2018 STAG European Youth Championships Russia won three teams medals last year in Guimaraes and they are coming in Romania at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships as favorites once again. Junior and cadet girls as well as cadet boys clinched gold medal in Portugal. They will come ready for the challenge. ”We had training camp in Sochi with all national teams boys and girls also some seniors was there. We were together for 12 days” stated Mariia TAILAKOVA. “ I am satisfied with my shape. Not the best ever but it is OK.” Junior girls were very impressive despite the fact that Anastasia KOLISH Mariia TAILAKOVA and Kristina KAZANTSEVA formed very young team. All three will be on duty again in Cluj Napoca. This year two more girls from last year’s cadet team joined them – Ekaterina ZIRONOVA and Natalya MALININA. Now when you have one more year of experience do you think it will be little easer? “Maybe in some moments yes it will be little bit easier but actually it’s like a new paper everything is changed not only us others also. I think it will be same – hard and difficult as always is at the European Championships.” They are in the group A with Azerbaijan Czech Republic and Norway. “We have Azerbaijan and it will be great challenge to beat them. However if you want to defend the title you should win against everybody so we will do our best and we will see. It is not so bad to have one of the favorites in the Group because later it does not matter if we will win or lose in the main draw we can meet them only in the final. Against Czech Republic and Norway we will fight as against anyone else.” Last year Russia beat Romania in the final to clinch the title. “They will be even more dangerous than usual. At home is always easier to play you got support from everybody but we do not think about it. Our task is to fight and to hope for best.” What is your goal in singles? “The title of course but let’s reach the final stages first.” Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
SGOUROPOULOS in pursuit for new title in Cluj Napoca
2018 STAG European Youth Championships Gold medal winner of the Junior Singles Event at the European Championship in Guimarães 2017 Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS goes to Cluj Napoca with high hopes to defend his title. The 18 – years old player theoretically has better chances for such acheivement comparing last July as he is number 2 at the July’s ETTU rankings. However the no. one is Rares SIPOS the host nation representative at the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships so he is facing very tough task again. Not only in singles SGOUROPOULOS is favorite in doubles and mixed doubles; he will play with Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia and Nadezhda BOGDANOVA of Belarus. The 1st place in last year’s event was the historic milestone for Greek table tennis. SGOUROPOULOS dreams of going further with a second consecutive final and why not another title! On his bench will be the national coach Kostas VATSAKLIS. “The fact that I am the European champion makes me nerveus but I guess it is normal. I am however in a very good shape concerning both competing and in physical condition. Of course it would be great to have similar success as it was in Guimaraes but I prefer not to talk about it now. I only want to produce good performances and to bring good results in each match” said SGOUROPOULOS’S about the new challenge and added: “In the double with SIDORENKO I think we can have a place at the medal rostrum. I am equaly optimistic for the mixed doubles.” From the early years SGOUROPOULOS showed his class and his progress was not a surprise at all. In September he captured the silver medal in European Youth Top 10. In the final match he was defeated by Κristian PLETEA. The Romanian winner of Top 10 was his adversary in the final of European Championship 2017. In November 2018 SGOUROPOULOS secured his palace at the Youth Olympic Games 2018 and in March 2018 he reached the quarter-finals of the singles and doubles events with Vladimir SIDORENKO at the European Under 21Championships. He becomes World’s no. 4 at Under 18 rankings this July and that is the best position ever for the Greek player. In 2003 Kalinios KREANGA was at the position no. 7. On his first year in the Swedish League Ioannis made a good impression in Record. He recorded the win over Mattias KARLSON. Then he moved from Record to Eslovs a country’s top team. In the season 2018-2019 will have the opportunity to play in Champions League. Quick links ETTU EYC page Organiser’s web site ETTU on Facebook ETTU On Instagram ETTU on Twitter
DRAGOMAN ready for the challenge in front of home crowd
2018 STAG European Youth Championships From Sunday15th to Tuesday July 24th Cluj – Napoca will be the host of the 2018 STAG European Youth Championships. Romania the country with immense traditions in the sport of table tennis and with the very talented young generation will be the center of action for biggest youth gathering at Old Continent. In Team’s Event scheduled for the first part of the Championships there are 42 Junior Boy’s Teams 39 Junior Girls 34 Cadet Boy’s and 40 Cadet Girls. The pressure of playing at home soli could be powerful motive and heavy burden and the most of it lays on shoulder of Andreea DRAGOMAN. After Adina DIACONU moved to senior category with the silver medal at the last European Championships Andreea took the leading role. In addition rejuvenated team will be another great challenge for experienced DRAGOMAN. “Right now we are working hard and preparing for the Championships. I am already in Cluj Napoca working with seniors Elizabeta SAMARA Adina DIACONU Bernadette SZOCS…among many others ” said DRAGOMAN. Speaking about the pressure Andreea looks at it from the bright side. “I am very happy that I have the opportunity to play in front of my people. It is great pleasure and honour. In addition it will be extra motive and advantage to seal my junior years with the last Championships in front of Romania’s supporters at home ” added Andreea. DRAGOMAN is also positive about the changes in the team. “We are preparing for this for a long time and my new teammates are well adapted. They are already giving heir best at the trainings and I am sure the results will be good at the competition as well. Already this year we had good results in Team’s Events; we played two finals against China at Czech Open and at the French Open. After such success our goal is medal in Cluj Napoca.” In singles last year Andreea was halted in the quarterfinal. “This year I will do my best to play good and to win the European title especially as I play in my country.” After the qualifications at the beginning of the year DRAGOMAN already booked her place at the Olympic Youth Games in Buenos Aires in October latter this season. “I also won silver in Women’s Doubles Event with Adina DIACONU at the Under 21 European Championships in Minsk earlier this year. So far I am satisfied with my performance and I am looking forward new challenges in Cluj Napoca” reminded DRAGOMAN.
The 2018/19 Seamaster ECLW meeting and draw outcome soon
Group A gathers Croatia`s Dr. Casl France`s Metz TT and 2012/13 ECLW runner-up Hungary`s Budaorsi The draw for the 2018/19 European Champions League Women held today at the Victor’s Residenz-Hotel in Saarbrücken delivered interesting Group A with defending ECLW champion Dr. Casl (No. 1 seed) from Croatia reigning ETTU Cup Women winner Metz TT (No. 7) from France and 2012/13 ECLW runner-up Budaorsi (No. 11) from Hungary. The draw was conducted by ETTU Deputy Secretary General Pierre KASS and with an assistance of ETTU President Ronald KRAMER ITTF’s European Marketing Manager Jonny Cowan and Athletes Commission Chairwoman and ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly player Galia DVORAK. Twelve clubs are divided in four groups like in last several seasons as best two from each group secure their spots for the quarter-finals. Four-times ECLW winner Germany`s TTC Berlin Eastside (No. 3 seed) will share Group B with 2015/16 ECLW semi-finalist UCAM Cartagena (No. 10) from Spain and one of three newcomers in the upcoming season Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT (No. 6) from France. Group C gathers two-times ECLW champion Austria`s Linz AG Froschberg (No. 4 seed) 2016/17 quarter-finalist TT Saint-Quentinois (No. 5) and newcomer from Portugal Sporting Clube de Portugal SCP (No. 12). Portugal`s club is unique one with two sides in the Table Tennis Champions Leagues Men`s and Women`s. Two-times ECLW runner up KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg (No. 2 seed) from Poland Czech Republic`s SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin (No. 8) and newcomer from Austria LZ Linz Froschberg will play in Group D. Reigning champion and No 1 seed Dr. Časl from Croatia strengthened its roster with two famous names Netherlands’ NI Xia Lian (WR 41) and Turkey`s HU Melek (WR 50) actual individual European champion who participated in the 2017/18 ECLW final in Bursa`s jersey. Chinese Chinese LIU Gaoyang (WR 392) has concluded the list of newcomers while the members of the 2017/18 line-up extended their contracts – Hong Kong`s DOO Hoi Kem (WR 13) LI Jie (29) and YU Fu (WR 35) – as well as domestic players Dorina SREBRNJAK (WR 152) and Mirela DURAK (WR 292) KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg has kept the same leading quartet – Elizabeta SAMARA (WR 19) HAN Ying (WR 26) LI Qian (WR 31) and Viktoryia PAVLOVICH (WR 55) while other players in the Zbignew NECEK squad are following: GU Ruochen (WR 134) Kinga STEFANSKA (WR 271) and Agata ZAKRZEWSKA (WR 455). TC Berlin Eastside added three new names: GU Yuting (WR 17) Matilda EKHOLM (WR 30) and Nina MITTELHAM (WR 58). Two Berlin`s legends Georgina POTA (WR 37) and SHAN Xiaona (WR 54) will try to secure their places in the line-up guided again by Coach Irina PALINA. Linz AG Froschberg has decided to build its new team around Sofia POLCANOVA (WR 18) who will be supported by Hong Kong`s SOO Wai Yam Minnie (WR 33) Japan`s Yui HAMAMOTO (WR 34) Linda BERGSTRÖM (WR 113) Mariia TAILAKOVA (WR 126) Karoline MISCHEK (WR 159) Denise Payet (WR 318) and Rebekka CARLSEN (WR 339). Former Froschberg`s ZHANG Mo (WR 23) has signed for TT Saint-Quentinois being best ranked player of No. 5 ECLW seed. French side also counts on Polina MIKHAYLOVA (WR 49) Audrey ZARIF (WR 112) and Olga MIKHAYLOVA ( – ) Aurore LE MANSEC ( – ) and Lou FRETE ( – ). There are two newcomers among the 12 ECLW participants Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT from France (No. 6 seed) and Portugal`s Sporting Clube de Portugal SCP (No. 12). French side is better ranked than Portugal`s one but Sporting has two well experienced players in the ECLW Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO (WR 95 her husband plays in the Sporting men`s team) and 2013 European Champion in the Women`s Singles Event LI Fen (WR 153) from Sweden. Quick Links: ETTU website ETTU Facebook ETTU Twitter ETTU Instagram LAOLA1.tv
The 2018/19 TTCLM meeting and draw starts at 13h30 CET
The draw was held today July 6th in Saarbrucken: defending champion and 11-times winner Borussia Dusseldorf (No. 1 seed) and two-times champion AS Pontoise Cergy (No. 6) share Group A The 2018/19 Table Tennis Champions League Men draw held today at the Victor’s Residenz-Hotel in Saarbrücken delivered Group A with two champions actual one Borussia Dusseldorf (No. 1 seed) and former TTCLM winner AS Pontoise Cergy. These two clubs have won 13 titles in total: German side holds record with 11 while French team was crowned twice. The draw was held with the presence of ETTU President Ronald KRAMER. Other two teams in the Group A are 2017/18 TTCLM semi-finalist Portugal`s champion Sporting (No. 9 seed) and Czech Republic`s Table Tennis Club Ostrava 2016 (No. 13). “It will of course be difficult again this year the other clubs are very good. Our group is interesting. We will once again play against many friends. Although when it’s match time we won’t be friends for 3-4 hours – but we will of course be fair!” stated Andreas PREUSS Borussia Dusseldorf`s Manager. Group B brings clashes between 2012 TTCLM runner-up UMMC from Russia last year`s newcomer and quarter-finalist Stella Sport La Romagne (No. 12) Poland`s KS Dekorglass Dzialdowo and Austria`s Walter Wels. The 2012 semi-finalist Saarbrucken (No. 4 seed) from Germany is the favorite of Group C challenged by Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki from Poland France`s Angers and Denmark`s Roskilde last season`s quarter-finalist. Four-times winner and current runner-up Fakel Gazprom Orenburg 2016 runner-up Eslovs former quarter-finalist Hennebont from France and this year`s newcomer Muhlhausen from Germany will share Group D. Top 16 European clubs are going to fight for the title in this prestigious competition established in 1960 under the name of Europe Club of Champions. Two best sides from each group will secure their places in the knockout stage. A total 34 players ranked among the Top 100 at the ITTF World Ranking list are promising spectacular season with some new names like UMMC`s FANG Bo from China (actual No. 32) the runner-up from the 2015 ITTF World Championships in Suzhou. Many clubs have made significant changes in their line-ups. Defending champion Borussia signed the 2018 ITTF African-Cup winner Omar ASSAR (WR 17) instead of Stefan FEGERL while 2017/18 TTCLM runner-up Orenburg has parted ways with former Assian champion Jun MIZUTANI and signed 2015 ITTF European Championships silver medalist Marcos FREITAS (WR 16). Four-time TTCLM champion Fakel Gazprom now has three former Borussia`s players: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (WR 3) Marcos FREITAS and Vladimir SAMSONOV (WR 26). No. 3 seed and 2012 runner-up UMMC strengthened its line-up with one more world class player Jonathan GROTH (WR 19) from Denmark. No. 4 Saarbrucken kept just one member from its last year`s starting trio Patrick FRANZISKA (WR 25) while LIAO Cheng-Ting (WR 46) and Darko JORGIC (WR 67) are new names. Sporting Clube de Portugal actual No. 9 seed and last season`s semi-finalists is continuing with the same line-up from their debuting campaign: Aruna QUADRI (WR 22) Joao MONTEIRO (WR 71) Diogo CARVALHO (WR 194). German Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V the 2018/19 No. 10 seed will be unique TTCLM newcomer. They will be represented by former Niederosterreich`s Daniel HABESOHN (WR 53) Ovidiu IONESCU (WR 64) Lubomir JANCARIK (WR 113) and Steffen MENGEL (358). More information: here Quick Links: ETTU Facebook ETTU Twitter ETTU Instagram
ITTF & HTTA Sign Commercial Agreement for 2019 World Table Tennis Championships
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the Hungarian Table Tennis Association (HTTA) has today 5 July 2018 signed the commercial agreement for the 2019 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships to be held in Budapest Hungary. The ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT and the HTTA President Roland NÁTRÁN signed the agreement at the Signing Ceremony hosted in Doha by the Qatar Table Tennis Association President and ITTF Deputy President responsible for the World Table Tennis Championships Khalil AL-MOHANNADI. The ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT stated: “It is very nice to be here in Doha signing such an important agreement for our biggest event. We are looking forward to going to Budapest again after such a long time. We are sure that our friends from Hungary will do a fantastic job and they will make an event to remember.” The world’s largest table tennis event will be held in Hungary for the first time since 1950 and the fourth time in history on 21-28 April 2019. HTTA President Roland NÁTRÁN stated: “Budapest is going to be the capital of table tennis next year. 68 years after the last World Table Tennis Championships in Budapest organizing such a great event is a great opportunity and great responsibility for Hungary and the HTTA too. Along with the ITTF I’m certain that we’ll be able to host a great World Table Tennis Championships.” The commercial agreement outlines the marketing rights and cooperation between the two organisations to sell the remaining inventory to new partners. Current partners include TATA Wooden Doors China Unicom Tissot DHS Butterfly and Enlio. Quick Links: Photos for editorial use
North Korea to send team to Korea Open
The North Korean Table Tennis team will cross the Korean Peninsula border to play at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Korean Open in Daejeon South Korea on 17-22 July. A historic event initiated by the ITTF Foundation. The news comes after the North Korean and South Korean team formed a unified team for the semi-final at the Liebherr 2018 World Table Tennis Championships which was a sign of peace on the table tennis table. ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT stated: “It is a proud moment for the ITTF to be able to support another sign of peace on the Korean Peninsula by helping North Korea send a team to the Korean Open. After the momentous unified team at the 2018 World Table Tennis Championships which showed the world that countries can find peace on a table tennis table.” The North Korean team is sending a delegation to South Korea the move serving as the next chapter of a long history of table tennis diplomacy. Table tennis will once again act as a vehicle for peace. The newly formed ITTF Foundation is supporting the team to compete in the fourth ITTF World Tour Platinum event of 2018 as part of its Ping Pong Diplomacy program which is the first big program of the Foundation that promotes solidarity through table tennis. Led by Rio 2016 bronze medalist KIM Song I the North Koreans are fresh from their strong showing at the Pyongyang Open held last month. Qualification for the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Korean Open starts on 17 July with the main draw starting on the 19th. More details to come soon. Quick Links: Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Korea Open Main event schedule Player Entry (Men) Player Entry (Women)
Butterfly Europa 25 for the European elite in Alicante
LIEBHERR 2018 ITTF-European Championships ETTU ITTF-Europe and the Local Organising Committee are delighted to announce that Butterfly will be the table supplier for the LIEBHERR 2018 ITTF-European Championships. Tables will be the Europa 25 model. The event will be held in Alicante between 18th and 23rd September when champions in singles doubles and mixed doubles will be crowned. Tickets are now available and can be purchased at Ticketmaster here – More information can be found at Liebherr 2018 ITTF-European Championships (ITTF) Liebherr 2018 ITTF-European Championships (ETTU) Local Website Ticket Sales Eurosport Broadcast Schedule Title sponsor: Liebherr Official Ball supplier: Nittaku Official Floor supplier: Enlio Offical Table supplier: Butterfly https://www.butterfly.tt/
The best 11 teams and the host Belarus will qualify for the 2nd European Games
Starting from July the Special Team Ranking will be published every month until December 2018 At the 2nd European Games June 2019 in Minsk 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams will participate. The best 11 teams according to the Special Team Ranking List as of 1 December 2018 and the host NOC Belarus will qualify. Starting from July the Special Team Ranking will be published every month until December 2018. The Special Team Ranking is made according to the same system as the ITTF World Team Ranking but including all players who are eligible for the Olympic and European Games: Everyone who is eligible for World Title events Everyone who has ever participated in the Olympic Games without being eligible for World Title Events All players over 21 years old who registered with ITTF for a change of Association and have the new nationality already for more than 9 years. Therefore the Special Team Ranking can differ from the World Team Ranking. At the first List issued today the lading team is Germany followed by Sweden France Portugal Austria Great Britain Russia Slovenia Croatia Belgium…In Women’s List Romania is a the top followed by Germany Austria Poland Hungary Netherlands Russia Czech Republic Luxembourg Spain… You can see complete and detailed list at the European games page Quick links Organisers Website Regulations and documents
Reigning Seamseter ECLW champion gets stronger
Draw for the 2018/19 ECLW to be held this Saturday July 7th in Saarbrucken The meeting and draw for the Seamaster 2018/19 European Champions League Women will be held this Saturday July 7th (10h30 – 16h30 CET) at the Victor’s Residenz-Hotel in Saarbrücken. Twelve clubs will be divided in four groups like in last several seasons as best two from each group secure their spots for the quarter-finals. Defending champion and No 1 seed Dr. Časl from Croatia strengthened its roster with two famous names Luxembourg’s NI Xia Lian (WR 41) and Turkey`s HU Melek (WR 50) actual individual European champion who participated in the 2017/18 ECLW final in Bursa`s jersey. Chinese Chinese LIU Gaoyang (WR 392) has concluded the list of newcomers while the 2017/18 line-up extended their contracts – Hong Kong`s DOO Hoi Kem (WR 13) LI Jie (29) and YU Fu (WR 35) – as well as domestic players Dorina SREBRNJAK (WR 152) and Mirela DURAK (WR 292) No. 2 seed and two-times ECLW runner-up Poland`s KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg has kept the same leading quartet – Elizabeta SAMARA (WR 19) HAN Ying (WR 26) LI Qian (WR 31) and Viktoryia PAVLOVICH (WR 55) while other players in the Zbignew NECEK squad are following: GU Ruochen (WR 134) Kinga STEFANSKA (WR 271) and Agata ZAKRZEWSKA (WR 455). ECLW record holder with four crowns TC Berlin Eastside occupies third place on the Seeding list with three new names: GU Yuting (WR 17) Matilda EKHOLM (WR 30) and Nina MITTELHAM (WR 58). Two Berlin`s legends Georgina POTA (WR 37) and SHAN Xiaona (WR 54) will try to secure their places in the line-up guided again by Coach Irina PALINA. Two-times winner Linz AG Froschberg has decided to build its new team around Sofia POLCANOVA (WR 18) who will be supported by Hong Kong`s SOO Wai Yam Minnie (WR 33) Japan`s Yui HAMAMOTO (WR 34) Linda BERGSTRÖM (WR 113) Mariia TAILAKOVA (WR 126) Karoline MISCHEK (WR 159) Denise Payet (WR 318) and Rebekka CARLSEN (WR 339). Former Froschberg`s ZHANG Mo (WR 23) has signed for TT Saint-Quentinois being best ranked player of No. 5 ECLW seed. French side also counts on Polina MIKHAYLOVA (WR 49) Audrey ZARIF (WR 112) and Olga MIKHAYLOVA ( – ) Aurore LE MANSEC ( – ) and Lou FRETE ( – ). There are two newcomers among the 12 ECLW participants Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT from France (No. 6 seed) and Portugal`s Sporting Clube de Portugal SCP (No. 12). French side is better ranked than Portugal`s one but Sporting has two well experienced players in the ECLW Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO (WR 95 her husband plays in the Sporting men`s team) and 2013 European Champion in the Women`s Singles Event LI Fen (WR 153) from Sweden. Seamaster 2018/19 ECLW Seeding List 1 Dr. Časl (CRO) 30.318 2 KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg (POL) 29.443 3 TTC Berlin eastside (GER) 28.701 4 Linz AG Froschberg (AUT) 23.319 5 TT Saint-Quentinois (FRA) 20.924 6 Etival Clairefontaine ASRTT (FRA) 12.320 7 Metz TT (FRA) 11.722 8 SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin (CZE) 11.265 9 LZ Linz Froschberg (AUT) 9.939 10 UCAM Cartagena T.M (ESP) 8.301 11 Budaörsi 2I SC (HUN) 8.253 12 Sporting Clube de Portugal SCP (POR) 8.070
