“The dream to play in the final we will leave for next year with Matilda (EKHOLM) and Nina (MITTELHAM)” stated Berlin`s Coach Irina PALINA speaking about game against Bursa Actual ETTU Cup Women winner Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor travels to Berlin with a huge advantage 3:0 (9:3) secured in the first semi-final leg of the 2017/18 Seamaster European Champions League Women. Second match will be held this Friday April 6 (19:00) on the soil of the reigning ECLW champion. “It’s difficult something to say… Maybe if we had luck and played better could be another result but now it’s 0:3 and we have just to play second match and try to play nice for our Berlin spectators. The dream to play in the final we will leave for the next year with Matilda (EKHOLM) and Nina (MITTELHAM)” stated Berlin`s Coach Irina PALINA whose side signed two strong players for the next season. Bursa`s Coach Mehmet ASLAN is aware how close his team is to the historic result first ever Seamaster ECLW final: “Securing 3:0 win against the best team of Germany was even better that our expectations. We have secured serious advantage and it is time to use it in second round and qualify to the final”. Seamaster ECLW semi-final second match TTC Berlin Eastside – Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor (April 6 19:00) 1st leg 0:3 KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg – Dr. Casl (April 7 18:00) 1st leg 3:2
Seamaster ECLW semis: For Berlin second leg is a formality
“The dream to play in the final we will leave for next year with Matilda (EKHOLM) and Nina (MITTELHAM)” stated Berlin`s Coach Irina PALINA speaking about game against Bursa Actual ETTU Cup Women winner Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor travels to Berlin with a huge advantage 3:0 (9:3) secured in the first semi-final leg of the 2017/18 Seamaster European Champions League Women. Second match will be held this Friday April 6 (19:00) on the soil of the reigning ECLW champion. “It’s difficult something to say… Maybe if we had luck and played better could be another result but now it’s 0:3 and we have just to play second match and try to play nice for our Berlin spectators. The dream to play in the final we will leave for the next year with Matilda (EKHOLM) and Nina (MITTELHAM)” stated Berlin`s Coach Irina PALINA whose side signed two strong players for the next season. Bursa`s Coach Mehmet ASLAN is aware how close his team is to the historic result first ever Seamaster ECLW final: “Securing 3:0 win against the best team of Germany was even better that our expectations. We have secured serious advantage and it is time to use it in second round and qualify to the final”. Seamaster ECLW semi-final second match TTC Berlin Eastside – Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor (April 6 19:00) 1st leg 0:3 KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg – Dr. Casl (April 7 18:00) 1st leg 3:2
TTCLM semis 2nd leg: Timo BOLL sees Ochsenhausen`s young players as a huge inspiration
“GAUZY and CALDERANO are two players I do not really like to play against. I really have to fight against both even if I am very fit” stated Borussia`s player. Second legs to be held this Friday April 6th Borussia Dusseldorf and TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen will meet in another Table Tennis Champions League Men classic after many great clashes in the past. This time they are going to fight in the second leg of the 2017/18 TTCLM this Friday (April 6th 19:00) in Dusseldorf after 3:2 win of Ochsenhausen in the first game held three weeks ago. Host side is determined to repeat last year`s score (Borussia lost 3:2 in the first quarter-final leg but won 3:1 at home) while Ochsenhausen promises big fight aiming its first TTCLM final after 2009 (Borussia won the title). Borussia`s Manager Andreas PREUSS puts pressure on the opposite side giving them role of favorite: “Of course it would be much better to have a victory on the back. Ochsenhausen is the favourite because of the first leg. I think our chance to progress at 30 percent. On the other side we already turned much different results. Everybody in the team knows his job and we are able to win this game as high as we have to. Especially in front of our own fans it is not easy to win against us. The ARAG CenterCourt will be on fire on Friday.” Coach Danny HEISTER believes that Timo BOLL is ready to collect two points in spite of having 1-1 score in the first leg (lost to Simon GAUZY and was extended to full distance by CALDERANO): “We already said that we saved Kristian (KARLSSON) on last Thursday in TTBL. He practiced the whole week and worked with our physiotherapist on his injury too. He is as fit as the others. Of course a lot depends on Timo (BOLL). If he is fit enough to get two points we would have good chances. But we also have to be prepared in case he´s losing one of these matches as in Ochsenhausen. If this happens the others have to be on top top level.” Timo BOLL is aware what he must do in order to provide his team`s place in the TTCLM final: “GAUZY and CALDERANO are two players I do not really like to play against. I really have to fight against both even if I am very fit. I hope I will get two points on Friday so we move into the final.” Ochsenhausen`s Sport Manager Daniel ZWICKL looks forward to two important games in the last three days of this week (other match is Bundesliga`s semi-final against Fulda-Maberzell April 8th). “We’re just happy to have the opportunity to play two semi-finals in spite of having hard week with injured and sick players. It`s obvious that we`re facing two interesting and exciting games.The others might feel pressure but we just look forward to it. There is a positive mood in the team and attitude of all five players is great. “ Ochsenhausen`s President Kristijan PEJINOVIC stressed that his side enters the second leg “with optimal conditions”: “What will happen we will see. The guys are in a good mood and want to enjoy the upcoming games. Both teams know each other very well. Last time it was not enough because we lost return leg in Dusseldorf 1:3. This time we`ll see if the team is mature enough to master such a big challenge.” TTCLM semi-finals second games Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – Sporting Clube De Portugal (April 6 14:00) 1st leg 3:0 Borussia Dusseldorf – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen (April 6 19:00) 1st leg 2:3
TTCLM semis 2nd leg: Timo BOLL sees Ochsenhausen`s young players as a huge inspiration
“GAUZY and CALDERANO are two players I do not really like to play against. I really have to fight against both even if I am very fit” stated Borussia`s player. Second legs to be held this Friday April 6th Borussia Dusseldorf and TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen will meet in another Table Tennis Champions League Men classic after many great clashes in the past. This time they are going to fight in the second leg of the 2017/18 TTCLM this Friday (April 6th 19:00) in Dusseldorf after 3:2 win of Ochsenhausen in the first game held three weeks ago. Host side is determined to repeat last year`s score (Borussia lost 3:2 in the first quarter-final leg but won 3:1 at home) while Ochsenhausen promises big fight aiming its first TTCLM final after 2009 (Borussia won the title). Borussia`s Manager Andreas PREUSS puts pressure on the opposite side giving them role of favorite: “Of course it would be much better to have a victory on the back. Ochsenhausen is the favourite because of the first leg. I think our chance to progress at 30 percent. On the other side we already turned much different results. Everybody in the team knows his job and we are able to win this game as high as we have to. Especially in front of our own fans it is not easy to win against us. The ARAG CenterCourt will be on fire on Friday.” Coach Danny HEISTER believes that Timo BOLL is ready to collect two points in spite of having 1-1 score in the first leg (lost to Simon GAUZY and was extended to full distance by CALDERANO): “We already said that we saved Kristian (KARLSSON) on last Thursday in TTBL. He practiced the whole week and worked with our physiotherapist on his injury too. He is as fit as the others. Of course a lot depends on Timo (BOLL). If he is fit enough to get two points we would have good chances. But we also have to be prepared in case he´s losing one of these matches as in Ochsenhausen. If this happens the others have to be on top top level.” Timo BOLL is aware what he must do in order to provide his team`s place in the TTCLM final: “GAUZY and CALDERANO are two players I do not really like to play against. I really have to fight against both even if I am very fit. I hope I will get two points on Friday so we move into the final.” Ochsenhausen`s Sport Manager Daniel ZWICKL looks forward to two important games in the last three days of this week (other match is Bundesliga`s semi-final against Fulda-Maberzell April 8th). “We’re just happy to have the opportunity to play two semi-finals in spite of having hard week with injured and sick players. It`s obvious that we`re facing two interesting and exciting games.The others might feel pressure but we just look forward to it. There is a positive mood in the team and attitude of all five players is great. “ Ochsenhausen`s President Kristijan PEJINOVIC stressed that his side enters the second leg “with optimal conditions”: “What will happen we will see. The guys are in a good mood and want to enjoy the upcoming games. Both teams know each other very well. Last time it was not enough because we lost return leg in Dusseldorf 1:3. This time we`ll see if the team is mature enough to master such a big challenge.” TTCLM semi-finals second games Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – Sporting Clube De Portugal (April 6 14:00) 1st leg 3:0 Borussia Dusseldorf – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen (April 6 19:00) 1st leg 2:3
Dr. Casl confident in its win in Poland
Second leg of Seamaster ECLW semi-finals will be held this Saturday (April 7 18:00) in Tarnobrzeg Seamaster ECLW no. 1 seed KTS Enea Sairka Tarnobrzeg won first semi-final thriller against Dr. Casl 3:2 (10:11) held three weeks ago in Zagreb but Croatian side has no doubt that the second leg belongs to them. “To be honest we were expecting a victory in the first match. Unfortunately one ball has been decided in their favor. However I am confident in our win in Poland” stated President of Croatian club Martin-Tino CASL. LI Jie lost both her games against Elizabeta SAMARA and LI Qian but CASL see her in a winning mode in Poland: „It’s not possible to see our best ranked European player LI Jie losing four encounters in the semi-finals. She lost her first two matches but now I am sure that she will take one at least. FU Yu showed that she’s able to beat HAN Ying in spite of being defeated in the close first tense clash in Zagreb. Regarding ZHOU I am expecting from her to continue her nice winning streak. If the host side change again positions of their players in the line-up no problem. It’s better for FU to play against LI Qian as well as for LI Jie against HAN Ying. She overcame Elizabeta SAMARA in the semis of the ITTF-Europe Top 16 hence I expect see her to repeat it in Poland”.
China’s Fan Takes World Number One Spot for the First Time
21-year-old FAN Zhendong (CHN) has overtook table tennis legend Timo BOLL (GER) to become the new world number one for the first time in his career on the new April 2018 ITTF World Ranking released yesterday. The 2017 World Championships silver medalist FAN who took the world number two spot since November 2015 won the prestigious title at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open earlier in March to earn him the world ranking points to top the chart this month. “It is an amazing feeling to become the word number one it has always been a big dream of mine. I hope I can keep this position for a very long time ” stated FAN after receiving the news that he will take over the top spot on the new World Ranking. BOLL who made history last month to become the oldest world number one at 36-years-old 22 months and 21 days old on 1 March after rolling back the years to reclaim the top spot settles at number two one place ahead of compatriot Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER). FAN’s teammate XU Xin and LIN Gaoyuan takes the fourth and fifth place respectively while reigning World & Olympic Champion MA Long whose ranking fell due to inactivity in 2017 makes his way back up the chart to number six this month after taking Gold at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Bremen last week. Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO’s world ranking rose to a career new high at number 12 after a successful outing in Qatar upsetting several top stars to make the finals. In the Women’s ranking China’s CHEN Meng reclaims the world number one position from colleague ZHU Yuling after reaching semifinals at the Qatar Open while ZHU was knocked out of the tournament early in the Round of 32 by eventual Champion LIU Shiwen (CHN) whose ranking rose from 20 in March to 10 this month. Japan’s Kasumi ISHIKAWA & Singapore’s FENG Tianwei remains at three and four on the April’s World Ranking list while Qatar Open finalist WANG Manyu climbed two places up to settle fifth and round up the top 5 on the Women’s World Ranking. This comes under the effect of the newly developed ITTF World Ranking which will present a more accurate measure and realistic representation of the playing level of athlete’s current performance as well as to ensure that the World Ranking better supports ITTF events. The world’s top stars will now make full preparations for the biggest table tennis event of the year the Liebherr 2018 World Team Table Tennis Championships to be held in Halmstad Sweden from 29 April to 6 May 2018.
Silver for Robert GARDOS and Luxembourg’s pairings
ITTF Challenge Spanish Open Korea’s KIM Minhyeok he won the Men’s Singles title in Spain. In the final of the Men’s Singles at the 2018 ITTF Challenge Spanish Open in Guadalajara he beat Austria’s Robert GARDOS the no.2 seed in five games (11-9 5-11 11-5 11-6 14-12) Stay close to the table attack quickly especially from the backhand was the tactic required by Robert GARDOS against KIM Minhyeok who preferred to extol his skills from the so-called half distance. Robert GARDOS won the second game but with Kim Minhyeok always the favorite in forehand top spin rallies the third and fourth games both went to the 21 year old Korean. In the final of the Women’s Singles Event Japan’s Saki SHIBATA the no.5 seed beat colleague Hitiomi SATO the top seed in six games (11-5 11-9 11-6 13-15 6-11 11-7). Success for Saki SHIBATA meant that she departed Guadalajara the most successful player in the whole tournament; the previous day she had won the Under 21 Women’s Singles event beating Korea’s KIM Youjin in the final (11-2 11-8 11-6). Meanwhile for Kim Minhyeok it was the end of a long journey. He had started his quest for honors four days earlier in the qualification tournament; overall he played eight matches to secure the title. Partnering CHO Eonrae the duo having likewise started their campaign in the qualification tournament finished in runners up spot in the Men’s Doubles event. On the concluding day of play they were beaten at the final hurdle by colleagues An Jaehyun and Cho Seungmin the top seeds (11-8 11-9 11-3 11-4). Success for CHO Seungmin and like Saki SHIBATA he departed Guadalajara with two titles to his name; the previous day he had won the Under 21 Men’s Singles title beating Germany’s Tobias HIPPLER in the final (11-9 11-6 11-4). Meanwhile for Hitomi Sato there was a degree of consolation partnering Honoka Hashimoto and occupying the top seeded position in the competition the duo won the Women’s Doubles title the opening contest on the concluding day’s schedule. In the title deciding contest they overcame Luxembourg’s Sarah de NUTTE and NI Xialian (11-8 11-7 11-4).
Silver for Robert GARDOS and Luxembourg’s pairings
ITTF Challenge Spanish Open Korea’s KIM Minhyeok he won the Men’s Singles title in Spain. In the final of the Men’s Singles at the 2018 ITTF Challenge Spanish Open in Guadalajara he beat Austria’s Robert GARDOS the no.2 seed in five games (11-9 5-11 11-5 11-6 14-12) Stay close to the table attack quickly especially from the backhand was the tactic required by Robert GARDOS against KIM Minhyeok who preferred to extol his skills from the so-called half distance. Robert GARDOS won the second game but with Kim Minhyeok always the favorite in forehand top spin rallies the third and fourth games both went to the 21 year old Korean. In the final of the Women’s Singles Event Japan’s Saki SHIBATA the no.5 seed beat colleague Hitiomi SATO the top seed in six games (11-5 11-9 11-6 13-15 6-11 11-7). Success for Saki SHIBATA meant that she departed Guadalajara the most successful player in the whole tournament; the previous day she had won the Under 21 Women’s Singles event beating Korea’s KIM Youjin in the final (11-2 11-8 11-6). Meanwhile for Kim Minhyeok it was the end of a long journey. He had started his quest for honors four days earlier in the qualification tournament; overall he played eight matches to secure the title. Partnering CHO Eonrae the duo having likewise started their campaign in the qualification tournament finished in runners up spot in the Men’s Doubles event. On the concluding day of play they were beaten at the final hurdle by colleagues An Jaehyun and Cho Seungmin the top seeds (11-8 11-9 11-3 11-4). Success for CHO Seungmin and like Saki SHIBATA he departed Guadalajara with two titles to his name; the previous day he had won the Under 21 Men’s Singles title beating Germany’s Tobias HIPPLER in the final (11-9 11-6 11-4). Meanwhile for Hitomi Sato there was a degree of consolation partnering Honoka Hashimoto and occupying the top seeded position in the competition the duo won the Women’s Doubles title the opening contest on the concluding day’s schedule. In the title deciding contest they overcame Luxembourg’s Sarah de NUTTE and NI Xialian (11-8 11-7 11-4).
ITTF Museum Officially Launched in Shanghai China
The ITTF Museum home to over 8 000 table tennis exhibits has officially opened together with the China Table Tennis Museum in Shanghai. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Museum has officially opened today 31 March 2018 in Shanghai China together with the China Table Tennis Museum. The ITTF Museum which was originally housed at the ITTF Headquarters in Lausanne Switzerland made its star-studded opening with ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT Honorary President XU Yinsheng Vice Mayor of Shanghai WENG Tiehui and Deputy Director of Admission of Sport of China CAI Zhenhua as well as World & Olympic Champions ZHANG Yining WANG Liqin Jorgen PERSSON and LI Xiaoxia. Upon the opening of the museum ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT shared “It’s a great honour to be here at the Opening Ceremony of the ITTF and China Table Tennis Museum I truly wish the museum could be a new window for promoting table tennis culture and inheriting table tennis spirit. China has made great contributions to our sport hence we decided to move our ITTF Museum from Lausanne to Shanghai where we believe it will bring more opportunities and benefits in showcasing our sport. ” “The ITTF is pleased to see the museum embrace visitors from all over the world with a new appearance and we will continue to give maximum support including future world exhibitions an ITTF documentation center and ITTF liaison center making it more comprehensive and professional. Meanwhile the ITTF will donate items and documents to the museum after each World Championships and World Cups.” Home to over 8 000 table tennis exhibits the ITTF Museum houses the most extensive range of table tennis items detailing the past century of development in the sport and showcases exclusive exhibits such as the first pair of table tennis rackets and items from past Champions including shirt from DENG Yaping and sneakers from ZHANG Jike. The Museum features several sections across four floors including exhibitions galleries Hall of Fame a 3D movie theatre as well as a multimedia interactive zone where visitors can play against World Champions using VR technology in the museum. Talks with World Champions table tennis experts and table tennis stars will also be held at the museum from time to time. The Museum is located at 796 Jumen Road Huangpu District Shanghai China and opens from 9am to 5pm from Tuesday to Sunday with last admissions at 4pm.
ITTF confirms new three-year collaboration with Eurosport to cover world-class events in build up to Tokyo 2020
Eurosport to broadcast over 120 hours of the ITTF World Tour over the next three years The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is excited to announce that it has extended its partnership with Eurosport which will continue to show the sport’s major events until 2020. The Europe-wide deal will see Eurosport broadcast all ITTF’s major events including the ITTF World Championships ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cups ITTF World Tour Platinum and the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals. Eurosport will broadcast over 120 hours of live action delayed coverage and highlights over the next three years across its two television channels and online at eurosport.com as well as the Eurosport App. As part of the collaboration which began in 2014 Eurosport will continue to promote the ITTF’s events and commercial partnerships in Europe. Laurent Prud’homme SVP Rights Acquisitions at Eurosport said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the ITTF and to have the opportunity to offer world-class table tennis to millions of viewers across the continent. “As Home of the Olympics in Europe Eurosport has a strong tradition of showcasing Olympic sports all-year round and we are pleased this agreement will contribute to this. “With the biggest events of the world tour to be broadcast on Eurosport our viewers will be able to watch the very best table tennis on the journey to Tokyo 2020.” Matt Pound Head of Media at ITTF added: “Since taking its commercial rights in house in 2017 the ITTF has made commercial and media growth a priority for all our products and partnerships like this one with Eurosport is a testament to the new strategy. We are thrilled to renew our relationship with the number one sport destination in Europe with Eurosport continuing to promote table tennis across the continent leading up to 2020.” The agreement which runs for the period 2018-2020 includes the following events: ETTU European Table Tennis Championships Table Tennis Top 16 ITTF Team World Cup ITTF World Team Championships ITTF Men’s World Cup ITTF Women’s World Cup ITTF World Tour Platinum Events ITTF World Tour Finals Key table tennis events broadcast on Eurosport in 2018: 24-25 March: ITTF World Tour Platinum Event German Open Bremen 29 April–6 May: ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships 2-3 June: ITTF World Tour Platinum Event China Open Shenzhen 21-22 July: ITTF World Tour Platinum Event Korean Open Incheon 29-30 September: ITTF Women’s World Cup Chengdu China 6-7 October: ITTF World Tour Platinum Event Austrian Open Linz 20-21 October: ITTF Men’s World Cup Paris France 10-11 November: ITTF World Tour Platinum Event Australian Open Gold Coast TBC: ITTF World Tour Grand Finals
