Table tennis in Portugal got big recognition   Marcos FREITAS was chosen to be the flag-bearer of the Portugal’s Mission at the Opening Ceremony of the second edition of the European Games this Friday in Minsk Belarus.   The Portuguese athlete was part of the Table Tennis team who won the gold medal in the team competition four years ago at the first European Games in Baku Azerbaijan.   In a ceremony held this Thursday at the Athlete village Marcos received the Portuguese flag from the hands of Telma MONTEIRO also gold medalist in Baku 2015 who carried it at the Closing Ceremony.

Greek player honored in the European Games in Minsk     Great moment in the career of Panagiotis Gionis. The Greek table tennis top athlete will care the flag of Greece at the opening ceremony for the European Games tonight. It is the very first time in history in Olympic and European Games that  the Greek table tennis has such honour. “It is a top honor for me. I feel proud to the extent that I was chosen to be a bearer “said Gionis who was present in Baku in 2015 and fought in a single and team event taking part in four Olympic Games and having target another one in Tokyo. Exept GIONIS from tomorow in Minsk will compete for Greece Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS and Katerina TOLIOU only in singles. At the bench will be the national coach Kostas VATSAKLIS.   More information: here Organizers website: here Minsk 2019 results: here  

Three-time individual European champion named Belarus Team captain for the 2nd European Games (21-30 June)   One of the European most decorated table tennis players ever Vladimir SAMSONOV will be the captain of Team Belarus at the 2019 European Games and he will carry the flag of the host country during the opening ceremony in the Dinamo Stadium in Minsk today June 21st.   Three-time Men’s Singles European champion (1998 2003 2005) emphasized that it is a great honour for him to be Team Belarus captain in his native city. Fakel-Gazprom player will fight to win the gold and secure his place at 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He competed at six consecutive Olympic Games so far.   The 43-year-old won more than 30 medals in the biggest table tennis events including 1997 ITTF World Championships Men’s Singles runner-up 13-time TTCLM champion 2015 European Games Men’s Singles runner-up.   ***   Tennis Olympic Center with a capacity of 1 000 seats will host five table tennis events in Minsk from 22nd to 29th June. A total 122 players will compete for the spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: three medallists in the men’s and women’s singles events will secure their places while the gold medallists in the men’s and women’s team events and mixed doubles event will get an Olympic quota. That’s why all best European players will travel to Minsk.   ***   Top seeding list (best 16) Men Singles:   1 Timo BOLL (Germany) 2 Matias FALCK (Sweden) 3 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) 4 Liam PITCHFORD (England) 5 Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) 6 Simon GAUZY (France) 7 Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) 8 Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) 9 Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) 10 Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) 11 Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) 12 Tomislav PUCAR (Croatia) 13 Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) 14 Cedric NUYTINCK (Belgium) 15 Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) 16 Alvaro ROBLES MARTINEZ (Spain).   Top seeding list (best 16) Women Singles:   1 Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) 2 Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) 3 Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) 4 Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) 5 Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) 6 Georgina POTA (Hungary) 7 LI Jie (Netherlands) 8 FU Yu (Portugal) 9 Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) 10 Margaryta PESOTSKA (Ukraine) 11 Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) 12 Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) 13 HAN Ying (Germany) 14 LI Qian (Poland) 15 NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) 16 Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic).   Top seeding list (best 12) Men Team:   1 Germany 2 Sweden 3 Austria 4 Great Britain 5 France 6 Slovenia 7 Croatia 8 Belarus 9 Portugal 10 Belgium 11 Romania 12 Denmark.   Top seeding list (best 12) Women Team:   1 Germany 2 Romania 3 Hungary 4 Austria 5 Netherlands 6 Ukraine 7 Poland 8 Spain 8 Luxembourg 8 Russia 11 Sweden 12 Belarus.   More information: here Organizers website: here Minsk 2019 results: here

2nd European Games to be held from June 21 to 30 (table tennis June 22-29). Austrian NT: LIU Jie replaced by Amelie SOLJA in Women’s Singles. Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC (Serbian NT): “The draw is not so important”   Austria’s LIU Jie was replaced by her teammate Amelie SOLJA (no. 19 seed) in the Women’s Singles event at the 2019 European Games to be held from June 21 to 30 (table tennis June 22-29). There is one change in French men’s team due to small injurie of Tristan FLORE. His place in the team will take Can AKKUZU. Belarus Table Tennis Federation announced earlier that Viktoria PAVLOVICH got chance to play in the Women’s Singles event replacing Daria TRIGOLOS so it will be last chance for two-time individual European champion to play one big event at home soil in her bright career.   There is some more news from Belarus capital… Serbian National Team arrived in Minsk as four-time European champion in Mixed Doubles Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC stated: “It will be very hard as European Games offers just one quota. The draw is not so important bearing in mind that just the winner will book its place for Olympic Games. So you must win all games. We didn’t play so bad in last two tournaments in Hong Kong and Japan. We are ready and everything depends on us.”   ***   Tennis Olympic Center with a capacity of 1 000 seats will host five table tennis events in Minsk from 22nd to 29th June. A total 122 players will compete for the spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: three medallists in the men’s and women’s singles events will secure their places while the gold medallists in the men’s and women’s team events and mixed doubles event will get an Olympic quota. That’s why all best European players will travel to Minsk.   ***   Top seeding list (best 16) Men Singles:   1 Timo BOLL (Germany) 2 Matias FALCK (Sweden) 3 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) 4 Liam PITCHFORD (England) 5 Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) 6 Simon GAUZY (France) 7 Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) 8 Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) 9 Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) 10 Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) 11 Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) 12 Tomislav PUCAR (Croatia) 13 Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) 14 Cedric NUYTINCK (Belgium) 15 Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) 16 Alvaro ROBLES MARTINEZ (Spain).   Top seeding list (best 16) Women Singles:   1 Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) 2 Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) 3 Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) 4 Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) 5 Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) 6 Georgina POTA (Hungary) 7 LI Jie (Netherlands) 8 FU Yu (Portugal) 9 Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) 10 Margaryta PESOTSKA (Ukraine) 11 Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) 12 Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) 13 HAN Ying (Germany) 14 LI Qian (Poland) 15 NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) 16 Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic).   Top seeding list (best 12) Men Team:   1 Germany 2 Sweden 3 Austria 4 Great Britain 5 France 6 Slovenia 7 Croatia 8 Belarus 9 Portugal 10 Belgium 11 Romania 12 Denmark.   Top seeding list (best 12) Women Team:   1 Germany 2 Romania 3 Hungary 4 Austria 5 Netherlands 6 Ukraine 7 Poland 8 Spain 8 Luxembourg 8 Russia 11 Sweden 12 Belarus.   More information: here       

2nd European Games to be held from June 21 to 30 (table tennis June 22-29)   Two great names of Belarus table tennis Alexander PETKEVICH and Viktoria PAVLOVICH were among torchbearers in the Flame of Peace torch relay of the 2019 European Games as torch arrived in the host city of Minsk this Monday June 17th four days prior to an exceptional sport event to be held in the Belarus capital from June 21 to 30.   The torch relay began on May 3rd in Rome covering 7 700 km with 450 torchbearers who carried torch (1.7 kg and 0.81 m) through some breathtaking places of Europe including the top of Mont Blanc. It will end its journey in the Dinamo Stadium on 21 June. Four-time Olympic champion biathlete Darya DOMRACHEVA was among world class host athletes who carried the torch to State Flag Square in Minsk.   Host nation will be represented with 221 athletes and 149 coaches aiming to surpass 43 medals (10 gold) won at the 1st European Games in Baku Azerbaijan. Over 4 000 athletes from 50 countries will compete in 200 medal events (15 sports) to be held at 12 sport venues.   Tennis Olympic Center with a capacity of 1 000 seats will host five table tennis events in Minsk from 22nd to 29th June. A total 122 players are going to fight for the spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: three medalists in the men’s and women’s singles events will secure their places while the gold medalists in the men’s and women’s team events and mixed doubles event will get an Olympic quota. That’s why all best European players will travel to Minsk.   This European Games will be last international competition at home soil for two-time former individual European champion Viktoria PAVLOVICH who will replace Daria TRIGOLOS in Women’s Singles event. Belarus National Team started its preparation on June 12th in Minsk.   Vladimir SAMSONOV Pavel PLATONOV Alexander KHANIN will perform at the Men’s Team event announced earlier this month Belarus Table Tennis Federation. Women’s Team will be represented by Viktoria PAVLOVICH Daria TRIGOLOS and Nadezhda BOGDANOVA while Vladimir SAMSONOV Pavel PLATONOV Viktoria PAVLOVICH and Nadezhda BOGDANOVA are selected to compete for medals in the singles events. Pavel PLATONOV and Nadezhda BOGDANOVA will play in the mixed doubles event.   The coaching staff includes Alexander PETKEVITCH the head coach of the National Team Andrei VOROBIEV the senior coach of the Men’s National Team Tatiana PETKEVITCH the senior coach of the Women’s National Team.   More information: here

Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) speaks about upcoming 2019 European Games to be held in the Belarus city of Minsk from 21st to 30th June   Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden no. 7 Men’s Singles seed at the 2019 European Games to be held in Minsk Belarus from 21st to 30th June believes that his national team is capable to win gold medal in the Men’s Team event and secure its place for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Borussia Dusseldorf’s player is looking forward competing with all best European players and teams in Minsk.   Four years ago at the first ever European Games in Baku KARLSSON lost to Portugal’s Tiago APOLONIA in the Round 3 while Sweden was beaten by Germany 3:2 in the quarter-final stage. This time he is confident that his side current no. 2 seed behind Germany can beat any European national team in Minsk…   Your opinion about quality of 2019 European Games? “I Think that the quality of the European Games is very high and it´s very important due to the quota places for the Olympic Games. Also a chance for the nations to prove themselves amongst the best in Europe.”   Personal goal in Minsk? “My goal is to win a gold medal in the Team Event at the European Games!”   Who are favorites and why? “I Think Germany and Sweden holds the favorite places in team event. In singles its always very close in Europe and I can think of 10 players who could actually win.”   Possible upsets? “Stefan FEGERL in singles!”   Personal aim for 2019/20 season? “To qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games and win titles with my club Borussia Dusseldorf!”   ***   Tennis Olympic Center with a capacity of 1 000 seats will host five table tennis events in Minsk from 22nd to 29th June. A total 122 players will compete for the spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: three medallists in the men’s and women’s singles events will secure their places while the gold medallists in the men’s and women’s team events and mixed doubles event will get an Olympic quota. That’s why all best European players will travel to Minsk.   ***   Top seeding list (best 16) Men Singles:   1 Timo BOLL (Germany) 2 Matias FALCK (Sweden) 3 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) 4 Liam PITCHFORD (England) 5 Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) 6 Simon GAUZY (France) 7 Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) 8 Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) 9 Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) 10 Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) 11 Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) 12 Tomislav PUCAR (Croatia) 13 Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) 14 Cedric NUYTINCK (Belgium) 15 Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) 16 Alvaro ROBLES MARTINEZ (Spain).   Top seeding list (best 16) Women Singles:   1 Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) 2 Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) 3 Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) 4 Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) 5 Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) 6 Georgina POTA (Hungary) 7 LI Jie (Netherlands) 8 FU Yu (Portugal) 9 Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) 10 Margaryta PESOTSKA (Ukraine) 11 Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) 12 Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) 13 HAN Ying (Germany) 14 LI Qian (Poland) 15 NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) 16 Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic).   Top seeding list (best 12) Men Team:   1 Germany 2 Sweden 3 Austria 4 Great Britain 5 France 6 Slovenia 7 Croatia 8 Belarus 9 Portugal 10 Belgium 11 Romania 12 Denmark.   Top seeding list (best 12) Women Team:   1 Germany 2 Romania 3 Hungary 4 Austria 5 Netherlands 6 Ukraine 7 Poland 8 Spain 8 Luxembourg 8 Russia 11 Sweden 12 Belarus.    More information: here

Women’s Singles no. 1 speaks about upcoming 2019 European Games to be held in the Belarus city of Minsk from 21st to 30th June   Bernadette SZOCS of Romania will be top-seeded Women’s player at the 2019 European Games to be held in Minsk Belarus from 21st to 30th June. The 2018 winner and 2019 runner-up of European Top 16 is currently at the training camp in Romania where both national teams have one week of preparation.   You are coming as number one in Minsk how you feel about it? “I am very happy that I am seeded number 1. Hard work pays off! I know it will not be easy because everyone one to beat me! But I am ready for the big fights!”   How was your season so far? “My season was great so far. I am a little bit sad for the second place at the Europe Top 16 but this gave me a lesson so I prepare even harder!”   Tell us something about previous tournaments are you satisfied with the results? “I am happy with my results but I know I can be even better!”   What do you think about the competition in Minsk? “Really I think will be a great tournament and a good place for this European Games.”   Who is most dangerous most in form player? “All the participants are very good players. So I have to take all the matches from the start so serious with good tactic and to be positive! I am not afraid of anybody! I am never afraid of anything and I am ready for the big fights!”   How hard is to keep with all traveling and tournaments what is your safe zone? How you relax and “recharge”? “It’s not easy to travel a lot! I am also tired but I am prepared for this mentally and physically because it’s my job and I love what I do!”   Who gives you the most support? “The biggest support is my family my brother boyfriend my psychologist and my federation!”   Who do you call first when you win? “First I call my boyfriend my family and psychologist!”   You take good care of your look do you seek for help from profi stylist or you create your look by yourself? “Everything I create by myself! I create my look how I feel and I like! I like to be me! I don’t need stylist.”   How you find time to look good always? “Always you can find time and a way for something what you really want and it’s important! Even if I don’t need to long!”   How do you spend your free time? “I like to relax doing different things. For example: shootings (pictures modelling) holidays shopping some other sports…”   ***   Tennis Olympic Center with a capacity of 1 000 seats will host five table tennis events in Minsk from 22nd to 29th June. A total 122 players will compete for the spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: three medallists in the men’s and women’s singles events will secure their places while the gold medallists in the men’s and women’s team events and mixed doubles event will get an Olympic quota. That’s why all best European players will travel to Minsk.   ***   Top seeding list (best 16) Men:   1 Timo BOLL (Germany) 2 Matias FALCK (Sweden) 3 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) 4 Liam PITCHFORD (England) 5 Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) 6 Simon GAUZY (France) 7 Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) 8 Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) 9 Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) 10 Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) 11 Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) 12 Tomislav PUCAR (Croatia) 13 Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) 14 Cedric NUYTINCK (Belgium) 15 Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) 16 Alvaro ROBLES MARTINEZ (Spain).   Top seeding list (best 16) Women:   1 Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) 2 Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) 3 Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) 4 Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) 5 Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) 6 Georgina POTA (Hungary) 7 LI Jie (Netherlands) 8 FU Yu (Portugal) 9 Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) 10 Margaryta PESOTSKA (Ukraine) 11 Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) 12 Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) 13 HAN Ying (Germany) 14 LI Qian (Poland) 15 NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) 16 Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic).   More information: here