First stage of the ITTF-European Championships Teams After success against Russia in the opening round of the first stage of the ITTF-European Championships Teams in Groups A in Women’s Event Sweden recorded another victory. Today it was Belarus who suffered by the hands of the Swedes in Sports Center in Minsk in front of 400 spectators. In the first round Belarus beat Russia. Matilda EKHOLM pushed guests into quick lead. She beat Nadezhda BOGDANOVA in straight games. LI Fen needed one more to overcame Viktoria PAVLOVICH before Linda BERGSTROM sealed the match in the duel against Alina NIKITCHANKA. The complete round is scheduled for tomorrow. Matches Belarus vs. Slovakia in Men’s A Groups Lithuania vs. San Marino in Men’s B Groups as well as Spain vs. Czech Republic and Estonia vs. Denmark you will be able to watch on Livestream on laola 1.tv Belarus – Sweden 0:3 Nadezhda BOGDANOVA- Matilda EKHOLM (7:11 6:11 5:11) Viktoria PAVLOVICH – LI Fen (6:11 12:10 7:11 10:12) Alina NIKITCHANKA – Linda BERGSTROM (8:11 7:11 7;11) Men’s Event Groups A 17:00 CET Russia – Luxembourg 3:0 18:00 CET Belarus -Slovakia 3:2 18:30 CET Turkey -Poland 0:3 Men’s Event Grouops B 12:00 CET Montenegro -Estonia 2:3 17:00 CET Azerbaijan -Ireland 0:3 17:00 CET Lithuania -San Marino 3:0 17:30 CET Cyprus -Bulgaria 2:3 18:00 CET Norway -Israel 1:3 18:30 CET Italy -Kosovo 3:0 19:30 CET Bosnia and Herzegovina -Serbia 0:3 20:00 CET Scotland -Switzerland 1:3 Women’s Event Groups A 14:00 CET Azerbaijan -Luxembourg 0:3 17:00 CET Slovenia -Ukraine 0:3 18:30 CET Italy -Croatia 2:3 19:00 CET Spain -Czech Republic 1:3 19:00 CET Switzerland -Portugal 1:3 Women’s Event Groups B 16:00 CET Finland -Israel 1:3 17:00 CET Bosnia and Herzegovina -Slovakia 0:3 17:30 CET Estonia -Denmark 3:0 18:00 CET Scotland -Bulgaria 0:3 18:00 CET Norway -Greece 1:3 ITTF-European Championships Teams: here Laola Livestreams : here
Conquerers of Oceania book tickets to World Cup
Winners in Port Vila Vanuatu 2018 ITTF-Oceania Cup Women’s and Men’s Champions Jian Fang LAY and Heming HU of Australia have booked their golden tickets to the respective ITTF Women’s & Men’s World Cups later this year. In the Women’s competition the veteran faced her younger compatriot Olympian & Paralympian Melissa TAPPER in a closely fought final. It saw LAY settle into her rhythm first racing to a 9-0 lead in the opening game. Clinching a 2 games to nil advantage it was TAPPER’s turn to take the mantle fighting back to draw the match at 2-2. However it was the experienced LAY who won the day keeping her nerves to close the match 4-2 (11-3 11-6 6-11 7-11 12-10 11-5) to win the gold. After the match the 45-year-old stated “I’m very happy to go to Chengdu for the World Cup. I played state team’s match there once but it has been more than thirty years since I’ve visited the city!” A fourth ITTF-Oceania Cup title win and a trip to Chengdu China in September awaits. While experience was key for LAY in the Women’s competition it was a first for the Men’s Singles Champion Heming HU. Heading to the competition as the leading name HU dropped only 2 games to defending champion David POWELL prior to the final. In the concluding match despite conceding the early lead at 2-1 he managed to turn the match in his favour overcoming Dean SHU from New Zealand to record a 4-2 (9-11 11-6 9-11 12-10 11-7 11-6) victory. A dream debut ended with his first ITTF-Oceania Cup win. Now he can look forward to a trip to Paris France where he will participate in his first ever ITTF Men’s World Cup. With the conclusion of the 2018 ITTF-Oceania Cup HU and LAY will now battle out with other continental champions at the prestigious ITTF Men’s and Women’s World cup held later this year: Liebherr 2018 ITTF Men’s World Cup: 19-21 Oct 2018 Paris (FRA) Uncle Pop 2018 ITTF Women’s World Cup: 28-30 Sep 2018 Chengdu (CHN) The ITTF World Cups are the second most prestigious events on the international table tennis calendar where only 17 of the top table tennis players who have qualified through their respective Continental Cups together with the current World Champions one host player and a wildcard can compete for the prestigious title that counts towards the Grand Slam Title (Olympic Games World Championships World Cup). The Pan America Cup held in Asuncion Paraguay from 15 to 17 June will round up the eagerly anticipated line ups going to the star studded events. Qualified Players: World Champions: MA Long (CHN) DING Ning (CHN) China Construction Bank 2018 ITTF-European Top 16 Cup: Timo BOLL (GER) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) Jonathan GROTH (DEN) 2018 ITTF-African Top 16 Cup: Omar ASSAR (EGY) Dina MESHREF (EGY) Lion 2018 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup: FAN Zhendong (CHN) LEE Sangsu (KOR) JEONG Sangeun (KOR) ZHU Yuling (CHN) Kasumi ISHIKAWA (JPN) CHENG I-Ching (TPE) 2018 ITTF-Oceania Cup: HU Heming (AUS) LAY Jian Fang (AUS) Quick Links: 2018 ITTF-Oceania Cup Photos for Editorial Use
Spain succeded in full five matcehs thriller
ITTF-European Championships Teams For a second time Spain had to go through nerves wrecking five matches but like against Sweden they succeeded again in the first stage of the ITTF-European Championships Teams in Groups A in Men’s Event. This time Denmark was the team to suffer. They faced defeat at the home soil in Bauhaus Arena in Roskilde. The hosts had a better start. Jonathan GROTH overcame Carlos MACHADO in the opening duel but more important was that MACHADO won the decisive one against Michale MAZE. MAZE also suffered by the hands of Alvaro ROBLES. Anders LIND beat Carlos FRANCO to create another chance for Denmark but Alvaro ROBLES beat GROTH to push Spain into the decisive match. Denmark – Spain 2:3 Jonathan GROTH – Carlos MACHADO (11:9 7:11 11:5 11:6) Michael MAZE – Alvaro ROBLES (8:11 8:11 11:6 10:12) Anders LIND – Carlos FRANCO (11:3 11:9 11:5) Jonathan GROTH – Alvaro ROBLES (9:11 12:10 7:11 10:12) Michael MAZE – Carlos MACHADO (5:11 7:11 11:5 11:8 3:11)
Metz TT clinched the title in the Women’s ETTU Cup
The runners up in the Women’s ETTU Cup in 2015 Metz TT clinched the title after impressive performance in the second leg of the final. In straight matches French club overcame Spanish GIRBAU-VIC TT on home soil. After XIN Liu overcame experienced NI Xia Lian in full distance opening match it was one way street for the finalists. Carole GRUNDICH needed one game less to beat Wang TING TING whilst Yunli SCHREINER survived severe pressure in the duel against Ana GARCIA. Metz TT already proved they will be very hard club to beat in the opening leg. A week ago they played full five matches in Spain. Metz TT – GIRBAU-VIC TT 3:0 XIN Liu – NI Xia Lian (9:11 11:8 9:11 11:7 11:9) Carole GRUNDICH – Wang TING TING (11:9 6:11 11:8 11:6) Yunli SCHREINER – Ana GARCIA (11:9 9:11 11:9 8:11 11:7)
Olimpia Unia Grudziadz Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk
First time in history club from Poland won the trophy in the ETTI Men’s Cup. K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo with two impressive wins in both legs of the final overcame French Chartres ASTT. In both matches Polish club succeeded in four matches. In previous round they overcame last year’s runners up Vaillante Sports Angers. In the opening leg WONG Chun Ting built good foundation for the overall victory. He beat Alexandre ROBINOT in straight games to bust his teammate’s’ confidence. WANG Yang followed his path in the duel against Robert GARDOS but not without difficulties. Robert GARDOS put great pressure on WANG and forced him to go full distance. Par GERELL was the only player who scored for French club. He beat Pawel FERTIKOWSKI. After close opening game all Pawel’s efforts were easily denied. However very soon Dekorglass Dzialdowo was on the winning track with Jiri VRABLIK in complete control in the match against Romain LORENTZ. Chartres ASTT won the title in 2011. Olimpia Unia Grudziadz and Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk were the only Polish clubs to reach the second position in Men’s ETTU Cup. K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo – Chartres ASTT 3:1 WONG Chun Ting – Alexandre ROBINOT (11:9 11:6 11:3) WANG Yang – Robert GARDOS (11:6 4:11 11:6 9:11 11:8) Pawel FERTIKOWSKI – Par GERELL (10:12 3:11 8:11) Jiri VRABLIK – Romain LORENTZ (11:3 11:5 11:8)
Dr. Casl wins Seamaster ECLW
Second match of the final: Dr. Casl – Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor 3:0 (1st leg 3:2) Dr. Casl goes down in history as first ever Croatian club with the title of Seamaster European Champions League Women as they beat last year`s ETTU Cup winner Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor 3:0. Croatian team won first leg 3:2 five days ago in Turkey. Well known table tennis city of Zagreb has witnessed one of the best ever performances of Dr. Casl. Everything was clear after first two encounters when YU Fu and DOO Hoi Kem beat Yana NOSKOVA and HU Melek respectively. LI Jie confirmed this win by her victory against Simay KULAKCEKEN in spite of being extended to full distance. 2017/18 Seamaster ECLW final second game Dr. Casl – Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor 3:0 (1st leg 3:2) YU Fu – Yana NOSKOVA 3:0 (11:2 11:4 12:10) DOO Hoi Kem – HU Melek 3:1 (11:5 11:8 11:13 11:4) LI Jie – Simay KULAKCEKEN 3:2 (11:4 9:11 9:11 11:1 11:2)
Borussia Dusseldorf 11th time TTCLM champion
Second game of 2017/18 TTCLM final: Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – Borussia Dusseldorf 1:3 (1st leg 2:3) Borussia Dusseldorf won its 11th title of Table Tennis Champions League Men getting revenge against Fakel Gazprom Orenburg for last season`s defeat in the battle for the 2016/17 crown. No. 2 seed German champion beat top-seeded Orenburg 3:1 away in the second match of the 2017/18 final held today (May 18th) after 3:2 home win five days ago in Dusseldorf. ETTU President Ronald KRAMER handed over gold medals and the trophy to the winning team and TTCLM record holder. Actual World no. 48 Stefan FEGERL became a hero of German club by defeating no. 13 Jun MIZUTANI former champion of Asia. Austrian paved the way for his team`s success playing one of best games in his career in the opening clash of the final. He lost first set by a narrow margin but responded with three games in a row. In each three sets Japanese led by two or three points but guest managed to turn the score (2nd 6:4 6:9 3rd 5:3 5:8 4th 5:2 6:7). FEGERL won several fantastic rallies lifting his confidence to maximum. Timo BOLL did his job by beating both Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Jun MIZUTANI like he did in the first leg. It was amazing feat by actual World no. 3 who improved his season`s win-loss record to 15-3. After his victory against his compatriot OVTCHAROV Borussia led 2:0 moving closer to its 11th title. But Vladimir SAMSONOV prevented their victory in straight games as he overcame Kristian KARLSSON. Fourth encounter provided new clash between Jun MIZUTANI and Timo BOLL. Five days ago German won in four games but today he beat Japanese in straight sets to secure the crown for his side. Unique unbeaten TTCLM player at no. 1 or no. 2 positions before the final MIZUTANI has suffered three defeats in crucial moments in last five days. On the other side BOLL showed his best table tennis when it was most needed. 2017/18 TTCLM final second game Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – Borussia Dusseldorf 1:3 (1st leg 2:3) Jun MIZUTANI – Stefan FEGERL 1:3 (13:11 8:11 9:11 11:13) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Timo BOLL 1:3 (11:7 11:13 8:11 7:11) Vladimir SAMSONOV – Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 (11:7 11:7 11:9) Jun MIZUTANI – Timo BOLL 0:3 (5:11 7:11 7:11)
Belgium beat Romania in front of home crowd
ITTF-European Championships Teams In the first stage of the ITTF-European Championships Teams in Groups A in Men’s Event Belgium overcame Romania. In Warenme in front of 250 spectators host showed no mercy and won their second duel in the Group in straight matches. However it was not that easy as the results predict. Cédric NUYTINCK had to play four games against Hunor SZOCS and all four concluded by narrow margin (11:9 13:11 10:12 12:10). Florent LAMBIET was stretched to full five games against Ovidiu IONESCU (11:5 11:7 9:11 8:11 11:9) who was two games to null in reverse before he recovered to level. Robin DEVOS was more effective against Adrian CRISAN. He succeeded in straight matches (11:4 11:8 11:5). In the first round Belgium suffered by the hands of Slovenia’s team in February. Same team beat Romania in March.
Borussia Dusseldorf optimistic but not euphoric
“The door is open but there is still a long way to go” explained Borussia`s Manager Andreas PREUSS before second leg of TTCLM final against Fakel Gazprom Orenburg (Friday May 18th 15:00 CET) Borussia Dusseldorf arrived in the Russian city of Orenburg with highest possible expectations to reach 11th time TTCLM title after 3:2 (12:8) win in first home leg. But Russian team defending TTCLM champion is determined to continue its reign and take fifth crown in last seven years. “I’m optimistic but we’re still a long way from the finish. I expect a completely open game because Orenburg has always been incredibly strong at home in the past so I assume that they will improve even now” pointed out Borussia`s Manager Andreas PREUSS after a journey about 5 000 km to Orenburg. TTCLM record holder with 10 titles Borussia won first match thanks to Timo BOLL who secured two points against Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Jun MIZUTANI. Kristian KARLSSON added one more in the decisive fifth encounter against OVTCHAROV while Vladimir SAMSONOV (vs. KALLBERG) and MIZUTANI (vs. KARLSSON) were the winners in the Russian team. “Although we have not achieved anything departure to Russia with 3:2 win is pretty good ” stated Coach of German club Danny HEISTER who praised all his players for huge effort and big fight in the first game.
ITTF Opens Bidding for 2019 Challenge Series
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has opened up the bidding process for the new 2019 ITTF Challenge Series. In 2019 the popular ITTF Challenge Series is being split into two tiers. Six ITTF Challenge Plus events which will become the top tier of the Series and a selected number of ITTF Challenge events. The ITTF Challenge Plus will offer players higher world ranking points higher prize money and most importantly exposing players to higher level events to reach the next level. Host cities will be provided streaming production and commentary support from the ITTF which will assist the ITTF Challenge Plus events to increase visibility and viewership in the coming years. In 2017 the ITTF Challenge Series was introduced to allow new and upcoming players to challenge themselves earn international recognition and experience as well as give more National Associations the opportunity to host international events. ITTF CEO Steve DAINTON stated: “With the new World Ranking introduced at the beginning of January we realized we needed an additional tier of events to give our players more opportunities to improve their World Ranking hence the introduction of the Challenge Plus events. Together with our improving Marketing efforts with the Marketing rights back inside the ITTF we are able to invest in more events and future assets that can improve the overall table tennis economy.” The more flexible requirements of the ITTF Challenge will allow more cities to get on board to host an international table tennis event gaining experience and exposure just like the players participating in the Challenge Series. For more information on the ITTF Challenge Series visit ITTFChallengeSeries.com. Bidding closes 15 June 2018 so be quick not to miss out!
