The ITTF has launched the bidding process for the bigger better and expanded World Table Tennis Championships Finals for 2021 and 2022. The enlarged version of the biggest table tennis event on earth was approved at the 2018 ITTF Board of Directors meeting and will now include a series of continental and intercontinental stages all leading to the World Table Tennis Championships Finals which will include the best of the best from the previous stages. This means that the World Table Tennis Championships Final still offers the incredible global reach of 500 million fans but is more viable for more potential cities and countries across the world to organize. ITTF CEO Steve DAINTON stated: “The new World Table Tennis Championships Finals makes hosting the world’s biggest table tennis event more attractive to host than ever before. We are looking forward to having a record number of bidders from all across the globe bid for the event as it is now a much more attractive proposition to host with less players and teams and more potential media values and promotional opportunities with a more flexible format.” The 2021 World Table Tennis Championships Finals will be an individual event consisting of the following categories: Men’s Singles – straight knockout of 128 playersWomen’s Singles – straight knockout of 128 playersMixed Doubles – straight knockout of 128 pairsMen’s Doubles – straight knockout of 64 pairsWomen’s Doubles – straight knockout of 64 pairs The 2022 World Table Tennis Championships Finals will be a team event with world’s best 32 Men’s and Women’s Team playing in a first stage consisting of 8 Groups of 4 teams. The top 2 teams from each group progressing to a 16-team knockout to become World Champions. The new World Table Tennis Championships Finals will be a table tennis festival that will promote all facets of table tennis and the city that it is held in around the world. The new format allows for all matches to be televised globally and flexible scheduling to ensure that the key matches are being held at prime times to assist with ticket sales and television viewership. The format of the continental stages is still being discussed by the Future Events Working Group who will propose the format for ratification at the 2019 Board of Directors meeting in April 2019. The bidding process is as follows: Interest phase: July 2018 – 30 September 2018 Final Bid phase: 10 October 2018 – 31 December 2018 Evaluation of Bids: January 2019 – February 2019 Selection of the winning bid: Bidders are invited to present their bids at the ITTF AGM in April 2019 which will vote on the host for the 2021 & 2022 World Championships Finals. To find out more information and to register your interest head to ITTFWorlds.com.
Emmanuel RACHEZ : We reached top level in right time
2018 STAG European Youth Championships French boys showed no mercy in the final of the Cadet Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. They accounted for Belgium in straight matches. Coach Emmanuel RACHEZ spoke about the emotions that prevailed after victory in the final against Belgium. “This is great satisfaction especially because we made a good final. I said day earlier that we were looking to reach our top level and we have found it at the best time. Myshaal SABHI has started well before FabioRAKOTOARIMANANAbeats their number 1. I had a little fear for doubles we missed opportunities in the first game but finally it ended well. We are very happy”. Earlier they beat Russia last year’s champions Slovakia and Spain. “During the competition I think we have mastered our subject well. That’s what I asked to my players to stay calm and serene especially in the final. We knew it was the first final for the Belgians they may have lack of experience. I knew that if it commenced bad for them they would be under pressure quickly. I found our team very determined it is a great satisfaction and it is also what made the difference.” Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA has raised his level? “The level of Fabio’s play increased as the competition progressed. Against Russia he gave us a very big match today he beats the Belgian No. 1 ranked European No. 2 Adrien RASSENFOSSE. It’s was a great performance of him and he proved he can succeed in big fight. I insist on this point because for him it is not necessarily easy to express himself. He did it really well to put pressure on his opponent.” Myshaal and Fabio’s character match well. “Myshaal and Fabio are similar at one point: they both have a slightly introverted character. Myshaal has fanciful game and on the other side Fabio has a very good quality of ball which allows him to be well in the game with very efficient services. They managed to be very complementary.” Coach Emmanuel RACHEZ praised the team that helps this success. “I am very happy for medal because it is the reward for the work we done on each and single day. I would like to thank for this success to all the staff working with me all year long: Jérôme BAHUAUD Dorin CALUS and Cristian DANCIU our physical trainer. They are there every day to improve our youngsters and prepare them to play well later in seniors.” Now we moved to singles. “We’re took a little time to celebrate last night because it’s not a trivial title it always means something. We enjoyed it and now we arte ready for the new challenges.” Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
First ever title for Azerbaijan
2018 STAG European Youth Championships Azerbaijan won first ever gold medal in Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. In the final they overcame last year’s champions team of Russia after fierce battle in five matches. Romania beat France in the match for the third position. European champion in singles from Portugal NING Jing was the back bone of team’s success. She overcame Anastasia KOLISH and Mariia TAILAKOVA. CHEN Xingtai suffered by the hands of Mariia TAILAKOVA but she recovered to overcame Anastasia KOLISH in decisive match. “The success did not come as a surprise for us we were ready. Girls had a lot of trainings in China. Although we know it will not be easy. Romania and Russia were very strong here and we study their game well ” said coach Mikhail TIMOFEYEV. On their way to the highest place at the medal rostrum Azerbaijan beat Croatia Germany and France. Junior Girls Teams Event Azerbaijan – Russia 3:2 NING Jing – Anastasia KOLISH 3:1 (2:11 11:7 11:8 11:6) CHEN Xingtai – Mariia TAILAKOVA 2:3 (13:11 10:12 9:11 11:9 ZHOU Chuyi – Kristina KAZANTSEVA 0:3 (10:12 7:11 10:12) NING Jing – Mariia TAILAKOVA 3:0 (11:7 13:11 11:8) CHEN Xingtai – Anastasia KOLISH 3:2 (11:8 4:11 7:11 12:10 11:6) Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
France made it double in Cluj Napoca
2018 STAG European Championships Just few hours after Cadet Boys clinched the title France Juniors made it double. They had to wait from 2015 for gold but they reached it tonight in Cluj Napoca at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. At the last hurdle France succeeded against last year’s runners up team of Russia. Romania and Germany played the match for third position and Romania won. Bastien REMBERT had a shaky start against Lev KATSMAN who put Russia in the driving seat. However it did not last for long. Irvin BERTRAND prevailed against Vladimir SIDORENKO in full distance thriller. Leo DE NODREST narrowed the gap in the match against Maksim GREBNEV and Bastien REMBERT sealed the match by beating Vladimir SIDORENKO in straight games. “It was an amazing match. I did not commence good because there were a lot of pressure on me and I couldn’t play my game. After I lost I felt very bad. But Irvin brought us back to 1-1 and then I could be more free at the last match ” said Bastien REMBERT On their way to the final France beat Czech Republic Azerbaijan and Germany. “The toughest one was in the quarters against Azerbaijan. We had to go full five matches ” said Irvin BERTRAND. Russia’s SIDORENKO was sad:“This is my first year as a junior I was a little bit nervous I wanted to win. My team was close. I began the tournament good I wanted to win at least a match in the team. I lost two times in a row in team event and… I don’t know. I am very upset. We will see what will happen in the singles and doubles we will keep fighting. This result in teams is not good for us.” Junior Boys Teams Event Final France – Russia 3:1 Bastien REMBERT – Lev KATSMAN 0:3 (3:11 8:11 8;11) Irvin BERTRAND – Vladimir SIDORENKO 3:2 (11:8 9:11 8:11 11:7 11:9) Leo DE NODREST – Maksim GREBNEV 3:1 (11:7 11:5 8:11 12:10) Bastien REMBERT – Vladimir SIDORENKO 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:8) Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Romania clinched gold in front of home crowd
2018 STAG European Youth Championships In the nerves wrecking thriller in the match that fired up fully packed tribunes in front of central table Romania clinched the title in the Cadet Girls Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. They clinched the first title after 2014 in Cadets Girls and they did it in great style. In full distance match Romania overcame Russia the defending champions. Serbia and France won the bronze medal. The match started good for Russia. Arina SLAUTINA and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN won both their singles. But from the Doubles Elena ZAHARIA and Luciana MITROFAN took the control. “I don’t have words I am so happy that I cannot explain it. We are very happy for having won this final. Our adversaries were very strong were the top favorites and we had to mobilize ourselves we controlled our emotions and we hoped we fought and we won ” said Elena ZAHARIA. “I am extremely happy. At the beginning I didn’t realize I beat Abraamian. I have never defeated her. Also the last year at European Championship we had 4-0 and we came back. We came back from 2-1. I don’t know I am very happy I could beat her.” MITROFAN added: “I am very happy and I cannot describe it. I felt a bit under pressure. I was not nervous okay I was at the end but not that much in the beginning ” “When we won doubles I knew we will win the title ” pointed Elena ZAHARIA. On their way to the final Romania overcame Ukraine Poland and France. Cadet Girls Teams Event Final Romania – Russia 3:2 Elena ZAHARIA – Arina SLAUTINA 2:3 (4:11 11:8 11:6 5:11 10:12) Luciana MITROFAN – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN 1:3 (11:6 7:11 7:11 8:11) ZAHARIA MITROFAN – Liubov TENTSER ABRAAMIAN 3:0 (11:5 12:10 11:4) Elena ZAHARIA – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN 3:2 (9:11 11:6 4:11 11:7 11:5) Luciana MITROFAN – Arina SLAUTINA (3:1 11:7 14:12 10:12 11:5) Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
France at the top of Europe in Cadet boys again
2018 STAG European Youth Championships After 2015 the title in Cadet Boys Teams Event will return to France. French side beat Belgium in the ultimate stage of the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships in straight matches. Bronze medalists are Poland and Russia. Myshaal SABHI started furiously but Nicolas DEGROS managed to recover and to put French player under pressure. However it did not last for long. “I stayed focused. Did not want to change my tactics ” said Myshaal SABHI.”We didn’t play good all the time but we won the important points and we were focused during the important moments especially for the final. It’s a title that makes us really happy.” Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA was self confident. “We hope to win titles in singles as well. We are ready ” said RAKOTOARIMANANA. On their way to the final top seeded team overcame Spain 3:1 Slovakia 3:1 and Russia by the same margin. Belgium’s RASSERFOSSE was sad:“I am so disappointed. We never entered this game properly. We were under great pressure. We were not confident but we knew that it was possible to win and we didn’t make it. At this level and during this kind of game every team can win so I don’t think they were better but they played better and we were not here mentaly ” said Adrien RASSERFOSSE. Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Romania’s Junior boys and girls booked their tickets for Australia
2018 STAG European Youth Championships Both Junior Teams of Romania booked their place for the World Junior Championships in December this year. The semifinalists played match for the third position at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships to determine whop will get last ticket for Bendigo in Australia. Remaining two will go to the finalists of the Junior Girls Event Azerbaijan and Russia as well as to Junior Boys finalists France and Russia. In the match for the third position host nation prevailed against France in Junior Girls Event. Leili MOSTAFAVI gave France a dream start against Andreea DRAGOMAN but Lucie GAUTHIER and Isa COK could not follow. Tania PLAIAN and Andreea HUDOSAN made a save advantage before DRAGOMAN overcame GAUTHIER in the five games match. “From the beginning we wanted a medal so we are not disappointed. It could have been better also but the 3rd place is a good result as well. We had a very hard start with two defeats but slowly things came into their places ” said Andreea DRAGOMAN Tania PLĂIAN explained how much they wanted a medal: “The bronze medal is a result that I wanted since I finished the European Championship from last year because I knew that we will play in front of home crowd. I feel very well at Cluj because I feel as I am at home and for me this was a huge advantage.” Fully packed tribunes saluted another victory for Boy’s as well. Romania beat Germany 3:1. Rares SIPOS and Cristian PLETEA beat Kay STUMPER and MENG Fanbo whilst Dragos OPREA straggled with Cedric MEISSNER. Rareș ȘIPOȘ: “The result from today is a good one but as a bigger picture I am disappointed that we did not manage to win against Russia and that was a heavy loss. But it is good that we managed to recover and to win today and so to book the place for World Championships. In singles it will be much better we will have a rest day. We will recover our strengths.” Cristian PLETEA was a little bit sad: “Taking into consideration that for 5 years we are trying to win is a big disappointment for all of us but I hope to play good and to record a good result at the World Championship.” Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Come to the great show to celebrate with the champions
Tonight after the Juniors Team Finals at the STAG 2018 European Youth Championships Romanian Table Tennis Federation invites you to join us at the Zoli Toth Project’s concert and the team award ceremonies. Please be part of the Table Tennis Family that will celebrate the champions in Polyvalent Hall in Cluj Napoca. Let’s celebrate together!
Korea United at 2018 ITTF Korea Open
The North & South Korean unified pairs have successfully made their debut at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Shinhan Korea Open that officially went underway today 19 July 2018 in Daejeon (KOR). The reunification which came as part of the ITTF Foundation’s Ping Pong Diplomacy programme to support solidarity through table tennis was well received by the media and the local Korean crowd as they cheered on the North & South Korean players in unity waving the Unified Korea flag. The unified Korean pairs of LEE Sangsu (KOR) / PAK Sinhyok (PRK) KIM Song I (PRK) / SUH Hyowon (KOR) JANG Woojin (KOR) / CHA Hyo Sim (PRK) and CHOE Il (PRK) / YOO Eunchong (KOR) were all successful in making their way through 2 days of qualification to make the main draw. JANG stated after navigating through a tough Round of 16draw with his partner CHA “At first I was quite nervous and did not do as well as I hoped. Hyo Sim encouraged me and helped by taking the lead. It helped me relax and I managed to play better after that. It was nice playing with her as a team.” In another wonderful mixed doubles match the pair of PAK Sinhyok and KIM Nam Hae (PRK) topped the number one seeds Mima ITO and Masataka MORIZONO in 5 games to make the quarterfinals. The upset watched by the mass of fans cheering the Korean teams on. Main draw action had begun with the doubles events being played out in the morning. However there is a lot more action to come in the afternoon with the commencement of the singles events. The Shinhan Korea Open will see the return of world number four Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) after his injury break that caused him to miss the action from the three ITTF World Tour events in Hong Kong China and Japan after the Liebherr 2018 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Halmstad earlier in May. The top seed will face off with France’s Enzo ANGLES in the round of 32 and is due to meet Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Jun MIZUTANI (JPN) in the next round if things went according to seeding. Reigning World & Olympic Champion DING Ning will be looking to fight her way back to the top of the ITTF World Ranking after seeing her ranking fell due to inactivity on the international table tennis scene. The current world number 12 will be playing against Portugal’s YU Fu later today in the round of 32. The Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Shinhan Korea Open is the fourth of six Platinum events on the ITTF World Tour which is the top tier of the ITTF World 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 Shinhan Korea Open begins today 19 July 2018 with Mixed Doubles Final being played on Saturday 21 July and the remaining four Finals (Women’s Doubles Men’s Doubles Women’s Singles & Men’s Singles) Champions being crowned on Sunday 22 July 2018. Quick Links: Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Shinhan Korea Open Daily Schedule & Results Media Kit Flash Quotes Photos for Editorial Use
Cyprus hosted 51 players in summer camp
During the period of 7th to 12th July 2018 the Cyprus Table Tennis Association in cooperation and support of the European Table Tennis Union and through the development program had organized a training camp for young players. The training camp was organized in a beautiful mountain resort in Cyprus which has excellent climate and training conditions. The multiple indoor stadium “Glafkos Klerides” was used in which 24 table tennis tables was placed equipped with training robots for the cadet players. The ETTU supported the Cyprus Table Tennis Association by sending a Head Coach of the camping Mr. Zoltan Batorfi from Hungary who along with other Cypriot coaches organized the whole camping including the training schedule and the education of the Cypriot coaches. During the training camp 51 kids took place aged from 8 to 18 years old 13 girls and 38 boys. The training camps was a total success and the Cyprus Table Tennis Association expressed their gratitude to the head coach and his assistants as well as to ETTU for their great support.
