in most of our encounters so I am focused on my game. I just hope I will continue this way on the last day and that I will achieve my goal ” said ZAHARIA. Elena played in Varazdin two weeks ago. “I came from Croatia with the bronze medal in singles and silver in team’s event. Chinese player halted my progress in singles but in team’s event I won a point and I am very happy for that. Next tournament is in China and it was good practice ” announced ZAHARIA. Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia and Vlada VORONINA of Russia keeping the pace right behind ZAHARIA with one defeat each. VORONINA lost only to Annett KAUFMANN of Germany today whilst ARAPOVIC suffered by the hands of Russia’s Alina ZAVARKYNA in the last round of the day. “The competition is very strong here. There are no easy adversaries. I am going from match to match ” said ARAPOVIC. With two defeats KAUFMANN shares fourth position at the standings with ZAVARKYNA and Dorottya TOLGYES of Hungary. Cadet Girls Event First Round Elena ZAHARIA (Romania) – Anna PETERS (NETHERLANDS) 4-0 (11-3 11-3 11-7 11-3) Vlada VORONINA (Russia) – Alina ZAVARKYNA (Romania) 4-3 (3-11 13-11 12-14 11-5 8-11 11-6 11-7) Hana ARAPOVIC (Croatia) – Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU (Greece) 4-0 (11-8 11-4 11-9 12-10) Dorottya TOLGYES (Hungary) – Helena SOMMEROVA (Czech Republic) 4-1 (11-13 11-8 11-9 11-7 11-7) Annett KAUFMANN (Germany) – Naomi PRNJAKOVIC (Germany) 4-2 (14-12 11-8 11-9 8-11 9-11 11-9) Second Round Elena ZAHARIA – Alina ZAVARKYNA 4-1 (11-7 12-10 11-8 9-11 11-9) Vlada VORONINA – Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU 4-0 (12-10 11-8 15-13 11-7) Hana ARAPOVIC – Helena SOMMEROVA 4-2 (11-8 5-11 13-11 11-7 4-11 11-8) Dorottya TOLGYES – Naomi PRNJAKOVIC 4-2 (11-7 11-6 10-12 11-9 7-11 11-7) Third Round Elena ZAHARIA – Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU 4-0 (11-6 11-5 11-3 11-3) Vlada VORONINA – Helena SOMMEROVA 4-0 (11-6 11-6 11-7 11-3) Hana ARAPOVIC – Naomi PRNJAKOVIC 4-0 (13-11 11-7 11-5 11-7) Dorottya TOLGYES – Annett KAUFMANN 1-4 (9-11 10-12 11-6 6-11 9-11) Fourth Round Elena ZAHARIA – Helena SOMMEROVA 4-1 (9-11 11-8 11-4 11-8 11-5) Vlada VORONINA – Naomi PRNJAKOVIC 4-0 (11-9 11-4 11-9 11-4) Hana ARAPOVIC – Annett KAUFMANN 4-2 (11-8 11-7 3-11 5-11 11-4 14-12) Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU – Alina ZAVARKYNA 1-4 (4-11 11-9 9-11 8-11 8-11) Fifth Round Elena ZAHARIA – Naomi PRNJAKOVIC 4-1 (11-3 6-11 17-15 11-3 11-8) Annett KAUFMANN – Vlada VORONINA 4-1 (11-8 11-7 8-11 11-5 11-7) Alina ZAVARKYNA – Dorottya TOLGYES 4-3 (8-11 5-11 12-10 11-2 3-11 11-6 11-7) Helena SOMMEROVA – Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU 4-1 (13-11 11-9 11-5 7-11 11-4) Sixth Round Elena ZAHARIA – Annett KAUFMANN 4-1 (8-11 11-9 11-5 11-7 11-8) Alina ZAVARKYNA – Hana ARAPOVIC 4-2 (5-11 11-8 11-8 12-10 7-11 11-4) Dorottya TOLGYES – Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU 4-1 (14-12 11-3 11-9 8-11 11-8) Naomi PRNJAKOVIC – Helena SOMMEROVA 4-2 (11-5 11-5 9-11 13-11 9-11 11-3)
European champion Anna WEGRZYN withstood great pressure
Europe Youth Top 10 in Noordwijk By narrowest margin top seed in Junior Girls Event Anna WEGRZYN of Poland avoided the defeat in the last round of the day at the Europe Youth Top 10 in Dutch City of Noordwijk. Olga VISHNIAKOVA of Russia who came as a substitute forced Anna to go full distance. Russia’splayer already overcame Zdena BLASKOVA and Jamila LAURENTI. Despite the great pressure European champion preserved unbeaten status. Olga VISHNIAKOVA joined the group of four players who lost one match today. Franziska SCHREINER of Germany beat Tania PLAIAN of Romania after she lost to Katarzyna WEGRZYN in previous round. Darius MOVILEANU and Hugo DESCHAMPS have clean record after three rounds in Cadet Boys Event. No. two seed Darius MOVILEANU of Romania secured the leading position after three rounds. Unlike opening two against Iulian CHIRITA and Eduard IONESCU he had much easier task against Jakub GOLDIR of Slovakia. “In this match I was playing only against myself. I was a favorite and I knew I had to win. The competition is very hard here and I can not afford mistakes. Earlier this morning it was much harder to play against my teammates. They know me very well so I had to change my tactics ” said Darius. Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland beat Mike HOLLO of Germany favorites continued with the and struggling of the favorites continued with Hugo DESCHAMPS’ victory over Simon BELIK. Top seed Louis LAFFINEUR of Belgium could not find the way to prove his status. In third round Iulian CHIRITA of Romania prevailed. Gabrielius CAMARA of Netherlands proved he is mature for this challenge despite the rankings of the adversary. Eduard IONESCU of Romania tasted the same fate like no. one seed in the opening round. In seven thrilling games CAMARA prevailed. In Cadet Girls Event four players concluded the first day of the tournament unbeaten. Elena ZAHARIA of Romania Vlada VORONINA of Russia and Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia. They all justified their seedings top three positions at the list. Annett KAUFMAN who is seeded no. seven upset the order and overcame Dorottya TOLGYES of Hungary to take her position at the standings. In the third round Elena ZAHARIA overcame Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU of Greece to extend her record list whilst Vlada VORONINA beat Helena SOMMEROVA of Czech Republic. Hana ARAPOVIC overcame Naomi PRNJAKOVIC of Germany. Leading trio won their matches in straight games. Junior Boys First Round Vincent PICARD (France) – Dorian ZHENG (France) 3-4 (5-11 11-3 11-8 3-11 10-12 14-12 5-11) Samuel KULCZYCKI (Poland) – Lilian BARDET (France) 3-4 (11-7 8-11 11-6 11-13 11-6 4-11 9-11) Kay STUMPER (Germany)- Lode HULSHOF (Netherlands) 4-1 (11-3 11-9 9-11 11-5 11-7) Csaba ANDRAS (Hungary) – Carlo ROSSI (Italy) 4-2 (11-8 11-2 8-11 11-9 5-11 11-2) Olav KOSOLOSKY (Belgium) – Adrien RASSENFOSSE (Belgium) 2-4 (12-10 6-11 9-11 11-8 3-11 9-11) Second Round Vincent PICARD – Lilian BARDET 4-0 (13-11 11-8 11-4 11-7) Samuel KULCZYCKI – Lode HULSHOF 4-1 (12-10 11-6 11-4 5-11 11-7) Kay STUMPER – Carlo ROSSI 4-1 (11-9 11-6 13-11 7-11 11-6) Csaba ANDRAS – Adrien RASSENFOSSE 4-1 (11-8 11-6 11-7 9-11 11-8) Olav KOSOLOSKY – Dorian ZHENG 4-3 (11-9 6-11 9-11 11-5 8-11 11-7 11-6) Third Round Vincent PICARD – Lode HULSHOF 4-0 (11-2 11-2 11-3 11-7) Samuel KULCZYCKI – Carlo ROSSI 4-0 (11-7 11-8 13-11 12-10) Kay STUMPER – Adrien RASSENFOSSE 3-4 (9-11 15-13 11-7 9-11 11-8 4-11 9-11) Csaba ANDRAS – Olav KOSOLOSKY 4-3 (4-11 11-9 11-4 11-5 6-11 9-11 13-11) Lilian BARDET – Dorian ZHENG 4-1 (13-11 7-11 11-5 11-2 11-7) Junior Girls Anna WEGRZYN (Poland) – Katarzyna WEGRZYN (Poland) 4-2 (11-5 10-12 11-7 11-8 5-11 11-4) Zdena BLASKOVA (Czech Republic) – Emine ERNST (Netherlands) 2-4 (12-10 8-11 10-12 11-9 11-1 6-11 Jamila LAURENTI (Italy) – Olga VISHNIAKOVA (Russia) 2-4 (7-11 11-9 7-11 11-8 3-11 7-11) Tania PLAIAN (Romania) – Ema LOBOSOVA (Slovakia) 4-1 (11-5 11-6 7-11 11-7 12-10) Franziska SCHREINER (Germany) – Isa COK (France) 4-1 (11-5 11-6 11-2 5-11 11-2) Second Round Anna WEGRZYN – Emine ERNST 4-0 (11-4 11-5 11-9 11-9) Zdena BLASKOVA– Olga VISHNIAKOVA 3-4 (11-8 8-11 11-13 9-11 11-8 11-6 9-11) Jamila LAURENTI – Ema LOBOSOVA 4-0 (11-6 12-10 11-8 13-11) Tania PLAIAN – Isa COK 4-2 (13-11 8-11 11-7 11-9 8-11 13-11) Franziska SCHREINER – Katarzyna WEGRZYN 2-4 (13-11 11-9 5-11 2-11 5-11 7-11) Third Round Anna WEGRZYN – Olga VISHNIAKOVA 4-3 (11-8 6-11 12-10 6-11 14-16 11-8 13-11) Zdena BLASKOVA– Ema LOBOSOVA 4-0 (14-12 13-11 11-5 11-5) Jamila Laurenti – Isa COK 0-4 (9-11 5-11 7-11 9-11) Tania PLAIAN – Franziska SCHREINER 2-4 (9-11 11-9 11-4 9-11 3-11 5-11) Emine ERNST – Katarzyna WEGRZYN 0-4 (6-11 8-11 5-11 9-11) Cadet Girls Event First Round Elena ZAHARIA (Romania) – Anna PETERS (NETHERLANDS) 4-0 (11-3 11-3 11-7 11-3) Vlada VORONINA (Russia) – Alina ZAVARKYNA (Russia) 4-3 (3-11 13-11 12-14 11-5 8-11 11-6 11-7) Hana ARAPOVIC (Croatia) – Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU (Greece) 4-0 (11-8 11-4 11-9 12-10) Dorottya TOLGYES (Hungary) – Helena SOMMEROVA (Czech Republic) 4-1 (11-13 11-8 11-9 11-7 11-7) Annett KAUFMANN (Germany) – Naomi PRNJAKOVIC (Germany) 4-2 (14-12 11-8 11-9 8-11 9-11 11-9) Second Round Elena ZAHARIA – Alina ZAVARKYNA 4-1 (11-7 12-10 11-8 9-11 11-9) Vlada VORONINA – Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU 4-0 (12-10 11-8 15-13 11-7) Hana ARAPOVIC – Helena SOMMEROVA 4-2 (11-8 5-11 13-11 11-7 4-11 11-8) Dorottya TOLGYES – Naomi PRNJAKOVIC 4-2 (11-7 11-6 10-12 11-9 7-11 11-7) Third Round Elena ZAHARIA – Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU 4-0 (11-6 11-5 11-3 11-3) Vlada VORONINA – Helena SOMMEROVA 4-0 (11-6 11-6 11-7 11-3) Hana ARAPOVIC – Naomi PRNJAKOVIC 4-0 (13-11 11-7 11-5 11-7) Dorottya TOLGYES – Annett KAUFMANN 1-4 (9-11 10-12 11-6 6-11 9-11) Cadet Boys Louis LAFFINEUR (Belgium) – Gabrielius CAMARA (Nertherlands) 3-4 (11-4 9-11 11-5 6-11 11-9 7-11 7-11) Darius MOVILEANU (Romania) – Eduard IONESCU (Romania) 4-2 (8-11 11-13 11-7 11-6 11-4 11-8) Simon BELIK (Czech Republic) – Iulian CHIRITA (Romania) 4-2 (11-9 7-11 9-11 11-5 16-14
Favorites settled into the rhythm in Noordwijk
Europe Youth Top 10 The Europe Youth Top 10 in Dutch City of Noordwijk we saw few upsets in the Second round but most of the favorites prevailed. In Junior Boys Event Germany’s Kay STUMPER recorded another win over Carlo ROSSI of Italy 4-1. “It was not that easy as the result predict. In two opening games I was at the top of the game fully in control but from the third ROSSI played at another level. He was much better and started to gain the control. I lost a focus a little bit so he managed to win fourth game. It was close until 6-6 in fifth but after that I made few good decision and sealed the match ” said Kay.”In the opening match against Lode HULSHOF I was very nervous and it is good that I did not have tougher adversary for the start.” All-French duel between Vincent PICARD and Lilian BARDET ended very fast. PICARD won in straight games. Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland needed one more to overcame Lode HULSHOF of Netherlands same as Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary to prevail against Adrien RASSENFOSSE of Belgium. Olav KOSOLOSKY of Belgium was stretched to full distance before he overcame Dorian ZHENG of France. In Juniors Girls Event no. three seed Jamila LAURENTI of Italy recovered from the first round defeat and win in furious style. Ema LOBOSOVA of Slovakia lost in straight games. “I played against Olga VISHNIAKOVA at the European Championships and I beat her in very hard match. Twice I was in reverse 2-1 and 2-3 but I managed to close that encounter in my favour. So I knew what to expect and I knew the right tactics but today I just can not beat her ” said Jamila about the opening round match.” In the second round against LOBOSOVA I controlled the match from the beginning and I had not any problem.” The same way Anna WEGRZYN of Poland secured the victory over Emine ERNST of Netherlands. She needed only four games. Franziska SCHREINER of Germany suffered by the hands of Katarzyna WEGRZYN Tania PLAIAN of Romania beat Isa COK of France. Olga VISHNIAKOVA overcame another favorite Zdena BLASKOVA of Czech Republic. It was second defeat for the seed no. two. Cadet Simon BELIK of Czech Republic was first to finish his second Round match against Jakub GOLDIR. On his second exit to the table he maintained clear record this time much easier then against Iulian CHIRITA. BELIK needed only four games to beat GOLDIR. “I was the favorite and I knew he will play like he has nothing to lose. We know each other very well and it is always dangerous to play against adversary who know your tactics. I had to be focus on first ball and play safe in rallies. It proved enough ” said BELIK. Hugo DESCHAMPS of France proved his victory over Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland was not coincidence. He overcame Mike HOLLO of Germany in the second round to add extend the list of upsets in Noordwijk. Top seed Louis LAFFINEUR of Belgium recovered after shocking defeat in first round to overcame Eduard IONESCU of Romania in straight games. All-Romanian duel between Darius MOVILEANU and Iulian CHIRITA ended in favour of higher ranked Darius but he needed seven games to reach the victory. Gabrielius CAMARA of Netherlands gave another brave performance. After he beat Louis LAFFINEUR of Belgium in opening game he stretched Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland to full distance but in the final stage Polish player withstood the pressure. Top seeded in Cadet Girls Event Elena ZAHARIA of Romania continued in same pace as she started her journey at the Top 10. Next in line to suffer was Alina ZAVARKYNA of Russia. No. five seed only managed to win one game. Vlada VORONINA of Russia had much easier task comparing to thriller she played earlier this morning against Alina ZAVARKYNA. In Second Round she overcame Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU of Greece in straight games. Favorites continued in the same rhythm in remaining two duels; Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia beat Helena SOMMEROVA of Czech Republic and Dorottya TOLGYES of Hungary overcame Naomi PRNJAKOVIC of Germany. Junior Boys Vincent PICARD (France) – Dorian ZHENG (France) 3-4 (5-11 11-3 11-8 3-11 10-12 14-12 5-11) Samuel KULCZYCKI (Poland) – Lilian BARDET (France) 3-4 (11-7 8-11 11-6 11-13 11-6 4-11 9-11) Kay STUMPER (Germany)- Lode HULSHOF (Netherlands) 4-1 (11-3 11-9 9-11 11-5 11-7) Csaba ANDRAS (Hungary) – Carlo ROSSI (Italy) 4-2 (11-8 11-2 8-11 11-9 5-11 11-2) Olav KOSOLOSKY (Belgium) – Adrien RASSENFOSSE (Belgium) 2-4 (12-10 6-11 9-11 11-8 3-11 9-11) Second Round Vincent PICARD – Lilian BARDET 4-0 (13-11 11-8 11-4 11-7) Samuel KULCZYCKI – Lode HULSHOF 4-1 (12-10 11-6 11-4 5-11 11-7) Kay STUMPER – Carlo ROSSI 4-1 (11-9 11-6 13-11 7-11 11-6) Csaba ANDRAS – Adrien RASSENFOSSE 4-1 (11-8 11-6 11-7 9-11 11-8) Olav KOSOLOSKY – Dorian ZHENG 4-3 (11-9 6-11 9-11 11-5 8-11 11-7 11-6) Junior Girls Anna WEGRZYN (Poland) – Katarzyna WEGRZYN (Poland) 4-2 (11-5 10-12 11-7 11-8 5-11 11-4) Zdena BLASKOVA (Czech Republic) – Emine ERNST (Netherlands) 2-4 (12-10 8-11 10-12 11-9 11-1 6-11 Jamila LAURENTI (Italy) – Olga VISHNIAKOVA (Russia) 2-4 (7-11 11-9 7-11 11-8 3-11 7-11) Tania PLAIAN (Romania) – Ema LOBOSOVA (Slovakia) 4-1 (11-5 11-6 7-11 11-7 12-10) Franziska SCHREINER (Germany) – Isa COK (France) 4-1 (11-5 11-6 11-2 5-11 11-2) Second Round Anna WEGRZYN – Emine ERNST 4-0 (11-4 11-5 11-9 11-9) Zdena BLASKOVA– Olga VISHNIAKOVA 3-4 (11-8 8-11 11-13 9-11 11-8 11-6 9-11) Jamila LAURENTI – Ema LOBOSOVA 4-0 (11-6 12-10 11-8 13-11) Tania PLAIAN – Isa COK 4-2 (13-11 8-11 11-7 11-9 8-11 13-11) Franziska SCHREINER – Katarzyna WEGRZYN 2-4 (13-11 11-9 5-11 2-11 5-11 7-11) Cadet Girls Event Elena ZAHARIA (Romania) – Anna PETERS (NETHERLANDS) 4-0 (11-3 11-3 11-7 11-3) Vlada VORONINA (Russia) – Alina ZAVARKYNA (Russia) 4-3
ERNST and CAMARA shined at the beginning of Europe Youth Top 10
Great start for Dutch players in Noordwijk The Europe Youth Top 10 commences today in Dutch City of Noordwijk. The opening round brought great excitement and close matches already. In all four categories upsets were on the menu. Most notable came from host nation representatives Emine ERNST and Gabrielius CAMARA. Top seeded player in Junior Boys Event Vincent PICARD of France suffered by the hands of his compatriot Dorian ZHENG after long seven games. ZHENG is seeded at the position no. 9 in Noordwijk. Next in line to suffer by lower ranked adversary was no. two seed Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland. He lost to in seven games duel against Lilian BARDET of France. “This is great comeback. I was injured for a month and it is so good that I started this tournament with the win – the win over one of the best European players” said BARDET who is third seed. Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary beat Carlo ROSSI of Italy in six games whilst Kay STUMPER of Germany needed one less to beat Lode HULSHOF of Netherlands. In all Belgium’s duel Adrien RASSENFOSSE overcame Olav KOSOLOSKY. Emine ERNST of Netherlands warmed harts of host nation supporters. Ranked only at the position no. 37 at the European rankings she beat Europe’s no. two Zdena BLASKOVA of Czech Republic. “We played against each other once in Canada. I was leading 2-0 but lost that match. However it was good experience. I knew what to do today. I put a lot of pressure on her backhand and played deep on forehand it proved as good tactics ” said ERNST who reached the Round of 16 at the European Youth Championships earlier this year. No. one seed Anna WEGRZYN of Poland justified her rankings and overcame twin sister Katarzyna who is no. 4 seed. Olga VISHNIAKOVA of Russia came to Netherlands as substitute but she showed no weakness against Jamila LAURENTI of Italy. Seeded at the position no. three Italian faced defeat in six games. Tania PLAIAN of Romania beat Ema LOBOSOVA of Slovakia and Franziska SCHREINER of Germany accounted for Isa COK of France. Both matches concluded in five games. Top seed in Cadet girls event Elena ZAHARIA of Romania underlined her status in Noordwijk. In straight games she overcame Anna PETERS of Netherlands. All-Russia’s duel between Vlada VORONINA and Alina ZAVARKYNA concluded in favor of higher ranked VORONINA but not without big drama. Alina put her teammate under severe pressure. Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia beat Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU of Greece without due alarm and Dorottya TOLGYES of Hungary overcame Helena SOMMEROVA of Czech Republic in similar vein. Annett KAUFMANN of Germany overcame compatriot Naomi PRNJAKOVIC. There was the shock in store for top seed in Cadet Boys Event Louis LAFFINEUR of Belgium. He could not withstand the pressure from Gabrielius CAMARA and after seven games Dutch representative exit the venue as the winner. Hugo DESCHAMPS of France also upset the rankings by beating Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland. Other favorites finished first round in winning pace. Darius MOVILEANU of Romania overcame teammate Eduard IONESCU Simon BELIK of Czech Republic beat Iulian CHIRITA of Romania and Mike HOLLO of Germany prevailed against Jakub GOLDIR of Slovakia. Junior Boys First Round Vincent PICARD (France) – Dorian ZHENG (France) 3-4 (5-11 11-3 11-8 3-11 10-12 14-12 5-11) Samuel KULCZYCKI (Poland) – Lilian BARDET (France) 3-4 (11-7 8-11 11-6 11-13 11-6 4-11 9-11) Kay STUMPER (Germany)- Lode HULSHOF (Netherlands) 4-1 (11-3 11-9 9-11 11-5 11-7) Csaba ANDRAS (Hungary) – Carlo ROSSI (Italy) 4-2 (11-8 11-2 8-11 11-9 5-11 11-2) Olav KOSOLOSKY (Belgium) – Adrien RASSENFOSSE (Belgium) 2-4 (12-10 6-11 9-11 11-8 3-11 9-11) Junior Girls Anna WEGRZYN (Poland) – Katarzyna WEGRZYN (Poland) 4-2 (11-5 10-12 11-7 11-8 5-11 11-4) Zdena BLASKOVA (Czech Republic) – Emine ERNST (Netherlands) 2-4 (12-10 8-11 10-12 11-9 11-1 6-11 Jamila LAURENTI (Italy) – Olga VISHNIAKOVA (Russia) 2-4 (7-11 11-9 7-11 11-8 3-11 7-11) Tania PLAIAN (Romania) – Ema LOBOSOVA (Slovakia) 4-1 (11-5 11-6 7-11 11-7 12-10) Franziska SCHREINER (Germany) – Isa COK (France) 4-1 (11-5 11-6 11-2 5-11 11-2) Cadet Girls Event Elena ZAHARIA (Romania) – Anna PETERS (NETHERLANDS) 4-0 (11-3 11-3 11-7 11-3) Vlada VORONINA (Russia) – Alina ZAVARKYNA (Russia) 4-3 (3-11 13-11 12-14 11-5 8-11 11-6 11-7) Hana ARAPOVIC (Croatia) – Malamatenia PAPADIMITROU (Greece) 4-0 (11-8 11-4 11-9 12-10) Dorottya TOLGYES (Hungary) – Helena SOMMEROVA (Czech Republic) 4-1 (11-13 11-8 11-9 11-7 11-7) Annett KAUFMANN (Germany) – Naomi PRNJAKOVIC (Germany) 4-2 (14-12 11-8 11-9 8-11 9-11 11-9) Cadet Boys Louis LAFFINEUR (Belgium) – Gabrielius CAMARA (Nertherlands) 3-4 (11-4 9-11 11-5 6-11 11-9 7-11 7-11) Darius MOVILEANU (Romania) – Eduard IONESCU (Romania) 4-2 (8-11 11-13 11-7 11-6 11-4 11-8) Simon BELIK (Czech Republic) – Iulian CHIRITA (Romania) 4-2 (11-9 7-11 9-11 11-5 16-14 11-7) Mike HOLLO (Germany) – Jakub GOLDIR (Slovakia) 4-0 (11-5 11-6 11-6 11-8) Milosz REDZIMSKI (Poland) – Hugo DESCHAMPS (France) 2-4 (5-11 8-11 11-7 8-11 16-14 9-11)
Swedish Open: China’s players end hopes of host trio
2019 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open in Stockholm Top three host players lost their Round of 32 matches at the 2019 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open in Stockholm and each of them were beaten by China’s representatives: ZHAO Zihao vs. Mattias FALCK 4:2 (16:18 11:9 10:12 11:7 13:11 11:7) WANG Chuqin vs. Kristian KARLSSON 4:2 (11:6 11:6 11:9 8:11 7:11 11:4) FAN Zhendong vs Jon PERSSON 4:1 (9:11 11:4 11:6 11:9 11:7). Seven China’s players in total reached Round of 16 including no. 3 seed LIN Gaoyuan and ZHOU Qihao who overcame Frenchman Enzo ANGLES and England’s Liam PITCHFORD respectively. XU Xin the top seed needed six games to eliminate his compatriot XU Haidong. Two German players reached Round of 16. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was 1:3 down against Japan’s Yukiya UDA but managed to win while Patrick FRANZISKA overcame former world top 10 player from China FANG Bo. Frenchman Simon GAUZY prevailed against Alvaro ROBLES of Spain. Regarding Women’s Singles Round of 32 Japan’s Miyu NAGASAKI caused the biggest upset as she beat no. 3 seed China’s ZHU Yuling. Monaco’s YANG Xiaoxin prevailed against Hong Kong’s DOO Hoi Kem in six games while two host players Linda BERGSTRÖM and Matilda EKHOLM suffered at the hands of China’s WANG Yidi and Japan’s Honoka HASHMOTO respectively. Two top seeds China’s CHEN Meng and DING Ning finished their encounters in straight games. Actual Olympic champion no.2 seed DING beat Britt EERLAND of the Netherlands. Austria’s Yui HAMAMOTO forced no.4 seed WANG Manyu of China to play her best table tennis but lost in six games. Opening round in the Men’s Doubles event brought one huge upset as Poland’s Jakub DYJAS and Belgium’s Cédric NUYTINCK beat top seeds Korea Republic’s JANG Woojin and LEE Sangsu. Surprise of the day in the Women’s Doubles belongs to Portugal’s SHAO Jieni and FU Yu who prevailed against Japan’s Miyuu KIHARA and Miyu NAGASAKI the no.2 seeds. It was a bad day for host players bearing in mind that Poland’s Jakub DYJAS and Natalia PARTYKA beat Mattias FALCK and Matilda EKHOLM in the Mixed Doubles. Live Streaming News & Articles Daily Schedule World Tour Standings Photo Gallery Flash Quotes Media Kit ITTF Social: Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube Weibo
Swedish Open – First out of last three European stops on the road Zhengzhou
The road to Zhengzhou and the 2019 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals hots up in Europe with this week’s Swedish Open ahead of final World Tour events in Germany and Austria The race to reach the 2019 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals – the prestigious end-of-year showpiece event which will be held in Zhengzhou China between 12–15 December – is entering its dramatic final stages with three World Tour events left on the menu. While several star players have already accumulated enough World Tour points to guarantee their tickets to Zhengzhou more than half of the total line-up is yet to be confirmed. In order to qualify players need to finish among the top 16 in the men’s and women’s competitions and among the top 8 in men’s women’s and mixed doubles categories. Yes the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals are fast approaching but the road to Zhengzhou is still long and with the potential for plenty more twists and turns along the way… That’s why all eyes are on Europe at present starting of course with this week’s ITTF World Tour Swedish Open in Stockholm followed by two ITTF World Tour Platimum events in Bremen Germany and Linz Austria. SEEDS AND SWEDES! Men’s Singles The first stop on this European extravaganza is under way at the Eriksdalshallen in Stockholm. After two days of qualifying some of the sport’s biggest names have gathered in the Swedish capital for the main draw between 3-6 October. Men’s world no.1 XU Xin (CHN) already has three World Tour titles to his name this year and is seeking a fourth to avenge last year’s final defeat to FAN Zhendong (CHN) in Stockholm. The top two seeds could face one another in this year’s showpiece too. The men’s singles event boasts a strong Swedish representation thanks to Jon PERSSON’s spirited qualifying campaign to reach the main draw alongside seeded compatriots Mattias FALCK and Kristian KARLSSON. With the backing of the home crowd PERSSON faces FAN Zhendong in the first round while FALCK and KARLSSON could potentially meet in the quarter-finals. Their section of the draw however includes teenage talents Tomokazu HARIMOTO (JPN) and WANG Chuqin (CHN) as well as JANG Woojin (KOR) SUN Wen (CHN) and ZHAO Zihao (CHN) who are all battling hard for coveted points in order to reach the World Tour Grand Finals. German pair Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Patrick FRANZISKA are close to confirming their places in Zhengzhou and could cross paths in the final eight in Stockholm although the likes of 3rd seed LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) and WONG Chun Ting (HKG) who is currently one spot below the cut for Zhengzhou qualification will have different ideas. Women’s Singles China has sent an all-star line-up to Stockholm such that already in the quarter-finals it’s conceivable that world no.1 CHEN Meng could cross paths with reigning world champion LIU Shiwen for the first time since their epic final showdown at the 2019 World Championships in Budapest. Another eye-catching quarter-final could well materialise in the form of DING Ning vs SUN Yingsha who have already claimed one victory apiece against each other on this year’s World Tour with reigning Olympic champion DING winning their Korea Open semi-final before SUN scored revenge at the Australian Open final. The 18-year-old star tops the World Tour women’s singles chart with two triumphs on the Tour so far before claiming gold with another breath-taking display at last month’s Asian Championships. Fellow Chinese stars ZHU Yuling and WANG Manyu are set to come up against Japan’s finest with Kasumi ISHIKAWA in the same section of the draw as ZHU while WANG could conceivably face Mima ITO or Miu HIRANO who must overcome compatriots Hitomi SATO and Hina HAYATA in their respective round one matches. Swedish seeded pair Matilda EKHOLM and Linda BERGSTROM begin their campaigns against Honoka HASHIMOTO (JPN) and WANG Yidi (CHN) respectively. Doubles The mixed doubles features a number of proven partnerships and the top three seeds are stellar names on the circuit: WONG Chun Ting and DOO Hoi Kem (HKG) world champions XU Xin and LIU Shiwen (CHN) and Jun MIZUTANI and Mima ITO (JPN). Mattias FALCK and Matilda EKHOLM (SWE) team up for the host nation. JANG Woojin and LEE Sangsu (KOR) top the men’s doubles seeding list followed by Chinese pairs LIANG Jingkun / LIN Gaoyuan and FAN Zhendong / XU Xin. China also has two highly competitive pairs in the women’s doubles in the form of world champions SUN Yingsha / WANG Manyu and CHENG Ming / DING Ning. CAN SWEDISH SUCCESS STORY CONTINUE? “The success that we’ve been having now started last year with the World Team Championships at home in Halmstad where we took the bronze medal; then of course Mattias (FALCK) reaching the final at this year’s World Championships (in Budapest). So of course this has been great for the entire table tennis community in Sweden and the team as a whole. We have shown that a lot of things are possible and I hope this will now give a positive forward momentum to every member of the team.” – Swedish assistant coach Jorgen PERSSON. Live Streaming News & Articles Daily Schedule World Tour Standings Photo Gallery Flash Quotes Media Kit ITTF Social: Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube Weibo
Vincent PICARD leading the new generation in Noordwijk
2019 Europe Youth Top-10 French player Vincent PICARD semifinalist of the European Youth Championships in Ostrava earlier this year is the leading name in the Junior Boys Event at the 2019 Europe Youth Top-10 which starts on Friday in the Dutch City of Noordwijk. Europe’s no. two was not playing at the Top 10 last year in Portugal’s Vila Real and that will be new experience for the Poland’s Samuel KULCZYCKI seeded no. two as well. KULCZYCKI was halted in the quarters of the Junior Boys Singles at the European Championships in Czech Republic. Next on seedings is Lilian BARDET of France also without experience in playing at the Junior Top-10. To be precise the only player with the experience of playing in Juniors at Top-10 is no. four seed Kay STUMPER of Germany. He is currently ranked at the position no. 7 in Europe and last year he reached sixth position in Portugal. Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary is no. five seed. He lost to PICKARD in the quarterfinal of the European Championships. The list goes on with Olav KOSOLOSKY of Belgium his compatriot Adrien RASSENFOSSE Carlo ROSSI of Italy Dorian ZHENG of France and host nation representative Lode HULSHOF. During the tournament hosts will organise side events and it is going to be great table tennis weekend for all. Fans will have opportunity to learn from European Champion in Doubles Bettine VRIESEKOOP on Friday day later double Paralympic Champion Kelly van ZON will have demonstration followed by Sunday’s School Championships. See you in Noordwijk this weekend! More informations here Official site here The match schedules ( here) The programme book is digitally available here The results can be seen at here Full information about the tournament is available through here Information about the city of Noordwijk can be found here here
EERLAND sets up clash with Olympic champion
2019 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open in Stockholm Netherland’s Britt EERLAND beat Ukraine’s Margaryta PESOTSKA in straight games of the Women’s Singles Preliminary Round 3 at the 2019 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open in Stockholm to set up Round of 32 clash with no. 2 seed DING Ning of China actual Olympic champion and former three-time ITTF World Championships gold medallist in the singles event. Former individual European champion LI Jie of Netherlands lost to Japan’s Hina HAYATA in seven games. Austria’s Yui HAMAMOTO has recorded third consecutive win against Korea’s YANG Haeun wining ultimate seventh game by a narrow margin (16:14). France’s YUAN Jia Nan who upset Portugal’s FU Yu in the opening preliminary round reached main draw after her victory against LEE Eunhye of Korea. YUAN is going to play her Round of 32 match against current World champion LIU Shiwen of China Second day of the Swedish Open October 2 saw two preliminary rounds 3 and 4 in the Men’s Singles event. Alexander SHIBAEV beat ZHAI Yujia of Denmark in seven games and host Viktor BRODD in straight games to book his place among the best 32 players. Tiago APOLONIA lost to Korea’s JEOUNG Youngsik who turned the score from 2:3 to 4:3. Paul DRINKHALL had a hard job in the Preliminary Round 3 where he beat Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC reversing the score from 1:3 to 4:3. In the next round he overcame Paraguay’s Marcelo AGUIRRE in six game to secure his place in the main draw Creators of two biggest upset yesterday Mehdi BOULOUSSA and Alexandru CAZACU have been eliminated on their way to the main draw. CAZACU was beaten by Frenchman Enezo ANGLES who reached Round of 32 after his win against Hampus NORDBERG of Sweden. Jon PERSSON will be one of three host players in the Men’s Singles main draw as he beat both Jesus CANTERO of Spain and Egypt’s Singles Omar ASSAR. CANTERO’s compatriot Alvaro ROBLES progressed into the main draw as he prevailed against Thailand’s Supanut WISUTMAYTHANGKOON. Two Chinese players who participated in the 2019 TTCLM final playing for Russian clubs Orenburg and UMMC met in the Preliminary Round 4: FANG Bo vs. YAN An 4:1.
Battle in the 2020-2021 ITTF European Team Championships starts 13th October 2020
Deadline for the entry form is Thursday 24th October 2019 The first stage of the ITTF European Team Championships starts on Sunday 26th April 2020. The winners of the 2019 ETTC (men Germany women Romania) and the host of the final stage (Romania) will not take part in stage 1 and will proceed directly to the final stage of the Championship. The final stage will be played in Romania’s Cluj Napoca. There will be stage 1 groups A B and C. There will be Groups A B and C and the composition of Groups A B and C will be announced no later than 2 months after the final stage of the previous Championships. There will be 18 teams in Groups A: 7 final stage quarter-finalists of the previous Championships (or 6 teams if the host of the final stage finished among these quarter-finalists but was not the winner) 8 final stage group runners-up of the previous Championships (or 7 if the host of the final stage finished among these teams); 3 teams finishing 3rd in the final stage group stage of the previous Championships with the best World Team Ranking at the moment the composition of the Groups A will be announced (or 4 teams if the host of the final stage finished among these teams). There will be 6 groups each of 3 teams. They will play a double round robin with 2 home matches and 2 away matches. The 6 group winners and 6 group runners up will proceed directly to the final stage of the Championships. The position 3 teams will proceed to stage 2 to compete for the remaining places in the final stage. All other entered teams that took part in the previous Championships will play in Groups B. There will be groups with 3 or 4 teams depending on the number of entered teams. The matches will be played with a round robin system during one weekend and one host per group. The detailed playing system for the B groups will be published as soon as the number of entered teams is known. Depending on the number of groups 8 10 or 12 teams from the Groups B will proceed to stage 2 to compete for the remaining 10 places in the final stage (together with the 6 teams from the Groups A). The detailed playing system for and the number of teams from Groups B proceeding to stage 2 will be published as soon as the number of entered teams are known. All other entered teams will play in Groups C. There will be maximum 4 groups. The matches will be played with a round robin system during one weekend and one host per group. The detailed playing system and the number of teams proceeding to Groups B will be published as soon as the number of entered teams is known. Stage 1 dates: A groups round 1: Tuesday 13th October 2020 A groups round 2: Tuesday 17th November 2020 A groups round 3: Tuesday 8th December 2020 B groups: Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October 2020 C groups: Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April 2020 The 2021 dates for the A groups rounds 4 5 and 6 will follow.
Swedish Open: Bad day for favourites
2019 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open in Stockholm The opening day at the 2019 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open in Stockholm October 1st saw several upsets but two biggest have been seen in Men’s Singles Preliminary Round 2 both after full seven games: Frenchman Mehdi BOULOUSSA beat Jonathan GROTH 4:3 (14:12 18:16 11:7 3:11 8:11 6:11 11:8) while Romania’s Alexandru CAZACU prevailed against Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS 4:3 (11:9 13:11 5:11 11:3 11:9 9:11 11:6). Host rising star Truls MOREGARD was beaten by Serbia’s veteran Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC in five games. The 12-year-old Sora MATSUSHIMA of Japan the winner of the mini-cadet boys’ singles event at the 2019 ITTF Junior Circuit Swedish Junior & Cadet Open held in February recorded his very first ITTF World Tour win after beating Russia’s Lev KATSMAN in five games but he lost to Austria’s Andreas LEVENKO in the next stage. Women’s Singles event also had some unexpected outcomes. The 2018 ITTF Europe Top 16 winner Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS suffered at the hands of Monaco’s YANG Xiaoxin after six games. China’s QIAN Tianyi the reigning world junior champion prevailed against actual individual European champion Poland’s LI Qian in six games in her opening game. In the Preliminary Round 2 she defeated Russia’s Valeria SHCHERBATYKH. Second day of the tournament October 2nd is reserved for Preliminary Round 3 and 4 in the Men’s Singles events Preliminary Round 3 in the Women’s Singles Preliinary Round 2 in both doubles events and Round 1 and 2 in Mixed pairs.
