Dutch National Championships   SHUO Han Men and Ewout OOSTWOUDER are the new Dutch national champions of 2018. For Ewout OOSTWOUDER it is his third national title young talent SHUO Han Men has won the tournament for the first time in her career.   The seventeen-year-old SHUO Han Men was better in the final than Ana GOGORITA. The result in Zwolle was 4:2. Young talent SHUO Han Men played a very good tournament. It was unexpected that the number one Yana TIMINA and number two Kim VERMAAS of the ranking were defeated in the semifinals.   Ewout OOSTWOUDER played a very strong final in the men’s singles against Barry WIJERS. The result of this exiting match was 4:1. After winning the title in 2014 and 2015 OOSTWOUDER won his third national title in Zwolle.   Results Women’s final: SHUO Han Men- Ana GOGORITA 4:2 (11:8 12:10 9:11 10:12 11:6 11:8) Men’s final: Ewout OOSTWOUDER- Barry WIJERS 4:1 (11:5 9:11 11:6 11:9 11:4) Women’s Doubles: Tanja HELLE/Yana TIMINA – Rianne VAN DUIN/Ana GOGORITA 3:1 (6:11 11:9 11:5 11:9) Men’s Doubels: Rajko GOMMERS/Martijn DE VRIES- Martin KHATCHANOV/ Barry WIJERS 3:1 (11:7 11:9 9:11 11:8) Mixed Doubles: Rajko GOMMERS/Kim VERMAAS- Koen HAGERAATS/ Tanja HELLE 3:0 (11:9 15:13 11:6)  

German National Championships   Actual World no. 1 Timo BOLL has secured his 12th gold medal at the 86th German National Championships held in Berlin this weekend as he beat outsider Kilian ORT (no. 287) in straight games of the final. After several medals won with German National Team HAN Ying has reached her very first title of national champion. Tarnobrzeg`s player beat Tanja KRAMER in six games.   “I hope that was not my last German championship title” stated 37-year-old Timo BOLL and recalls on his first winning campaign two decades ago. “That was in Saarbrücken on my 17th birthday in 1998. At that time I overcame Peter FRANZ in the semi-final after a 15:20 deficit and then in the final against Torben WOSIK – that was my very first big title”.   HAN Ying lost to SHAN Xiaona in the 2014 final but now managed to win the title in very tense and close final.   “I am very happy about the title but it was a tough match. Tanja (KRAMER) played very well” stated actual World no. 41.   Men`s Singles Final: Timo BOLL – Kilian Ort 4:0 (5 8 4 5) Semi-finals: Timo BOLL – Patrick FRANZISKA 4:2 (8 -15 -10 6 6 7) Bastian STEGER – Kilian ORT 2:4 ( -4 -7 -8 4 5 -5)   Women`s Singles Final: HAN Ying – Tanja KRÄMER 4:2 (5 4 -10 -10 10 9) Semi-finals: HAN Ying – YUAN Wan 4:0 (7 6 8 11) Tanja KRÄMER – Sabine WINTER 4:3 (9 -4 7 6 -9 -3 9)   Men`s Doubles Final: Benedikt DUDA/DANG Qiu – Ruwen FILUS/Ricardo WALTHER 3:0 (7 8 6) Semi-finals: Ruwen FILUS/Ricardo WALTHER – Erik BOTTROFF/Lennart WEHKING 3:0 (7 8 6) Julian MOHR/Jens SCHABACKER – Benedikt DUDA/DANG Qiu 0:3 (-8 -6 -8).   Women`s Doubles Final: HUONG Do Thi/Sabine WINTER – Jessica GÖBEL/Tanja KRÄMER 3:1 (-14 6 11 5) Semi-finals:  Jessica GÖBEL/Tanja KRÄMER – Luisa SÄGER/Jennie WOLF 3:2 (2 -8 8 -7 7) HUONG Do Thi/Sabine WINTER – Alena LEMMER/YUAN Wan 3:1 (-8 9 10 5).

French National Championships   Alexandre ROBINOT and YUAN Jia Nan are crowned individual champions of France. ROBINOT has reached his very first national title at the event held in the city of Rouen whilst YUAN got her fourth one. Championships have gathered nearly 130 players.   “It’s great feeling I’m really happy especially knowing last final`s loss. I had a great level of play today and even on the whole competition. Three days ago I couldn’t imagine that I am able to win both Singles and Doubles titles” stated Alexandre ROBINOT who beat in the final Enzo ANGLES 4:1 (11:6 16:14 9;11 11:6 11:8).   Bronze medalists are Can AKKUZU and Stéphane OUAICHE who upset no. 1 seed Emmanuel LEBESSON in the quarter-final clash.   Women`s Singles top seed YUAN was two games behind in the final but managed to defeated Carole GRUNISCH in full seven sets. She stressed that this title is her hardest won in French National Championships:   “I am very happy to win my 4th title of French champion. It’s always very hard for me against Carole (GRUNDISCH). I started the final badly she played very well but I managed to comeback”   Alexandre ROBINOT and Joe SEYFRIED overcame Romain LORENTZ and Brice OLLIVIER in the Men`s Doubles final whilst the Women`s Doubles event was concluded by Oceane GUISNEL/ Stephanie LOEUILLETE unexpected victory against no. 1 seed YUAN Jia Nan / Aurore LE MANSEC.   Men`s Singles medalists Alexandre ROBINOT Enzo ANGLES Stéphane OUAICHE Can AKKUZU   Women`s Singles medalists YUAN Jia Nan Carole GRUNDISCH Laura GASNIER Aurore LE MANSEC

Italian National Championships   The Italian Championships was held in PalaTennistavolo “Aldo De Santis” in the city of Terni. In Men’s Singles Niagol STOYANOV after the final of last year won the tournament for the second time (the first was in 2014). In the final match he beat in seven games Leonardo MUTTI. Mihai BOBOCICA the champion in 2017 and Matteo MUTTI Leonardo’s younger brother won the bronze medal.   In Women’s Singles Giorgia PICCOLIN became champion for the first time in her career by defeating in six games Jamila LAURENTI only 15 years old. Debora VIVARELLI and Cristina SEMENZA were placed third.   In Men’s Doubles Marco RECH DALDOSSO and Niagol STOYANOV doubled the win which occurred in 2017. They accounted for Daniele PINTO and Antonino AMATO in three games while Damiano SERETTI and Luca BRESSAN and Alessandro BACIOCCHI and Jordy PICCOLIN shared the third step of the podium.   In Women’s Doubles Chiara COLANTONI and Le THI HONG LOAN overcame in four games Giorgia PICCOLIN and Veronica MOSCONI and Debora VIVARELLI and Giulia CAVALLI and Eva CARLI and Katja MILIC settled for third place.   In Mixed Doubles the new champions are Paolo BISI and Debora VIVARELLI who got better of Daniele PINTO and Le THI HONG LOAN in five games. Bronze medalists were Marco RECH DALDOSSO and Chiara COLANTONI and Jordy and Giorgia PICCOLIN.

Belarus National Championships   Marharyta BALTUSHITE 17-year-old talent upset the odds to clinch the title of Belarus National Championships beating two-time European champion Viktoria PAVLOVICH after full seven games 4:3 (15:13 12:10 4:11 11:8 6:11 11:13 11:7). Finalists of the Men`s Singles event were same like last year but the winner is different: Pavel PLATONOV beat Alliaksandr KHANIN in straight games of the gold medal contest. Alexandra PRIVALOVA and Kiryl BARABANOV won bronze in Women`s and Men`s singles respectively.   Yekaterina BOROVOK and Marharyta BALTUSHITE are Women`s Doubles winners as they beat in the final Darya TRIGOLOS and Nadezhda BOGDANOVA after full five games. Aliaksandr KHANIN and Gleb SHAMRUK clinched Men`s Doubles gold beating last year`s winners Pavel PLATONOV and Ilya BARBOLIN 3:2 (11:5 8:11 11:7 8:11 11:9).   Men`s Singles Semi-finals: Pavel PLATONOV – Kiryl BARABANOV 4:1 (8:11 11:7 11:8 11:7 11:6) Aliaksandr KHANIN – Gleb SHAMRUK 4:3 (12:14 7:11 5:11 11:5 11:8 11:3 11:5). Final: Pavel PLATONOV – Aliaksandr KHANIN 4:0 (11:9 11:7 11:9 11:8) Women`s Singles Semi-finals: Viktoria PAVLOVICH – Ana PATEEVA 4:0 (11:7 11:3 11:5 11:5) Marharyta BALTUSHITE – Alina ORLOVSKAYA 4:0 (11:8 12:10 11:9 11:7). Final: Marharyta BALTUSHITE – Viktoria PAVLOVICH 4:3 (15:13 12:10 4:11 11:8 6:11 11:13 11:7). Men`s Doubles Final: Aliaksandr KHANIN / Gleb SHAMRUK – Pavel PLATONOV / Ilya BARBOLIN 3:2 (11:5 8:11 11:7 8:11 11:9). Women`s Doubles Final: Yekaterina BOROVOK / Marharyta BALTUSHITE – Darya TRIGOLOS / Nadezhda BOGDANOVA 3:2 (11:9 11:7 6:11 10:12 11:9)  

In mid February EUSA Technical Delegate for Table Tennis Mr Matija Krnc from Slovenia received the prestigious Bloudek Plaque award the highest national recognition in the field of sport. Mr Krnc received the award for his long-term commitment and activities in Table Tennis especially in the technical and judicial fields.   His contribution was also recognised by the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) which awarded him their  Badge of Honour last September.

This Saturday and Sunday (March 3-4) many champions across Europe will be crowned   The upcoming weekend March 3-4 are reserved for many National Championships in Europe. Here we are presenting some of them…   SWEDEN   Swedish Championships are played in Idrottens Hus Helsingborg Sweden. First time Para Swedish Championships will be held during National Championships. Favorites will be following: WD Jennifer JONSSON/Linda BERGSTRÖM MD Pär GERELL/Jens LUNDQUIST or Viktor BRODD/Hampus NORDBERG XD Pär GERELL/Michael KARLSSON WS Matilda EKHOLM MS Kristian KARLSSON Anton KÄLLBERG Pär GERELL Jon PERSSON Jens LUNDQUIST. Mattias KARLSSON is injured and not competing Last year`s winners: WD Erika FRONTH/Tilda JOHANSSON MD Viktor BRODD/Hampus NORDBERG XD Matilda EKHOLM/Mattias KARLSSON WS Matilda EKHOLM MS Anton KÄLLBERG   NETHERLANDS   The best table tennis players of Holland will battle each other this weekend in Landstede Sportcentrum in Zwolle during the National Championships. Player of the national team Rajko GOMMERS wants to defend his first title in the men’s tournament. LI Jie won the national title in the woman’s tournament of 2017 for the second time in her career. GOMMERS is the favourite for the tournament of this year but there are good players who are likely able to beat the champion. Ewout OOSTWOUDER and Laurens TROMER where National Champions in the past and they are playing for another title in the men’s tournament. Ladies like Britt EERLAND and Kim VERMAAS are serious candidates for the victory in the woman’s tournament this year. The current champion LI Jie is absent in Zwolle. She uses this weekend to take some rest because her calendar is full with lots of games and LI Jie wants to be in good shape for the World Cup in Halmstad in Sweden in April. Britt EERLAND replaces her as number one in the ranking. The tournament starts on Saturday the 3th of March and the finales will take place on Sunday the 4th.   DENMARK   The 76th Danish Championships will be played in the coming weekend in Hjørring in the North western part of Denmark. A total of 75 players will participate.   Jonathan GROTH and Michael MAZE will not participate. Top seeded in men´s singles is Anders LIND before Tobias RASMUSSEN and the two veterans Allan BENTSEN and Finn TUGWELL. IN men’s singles there are 58 players fighting for the Danish crown Five participants won titles before. They are Tobias RASMUSSEN (2017) Kasper STERNBERG (2011) Christian KONGSGAARD (2010) Finn TUGWELL ( 2001 2004 2005 2009) and Allan BENTSEN (19991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1999 and 2006) In women’s single the reigning champion Stefanie CHRISTENSEN is top seeded before Pernille AGERHOLM. Four of the participating players have won before: Stefanie CHRISTENSEN (2017) Pernille AGERHOLM (2014 and 2016) Mie BINNERUP JACOBSEN (2015) and Pia TOELHØJ (1995) In men’s doubles the top seeded are Allan BENTSEN and Finn TUGWELL who have won six times before.   ITALY   The Italian Championships of first and second categories is scheduled from Wednesday to Sunday (March 4th) in PalaTennistavolo “Aldo De Santis” in Terni. They are organized by Italian Table Tennis Federation in collaboration with the City of Terni and the Region of Umbria. The event will be taking place with the partnership of Aeronautica Militare Polizia Penitenziaria Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Terni e Narni and Fondazione Città della Speranza Onlus and the sponsorship of Stag and Iset Marketing. In Men’s Singles of first category all the best athletes of national ranking will be present: Mihai BOBOCICA the last year winner Leonardo MUTTI and Marco RECH (Aeronautica Militare) Matteo MUTTI (Milano Sport Tennistavolo) Jordy PICCOLIN (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) Antonino AMATO (Top Spin Messina) Niagol STOYANOV (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) Paolo BISI (Cral Comune di Roma) Stefano TOMASI (Marcozzi Cagliari) and Federico PAVAN (Cral Comune di Roma). BOBOCICA won the title six times (2007-2009-2011-2012-2013-2017) and four other players once each: TOMASI (2010) STOYANOV (2014) Leonardo MUTTI (2015) and Rech DALDOSSO (2016). In Women’s Singles the Top 10 is formed by TIAN Jing who won for the firt time in 2017 and Chiara COLANTONI (they both play for Tennistavolo Castel Goffredo) Giorgia PICCOLIN (Anspi Tennistavolo Cortemaggiore) Veronica MOSCONI (Tennistavolo Vallecamonica) Debora VIVARELLI (Centro Sportivo Esercito) LE Thi Hong Loan (Tennistavolo Castel Goffredo) Katja MILIC (Sportni Krozek Kras) Giulia CAVALLI (Eppan Tischtennis Raiffeisen) Cristina SEMENZA (Polisportiva Bagnolese) and Jamila LAURENTI (Tennistavolo Vallecamonica).  TIAN Jing climbed the top step of the podium in 2017 and Mosconi in 2015.   FRANCE   National Championships of France will be held from March 2 to 4 in Rouen (Normandy). Friday is reserved for the qualifications. Main favorites: Emmanuel LEBESSON – Simon GAUZY and YUAN Jia Nan – Carole GRUNDISCH – YANG Xioa Xin Last year`s winners: Emmanuel LEBESSON and YUAN Jia Nan   ROMANIA   Romanian National Championships will be held at Sports Hall in Buzau on March 2-4th. Main favorites are Men`s Singles: Ovidiu IONESCU Constantin CIOTI Cristian PLETEA Rares Sipos Women`s Singles: Elizabeta SAMARA Adina DIACONU Andreea DRAGOMAN. 2017 Men`s Singles Winner: Ovidiu IONESCU 2017 Women`s Singles winner: Adina DIACONU 2017 MD winners: Ovidiu IONESCU/Constantin CIOTI 2017 WD winners: Irina CIOBANU / Camelia IACOB 2017 MD winner: Cristian PLETEA / Adina DIACONU   PORTUGAL   A total amount of 187 athletes (136 male and 51 female) will be competing for the National Championship title this weekend in São João da Madeira a town near Oporto. In the male competition the player with best ranking is Diogo CARVALHO the reigning champion who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal the team qualified for the Champions League Semi-Finals. Last year runner-up Diogo CHEN who represents the Germans from TTC Frickenhausen will also be playing in the National Championship. In the female competition last year’s winner JIENI Shao won’t be defending her reign leaving Leila OLIVEIRA as the player with best ranking.   SLOVENIA   The Slovenian national championship will start at Otočec on March 3 and 4 at 10 am. The favorites in the men’s competition are Darko JORGIĆ Jan ŽIBRAT Deni KOŽUL Uroš

Belgian National Championships   Belgian National Championships will be held this weekend March 3-4 in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve. Final games are scheduled for Sunday 16:00.   Eline LOYEN will fight to defend three medals after her very successful campaign last year when she won two gold – Women`s Singles and Doubles (with Margo DEGRAEF) – and one silver in Mixed Doubles (with Tim JANSSENS). Last year she overcame 3-time winner Nathalie MARCHETTI in the gold medal contest of Women`s Singles.   Cedric NUYTINCK beat Florent LAMBIET in the 2017 Men`s Singles final to clinch his very first title after two silver medals (2013 2015). Belgian legend Jean-Michel SAIVE is the record holder with 25 titles.

Austrian National Championships   Austrian National Championships will take place in Wolfsberg in Carinthia this weekend March 3-4. Finals will start at 16.00 on Sunday. The draw will be made straight before the Championships on Friday evening.   The favorites for Men’s Singles are Stefan FEGERL together with Daniel HABESOHN and for Women’s Singles Sofia POLCANOVA. Last year`s winners are FEGERL and POLCANOVA.