LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF- European Table Tennis Championships In the thrilling final in 2017 Romania beat Germany to reach the throne at the European Teams Championships. In little more than a month they will have the opportunity to defend that title in the final stage of the LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF- European Table Tennis Championships in Nantes France (3- 8 September 2019). The system is changed and beside title holders Romania and host nation France 22 other teams were required to play two stages during two years period to book their place. In Nantes will also play: Germany Luxembourg Netherlands Croatia Sweden Belarus Stage Czech Republic Portugal Ukraine Poland Russia Turkey Spain Belgium Serbia Slovakia Greece Bulgaria and Slovenia. Romania is in the Group A with Spain and Slovakia. The member of the Romania’s champions team Elizabeta SAMARA followed the previous two stages. “There were no surprises; all the results are expected and all the best from Europe will be in France ” said Elizabeta who watched the draw live.” We will have very difficult job to retain our title but the atmosphere is good and we will be ready for the challenge. I think that biggest favorites beside us are Russia and Germany.” There are still enough time before the start of the Championships but so far we will most likely see in action silver medalist from individual European Championships in Alicante and vice champion in Doubles at the World Championships Oividu IONESCU alongside Hunor SZOCS Cristian PLETEA and Rares SIPOS. In Women’s team will be Europe’s no. one Bernadette SZOCS SAMARA Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO. “There will be Adina DIACONU and Irina CIOBANY there too but the list is not finalised yet ” said SAMARA. After the European Games in Minsk SAMARA had a two weeks break and now she is back in working rhythm. “I had a short break then two days escape to Paris for my friend’s wedding and now I am in Romania. We are preparing for the ASAREL Bulgaria Open in Panagyurishte in mid- August and then we will finalise the preparations for the European Championships. Both teams will be in Constanta.” She stays with KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg. With Polish club she won title in the Women Champions League this year. “The team will stay the same but I think that this time will be much harder to play. The other teams are much stronger then the last year. However we have very strong line up and we will fight to defend our title ” promised SAMARA. This year for KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg will play: HAN Ying LI Qian WU Yue Viktoria PAVLOVICH Kinga STEFANSKA GU Ruochen and Agata ZAKRZEWSKA. More information: here
Seniors in Podgorica agаin
Balkan Senior Championships The Table Tennis Association of Montenegro is the organiser of the Balkan Senior Championships in Podgorica (31 July – 04 August). The venue is Sport Hall “Verde”. The participing countries are Turkey Italy Slovenia Romania Serbia Bosnia and Herzegovina North Macedonia Montenegro Albania Greece and Kosovo. 37 men and 32 women are at the enteriees list. Last Senior Championhips was held in 2001 in Plovdiv. Since then BTTU organised only Under 21 events but now they returned to no age – limit event.
Table Tennis X is back! Denver and Rome get ready to join the party in 2019.
Table Tennis X (TTX) is the talk of the town from the United States to Italy following confirmation of two very exciting events set to be held later this year in Denver (Colorado) and Rome. TTX is table tennis reimagined. It’s a time-bound format of ping pong that amplifies the excitement within a 2-minute time limit for each game. Designed to encourage anyone to join in the fun TTX is played with simplified paddles and a bigger heavier ball that allows the sport to be enjoyed anytime anywhere. With fewer rules restricting how you can strike the ball it’s up to you to make sure that you leave nothing on the table. Simply smash or play it freestyle to hustle your way to glory! TTX games are never predictable either with most wins coming in at the last second. On August 24th 2019 the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Two Parts will be teaming up to present Smash Street by TTX: a first-of-its-kind ping pong experience in the Mile High City of Denver. TTX wanted to bring their vision to life organically by throwing a massive party in a thriving city to introduce the new game to the world. Once Denver was selected as the city of choice the partnership between TTX and Two Parts was established and the concept of Smash Street by TTX was born. With their fingers all over the pulse of what’s happening in Denver Two Parts is an experiential marketing agency with a massive impact on Denver’s social scene and the perfect partner to help bring the event to life. Smash Street by TTX is an all-day outdoor first-of-its kind ping pong-a-palooza featuring over 100 tables open play and 500+ competitors. The event is an all-out takeover at the intersection of Broadway and Walnut in RiNo and will transform the area into a sprawling adult playground complete with TTX tables live entertainment food libations and fun! The last player standing will win a one-of-a-kind trip to the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in December. At Smash Street by TTX you don’t have to be holding a paddle to have a ball. Players and guests alike will enjoy live music and interactive TTX activations where they can test their luck on different variations of TTX tables. While the players are servin’ up aces food trucks will be serving delicious food and treats while custom-built bars will serve refreshing cocktails and craft beers all day. Whether you come to compete or just to play some casual pong with your friends Smash Street is an ace when it comes to fun. On October 6th 2019 you can join in the TTX festivities in the splendid setting of the Imperial Fora at the keenly awaited Roma Ping Pong Fest. Organised by the ITTF and FITET (the Italian Table Tennis Federation) in collaboration with SG Plus Ghiretti & Partners and with the support of the Lazio Region the Municipality of Rome CONI and the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP) the Roma Ping Pong Fest will be the first of its kind to be launched in Italy showcasing the new format of table tennis that aims to make the sport more youthful. This will be a 360° all-rounded TTX experience for participants featuring a “TTX tournament” a “Celebrity tournament” fun zones music shows and even more. Participants can simply pick up a racket with family and friends to enjoy a game of TTX and score extra points with wildcards and winners! “We are excited to see TTX ready to take off in 2019. The energy of the streets of Denver and the iconic Via dei Fori Imperiali and Colosseum provide the perfect backdrop for TTX a ‘sport for all ‘ combining the fun and competitive elements of ping pong in a simplified and social context. “Smash Street by TTX” and the “Roma Ping Pong Fest” are just the start as we continue to explore new opportunities to expand the reach of our amazing sport worldwide.” Gordon KAYE ITTF Managing Director of Product Innovation. To stay up-to-date on “Roma Ping Pong Fest – A TTX Experience” simply follow FITET.org FITET’s Facebook and Instagram pages as well as TTX.world and TTXWorld’s Facebook and Instagram pages for further updates.
Rade Markovic appointed as Co-Managing Director of JOOLA
Following the acquisition of JOOLA Tischtennis GmbH. by Sport Squad Inc. Richard Lee President of the company has appointed Rade Markovic as new Co-Managing Director of JOOLA Tischtennis alongside the previous owner Michael Bachtler. Rade Markovic will be joining JOOLA as VP of Sales and Marketing. Previously a 15-year member of the Yugoslavian/Serbian National Team he has participated in many World Championships and European Championships. In addition to making it as a top 100 level world-class table tennis player Markovic has served as product manager for JOOLA Tischtennis GmbH for over 12 years. He has deep knowledge of the European market and has a huge network within the global table tennis community. “Since 1992 Rade has dedicated his career to table tennis through different roles giving him a broad perspective and overview of the sport ” said Richard Lee. “His institutional knowledge of JOOLA combined with his broad perspective of table tennis is invaluable and I am confident that we will continue to be an innovator in the industry because of what Rade brings to the table.” For the past three years Markovic has also served as the Head Coach for ASV Grunwettersbach and KITT Centre. The ASV Grunwettersbach team plays in the German Bundesliga (TTBL). “Our cooperation is more thena decade long and am happy to be invited to be part of the team again. Richard LEE did a tramendeus job in terms of expanding JOOLA bussines in North America and I am confident that our impact globaly will be even bigger now ” said MARKOVIC.
Sweden targets two podiums in Nantes
LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF-European Table Tennis Championships Nantes France Sept 3-8 Swedish National Team is satisfied with the outcome of the recent draw for the LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF-European Table Tennis Championships (September 3-8) to be held in Nantes (France). Sweden’s men team runner-up at the recent 2019 European Games in Minsk Belarus will be no. 2 seed in Nantes playing in Group B with 2009 bronze medalist Romania and Hungary 4-time champion (last time 1982). Sweden is the record holder with 14 titles. Women’s team no. 6 seed is the 2014 bronze medalist. They are going to play in Group F with the third placed side at the recent 2019 European Games Poland and Turkey. Only winners of eight group will reach quertar-finals. Swedish players will have individual preparation at Bulgaria Open (13-18 August) and the Czech Open (20-25 August) while the entire national team will have its final preparation on home soil in Halmstad (25-30 August). Women’s team: Matilda EKHOLM Linda BERGSTROM Stina KALLBERG Filippa BERGAND. Men’s team: Mattias FALCK Kristian KARLSSON Jon PERSSON Truls MOREGARD Anton KALLBERG. Sport manager of the national team Mikael ANDERSSON believes that both sides have quality to win the medals especially men’s side: „They have proved that they are among the best in the world for a long time and they will be involved in the fight for the gold”.
LEBESSON: “It’s always special to play at home”
LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF-European Table Tennis Championships Nantes France Sept 3-8 France host nation of the LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF-European Table Tennis Championships in Nantes has big expectations for that event to be held on September 3-8th. Men’s team will play in Group C with Slovakia and Spain while women’s one is going to face Luxembourg and Greece in Group H. “It’s always special to play at home” stated French player 2016 individual European champion Emmanuel LEBESSON speaking for FFTT website after the draw held last Friday July 19th. “We have to give our best in front of our fans although we all have in mind the qualification for Tokyo 2020. The goal will be to pass successfully group stage and reach quarter-finals.” Member of the French women’s team Stéphanie LOEUILLETTE explained after the draw: “This draw allow us to fight for the first place in our group. It will not be easy but I think at home we will have our chance to play good and reach quarter-finals.”
T2 Diamond Men’s final: Sensational LIN Yun-Ju vs. FAN Zhendong
T2 Diamond Table Tennis League (T2 Diamond) in Johor Bahru Malaysia (July 18-21) Chinese Taipei’s LIN Yun-Ju 17-year old concluded successfully his miraculous way to the main prize at the T2 Diamond Table Tennis League in Johor Bahru Malaysia (July 18-21). He managed day by day to beat actual World and Olympic champion MA Long (quarter-finals) then the best Hong Kong’s player WONG Chun Ting (semis) and world no. 3 FAN Zhendong (final). In the gold medal contest LIN overcame former world no. 1 after five games – 11:7 11:4 8:11 11:5 5:0. ZHU Yuling scured gold in the all-Chinese Women’s final as she prevailed against WANG Manyu 4:1 (11:9 11:6 7:11 11:7 5:2). WONG Chun Ting beat Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA in the quarter-final stage while current world no. 1 XU Xin of China overcame Sweden’s Mattias FALCK. Both European players lost after five games. The 20-year-old Miyu KATO from Japan caused biggest upset in the Women’s event as she eliminated world no. 1 CHEN Meng in the quarter-finals. Germany’s HAN Ying lost to WANG Manyu in straight games. Women’s event Quarter-finals WANG Manyu (CHN) – HAN Ying (GER) 4:0 (11:7 11:6 11:6 11:10) DING Ning (CHN) – FENG Tianwei (SGP) 4:1 (11:9 11:5 10:11 11:9 5:4) ZHU Yuling (CHN) – SUN Yingsha (CHN) 4:0 (11:6 11:5 11:6 11:8) Miyu KATO (JPN) – CHEN Meng (CHN) 4:2 (11:4 11:9 4:11 11:6 2:5 5:4) Semi-finals WANG Manyu (CHN) – DING Ning (CHN) 4:3 (8:11 11:6 3:11 11:7 4:5 5:2 5:2) ZHU Yuling (CHN) – Miyu KATO (JPN) 4:0 (11:6 11:3 11:7 11:6) Match for 3rd place DING Ning (CHN) – Miyu KATO 4:0 (11:3 11:6 11:9 11:6) Final ZHU Yuling (CHN) – WANG Manyu (CHN) 4:1 (11:9 11:6 7:11 11:7 5:2) Men’s event Quarter-finals LIN Yun-Ju (TPE) – MA Long (CHN) 4:2 (8:11 11:2 4:11 11:8 5:3 5:4) WONG Chun Ting (HKG) – Patrick FRANZISKA (GER) 4:1 (11:9 11:10 10:11 11:2 5:3) XU Xin (CHN) – Mattias FALCK (SWE) 4:1 (11:6 11:6 10:11 11:3 5:1) FAN Zhendong (CHN) – LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) 4:0 (11:8 11:6 11:5 11:8) Semi-finals LIN Yun-Ju (TPE) – WONG Chun Ting (HKG) 4:0 (11:9 11:6 11:8 11:7) FAN Zhendong (CHN) – XU Xin (CHN) 4:0 (11:6 11:5 11:5 11:8) Match for 3rd place XU Xin (CHN) – WONG Chun Ting 4:2 (6:11 11:6 11:3 7:11 11:8 5:2) Final LIN Yun-Ju (TPE) – FAN Zhendong (CHN) 4:1 (11:7 11:4 8:11 11:5 5:0) More information: here
T2 Diamond: Patrick FRANZISKA upsets LIANG Jingkun
T2 Diamond Table Tennis League (T2 Diamond) in Johor Bahru Malaysia (July 18-21) Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA caused biggest upset of the Day 2 at the T2 Diamond Table Tennis League in Johor Bahru Malaysia as he beat world no. 6 LIANG Jingkun from China – 4:2 (11:10 4:11 11:8 7:11 5:1 5:3). Sweden’s Mattias FALCK has joined him in the quarter-finals after his victory against Japan’s Koki NIWA (JPN) after six games. Regarding women’s event HAN Ying of Germany proceeded among the best eight as she eliminated Chinese Taipei’s world no. 8 CHEN I-Ching after five games. The 2017 T2 Diamond League winner Bernadette SZOCS of Romania was beaten by China’s DING Ning current world no. 3. Tomorrow July 20th HAN Ying will face top seeded WANG Manyu. Mattias FALCK is going to play against actual world no. 1 XU Xin while Patrick FRANZISKA tries to creat another upset facing Hong Kong’s WONG Chun Ting. Day 2 July 19th Session 1 Men’s event LIN Yun-Ju (TPE) – Jun MIZUTANI (JPN) 4:0 (11:9 11:10 11:7 11:8) FAN Zhendong (CHN) – Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) 4:0 (11:8 11:10 11:6 5:2) Women’s event HAN Ying (GER) – CHEN I-Ching (TPE) 4:1 (11:8 11:9 9:11 5:2 5:2) FENG Tianwei (SGP) – Miu HIRANO (JPN) 4:2 (8:11 9:11 11:10 5:4 5:3 5:4) Day 2 July 19th Session 2 Men’s event Koki NIWA (JPN) – Mattias FALCK (SWE) 2:4 (8:11 8:11 10:11 11:10 5:2 3:5) LIANG Jingkun (CHN) – Patrick FRANZISKA (GER) 2:4 (10:11 11:4 8:11 11:7 1:5 3:5) Women’s event Bernadette SZOCS (ROU) – DING Ning (CHN) 1:4 (11:5 4:11 7:11 2:11 2:5) ZHU Yuling (CHN) – Kasumi ISHIKAWA (JPN) 4:1 (11:6 11:7 11:0 7:11 11:8)
2019 European Championships Men’s Draw: Russia and Czech Republic to face golden German generation
LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF- European Table Tennis Championships Nantes France Sept 3-8 The men’s draw for the LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF- European Table Tennis Championships (September 3-8) held today July 19th in the host city Nantes (France) decided reigning champion Germany to face Russia and Czech Republic in Group A. Seven-times gold medalist and 2019 European Games winner Germany (top seed) won all its seven titles in last 12 years in Timo BOLL era. Their opponents have one bronze each Russia in 2013 and Czech Republic in 2010. Group B is the most decorated one. Record holder Sweden (no. 2 seed) 14-time winner is going to play against 2009 bronze medalist Romania and Hungary 4-time champion (last time 1982). Sweden’s team won silver at the recent 2019 European Games in Minsk Belarus. Host nation France (no. 3 seed) 3-time champion plays against Slovakia and Spain in Group C. French team won its last title 21 years ago but Simon GAUZY & Co. showed their strength in last two championships winning two bronze medals. The 2015 European champion Austria no. 4 seed shares Group D with the 2005 winner Denmark (4th place at 2019 European Games) and Ukraine. Promising Slovenian team (no. 5) 2017 ECH bronze medallist faces 2007 runner-up and 2014 bronze medallist Croatia and Netherlands. They will play in Group E. Belarus team (no. 6 seed) 2003 European champion will be tested by 2016 World Championships bronze holder England and Luxembourg in Group F. Vladimir SAMSONOV & Co. won five medals since 2003 Courmayeur including last two bronze in 2013 and 2015. Two-time runner-up and 3-time bronze medallist at the European Championships Poland (no. 7 seed) is going to play in Group G against 2008 bronze medallist Belgium and Serbia. The 2013 runner-up Greece no. 8 seed will face a huge task to win top spot in Group H as they play against Portugal national team who won four medals in five years – two at European Championships (gold 2014 silver 2017) and two at European Games (2015 gold 2019 bronze). These two sides share group with Turkey. The European Championships (Team Events) has been playing over a period of two years and be concluded with the final stage in the French city of Nantes (24 men’s teams and 24 women’s teams). Each of eight group will play a complete round robin (2 matches per team). Teams finishing in 2nd and 3rd positions in the groups have completed their matches. Group winners proceed to the quarter-finals. From the quarter-finals the knockout system will be used. Men’s Teams Final Stage Groups Draw A Germany Russia Czech Republic B Sweden Romania Hungary C France Slovakia Spain D Austria Denmark Ukraine E Slovenia Croatia Netherlands F Belarus England Luxembourg G Poland Belgium Serbia H Greece Portugal Turkey More information: here
2019 European Championships Women’s Draw: Reigning champion against Spain and Slovakia
LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF- European Table Tennis Championships Nantes France Sept 3-8 The draw for the LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF- European Table Tennis Championships (September 3-8) held today July 19th in the host city Nantes (France) put the reigning women’s champion Romania in the Group A alongside Spain and Slovakia. Four-time European champion and 2019 European Games runner-up Romania (no. 1 seed) is considered as one of the strongest title contenders. Nine-time winner and actual runner-up Germany (no. 2 seed) shares Group B with 2003 gold medallist Italy and Slovenia. German side is the crowned champion of the recently held 2019 European Games in Minsk Belarus where they beat Romania in the gold medal contest. Record holder Hungary (no. 3 seed) 9-time champion will face two-time bronze medalist Belarus and Belgium in Group C. Hungarian team won its list crown 12 years ago but they took their last medal bronze in 2011 Gdansk-Sopot. Four-time European champion and actual bronze medallist Netherlands (no. 4 seed) is going to play against 3-time bronze medallist Czech Republic and Serbia in Group D. The 2015 bronze medallist Ukraine (no. 5) will face 2014 runner-up Austria and Bulgaria in the Group E. No. 6 seed Sweden 2014 bronze medalist shares Group F with the third placed side at the recent 2019 European Games Poland and Turkey. Polish team is the 2009 runner-up of the European Championships. Portugal no. 7 seed will play against Russia 7-time European champion (counting Soviet Union era) and 2-time silver medalist Croatia. Russian national team won three bronze medals in the last four events including 2017 Luxembourg. Host nation France no. 8 seed faces 2017 host Luxembourg and Greece in Group H. The European Championships (Team Events) has been playing over a period of two years and be concluded with the final stage in the French city of Nantes (24 men’s teams and 24 women’s teams). Each of eight group will play a complete round robin (2 matches per team). Teams finishing in 2nd and 3rd positions in the groups have completed their matches. Group winners proceed to the quarter-finals. From the quarter-finals the knockout system will be used. Women’s Teams Final Stage Groups Draw A Romania Spain Slovakia B Germany Italy Slovenia C Hungary Belarus Belgium D Netherlands Czech Republic Serbia E Ukraine Austria Bulgaria F Sweden Poland Turkey G Portugal Russia Croatia H France Luxembourg Greece More information: here
