Penultimate day of the 2017 ITTF World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda: No. 4 Cristian PLETEA and Adina DIACONU lost to no. 1 China`s XUE Fei/WANG Manyu in straight games. Sweden`s Truls MOREGARD upset both Yuto KIZUKURI the no.2 seed and XU Haidong to reach Junior Boys Singles semis Penultimate day of the 2017 ITTF World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda Italy was successful for European representatives who secured two medals. Romania`s no. 4 seed Cristian PLETEA and Adina DIACONU reached semi-final in the Mixed Doubles where they have been eliminated by no. 1 seeds China`s XUE Fei and WANG Manyu in straight games – 4:0 (11:5 11:9 11:3 11:9). PLETEA and DIACONU defeated other China`s mixed pair in the quarter-finals no. 5 seed XU Haidong/QIAN Tanyi 4:2 (8:11 11:8 14:12 3:11 11:8). XUE and WANG overcame Russia`s Vladimir SIDORENKO and Puerto Rico`s Adriana DIAZ in straight sets to book their place in the top four mixed pairs. Other finalists are Korea`s AN Jaehyun and KIM Jiho who beat China`s WANG Chuqin/SUN Yingsha after full seven games. Sweden`s Truls MOREGARD beat the odds twice to secure medal in the Junior Boys Singles contest. First he beat Japan`s Yuto KIZUKURI the no.2 seed continuing his winning streak against China`s XU Haidong in straight sets. He managed to reverse the score from 1:2 to 4:2 against Chinese – 4:2 (6:11 11:9 8:11 11:8 11:9 11:9). Domestic hero Mateo MUTTI eliminated Chinese Taipei`s LI Hsin-Yang after full seven games to get the chance to play against top seed XUE Fei. Chinese overcame MUTTI in five games of the quarter-finals. Likewise Belgium`s Florian CNUDDE was beaten by one Chinese WANG Chuqin in five games of the quarter-finals. Earlier in the day Italian boy has been extended to full distance by Romania`s Cristian PLETEA. Unique European representative in the top eight Junior Girls Singles ZHANG Xuan from Spain was beaten by no. 3 seed Japan`s Miyu KATO in the five games of the quarter-finals. Beside KATO three China`s players will continue battle for the gold: no. 1 seed SUN Yingsha QIAN Tainyi and no. 2 seed WANG Manyu. Concerning Junior Boys Doubles Florian CNUDDE and Laurens DEVOS from Belgium showed big fight in the quarter-final clash against Japan`s Yukiya UDA and Yuta TANAKA. But their opponents prevailed after full seven games taking last one by a narrow margin. All three European pairs in the Junior Girls Doubles lost their quarter-final encounters. Junior Boys Singles Quarter-finals XUE Fei (China) – Mateo MUTTI (Italy) 4:1 (11:5 11:5 11:6 9:11 11:5) WANG Chuqin (China) – Florian CNUDDE (Belgium) 4:1 (11:2 11:3 9:11 11:7 11:6) NIU Guankai (China) – AN Jaehyun (Korea) 4:3 (10:12 11:8 5:11 7:11 14:12 11:9 11:6) Truls MOREGARDH (Sweden) – XU Haidong (China) 4:0 (11:8 11:9 12:10 11:7) Junior Girls Singles Quarter-finals SIN Yungsha (China) – Miyu NAGASAKI (Japan) 4:1 (7:11 11:7 11:6 11:9 11:5) QIAN Tianyi (China) – Mitsuho KIMURA (Japan) 4:2 (14:12 13:11 11:6 11:13 11:13 11:7) Miyu KATO (Japan) – ZHANG Xuan (Spain) 4:1 (11:7 18:16 11:7 7:11 11:5) WANG Manyu (China) – CHAU Wing Sze (Hong Kong) 4:0 (11:2 11:4 11:8 11:5)
ITTF Announces Equipment Partnerships for Team World Cup
The International Table Tennis Federation is happy to announce three new equipment partnerships for the upcoming 2018 Team World Cup to be held in London England on 22-25 February 2018 as well as the 2019 edition. The showpiece of any table tennis event the table will be provided by the newly formed company San-Ei TIBHARR. The company is a hybrid of the Japanese company San-Ei who was the table sponsor of the 2016 Olympic Games as well as the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games and the German company TIBHAR. The table that history will be made on in London will be familiar to fans around the world as it is the same design as the iconic table used at Rio 2016. The ball that the world’s best players will be using in the Copper Box in the Olympic Park next year will be supplied by Double Fish. Double Fish have been a constant sponsor of balls for Chinese events such as the Chinese National Championships Chinese A League and the Student Sports Games. “We are pleased to be the Official Ball Sponsor at the Team World Cup. We have a long heritage supplying our world class balls inside and outside China and we are now looking forward to showcasing them to the world’s best table tennis players at a top level international event!” stated Mr. YE Yiqiang General Manager of Double Fish. Trioflor which is a new Chinese company entering into the sport flooring market will be providing a dark blue floor for the event a new colour for table tennis. The Team World Cup which was last held in Dubai in 2015 comprises of a total of 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams which are made up of a host team Continental Champions and the other top finishers at the 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships. Tickets for the 2018 Team World Cup can be bought here.
TTCLM Round 5: Roskilde beats Hennebont in France
Round 5 December 1st: Fakel Gazprom – Pontoise 3:1 Chartres – Eslovs 3:2 Ochsenhausen – Stella Sport La Romagne 2:3 Hennebont – Rosklide 2:3 Three out of four TTCLM Round 5 matches held tonight (Dec 1st) have been extended to full distance – Chartres – Eslovs 3:2 Ochsenhausen – Stella Sport La Romagne 2:3 Hennebont – Rosklide 2:3 while the four times winner and defending champion Fakel Gazprom beat double TTCLM winner AS Pontoise Cergy 3:1. Two teams which won last six TTCLM titles Fakel Gazprom and AS Pontoise Cergy met in Russia. Reigning champion beat French club 3:1 continuing as unique undefeated participant after Round 5. World no. 3 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV defeated both no. 17 Marcos FREITAS and no. 150 Niagol STOYANOV who was beaten by Jun MIZUTANI in the second match. Japanese stretched his winning streak to 6-0. Young Frenchman Can AKKUZU got unique points for guests as he prevailed against Alexey LIVENSTOV in the third clash. Fakel Gazprom and Sporting secured quarter-final spot from Group A while Pontoise and Bogoria will fight for the ETTU Cup knockout phase in the Round 6 encounter. Chartres booked its place in the ETTU Cup Men quarter-final as third ranked Group B team. The 2013 TTCLM runner-up overcame 2016 runner-up Eslovs 3:2 at home. XU Hui won provided two wins for Eslovs like many times before but host side showed good team work. Robert GARDOS Alexandre ROBINOT and Par GERELL won one point each. ROBINOT prevailed against Robert SVENSSON in four sets playing the decisive fifth clash. The 2009 runner-up Ochsenhausen and TTCLM newcomer Stella Sport La Romagne fought for the top spot of Group C. French team won 3:2 to displace German team at the top. CHEN Tianyuan brought two points to the guest side beating both Hugo CALDERANO and Simon GAUZY while SHIAHO Wei added third but decisive win against CALDERANO. CHEN improved his individual score to 6-1 SHIAHO to 6-2 which is equal to GAUZY`s one. Roslikde showed strong team spirit in France beating Hennebont who lost its third consecutive game. ZHAI Yijia Michael MAZE and Laurens TROMER contributed with one victory each. Host side led 2:0 but Denmark`s club managed to reverse the score in three matches extended to full distance. Actual world no 220 TROMER secured very important win for Roskilde as he beat no. 58 Liam PITCHFORD. 2017/18 TTCLM Round 5 GROUP A Fakel Gazprom – AS Pontoise Cergy 3:1 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Marcos FREITAS 3:2 (5:11 11:6 14:12 8:11 11:3) Jun MIZUTANI – Niagol STOYANOV 3:0 (11:3 11:6 13:11) Alexey LIVENTSOV – Can AKKUZU 1:3 (11:5 7:11 7:11 5:11) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Niagol STOYANOV 3:2 (7:11 6:11 11:5 11:5 11:9) GROUP B Chartres ASTT – Eslovs Ai Bordtennis 3:2 Robert GARDOS – Robert SVENSSON 3:0 (12:10 11:1 11:9) Alexandre ROBINOT – XU Hui 2:3 (6:11 9:11 11:5 11:7 11:13) Par GERELL – Daniel KOSIBA 3:2 (11:7 8:11 9:11 12:10 11:9) Robert GARDOS – XU Hui 2:3 (11:8 9:11 11:6 10:12 8:11) Alexandre ROBINOT – Robert SVENSSON 3:1 (11:8 7:11 11:2 11:7) GROUP C TTF LIEBHERR Ochsenhausen – Stella Sport La Romagne 2:3 Simon GAUZY – SHIAHO Wei 3:1 (12:10 14:12 9:11 11:6) Hugo CALDERANO – CHEN Tianyuan 2:3 (11:6 11:3 5:11 10:12 9:11) Jakub DYJAS – Brice OLLIVIER 3:0 (11:7 11:2 11:8) Simon GAUZY – CHEN Tianyuan 2:3 (8:11 11:8 11:7 5:11 8:11) Hugo CALDERANO – SHIAHO Wei 1:3 (11:5 7:11 8:11 8:11) GROUP D G.V. Hennebont – Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 2:3 Cedric NUYTINCK – Laurens TROMER 3:2 (11:6 9:11 11:3 6:11 11:6) Liam PITCHFORD – ZHAI Yujia 3:1 (9:11 11:7 11:8 11:9) Quentin ROBINOT – Michael MAZE 2:3 (10:12 11:13 11:7 11:7 9:11) Cedric NUYTINCK – ZHAI Yujia 2:3 (11:9 11:6 4:11 6:11 9:11) Liam PITCHFORD – Laurens TROMER 2:3 (10:12 9:11 11:4 11:6 7:11)
Seamaster ECLW: Last year`s finalists cement their status
Round 5: KTS Tarnobrzeg – CP LYSSOIS Lille Metropole 3:0 TTC Berlin Eastside – TT Saint Quentinois 3:1 Top two favorites cemented their status in the group stage of the 2017/18 Seamaster ECLW winning Round 5 games: KTS Tarnobrzeg – CP LYSSOIS Lille Metropole 3:0 TTC Berlin Eastside – TT Saint Quentinois 3:1. No. 1 seed Tarnobrzeg preserved unbeaten status defeating at home CP LYSSOIS Lille Metropole 3:0. All three games have been finished in straight games: HAN Ying vs. XIAO Maria Viktoria PAVLOVICH vs. Agnes LE LANNIC and LI Qian vs. Tamolwan KHETKHUAN. Polish champion ended group stage with 4-0 score while Lille Metropole is going to fight against TuS Bad Driburg for the second spot in the Round 6. Defending champion Berlin proved its class against Saint Quentiniois. Georgina POTA contributed with two wins overcoming both Aurore LE MANSEC and Britt EERLAND while SHAN Xiaona beat Audry ZARIF. EERLAND who leveled the score after two matches (against Shiho MATSUDAIRA) provided very tense and exciting final clash against POTA. Hungary`s player has been extended to full distance but secured victory for German side. 2017/18 Seamaster ECLW Round 5 GROUP A KTS Tarnobrzeg – CP LYSSOIS Lille Metropole 3:0 HAN Ying – XIAO Maria 3:0 (11:5 11:9 11:4) Viktoria PAVLOVICH – Agnes LE LANNIC 3:0 (13:11 11:8 11:9) LI Qian – Tamolwan KHETKHUAN 3:0 (11:6 11:1 11:4) GROUP D TTC Berlin Eastside – TT Saint Quentinois 3:1 Georgina POTA – Aurore LE MANSEC 3:0 (11:8 11:5 12:10) Shiho MATSUDAIRA – Britt EERLAND 2:3 (11:9 11:9 9:11 5:11 9:11) SHAN Xiaona – Audrey ZARIF 3:1 (11:13 13:11 11:2 11:6) Georgina POTA – Britt EERLAND 3:2 (11:8 13:15 8:11 11:6 11:7)
UMMC breaks Saarbrucken`s winning streak
Two TTCLM Round 5 matches held tonight November 30th: UMMC – Saarbrucken 3:1 Dartom Bogoria – Sporting 3:0 There are no more undefeated teams in the TTCLM Group B as UMMC beat Saarbrucken 3:1 in the Round 5. Both sides secured quarter-final berth entering the ultimate round with the same numbers of wins (4-1) but German side tops the group thanks to better set ratio in mutual clashes (Saarbrucken won at home 3:1 9:3). Alexander SHIBAEV contributed with two wins against Saarbrucken beating Patrick BAUM in the opening game and Patrick FRANZISKA in the decider. FRANZISKA prevented host`s win in straight games as he managed to save a match ball against world no. 25 Maharu YOSHIMURA. Japan`s player extended German to full distance having 10:9 in the fifth set. Andrej GACINA prevailed against Bojan TOKIC in the third encounter. Bogoria`s HAN Chuanxi succeeded to stay on the winning course in spite of facing six consecutive game points of his ryval in the concluding set. He met the best Sporting player Joao MONTEIRO in the third clash when the guest were 2-0 down. Chinese beat Portugal`s player in straight games to secure 3:0 win for Poland`s club. Pavel SIRUCEK prevailed against Quadri ARUNA in the opening match in spite of seeing a match point against him in third set. Host managed to reverse the score from 0-2 do 3-2. Daniel GORAK beat Diogo CARVALHO in straight games of the second encounter. Sporting already booked its place in the knockout phase while Bogoria recorded its very first win. 2017/18 TTCLM Round 5 GROUP A K.S. Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki – Sporting Clube De Portugal 3:0 Pavel SIRUCEK – Quadri ARUNA 3:2 (9:11 4:11 13:11 11:4 11:9) Daniel GORAK – Diogo CARVALHO 3:0 (11:7 11:4 11:5) HAN Chuanxi – Joao MONTEIRO 3:0 (12:10 11:7 13:11) GROUP B UMMC – Saarbrucken 3:1 Alexander SHIBAEV – Patrick BAUM 3:1 (11:13 11:9 11:9 11:6) Maharu YOSHIMURA – Patrick FRANZISKA 2:3 (12:14 11:8 8:11 11:8 10:12) Andrej GACINA – Bojan TOKIC 3:1 (11:8 4:11 11:9 11:6) Alexander SHIBAEV – Patrick FRANZISKA 3:2 (6:11 11:8 11:8 9:11 12:10)
Seamaster Round 5
Croatian club won 62 consecutive games in all competitions facing Hungary`s Szekszard in Zagreb this Sunday (Dec 3rd). Three more matches to be held on Friday and Saturday: Tarnobrzeg – Lille Bursa – Cartagena Berlin – Saint Quentinois Three out of four Seamaaster ECLW favorites will fight to complete the group stage unbeaten entering Round 5 scheduled from Friday to Sunday (Dec 1-3rd). They are top seed Tarnobrzeg (Group A) no. 3 seed Dr. CASL (Group C) and no. 4 seed Bursa (Group B). Current no. 2 seed and reigning champion Berlin is determined to confirm Group D top spot playing on its soil against Saint Quentinois. Croatian Dr. CASL beat ALCL Grand-Quevilly last week to extend its winning streak to 62 counting all competitions. They hope to reach 64th victory this Sunday against Szekszard. A day before they will host STK Hodosan in Croatian Super League. “We recorded our 62nd win in a row last week in France in last three seasons. Counting four different competitions: Seamaster ECLW Croatian Super League Croatian Cup and European Super League. Our aim is stay unbeaten until the end of the first half-season. From the very beginning of the 2018 we will face much bigger challenges especially in the Seamaster ECLW quarter-finals” stated President of Croatian side Martin Tino CASL. Dr. CASL fought with injuries and other problems on the eve of match in France. LI Jie was forced to cancel her participation due to personal reasons while her replacement Dorina SREBRNJAK suffered an injury night before the trip to France. “I hope bad time is behind us and we`ll be able to play with our best line-up. As we have to play 42 games in four different competitions until the end of the season we need players in their best condition. Even more they are on disposal of their national teams (Hong Kong Netherlands Portugal Croatia and Slovenia) playing many ITTF tournaments as well. It`s obvious how our schedule is overloaded. It`s a kind of my fault caused by my wish to decorate this season – 10th since I took over the club – with all four possible trophies: Croatian Super League and Cup European Super League and the highest possible achievement in the club`s table tennis: Seamaster ECWL title. Tarnobrzeg no. 1 seed and twice in a row runner-up hosts 2016 ETTU Cup Women winner Lille Metropole in the Group A. Poland`s team aims its fourth consecutive victory in the ongoing season while French side seeks win to secure quarter-final berth. The same situation is in the Group B where Bursa welcomes UCAM Cartagena. Turkish is determined to extend its winning streak to 4-0 whilst Spanish club is going to fight for its very first win in order to keep the chance for the knockout phase. Defending champion Berlin has been upset by Hodoning in the Round 4 traveling to Czech Republic without SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA. Now Irina PALINA`s side is determined to beat Saint Qientionis to confirm the top spot in Group D. 2017/18 Seamaster ECLW Round 5 GROUP A: KTS Tarnobrzeg – CP LYSSOIS LILLE METROPOLE (Dec 01 18:00 CET) GRPOUP B: BURSA BÜYÜKŞEHİR BELEDİYESPOR – UCAM Cartagena TM (Dec 02 17:00 CET) GROUP C: Dr. ČASL – Szekszard AC (Dec 03 18:00 CET) GROUP D: TTC Berlin Eastside – TT SAINT QUENTINOIS (Dec 01 19:30 CET)
DIACONU’S farewell in the big style at World Championships
2017 ITTF World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda In Romania’s Cluj – Napoca in summer of 2018 at the European Youth Championships one notable name will be missing. Adina DIACONU will no longer be junior. Next summer European singles champion from 2016 and 2015 as junior and 2014 and 2013 as cadet will walk on the path of the success in seniors category. In a meanwhile she already at the middle of the 2017 ITTF World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda secured nice farewell present. Romania clinched bronze medal in the Team’s Event. “This is my last year at this circuit and I wanted to leave it with minimum of one medal. I am so happy for the team and for myself ” said Adina. “Every match was very difficult. I gave my best to stay focus in each one. It was important not only for me but for stability in the team. It gave them confidence too.” On their way to the semis Romania overcame Germany; in Group phase beat Czech Republic and Chinese Taipei. They were halted at the penultimate hurdle in the match against China. “Against Czech Republic we went full distance. It is always hard to play the first match at the championships. In addition it was our but not Czech’s first match. They already warmed up in the qualification phase. I was on the dangerous ground. First match for me was easy but then I faces BLASKOVA at 1-2 for our adversaries. She played like there is nothing to lose and I have to kept calm and make every stroke as best as I can.” The match against Chinese Taipei was also full of challenges. “I won both my matches but in first I was two games to null in reverse. I improved my return of the service but most important I never lose the faith I am better than her. I was confident. In the second one I was aware I am playing for the place in the quarterfinal and not only that my result could make a difference for our position in the draw. I had a very good tactic and I did my best from very first ball.” Against Germany in quarter finals Romani won 3-1 “First match I played against SCHREINER it was first time for me to play gains her so it was little bit strange. The fact that I saw how good she was night before against Russia did not help at all. Against WOLF was also difficult task. She beat me last time but at this Championships I felt more confident and my game was really good. I put a lot of spin on each ball.” China eventually halted the perfect run. “We tried to play our best but they were playing amazing; we enjoyed the game and we use the match to learn from them . They proved in the final that they are the best and won first place in team beat Japan 3-1 in the final”. DIACONU is only on half way through. “I want 2 or 3 medals on this Worlds. First medal I took in teams; in mixed doubles we are in 16 now if we will keep played with focus and calm I think we can make a good result. In girls double we had also good draw. After last year’s title I hope for another one. In singles I would like very much to take one medal but it is much harder than last year. I feel very good and prepared at this world mentally and physical also.”
China Avenges 2016 Defeats to Reclaim ITTF World Junior Championships Team Titles
2017 ITTF World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda China once again proves itself as a mighty table tennis powerhouse defeating Japan to sweep both the Boys’ and Girls’ team titles at the 2017 World Junior Table Tennis Championships in Riva del Garda Italy on 29 November 2017. After having their worst World Junior Championships results in in history in 2016 winning only one out of the seven titles available China was determined to reclaim the titles that they lost in Cape Town South Africa. The Chinese team has sent out its strongest junior team to Riva del Garda boasting 2014 & 2015 World Junior Champion WANG Manyu world number nine in the world on the senior ranking SUN Yingsha in the girls’ team as well as 2014 and 2015 World Junior Team Champions XUE Fei and WANG Chuqin on the boys’ team. In a rematch of the 2016 World Junior Championships Girls’ Team event between China and Japan the Chinese team avenged their 2016 loss to Japan with a 3-1 victory to take the crown. Top seeded SUN Yingsha (CHN) and WANG Manyu (CHN) proved too strong for Miyu KATO (JPN) and Miyuu KIHARA (JPN) defeating their opponents both 3-1 to give China a 2-0 lead. Despite Miyu NAGASAKI (JPN)’s tough fight to upset 2016 World Junior Champion SHI Xunyao (CHN) to bring the score to 2-1 Japan was unable to turn the tides in the favor as WANG ended their hopes with a convincing 3-0 () victory over KATO. “We are very happy to win the final the title is back to its original owner and we have reclaimed the crown ” stated WANG after the sealing the final victory for the Chinese team. “Japan did gave us a lot of difficulties during today’s match. After Shi Xunyao lost the third match I had to quickly adjust myself to prepare for the next match and not be affected by her defeat. Regardless what the final score is it feels good to have the final victory.” As with the case of the Girls’ Team event Japan was unable to defend their hard earned title from Cape Town losing 0-3 to the China in the Boys’ Team final showdown. The Chinese trio of XUE Fei WANG Chuqin and XU Haidong gave the Japanese line up of Yuto KIZUKURI Yuta TANAKA and Masaki TAKAMI no chance to fight back in the final taking the crown 3-0 and seal the deal. WANG Chuqin shared after their spic vitour “We are very happy to win the title back it’s like a mission completed for us. We came with the goal to win especially for Xue Fei and myself so we do feel the pressure to play well to take the title.” With the Team titles determined all eyes turn to the singles and doubles events that started on 30 November.
Timo BOLL secures Borussia place in TTCLM quarter-finals
Two Round 5 games held tonight November 29th: TTC Ostrava 2016 – SPG Walter Wels 1:3 Borussia Dusseldorf – K. S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo 3:1 Ten times TTCLM champion Borussia Dusseldorf secures 2017/18 TTCLM quarter-finals as they beat Poland`s K. S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo 3:1 at home in Round 5 of Group D. Current world no. 4 Timo BOLL was unstoppable providing double wins in straight games. He overcame Pawel FERTIKOWSKI in the opener and world. no 9 Kenta MATSUDSAIRA in the forth encounter. Japanese MATSUDAIRA managed to level the score in the second clash against Kristian KARLSSON in spite of losing the opening set. But it was unique win for Poland`s side. Youngest player in the game Anton KALLBERG made third point for host side being extended to full distance by Jiri VRABLIK. Timo BOLL has improved his 2017/18 individual score to 7-1. SPG Walter Wels recorded its very first win in Group C playing away against TTC Ostrava 2016 (2-3 score). Austrian side won 3:1 thanks to CHO Seungmin who beat both Tomas TREGLER and Panagitois GIONIS. Serbian Zsolt PETO upset GIONIS in the opener while his compatriot Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC got unique point for the host team. TTCLM Round 5 GROUP C TTC Ostrava 2016 – SPG Walter Wels 1:3 Panagiotis GIONIS – Zsolt PETO 1:3 (9:11 11:8 14:16 8:11) Tomas TREGLER – CHO Seungmin 0:3 (5:11 8:11 10:12) Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC – Robin DEVOS 3:0 (11:8 11:2 11:6) Panagiotis GIONIS – CHO Seungmin 0:3 (4:11 12:14 6:11) GROUP D Borussia Dusseldorf – K. S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo 3:1 Timo BOLL – Pawel FERTIKOWSKI 3:0 (11:5 11:8 11:8) Kristian KARLSSON – Kenta MATSUDAIRA 1:3 (11:3 12:14 8:11 2:11) Anton KÄLLBERG – Jiri VRABLIK 3:2 (9:11 12:10 12:10 4:11 11:5) Timo BOLL : Kenta MATSUDAIRA 3:0 (11:9 11:6 11:8)
Romania’s girls won bronze medal in Italy
2017 ITTF World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda Romania won the bronze medal in the Junior Boy’s and Girls Team’s Event at the 2017 ITTF World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda. They perfect run was halted in the semi final. No. four seeds in Girls Team’s Event suffered defeat by the hand of the team of China no. two seeds. Adina DIACONU lost her encounter against SUN Yingsha (3-11 6-11 6-11) Andreea DRAGOMAN suffered by the hands of WANG Manyu (4-11 18-20 3-11) and Tania PLAIAN lost against SHI Xuanyao (2-11 5-11 10-12). Previously in the quarter final Romania overcame Germany. DIACONY beat both Franziska SCHREINER (12-10 11-4 13-11) and Jennie WOLF (12-10 11-9 11-8). WOLF lost her match against DRAGOMAN (10-12 4-11 6-11). The only point for Germany came from Sophia KLEE who overcame PLAIAN (11-5 12-10 11-8). In Group phase Romania beat Czech Republic and Chinese Taipei. In the final China will play against Japan. Japan overcame Korea Republic in the semis. Like few hours earlier in Junior Girls Event Romania’s boys also suffered defeat against China in the semi final. On their way to the medal rostrum the no.6 seeds they beat Korea by three matches to two followed by success against Sweden the no.10 seeds. They won by the very same margin. On the second day of play they continued the policy; in another thriller they overcame the Unites States the no.9 seeds. The creators of the Romania’s success were Cristian PLETEA Rares SIPOS and Dragos Florin Oprea.
