Third title for Spanish club in Women’s ETTU Cup For a third time Spanish UCAM Cartagena clinched the title in the Women’s ETTU Cup. In the final they overcame French CP Lyssois Lille Métropole by same margin in both legs. Tonight LIU Xin was the backbone of the club’s success with two victories over YANG Xiaoxin and Tamolwan KHETKHUAN. Experienced Silvija ERDELJI DE SOUSA also showed no mercy against Agnes LE LANNIC. Only KHETKHUAN managed to make it little bit more exciting by beating Maria XIAO in second encounter. UCAM Cartagena – CP Lyssois Lille Métropole 3:1 LIU Xin – YANG Xiaoxin 3:1 (11:8 11:8 4:11 11:9) Maria XIAO – Tamolwan KHETKHUAN 1:3 (2:11 9:11 11:6 11:3) Silvija ERDELJI DE SOUSA – Agnes LE LANNIC 3:0 (12:10 11:7 11:6) LIU Xin – Tamolwan KHETKHUAN 3:0 (11:5 11:6 11:9)
QUALIFICATION SYSTEM – GAMES OF THE XXXII OLYMPIAD – TOKYO 2020
ETTU are pleased to confirm as previously notified to the ITTF that the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 table tennis competition (22nd-29th June 2019) is part of the ITTF Olympic European Continental Qualification tournament (Teams/Singles/Mixed Doubles) for Tokyo 2020. If 1 or 2 Olympic Singles qualification places (the 3 medallists at the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019) are unused these places will be reallocated to the European Continental Singles Qualification tournament to be played in April 2020 at Moscow RUS. Therefore there will be a minimum 3 and maximum 5 Olympic Singles qualification places per gender available in April 2020.
ECLW final leg 2: Dr. CASL fights for second title Tarnobzerg for ist first one
This Saturday May 11th (18:00) second leg of 2018/19 ECLW final to be held: Dr. CASL – KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg (2:3 leg 1) “Are you ready for another interesting and historical match in our sport-hall? Our girls are ready and eagerly awaiting the start so dear friends come and support our team in this great event” sent Dr. CASL clear message to its fans prior the second leg of the 2018/19 ECLW final against Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg (won first leg 3:2) to be held in the Croatian capital Zagreb this Saturday May 11th (18:00). Reigning ECLW champion is going to fight for its second title while the best Poland’s club two-times ECLW runner-up will try to lift ECLW trophy for the very first time in its long and successful history. KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg beat Dr. CASL 3:2 (12:8 in sets 185:176 in points) last Friday thanks to GU Rouchen who secured two points for Tarnobrzeg as she beat both LI Jie and NI Xia Lian. Actual individual European champion LI Qian beat LI Jie in the fifth clash while NI Xialian and FU Yu secured two points for Croatian side as they prevailed against HAN Ying and Elizabeta SAMARA respectively. “We have the score that leaves us hope before the second leg” stated Dr. CASL president Martin-Tino CASL. “With some luck we could also celebrate in Poland. In addition to the defeat we have a bad set difference (12-8) but this season we have found ourselves in similar situations and managed to survive. We have to be realistic and say how many obstacles we faced during this season including some accidents illness pregnancy … At the end we played the final without first three players. With all these circumstances we have to be proud by having place in the ECLW final.” Croatian side eliminated Tarnobrzeg in the 2017/18 ECLW semi-finals in spite of losing first home leg 3:2 (they won 3:1 in Poland). ECLW final leg 2 Dr. CASL – KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg 18:00 CET (first leg 2:3) ECLW final leg 1 KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg – Dr. CASL 3:2 GU Rouchen – LI Jie 3:0 (11:5 11:8 11:7) HAN Ying – NI Xia Lian 1:3 (4:11 4:11 11:4 6:11) Elizabeta SAMARA – FU Yu 2:3 (11:6 11:7 4:11 4:11 9:11) GU Rouchen – NI Xia Lian 3:1 (15:13 11:6 8:11 11:9) LI Qian – LI Jie 3:1 (8:11 13:11 11:8 11:4)
Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg wins fifth TTCLM title
2018/19 TTCLM final leg 2: Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg – TTSC UMMC 3:2 (leg 1 3:2) Fakel-Gazprom became five-time TTCLM champion as they beat TTSC UMMC 3:2 in the second leg of the all-Russian final held today May 8th in the city of Orenburg. They recorded the same win in the first match four days ago in the city of Verkhnaya Pyshma. Orenburg won its very first crown seven years ago when they overcame same opponent UMMC. Other three titles came in 2012/13 2014/15 and 2016/17. ETTU President Ronald KRAMER handed over gold medals and the trophy to the winning team in front of 1 200 spectators. By winning this final Orenburg joined CSM Cluj Slavia/Sparta Praha and Spartacus Budapest on the short list of five-time champions. Borussia Dusseldorf is the most successful club in the history of TTCLM collecting 11 crowns while Belgian club La Villette Charleroi still occupies second place with seven titles although they stepped out from the event after 2010/11 season. Vladimir SAMSONOV opened second leg by his clear victory against Jonathan GROTH but FANG Bo evened the score as he prevailed against Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in straight games. After fourth encounter opponents remained tied. First YAN An overcame Andrej GACINA in straight sets then FANG once again leveled the score at 2:2 by winning his game against SAMSONOV. In that moment everything was open as Orenburg had small advantage (7:6 in sets while set-ratio in leg 1 was 11:11) but OVTCHAROV emerged once again as the key man in his team’s success beating Alexander SHIBAEV after three sets. Vladimir SAMSONOV and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV contributed in each of five Orenburg’s winning campaign. The 43-year-old Belarus won his 13th TTCLM title: he took three with Borussia Dusseldorf (1997 1998 2000) five with Belgian La Villete Charleroi (2001 2002 2003 2004 2007) and five with Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (2012 2013 2015 2017 2019). 2018/19 TTCLM final leg 2 Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg – TTSC UMMC 3:2 (leg 1 3:2) Vladimir SAMSONOV – Jonathan GROTH 3:0 (11:3 11:7 11:8) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – FANG Bo 0:3 (8:11 4:11 9:11) YAN An – Andrej GACINA 3:0 (11:3 13:11 11:9) Vladimir SAMSONOV – FANG Bo 1:3 (9:11 8:11 11:8 5:11) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Alexander SHIBAEV 3:0 (11:7 11:9 12:10) 2018/19 TTCLM final leg 1 TTSC UMMC – Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg 2:3 (11:11) FANG Bo – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 2:3 (11:8 6:11 13:11 5:11 5:11) Andrej GACINA – YAN An 3:2 (14:16 8:11 11:9 11:9 11:7) Alexander SHIBAEV – Vladimir SAMSONOV 2:3 (9:11 10:12 11:9 11:8 10:12) FANG Bo – YAN An 3:0 (11:5 11:9 11:6) Andrej GACINA – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 1:3 (11:7 8:11 3:11 7:11)
TTCLM final leg 2: Everything is open in Orenburg
This Wednesday May 8th (16:00 CET) second match to be held in the all-Russian final: Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg – TTSC UMMC (leg 1 3:2). OVTCHAROV: “Worthy ending of TTCLM season.” Everything is open in the second leg of the 2018/19 TTCLM final both sides stressed after the first clash held three days ago in the Russian city of Verkhnaya Pyshma when four-time TTCLM champion Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg beat 2012 runner-up TTSC UMMC 3:2 (11:11 in games). They will meet once again in the deciding encounter this Wednesday May 8th (16:00 CET). Bearing in mind the beginning of the first match when YAN An was close to set up 2:0 lead for Orenburg (he led 2-0 9:3 against Andrej GACINA who managed to beat him) UMMC has enough reasons to be satisfied with the outcome on its soil. “When I was a player I met similar comebacks like Andrej GACINA did. Anything can happen in table tennis an exciting sport… Everything will be decided in the return game in Orenburg. Of course for us everything could have ended much worse. FANG Bo lost his first match Andrej GACINA was in a critical situation. I hope that we can carry out our plans in the second leg” stated TTSC UMMC coach Tatiana KUTERGINA. Andrej GACINA explains how he managed to survive against China’s player: “I knew I need to give everything I could against YAN An. Maybe when the score was 2:0 in the games and 9:3 in favour of YAN An who thought that the match was over but I did not give him a chance. I played every ball until the very end. Fortunately my effort was paid off in the end” stressed Croatia’s player. Fakel-Gazprom coach Vladimir ENDOLOV agrees that everything is open in the second leg: “We were few steps away from a quick victory. But it is worth paying tribute to UMMC player Andrej GACINA. He managed to turn the match around. But this is only the beginning. My players have no big advantage. Everything will be open in the second leg. Even in the sets we are tied at 11:11.” Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was man of the leg 1 as he beat both FANG Bo and Andrej GACINA. “I think this is a worthy conclusion of the European Champions League. I have not seen such an equal fight for many years – both teams looked very dignified. I managed to beat FANG Bo in a tough game and we had chances to win with a score of 3:0. Honestly in my long career I have not seen a Chinese player to miss a 2-0 and 9:3 in his favour… The game in Verkhnaya Pyshma lasted four and a half hours. This Wednesday we are going to see which of us will cry and who will celebrate…” 2018/19 TTCLM final leg 1 First leg of the 2018/19 TTCLM TTSC UMMC – Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg 2:3 (11:11) FANG Bo – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 2:3 (11:8 6:11 13:11 5:11 5:11) Andrej GACINA – YAN An 3:2 (14:16 8:11 11:9 11:9 11:7) Alexander SHIBAEV – Vladimir SAMSONOV 2:3 (9:11 10:12 11:9 11:8 10:12) FANG Bo – YAN An 3:0 (11:5 11:9 11:6) Andrej GACINA – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 1:3 (11:7 8:11 3:11 7:11)
Serbian Open: Gold for DRINKHALL and HAYATA
Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Serbia Open England’s Paul DINKHALL and Japan’s Hina HAYATA are the winners of the Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Serbia Open concluded today may 5th in the Serbian capital Belgrade. DRINKHALL beat Abdel-Kader SALIFOU from France in six games of the Men’s Singles final reversing the score from 0:2 to 4:2 while the top seeded women’s player HAYATA overcame SOO Wai Yam Minnie from Hong Kong after five games. Portugal’s Diogo CARVALHO and Joao GERALDO are the gold medallists of the Men’s Doubles event as they prevailed against host pair Zsolt PETO/Marko JEVTOVIC. Dora MADARASZ and Szandra PERGEL of Hungary lost to NG Wing Nam/ SOO Wai Yam Minnie (Hong Kong) in the Women’s Doubles final. Results of the final games May 5th Men’s Singles final: Paul DRINKHALL (England) – Abdel-Kader SALIFOU (France) 4:2 (8:11 10:12 12:10 11:3 11:2 11:1) Women’s Singles final: Hina HAYATA (Japan) – SOO Wai Yam Minnie (Hong Kong) 4:1 (11:9 11:7 10:12 11:9 11:9) Men’s Doubles final: Diogo CARVALHO/Joao GERALDO (Portugal) – Zsolt PETO/Marko JEVTOVIC (Serbia) 3:0 (11:5 11:3 13:11) Women’s Doubles final: NG Wing Nam/ SOO Wai Yam Minnie (Hong Kong) – Dora MADARASZ/Szandra PERGEL (Hungary) 3:2 (12:10 12:10 9:11 9:11 11:7)
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV secures victory for Orenburg
TTCLM final leg 1 (May 4th): TTSC UMMC – Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg 2:3 Former four-time TTCLM winner Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg beat 2012 runner-up TTSC UMMC by a narrow margin in the first leg of the 2018/19 TTCLM final – 3:2 (11:11 in sets) so everything is open before the second clash schedulled for next Wednesday May 8th. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was man of the match as he secured two points for his side inlcuding deciding one. German player beat FANG Bo in the opener after full five games reversing the score from 1-2 to 3-2. Host took third set by a narrow margin but German responded by two convincing sets. Both players entered this clash with 9-2 season’s win-loss records. Croatia’s Andrej GACINA showed fierce fighting spirit returning from 2-0 down to victory against YAN An. UMMC player won third and second game by a narrow margin taking few amazing rallies.The turning point was one at 6:7 when China’s player had an easy position to improve his lead but GACINA was rewarded for his effort (7:7) in spite of being pushed far from the table. Alexander SHIBAEV extended Vladimir SAMSONOV to full distance but missed match-point in the fifth set. Belarus had a chance to end the clash after third game (he led 2-0 8:7) but host survived thanks to his stormy forehand. Two China’s players met in the fourth match when FANG Bo prevailed in straight games against YAN An. It was unique encounter in first leg without any excitements. GACINA won the opening set against OVTCHAROV and reversed the score from 0:4 to 7:6 in the second one but since that German controlled the game and brought victory to Orenburg. 2018/19 TTCLM final leg 1 TTSC UMMC – Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg 2:3 (11:11) FANG Bo – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 2:3 (11:8 6:11 13:11 5:11 5:11) Andrej GACINA – YAN An 3:2 (14:16 8:11 11:9 11:9 11:7) Alexander SHIBAEV – Vladimir SAMSONOV 2:3 (9:11 10:12 11:9 11:8 10:12) FANG Bo – YAN An 3:0 (11:5 11:9 11:6) Andrej GACINA – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 1:3 (11:7 8:11 3:11 7:11)
International Torch Relay Underway as Flame of Peace Lit for Minsk 2019
The Flame of Peace for the 2ndedition of the European Games was lit today at the historic Ara Pacis in Rome marking the start of an international torch relay that will culminate at the Opening Ceremony in Minsk Belarus on 21 June. The Flame of Peace Lighting Ceremony was attended by European Olympic Committee (EOC) President Janez Kocijančič EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi European Games Coordination Commission Chair Spyros Capralos and European Games Coordination Commission Deputy Chair Zlatko Mateša. President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) Giovanni Malagò delivered a welcome speech. Representing Minsk 2019 and the government of Belarus were CEO of the Minsk European Games Organising Committee (MEGOC) George Katulin and Belarusian Minister of Sport and Tourism Sergey Kovalchuk. Also participating in the Ceremony were Olympic champions Alena Belova (fencing) Uladzislau Hancharou (trampoline) and Yuliya Nestsiarenka (100 metres) “Today marks 49 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the European Games in Minsk ” said EOC President Kocijančič. “We are trying hard to create a multi-sport event that will be second only to the Olympic Games. We are at the last stage of preparations and I can tell you that we are very satisfied and are looking forward to an excellent Games in June.” Representatives from Minsk 2019 were presented with The Dea Pax Golden Olive Tree sculpture–a symbol of peace and friendship whose branches represent the unfolding of the EOC umbrella to receive athletes from all European National Olympic Committees (ENOCs). The olive tree was considered sacred by Dea Pax the Roman goddess of peace and the sculpture made by the renowned sculptor and goldsmith Nicola Amato was designed in homage to these values. Prior to the Lighting Ceremony the EOC held a press conference that was live-streamed on its social media channels and included questions from journalists around the world. “Minsk is ready to host the Games ” said CoCom Chair Capralos who added that the Athletes’ Village is one of the best he had ever seen. “You can really feel the enthusiasm of the local people and the volunteers who are ready to offer their services for the success of these Games. In 49 days we will see that these European Games will be a big success.” Before making its way to the Belarusian capital the Flame of Peace will be brought to the top of Mont Blanc by members of the Belarus Mountaineering Federation. It will then make its way through Austria Czech Republic Hungary Poland Slovakia and Slovenia en route to Belarus. The Flame will be accompanied on its journey by a caravan of 23 motorcyclists from “The One Chapter Belarus.” The biker club left Minsk for Rome on 27 April for its historic mission. In total the Flame of Peace will travel around 7 700 km with the goal ofraisingawareness of the European Games and telling the world about Belarus. The flame will conclude its journey at Dinamo Stadium in Minsk where it will be used to light the European Games cauldron. The Torch Relay is expected toinvolve450 torchbearers 100 volunteers and 10 flame keepers. “Today is a really important day for us because for all intents and purposes it means that the 2ndedition of the European Games have started ” said MEGOC CEO Katulin. “This long journey more than 7 000 kilometres will lead us from the capital of European sport Rome to the capital of our Republic where people are waiting for the 21June and the Opening Ceremony with great enthusiasm.” You can follow the journey of the Flame of Peace on its official Instagram account. Over 4 000 of Europe’s best athletes will compete in 15 sports at the European Games: 3×3 basketball archery athletics badminton beach soccer boxing canoe sprint cycling gymnastics judo karate sambo shooting table tennis and wrestling. Eight of the 15 sports will act as qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with the European Games also counting as the official European championships for two sports. The 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 will take place from 21-30 June.
G.V. Hennebont T.T. and UCAM Cartagena TM secured opening leg victories
ETTU Cup Final In the opening lg of the final of the Men’s ETTU Cup G.V. Hennebont T.T. overcame FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis in France. Liam PITCHFORD proved too strong for Cheng-Ting LIAO but Darko JORGIC soon after leveled the match. He overcame Sheng Peng FAN in thrilling five games. However the most exciting game was the one between Cedric NUYTINCK and Patrick FRANZISKA. Belgium’s player overcame this year’s medal winner in Budapest in the Mixed Doubles Event at the World Championships. Player who put host on severe test was Darko JORGIC. He went full distance twice but in the fourth match Liam PITCHFORD recovered from two games in reverse to win next three game and to bring his club valuable advantage before the second leg. In Women’s ETTU Cup final CP Lyssois Lille Métropole failed to secure advantage from the opening leg played at home soil. Spanish UCAM Cartagena TM prevailed in four matches duel. YANG Xiao Xin beat Maria XIAO to give hosts dream start but after that Xin LIU changed the course of the match. She beat Tamolwan KHETKHUAN Silvia ERDELYI DE SOUZA overcame Agnès LE LANNIC before LIU sealed the first leg with the victory over YANG. G.V. Hennebont T.T. – FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis 3:1 Liam PITCHFORD – Cheng-Ting LIAO 3:1 (8:11 11:7 11:8 11:4) Sheng Peng FAN – Darko JORGIC 2:3 (11:8 9:11 11:8 2:11 5:11) Cedric NUYTINCK – Patric FRANZISKA 3:1 (11:5 13:11 8:11 11:2) Liam PITCHFORD – Darko JORGIC 3:2 (7:11 2:11 11:7 11:9 11:7) CP Lyssois Lille Métropole – UCAM Cartagena TM 1:3 YANG Xiao Xin – Maria XIAO 3:1 (11:5 11:9 6:11 11:3) Tamolwan KHETKHUAN – Xin LIU 0:3 (1:11 6:11 3:11) Agnès LE LANNIC – Silvia ERDELYI DE SOUZA 1:3 (7:11 2:11 11:9 6:11) YANG Xiao Xin – Xin LIU 1:3 (11:6 8:11 6:11 4:11)
ECLW final: Tarnobrzeg wins first leg
KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg – Dr. CASL 3:2 Poland’s KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg beat Croatia’s Dr. CASL 3:2 in the first leg of the 2018/19 ECLW final making small advantage (12:8 in sets 185:176 in points) for the second match. Defending champion Dr. CASL will try to erase this deficit in the return leg scheduled for May 11th in the city of Zagreb. Croatian side eliminated Tarnobrzeg in the 2017/18 semi-finals in spite of losing first home leg 3:2 (they won 3:1 in Poland). GU Rouchen secured two points for Tarnobrzeg as she beat both LI Jie and NI Xia Lian. Reigning ECLW champion led 2:1 after third encounter thanks to NI Xialian and FU Yu who overcame HAN Ying and Elizabeta SAMARA respectively. FU managed to reverse the score from 0:2 to 3:2. Actual individual European champion LI Qian beat LI Jie in the fifth clash. ECLW final leg 1 KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg – Dr. CASL 3:2 GU Rouchen – LI Jie 3:0 (11:5 11:8 11:7) HAN Ying – NI Xia Lian 1:3 (4:11 4:11 11:4 6:11) Elizabeta SAMARA – FU Yu 2:3 (11:6 11:7 4:11 4:11 9:11) GU Rouchen – NI Xia Lian 3:1 (15:13 11:6 8:11 11:9) LI Qian – LI Jie 3:1 (8:11 13:11 11:8 11:4)
