First semi-final games of the 2017/18 Seamaster ECLW to be held in Croatia and Turkey: Dr. Casl – Tarnobrzeg (Friday March 16) Bursa – Berlin (Sunday March 18) Top four seeds of the 2017/18 Seamaster ECLW are ready to play one against another in the first semi-final games this Friday and Sunday (March 16-18): Dr. Casl (no. 3 seed) – Tarnobrzeg (no. 1) Bursa (no. 4) – Berlin (no. 2). Berlin a four-time winner beat Tarnobrzeg in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 finals Bursa is the actual ETTU Cup winner whilst Croatian side is determined to make its best ever result and win the crown. “We think we`re gonna win semi-final. The team motivation is really high as we play the game at our own house. We are concentrated for this match and believe in ourselves that we`re able to win this game. Our Club takes very seriously table tennis branch. And I wish good luck to Berlin’s team” explains Bursa`s Coach Mehmet ASLAN. TTC Berlin Eastside signed Matilda EKHOLM and Nina MITTELHAM for the upcoming seasons. But who will play in the rest of this season explains Coach Irina PALINA: “The fact that we are playing in the Champions League semi-final this year I think is not a lesser achievement than the victory in the previous two seasons. We can only thank the players and especially Georgina (POTA) for the fantastic motivation and desire to play in the semifinals! Special thanks to Nana (SHAN Xiaona) who is getting ready to become a mother. She played till now and won important matches. So for Seamaster ECLW semifinal we have Georgina POTA Shiho MATSUDAIRA and … Irina PALINA”. Polish champions agrees with the statement of Dr. Casl`s President Martin-Tino CASL that their clash will be “the final before the final”. “I am sure that we`ll see the game at the highest possible level. It will be open clash likely decided by only one ball at the end” stated Coach Zbigniew NECEK for the website of KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg. 2017/18 Seamaster ECLW semi-finals first game Dr. Časl – KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg (March 16 18:00) Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor – TTC Berlin Eastside (March 18 14:00)
Reigning TTCLM champion secures huge advantage
First semi-final game: Sporting Club De Portugal – Fakel Gazprom Orenburg 0:3 Reigning TTCLM champion has secured huge advantage against TTCLM newcomer in the first semi-final game held in Lisbon: Sporting Club De Portugal – Fakel Gazprom Orenburg 0:3 (2:9). Opening match was tense and exciting but other two have been decided in straight games. Current world no. 24 Vladimir SAMSONOV was extended to full distance by no. 22 Quadri ARUNA in the opener losing two sets by a narrow margin. But Belarus player was in his full swing in the decisive set improving his season`s win-loss record to 7-0. In other two encounters Jun MUZUTANI (actual world no. 14) and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (no. 3) prevailed against Joao MONTEIRO (no. 55) and Diogo CARVALHO (no. 245) respectively. Japanese tops the list of individual scores with 9-0 while OVTCHAROV continues with 8-1. TTCLM semi-finals first game Sporting Club De Portugal – Fakel Gazprom Orenburg 0:3 Quadri ARUNA – Vladimir SAMSONOV 2:3 (4:11 12:10 6:11 12:10 7:11) Joao MONTEIRO – Jun MIZUTANI 0:3 (7:11 3:11 9:11) Diogo CARVALHO – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 0:3 (7:11 4:11 4:11)
Reigning TTCLM champion secures huge advantage
First semi-final game: Sporting Club De Portugal – Fakel Gazprom Orenburg 0:3 Reigning TTCLM champion has secured huge advantage against TTCLM newcomer in the first semi-final game held in Lisbon: Sporting Club De Portugal – Fakel Gazprom Orenburg 0:3 (2:9). Opening match was tense and exciting but other two have been decided in straight games. Current world no. 24 Vladimir SAMSONOV was extended to full distance by no. 22 Quadri ARUNA in the opener losing two sets by a narrow margin. But Belarus player was in his full swing in the decisive set improving his season`s win-loss record to 7-0. In other two encounters Jun MUZUTANI (actual world no. 14) and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (no. 3) prevailed against Joao MONTEIRO (no. 55) and Diogo CARVALHO (no. 245) respectively. Japanese tops the list of individual scores with 9-0 while OVTCHAROV continues with 8-1. TTCLM semi-finals first game Sporting Club De Portugal – Fakel Gazprom Orenburg 0:3 Quadri ARUNA – Vladimir SAMSONOV 2:3 (4:11 12:10 6:11 12:10 7:11) Joao MONTEIRO – Jun MIZUTANI 0:3 (7:11 3:11 9:11) Diogo CARVALHO – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 0:3 (7:11 4:11 4:11)
Ochsenhausen vs. Borussia – new stage in old rivalry
First semi-final games of 2017/18 TTCLM to be held this Thursday and Friday (March 15-16th). – Orenburg takes seriously newcomer Sporting First semi-final games of 2017/18 TTCLM will be held this Thursday and Friday (March 15-16th) confronting TTCLM newcomer Sporting Club De Portugal and reigning champion Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg (March 15th 19:00) and two German clubs TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen and Borussia Dusseldorf (March 16th 19:00). Ochsenhausen`s President Kristijan PEJINOVIC stressed for the club`s website that he is satisfied with this season so far looking forward to the reprise of the 2009 TTCLM final. He believes that the hall will be sold-out providing big support for the host side against Borussia. One of most intriguing questions is related with Simon GAUZY`s shape. Will he be able to deliver his usual contribution bearing in mind his recent injury… “Unfortunately that is not in our hands. He makes great progress having two decisive points against good players against Bad Königshofen. Every day he works on his form – whether it will be enough for the final phase we will have to wait and see.” PEJINOVIC believes that Ochsenhausen`s team spirit could provide an advantage in the upcoming matches: “First of all we are happy to be among the best four clubs in Europe. Despite strong individual players like Hugo CALDERANO it’s clear that we will succeed only as a team. The willingness of everyone to give their best for the team is there and that’s why we do not want to stop here in the semifinals. The team is young and hungry and shows this impressively from game to game. The chances are definitely there and we have to see in what condition our team will be but also the Borussia including Timo BOLL.” Borussia has on its side actual World no. 1 Timo BOLL but he was beaten recently by Ochsenhausen`s 21-year-old Hugo CALDERANO in five games of the Qatar Open Round 2. “I hope I’ll do a bit better on Friday and he’ll play a bit worse ” said Timo BOLL for Borussia`s website. “Then it can also be enough for a win again. For us Simon GAUZY is a big unknown as we are not sure about his current shape. How good he really is at the moment we’ll see on Friday. Basically anyone from the Ochsenhausen`s team can score against any of us that’s what makes it so exciting. “ Borussia`s Manager Andreas PREUSS predicts tense fight: “I currently do not see a real favorite. The only thing that’s clear is that every set counts because there’s still a second leg.” Regarding other semi-final Fakel-Gazprom Coach Viktor ANDREEV has emphasized that his side faces very strong opponent third time in the season after 1-1 mutual score in the group stage: “The upcoming fight is expected to be very tense and difficult but all players of the Fakel-Gazprom club are determined to win”. Sporting Team Manager Gonçalo CASTANHEIRA is delighted by the performances of his side so far but he hopes that Joao MONTEIRO & Co. are capable for something bigger: “Now everything is possible. We have achieved the goals required so we are with less pressure to be able to give the maximum game to game and to present our fantastic audience with highly emotive and spectacular games. Whatever happens now we “will never take the eyes off the ball”. TTCLM Semi-finals first game Sporting Clube De Portugal – Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg (March 15th 19:00) TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen – Borussia Dusseldorf (March 16th 19:00)
Ochsenhausen vs. Borussia – new stage in old rivalry
First semi-final games of 2017/18 TTCLM to be held this Thursday and Friday (March 15-16th). – Orenburg takes seriously newcomer Sporting First semi-final games of 2017/18 TTCLM will be held this Thursday and Friday (March 15-16th) confronting TTCLM newcomer Sporting Club De Portugal and reigning champion Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg (March 15th 19:00) and two German clubs TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen and Borussia Dusseldorf (March 16th 19:00). Ochsenhausen`s President Kristijan PEJINOVIC stressed for the club`s website that he is satisfied with this season so far looking forward to the reprise of the 2009 TTCLM final. He believes that the hall will be sold-out providing big support for the host side against Borussia. One of most intriguing questions is related with Simon GAUZY`s shape. Will he be able to deliver his usual contribution bearing in mind his recent injury… “Unfortunately that is not in our hands. He makes great progress having two decisive points against good players against Bad Königshofen. Every day he works on his form – whether it will be enough for the final phase we will have to wait and see.” PEJINOVIC believes that Ochsenhausen`s team spirit could provide an advantage in the upcoming matches: “First of all we are happy to be among the best four clubs in Europe. Despite strong individual players like Hugo CALDERANO it’s clear that we will succeed only as a team. The willingness of everyone to give their best for the team is there and that’s why we do not want to stop here in the semifinals. The team is young and hungry and shows this impressively from game to game. The chances are definitely there and we have to see in what condition our team will be but also the Borussia including Timo BOLL.” Borussia has on its side actual World no. 1 Timo BOLL but he was beaten recently by Ochsenhausen`s 21-year-old Hugo CALDERANO in five games of the Qatar Open Round 2. “I hope I’ll do a bit better on Friday and he’ll play a bit worse ” said Timo BOLL for Borussia`s website. “Then it can also be enough for a win again. For us Simon GAUZY is a big unknown as we are not sure about his current shape. How good he really is at the moment we’ll see on Friday. Basically anyone from the Ochsenhausen`s team can score against any of us that’s what makes it so exciting. “ Borussia`s Manager Andreas PREUSS predicts tense fight: “I currently do not see a real favorite. The only thing that’s clear is that every set counts because there’s still a second leg.” Regarding other semi-final Fakel-Gazprom Coach Viktor ANDREEV has emphasized that his side faces very strong opponent third time in the season after 1-1 mutual score in the group stage: “The upcoming fight is expected to be very tense and difficult but all players of the Fakel-Gazprom club are determined to win”. Sporting Team Manager Gonçalo CASTANHEIRA is delighted by the performances of his side so far but he hopes that Joao MONTEIRO & Co. are capable for something bigger: “Now everything is possible. We have achieved the goals required so we are with less pressure to be able to give the maximum game to game and to present our fantastic audience with highly emotive and spectacular games. Whatever happens now we “will never take the eyes off the ball”. TTCLM Semi-finals first game Sporting Clube De Portugal – Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg (March 15th 19:00) TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen – Borussia Dusseldorf (March 16th 19:00)
athlete role model for the upcoming third Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires
Galia DVORAK will be the athlete role model for the upcoming third Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Galia is the Chair of the ETTU Athletes’ Commission. She has been playing many years in Spanish national team and in 2017 start to work in ETTU. Galia wrote 10 facts about herself: I can speak fluently 4 languages: Spanish Catalan English Russian. Slowly improving in French. I was born in Kiev but my parents moved to Spain when I was a bit less than 2 years old. My parents were both pro TT players. My dad was even bronze medalist in World Champs (team event) . When I started to play I was a defender! I won Spanish senior singles championships for the first time at the age of 13! I am a total “Potterhead”. I read “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s stone” more than 10 times. My parents and Ovtcharov’s parents are close friends. When I was child we would meet in vacation (and of course we would play some TT). My full name is Galyna Volodymyrivna Dvorak Khasanova Absolutely addicted to Indian food and ice-cream. I am not 30 yet and already been 3 times at the Olympics!
Dr. Casl ready for “the final before the final”
President of Croatian club Martin-Tino CASL looks forward to the Seamaster ECLW semi-final leg no. 1 against top seed KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg (March 16 18:00) First of two Seamaster ECLW semi-finals will be held this Friday March 16 in the Croatian city of Zagreb where no. 3 seed Dr. Casl hosts no. 1 KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg. Seven Top 50 world players promise big fight DOO Hoi Kem (world no. 11) LI Jie (no. 18) and FU Yu (no. 36) from the host side and Elizabeta SAMARA (no. 22) HAN Ying (no. 41) LI Qian (no. 42) and Viktoria PAVLOVICH (no. 49) from the Polish champion. Both sides are dominating in their national leagues. Two-time ECLW winner LI Jie (2008 and 2010 champion with Dutch side Heerlen) actual best ranked European player at the ITTF World ranking list had several significant results in last three years like two ITTF Europe-Top 16 finals (2017 winner 2018 runner-up) and Women`s Singles silver at the 2015 European Championships. In same three years 2015-18 Tarnobrzeg`s Elizabeta SAMARA won one ECLW crown (with Fenerbahce 2015) European Championships Singles gold (2015) and bronze (2016) and 2018 ITTF Europe-Top 16 bronze. “It`s obvious that we have the best season in our history but size of success depends on the upcoming games against Tarnobrzeg” stressed President of Croatian champion Martin-Tino CASL. “It will be the final before the final. These two teams are definitely two strongest sides in Europe in this moment I would say – even in the world hence nobody can predict the winner. On both sides we will see world class players. Dr. Casl will fight for its 78th consecutive victory in all competitions so its President stated: “Special motivation comes from the fact that we won 77 consecutive matches in last three years. This is very important for our self-confidence. In last five months we had 30 games and each of them we won easily many times with the highest possible score as we did it twice against very respectable club of Szekszard in the group stage”. Martin-Tino CASL believes that this season will be special one for his club: “Next three months are crucial for us facing the most important matches in four different competitions: Seamaster ECLW Super League Croatian National Championships and Croatian Cup. We are determined to go down in history by winning all four titles. But we must be patient preparing ourselves from game to game”.Concerning other semi-final clash I expect Bursa`s win (they play against reigning champion Berlin this Sunday). I hope that we will see them in the final.”
ETTU Eurotalents HOPES Selection Camp the entry deadline is 19th March 2018
Luxembourg 2 – 9 April 2018 The ETTU Eurotalents HOPES Selection Camp in Luxembourg will be held from 2nd to 9th April 2018. Each Association may nominate two players (2 girls and 2 boys born on or later than 1st January 2006) and one accompanying coach. SCHEDULE: 2 April: Arrival day and meeting with coaches. 3 – 8 April: Training camp (with tournament) 9 April: Departure day. COACHES FOR THE CAMP: Martin OSTERMANN (Luxembourg) Head Coach (Organizer) XIA Cheng Assistant Coach (Organizer) ZHANG Yining (China) Coach (CTTC/CTTA) N.N. (China) Coach (CTTC/CTTA) Neven CEGNAR (ETTU) Head Coach (ETTU) And chinese training partners ORGANIZER: CTTC-E and FLTT in cooperation with ETTU Eurotalents Programme (TI&S) and Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) China Table Tennis College (CTTC) ITTF and Tibhar. DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Associations should sent their entries not later than 19 March 2018 to CTTC-E – info@cttce.lu FLTT (Patrick Massen) – fltt@pt.lu with cc. to ETTU (Zita Pidl ETTU Project Consultant) – zpidl.ettu@gmail.com
LI Fen and Peter SARTZ explains footwork technic and passive play in table tennis
ETTU / ITTF Women Coaches Seminar 2018 The European Table Tennis Union in cooperation with the Swedish Table Tennis Association invites all European female coaches to the ETTU Women Coaches Seminar which will be held in Halmstad (Sweden) 6 – 8 May 2018. ETTU Women Coaches Seminar is part of the ITTF/ETTU Development Program and it is primarily intended for all European female coaches but female coaches from other continents are welcome too. Topics „Footwork technic“ – (Theoretical lecture and Practical workout) – LI Fen „Passive play in table tennis“ – (Theoretical lecture and Practical workout) – Peter SARTZ Lecturers Li Fen (SWE) & Peter Sartz (SWE) Venue Practical and Theoretical sessions: Halmstad Arena Entry: Entries and wishes for accommodation shall be sent not later than: Monday 16th April 2018 by e-mail to: SWE TTA – Emma Persson National Team Coordinator (emma.persson@svenskbordtennis.com) with cc. to ETTU administration – Zita Pidl Project Consultant (zpidl.ettu@gmail.com) Program Sunday 6 May Arrival at Hotel (check in after 12:00) 17:00 – 19:45 Theoretical Lecture (Peter Sartz) 20:00 Dinner Monday 7 May 09:00 – 12:00 Practical Workout (Peter Sartz) 13:00 Lunch 15:00 – 18:00 Theoretical Lecture (Li Fen) 19:00 Dinner Tuesday 8 May 09:00 – 12:00 Practical Workout (Li Fen) 12:30 Lunch and Departure
ETTU Eurotalents HOPES Selection Camp the entry deadline is 19th March 2018
Luxembourg 2 – 9 April 2018 The ETTU Eurotalents HOPES Selection Camp in Luxembourg will be held from 2nd to 9th April 2018. Each Association may nominate two players (2 girls and 2 boys born on or later than 1st January 2006) and one accompanying coach. SCHEDULE: 2 April: Arrival day and meeting with coaches. 3 – 8 April: Training camp (with tournament) 9 April: Departure day. COACHES FOR THE CAMP: Martin OSTERMANN (Luxembourg) Head Coach (Organizer) XIA Cheng Assistant Coach (Organizer) ZHANG Yining (China) Coach (CTTC/CTTA) N.N. (China) Coach (CTTC/CTTA) Neven CEGNAR (ETTU) Head Coach (ETTU) And chinese training partners ORGANIZER: CTTC-E and FLTT in cooperation with ETTU Eurotalents Programme (TI&S) and Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) China Table Tennis College (CTTC) ITTF and Tibhar. DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Associations should sent their entries not later than 19 March 2018 to CTTC-E – info@cttce.lu FLTT (Patrick Massen) – fltt@pt.lu with cc. to ETTU (Zita Pidl ETTU Project Consultant) – zpidl.ettu@gmail.com
