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
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 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
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
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)
