2018 STAG European Youth Championships Favorites secured top positions in their respective groups in the Cadet Boys and Girls Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Championships after two days of play in in Cluj Napoca. However in each category there were one exception. In Group A of the Cadet Boys Teams Event France recorded all three victories. They overcame Germany 3:1 Hungary 3:0 and Portugal 3:0 to secure top position. Hungary however upset no. two seeds Germany and after thrilling five matches pushed them back to position no. three in the group. Hungary Reached Round of 16 directly from position no. two. In Group B Belgium is unbeaten whilst Slovakia moved to next stage with one defeat. Sweden and Switzerland are third and fourth and they will play in play off. In Group C Poland beat Croatia for the top spot in the group. However Croatia managed to finish second leaving Ukraine and Greece in the lower half. The same outcome was in Group D. Russia emerged successfully at the top of the group whilst Czech Republic moved one place below. Italy and Ireland are at the positions no. three and four. In Cadet Girls Teams Event Russia is yet to lose the individual match. They beat Czech Republic Hungary and Bulgaria by 3:0. Hungary progressed from spot no. three to no. two after direct clash for second place. Bulgaria is fourth. In group B Romania is also unbeaten at the top with Moldova follow closely. Italy and Belgium are in the lower half. France displayed powerful performance on their way to the top of the Group D. They overcame Serbia Belarus and Slovakia in three matches. In Group C Lithuania prevailed in all three matches whilst Germany follows closely at the spot no. two. Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Serbian girls were the only to justified their status
Serbia is the only team in Junior Girls Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships that justified their status after the first phase. Top seeded team in Group B concluded Group stage at position no. one. Russia succeeded to the Round of 16 from position no. 2 as well as Romania whilst Belarus failed to book any of top two places and will play in play off. In Group A top seeded Russia beat Norway in third match but finished only second. “Yesterday we lost the first match 3-2 against Azerbaijan because we were so nervous and it was a very difficult clash. But we managed to win the second match against Czech Republic to secure our way back. We are now confident after this win because we prepared a lot for this tournament with training camp in China and Russia with some of our seniors ” explained Anastasia KOLISH. At the top of Group A is Azerbaijan with all three wins whilst Czech Republic is only third. In Group B after shaky start Serbia beat Turkey 3:0 and thanks to better matches ratio preserved top position. They were led by inspired Sabina SURJAN who is unbeaten in Cluj Napoca. “After I booked my place for the Olympic Youth Games in Argentina I gained some extra motive. I worked very hard this summer and I play good here ” said SURJAN. Serbia lost only to Slovakia team that finished at position no. two. Turkey is third and Croatia on position no. four. In Group C Poland clinched top position in front of Slovenia after they had direct clash for top spot today. “We won 3:1 and it was very hard match. In my duel against Katarina STRAZAR I was 2:0 in reverse before I recovered to win. The atmosphere in team is very good and we are very happy with the result ” said Anna WEGRZYN of Poland. In Group D Romania recovered from the defeats against Germany and France to beat Spain and to book Round of 16 place from no. two spot. “It was a big pressure today for us before the match against Spain because we knew we have to win it after the 2 defeats from yesterday. We were very motivated and we managed to fulfill our task ” said Andreea DRAGOMAN. “Yesterday we were very upset at the end of the day but we managed to get over it and consider it as a bad day in order to deliver a good result this morning. We are now ready for the next matches; we have a better line after a difficult draw for the groups.” Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
North & South Korea to Join Forces at ITTF Korea Open
The North & South Korean table tennis teams will be joining forces to form unified doubles pairs to compete at the upcoming Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Shinhan Korea Open to be held from 19-22 July 2018 in Daejeon (KOR). The news comes after the North Korean team confirmed its participation at the Korea Open under the support of the ITTF Foundation as part of its Ping Pong Diplomacy programme to promote solidarity through table tennis. ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT stated “The ITTF is proud to support the reunification of the North and South Korean table tennis teams again at the Korean Open after the historic unification of the teams at the World Championships in Halmstad. Table tennis has had a long history as a driver of peace and we are happy to open a new chapter of table tennis diplomacy to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.” This further emphasizes that the historical move that began in Halmstad was not a one-off event but the start of a long-term project to use Table Tennis as a vehicle for peace. The North & South Korean teams will form four strong mixed associations pairs. LEE Sangsu & PAK Sin Hyok will compete as one Korean team in Men’s Doubles while KIM Song I & SUH Hyowon join forces in the Women’s Doubles. Meanwhile JANG Woojin & CHA Hyo Sim and CHOE Il & YOO Eunchong will feature in the Mixed Doubles event. The ITTF through its Foundation will look to continue this positive unified doubles pairs initiative in the upcoming ITTF World Tour events leading up to the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals. The Shinhan Korea Open is the fourth Platinum event of the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour with qualifications starting on 17 July 2018 and main draw action beginning on the 19th. Quick Links: Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Korea Open Main event schedule Player Entry (Men) Player Entry (Women)
Dragutin SURBEK the Lion of Zagreb passes away
It is with great sadness that the death of Croatia’s Dragutin SURBEK is announced; he passed away on Sunday 15th July. Born in Zagreb on Thursday 8th August 1946 he was 71 years old. “One of the greatest players of our sport has passed away. Aware of his legendary status this is a very sad moment for all who love table tennis not just in Europe but worldwide ” said ETTU President Ronald KRAMER. Immense powers of concentration sitting in a darkened room before a match started Dragutin SURBEK his playing style the high level of fitness made him not only a national hero but a hero wherever he played; the Chinese named him the Zagreb Tiger. Always he gave his utmost; he never believed that any point was ever lost. Renowned throughout the sporting world Dragutin SURBEK endured a somewhat difficult childhood his father was killed in a car accident when he was only seven years old; he never lived to see his son become a sporting star. Although advised by many notably in the national team by Dusan OSMANAGIC Dragutin SURBEK very much taught himself to play supreme fitness and fearsome forehand; he won his first ever title in 1960 when succeeding a local Cadet Boys’ Singles competition. He won a cup full of table tennis balls the prize remaining for the rest of his life in a place of honour amongst the many trophies won. Notably at the Balkan Championships in 1964 he started to attract attention his athletic style of play caught the eye but it was in 1968 when 22 years old that he made the major breakthrough. A complete outsider he won the Men’s Singles title at the European Championships in Lyon beating the Hungarian defender Janos BÖRZEI in the final; so physically demanding was the match that Janos BÖRZEI had to be carried from the hall totally physically drained. “Very sad news for Croatia and whole table tennis community. He was my idol and one of the greatest sportsman in Croatia. His fighting spirit and working habits were outstanding. I learned a lot from him especially during the preparation for the Olympics in Barcelona. He was 46 years old that time but he was practising even more then me. His forehand was brilliant. He had great sense for humor and I really enjoyed time spending with him. He was a real champion and his nickname “ Tiger from Zagreb” suited him perfectly! Rest in peace Champion.” Zoran PRIMORAC. It was the win to ignite a remarkable career. Overall at the European Championships he won 22 medals (five gold five silver 12 bronze) at the World Championships (two gold two silver and 10 bronze) the pinnacles arguably when he won the Men’s Doubles title at the at the 1979 World Championships in Pyongyang with Anton STIPANCIC and in 1983 in Tokyo when partnering Zoran KALINIC. Notably in addition he won 112 titles at open international tournaments (42 Men’s Singles 32 Men’s Doubles 4 Mixed Doubles 34 Men’s Team). Equally Dragutin SURBEK enjoyed success as a member of the Vjesnik Club in Zagreb. In 1973 1974 and 1976 he was pivotal to the victory gained in the Europe Club Cup of Champions (now the European Champions League). The records are seemingly endless but one stands out above all others one in which he may well be a world record holder. He represented Yugoslavia on 503 occasions later between 1992 and 1995 he represented Croatia on 15 occasions. “Dragutin SURBEK was a great ambassador for table tennis; the manner in which he played demonstrated that our sport was athletic and exciting. A man of the highest integrity his fighting qualities became legendary most importantly the way he conducted himself was an example to all; he was a sportsman in the very best sense of the word. It was my privilege to have played against him in the German Second Division when he played for Esslingen. He has passed away but he lives long in the memory.” Thomas WEIKERT ITTF President. An icon of the sport Dragutin SURBEK demonstrated the very best qualities of sport at the 1995 World Championships he was awarded the Richard Bergmann Fair Play Trophy; in every possible respect always he set an example to all.
Upsets shattered the Junior Girls Team Event
2018 STAG European Youth Championships Germany made a somewhat of surprising victory at the beginning of the Junior Girls Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships in Cluj Napoca and by doing so inflicted the pain in the hearts of the host nation supporters. We would be able to talk about the top rated upset if Germany had beaten Romania with Adina DIACONU in the team but without her help the opportunities widener and Germany seized them for sure. However it was not the end of the upsetting results for hosts as they suffered from another agonizing defeat by the end of the day. They lost against France in the second round as well. The victory against Romania came as a result of fantastic Germany’s recovery from being two matches down. Andreea DRAGOMAN and Tania PLAIAN beat Anastasia BONDAREVA and Franziska SCHREINER but then Sarah MANTZ changed the course of the duel. She beat Andreea HUDSON before SCHREINER prevailed against DRAGOMAN in straight games. “After being 0-2 in reverse we continued to fight for every ball. Even in the first two games we had already chances to win. However Sarah MANTZ brought the team back into the game. Then Franziska SCHREINER and Anastasia BONDAREVA showed very mature performances “said national coach Dana WEBER. Anastasia BONDAREVA added: “We started not so good because we lost both matches in the fifth game and it was very close so it was a little bit upsetting. But in the third match our no. 3 won with 3-0 and then we were really happy because we thought maybe we have a chance. Then our no. 1 won against DRAGOMAN and we didn’t expect it; in the first match SCHREINER didn’t play so well. At 2-2 I knew that it is an important point and I played really good in first 2 sets I was not so nervous because I thought that it is all right even if I win or lose because she is a very strong player with a higher ranking. In the last set I was really nervous because it was really important my team really wanted me to win. I was nervous in the beginning of the last set but after I said myself that I have to play better now and I managed to win.” Azerbaijan avenged their last year’s defeat against Russia in the semi final and beat the reigning champions in full distance thriller. Anastasia KOLISH beat CHEN Xingtai but reigning single’s champion NING Jing overcame both Mariia TAILAKOVA and KOLISH. Kristina KAZANTZEVA overcame ZHOU Chuyi. After victory over Norway they secured the top spot in Group A before tomorrow’s match against Czech Republic. Top seeds in Group B team of Serbia suffered the surprising defeat against Slovakia in another match that went full distance as well as Croatia against Turkey. The backbone of the Turkey’s success was Betul Nur KAHRAMAN who beat Andrea PAVLOVIC and Marta VUKELIC in the fifth match. “It was very close match but I believed in myself. I played well especially on the receive which gave me the opportunity to win ” said KAHRAMAN. Turkey beat Slovakia in the second match whilst Serbia played another five matches duel but this time they prevailed at then end. “After three defeats today for me it was crucial that I recovered and win decisive match against Croatia’s Klara BARDAC. The adversary was not that strong but after I lost against Tatina KUKULKOVA Natalia GRIGELOVA and Andrea PAVLOVIC mentally it was very demanding to stay on positive track ” said Tijana JOKIC op Serbia. None of top seeds managed to record the victory in the opening matches of the Group phase. Belarus joined the “team” after they suffered by the hands of Slovenia’s Aleksandra VOVK Lea PAULIN and Katarina STRAZAR. They were unable to find the right rhythm in the duel against Poland neither so Poland and Slovenia shares top spot in Group C. Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Elizabet ABRAAMIAN: It always hard on day one
2018 STAG European Youth Championships The top seed it the Cadet Girls Teams Event of the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships Russia victoriously started their quest in Cluj Napoca. Defending champions overcame Hungary in their opening match on day one in the Polivalenta Cluj Sport Hall. Lithuania Romania and France followed their path successfully. The triumph did not come easy for the favorites as the beginning of the match and position of Russia at the seedings predicted. Arina SLAUTINA showed no mercy against Dorottya TOLGYES but Csenge ADAMIK proved as worthy adversary and she put Elizabet ABRAAMIAN on sever test. She had 2:1 lead before Elizabet recovered to win the match. In Group A Czech Republic Overcame Bulgaria 3:0 in the opening match. In the second duel of the day Russia beat Czech Republic by same margin – in straight matches. “It was not easy because it was the first day so it was a little bit hard at the start as is always is. We were nervous but we are no. 1 and we are able to win all the matches in group. We have to fight for it and be focus on every match. We prepared a lot for this event we had two weeks of training in China and another two weeks in Russia ” said Elizabet ABRAAMIAN. Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA and Luciana MITROFAN overcame Belgium in straight matches to give host’s supporters joy at the beginning of the day. Later they overcame Moldova in much closer encounter that went in four matches. ZAHARIA recorded victories in both singles and doubles. Lithuania and France justified their status and recorded victories in the opening rounds in their respective C and D Groups. Lithuania overcame Ukraine and Germany whilst France beat Belarus and Serbia. Top favorites in the Cadet Boys Teams Event successfully concluded opening round and all did it in straight matches. France with Myshaal SABHI faced some difficulties but prevailed at the end against Mate OCSAI. Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA beat Erik HUSZVAR. Belgium’s Nicolas DEGROS and Adrien RQSSENFOSSE overcame Theo ABRAHAMSSON and Daniel LINDSO of Sweden. Ivor BAN and Lovro ZOVKO overcame Valentyn YUNCHYK and Andrii GREBENIUK of Ukraine and Czech Republic with Adam STALZER and Simonn BELIK overcame Tommaso GIOVANNETTI Andrea PUPPO and Shasa PELLIZZON of Italy. Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Mr Andreas Georgiou reelected President of the Cyprus Table Tennis Association for another 4 years
During the General Assembly of the Cyprus Table Tennis Association which took place on the 7th of June 2018 at the Cyprus National Olympic Building in Nicosia Cyprus Mr. Andreas GEORGIOU was reelected for a period of 4 years until 2022. The Cyprus Table Tennis Association General Assembly expressed their full support to Mr. GEORGIOU and his associates for their hard work for the progress and development of Table Tennis and also for the transparent and responsible management of the financial affairs of the association. President GEORGIOU thanked to all the clubs and their representatives for their support and trust and he reassured them that he will continue with the same strive responsibility and commitment towards the sport. He also reassured everybody that he will continue cooperating with everybody not only within Cyprus but also abroad with the same responsibility for the general good and progress of the table tennis. Finally Mr. GEORGIOU also thanked all players coaches parents and friends of the sport for their constant support.
Leading names in Juniors Boys category safely concluded day one in Cluj Napoca
2018 STAG European Youth Championships Top three seeds in Junior Boys Teams Event at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships in Romania’s Cluj Napoca Romania France and Russia concluded two opening games in the Polivalenta Cluj Sport Hall unbeaten. All except Italy favorite cruised through their opening matches in the Group stages. Romania beat Slovakia with both Rares SIPOS and Cristian PLETEA lost only one game against Stefan PEKO and Daniel ORAC. Dragos OPREA was EVEN en more convincing in straight games victory over Jakub ZELINKA. In next round it was Poland who suffered by the hands of Romania. PLETEA won both his encounters against Artur GRELA and JAN ZANDECKI but GRELA put him under severe test Poland’s player forced him to go full distance. “It was a difficult game we played against Poland often but for this event they came with a new team that we didn’t know what to expect. Now we are very happy that we managed to win. And we hope to deliver a good result in the match with Turkey tomorrow ” said PLETEA. “My first match was very important since I was losing and I recovered to win it 3-2. For the team it was also important since it was 1:1 and it will be difficult to return in case of my defeat.” France showed good performance against Belgium. Bastien REMBERT beat Olav KOSOLOSKY in full distance encounter but Irvin BERTRAND and Lilian BARDET had much easier task. In the same group Greece which heavily depends on Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS faced difficult task to beat Croatia. European champion recorded his two wins safely but Dimitris STAMOU was the forced to resolve the match in decisive fifth game of the match against Jakov JAKELIC. SGOUROPOULOS was not in Greek line up for for the match against France which opened the door for France to seal the duel in fast three matches. “He is all right but left out for strategic reasons. We are saving him for closing stages ” said coach Konstantinos VATSAKILIS. In Group C Russia beat Hungary and defending champions team of Germany prevailed against Czech Republic. “It was a good match we were a little bit reserved at the beginning but I think it is normal. We fought good. In the beginning of my match against Tomas MARTINKO I was not at the right track I had some problems but after I won the first set I knew I will win the match ” said Kay STUMPER. The duel of the second round between Germany and Russia went to the Russia’s account. They needed four matches to secure the victory. Vladimir SIDORENKO beat both Cedric MEISSNER and Fanbo MENG. In Group D leading team of Italy was 2 matches to one down against Spain. Francisko RUIZ beat Carlos ROSSI but Matteo MUTTI beat both Alberto LILLO and RUIZ before ROSI sealed the match against LILLO. They escaped narrowly but in the second round Italy failed to repeat the success. Sweden booked top spot in the standings for tonight after another victory. In the opening match they overcame Slovenia. Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
Table Tennis competitions started at the European Universities Games
The first team competitions in Table Tennis started at the European Universities Games (EUG2018) in Coimbra Portugal. 17 male and 12 female teams are taking part in team doubles and singles competitions hosted by the Jorge Anjinho Sports Hall in Coimbra. The European Universities Games are the largest student sport event in Europe and are governed by the European University Sports Association (EUSA). This year they are bringing together over 4000 participants representing almost 300 universities from 38 countries to compete in 13 sports offering them also a rich programme of educational and social activities. Table Tennis has been part of European university sports programme since 2007 and last year EUSA and ETTU signed a Memorandum of Understanding strengthening the cooperation between the two governing bodies. For more information please see www.eug2018.comand www.eusa.eu.
Cluj Napoca awaits future stars
61st STAG European Youth Championships By the end of the week all the best young players in Europe will gather in Romania’s Cluj Napoca for the biggest youth tournament at the Old Continent. Romania’s city will gather 574 players at 61st STAG European Youth Championships. The battles commences with Team’s Groups Stages on Sunday July 15th and the singles champions will be crowned on Tuesday July 24th. In between the schedule is well known; the Team’s Juniors and Cadets events will last until Thursday July 19th and from July 20th the individual events starts. Almost all the champions in singles events from the previous year are on duty in Cluj Napoca again. Junior Boys Singles champion Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece will have a chance to defend his title but this time his job might be even harder since the last year’s runner up Christian PLETEA will play on the home soil. Romania will be also represented once again by Rares SIPOS last year’s bronze medalist. Junior Girls Singles champion Jing NING who won first ever medal for Azerbaijan in Portugal will play as well as extraordinary Russia’s generation of girls lead by silver medalist in singles and gold in team’s event Anastasia KOLISH and bronze medalists in singles Mariia TAILAKOVA. Adina Diaconu of Romania also medalists from Portugal is missing but there is Andreea DRAGOMAN who will try to hold Romania’s flag high as the best ranked player from hosts team. Cadet Boys Singles champion from two previous events Vladimir SIDORENKO moved to junior category so the throne is waiting for the new prince. Silver medalists in singles and gold in double Truls MOREGARD of Sweden is also junior now so the road is wide open. The leading cadet at the European rankings Maciej KUBIK of Poland will be present so we will see could he face the challenge according to his status. Champion Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia will have the opportunity to defend her title both in cadet singles and team’s events. Sophia KLEE of Germany doubles champion will have new partner since Anastasia BONDAREVA will play in junior’s team. Germany won gold last year in Junior Boy’s Team’s Event whilst all other three titles went to Russia. Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
