2018 ITTF World Cadet Challenge (Tottori Japan 23-31 October 2018) The ETTU has nominated and invited eight players for the 2018 ITTF World Cadet Challenge to be held in Tottori Japan 23-31 October 2018. Recently crowned European cadet champions Maciej KUBIK from Poland and Elena ZAHARIA from Romania lead the Boys and Girls lists respectively. Neven CEGNAR guides the project as the ETTU Team Manager. Nominated boys are following: Maciej KUBIK (POL) Myshaal SABHI (FRA) Mike HOLLO (GER) Adrien RASSENFOSSE (BEL). Boys reserves: Simon BELIK (CZE) Andrea PUPPO (ITA) Arnau PONS (ESP) Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA (FRA). Coach: Marc CLOSSET (BEL). Nominated girls are following: Elena ZAHARIA (ROU) Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (RUS) Rebecca MUSKANTOR (SWE) Kornelija RILISKYTE (LTU). Girls reserves: Radmila TOMINJAK (SRB) Prithika PAVADE (FRA) Hana ARAPOVIC (CRO) Sophia KLEE (GER). Coach: Csilla BÁTORFI (HUN).
Truls MOREGARD and NING Jing top Junior lists for Vila Real
2018 Europe Youth Top 10 7-9th September 2018 Vila Real Portugal The 2018 European Youth Championships runner-up Truls MOREGARD from Sweden and 2018 EYCH gold medalist NING Jing from Azerbaijan top the junior Qualifier lists for the 2018 Europe Youth Top 10 7-9th September 2018 Vila Real Portugal. Highest positions at the cadet events are reserved for the recently crowned European cadet champions: Poland`s Maciej KUBIK and Romania`s Elena ZAHARIA. The ranking have been composed according to World Ranking U18 and U15 – 3rd August 2018. Truls MOREGARD the winner of the Cadet Boys event at the 2016 Europe Youth Top 10 in Prague Czech Republic now will face nine strong contenders. One of them is defending champion from 2017 Worcester England Cristian PLETEA from Romania. No. 3 seed is recently crowned European champion and runner-up from Worcester Ioannis SGOUROPULOS from Greece who beat Swedish boy in the gold medal contest. Other qualified players are following: Rares SIPOS (No. 2 Romania) 2017 EYCH runner-up Cristian PLETEA (No. 4 Romania) then three French players Bastien REMBERT (No. 5 bronze medalist from 2017 Worcester) Irvin BERTRAND (No. 6) and Leo DE NODREST (No. 7) Matteo MUTTI (No. 8 Italy) Lev KATSMAN (Russia). Like in all four events 10th spot is reserved for the host nation. NING Jing will be once again favorite in the Junior Girls event. Azerbaijan`s girl is twice in a row European champion 2017 and 2018. Two years ago in Prague she finished fourth at the 2016 Europe Top 10 Cadet Girls event. Serbian most talented girls Sabina SURJAN is No. 2 followed by Poland`s Anna WEGRZYN (No. 3) Germany`s Franziska SCHREINER (No. 4) 2017 Euro Top 10 JG runner up and 2016 CG winner Anastasia KOLISH from Russia (No. 5) 2016 Euro Top 10 CG runner-up Andreea DRAGOMAN from Romania (No. 6) actual European champion Tania PLAIAN from Romania (No. 7) France`s Lucie GAUTHIER (No. 8) and Czech Republic`s Zdena BLASKOVA (No. 9). Maciej KUBIK from Poland is main candidate for the gold at the Cadet Boys event as the 2018 European champion. Other qualified players are following: Myshaal SABHI (No. 2 FRA) Mike HOLLO (No. 3 GER) Adrien RASSENFOSSE (No. 4 BEL) Simon BELIK (No. 5 CZE) Andrea PUPPO (No. 6 ITA) Arnau PONS (No. 7 ESP) Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA (No. 8 FRA) and Vladislav MAKAROV (No. 9 RUS). Recently crowned European Cadet Girl champion Elena ZAHARIA from Romania tops the Cadet Girl list for the event to be held in Vila Real Portugal. Last year`s Cadet Girls Euro Top 10 winner Sophia KLEE from Germany is now No. 8 seed. Other participants include Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (No. 2 RUS Rebecca MUSKANTOR (No. 3 SWE) Kornelija RILISKYTE (No. 4 LTU) Radmila TOMINJAK (No. 5 SRB) Prithinka PAVADE (No. 6 FRA) Hana ARAPOVIC (No. 7 CRO) Arina SLAUTINA (No. 9 RUS). Junior Boys 1 Truls MOREGARD (SWE) 2 Rares SIPOS (ROU) 3 Ioanis SGOUROPOULOS (GRE) 4 Cristian PLETEA (ROU) 5 Bastien REMBERT (FRA) 6 Irvin BERTRAND (FRA) 7 Leo DE NODREST (FRA) 8 Matteo MUTTI (ITA) 9 Lev KATSMAN (RUS) 10 Host player (POR) Junior Girls 1 NING Jing (AZE) 2 Sabina SURJAN (SRB) 3 Anna WEGRZYN (POL) 4 Franziska SCHREINER (GER) 5 Anastasia KOLISH (RUS) 6 Andreea DRAGOMAN (ROU) 7 Tania PLAIAN (ROU) 8 Lucio GAUTHIER (FRA) 9 Zdena BLASKOVA (CZE) 10 Host player (POR) Cadet Boys 1 Maciej KUBIK (POL) 2 Myshaal SABHI (FRA) 3 Mike HOLLO (GER) 4 Adrien RASSENFOSSE (BEL) 5 Simon BELIK (CZE) 6 Andrea PUPPO (ITA) 7 Arnau PONS (ESP) 8 Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA (FRA) 9 Vladislav MAKAROV (RUS) 10 Host player (POR) Cadet Girls 1 Elena ZAHARIA (ROU) 2 Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (RUS) 3 Rebecca MUSKANTOR (SWE) 4 Kornelija RILISKYTE (LTU) 5 Radmila TOMINJAK (SRB) 6 Prithinka PAVADE (FRA) 7 Hana ARAPOVIC (CRO) 8 Sophia KLEE (GER) 9 Arina SLAUTINA (RUS) 10 Host player (POR) More information: here ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Turkey and Romania crowned team champions in Edirne
Balkan U21 Table Tennis Championships Turkey and Romania are crowned team`s champions at the Balkan U21 Table Tennis Championships held in the Turkish city of Edirne from August 1-5. Host side beat Serbia 3:0 in the Men`s Team final while Romania overcame Turkey 3:1 in the Women`s Team event. Denis BEKIR and Stefan TODOROV from Bulgaria are the winners of Men`s Doubles event as they beat Romania`s Alexandru MANOLE and Florin SPELBUS 3:1 (11:1 11:9 5:11 11:5). The best women`s doubles is Turkey`s Betul Nur KAHRAMAN and Merve Nur OZTURK. Host pair prevailed against Romania`s Elena ZAHARIA and Alina ZAHARIA 3:2 (8:11 14:12 14:16 11:8 11:8). U21 Men`s Team Quarter-finals Turkey – Slovenia 3:0 Romania – Bulgaria 3:0 Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 3:0 Serbia bye Semi-finals Turkey – Romania 3:2 Serbia – Bosnia and Herzegovina 3:0 Position 3-4 Romania – Bosnia and Herzegovina 3:0 Final Turkey – Serbia 3:0 Batuhan ULUCAK – Nikola MARINKOVIC 3:1 (13:11 15:13 8:11 11:9) Abdullah Talha YIGENLER – Dimitrije LEVAJAC 3:2 (7:11 11:9 11:8 9:11 12:10) Ali Afsin GUL – Aleksa GACEV 3:2 (11:8 5:11 7:11 14:12 11:9) U 21 Women`s Team Quarter-finals Turkey – FYRO Macedonia 3:0 Bulgaria – Albania 3:0 Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 3:1 Romania – Kosovo 3:0 Semi-finals Turkey – Bulgaria 3:0 Romania – Bosnia and Herzegovina 3:0 Position 3-4 Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bulgaria 3:1 Final Romania – Turkey 3:1 Elena ZAHARIA – Betul Nur KAHRAMAN 3:1 (11:6 12:10 9:11 11:4) Alina ZAHARIA – Gul Pembe OZKAYA 3:2 (7:11 11:6 11:7 6:11 11:4) Denisa URITU – Merve Nur OZTURK 2:3 (11:1 7:11 7:11 11:7 5:11) Alina ZAHARIA – Betul Nur KAHRAMAN 3:0 (11:6 11:8 11:5) U21 Men`s Doubles Semi-finals Alexandru MANOLE/Florin SPELBUS (Romania) – Aleksa GACEV/Nikola MARINKOVIC (Serbia) 3:0 (11:8 11:8 11:9) Denis BEKIR/Stefan TODOROV (Bulgaria) – Bilal Selim TOK/Tugay Sirzat YILMAZ (Turkey) 3:1 (11:9 12:10 7:11 11:7) Final Denis BEKIR/Stefan TODOROV (Bulgaria) – Alexandru MANOLE/Florin SPELBUS (Romania) 3:1 (11:1 11:9 5:11 11:5) U21 Women`s Doubles Semi-finals Elena ZAHARIA/Alina ZAHARIA (Romania) – Gul Pembe OZKAYA/Aybala KOCAL (Turkey) 3:1 (11:4 12:10 10:12 11:8) Betul Nur KAHRAMAN/Merve Nur OZTURK (Turkey) – Iva Dimitrievska/Ana STOJANOVSKA (FYRO Macedonia) 3:0 (11:5 11:7 11:9) Final Betul Nur KAHRAMAN/Merve Nur OZTURK (Turkey) – Elena ZAHARIA/Alina ZAHARIA (Romania) 3:2 (8:11 14:12 14:16 11:8 11:8) More information Balkan TT Union here Facebook 2018 TT Balkan Championships here
The Asia – Europe Challenge Day 2 is underway
The 13th edition of Asia – Europe Challenge held in the city located in Jiangsu province in eastern China concluded today (August 5th) The 13th edition of Asia – Europe Challenge belonged to Asian side who won 7:3 in the two days event concluded today August 5th in the Chinese city of Nantong. The opponents entered the second day with 4:1 advantage in favor of the host team. Bastian STEGER and Vladimir SAMSONOV were the winners for the Old Continent today while their teammates again lost two matches by a narrow margin like day before. It was Asian second consecutive win after 6:4 in Dongguean two years ago. Europe made history in 2015 Zhangjiagang recording its very first victory on Asian soil 6:4. Koki NIWA vs. Bastian STEGER 1:3 Second day begun by Bastian STEGER victory against Koki NIWA 3:1 (11:8 8:11 11:9 11:7). It was excellent performance of German player in the clash with many fast strokes. The 2012 European Championships bronze medalist did an important move to the win in late third set reversing the score from 8:9 to 11:9. Astonishing rally was seen in the mid of third set taken by European player who controlled the fourth game from the beginning. “This is the team event between Asia and Europe. I am very happy that our team won. There are many experienced and good players here. Through this time I got to know how they practice and learn from them” stated NIWA after the event in Nantong. ZHANG Jike vs. Jonathan GROTH 3:2 The 25-year-old GROTH showed how big potential he has extending former Olympic and World champion to full distance – 3:2 (8:11 11:8 9:11 11:6 11:7). Left-hander from Denmark led twice but ZHANG played his best table tennis in last two games. GROTH won four consecutive points (6:6 10:6) to secure the opening game continuing his lead until the mid of second set when ZNAHG took five points in a row (4:7 9:7).After third set when he got few amazing rallies European had no energy to prevent host to set 5:2 lead for Asia. The winner was decided after ZHANG`s four points in a row (9:5) in the fifth game. Former Olympic and World champion ZHANG Jike was satisfied how everything went in Nantong: “I am very happy to help team to win this tournament. Everyone in our team should be recognized including the coach the team manager and the players. This is my third time to attend Asia-European Challenge. In the national team we represent our own country. But now here we are the Team Asia and Team European. Every one fight hard on the court. We played out our best.” LEE Sangsu vs. Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 Korean player the best ranked one at the event in Nantong managed to recover after yesterday`s defeat by Portugal`s Marcos FREITAS. He beat Kristian KARLSSON in straight games 3:0 (11:5 14:12 11:4). LEE easily won first and third game while Swede missed two game points in the second one. This victory of Korean has sealed Asia`s win in the city located in Jiangsu province in eastern China. LEE debuted at the Asia – Europe Challenge and hope he`ll be back in the future: “I got 1 win and 1 lost here. I am very satisfied with my performance. This is my first time to attend Asia-European challenge. I am very pleased to be here.Of course this is a wonderful event with many world top players. I learnt a lot through this opportunity. I will keep improving in the future.” WONG Chun Ting vs. Marcos FREITAS 3:2 Portugal`s player extended World No. 10 to full distance preventing one match point in the ultimate game but WONG was the winner 3:2 (11:4 12:10 2:11 7:11 12:10). FREITAS unique winner for European side in the opening day allowed Hong Kong`s player 2-0 lead in spite of having three game points in late second game (10:7). WONG controlled the fifth set by his penhold style having 6:2 and 9:6 but FREITAS leveled the score with two quick rallies. CHUANG Chih-Yuan vs. Vladimir SAMSONOV 0:3 Vladimir SAMSONOV beat CHUANG Chih-Yuan in straight games 3:0 (11:8 12:10 11:7). Both opponents played for the spectators their meeting especially after the close second game concluded by four consecutive points (7:9 11:9) of Belarus. The 2018 Asia – Europe Challenge Asia – Europe 7:3 Sunday 5th August Asia – Europe 3:2 Koki NIWA vs. Bastian STEGER 1:3 (8:11 11:8 9:11 7:11) ZHANG Jike vs. Jonathan GROTH 3:2 (8:11 11:8 9:11 11:6 11:7). LEE Sangsu vs. Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 (11:5 14:12 11:4) WONG Chun Ting vs. Marcos FREITAS 3:2 (11:4 12:10 2:11 7:11 12:10) CHUANG Chih-Yuan vs. Vladimir SAMSONOV 0:3 (8:11 10:12 7:11) Saturday 4th August Asia – Europe 4:1 Koki NIWA vs. Vladimir SAMSONOV 3:2 (11:4 11:8 9:11 6:11 11:9) CHUANG Chih-Yuan vs. Jonathan GROTH 3:2 (14:12 11:9 7:11 9:11 11:6) WONG Chun Ting vs. Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 (14:12 11:4 11:7) LEE Sangsu vs. Marcos FREITAS 1:3 (9:11 12:10 7:11 9:11) ZHANG Jike vs. Bastian STEGER 3:0 (11:2 11:4 14:12) ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
The Asia – Europe Challenge just started in Nantong
Other five matches to be held tomorrow August 5th with the live coverage at LAOLA1.tv The Asia – Europe Challenge Day 1 is concluded by 4:1 lead of the host side. Koki NIWA CHUANG Chih-Yuan WONG Chun-Ting and ZHANG Jike have provided four wins for Asian team while Portugal`s Marcos FREITAS won unique point for Old Continent. Europeans had a chance for better result as both Vladimir SAMSONOV and Jonathan GROTH stretched their opponents to full distance. Tomorrow August 5th five more matches to be held starting at 08:00 CET (14:00 local time). Koki NIWA – Vladimir SAMSONOV 3:2 Japanese Koki NIWA provided early lead for the host side as he beat Vladimir SAMSONOV 3:2 (11:4 11:8 9:11 6:11 11:9). NIWA controlled first two sets in each moment but Belarus responded in a same way to level the score at 2:2. SAMSONOV had an open way to his victory reversing the score from 1:4 to 8:5 and 9:6 in the ultimate chapter but NIWA won five points in a row to conclude the clash. CHUANG Chih-Yuan – Jonathan GROTH 3:2 Asia leads 2:0 thanks to Chinese Taipei`s victory against newcomer in the Old Continent`s line-up 3:2 (14:12 11:9 7:11 9:11 11:6). Player who spent most of his career in European clubs CHUANG was faced with three game points in the opening set but managed to win it. European left-hander from Denmark showed good table tennis winning some lovely rallies but experience prevailed in decisive moments. Third and fourth set saw much stronger GROTH with powerful forehand and some fantastic exchange with twisted bodies. CHUANG regained control in the late fifth sate and won this encounter. “I think today is the well-played match. I did not practice too much after the summer break. This is my first match. Unfortunately I still missed this important match. I did not receive so well today. I am not satisfied with the result. I wished I could win. I hope I can win tomorrow. I think on the paper Asia is favorite. But I hope we can come back and get the top five at the end” stated Jonathan GROTH. WONG Chun Ting – Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 Two players met in the 2017/18 TTCLM Round 1 when Borussia Dusseldorf`s KARLSSON beat Dekorglass Dzialdowo`s WONG in four games but this time Hong Kong`s player won in straight games 3:0 (14:12 11:4 11:7). Swede missed six game points in the opener and that was crucial for the final outcome. WONG had no problem in the next two games and set 3:0 lead for Asian side. “I played with Kristian KARLSSON twice before in the 2016 World Cup and this year’s World Team Championships. In today’s match I think I performed well especially when I was 6-10 behind in the first set. Managing to coming back in the set 1 gives me more confident explained WONG. LEE Sangsu – Marcos FREITAS 1:3 The 2015 European Championships runner-up upset actual World No. 8 LEE Sangsu the best ranked player at the event in Nantong 3:1 (11:9 10:12 11:7 11:9). Portugal`s left-hander concluded the clash with the excellent respond on Korea`s serve taking backhand flick shot. FREITAS was so consistent all the time creating several amazing strokes in each time when his opponent was close to him. It was fully deserved win for European representative. Marcos FREITAS was satisfied after beating LEE Sangsu and helping European side to win the first point: “LEE Sangsu is one of the best players in the world. He is top ranked player. I did not play against him for a long time. Last year he played really well. I think I had a good start also I had the very good serve and receive. Of course I feel nervous given that my team was 0-3 down. Asian team is very strong 3 nail down is a pressure for me because if I did not meet my point today my team may be 0-5 down which is not good for tomorrow. So after I won I think our hope still alive. I think we will flight more tomorrow to compete with team Asia.” ZHANG Jike – Bastian STEGER 3:0 Former Olympic and World champion beat 2012 European championships bronze medalist in straight games 3:0 (11:2 11:2 14:12). German player had no chance against super motivated Chinese star supported by domestic fans. In spite of that STEGER managed to save four match points in the third set. It was very special day for ZHANG who sang the song during the Opening Ceremony in Nantong. Saturday 4th August Asia – Europe 4:1 Koki NIWA vs. Vladimir SAMSONOV 3:2 (11:4 11:8 9:11 6:11 11:9) CHUANG Chih-Yuan vs. Jonathan GROTH 3:2 (14:12 11:9 7:11 9:11 11:6) WONG Chun Ting vs. Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 (14:12 11:4 11:7) LEE Sangsu vs. Marcos FREITAS 1:3 (9:11 12:10 7:11 9:11) ZHANG Jike vs. Bastian STEGER 3:0 (11:2 11:4 14:12) Sunday 5th August (start at 08:00 CET) Koki NIWA vs. Bastian STEGER ZHANG Jike vs. Jonathan GROTH LEE Sangsu vs. Kristian KARLSSON WONG Chun Ting vs. Marcos FREITAS CHUANG Chih-Yuan vs. Vladimir SAMSONOV Live stream link is following: Sunday: https://www.laola1.tv/en-int/livestream/tischtennis-attu-asia-europe-all-stars-challenge-1-len There is also a direct link from the ETTU.org website https://www.ettu.org/en/ ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
European stars with trio who made history in Zhangjiagang
The Asia – Europe Challenge will be broadcasted live at LAOLA1.tv this Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th August both days at 08:00 CET (14:00 local time) The Asia – Europe Challenge will once again gather top stars from both Continents this Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th August in Nantong the city located in Jiangsu province in eastern China. Both days will be broadcasted live at LAOLA1.tv starting at 08:00 CET (14:00 local time). The last edition of the event that started in 2009 in Istanbul as the Asia-Europe All Stars Series held two years ago in Dongguan in the south of China has belonged to the host side 6:4. Only Vladimir SAMSONOV remains from that European team but now he will be teamed up again with Portugal`s Marcos FREITAS and Germany`s Bastian STEGER. They made history in Zhangjiagang three years ago when Old Continent`s team won for the very first time on Asian soil (6:4). Members of that side coached by Richard PRAUSE were Austria`s Robert GARDOS and Croatia`s Andrej GACINA as well. Zhangjiagang`s heroes will be supported by two newcomers Sweden`s Kristian KARLSSON and Denmark`s Jonathan GROTH. Players were invited according to May’s World Rankings. Since inaugural meeting 2009 in Beijing Europe won twice on its soil: in 2009 Istanbul (6:5) and 2012 Vendée (6:4). Overall prize money will be once again 100 000 € in total. The cumulative result of the two days of competition determines the winner. In case of 5:5 result eleventh match will be played like in 2009 Istanbul (Vladimir SAMSONOV beat LI Ching 3:1 in the additional game Europe won 6:5) and in 2010 Beijing (Jun MIZUTANI beat Jorgen PERSSON 3:2 Asia won 6:5) Saturday 4th August Koki NIWA vs. Vladimir SAMSONOV CHUANG Chih-Yuan vs. Jonathan GROTH WONG Chun Ting vs. Kristian KARLSSON LEE Sangsu vs. Marcos FREITAS ZHANG Jike vs. Bastian STEGER Sunday 5th August Koki NIWA vs. Bastian STEGER ZHANG Jike vs. Jonathan GROTH LEE Sangsu vs. Kristian KARLSSON WONG Chun Ting vs. Marcos FREITAS CHUANG Chih-Yuan vs. Vladimir SAMSONOV Live stream links are following: Saturday: https://www.laola1.tv/en-int/livestream/tischtennis-attu-asia-europe-all-stars-challenge-len Sunday: https://www.laola1.tv/en-int/livestream/tischtennis-attu-asia-europe-all-stars-challenge-1-len There is also a direct link from the ETTU.org website https://www.ettu.org/en/ ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Asia – Europe Challenge live at LAOLA1.tv
Asia – Europe Challenge to be held on 4th and 5th August in Nantong China The Asia – Europe Challenge will be broadcasted live at LAOLA1.tv this Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th August and live stream links for both days are available. Chinese city of Nantong will host the showcase event that started in 2009 in Istanbul as the Asia-Europe All Stars Series. Vladimir SAMSONOV will once again line up in Nantong as will Europe’s team leader Marcos FREITAS of Portugal Jonathan GROTH of Denmark Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden and Bastian STEGER of Germany. Players were invited according to May’s World Rankings. WONG Chun Ting of Hong Kong ranked at number 7 in the world leads the line-up for Team Asia. LEE Sangsu of Korea Japan’s Koki NIWA CHUANG Chih-Yuan of Chinese Taipei and former World and Olympic Champion ZHANG Jike of China make up a very strong Asia Team. In the last encounter in Dongguan in 2016 Asia won the My Hills International Trade Center Asia-Europe All Stars Challenge having fielded another strong team of China’s FAN Zhendong Chinese Taipei’s CHUANG Chih-Yuan Hong Kong’s WONG Chun Ting Singapore’s GAO Ning and Korea’s JOO Saehyuk who won 6:4 (4:1 and 2:3). On that occasion Team Europe was represented by Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal Andrej GACINA of Croatia Alexander SHIBAEV of Russia and CHEN Weixing of Austria. Live stream links are following: Saturday: https://www.laola1.tv/en-int/livestream/tischtennis-attu-asia-europe-all-stars-challenge-len Sunday: https://www.laola1.tv/en-int/livestream/tischtennis-attu-asia-europe-all-stars-challenge-1-len There is also a direct link from the ETTU.org website https://www.ettu.org/en/ ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Germany/France team reach semis in Hong Kong
2018 Hang Seng Hong Kong Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Golden Series Junior Circuit (1-5 August) Two German players MENG Fanbo and Kay STUMPER and one from France Dorian ZHENG have reached Junior Boys`Team semi-finals at the 2018 Hang Seng Hong Kong Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Golden Series Junior Circuit (1-5 August) playing as Germany/France team. They beat Thailand 3:0 in the quarter-finals but lost to Japan/Chinese Taipei 3:1 in their attempt to provide gold medal contest. Tomorrow August 3rd individual events will start. Kay STUMPER plays in Junior Singles Group 6 while MENG Fanbo and Dorian ZHENG will share Group 7. Junior Boys` Team quarter-finals Thailand – Germany/France 0:3 Yanapong PANAGITGUN – Dorian ZHENG 2:3 (11:7 11:8 8:11 8:11 11:13) Supakron PANKHAOYOY – MENG Fanbo 0:3 (9:11 7:11 7:11) Tananan TANTAKOOL – Kay STUMPER 2:3 (11:6 6:11 11:6 8:11 7:11) Hong Kong A – China 0:3 Singapore – Chinese Taipei 0:3 Japan/Chinese Taipei – Japan 3:0 Junior Boys` semi-finals Germany/France – Japan/Chinese Taipei 1:3 MENG Fanbo – Aoto ASAZU 3:2 (11:5 6:11 11:6 7:11 11:4) Dorian ZHENG – Takeru KASHIWA 1:3 (12:14 14:12 7:11 7:11) Kay STUMPER – HUANG Yu-Jen0:3 (9:11 11:13 7:11) MENG Fanbo – Takeru KASHIWA 1:3 (4:11 9:11 14:12 5:11) Chinese Taipei – China 0:3
Different line-up but same goal for Borussia
The most decorated European club presented its poster for the 2018/19 season Two months before the beginning of 2018/19 Table Tennis Champions League Men defending champion and top seed Borussia Dusseldorf from Germany presented its official poster. The picture depicts Coach Danny HEISTER surrounded by four players in the action: Timo BOLL (actual world No. 2) Kristian KARLSSON (No. 22) Anton KALLBERG (No. 74) and Omar ASSAR (No. 21). Egyptian player Omar ASSAR current world no. 21 is unique real newcomer bearing in mind that Indian Sharath Kamal ACHANTA spent four seasons (2013-17) in Borussia`s jersey before. Two-times ITTF Africa Championships winner (2015 2016) continues his career in Bundesliga as he was Werder Bremen`s member in the last season. The most decorated European club opens the upcoming TTCLM season on September 27th playing home game against last season`s semi-finalist Sporting Clube de Portugal. It will be a chance for the 2016 ITTF Africa Championships final reprise between Omar ASSAR from Egypt and Quadri ARUNA from Nigeria.
Great showdown in Nantong
Asia – Europe Challenge The Asia – Europe Challenge will once again see tops stars from both Continents go head to head on 4th and 5th August in Nantong China. At the showcase event that started in 2009 in Istanbul as the Asia-Europe All Stars Series the impressive line-ups include three players in the world top 10 lining up for Asia. The event has been played eight times so far with Europe’s legendary player and three times European Champion Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus appearing seven times. Vladimir will once again line up in Nantong as will Europe’s team leader Marcos FREITAS of Portugal Jonathan GROTH of Denmark Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden and Bastian STEGER of Germany. Players were invited according to May’s World Rankings. WONG Chun Ting of Hong Kong ranked at number 7 in the world leads the line-up for Team Asia. LEE Sangsu of Korea Japan’s Koki NIWA CHUANG Chih-Yuan of Chinese Taipei and former World and Olympic Champion ZHANG Jike of China make up a very strong Asia Team. “Our European players are looking forward to going head-to-head with the best in Asia. Of course it will be a tough challenge but the event is not only a table tennis spectacle where the audience in Asia enjoy watching their heroes taking on our very own but the event is a positive symbol of Europe’s relationship with Asia something the ETTU is fully committed to ” explained ETTU President Ronald KRAMER. EUROPE ASIA 1 Marcos Freitas (POR) WR15 1 WONG Chun Ting (HKG) WR7 2 Kristian Karlsson (SWE) WR18 2 LEE Sangsu (KOR) WR8 3 Jonathan Groth (DEN) WR19 3 NIWA Koki (JPN) WR9 4 Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) WR24 4 CHUANG Chih-Yuan (TPE) WR16 5 Bastian Steger (GER) WR26 5 ZHANG Jike (CHN) WR168 (Selection was made acc. to WR of May) Europe made history in 2015 in Zhangjiagang when they beat Asia for the only time. In the last encounter in Dongguan in 2016 Asia won the My Hills International Trade Center Asia-Europe All Stars Challenge having fielded another strong team of China’s FAN Zhendong Chinese Taipei’s CHUANG Chih-Yuan Hong Kong’s WONG Chun Ting Singapore’s GAO Ning and Korea’s JOO Saehyuk who won 6:4 (4:1 and 2:3). On that occasion Team Europe was represented by Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal Andrej GACINA of Croatia Alexander SHIBAEV of Russia and CHEN Weixing of Austria. The event takes place over two days. The five-player teams face off in singles with each player playing once match each day. The overall winners are crowned based on the aggregate score over both days. “We are looking forward to representing Europe in Nantong in what is a great event. It will be a tough test for us given the world rankings and of course Asia is fielding the former World and Olympic Champion ZHANG Jike who has come back onto the World Tour. But we are ready and will look to get off to a positive start which will put the pressure on the Asia team with the audience in China ” said Ulf “Tickan” CARLSSON. Richard Scruton ETTU Secretary General will also be in attendance in Nantong as Team Manager. The exciting line-up will be as follows: Euro – Asia Challenge Series 2018 4thand 5thAugust Nantong Day 1: NIWA Koki (JPN) Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) CHUANG Chih-Yuan (TPE) Jonathan Groth (DEN) WONG Chun Ting (HKG) Kristian Karlsson (SWE) LEE Sangsu (KOR) Marcos Freitas (POR) ZHANG Jike (CHN) Bastian Steger (GER) Day 2: NIWA Koki (JPN) Bastian Steger (GER) ZHANG Jike (CHN) Jonathan Groth (DEN) LEE Sangsu (KOR) Kristian Karlsson (SWE) WONG Chun Ting (HKG) Marcos Freitas (POR) CHUANG Chih-Yuan (TPE) Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
