Liebherr European Championships   Germany won eight title in Men’s Teams Event and made it second time in the row at the LIEBHERR European Championships. In Nantes they overcame Portugal and it was their fifth match at the Championships and fifth victory. In addition neither of three players Timo BOLL Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Patrick FRANZISKA had felt the bitterness of defeat in singles match on their way to the new crown. They maintained the unbeaten status in six days tournament.   As a matter of fact last time they suffered defeat was in the final of the European Championships in Ekaterinburg 2015 when they lost to Austria. In Luxembourg two years latter they overcame Portugal also.         Dimitrij OVTCHAROV overcame Marcos FREITAS in opening match (7-11 7-11 8-11). The two had met on nine previous occasions with the results being in favor of Germany’s player and the tenth duel in Nantes did not make any difference. The opening stages of first two games went to Marcos account but from moment when OVTCHAROV settled into the rhythm he was in control. Only in third game in the closing stages FREITAS narrowed the gap from 6-9 to 8-9 but next two points went to his adversary.   “It is not easy to play against him. We are in the same club and in few days we will fight with each other against others. However German team is very strong and it is easier when you know you have those guys by your side ” said OVTCHAROV.       Joao MONTEIRO lost all his eight previous encounters against Timo BOLL bur rarely it was quiet affair. In last two matches best ranked player in Europe was stretched to full distance; most recently in China earlier this year. The match in Nantes was not exception to the rule. Timo BOLL manage to overcame Joao MONTEIRO in four games (7-11 11-4 9-11 7-11) but not before he faced pressure. His service was not that lethal against lefthanders so MONTEIRIO took his chance to control second and good part of third game. That was not enough and eventually BOLL found his way to win the duel.   “OVTCHAROV and FRANZISKA made it easier for me. It is much more enjoyable to play without being under big stress. They took the pressure out of me ” said BOLL.”It is difficult to play against MONTEIRO because of his style but eventually I found right rhythm.”     Patrick FRANZISKA faced difficulties in two opening games against Tiago APOLONIA but from the third game it was one way street that leads to another German success (10-12 9-11 4-11)   “It is nice to be the one who will win the last point ” said FRANZISKA after comment that he came in play after 2-0 once again.    

Liebherr European Championships   Romania clinched fifth title in Women’s Team’s Event at the LIEBHERR European Championships in Nantes. In the final they overcame Portugal in straight matches. They defended the trophy from Luxembourg and added to the ones won in 2005 2002 and 1992.   Bernadette SZOCS gave Romania dream start with victory over SHAO Jieni (11-7 8-11 6-11 11-7 11-6). She too the opening game without facing any pressure but the game become closer in the next one and in third SHAO took over the control. Before 0-6 errors flowed frustration was evident and SHAO dominated the game. Good service game change of the rhythm and from fourth game Bernadette was in driving seat again. SHAO failed to find the response and to stop Bernadette.   “I was focused; I know how dangerous she is. There was no place for the mistake ” said Bernadette SZOCS.       The gap at the rankings between Europe’s no 10 YU Fu and no. 50 Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO was something we did not saw in the arena when those two met. For third year in the row DODEAN MONTEIRO denied YU from win at the European Championships. Then fact that Daniela beat YU in two previous occasions at the European Singles in Alicante and year earlier in Luxembourg at Team’s was good point when coach FILIMON was composing the team for this duel. Once again she justified that trust (7-11 11-8 11-9 6-11 11-3).   “I felt very confident. My game was on the highest level. Even when I was down I did not feel she can close the gap ” said Daniela.   In the third duel Elizabeta SAMARA needed three games to close the match and to seal the victory for Romania who will head for het trick in two years in Cluj. SAMARA delivered solid performance against Leila OLIVEIRA (11-9 11-7 11-6).   “I felt the pressure just from the thought that Dana and Bernie did a great job and that I can not allow any mistake in my duel. I had to finish that match. We have fantastic team that deserved this victory ” added SAMARA.      

  Spa city in the Ardennes region of eastern Belgium will host fifth edition of the Under 21 European Championships in 2021 (from 10thto 14thMarch). The town known for its mineral-rich thermal waters is also familiar name in table tennis. For years Spa hosts the ITTF Junior Circuit Premium Belgium Junior & Cadet Open.   ETTU President Ronald KRAMER is delighted with the decision for the famous city of Spa to host the U-21 European Championships in 2021. “The experience enthusiasm and hospitality of our Belgian friends will undoubtedly guarantee a wonderful event in beautiful surroundings. I fully understand their wish to host the event also after 2021. But I do not know yet if this is feasible and wanted for our U-21 event.”   “We know how to organise the events with the experience of organising ITTF Circuit events for five years at the same place. We offer best conditions in very nice surroundings. The sport complex that is used for the Olympic preparations has full equipment and the hotel is only minutes for the venue. The castle will be open for meetings so I am sure it will be enjoyable event. We will also talk with local schools and I am sure we will have a lot of spectators” said Belgium TTA President Jean-Michel MUREAU.   The organisers are not only interested to host the Championships in 2021 but even further.   “We will start our talks with sponsors and it is always easier to discuss if we can present longer term cooperation. That is why we will be candidates for 2022 and 2023.”        

Liebherr European Championships   Dimitrij OVTCHAROV continued in the same style as BOLL and overcame Emmanuel LEBESSON in four games (9-11 11-3 11-5 11-7).   “I enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere. It was great pleasure playing here and being part of the spectacle. LEBESSON proved himself as a worthy adversary and all three of us has to be at the peak of our game to beat them ” said OVTCHAROV.   Patrick FRANZISKA succeeded against Can AKKUZU (11-6 11-8 5-11 11-7): “It is easier when you come to play after 2-0 lead of your team but France proved yesterday that they are capable of making recovering from 0-2 in reverse. I was cautious and did not let that happened again.”       Seven time winners of the Men’s Teams title Germany is on their way to defend the trophy clinched in Luxembourg. They beat three times winners France on their way to the ultimate stage at the LIEBHERR European Championships in Nantes. In the final they will meet Portugal. It is Germany’s tenth final in last 12 years.   After all the drama of the semi-final between Sweden and Portugal the second duel was a comparatively quiet affair if you excluded enthusiastic crowd of course. In the beginning of the match two number ones in their respective teams faced each other. European number one Timo BOLL beat Simon GAUZY who is listed at the position no. 6 at the Continent (11-7 15-13 8-11 11-7).   “Simon played at incredible level and hi was pushed by the support of thousands spectator. I had to play at top level to beat him. It was really close and I missed few opportunities to finish the match in the third game. I did some stupid mistakes which eventually cost me losing that set ” said Timo BOLL. “Now we have to continue in the same way against Portugal. Both teams are very confident but we did not lose singles match and I guess we can be looking forward tomorrow’s final. Portugal beat us once in the final and we will not let them do that again.”