The ITTF has launched the bidding process for the Finals of the bigger better and expanded World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) for 2023.   This will mark the third edition of the enlarged version of the greatest table tennis event on earth which first comes into effect in 2021 in Houston United States and then 2022 in Chengdu China. A series of continental stages taking place prior will be leading to the WTTC Finals which will showcase the very best players from the previous stages.   The WTTC Finals offer the incredible global reach of over 500 million fans on fast-growing TV and digital platforms but are now more viable for a higher number of potential cities and countries across the world to organise and continue the tradition of the most prestigious event in table tennis which first started in 1926 and keeps going from strength to strength.   The 2023 WTTC Finals will be an individual event consisting of the following categories:   Men’s Singles – straight knockout of 128 players Women’s Singles – straight knockout of 128 players Mixed Doubles – straight knockout of 64 pairs Men’s Doubles – straight knockout of 64 pairs Women’s Doubles – straight knockout of 64 pairs    The new WTTC Finals will be a table tennis festival that will promote all facets of the sport and the city that it is held in around the world. The new format allows for all matches to be televised globally and flexible scheduling to ensure that the key matches are being held at prime times to assist with ticket sales and television viewership.  “Following the fantastic interest and high quality of bids received for hosting the 2021 and 2022 WTTC Finals we are very excited to start the bidding process for the 2023 WTTC Finals. We are looking forward to seeing again a high number of competitive bids from different countries around the globe for the most prestigious table tennis event of the year. The new format of the WTTC creates increased opportunities for interested parties to organise more than just the biggest table tennis competition but also the greatest global gathering for the sport. With a new appealing competition format presented at the highest levels possible and complemented by cutting-edge marketing and promotional activities this will be truly a table tennis event for all!” said  ITTF Competition Director Vicky Eleftheriade. The bidding process is as follows:Interest phase: 18 July – 30 September 2019 *expression of interest is a must for access to the following phasesFinal Bid phase: 1 October – 30 November 2019Evaluation of Bids (including inspections): December 2019 – February 2020Selection of the winning bid: March 2020 when the bid presentations will take place at the ITTF AGM in Busan Korea Republic to decide the host for the 2023 WTTC Finals.   To find out more information and to register your interest before 30 September 2019 head to ITTFbids.com.

2019 STAG European Youth Championships   Russia tops the medal table at the 2019 STAG European Youth Championships concluded yesterday July 16th in the Czech city of Ostrava. Russian team won 16 medals (4 gold 6 silver 6 bronze) three more than last year in Cluj Napoca Romania when they took 13 (3 5 5).   France dominant national team at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships with five gold two silver and six bronze this time finished third with 12 medals (3 1 8) one spot behind Romania (4 2 2) third placed country in Cluj Napoca with 11 medals (2 2 7).   Poland has climbed from no. 5 to no. 4 with four medals (2 gold 2 silver) while Azerbaijan went down from no. 4 to no 7 winning two silver medals (last year two gold and two silver).   Germany jumped from no. 13th (two bronze) to no. 5 with 7 medals in total (1 gold 1 silver 5 bronze). Thanks to Truls MOREGARD gold in Junior Boys Singles Sweden finished sixth with three medals (1 1 1) three places better than last summer in Romania.   Country Gold Silver Bronze 1 Russia 4 6 6 2 Romania 4 2 2 3 France 3 1 8 4 Poland 2 – 2 5 Germany 1 1 5 6 Sweden 1 1 1 7 Azerbaijan – 2 – 8 Turkey – 1 – 9 Italy – 1 – 10 Belgium – – 1 11 Czech Republic – – 1 12 Austria – – 1 13 Belarus – – 1 14 Moldova – – 1  

2019 STAG European Youth Championships   Elizabet ABRAAMIAN and Anstasia KOLISH of Russia beat the top seeds in the previous round but today in the semis failed to produce the game to stop determined Turkey’s pairings Ece HARAC and Ozge YILMAZ (10-12 9-11 3-11). It is the first ever medal for Turkey in Junior Doubles Category.   “We were very motivated and eager to win this match. Ewe had to justified our gold at Balkans. We feel very good playing each other and we complement each other. We are very proud of our achievement and historical success ” said Ece HARAC.   Kristina KAZANTSEVA and Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia prevailed in the match against Isa COK and Camille LUTZ of France (12-10 6-11 7-11 11-8 11-6).               Kristina KAZANTSEVA and Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia clinched gold in the Junior Girls Doubles Event at the 2019 STAG European Youth Championships in Ostrava. In straight games they overcame Ece HARAC and Ozge YILMAZ of Turkey (7-11 10-12 7-11) in the final. Bronze medalists are Elizabet ABRAAMIAN and Anstasia KOLISH of Russia and Isa COK and Camille LUTZ of France.   “We do not play together for a long time but I felt very well. We are good pairings and we heave great confidence in each other ” said TAILAKOVA.   KZANTSEVA added: “Masha is best partner to play. The final was not that difficult as the penultimate stage. French girls put us under severe pressure.”    

2019 STAG European Youth Championships   Truls MOREGARD overcame Vincent PICARD in the match where French player managed to make a pressure only in the third game (11-6 11-7 17-19 11-9 11-5).   “I had a good tactic for him but he tried to make it difficult. There were lot of spins in the game but generally I think I played clever game and mentally I was stronger “ said MOREGARD.   After controversial net ball at 10-9 in decisive seventh game YU Khinhang of Azerbaijan overcame Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia (12-14 11-13 11-1 11-7 11-8 8-11 11-9). Russia’s player got the yellow card first Azerbaijan’s player wanted to repeat the point but the decision was made. Yu progressed to the final.           Swede Truls MOREGARD clinched the trophy in the Junior Boys Singles Event at the 2019 STAG European Youth Championships in Ostrava. In the final he overcame first player from the Azerbaijan’s team YU Khinhang (11-8 12-10 11-3 12-14 11-9). Semi finalists are Vincent PICARD of France and Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia.   “This was only fair. YU and I are the only unbeaten players here and the final was well deserved. I was very confident and that was most important – just to go for my game ” said MOREGARD.    

2019 STAG European Youth Championships   In the penultimate stage Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia lost to Anna WEGRZYN after hard duel (9-11 7-11 11-9 5-11 11-8 9-11).   “I had an advantage at 3-2 when TAILAKOVA took over the control. She had 9-4 but I did not want to let her win. I was playing better; I had more confidence. I never felt better and I played one of my best matches. Mentally I was stronger ” said WEGRZYN.   Darya KISEL of Belarus failed to win the game against Jamila LAURENTI of Italy (3-11 5-11 9-11 12-14).   “In two opening games I faced no difficulties. It was very easy for me. After that she managed to adjust to my anti spin. She is very fast and she read my backhand pretty well ” said LAURENTI.           Anna WEGRZYN of Poland won the gold medal in the Junior Girls Singles Event at the 2019 STAG European Youth Championships. In the final she overcame Jamila LAURENTI of Italy (11-4 4-11 11-7 8-11 11-3 11-4). Bronze medalists are Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia and Daria KISEL of Belarus.   “After I overcame Mariia TAILAKOVA I was very confident. I just knew I will win. It is great feeling. It is so good to hold this medal ” said Anna WEGRZYN.    

2019 STAG European Youth Championships in Ostrava   “We defended our title and I am very happy for it. The final was difficult but for us it made not difference if on the other side were Vincent PICARD and Lilian BARDET or MOREGARD and SIDORENKO. We kept to our game and we have been focused only on our tactics ” said KATSMAN.   GREBNEV felt a little pressure by playing against SIDORENKO.   “We were on our own. There were no coaches to seek for advice so talk we have to talk with each other about the tactics. In addition SIDORENKO is our teammate…”   KATSMAN added: “Mentally it was more difficult than tactically.”    In the penultimate stage Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia easily prevailed against Vladislav URSU of Moldova and Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK of Austria (11-7 11-5 11-9).       Truls MOREGARD and Vladimir SIDORENKO had a much harder task in second semi final against Vincent PICARD and Lilian BARDET of France. They were stretched to full distance (11-9 9-11 11-5 5-11 11-9).   “We expected such a tough match. And it is our first tournament to play together in doubles. It is nice to play with SIDORENKO he gets angry very easy but is okay it is him he is the serious guy ” said MOREGARD.           Top seeded pairings in the Junior Boys Doubles Event Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia justified their rankings and won the gold medal in the Junior Boys Doubles Event at the 2019 STAG European Youth Championships in Ostrava for a second year in the row. In the final they overcame Truls MOREGARD of Sweden and Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia (11-7 8-11 11-6 13-11).   Bronze went to Vladislav URSU of Moldova and Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK of Austria and Vincent PICARD and Lilian BARDET of France.    

2019 STAG European Championships   In the semi final of the Event Iulian CHIRITA of Romania needed six games to overcame Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland (3-11 8-11 11-4 11-8 6-11 9-11). Poland’s player managed to recover fro 0-2 in reverse but failed to stay at the same path.   Darius MOVILEANU of Romania survived great recovery from Alexis KOURAICHI of France to progress to the final stage (11-9 12-10 11-7 7-11 3-11 9-11 11-7). KOURAICHI showed brave face to come back after being 3 to 0 in reverse but in the finish Romania’s player had more stability in his game.         Newly crowned champion in the Cadet Boys Doubles Event at the 2019 STAG European Championships is Darius MOVILEANU of Romania. In all Romania’s final he beat Doubles champion Iulian CHIRITA (11-13 6-11 8-11 11-6 11-9 6-11). Semi finalists of the Event are Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland and Alexis KOURAICHI of France.   “It was hard to play against teammate. He is so good player. This was the toughest match for me at the Championships ” said MOVILEANU.    

2019 STAG European Championships   Less then an hour after they played together in the semi final of the Doubles Event Elena ZAHARIA of Romania and Prithika PAVADE of France had met again in the Singles to determine who will be the more successful half of the pairings. Top seed justified her rankings and progressed after fierce battle in seven games (7-11 11-8 14-12 8-11 5-11 11-5 11-6).   “It was tough match. PAVADE has very good tactics I had to play hard for each ball. I tried to play shorter balls and it paid off for some time in the match but then Prithika started to play the same tactics. Her first top spin is incredible. She really put me under severe pressure ” said ZAHARIA.   Vlada VORONINA had to face her teammate Svetlana DMITRIENKO and in all Russia’s semi final she showed better performance (11-4 7-11 11-4 9-11 11-9 14-12).       Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA concluded the ultimate day of the competition at the 2019 STAG European Championships with two gold medals. She defended the title in Cadet Singles Event to add the crown to one previously won in Doubles today. In the final she overcame Vlada VORONINA of Russia (11-7 11-6 11-6 11-8). Bronze medalists are Prithika PAVADE of France and Svetlana DMITRIENKO of Russia.   “I was not under pressure. I was confident and calm before the last match. After I beat Prithika I think the hardest match was behind me ” said ZAHARIA.