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!
Tarnobrzeg continues its reign in Poland
KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg won its 27th title in National League of Poland KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg continues its dominancy in Polish National League winning it 27th time. They beat twice in the final AZS UE Wroclaw first time away 3:1 then 3:0 at home. HAN Ying beat Natalia BAJOR 3:0 (11:2 13:11 11:5) in the opening game of the second leg. Viktoria PAVLOVICH was extended to full distance by GE Xinqi 3:2 (11:9 11:7 7:11 8:11 11:7) while Kinga STEFANSKA overcame Anna WEGRZYN 3:1 (11:7 10:12 11:2 11:8). Tarnobrzeg won first leg 3:1 thanks to Elizabeta SAMARA who took two points.
Seamaster ECLW final: Nothing is certain yet
Dr. Casl President Martin-Tino CASL speaks before second leg against Bursa this Friday May 18th (18:00) Croatian champion Dr. Casl has 3:2 (12:9) advantage from the first away leg of 2017/18 Seamaster ECLW final but actual ETTU Cup Women winner Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor is capable to erase that lead. President of Dr. Casl Marin-Tino CASL explained that he made a risky choice with line-up in first match (DOO no. 1 LI no. 2 YU no. 3)… “But it was worth it. We had a chance to win this game 3:0 and almost certainly win the title but unfortunately people play not numbers. Our leading player was such impressed by her debut in the ECLW finals hence she played far below expectations and her real value. I must be honest HU Melek played very well” stated Martin-Tino CASL. However President of Croatian side is satisfied by the outcome of the first game: “At the end we won and it`s the most important thing. Even set-ratio is not so bad: + 3. I hope DOO Hoi Kem will not have a stage fright this Friday and she will play like she usually does. I hope that our girls are capable to defend advantage they gained in the first game. But nothing is certain yet”…
