China’s LIU Shiwen’s global renaissance has continued by defeating her arch nemesis and teammate DING Ning to win the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open today 29 July 2018 in Geelong Australia. The World Tour Platinum title was the former world number one’s third singles title of 2018 after a disappointing last two years on the international stage and the fact it came against Olympic Champion DING Ning whom she lost the 2015 World Championships final to makes it even sweeter. LIU Shiwen who came back from 3-2 down to win a seven-game epic match 11-5 11 7 3-11 5-11 6-11 11-5 11-6 to thrill the sold-out crowd stated: “This is my first time here in Australia and playing the Australian open. The road to the title was very tough but I am so happy that I finally won.” “Both of us made some slight changes to our tactics during the match to try and overtake each other in the match. Ding Ning is a very strong opponent even though I took the victory today there’s still a lot of little details that I need to review and learn from this match.” Like LIU Shiwen XU Xin (CHN) also has had very mixed results over the past few months losing to international players at the past couple of World Tour events which put the Olympic Team Champion under immense pressure in the Chinese team. The pen-holder was able to silence his critics by defeating 2015 World Junior Champion 20-year-old LIU Dingshuo (CHN) to win the men’s singles title 12-10 4-11 12-10 15-13 11-6. The 28-year-old who was extremely relieved to be back in the winner’s circle stated: “It was an all-Chinese match so we are familiar with each other. I didn’t play as good as yesterday but I’m more experienced than my opponent when it came to the crucial points in the match. Maybe it’s the experience that makes the difference younger players still tend to be impatient when it comes to the crucial moments I’m bolder when it comes to handling the crucial points once your attacks work during the crucial moments the impact on the opponent is very deadly.” “I didn’t manage to play well in the recent 2 World Tour events so there was pressure on me. There are still many flaws in my game that I need to fix and solve ASAP. Winning this Platinum event title will bring a boost to my confidence because I’m dissatisfied with my performance in the past two World Tour so I wanted to win a title to prove myself. I used to feel more relaxed on the World Tour and I didn’t lose any match to a non-Chinese for 5 years and was able to at least make it to the semifinals so I am glad I am back!.” Hina HAYATA & Mima ITO won an all Japanese affair in the women’s doubles final being victorious 11-8 11-9 11-7 against teammates Honoka HASHIMOTO & Hitomi SATO. Korea Republic’s JEOUNG Youngsik & LEE Sangsu were too strong for the Japanese pair of Masataka MORIZONO & Yuya OSHIMA to win the men’s doubles title 14-12 11-5 11-7. The men’s doubles triumph was the second title of the event for LEE Sangsu after he teamed up with JEON Jihee to win the Mixed Doubles event 6-11 11-7 5-11 11-8 118 against fellow Koreans LIM Jonghoon & YANG Haeun. Next up for the world’s best table tennis players is the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Asarel Bulgaria Open in Panagyurishte on 16-19 August as the players continue the fight to qualify for the one million dollar ITTF World Tour Grand Finals to be held in December. Quick Links: Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open Daily Schedule & Results Media Kit Flash Quotes Photos for Editorial Use Live Streaming & Videos on Demand Match Highlights
Record breaking European Youth Championships
The 2018 STAG European Youth Championships broke the record in term of number of players – 573 players were listed this year. The number of teams is also close to the record – 159. Only in 2006 and 2008 were more- 161. The 1263 individual matches were played and 2256 matches in teams event together 3519 matches in 10- days. Youngest player at the Championships was Sidelya MUTLU (BUL) 11 years 6 months old. Thje youngest boy was Timothy FALCONNIER (SUI) 11 years 9 months. Second youngest boy was Felix LEBRUN (FRA) 11 years 10 months. Special about him is a fact that he is Western European boy playing penhold grip! Most successfull players:Eu Subsemnatul 1. NING Jing (AZE) 2 gold 1 silver2. Lucie GAUTHIER (FRA) Elena ZAHARIA (ROU) and Maciej KUBIK (POL) 2 gold 1 bronze3. Maksim GREBNEV (RUS) and Prithika PAVADE (FRA) 1 gold 1 silver 2 bronze4. Misjaal SABHI (FRA) and Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA (FRA) 1 gold 1 silver 1 bronze5. Elisabet ABRAAMIAN (RUS) 3 silver6. Tania PLAIAN (ROU) and Ekaterina ZIRONOVA (RUS) 1 silver 2 bronze7. Rares SIPOS (ROU) 3 bronze European Youth Championships Table Tennis 2018 Medals table Gold Silver Bronze 1 France 5 2 6 2 Russia 3 5 5 3 Romania 2 2 7 4 Azerbaijan 2 2 5 Poland 2 1 1 6 Croatia 1 1 7 Greece 1 8 Italy 1 9 Sweden 1 2 10 Belgium 1 11 Serbia 3 11 Czech Republic 3 13 Germany 2 14 Slovakia 1
Visa-free travel to Belarus
On the eve of the ITTF tournament Belarus Open in November that is a testing tournament before 2019 European Games a new information concerning visas for entering Belarus appeared. According to the Presidential Decree which was signed by the President of the Republic of Belarus on July 24 the term of visa-free stay of foreign citizens in Belarus is extended to 30 days (instead of 5 days) provided they enter the country and depart it crossing the state border at the national airport Minsk. The list of countries whose citizens have the right to use the regime of visa-free entry and exit has been updated. It excludes countries with which Belarus has concluded bilateral agreements on the mutual abolition of visas. The given order of visa-free movement through the airport does not extend to persons coming to Belarus by flight from Russia as well as to those who intend to fly to the airports of Russia (such flights are considered as internal ones and countries do not have border control). To enter the Republic of Belarus in the visa-free regime via the checkpoint “Minsk National Airport” foreign citizens must have the following documents: – a valid ordinary passport or another substituting document for traveling abroad; – financial means: at least 25 Euro (or equal amount in dollars or Belarusian rubles) for each day of stay; – or 50 base values (more than 610 dollars) if the stay is of full 30 days – medical insurance for at least 10 000 Euros that covers the territory of Belarus. A mandatory additional requirement for the citizens of Vietnam Haiti Gambia India Lebanon Namibia and Samoa is the presence of a valid multiple entry visa of the EU or Schengen states in the passport with a mark on entry into their territory as well as air tickets with confirmation of departure from the national airport of Minsk within 30 days from the date of entry. A special decree was signed providing a visa-free regime for a number of foreign citizens for the period of the 2019 European Games in Minsk. The document sets visa-free entry to Belarus for participants officials Games’ organizers other professional staff from May 20 to July 10 2019 as well as for foreign tourists from June 10 to July 10 2019 on accreditation cards or tickets for sporting events. More information for your attention here
Brazil’s Calderano Looks to Climb Career New Height at 2018 ITTF Australian Open
Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO looks to achieve new career best ranking on the ITTF World Ranking next month at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open that begins action tomorrow 26 July till 29 July 2018 in Geelong Australia. CALDERANO who just broke into the world top 10 in July 2018 faces Japan’s Yuya OSHIMA and is expected to overtake reigning World & Olympic Champion MA Long on the August world ranking if he is able to reach the semifinals and reach take the sixth spot on the world ranking if he takes Gold here in Geelong. MA had pulled out from the tournament just few days before the action due to a knee injury. Looking to repeat his heroics at the Qatar Open earlier this year where he upset several higher ranked stars to reach the final the 22-year-old stated “I played well at the Korean Open last week and I’m excited to be here at the Australian Open to try and perform in a strong tournament once again and I’m ready and prepared for whatever comes.” CALDERANO’s doubles partner Simon GAUZY (FRA) who claimed silver at the 2017 Australian Open will meet Indian superstar Sharath Kamal ACHANTA in the round of 32 & be aiming to match his previous performance in Australia to avoid losing world ranking points. Competition will be tough for the duo with top seeds Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) XU Xin (CHN) LEE Sangsu (KOR) and Japanese stars Koki NIWA Tomokazu HARIMOTO all aiming to become champion here in Australia after having mixed form in 2018. In the Women’s Singles event Grand Slam Champion DING Ning whose world ranking had fell due to inactivity will be looking at claiming Gold in Geelong to move her way back into the top 10. When asked her dreams after achieving her Grand Slam at the event launch the former world number one stated “My goal here is to win the tournament. I have already achieved my big career dream winning at the World Championships World Cup and Olympic Games so my dream now is just to win this tournament.” DING will face off with Chinese Taipei’s CHENG Hsien-Tzu in the first round in the main draw and is expected to meet Japan’s Miu HIRANO in the quarterfinals & semifinals respectively if things went according to seeding. The Australian Open is the eighth stop on the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour and the fifth of six Platinum events on the ITTF World Tour which is the top tier of the tour with the most prize money and world ranking points. Together with the six regular ITTF World Tour events players compete to earn World Tour Standings points qualify for the singles doubles and mixed doubles events at the one-million-dollar World Tour Grand Finals in December. Main draw action for the Australian Open will begin tomorrow 26 July with Mixed Doubles Final being played on Saturday 28 July and the remaining four Finals (Women’s Doubles Men’s Doubles Women’s Singles & Men’s Singles) Champions being crowned on Sunday 29 July 2018. Quick Links: Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open Daily Schedule & Results Media Kit Flash Quotes Photos for Editorial Use Live Streaming & Videos on Demand Match Highlights
Wales chosen as host of the 2021 EV Championships
The 2021 European Veterans Championships to be held at Cardiff Metropolitan University in the capital city of Cardiff The ETTU Executive Board is pleased to announce the 2021 European Veterans Championships has been awarded to the Table Tennis Association of Wales to be held at Cardiff Metropolitan University in the capital city of Cardiff from Monday 21st to Sunday 27th June 2021. “The Executive Board assisted by the Chairman of ETTU’s Veterans Committee was impressed by the overall quality of the bids from the associations of Norway Spain and Wales for the EVC 2021. We are quite confident that all three can stage an excellent veteran’s tournament with Spain having the advantage of having hosted the WVC in 2016. Nevertheless the unanimous choice for Wales was based on our appreciation for their outstanding presentation as a fully respected however relatively small association not having hosted an ETTU event for a long time” stated ETTU President Ronald KRAMER. Steve EADES Mike WATTS Owen RODGERS and Ryan JENKINS delivered the presentation to the ETTU Executive Board on Sunday in Cluj Romania at the European Youth Championships. Table Tennis Wales Vice-President Steve EADES has promised successful event at the Cardiff Metropolitan University: “Table Tennis Wales (TTW) are delighted that its Organizing Committee’s bid to host The 2021 European Veterans Championship in Wales has proved successful. A final presentation was made in Romania on Sunday 22nd July. TTW look forward to delivering a wonderful championship in conjunction with its partner Cardiff Metropolitan University”.
Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS at the top of the Europe again
2018 STAG European Youth Championships Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece beat Swede Truls MOREGARD to defend his title in Junior Boys Singles Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. Maksim GREBNEV of Russia and Rares SIPOS of Romania are the bronze medals winners. In the final SGOUROPOULOS was two games to one down but he recovered. “It was very difficult match for me but I am so proud that I won this title two times in the row ” said SGOUROPOULOS. In semis Maksim GREBNEV of Russia won the opening game against Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS but after that it was one-way street. SGOUROPOULOS recovered and in close encounter win next four games. “I had the difficult start. Lost few easy balls. My hand was stiffed; I did not play freely. On the other hand GREBNEV played on highest level ” explained Ioannis. “After that coach VATSAKLIS calmed me down we changed the tactics and it was much better. I stayed close to the table. I di not risk too much and played much more safe.” Rares SIPOS of Romania suffered by the hand of Truls MOREGARD. “This was an amazing victory I wanted to win this so much since I already was second twice in a row. So it feels good to be in the final again against Ioanis – it will be a good final I think. Playing in such a good atmosphere is just fun. Even if the crowed cheers for him it is so exciting to play ” said MOREGARD. Junior Boys Singles Final Truls MOREGARD (Sweden) – Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS (Greece) 3:4 (9:11 12:10 11:0 10:12 9:11 11:9 7:11) Semi final Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) – Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS (Greece) 1:4 (11:8 8:11 7:11 8:11 9:11) Rares SIPOS (Romania) – Truls MOREGARD (Sweden) 1:4 (11:8 7:11 7:11 11:13 13:15) Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
NING Jing defended her title
2018 STAG European Youth Championships Azerbaijan’s NING Jing beat Romania’s Tania PLAIAN to defend her title in Junior Girls Singles Event. Cristina KALLBERG of Sweden won bronze as well as Ekaterina ZIRONOVA of Russia. In the penultimate stage NING Jing halted Cristina KALLBERG of Sweden on her way to the final. In other duel Ekaterina ZIRONOVA of Russia had 3:1 against Tania PLAIAN but failed to post the victory. She lost fifth and sixth game 10:12 before Romania’s player won 11:3 in perfect finish. “I feel very good because I wasn’t expecting to come back from the 3-1 10-5 for my adversary but I was very focused from the first until the last point. I am glad that made it to the first final in singles of the European Championship at home ” said Tania PLAIAN. Junior Girls Singles Final NING Jing (Azerbaijan) – Tania PLAIAN (Romania) 4:0 (11:7 11:8 11:4 11:7) Semi final Ekaterina ZIRONOVA (Russia) – Tania PLAIAN (Romania) 3:4 (11:7 11:13 11:9 11:3 10:12 10:12 3:11) NING Jing (Azerbaijan) – Cristina KALLBERG (Sweden) 4:1 (11:2 13:11 11:4 5:11 11:5) Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Maciej KUBIK clinched singles’ title in Cluj Napoca
2018 STAG European Championships Maciej KUBIK of Poland overcame Myshaal SABHI of France to clinch the gold medal in the Cadet Boys Singles Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships in Cluj Napoca. Bronze medalists are Simon BELIK of Czech Republic and Mike HOLLO of Germany. “I am very good friend with with SABHI and I am happy we played here. He beat me in close encounter two years ago but now I was better. I stayed close to the tible attack as muchj as it is possible ” said KUBIK. Both matches in penultimate stage concluded in four games. Maciej KUBIK easily prevailed against Simon BELIK of Czech Republic. “I am in good shape. I feel very happy after this match. My task was to keep fighting focus on every ball and I also had a good tactic ” said Maciej KUBIK. Myshaal SABHI of France overcame Mike HOLLO of Germany. “It was good match I played really good and I am happy. I wasn’t so strong in the long points so I made it faster ” said Myshaal SABHI. Cadet Boys Singles Final Maciej KUBIK (Poland) – Myshaal SABHI (France) 3:1 (10:12 11:6 11:5 11:9 11:1) Semi final Maciej KUBIK (Poland) – Simon BELIK (Czech Republic) 4:0 (11:6 11:9 11:7 11:2) Myshaal SABHI (France) – Mike HOLLO (Germany) 4:0 (15:13 11:5 11:3 11:9) Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Elena ZAHARIA shine in front of home crowd in Cluj Napoca
2018 STAG European Youth Championships Elena ZAHARIA of Romania beat last year’s champion Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia to clinch the title in the Cadet Girls Singles Event. Rebecca MUSKANTOR of Sweden and Prithika PAVADE of France won bronze medal. “It is like dream come true. I was so nervous at the beginning of the final but as the match progressed I played better and better. I wanted so much to win in Romania ” said ZAHARIA. Elizabet ABRAAMIAN was three games to one in reverse against Prithika PAVADE of France but she recovered to win the semi final. “It was so hard. PAVADE had huge advantage and I did not know what to do. In every game I had 8:6 lead and then I lost it at 9. However after my coach called for time out I won four incredible points and I changed the course of the match ” said ABRAAMIAN. Both semi final matches went full distance Rebecca MUSKANTOR of Sweden stretched Elena ZAHARIA to full seven games. “It was a very difficult match I was very nervous before the game and I knew how she is playing. In the end of the game I was calmer and I believed in myself and I fought. I have no word I am very happy that I reached the final and I am confident that I can win this. The change of score during the match were very tensed for me but with all that I am glad I managed to win ” said ZAHARIA. Cadet Girls Singles Final Elena ZAHARIA (Romania) – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) 4:2 (7:11 7:11 12`;10 11:9 13:11 11:6) Semi final Rebecca MUSKANTOR (Sweden) – Elena ZAHARIA (Romania) 3:4 (11:8 6:11 11:9 5:11 8:11 11:9 5:11) Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) – Prithika PAVADE (France) 4:3 (6:11 11:7 9:11 9:11 11:6 11:9 11:4) Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
KATSMAN and GREBNEV crowned Junior Boys Doubles champions
2018 STAG European Youth Championships Newly crowned champions in Junior Boys Doubles Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships are Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia. In then final they overcame YANG Xinyui and YU Xingtai of Azerbaijan. Bronze medal winners are Cristian PLETEA of Romania and Irvin BERTRAND of France as well as Rares SIPOS and Dragos OPREA Romania. In full distance final Lev KATSMAN and Maksim GREBNEV proved they have better nerves for close finish. “This was the hardest match for us but we already did a great job when we beat SIDORENKO and SGOUROPOULOS. It was even harder because SIDORENKO is our teammate ” said KATSMAN. Round earlier KATSMAN and GREBNEV inflicted the pain in the harts of the host nation supporters by beating Rares SIPOS and Dragos OPREA of Romania. They needed four games to overcame SIPOS and OPREA. “We play together for three years now and we were very positive before the start of this match. We believed we can win. It was important that we started good; we did not allow Romanian parings to settle into game. Our first attack was very strong and precise ” said Lev KATSMAN. GREBNEV added: ”Against SIPOS you are not allowed to make easy mistakes. We fought hard for each point.” Cristian PLETEA of Romania and Irvin BERTRAND of France lost against YANG Xinyui YU Xingtai. Final YANG Xinyui YU Xingtai (Azerbaijan) – Lev KATSMAN Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) 2:3 (12:10 9:11 6:11 11:2 7:11) Semi Final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) Irvin BERTRAND (France) – YANG Xinyui YU Xingtai (Azerbaijan) 0:3 (2:11 9:11 12:14) Rares SIPOS Dragos OPREA (Romania) – Lev KATSMAN Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) 1:3 (9:11 11:7 8:11 6:11) Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
