Italian National Championships   The Italian Championships was held in PalaTennistavolo “Aldo De Santis” in the city of Terni. In Men’s Singles Niagol STOYANOV after the final of last year won the tournament for the second time (the first was in 2014). In the final match he beat in seven games Leonardo MUTTI. Mihai BOBOCICA the champion in 2017 and Matteo MUTTI Leonardo’s younger brother won the bronze medal.   In Women’s Singles Giorgia PICCOLIN became champion for the first time in her career by defeating in six games Jamila LAURENTI only 15 years old. Debora VIVARELLI and Cristina SEMENZA were placed third.   In Men’s Doubles Marco RECH DALDOSSO and Niagol STOYANOV doubled the win which occurred in 2017. They accounted for Daniele PINTO and Antonino AMATO in three games while Damiano SERETTI and Luca BRESSAN and Alessandro BACIOCCHI and Jordy PICCOLIN shared the third step of the podium.   In Women’s Doubles Chiara COLANTONI and Le THI HONG LOAN overcame in four games Giorgia PICCOLIN and Veronica MOSCONI and Debora VIVARELLI and Giulia CAVALLI and Eva CARLI and Katja MILIC settled for third place.   In Mixed Doubles the new champions are Paolo BISI and Debora VIVARELLI who got better of Daniele PINTO and Le THI HONG LOAN in five games. Bronze medalists were Marco RECH DALDOSSO and Chiara COLANTONI and Jordy and Giorgia PICCOLIN.

Italian National Championships   The Italian Championships was held in PalaTennistavolo “Aldo De Santis” in the city of Terni. In Men’s Singles Niagol STOYANOV after the final of last year won the tournament for the second time (the first was in 2014). In the final match he beat in seven games Leonardo MUTTI. Mihai BOBOCICA the champion in 2017 and Matteo MUTTI Leonardo’s younger brother won the bronze medal.   In Women’s Singles Giorgia PICCOLIN became champion for the first time in her career by defeating in six games Jamila LAURENTI only 15 years old. Debora VIVARELLI and Cristina SEMENZA were placed third.   In Men’s Doubles Marco RECH DALDOSSO and Niagol STOYANOV doubled the win which occurred in 2017. They accounted for Daniele PINTO and Antonino AMATO in three games while Damiano SERETTI and Luca BRESSAN and Alessandro BACIOCCHI and Jordy PICCOLIN shared the third step of the podium.   In Women’s Doubles Chiara COLANTONI and Le THI HONG LOAN overcame in four games Giorgia PICCOLIN and Veronica MOSCONI and Debora VIVARELLI and Giulia CAVALLI and Eva CARLI and Katja MILIC settled for third place.   In Mixed Doubles the new champions are Paolo BISI and Debora VIVARELLI who got better of Daniele PINTO and Le THI HONG LOAN in five games. Bronze medalists were Marco RECH DALDOSSO and Chiara COLANTONI and Jordy and Giorgia PICCOLIN.

Latvian National Championships   Sabina MUSAEVA aged 14 became one of the youngest national champions in Europe. She upset the odds to clinch the title of Latvian National Championships defeating four-time winner Baiba BOGDANOVA after full seven games with result 4:3 (11:9 12:10 6:11 7:11 11:3 11:13 13:11).   Antra VINERTE and Inga BIRZNIECE have reached bronze in the Women`s Singles event. In the reprise of the Men`s Singles final Arturs REINHOLDS again beat Olegs KARTUZOVS 4:1 (11:9 7:11 11:8 11:9 11:6). Bronze medalists are Rihards MENCIS and Leonīds MASLOVS.   Baiba BOGDANOVA and Antra VĪNERTE are Women`s Doubles winners as they beat in the final Ina JOZEPSONE and Margarita JUDINA in straight games 3:0 (11:7 12:10 11:8). Olegs KARTUZOVS and Rihards MENCIS clinched Men`s Doubles gold beating Artūrs REINHOLDS and Leonīds MASLOVS also in three games 3:0 (11:8 11:6 11:8).

Latvian National Championships   Sabina MUSAEVA aged 14 became one of the youngest national champions in Europe. She upset the odds to clinch the title of Latvian National Championships defeating four-time winner Baiba BOGDANOVA after full seven games with result 4:3 (11:9 12:10 6:11 7:11 11:3 11:13 13:11).   Antra VINERTE and Inga BIRZNIECE have reached bronze in the Women`s Singles event. In the reprise of the Men`s Singles final Arturs REINHOLDS again beat Olegs KARTUZOVS 4:1 (11:9 7:11 11:8 11:9 11:6). Bronze medalists are Rihards MENCIS and Leonīds MASLOVS.   Baiba BOGDANOVA and Antra VĪNERTE are Women`s Doubles winners as they beat in the final Ina JOZEPSONE and Margarita JUDINA in straight games 3:0 (11:7 12:10 11:8). Olegs KARTUZOVS and Rihards MENCIS clinched Men`s Doubles gold beating Artūrs REINHOLDS and Leonīds MASLOVS also in three games 3:0 (11:8 11:6 11:8).

Belarus National Championships   Marharyta BALTUSHITE 17-year-old talent upset the odds to clinch the title of Belarus National Championships beating two-time European champion Viktoria PAVLOVICH after full seven games 4:3 (15:13 12:10 4:11 11:8 6:11 11:13 11:7). Finalists of the Men`s Singles event were same like last year but the winner is different: Pavel PLATONOV beat Alliaksandr KHANIN in straight games of the gold medal contest. Alexandra PRIVALOVA and Kiryl BARABANOV won bronze in Women`s and Men`s singles respectively.   Yekaterina BOROVOK and Marharyta BALTUSHITE are Women`s Doubles winners as they beat in the final Darya TRIGOLOS and Nadezhda BOGDANOVA after full five games. Aliaksandr KHANIN and Gleb SHAMRUK clinched Men`s Doubles gold beating last year`s winners Pavel PLATONOV and Ilya BARBOLIN 3:2 (11:5 8:11 11:7 8:11 11:9).   Men`s Singles Semi-finals: Pavel PLATONOV – Kiryl BARABANOV 4:1 (8:11 11:7 11:8 11:7 11:6) Aliaksandr KHANIN – Gleb SHAMRUK 4:3 (12:14 7:11 5:11 11:5 11:8 11:3 11:5). Final: Pavel PLATONOV – Aliaksandr KHANIN 4:0 (11:9 11:7 11:9 11:8) Women`s Singles Semi-finals: Viktoria PAVLOVICH – Ana PATEEVA 4:0 (11:7 11:3 11:5 11:5) Marharyta BALTUSHITE – Alina ORLOVSKAYA 4:0 (11:8 12:10 11:9 11:7). Final: Marharyta BALTUSHITE – Viktoria PAVLOVICH 4:3 (15:13 12:10 4:11 11:8 6:11 11:13 11:7). Men`s Doubles Final: Aliaksandr KHANIN / Gleb SHAMRUK – Pavel PLATONOV / Ilya BARBOLIN 3:2 (11:5 8:11 11:7 8:11 11:9). Women`s Doubles Final: Yekaterina BOROVOK / Marharyta BALTUSHITE – Darya TRIGOLOS / Nadezhda BOGDANOVA 3:2 (11:9 11:7 6:11 10:12 11:9)  

Belarus National Championships   Marharyta BALTUSHITE 17-year-old talent upset the odds to clinch the title of Belarus National Championships beating two-time European champion Viktoria PAVLOVICH after full seven games 4:3 (15:13 12:10 4:11 11:8 6:11 11:13 11:7). Finalists of the Men`s Singles event were same like last year but the winner is different: Pavel PLATONOV beat Alliaksandr KHANIN in straight games of the gold medal contest. Alexandra PRIVALOVA and Kiryl BARABANOV won bronze in Women`s and Men`s singles respectively.   Yekaterina BOROVOK and Marharyta BALTUSHITE are Women`s Doubles winners as they beat in the final Darya TRIGOLOS and Nadezhda BOGDANOVA after full five games. Aliaksandr KHANIN and Gleb SHAMRUK clinched Men`s Doubles gold beating last year`s winners Pavel PLATONOV and Ilya BARBOLIN 3:2 (11:5 8:11 11:7 8:11 11:9).   Men`s Singles Semi-finals: Pavel PLATONOV – Kiryl BARABANOV 4:1 (8:11 11:7 11:8 11:7 11:6) Aliaksandr KHANIN – Gleb SHAMRUK 4:3 (12:14 7:11 5:11 11:5 11:8 11:3 11:5). Final: Pavel PLATONOV – Aliaksandr KHANIN 4:0 (11:9 11:7 11:9 11:8) Women`s Singles Semi-finals: Viktoria PAVLOVICH – Ana PATEEVA 4:0 (11:7 11:3 11:5 11:5) Marharyta BALTUSHITE – Alina ORLOVSKAYA 4:0 (11:8 12:10 11:9 11:7). Final: Marharyta BALTUSHITE – Viktoria PAVLOVICH 4:3 (15:13 12:10 4:11 11:8 6:11 11:13 11:7). Men`s Doubles Final: Aliaksandr KHANIN / Gleb SHAMRUK – Pavel PLATONOV / Ilya BARBOLIN 3:2 (11:5 8:11 11:7 8:11 11:9). Women`s Doubles Final: Yekaterina BOROVOK / Marharyta BALTUSHITE – Darya TRIGOLOS / Nadezhda BOGDANOVA 3:2 (11:9 11:7 6:11 10:12 11:9)  

In mid February EUSA Technical Delegate for Table Tennis Mr Matija Krnc from Slovenia received the prestigious Bloudek Plaque award the highest national recognition in the field of sport. Mr Krnc received the award for his long-term commitment and activities in Table Tennis especially in the technical and judicial fields.   His contribution was also recognised by the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) which awarded him their  Badge of Honour last September.

In mid February EUSA Technical Delegate for Table Tennis Mr Matija Krnc from Slovenia received the prestigious Bloudek Plaque award the highest national recognition in the field of sport. Mr Krnc received the award for his long-term commitment and activities in Table Tennis especially in the technical and judicial fields.   His contribution was also recognised by the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) which awarded him their  Badge of Honour last September.

This Saturday and Sunday (March 3-4) many champions across Europe will be crowned   The upcoming weekend March 3-4 are reserved for many National Championships in Europe. Here we are presenting some of them…   SWEDEN   Swedish Championships are played in Idrottens Hus Helsingborg Sweden. First time Para Swedish Championships will be held during National Championships. Favorites will be following: WD Jennifer JONSSON/Linda BERGSTRÖM MD Pär GERELL/Jens LUNDQUIST or Viktor BRODD/Hampus NORDBERG XD Pär GERELL/Michael KARLSSON WS Matilda EKHOLM MS Kristian KARLSSON Anton KÄLLBERG Pär GERELL Jon PERSSON Jens LUNDQUIST. Mattias KARLSSON is injured and not competing Last year`s winners: WD Erika FRONTH/Tilda JOHANSSON MD Viktor BRODD/Hampus NORDBERG XD Matilda EKHOLM/Mattias KARLSSON WS Matilda EKHOLM MS Anton KÄLLBERG   NETHERLANDS   The best table tennis players of Holland will battle each other this weekend in Landstede Sportcentrum in Zwolle during the National Championships. Player of the national team Rajko GOMMERS wants to defend his first title in the men’s tournament. LI Jie won the national title in the woman’s tournament of 2017 for the second time in her career. GOMMERS is the favourite for the tournament of this year but there are good players who are likely able to beat the champion. Ewout OOSTWOUDER and Laurens TROMER where National Champions in the past and they are playing for another title in the men’s tournament. Ladies like Britt EERLAND and Kim VERMAAS are serious candidates for the victory in the woman’s tournament this year. The current champion LI Jie is absent in Zwolle. She uses this weekend to take some rest because her calendar is full with lots of games and LI Jie wants to be in good shape for the World Cup in Halmstad in Sweden in April. Britt EERLAND replaces her as number one in the ranking. The tournament starts on Saturday the 3th of March and the finales will take place on Sunday the 4th.   DENMARK   The 76th Danish Championships will be played in the coming weekend in Hjørring in the North western part of Denmark. A total of 75 players will participate.   Jonathan GROTH and Michael MAZE will not participate. Top seeded in men´s singles is Anders LIND before Tobias RASMUSSEN and the two veterans Allan BENTSEN and Finn TUGWELL. IN men’s singles there are 58 players fighting for the Danish crown Five participants won titles before. They are Tobias RASMUSSEN (2017) Kasper STERNBERG (2011) Christian KONGSGAARD (2010) Finn TUGWELL ( 2001 2004 2005 2009) and Allan BENTSEN (19991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1999 and 2006) In women’s single the reigning champion Stefanie CHRISTENSEN is top seeded before Pernille AGERHOLM. Four of the participating players have won before: Stefanie CHRISTENSEN (2017) Pernille AGERHOLM (2014 and 2016) Mie BINNERUP JACOBSEN (2015) and Pia TOELHØJ (1995) In men’s doubles the top seeded are Allan BENTSEN and Finn TUGWELL who have won six times before.   ITALY   The Italian Championships of first and second categories is scheduled from Wednesday to Sunday (March 4th) in PalaTennistavolo “Aldo De Santis” in Terni. They are organized by Italian Table Tennis Federation in collaboration with the City of Terni and the Region of Umbria. The event will be taking place with the partnership of Aeronautica Militare Polizia Penitenziaria Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Terni e Narni and Fondazione Città della Speranza Onlus and the sponsorship of Stag and Iset Marketing. In Men’s Singles of first category all the best athletes of national ranking will be present: Mihai BOBOCICA the last year winner Leonardo MUTTI and Marco RECH (Aeronautica Militare) Matteo MUTTI (Milano Sport Tennistavolo) Jordy PICCOLIN (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) Antonino AMATO (Top Spin Messina) Niagol STOYANOV (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) Paolo BISI (Cral Comune di Roma) Stefano TOMASI (Marcozzi Cagliari) and Federico PAVAN (Cral Comune di Roma). BOBOCICA won the title six times (2007-2009-2011-2012-2013-2017) and four other players once each: TOMASI (2010) STOYANOV (2014) Leonardo MUTTI (2015) and Rech DALDOSSO (2016). In Women’s Singles the Top 10 is formed by TIAN Jing who won for the firt time in 2017 and Chiara COLANTONI (they both play for Tennistavolo Castel Goffredo) Giorgia PICCOLIN (Anspi Tennistavolo Cortemaggiore) Veronica MOSCONI (Tennistavolo Vallecamonica) Debora VIVARELLI (Centro Sportivo Esercito) LE Thi Hong Loan (Tennistavolo Castel Goffredo) Katja MILIC (Sportni Krozek Kras) Giulia CAVALLI (Eppan Tischtennis Raiffeisen) Cristina SEMENZA (Polisportiva Bagnolese) and Jamila LAURENTI (Tennistavolo Vallecamonica).  TIAN Jing climbed the top step of the podium in 2017 and Mosconi in 2015.   FRANCE   National Championships of France will be held from March 2 to 4 in Rouen (Normandy). Friday is reserved for the qualifications. Main favorites: Emmanuel LEBESSON – Simon GAUZY and YUAN Jia Nan – Carole GRUNDISCH – YANG Xioa Xin Last year`s winners: Emmanuel LEBESSON and YUAN Jia Nan   ROMANIA   Romanian National Championships will be held at Sports Hall in Buzau on March 2-4th. Main favorites are Men`s Singles: Ovidiu IONESCU Constantin CIOTI Cristian PLETEA Rares Sipos Women`s Singles: Elizabeta SAMARA Adina DIACONU Andreea DRAGOMAN. 2017 Men`s Singles Winner: Ovidiu IONESCU 2017 Women`s Singles winner: Adina DIACONU 2017 MD winners: Ovidiu IONESCU/Constantin CIOTI 2017 WD winners: Irina CIOBANU / Camelia IACOB 2017 MD winner: Cristian PLETEA / Adina DIACONU   PORTUGAL   A total amount of 187 athletes (136 male and 51 female) will be competing for the National Championship title this weekend in São João da Madeira a town near Oporto. In the male competition the player with best ranking is Diogo CARVALHO the reigning champion who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal the team qualified for the Champions League Semi-Finals. Last year runner-up Diogo CHEN who represents the Germans from TTC Frickenhausen will also be playing in the National Championship. In the female competition last year’s winner JIENI Shao won’t be defending her reign leaving Leila OLIVEIRA as the player with best ranking.   SLOVENIA   The Slovenian national championship will start at Otočec on March 3 and 4 at 10 am. The favorites in the men’s competition are Darko JORGIĆ Jan ŽIBRAT Deni KOŽUL Uroš

This Saturday and Sunday (March 3-4) many champions across Europe will be crowned   The upcoming weekend March 3-4 are reserved for many National Championships in Europe. Here we are presenting some of them…   SWEDEN   Swedish Championships are played in Idrottens Hus Helsingborg Sweden. First time Para Swedish Championships will be held during National Championships. Favorites will be following: WD Jennifer JONSSON/Linda BERGSTRÖM MD Pär GERELL/Jens LUNDQUIST or Viktor BRODD/Hampus NORDBERG XD Pär GERELL/Michael KARLSSON WS Matilda EKHOLM MS Kristian KARLSSON Anton KÄLLBERG Pär GERELL Jon PERSSON Jens LUNDQUIST. Mattias KARLSSON is injured and not competing Last year`s winners: WD Erika FRONTH/Tilda JOHANSSON MD Viktor BRODD/Hampus NORDBERG XD Matilda EKHOLM/Mattias KARLSSON WS Matilda EKHOLM MS Anton KÄLLBERG   NETHERLANDS   The best table tennis players of Holland will battle each other this weekend in Landstede Sportcentrum in Zwolle during the National Championships. Player of the national team Rajko GOMMERS wants to defend his first title in the men’s tournament. LI Jie won the national title in the woman’s tournament of 2017 for the second time in her career. GOMMERS is the favourite for the tournament of this year but there are good players who are likely able to beat the champion. Ewout OOSTWOUDER and Laurens TROMER where National Champions in the past and they are playing for another title in the men’s tournament. Ladies like Britt EERLAND and Kim VERMAAS are serious candidates for the victory in the woman’s tournament this year. The current champion LI Jie is absent in Zwolle. She uses this weekend to take some rest because her calendar is full with lots of games and LI Jie wants to be in good shape for the World Cup in Halmstad in Sweden in April. Britt EERLAND replaces her as number one in the ranking. The tournament starts on Saturday the 3th of March and the finales will take place on Sunday the 4th.   DENMARK   The 76th Danish Championships will be played in the coming weekend in Hjørring in the North western part of Denmark. A total of 75 players will participate.   Jonathan GROTH and Michael MAZE will not participate. Top seeded in men´s singles is Anders LIND before Tobias RASMUSSEN and the two veterans Allan BENTSEN and Finn TUGWELL. IN men’s singles there are 58 players fighting for the Danish crown Five participants won titles before. They are Tobias RASMUSSEN (2017) Kasper STERNBERG (2011) Christian KONGSGAARD (2010) Finn TUGWELL ( 2001 2004 2005 2009) and Allan BENTSEN (19991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1999 and 2006) In women’s single the reigning champion Stefanie CHRISTENSEN is top seeded before Pernille AGERHOLM. Four of the participating players have won before: Stefanie CHRISTENSEN (2017) Pernille AGERHOLM (2014 and 2016) Mie BINNERUP JACOBSEN (2015) and Pia TOELHØJ (1995) In men’s doubles the top seeded are Allan BENTSEN and Finn TUGWELL who have won six times before.   ITALY   The Italian Championships of first and second categories is scheduled from Wednesday to Sunday (March 4th) in PalaTennistavolo “Aldo De Santis” in Terni. They are organized by Italian Table Tennis Federation in collaboration with the City of Terni and the Region of Umbria. The event will be taking place with the partnership of Aeronautica Militare Polizia Penitenziaria Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Terni e Narni and Fondazione Città della Speranza Onlus and the sponsorship of Stag and Iset Marketing. In Men’s Singles of first category all the best athletes of national ranking will be present: Mihai BOBOCICA the last year winner Leonardo MUTTI and Marco RECH (Aeronautica Militare) Matteo MUTTI (Milano Sport Tennistavolo) Jordy PICCOLIN (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) Antonino AMATO (Top Spin Messina) Niagol STOYANOV (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) Paolo BISI (Cral Comune di Roma) Stefano TOMASI (Marcozzi Cagliari) and Federico PAVAN (Cral Comune di Roma). BOBOCICA won the title six times (2007-2009-2011-2012-2013-2017) and four other players once each: TOMASI (2010) STOYANOV (2014) Leonardo MUTTI (2015) and Rech DALDOSSO (2016). In Women’s Singles the Top 10 is formed by TIAN Jing who won for the firt time in 2017 and Chiara COLANTONI (they both play for Tennistavolo Castel Goffredo) Giorgia PICCOLIN (Anspi Tennistavolo Cortemaggiore) Veronica MOSCONI (Tennistavolo Vallecamonica) Debora VIVARELLI (Centro Sportivo Esercito) LE Thi Hong Loan (Tennistavolo Castel Goffredo) Katja MILIC (Sportni Krozek Kras) Giulia CAVALLI (Eppan Tischtennis Raiffeisen) Cristina SEMENZA (Polisportiva Bagnolese) and Jamila LAURENTI (Tennistavolo Vallecamonica).  TIAN Jing climbed the top step of the podium in 2017 and Mosconi in 2015.   FRANCE   National Championships of France will be held from March 2 to 4 in Rouen (Normandy). Friday is reserved for the qualifications. Main favorites: Emmanuel LEBESSON – Simon GAUZY and YUAN Jia Nan – Carole GRUNDISCH – YANG Xioa Xin Last year`s winners: Emmanuel LEBESSON and YUAN Jia Nan   ROMANIA   Romanian National Championships will be held at Sports Hall in Buzau on March 2-4th. Main favorites are Men`s Singles: Ovidiu IONESCU Constantin CIOTI Cristian PLETEA Rares Sipos Women`s Singles: Elizabeta SAMARA Adina DIACONU Andreea DRAGOMAN. 2017 Men`s Singles Winner: Ovidiu IONESCU 2017 Women`s Singles winner: Adina DIACONU 2017 MD winners: Ovidiu IONESCU/Constantin CIOTI 2017 WD winners: Irina CIOBANU / Camelia IACOB 2017 MD winner: Cristian PLETEA / Adina DIACONU   PORTUGAL   A total amount of 187 athletes (136 male and 51 female) will be competing for the National Championship title this weekend in São João da Madeira a town near Oporto. In the male competition the player with best ranking is Diogo CARVALHO the reigning champion who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal the team qualified for the Champions League Semi-Finals. Last year runner-up Diogo CHEN who represents the Germans from TTC Frickenhausen will also be playing in the National Championship. In the female competition last year’s winner JIENI Shao won’t be defending her reign leaving Leila OLIVEIRA as the player with best ranking.   SLOVENIA   The Slovenian national championship will start at Otočec on March 3 and 4 at 10 am. The favorites in the men’s competition are Darko JORGIĆ Jan ŽIBRAT Deni KOŽUL Uroš