CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux European champion from Germany Timo BOLL needed only four games to book his place in the quarterfinal of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux. Six times winner overcame Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal in furious style (11:3 11:4 11:5 11:5). “I guess I had a perfect 25 minutes ” said BOLL still fresh after the match.” The conditions are a little bit hard. The table is slippery so it takes time to adjust. I guess I did it faster then Tiago. I was focused on each ball.” Bernadette SZOCS faced few more difficulties against Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic (5:11 9:11 13:11 7:11 13:11 8:11) “I was two games up and had 6:1 before Hana started to play like she has nothing to lose. She attacked me on each ball. Hana is very difficult to play against with my style of play `” said SZOCS. “I am so happy that I won the opening match. I am defending the title here and this is special place for me. Top 16 is my major title.” Daily Schedule (2/2/2019) Daily Schedule (3/2/2019) Knock outs Live Scoring
HABESOHN and SAMARA in the quarterfinals
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux Daniel HABESOHN of Austria and Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania booked their place in the quarterfinal of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux. HABESOHN needed to go full distance against Marcos FREITAS of Portugal (14:12 11:6 9:11 4:11 9:11 11:8 11:8). “The win in the opening match gave me great confidence especially since this is my first appearance here. However FREITAS managed to find his way back and the match was really close ” said HABESOHN. SAMARA concluded her match against Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia in four games (9:11 10:12 10:12 7:11) but the duel was equally close. “I spent four days in the hospital due the viral infection ” said SAMARA.” Polina was very tough adversary for the opening of the Event. When I saw the draw yesterday I was devastated. Now I am so relieved. Next match I will play more relaxed.” Daily Schedule (2/2/2019) Daily Schedule (3/2/2019) Knock outs Live Scoring
Nina MITTELHAM shined on her premiere
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux Simon GAUZY of France was in the fast line today in the Round of 16 match at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux. In four games he beat no. four seed Liam PITCHFORD of England (9:11 8:11 9:8 9:7). “It is good match for the start of the competition especially important win against such as good player as Liam. I could not let Liam took the control. I am coming back from the injury and I hope my game will improve during the Event ” said Simon. On her first appearance at the Top 16 Germany’s Nina MITTELHAM prevailed against Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden (11:9 8:11 14:12 11:6 13:11). “We know each other well. We are in the same team so I was just focused on my tactics. I did not think a lot what should Matilda play ” said Nina. Daily Schedule (2/2/2019) Daily Schedule (3/2/2019) Knock outs Live Scoring
Hard day for European champions
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux Swede Kristian KARLSSON overcame former European Champion Emmanuel LEBESSON of France to reach the quarterfinal of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux 1:4 (11:5 10:12 9:11 10:12 7:11). “It was much closer game then the result predicts. LEBSSON won the opening game and he was in the lead in most of the games. He has one of the best forehands in the World and letting him attack will be dangerous thing. There is no match player who can defend his style. I was focused on first three balls good service return first ball ” said KARLSSON. In the same round in the thrilling seven games Petrissa SOLJA of Germany overcame European singles champion LI Qian of Poland (9:11 11:8 12:10 5:11 5:11 11:8 11:8). “It was very long match and hard. I had an advantage 2:1 before I lost my focus for a second…My chances were even 50:50 and I knew it before the duel. I was ready for a long fight ” said SOLJA. Daily Schedule (2/2/2019) Daily Schedule (3/2/2019) Knock outs Live Scoring
POLCANOVA faced severe pressure against MORET before she justified her ranks
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux The CCB Europe Top 16 Cup started this morning in Montreux. In the opening match of the day no. one seed Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria beat Rachel MORET of Switzerland whilst her compatriot Lionel WEBER suffered by the hands of Dane Jonathan GROTH. Rachel MORET put POLCANOVA under severe pressure. Swiss player won two opening game before POLCANOVA recovered. Once again in fourth game MORET had a good chance but POLCANOVA stood the pressure. However supported by fans Rachel forced into the decider (7:11 4:11 11:6 15:13 11:6 11:13 12:10). “I do not want to sound like an excuse becuse Rachel played very good but I am coming from the injury and I do not fell the game well. It as first match of the Event I am not confident in my forehand…There is a little bit of everything that created such clse game ” said POLCANOVA. GROTH faced less problems he reached the quarterfinal after four games (11:6 11:5 11:8 11:7) against WEBER. “I was well prepared. I watched Lionel’s match against BOLL at European Championships on YouTube and I was aware how dangerous he is. Also here last year against OVTCHAROV all the games were very close. I knew if I lost a focus for a second he will take his chance ” said GROTH. Daily Schedule (2/2/2019) Daily Schedule (3/2/2019) Knock outs Live Scoring
BOLL meets APOLONIA t the start of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup
The European’s crème de la crème gathered for a 47th time to decide the title at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux. After two days of fierce battles in glamorous Swiss city we will have the new winner. Title holders are Timo BOLL of Germany and Bernadette SZOCS of Romania both on duty in Montreux. In The Round of 16 European champion BOLL will meet Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal. No. two seed Mattias FALCK will play against back spin artist Greek’s Panagiotis GIONIS. The winner from 2017 2016 and 2015 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany will play against KOU Lei of Ukraine. Liam PITCHFORD of England will meet Simon GAUZY of France legendary Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus will play against Ovidiu IONESCU of Romania. Host nation representative Lionel WEBER will play against Jonathan GROTH of Denmark whilst former European champion Emmanuel LEBESSON of France will play against Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden. The winner from 2014 in Lausanne Marcos FREITAS will play against Daniel HABESOHN of Austria. No. one seed Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA will play against Switzerland’s Rachel MORET. SZOCS will start her journey against Hana MATELOVA. Germany’s Petrissa SOLJA will meet European champion from Poland LI Qian whilst another German representative Nina MITTELHAM will 0play against Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden. Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia and Elizabeta SAMARA will also meet in Round of 16 andb that match will be followed by duel between NI Xia Lian of Luxembourg and Georgina POTA of Hungary. Britt EERLAND of Netherlands will meet Barbora BALAZOVA of Slovakia and Dutch LI Jia will play against Natalia PARTYKA.
FREITAS: It was great feeling to clinch the title in 2014
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux (February 2nd to 3rd) Switzerland brings good memories to Portugal’s star Marcos FREITAS. In 2014 in Lausanne at the last edition of the Top 12 format he clinched the title. Last year Marcos suffered from injury but now he is ready for the new challenge at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux (February 2nd to 3rd). After the title in 2014 and runner-up position year later you missed quarterfinal stage in the next two editions and you did not participate at the Event in 2018. Do you feel ready now? “My current shape is good I had good training in past few weeks and I hope I can play well at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup ” stated FREITAS. What do you remember the most from your winning 2014 tournament? “It was a great feeling to win the European Cup in 2014 it was my first big title and I just felt great during the entire tournament. It’s a tournament that will forever be in my memories.” How do you see the list of 2019 favorites and your chances at Euro Top 16? “This CCB Europe Top 16 Cup will be as strong as always I mean it is a very tough competition to qualify and everyone wants to qualify for the World Cup. In terms of favorites I think Timo BOLL and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV are in the top but all the other players have their chances as well.” What is your personal goal in 2019? “Sadly I had to miss the last years European cup because of an injury but I hope this is the year where I get back to the top ” promised Portugal’s ace. In men’s singles will play: Timo BOLL (Germany) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) Mattias FALCK (Sweden) Liam PITCHFORD (England) Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) Simon GAUZY (France) Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) KOU Lei (Ukraine) Ovidiu IONESCU (Romania) Panagiotis GIONIS (Greece) Lionel WEBER (Switzerland). Women’s Event: Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) LI Jie (Netherlands) Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) LI Qian (Poland) Georgina POTA (Hungary) Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) Natalia PARTYKA (Poland) Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic) Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) Rachel MORET (Switzerland). Tickets are available here.
BOLL targets WALDNER’s record in Montreux
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux February 2-3. Reigning champion Timo BOLL: “Everybody who participate can win the tournament the level is close together of the European top players”. Rotterdam 2002 Saarbrucken 2003 Copenhagen 2006 Dusseldorf 2009 Dusseldorf 2010 Montreux 2018! These six Europe Top 16 (12) tournaments have been successful for Timo BOLL who targets Jan-Ove WALDNER’s record (seven titles) at the 2019 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup this weekend (February 2-3) at the Swiss city of Montreux. Previous year was very successful for seven times European champion whose gold in Montreux was just one of his medals in 2018. We spoke with him about it but starting from his first winning campaign 17 years ago… What do you remember the most from your 2002 winning tournament in Rotterdam? “To be honest it’s a really long time ago and I don’t have any memories. I’m a person who lives in the moment.” What 2018 Montreux title means to you bearing in mind that you set 16-year-long winning span? “I was really happy. I don’t have any expectations to me in this age. To be still able to play on this high level and win titles is a very nice feeling and I really enjoy these moments.” Are you satisfied with your current shape? “I had physically some tough weeks behind me. The break during Christmas was important for me. I think I recovered myself and hope to stay healthy over the new year.” How do you see the list of 2019 favorites and your chances to get new Europe Top 16 crown? “Everybody who participate can win the tournament. The level is close together of the European top players. What is the crucial for the success in this format of competition? “Knock-out is always dangerous. I hope to find a good playing rhythm already the weeks before the Euro Top 16 to be sharp from the first ball.” What were the moments to remember in 2018 regarding your career and sport in general? “Many good moments like becoming no.1 in the world ranking Champions League title German Club and Singles Champion European Champion World Cup finalist Euro Top 16 winner. It was just a great year. Although I had some serious injuries which makes me always nervous if I can handle them and be able to come back. This is becoming the biggest challenge. Your personal goals in 2019? “Try to be physically fitter than last year to avoid big injuries.” In men’s singles will play: Timo BOLL (Germany) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) Mattias FALCK (Sweden) Liam PITCHFORD (England) Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) Simon GAUZY (France) Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) KOU Lei (Ukraine) Ovidiu IONESCU (Romania) Panagiotis GIONIS (Greece) Lionel WEBER (Switzerland). Women’s Event: Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) LI Jie (Netherlands) Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) LI Qian (Poland) Georgina POTA (Hungary) Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) Natalia PARTYKA (Poland) Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic) Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) Rachel MORET (Switzerland). CCB Europe Top 16 Cup is going to be covered (replay or delay) by Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2. Table Tennis fans can enjoy watching their favourite sport on TV within two days February 3rd (Eurosport 2 18:45 – 20:10 delay) and February 4th (Eurosport 2 – 13:00 – 14:00 reply Eurosport 1 – 16:45 – 17:30 reply). CCB Europe Top 16 Cup will be shown in total of 54 countries. They are following: Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kosovo Kirghizstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Morocco Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey UK Ukraine Vatican.
729 joins as ball sponsor for the 2019-2020 Para Table Tennis Tour & Continental Championships!
For the very first time there is a sponsor for the Para Table Tennis Tour after 729 won the bid for the 2019-2020 Para Tour & Continental Championships Ball Sponsorship. The partnership will provide a consistent state-of-the-art ball for players on the Para Tour: the latest proof of how Para Table Tennis is being professionalised at an unprecedented rate. Approximately 20 events on the annual Para Tour will feature the ball provided by the Chinese sports equipment supplier for whom this is also a first ever partnership with the ITTF. Events include Factor 20 (regular tier) Factor 40 (top tier) and Factor 50 (Continental Championships). The Para Tour events span Europe Asia Pan America and Africa kicking off with the Lignano Open (Italy) in March and culminating with the Copa Costa Rica in December. Meanwhile four Continental Championships (Oceania African Asian and European) will be taking place in Darwin (Australia) Alexandria (Egypt) Taichung City (Taiwan) and Helsingborg (Sweden). “Having a common ball for all Para Table Tennis events was a recurring request from athletes and coaches in recent years. Thanks to the work of the ITTF Marketing department and to 729 Para tournaments will be able to reach a higher level of quality. As an international federation which prides itself on inclusiveness with Para Table Tennis fully part of the ITTF for the last 10 years we look forward to welcoming more partners in line with our philosophy: ‘Table Tennis. For all. For life ” said Pablo PÉREZ ITTF Para Table Tennis Manager “Today Para Table Tennis events reach far beyond the realm of sport. They are a means for achieving inclusiveness in a greater society. In this context the athletes will show their unyielding determination extraordinary talent spirit of self-improvement and genuine passion for all that they do. I wish all of the athletes the very best in their endeavours and that Para Table Tennis will be a resounding success in this period ” added SUN Jingsheng President of Tianjin 729 Sports Equipment Co. Ltd “We are very happy that 729 recognises just how inspirational Para Table Tennis athletes are and so we welcome them on board to help the continued growth of the sport. With a base of more than one thousand internationally active players worldwide (and many more at national level) this partnership will be beneficial for all parties ” stated Kimberly KOH ITTF Head of Sponsorship The ITTF Para Table Tennis programme is constantly growing with currently 1 260 active players worldwide representing 91 national associations. At the same time the professionalisation and presentation of all Para Table Tennis events are witnessing a rapid upturn while the sport’s profile is also on the rise at Paralympic level.
OVTCHAROV: I feel much better prepared than last year
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux February 2-3 Four-time winner in the last six editions actual no. 2 seed Dimitrij OVTCHAROV shares third place (with Vladimir SAMSONOV) at the All-time winners list of Europe Top 16 behind Jan-Ove WALDNER (seven titles) and Timo BOLL (six). The 30-year-old German 2018 runner-up is aiming his fifth crown at the 2019 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup to be held this Saturday and Sunday (February 2-3) in the Swiss city of Montreux. How is your current preparation for the 2019 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup? “After a difficult year 2018 were my rhythm was missing due to a long-term injury I feel much better now. In November and December 2018 I have trained very hard in China and played some great matches in the CTTSL. In addition I was on vacation for a week with my family and was able to clear my head. Now I finally feel physically and mentally 100% ready and excited for the Euro Top 16 what will be my first event this year.” How do you see the list of 2019 favorites and your chances to get new Euro Top 16 crown? “For me the biggest favorite is Timo (BOLL). He is the defending champion. Other aspirants could be PITCHFORD FREITAS and FALCK but almost every player who will take part at this event is able to make big surprises. It will definitely be a strong and exciting tournament! Of course I am determined to have a say in the title again. I feel much better prepared than last year and will give everything I got.” You managed to collect four titles in last six editions of Euro Top 16. What is the common thing for all these titles something that drove you to the titles? “In the previous titles I was always in great form. I have always prepared very well trained hard and analysed the opponents. More importantly I truly believed in the victory weeks before the tournament. The attitude and faith are the keys to the success at the end.” Your personal goals in 2019? “I want to regain my old strength win some tournaments and fight back into the world elite.” In men’s singles will play: Timo BOLL (Germany) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) Mattias FALCK (Sweden) Liam PITCHFORD (England) Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) Simon GAUZY (France) Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) KOU Lei (Ukraine) Ovidiu IONESCU (Romania) Panagiotis GIONIS (Greece) Lionel WEBER (Switzerland). Women’s Event: Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) LI Jie (Netherlands) Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) LI Qian (Poland) Georgina POTA (Hungary) Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) Natalia PARTYKA (Poland) Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic) Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) Rachel MORET (Switzerland). CCB Europe Top 16 Cup is going to be covered (replay or delay) by Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2. Table Tennis fans can enjoy watching their favourite sport on TV within two days February 3rd (Eurosport 2 18:45 – 20:10 delay) and February 4th (Eurosport 2 – 13:00 – 14:00 reply Eurosport 1 – 16:45 – 17:30 reply). CCB Europe Top 16 Cup will be shown in total of 54 countries. They are following: Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kosovo Kirghizstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Morocco Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey UK Ukraine Vatican. Tickets are available here.
