European Veterans Championships The deadline for the entries for the European Veterans Championships in Budapest is approaching; the entries will be closed on April 1st. So far the figures promises great Championships. On the list there are 3382 participants from 40 countries. That means that the record is already broke. In Bremen 2013 we had 3250 participants. It was the record until now: Budapest will have more than 3500 players. Traditionally Germany heads the list with 1.070 players followed by Sweden with 201. Hosts Hungary is at the position no. three with 193 and the list goes on with Czech Republic with 186 and England with 184 participants. Most “crowded” Event is Men’s Singles 50 with 759 entries whilst In Women’s Singles 50 there are 258 players.
Andorra invests in table tennis future
ETTU Development manager Neven CEGNAR visited Andorra’s town La Massana as a part of the ETTU National Association Assistance Program Project. In the state at the edge of the Pyrenees. “It is amazing how much Andorra with population of approximately 60.000 people work hard to develop table tennis in their country. They receive huge support from Ministry of Sport as from the entire Government I am very happy and proud to be here with the best young players big talent eight years old Oriol MARTINEZ and coaches from Andorra. I have also great pleasure to meet with President of ADTTF Mr. Lluis ROVIRA and President of local TTCNV Mr. Antonio GOMEZ as well as with Serbian coach Daniel CONIC” said CEGNAR. ADTTF President Lluis ROVIRA and President of local TTCNV Mr. Antonio Martinez GOMEZ created a solid base for coaches to work with youngsters and secure good future for table tennis in Andorra.
Positive social change through table tennis: 2019 TT Dream Building Fund projects announced!
Guided by the mantra “Solidarity through Table Tennis” one of the ITTF Foundation‘s first actions of January 2019 was to launch the TT Dream Building Fund: an annual call for projects using table tennis to support humanitarian projects and promote social welfare across the globe. A total of 74 applicants from 31 countries put themselves forward: a promising outcome for the first edition of the TT Dream Building Fund which is open to any legally established and locally recognised non-profit table tennis sport or social organisation with a project of bringing about positive change in its local or foreign environment through the means of table tennis. Subsequently a shortlist of 10 applicants was created based on eligibility criteria project quality and capacity to have a positive social impact. Each of the projects is committed to using table tennis as a means to reach wider humanitarian objectives linked to one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). These 10 projects were then presented to a panel for vote consisting of highly knowledgeable figures with experience of using table tennis as a tool for social development: Georg Schlachtenberger (External Advisor and founder of the IPC Agitos Foundation); Sarah Hanffou (ITTF Athlete Commission Member and ITTF Foundation Ambassador); Steve Dainton (ITTF CEO); Petra Sorling (ITTF Vice President) and Leandro Olvech (ITTF Foundation Director). “BUILDING DREAMS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE” “Many organisations around the globe applied to the TT Dream Building Fund and it was challenging to select the best programmes. Based on the criteria we selected projects which we expect to make a sustainable contribution to the relevant target group and the UN Sustainable Development Goals through table tennis activities. I was particularly impressed by two project proposals we received and reviewed: one by an organisation from Ecuador (FUDELA – Fundación de las Americas para el Desarrollo) and one from the Netherlands (Ping Pong Alkmaar). In both projects table tennis will be an important tool to support refugees and their integration into society. Both projects form part of a community approach in partnership with other organisations of the civil society. I look forward to seeing more and more of these projects in the future.” Georg Schlachtenberger “It was extremely pleasing to see such a rich diversity and quality of projects. I am really impressed by the Slum Ping Pong project and the day-to-day commitment of the project leader and supporting team. The selected programmes have the potential to make a huge social impact. They fit perfectly with the values and goals of the ITTF Foundation.” Sarah Hanffou “This is an historical moment for the ITTF Foundation and I wish to sincerely thank all applicants for sharing their project ideas with us. We are motivated to witness so many people who like us at the Foundation want to bring positive change to their community through table tennis. I was positively surprised by the total number of quality project proposals we received which made the selection process extremely competitive. I am confident that the chosen programmes will be a big success. Projects such as Llevalois will contribute greatly towards the advancement of table tennis for health while the Talent4Development project stands out for its sheer sustainability. The future is bright and I look forward to next year’s call where I hope to see even more project diversity. In honour of this first Dream Building Fund we have decided to celebrate the World Table Tennis Day 2019 with one of the fund recipients Slum Ping Pong. We will be spending 6 April in Kampala Uganda and then heading to the town of Hoima to visit an ongoing project there. I am eager to see their work first-hand and collectively to celebrate the power that table tennis can have for improving the lives of children residing in slums.” Leandro Olvech The ITTF Foundation would like to thank all applicants for sharing their dreams and high-quality proposals. Unfortunately not every project could be selected but the ITTF Foundation staff is committed to providing feedback on all applications via email by mid-April 2019. SIX PROJECTS FOR POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH TABLE TENNIS The ITTF Foundation sends its congratulations to the 2019 TT Dream Building Fund recipients: Slum Ping Pong (Kampala Uganda) Three-year project which aims to use table tennis as a tool to provide access to education for young people in slums reaching 100 new children and integrating them into schools and presenting them with greater life opportunities. The project will be playing an integral role at World Table Tennis Day 2019 hosting this year’s marquee event on 6 April in Kampala. Levallois Sporting Club Tennis de Table (Levallois France) Three-year project which aims to deepen the understanding and promote the practice and benefits of table tennis for people with Alzheimer’s and those in remission of Cancer. Ping Pong Alkmaar (Alkmaar Netherlands) Three-year project which aims to provide accessible table tennis activities for the whole community of Alkmaar with a focus on breaking down barriers and stereotypes concerning migrant and refugee populations promoting their integration into society. FUDELA – Fundación de las Américas para el Desarrollo (Northern Ecuador) Two-year project which aims to use table tennis as a vehicle of change and opportunities for youth and for the integration of Venezuelan and Colombian migrant and refugee populations with the Northern Ecuadorian community. Talent4Development (Mathare Kenya) Three-year project which aims to find a sustainable solution to integrate and develop opportunities for children in slums through table tennis coaching and school education. National Youth Table Tennis Association (Milwaukee USA) Three-year project which aims to promote table tennis in the Milwaukee Public Schools where there exists a high percentage of socially disadvantaged ethnic minority students. The ITTF Foundation would like to thank once more all applicants for sharing their TT Dream Building Fund projects. Now the new adventure begins with the six selected projects getting under way before the next call takes place in 2020.
ANDREEV: “UMMC will be serious challenge for us”
Vice-president of Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg speaks about 2018/19 TTCLM final Two Russian teams are going to fight for the 2018/19 TTCLM crown as it happened seven years ago when Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg beat UMMC. These two sides booked their places for the new final after second semi-final leg held last Thursday and Friday: Orenburg overcame Angers (6-3 aggregate win) while UMMC upset reigning TTCLM champion 11-time winner Borussia Dusseldorf (5-4 aggregate win). “TTC Fakel-Gazprom is ready to win the European Champions League title for the fifth time. The second semi-final leg of TTCLM in Orenburg was no less intense than the first semi-final in France. Our TT Center was full of numerous fans. Players from both teams presented a fantastic table tennis to Orenburg supporters and table tennis fans around the world. The upcoming final match with the Russian club TTSC UMMC which consists of strong European players headed by FANG Bo from China will be a serious challenge for us. However we all believe in the success of our team!” stated vice-president of Fakel-Gazprom Victor ANDREEV. Orenburg will fight for its 5th TTCLM title. It will be 8th TTCLM final for both Vladimir SAMSONOV and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in this Russian club. Regarding their opponents UMMC is going to play second TTCLM final in club history.
ECLW: Reigning champion reaches final
ECLW semi-finals leg 2: Dr. CASL – TTC Berlin Eastside 3:1 (1st leg 2:3) Reigning ECLW champion Dr. CASL secured another final as they beat former four-time ECLW winner TTC Berlin Eastside 3:1 in the super exciting return semi-final leg (1st leg 3:2 for Berlin). German team was very close to create big upset but Georgina POTA missed three match points (10:8 11:10) in the fourth encounter against FU Yu. Portugal’s player managed to survive providing decisive point for Croatian club. FU provided another point for her team by beating Matilda EKHOLM in the opener. Hong Kong’s DOO Hoi Kem lift up the lead of host side to 2-0 after her win against Georgina POTA who lost both her clashes after full five games. SHAN Xiaona defeated NI Xia Lian in straight games of the third match to create a chance for POTA to push Berlin toward the final (bearing in mind set-ratio of the 1st leg 11:7). But FU prevented celebration of German team. ECLW semi-finals leg 2 Dr. CASL – TTC Berlin Eastside 3:1 (1st leg 2:3) FU Yu – Matilda EKHOLM 3:1 (6:11 11:3 11:6 11”9) DOO Hoi Kem – Georgina POTA 3:2 (12:14 4:11 11:9 11:7 11:7) NI Xia Lian – SHAN Xiaona 0:3 (8:11 9:11 8:11) FU Yu – Georgina POTA 3:2 (11:6 3:11 11:6 10:12 15:13)
UCAM Cartagena TM reached fourth final in ETTU Cup
Spanish team UCAM Cartagena TM reached the final of the Women’s ETTU Cup. They beat H-ITB Budaörsi 2i Sport Club in both legs. In Hungary they succeeded after five matches whilst at home soil they needed one less. Cartagena played in three finals previously and won two titles in ETTU Cup. Today Xin LIU recorded two victories against Petra LOVAS and Mercedesz NAGYVARADI Maria XIOA beat Szandra PERGEL. Maria FAZEKAS posted single victory for hosts against Silvia ERDELYI DE SOUZA. UCAM Cartagena TM – H-ITB Budaörsi 2i Sport Club 3:1 Xin LIU – Petra LOVAS 3:1 (11:8 11:6 9:11 11:4) Maria XIAO – Szandra PERGEL 3:2 (7:11 9:11 11:4 11:6 11:8) Silvia ERDELYI DE SOUZA – Maria FAZEKAS 2:3 (2:11 11:9 4:11 11:9 8:11) Xin LIU – Mercedesz NAGYVARADI 3:0 (11:5 11:4 11:4)
An example for all Edith SANTIFALLER passes away
Very sad news has shaken the world of table tennis. Edith Santifaller a woman who was an authentic person of the national and international table tennis movement has passed away. She has worked as a teacher and director of the Rudolf Stolz Elementary School in Bolzano. She has been passionate about our sport since her father bought a concrete table tennis table and in 1949 at the age of 17 she took part in the first tournament in Merano winning singles doubles and mixed doubles. It was a sign of destiny of a life that would have given her many satisfactions a little on all fronts. In the same year she made her debut in Milan at the Italian Championships. Throughout her career she won 112 Italian titles the last in Lucera in 2016. She took part in 17 editions of the World Veteran Championships the last in 2014 in Auckland New Zealand winning eleven medals of which two golds in singles and four in doubles. Overall she has collected over 400 cups. She was a coach of the National youth Italian team captain of the Italian teams and head of delegation during the International events. She has held positions within the European Table Tennis Union and the International Table Tennis Federation. ITTF in 1999 awarded her the Merit Award. In 1983 she was appointed by the president Sandro PERTINI “Knight of the Republic”. She received the Golden Star for Sport Merit from CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) and in 2017 an award from Austria. From 1978 to 2016 she served as president of the Provincial Committee of Bolzano of the FITeT and organized the 1992 Olympic qualifications the Italian Open in 1994 and 1996 and for several times European League matches. She has always fought for the growth of the provincial movement and was a founding member of the sports area Maso della Pieve of Bolzano. With Gianfranco Trovò she was the creator of the Transalpine Trophy which from this year was organized by the Italian Table Tennis Federation. During the recent Italian Championships in Bolzano the president Renato Di Napoli wanted to give her a plaque in recognition of the precious work done for table tennis which was received by her husband Franz Mair. The federal president and the whole Council gather around Franz and Edith’s family to express them the signs of the most affectionate closeness and condolences.
Budaörsi Sport Club aims final in Women’s ETTU Cup
The Budaörsi Sport Club is looking forward second leg of the Women’s ETTU Cup in Spain. In the opening match Hungarian club lost by narow margin at home against UCAM Cartagena TM (2:3). First part of the season Budaörsi Sport Club played in the Champions League. “We participated in four competitions this season: in Hungarian Extra League Super League Champions League ETTU Cup. Our Team is three-times Hungarian Champion silver medalist in the Super League and finalist in the Champions League. This scoreboard is now complete with the ETTU Cup semi-finals. We are proud that we can represent at such a high level the City of Budaörs our sponsors the Hungarian Table Tennis and the Hungarian sport as well. Thanks for the support of the City of Budaörs the help of our sponsors without them we would not have been able to get here” said President of the Budaörsi Sport Club Gergely SOMLYÓ. Speaking about the match scheduled for Sunday President said: “In the first match we have been defeated in a close match but of course we travel to Spain to the avenge our defeat against UCAM Cartagena TM. We will do everything to get to the final.” In less then a month Hungary will host World Championships. “We hope that the upcoming World Championship in Budapest will puts table tennis in Hungary in focus and the table tennis clubs as well. Such an outstanding international result is supported by the Hungarian State. Now it is absolutely necessary for the Budaörsi Sport Club to be able to take part in the ETTU Competitions in the season of 2019-2020.
Tarnobrzeg reaches ECLW final third time in four years
ECLW semi-finals leg 2: KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg – Linz AG Froschberg 3:1 (1st leg 3:1) KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg from Poland reached ECLW final third time in four years. Two-time ECLW runner-up 2015/16 and 2016/17 once again beat Linz AG Froschberg to secure its place in the ultimate chapter of the 2018/19 ECLW. The score was the same like in the clash held two weeks ago in Austria 3:1 for Polish champion. HAN Ying won both her games against Linda BERGSTROM in the opener and Sofia POLCANOVA in the fourth encounter. The best ranked ECLW player on the ITTF world ranking list POLCANOVA overcame GU Ruochen to level the score at 1-1 but actual individual European champion LI Qian secured decisive win against SOO Wai Yam Minnie in straight games of the third match. ECLW semi-finals leg 2 KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg – Linz AG Froschberg 3:1 (1st leg 3:1) HAN Ying – Linda BERGSTROM 3:0 (11:4 11:7 11:1) GU Ruochen – Sofia POLCANOVA 1:3 (15:13 4:11 5:11 7:11) LI Qian – SOO Wai Yam Minnie 3:0 (11:5 13:11 12:10) HAN Ying – Sofia POLCANOVA 3:1 (11:5 11:6 7:11 11:7)
G.V. Hennebont joined FC Saarbrücken in the Final
Men’s ETTU Cup G.V. Hennebont T.T will play against FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis in the final of the Men’s ETTU Cup. In the semi final they overcame Sporting Clube De Portugal in both legs. Tonight much easier than in the opening leg they succeeded in straight matches. In first encounter they prevailed by narow margin 3:2. Liam PITCHFORD gave dream start with the victory over Joao MONTEIRO in four games whilst Sheng Peng FAN had much harder task against Quadri ARUNA. However after long distance thriller French club was in full speed. Cedric NUYTINCK overcame Diogo CARVALHO in straight games. G.V. Hennebont T.T – Sporting Clube De Portugal 3:0 Liam PITCHFORD – Joao MONTEIRO 3:1 (11:7 11:7 7:11 11:6) Sheng Peng FAN – Quadri ARUNA 3:2 (7:11 11:9 9:11 11:7 11:2) Cedric NUYTINCK – Diogo CARVALHO 3:0 (11:8 12:10 11:6)
