Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Continental Qualification for Europe will be held from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th November 2017 in Croatia’s city of Split. Croatian Table Tennis Association under the authority granted by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is main authority whilst the organisers is Table Tennis Club Split. The events for boys and girls will be played in Sportski Centar ‘Gripe’ in one hall with 6 tables and a separate 5 tables training hall. The events are open to the players born in 2000 2001 2002 and 2003 of the European National Olympic. All players entered shall be eligible to represent their NOC in the Youth Olympic Games according to the relating International Olympic Committee (IOC) and ITTF regulations. Players born in 2000 2001 2002 and 2003 may participate if no other players of the same gender from the same NOC are already qualified or in the process of confirmation through any previous qualification steps. Four boys and four girls will qualify for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Each NOC may enter one boy and one girl for the YOG Continental Qualification for Europe if not having already a player qualified or in the process of confirmation for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Entries must be submitted not later than Thursday 5th October 2017 by e-mail to ettu@pt.lu. You can see prospectus and relevant documents here
50 more days before the 2017 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships
Now the wait will not last much longer: in 50 days the 2017 LIEBHERR ITTF European Table Tennis Championships commences in Luxembourg. Two hundred people will do voluntary service for the 42 men’s and 38 women‘s teams compete for the European title in the „Coque“ in Luxembourg-Kirchberg. Entry tickets are available via http://www.ettc2017.lu/ticketing.html. They also gives opportunity to spectators for free use of local public transport. The Park&Ride Sites Howald Rue de Bouillon and Foire can be used to reach the „Coque“ with ease. President Andre Hartmann confirms that „pre-sales of tickets are lively at our homepage http://www.ettc2017.lu. We also make extensive use of social media. Thus we constantly update information for our fans on our facebook page“ (http://www.facebook.com/ettc.2017.lu/). The livestream of the group-draw on 12th July was very successful and made ticket sales soar. The Luxembourgish women‘s team will face the Rumanian the Czech and the Dutch teams. Hosts will play against Sweden Greece and Russia. Likewise Austria will have fight claw and tooth to defend their title against Portugal Slovenia and Slovakia. The German ladies will face Hungary Sweden and Croatia. „After the draw match-scheduling is the next step “ the President of the FLTT adds. The time-table will be published in the next few days. The procedure is already official: In the Championship and Challenge Divisions group games will be played according to the principle everyone against everyone. Thus each team plays 3 team matches according to the best-of-five system. At the end of the group-phase the first and second placed of the 4 groups will continue to the quarter finals and play by k.o. system for positions 1 to 8 in the Championship Division while the third and fourth placed compete for places 9 to 16. In the Challenge Division the first and second placed compete for positions 17 to 24 while the third and fourth placed vie for positions 25 to 32. In the Standard Division all games from position 33 onwards are played. Thus an early elimination is impossible and specatators can encourage their favorites from the first to the last day of the competition.“ Both the players and the organising team have 50 days left to achieve fine-tuning to make the 2017 LIEBHERR ITTF European Table Tennis Championship a total success. You can also see the clip – „50 days to go“ here
NING Jing won first ever gold for Azerbaijan
STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal NING Jing of Azerbaijan clinched the first ever title for Azerbaijan. She won the Junior Girls Singles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal . In the final she beat Anastasia KOLISH of Russia. Bronze medalist are Adina DIACONU of Romania and Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia . NING Jing explained that she was familiar with the style pof play of KOLISH. “I studied her game and I was well prepared ” said NING. In the semi final Anastasia KOLISH prevailed against her teammate Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia. “In the first set despite the advantage I had. After the game I played tactically better. I was stronger in longer rallies. I changed the variation and the placement of the ball throughout the match. I played half long and short ” explained KOLISH. NING Jing denied Adina DIACONU of new record. Romania’s player has to settle with total of 11 gold medals at the European Youth Championships. It is the same as in case of her compatriot Bernadette SZOCS. DIACONU lost in the semis by narrow margin. “I never beat Adina DIACONU. I was not on the pressure and it gave me opportunity to play freely my tactics ” said NING. Semi final Anastasia KOLISH (Russia) – Mariia TAILAKOVA (Russia) 4:2 (8:11 11:7 11:7 11:6 5:11 11:8) Adina DIACONU (Romania) – NING Jing (Azerbaijan) 4:3 (9:11 12:10 11:9 3:11 8:11 11:9 11:3) Final NING Jing (Azerbaijan) – Anastasia KOLISH (Russia) 4:0 (11:3 11:9 11:9 11:7)
First time partners in Double YOVKOVA and HARASZTOVICH won gold
STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal The partnership of Maria YOVKOVA of Bulgaria and Fanni HARASZTOVICH of Hungary made for a first time at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal proved its worth. YOVKOVA and HARASZTOVICH won gold in Junior Girls Doubles Event. On their way to the highest step at the medal rostrum they overcame NING Jing and CHEN Xingtai of Azerbaijan. Izabela LUPULESKU and Sabina SURJAN of Serbia and Luisa SAGER and Jennie WOLF of Germany clinched bronze medals. YOVKOVA and HARASZTOVICH were delighted after the victory. “We are for a first time together and it is so incredible that we won gold. We beat few very good pairings here. Not only the girls from Azerbaijan but TRIGOLOS and BOGDANOVA of Belarus were on our way. That was very important win for us “ explained both YOVKOVA and HARASZTOVICH. In the semi final YOVKOVA and HARASZTOVICH who played for a first time together upset the favorites Luisa SAGER and Jennie WOLF of Germany. “Our tactics from the beginning was to leave the ball short and sometimes to surprise them with the long shot. We attacked with lot of rotation to the forehand and to the middle ” said YOVKOVA. In the lower half of the draw favorites prevailed after a lot of problems. NING Jing and CHEN Xingtai beat Izabela LUPULESKU and Sabina SURJAN of Serbia in five games. “We had 2:0 advantage but Serbian girls fought back. They played very aggressive. However in the final stages we made less mistakes ” said CHEN. Final NING Jing CHEN Xingtai (Azerbaijan)- Maria YOVKOVA (Bulgaria) Fanni HARASZTOVICH (Hungary) 1:3 (11:8 6:11 8;11 7:11) Semi Final Maria YOVKOVA (Bulgaria) Fanni HARASZTOVICH (Hungary)- Luisa SAGER Jennie WOLF (Germany) 3:1 (8:11 11:6 11:8 11:7) Izabela LUPULESKU Sabina SURJAN (Serbia) – NING Jing CHEN Xingtai (Azerbaijan) 2:3 (8:11 9:11 11:6 11:5 9:11)
Cristian PLETEA and Denis IVONIN finally reached gold Cristian PLETEA and Denis IVONIN finally reached gold
STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal Cristian PLETEA of Romania and Denis IVONIN of Russia beat Simon SODERLUND of Sweden and Cedric MEISSNER of Germany in the final of the Junior Boy’s Doubles Event to clinch gold at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. Istvan MOLNAR of Hungary and Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova and Patrik JUHASZ and Norbert NAGY of Hungary won bronze medal. Denis IVONIN was overwhelmed with emotions after the ultimate match. “I am so proud. I waited so long for this gold. I have seven silver medals so far ” said IVONIN. For PLETEA is also first gold in Junior’s category. “It was very hard journey. I think we were challenged more in the semis then in the final ” said PLETEA. In the semi final PLETEA and IVONIN beat Istvan MOLNAR of Hungary and Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova. They lost only one game. “We faced very strong partnership of left-hander and right-hander. IVONIN and I know each other for a very long time but we played for first time at the European Championships together. Although we have some experience of playing together at the Open tournaments ” explained PELETEA. SODERLUND and MEISSNER overcame Patrik JUHASZ and Norbert NAGY of Hungary in straight games to reach the final. “We played very calm and well. We felt their service and receive game. What was the problem was the fact that we did not know what to expect from Hungarian pairings. In the final we will play without the pressure at all ” said SODERLUND. Final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) Denis IVONIN (Russia) – Simon SODERLUND (Sweden) Cedric MEISSNER (Germany) 3:0 (11:7 11:8 11:9) Semi final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) Denis IVONIN (Russia) – Istvan MOLNAR (Hungary) Andrei PUTUNTICA (Moldova) 3:1 (11:7 6:11 11:8 11:9) Patrik JUHASZ Norbert NAGY (Hungary) – Simon SODERLUND (Sweden) Cedric MEISSNER (Germany) 0:3 (8:11 7:11 11:13)
KLEE and BONDAREVA at the top of the Cadet Girls Doubles Event
STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal Germany’s Sophia KLEE and Anastasia BONDAREVA succeeded to the top step at the medal rostrum in the Cadet Girls Doubles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. In the final they overcame Arina SLAUTINA and Nataliya MALININA of Russia. Bronze medal winners are Ekaterina ZIRONOVA and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia and Ozge YILMAZ and Ece HARAC of Turkey. Germany’s pairings were under pressure only in the opening game but once they settle into the rhythm they prevailed without great difficulties. “It is incredible feeling. We played so many hard matches on our way to the gold. Not only in final but also in semis it was very difficult to overcame ZIRONOVA and ABRAAMIAN ” said KLEE. In the semi final both Russia’s pairings stared good but only one reached ultimate stage. SLAUTINA and MALININA were 2:0 up before Ozge YILMAZ and Ece HARAC of Turkey recovered to level. “We lost the focus and we let our adversary to come back into the game. In fifth we were in the dangerous situation again after 9:5 it was 9:10. We started to play much more safe and we were focused to put the ball at the table ” explained SLAUTINA. KLEE and BONDAREVA were two games down against Ekaterina ZIRONOVA and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia and they pulled out a remarkable recovery. “We knew we have to change our attitude and to play more clever. I guess we were not fighting enough for each ball but we started to play more aggressive and it was much better. Still we had 9:9 in the decisive game so it was not easy at all ” said BONDAREVA. Final Sophia KLEE Anastasia BONDAREVA (Germany) – Arina SLAUTINA Nataliya MALININA (Russia) (9:11 11:2 11:7 11:8) Semi final Ekaterina ZIRONOVA Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) – Sophia KLEE Anastasia BONDAREVA (Germany) 2:3 (11:9 11:8 6:11 8:11 9:11) Arina SLAUTINA Nataliya MALININA (Russia)- Ozge YILMAZ Ece HARAC (Turkey) 3:2 (11:9 11:8 5:11 7:11 12:10)
Title in Cadet doubles for Truls MOREGARDH and Martin FRIIS
STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal Europe has new champions in Cadet Boys Doubles Event. In Portugal at the STAG 2017 European Championships Truls MOREGARDH and Martin FRIIS of Sweden beat Vladimir SIDORENKO and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia on their way to the first gold. Bronze medal winners are Jules CAVAILLE and Myshaal SABHI of France and Bilal HAMACHE and Dorian ZHENG also from France. Top seeds failed to justify their positions in the battle against the pairings seeded at the position no. two. “It was very close match but we knew what to expect. We stayed calm even when we were in reverse ” said FRIIS. ” We were challenged but I think that duel against RINDERER and WETZEL was the toughest for us at the tournament.” In the semi final SIDORENKO and GREBNEV lost the opening game against Jules CAVAILLE and Myshaal SABHI of France but as soon as they settled into the rhythm it was one-way street match. “It was not easy because we were nervous. It is our first final in Doubles and it is first time that we played against French pairings. After losing the first game our coach told us to calm down and to be focused only on table tennis ” said SIDORENKO. MOREGARDH and FRIIS needed two games to start the engine in the morning session against Bilal HAMACHE and Dorian ZHENG of France. “We had a strong team spirit so we managed to overcame 0:2. It was the first game today and unfortunately we missed few easy balls at the beginning. From the third game we started to attack more to the backhand since French pairings has very strong forehand ” said MOREGARDH. Final Vladimir SIDORENKO Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) – Truls MOREGARDH Martin FRIIS (Sweden) 2:3 (11:13 11:9 9:11 11:6 6:11) Semi final Vladimir SIDORENKO Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) – Jules CAVAILLE Myshaal SABHI (France) 3:1 (7:11 11:8 11:7 11:6) Bilal HAMACHE Dorian ZHENG (France) – Truls MOREGARDH Martin FRIIS (Sweden) 2:3 (11:7 13:11 7:11 7:11 8:11)
Elizabet ABRAAMIAN won second gold in Guimaraes
STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal After the success in the Cadet Girls Teams Event Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia added another gold to her collection. In the final of the Cadet Girls Singles Event she overcame Wenna TU of Germany.Bronze medal winners are Anastasia BONDAREVA of Germany and Elena – Adriana ZAHARIA of Romania. Elizabet ABRAAMIAN needed six games to prevailed against TU in the final. “It was close match like every time when we played against each other ” said Elizabet ABRAAMIAN. In the semi final Wenna TU established quick lead against her teammate Anastasia BONDAREVA. Anastasia managed to respond but TU was in command when it came to the finish. “It is the first time I reached the final in singles. I was nerveous in the beginning but from the start I was aggressive with my game. I won won because I was mentally better ” said TU. “All I want is to play my best table tennis ever.” Elizabet ABRAAMIAN gave Elena – Adriana ZAHARIA of Romania very little chance. “It was a hard match. I was ready mentally and tactically. Last time we met I won 4:3 now I was much better ” said ABRAAMIAN. Semi final Wenna TU (Germany) – Anastasia BONDAREVA (Germany) 4:2 (11:8 11:5 7:11 11:6 8:11 11:4) Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) – Elena – Adriana ZAHARIA (Romania) 4:1 (11:7 9:11 11:8 11:4 11:9) Final Wenna TU (Germany) – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (Russia) 2:4 (7:11 11:7 7:11 3:11 13:11 6:11)
Vladimir SIDORENKO defended his crown
STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal For a second time in the row Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia clinched the gold in the Cadet Boys Singles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. In the final he overcame Truls MOREGARDH of Sweden. Bronze medal winners are Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia. SIDORENKO faced very strong adversary in the final of the Event. “Truls had advantage. I was always in reverse against him he was the one who set the lead. It was so hard for me to defend the title. It was even harder then to won it first time ” said SIDORENKO. On his way to the fourth final SIDORENKO overcame Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland. “I already succeeded against him in the Team’s Event so I knew how to prepare the good tactics. The second game was important I recovered and won it by narrow margin ” said SIDORENKO. Once again MOREGARDH had a slow start at the Championships. Maksim GREBNEV of Russia had 3:1 advantage before Swede got wake up call and move to another gear. “I can not be very unhappy with my game the point is that Maksim played very well. I had a tactics for him I prepared myself but he showed extra class. His game was errorless and he put every ball to the table. I had to wait for my moment ” said MOREGARDH. Semi final Vladimir SIDORENKO (Russia)- Samuel KULCZYCKI (Poland) 4:2 (8:11 11:9 11:7 8:11 11:6 11:5) Truls MOREGARDH (Sweden) – Maksim GREBNEV (Russia) 4:3 (3:11 11:6 4:11 4:11 11:6 13:11 11:7) Final Vladimir SIDORENKO (Russia)- Truls MOREGARDH (Sweden) 4:2 (7:11 7:11 11:9 11:7 11:5 15:13)
Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS conquered Europe
STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal In the thrilling seven games duel Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece beat Romania’s Cristian PLETEA to clinch the title in the Junior Boy’s Singles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Portugal. Bronze medal winners are Simon SODERLUND of Sweden and Rares SIPOS оf Romania. Breathtaking final between SGOUROPOULOS and PLETEA insured us that the future of Old Continent’s table tennis is more then bright. In the fierce battle worth closing stages of the Continental Championships Greek player showed more skills and better nervous in the end. “I struggled with the fatigue in the middle of tha match after I was 3:1 up. PLETEA recovered and returned into the game. He was in the lead in seventh game but I forced myself to calm down ” explained SGOUROPOULOS. In the semi final Cristian PLETEA beat Simon SODERLUND of Sweden in straight but very close games. “Three games concluded by narrow margin today. It was because the pressure that semi final brought. I have the game for SODERLUND and I know how to beat him. Recently only two months ago it was the same straight games win. However the match for the final at the European championships is different story. Everything is harder here ” said PLETEA. Unlike in the first semis the other encounter was stretched to full distance. Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS needed seven games to overcame Rares SIPOS оf Romania. He won after he was 1:3 down. “I started the match by being anxious. So far SIPOS has the better record against me. When I was 1:3 down I started to play closer to the table used my forehand more ” said Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS. Semi final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) – Simon SODERLUND (Sweden) 4:0 (11:6 12:10 12:10 11:9) Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS (Greece) – Rares SIPOS (Romania) 4:3 (8:11 11:6 9:11 10:12 11:7 12:10 11:4) Final Cristian PLETEA (Romania) – Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS (Greece) (9:11 12:10 8:11 9:11 11:7 11:3 10:12)
