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)
Fakel Gazprom Orenburg sets up all-Russian TTCLM final
TTCLM semi-finals leg 2: Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – Vaillante Sports Angers TT 3:1 (1st leg 3:2) Four-time TTCLM champion and actual no. 2 seed Fakel Gazprom Orenburg booked its place in the 2018/19 TTCLM finals as they beat Vaillante Sports Angers TT 3:1 in the second semi-final game (1st leg 3:2). It means that two Russian clubs will fight for the title as it happened seven years ago when Orenburg overcame UMMC. The second leg didn’t start as host side expected. Jens LUNDQVIST upset Dimitrij OVTCHAROV to secure 1:0 lead for Angers. Marcos FREITAS evened the score as he beat Jon PERSSON in straight games. Other two encounters were close and tense. First Vladimir SAMSONOV prevailed against Joao GERALDO reversing the score from 0:1 to 3:1 with last two sets decided by a narrow margin. Then PERSSON extended OVTCHAROV to full distance but German managed to win and secure eight TTCLM final in Orenburg’s history. TTCLM semi-finals leg 2 Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – Vaillante Sports Angers TT 3:1 (1st leg 3:2) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Jens LUNDQVIST 1:3 (6:11 9:11 12:10 8:11) Marcos FREITAS – Jon PERSSON 3:0 (13:11 13:11 11:8) Vladimir SAMSONOV – Joao GERALDO 3:1 (12:14 11:7 11:9 11:9) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Jon PERSSON 3:2 (3:11 13:11 7:11 11:1 13:11)
UMMC eliminates reigning champion to reach TTCLM final
Second semi-final leg of 2018/19 TTCLM: Borussia Dusseldorf – TTSC UMMC 3:2 (1st leg 1:3) Russian club TTSC UMMC secured its place in the 2018/19 TTCLM finals in spite of facing 0-2 deficit after second encounter of the return semi-final leg against reigning TTCLM champion Borussia Dusseldorf. The finalist was decided after second set of the fourth match when it was clear that German team couldn’t match the score of the first leg (3:1 10:6 for UMMC). Tonight March 21st in the sold-out ARAG CenterCourt Borussia won 3:2 but Verkhnaya Pyshma’s side goes toward second TTCLM finals in its history after 2011/12. Two left-handers met in the opener as Kristian KARLSSON beat Jonathan GROTH in four games. The score was tied after first two games but Swede was much better player in the other two sets. The second match provided many breath-taking moments thanks to Timo BOLL and FAN Bo who showed extraordinary skills in several amazing rallies. Chinese player was two games behind but he refused to give up. Moreover he saved two match points in the fourth set. But seven-times individual European champion responded in the same manner when he faced two consecutive match points of FANG in the fifth set. Thanks to his brilliant serve BOLL survived and won clash. Match went to the point when Omar ASSAR and Andrej GACINA were required to determine the destiny of this semi-finals. Guest won after four games keeping his side alive and living Borussia in the need to win fourth match in straight games. KARLSSON started well against FANG but everything was decided when guest won second set. In the rest of the match fans in the ARAG CenterCourt could see some entertaining moments between KARLSSON and FANG as well as Anton KALLBERG and Jonathan GROTH. TTCLM semi-finals leg 2 Borussia Dusseldorf – UMMC 3:2 (1st leg 1:3) Kristian KARLSSON – Jonathan GROTH 3:1 (11:5 7:11 11:5 11:5) Timo BOLL – FANG Bo 3:2 (11:6 11:6 5:11 12:14 13:11) Omar ASSAR – Andrej GACINA 1:3 (12:14 11:8 4:11 8:11) Kristian KARLSSON – FANG Bo 2:3 (11:7 6:11 3:11 11:5 8:11) Anton KALLBERG – Jonathan GROTH 3:2 (11:9 6:11 7:11 14:12 11:9)
Fakel Gazprom targets another TTCLM final
Orenburg hosts Angers in the second semi-final leg (1st leg 3:2). ENDOLOV: “Our fans are looking forward to see the match”. SARAZIN: “Orenburg remains the big favorite” Russian club Fakel Gazprom Orenburg will face Vaillante Sports Angers from France in the second semi-final leg of the 2018/19 Table Tennis Champions League Men this Friday March 22nd. Former four-time TTCLM winner and actual no. 2 seed won first match 3:2 turning the score from 0:2 after two upsets: Jon PERSSON vs. YAN An and Jens LUNDQVIST vs. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. “Our fans are looking forward to the upcoming TTCLM semi-final. They want to see a beautiful match of some of the best European teams. Our team is eager to win in Orenburg and to reach the final of the European Champions League for the ninth time” stated Fakel Gazprom coach Vladimir ENDOLOV Angers president Gerard SARAZIN is aware how big challenge for his side is the forthcoming clash in Russia: “For the first leg I said it was as difficult as climbing Everest in a swimsuit and without an oxygen mask … Given the result Orenburg remains the big favorite for the final because winning a single match is already a feat against them”. TTCLM semi-finals leg 2 Borussia Dusseldorf – TTSC UMMC (March 21st 19:00 CET) leg 1 1:3 TTC Fakel Gazprom – Vaillante Sports Angers (March 22nd 19:00 CET) leg 1 2:3
