The ITTF confirms that next year’s Para European Championships will be held at the Helsingborg Arena in Sweden between 15-22 September 2019. Helsingborg won the right to host the tournament after overcoming competition from Halmstad (SWE) Vejle (DEN) and Granada (ESP). The city’s first-class venue – the Helsingborg Arena – already put itself on the sporting map by hosting the 2017 European Veterans Championships and it will now prepare to welcome approximately 300 players expected to take part in the 2019 ITTF Para European Championships which will contribute to qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Next year’s competition will consist of Singles and Team events for physically impaired athletes (classes 1-10) and intellectually impaired athletes (class 11). Petra Sörling President of the Swedish Table Tennis Association said: “The Swedish Table Tennis Association is delighted and very proud to have received the honour of welcoming the European Para family to Sweden and the beautiful city of Helsingborg located in the southern part of our country. “For some time we have been eager to give our own Swedish Para players the opportunity to compete for medals against all the other great European athletes. We shall do our very best to make the 2019 ITTF Para European Championships a most memorable one. Welcome to Sweden!” Next year will mark the 16th edition of the ITTF Para European Championships and the second time that they have been held in Sweden following the 1997 tournament in Stockholm. The Scandinavian nation has staged many Para sport events since introducing table tennis as the only represented sport at the Malmo Open back in 1977.
2020 ITTF World Tour: Bidding Open!
Unprecedented commercial value immense TV and social media exposure higher prize money and a first-rate professional sports experience: the 2020 ITTF World Tour is set to be the greatest ever and now is your chance to be a huge part of it! That’s right the ITTF is now accepting bids from National Associations who want to grasp this opportunity to host a tournament during the 2020 ITTF World Tour and promote themselves to an ever-increasing global audience. Click here to submit your bid! DEADLINE: 7 December 2018 BIGGEST TOUR IN TABLE TENNIS “The ITTF is inviting all National Associations together with cities and countries around the world to get involved in the biggest tour in table tennis. By attracting the globe’s greatest players the events deliver not only a first-rate professional sports experience but also immense promotional and commercial value to cities. We are looking forward to working with all our hosts and partners to continue the rapid development of the ITTF World Tour.” Vicky Eleftheriade ITTF Competition Director WORLD TOUR FORMAT The 2020 ITTF World Tour consists of six ITTF World Tour events and six ITTF World Tour Platinum events culminating in the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals – the annual showpiece event in which players battle it out for the coveted end-of-year trophy. Meanwhile over US-$ 4 million in prize money is up for grabs across the course of the 13 events. With a limited number of events on offer (four ITTF World Tour Platinum and six ITTF World Tour) competition and interest will be sky high so cities and countries are encouraged to bid big! BIG BENEFITS FOR HOSTS The ITTF World Tour has consistently been a great avenue for countries and cities to gain global reach promotion and recognition: Over 130 broadcast countries Over 2 400 broadcast hours Extensive prime time broadcast globally and potential reach to over 550 million fans & households Over 2.8 million ITTF social media followers globally 100 000 spectators at events 1 378 players on tour To become a part of the world’s biggest table tennis tour go to ITTFWorldTour.com to find out more information and submit your bid!
KUTERGINA: We have never had such superb start at TTCLM
Coach of UMMC comments first three rounds of 2018/19 TTCLM Russian club UMMC has its best ever beginning of TTCLM season making 3-0 after three rounds in Group B by a score 3:0 each. They beat 2016 ETTU Cup winner Stella Sport La Romagne (France) Dekorglass Dzialdowo (Poland) and Walter Wels (Austria) as Jomathan GROTH and Andrej GACINA made 3-0 individual win-loss record each and Alexander SHIBAEV and FANG Bo 2-0. “We have never had such start in European Champions League: three victories by a score of 3:0. Certainly it makes me happy. During the match of Jonathan GROTH (reversed from 0:2 to 3-2 against Walter Wels’ Adam SZUDI) we were irritable for a while. I don’t know what has happened. We couldn’t understand anything and couldn’t help him: something went wrong. However I am happy for this situation because Jonathan managed to overcome himself and finally won! It is a big advantage for him” stated UMMC coach Tatiana KUTERGINA. Alexander SHIBAEV after many seasons in UMMC still looks forward to each TTCLM game: “At present we have a very good team every match we try to play as good as possible. We do not count wins and losses we prepare for every match and we try to win every game with the maximum advantage. As for my last match – I am satisfied there were no nervous moments. All that I planned for myself before match start – I did. I am happy for the result and for the team”.
Mima Ito and Fan Zhendong reign supreme at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open
Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open The Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open concluded in some style for those to claim gold on Sunday in Stockholm. Having pulled off a number of comeback wins earlier in the weekend Mima Ito took her final match by storm seeing off Women’s World no. 1 Zhu Yuling with an emphatic 4-0 scoreline (11-3 11-3 11-5 11-8) to claim her sixth career ITTF World Tour title. The result capped off an extraordinary tournament for the Japanese star who had overcome in breathtaking fashion two other heavyweights of the Chinese Women’s game: World no. 6 Liu Shiwen in the quarter-finals (12-10 7-11 7-11 5-11 13-11 11-4 11-8) and World no. 2 Ding Ning in the last four (3-11 7-11 12-10 11-6 11-9 11-8). Now ranked seventh in the world and sitting fourth in the World Tour standings Mima Ito underlined yet again the threat she poses to China’s elite. After all the 18-year-old arrived in Stockholm already boasting a glistening track record against top Chinese opposition having beaten Liu Shiwen at the World Team Championships in Halmstad in May and seen off Chen Xingtong and Wang Manyu en route to Japan Open glory in June. Needless to say if she can keep up such impressive form Mima Ito will be flying her country’s flag as a serious contender for the ultimate prize at Tokyo 2020. Coming off the back of last month’s World Cup victory in Disneyland Paris Fan Zhendong showed again on Sunday just why he is the Men’s World no. 1 by beating compatriot and no. 2 seed Xu Xin 4-1 in the final (11-7 14-12 13-11 9-11 11-9). In doing so Fan Zhendong reversed last year’s result between the same two finalists. Since that defeat the 21-year-old has lost just once in Singles events on the international stage: against Ma Long at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour China Open in Shenzen. In the Women’s Doubles Sun Yingsha celebrated her 18th birthday in style partnering Chen Xingtong to a 3-1 victory over unseeded duo Liu Gaoyang and Zhang Rui (11-5 9-11 11-7 11-6) for their third ITTF World Tour title of the year. Meanwhile in the Men’s Doubles Sweden’s Mattias Falck and Kristian Karlsson were beaten 2-3 by Chinese Taipei’s Liao Cheng-Ting and Lin Yun-Ju (10-12 11-8 11-8 6-11 13-11) to deny the home nation of final day glory. The race to qualify for the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Incheon Korea will conclude with the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Liebherr Austrian Open in Linz held between 8-11 November (qualifying between 6-7 November). Quick Links ITTF World Tour standings Swedish Open Full Results Photo Album ITTF Social: Twitter Facebook Instagram Youtube
Silver for Mattias FALCK and Kristian KARLSSON
Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open Swedish pairings Mattias FALCK and Kristian KARLSSON clinched silver in the Men’s Doubles Event at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open. In the final Chinese Taipei’s LIAO Cheng-Ting and LIN Yun-Ju the no.4 seeds were better (12-10 8-11 8-11 11-6 13-11). It was for Mattias FALCK and Kristian KARLSSON their fourth career appearance in an ITTF World Tour Men’s Doubles final; in 2015 they won in Poland in 2012 they were the runners up in the Czech Republic the same fate as they were to experience five years later in Qatar. Rather differently for Liao Cheng-Ting and Lin Yun-Ju it was their first such excursion but their 10th appearance of the year on the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour more than any other pairing; most significantly it was success. Youth Olympic Games gold medallists at opposite ends of the table it was SUN Yingsha the winner one month ago in Buenos Aires who partnered CHEN Xingtong to success in the Women’s Doubles final. Occupying the no.7 seeded position; they beat LIU Gaoyang who had won in Nanjing and ZHAO Rui a pair who had been required to compete in the qualification tournament. Confronting their Chinese national team colleagues they succeeded in four games (11-5 9-11 11-7 11-6); thus Sun Yingsha had a double celebration she struck gold on her 18th birthday.
Mattias FALCK halted in semis of the Singles but still in game for Doubles title
Seamaster 2018 Swedish Open in Stockholm Mattias FALCK reached the semi final of the Seamaster 2018 Swedish Open in Stockholm. His progress has been halted at the penultimate stage – FAN Zhendong the top seed recorded straight games victory to secure the final. In the quarter final Mattias FALCK the no.15 seed accounted for Kristian KARLSSON the no.16 seed (14-12 7-11 8-11 11-7 6-11 12-10) in all Swedish clash. “It was a very close match determined by small margins I had a good start in every game but Kristian kept catching up. We know each other so well. After Kristian took the “Time Out” I changed my services; that gave me the chance I needed. Now Fan Zhendong; I’ve never played him before. Let’s see what happens ” said Mattias FALCK. Previously China’s ZHOU Qihao caused the biggest upset at the quarter-final stage of the Men’s Singles; he beat Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV the no.4 seed in five games (11-9 11-7 9-11 11-9 11-6). However there is still a chance for Mattias to reach the highest step at the medal rostrum. Tomorrow in the final of the Men’s Doubles Event FALCK and Kristian KARLSSON will play against LIAO Cheng-Ting and LIN Yun-Ju of Taipei. In the semis Anton KALLBERG and Truls MOREGARD of Sweden and Paul DRINKHALL and Liam PITCHFORD of England suffered by the hands of the finalists.
Angers improves its chances for the quarter-finals
TTCLM Group C impressions after Round 3 On the half way of the group stage of 2018/19 Table Tennis Champions League Men three clubs are continuing unbeaten reigning champion Bourssia Dusseldorf (Group A) former four-time winner Orenburg (D) and 2012 runner-up UMMC (B). The most uncertain Group C sees three teams on the top with same win-loss record (2-1): Angers Saarbrucken and Bogoria. “We are very satisfaid to beat Bogoria 3:0 with as the all three our players made a so good match. Now all is possible for the quarter-finals. For us it will depend first with the rematch in Bogoria but after a so bad beginning in Saarbrucken we prove that we could have the level to continue” stated Angers’ president Gerard SARAZIN. In the same group C last season’s quarter-finalist Roskilde still has no victory. Manager of Danish club Allan BENTSEN explains: “For Roskilde it has been some hard matches in first three matches we have feeling that some matches could have gone the other way but also accept that we play against good teams. We will try in last three matches to chance things around and hopefully get some wins.”
Reigning TTCLM champion moves toward quarter-finals
The 2018/19 Table Tennis Champions League Men Reigning TTCLM champion and 11-time-winner Borussia Dusseldorf has recorded its third consecutive win last weekend beating Czech Republic’s TTC Ostrava 2016 3:0 at home. Coach Danny HEISTER praises his players for good team work: “We played well as team and won our third match. Timo (BOLL) had no problems with Ondrej BAJGER. Kristian (KARLSSON) had a strong opponent with Tomas TREGLER but he solved all challenges perfect. I share his happiness. Anton (KALLBERG) didn´t play at his highest level. But he won the match against Petr KORBEL That is important to get back self-confidence.” Kristian KARLSSON has improved his season’s win-loss record to 3-0 as he overcame Tomas TREGLER in straight games: “To win 3:0 is great. We managed to beat Ostrava and whole team played very well and we looking forward to next match. Now we played three of six matches and we have been successful in all of them. So we have a good chance to reach the quarter finals.” German side tops Group A with 3-0 ahead of former two-times winner AS Pontoise Cergy (2-1) last year’s semi-finalist Sporting Clube de Portugal (1-2) and TTC Ostrava 2016 (0-3). Round 4 games to be held in two weeks: Ostrava vs. Borussia (Nov 14) and Pontoise vs. Sporting (Nov 16).
Bronze and silver for Elizabet ABRAAMIAN in Tottori
2018 ITTF World Cadet Challenge Russia’s Elizabet ABRAAMIAN clinched bronze medal at the 2018 ITTF World Cadet Challenge in Tottori. In the semifinal she suffered by the hands of China’s KUAI Man (11:13 5:11 4:11 12:10 6:11) the player who latter clinched the gold in Japan. Both European representatives in Cadet Boys Doubles Event concluded their journeys in semis. Maciej KUBIK of Poland and Myshaal SABHI of France lost against Sora MATSUSHIMA and Yuma TANIGAKI of Japan (11:6 7:11 7:11 8:11) whilst Germany’s Mike HOLO and Belgium’s Adrien RASSENFOSSE suffered by the hands of another Japan’s pairings Kazuki HAMADA and Hiroto SHINOZUKA (11:8 4:11 5:11 11:5 8:11). MATSUSHIMA and TANIGAKI clinched gold. Elizabet ABRAAMIAN and Rebecca MUSKANTOR of Sweden clinched silver in the Cadet Girls Doubles Event. They lost in the final against Honami NAKAMORI and Hikari OKUBO of Japan (8:11 10:12 2:11). Kornelija RILISKYTE of Lithuania and Elena ZAHARIA of Romania won bronze. They lost in semis match against gold medal winners. In Cadet Mixed Doubles event in the final Iulian CHIRITA of Romania and Yukari SUGASAWA of Japan beat XU Nathan of New Zealand and Elena ZAHARIA (11:4 7:11 11:9).
ZHANG Mo’s wins not sufficient for Saint-Quentin
Manager of French club Jean-Louis POLARD comments ECLW Round 3 After first two games in the 2018/19 ECLW TT Saint-Quentinois has 0-2 win-loss record but they were very close to the victory playing Round 3 game in Lisbon. Sporting won 3:2 after crucial win of Zhenqi APOLONIA-BARTHEL against former European bronze medalist Polina MIKHAILOVA. Russian player lost by a narrow margin after full five games. “Big disappointment for TT Saint-Quentin as the team lost 2:3 in Lisbon against Sporting Clube de Portugal” stated manager of French club Jean-Louis POLARD. “Although the three home players are very skilled and well-known as they all played in the French PRO League their guests were ready to fight. Canadian ZHANG Mo won twice against TTSQ former player Daniela MONTEIRO-DODEAN and against 2013 European Champion LI Fen and Aurore LE MANSEC did her best too and grabbed one set. Unfortunately the key problem is new player Polina MIKHAILOVA who lost 9/11 in the 5th set against German Zhenqi APOLONIA-BARTHEL. The Russian player hasn’t won a match yet for Saint-Quentin neither in ECLW competition nor in the French PRO League. Can 2015 European bronze medalist recover soon and play as expected? The answer in November!” Saint-Quentin will play last two Group C games in late November against Linz AG Froschberg (away Nov 25th) and Sporting Clube de Portugal (home Nov 30th).
