The Championships will be held during September 2019 with 24 men’s teams and 24 women’s teams The European Table Tennis Union Executive Board is pleased to announce the European Championships Team Events Final Stage will be hosted by the French Federation (FFTT) in the city of Nantes during September 2019. New format has been approved two months ago and starting from 2018 the European Teams Championships will be played over a period of two years and be concluded with the final stage with 24 men’s teams and 24 women’s teams in odd numbered years. “ETTU’s Executive Board is very pleased even excited that our friends from the French Table Tennis Federation have taken up the glove of organizing the Final Stage of our new European Championships in the hospitable city of Nantes in 2019. Of course the first two stages of the Championships will be played ‘all over Europe’ first before the last 24 teams come to Nantes” stated ETTU President Ronald KRAMER. The European Teams Championships will commence next year with stages one and two. They will be played over a period up to 18 months. The winner of the previous European Championships and the host for the final stage of the Championships will not take part in Stage One and will proceed directly to the final stage of the Championships. The aim of new format is to have a more exciting European Championships to attract more attention from media spectators and TV/internet. With these changes all the participating associations has the possibility to be European Team Champion. “I am fully confident that in September 2019 we will witness another very well organized table tennis event like our French colleagues have shown so often to be able to do. Preparing their bid so short after the decision in our Congress in Luxembourg last September also shows the dedication we know from our French colleagues” stressed Ronald KRAMER. “I am very happy and very proud that France organizes these European Championships Team events in 2019. This is a great honor and I would like to thank the ETTU’s executive board for its confidence” stressed FFTT President Christian PALIERNE. The final stage will be organized in September over a period of 6 days. The winner of previous European Championships the host Association and 22 teams which have proceeded through stage 1 and stage 2 will contest the final stage.
Top Stars Return to the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour in Race to Astana
The Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open to be held from today 10 – 12 November 2017 The world’s top table tennis stars have gathered in Magdeburg Germany for the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open to be held from today 10 – 12 November 2017 for one of their final chances to earn World Tour ranking points to qualify for the US$1 000 000 World Tour Grand Finals in Astana in December. With only the top 16 male and female athletes on the World Tour circuit this year who have played a minimum of 5 events across the globe being able to qualify for the prestigious year-ending finale in Astana Kazakhstan the German Open sees 8 out of the world’s top 10 women and 9 of the top 10 men competing for the title and the race to Astana. The German Open which is the final Platinum and second last World Tour event of 2017 has seen world class table tennis on display over the past three days of qualifications as unseeded players battled to join the 16 seeds in the main draw of 32. New women’s world number one ZHU Yuling (CHN) will lead the women’s charge for the title. Fresh from her successful trip to Markham Canada to claim the Women’s World Cup title less than two weeks ago ZHU will be aiming to repeat her success and claim her career first German Open title here in Magdeburg. ZHU will have to face off other top stars including her colleague CHEN Meng (CHN) who will be going all out for her chance to claim her third World Tour Platinum title of the year. Defending Champion WU Yang (CHN) together with the other past German Open Champions Mima ITO (JPN) SHAN Xiaona (GER) FENG Yalan (CHN) and LIU Jia (AUT) will all be looking at becoming the first women to the German Open title twice. With the new generation of Chinese young players in action in Magdeburg the 2017 German Open will see these qualifiers challenging the rest of the world’s top athletes in the main draw for their chance at the title. World number two FAN Zhendong (CHN) heads the rest of the world’s top 10 men into the men’s singles battle for the title as reigning World & Olympic Champion MA Long (CHN) misses out from the tournament to defend his title. FAN who won the 2013 German Open when he was only 16-year-old will be eyeing his second German Open title. The 20-year-old top seed will need to be on his alert as his teammates have their eyes on the title as well. LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) who defeated FAN at the 2017 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup is aiming to repeat his success against the world number two and take his second ITTF World Tour title in Magdeburg. LIN had only claimed his first title at the Hybiome Austria Open earlier in September this year. Currently at number 17 on the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals standings XU Xin (CHN) will have the extra push to put on his best performance here in Magdeburg so as to rise higher up the standing in the Race to Astana and secure his ticket to the million-dollar grand finale. Fifth seeded Chinese superstar ZHANG Jike makes his return to international table tennis in Magdeburg as well after being troubled by injuries over the past few tournaments this year. Newly crowned Men’s World Cup Champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) will be hoping to keep the title on German soil together with teammate Timo BOLL (GER). BOLL already being the most successful German Open players having won on four occasions is looking at a record fifth in front of the sellout home crowd. The men’s singles draw saw several interesting matches to come as old rivals OVTCHAROV and ZHANG are set to meet in the quarterfinals XU looking to avenge his lost to Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Team Final and BOLL aiming to repeat his 2017 Men’s World Cup success over LIN to reach the semifinals.
Top Stars Return to the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour in Race to Astana
The Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open to be held from today 10 – 12 November 2017 The world’s top table tennis stars have gathered in Magdeburg Germany for the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open to be held from today 10 – 12 November 2017 for one of their final chances to earn World Tour ranking points to qualify for the US$1 000 000 World Tour Grand Finals in Astana in December. With only the top 16 male and female athletes on the World Tour circuit this year who have played a minimum of 5 events across the globe being able to qualify for the prestigious year-ending finale in Astana Kazakhstan the German Open sees 8 out of the world’s top 10 women and 9 of the top 10 men competing for the title and the race to Astana. The German Open which is the final Platinum and second last World Tour event of 2017 has seen world class table tennis on display over the past three days of qualifications as unseeded players battled to join the 16 seeds in the main draw of 32. New women’s world number one ZHU Yuling (CHN) will lead the women’s charge for the title. Fresh from her successful trip to Markham Canada to claim the Women’s World Cup title less than two weeks ago ZHU will be aiming to repeat her success and claim her career first German Open title here in Magdeburg. ZHU will have to face off other top stars including her colleague CHEN Meng (CHN) who will be going all out for her chance to claim her third World Tour Platinum title of the year. Defending Champion WU Yang (CHN) together with the other past German Open Champions Mima ITO (JPN) SHAN Xiaona (GER) FENG Yalan (CHN) and LIU Jia (AUT) will all be looking at becoming the first women to the German Open title twice. With the new generation of Chinese young players in action in Magdeburg the 2017 German Open will see these qualifiers challenging the rest of the world’s top athletes in the main draw for their chance at the title. World number two FAN Zhendong (CHN) heads the rest of the world’s top 10 men into the men’s singles battle for the title as reigning World & Olympic Champion MA Long (CHN) misses out from the tournament to defend his title. FAN who won the 2013 German Open when he was only 16-year-old will be eyeing his second German Open title. The 20-year-old top seed will need to be on his alert as his teammates have their eyes on the title as well. LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) who defeated FAN at the 2017 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup is aiming to repeat his success against the world number two and take his second ITTF World Tour title in Magdeburg. LIN had only claimed his first title at the Hybiome Austria Open earlier in September this year. Currently at number 17 on the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals standings XU Xin (CHN) will have the extra push to put on his best performance here in Magdeburg so as to rise higher up the standing in the Race to Astana and secure his ticket to the million-dollar grand finale. Fifth seeded Chinese superstar ZHANG Jike makes his return to international table tennis in Magdeburg as well after being troubled by injuries over the past few tournaments this year. Newly crowned Men’s World Cup Champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) will be hoping to keep the title on German soil together with teammate Timo BOLL (GER). BOLL already being the most successful German Open players having won on four occasions is looking at a record fifth in front of the sellout home crowd. The men’s singles draw saw several interesting matches to come as old rivals OVTCHAROV and ZHANG are set to meet in the quarterfinals XU looking to avenge his lost to Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Team Final and BOLL aiming to repeat his 2017 Men’s World Cup success over LIN to reach the semifinals.
Patrick FRANZISKA in superb run
Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg The three days of the qualifications at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg in Men’s and Women’s Singles Event concluded today. After groups stage men went through two more rounds of knock out matches whilst women had one additional round to fill 14 places in main draw. In Women’s Singles event only two Europeans survived preliminary round. Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria beat Mizuki MORIZONO of Japan (8-11 11-5 11-13 11-5 11-1 11-7). She joined her teammate LIU Jia who overcame Hong Kong’s LEE Ho Ching (11-5 11-6 4-11 9-1 11-9 11-6). Germany’s trio of Patrick FRANZISKA Bastian STEGER and Ruwen FILUS reached the main draw that starts tomorrow. STEGER accounted for Korea’s LIM Jonghoon (11-5 11-3 11-7 7-11 8-11 11-5). FILUS overcame Austria’s Robert Gardos by a similar margin (7-11 11-7 11-7 8-11 11-5 11-9) whilst FRANZISKA beat JEOUNG Youngsik in straight games (11-7 11-9 11-8 14-12). “The fourth game was really tight JEOUNG had the lead of 2 points all the time and at 10-9 match point I wanted to take it but I missed. My coach took a time out and advised me about the right serve and I won 14-12 eventually ” said FRANZISKA. At the top of the draw Marcos FREITAS of Portugal beat Liam PITCHFORD of England to progress further (11-7 11-7 11-9 11-4) but it was Jakub DYJAS of Poland who took the spotlight. Listed at no.60 on the Men’s World Rankings Jakub DYJAS recovered from an opening game deficit to beat no.18 Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO (14-16 11-6 11-6 11-6 11-8). Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden joined them after victory over India’s Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN (11-6 11-6 11-2 11-7).
Patrick FRANZISKA in superb run
Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg The three days of the qualifications at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg in Men’s and Women’s Singles Event concluded today. After groups stage men went through two more rounds of knock out matches whilst women had one additional round to fill 14 places in main draw. In Women’s Singles event only two Europeans survived preliminary round. Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria beat Mizuki MORIZONO of Japan (8-11 11-5 11-13 11-5 11-1 11-7). She joined her teammate LIU Jia who overcame Hong Kong’s LEE Ho Ching (11-5 11-6 4-11 9-1 11-9 11-6). Germany’s trio of Patrick FRANZISKA Bastian STEGER and Ruwen FILUS reached the main draw that starts tomorrow. STEGER accounted for Korea’s LIM Jonghoon (11-5 11-3 11-7 7-11 8-11 11-5). FILUS overcame Austria’s Robert Gardos by a similar margin (7-11 11-7 11-7 8-11 11-5 11-9) whilst FRANZISKA beat JEOUNG Youngsik in straight games (11-7 11-9 11-8 14-12). “The fourth game was really tight JEOUNG had the lead of 2 points all the time and at 10-9 match point I wanted to take it but I missed. My coach took a time out and advised me about the right serve and I won 14-12 eventually ” said FRANZISKA. At the top of the draw Marcos FREITAS of Portugal beat Liam PITCHFORD of England to progress further (11-7 11-7 11-9 11-4) but it was Jakub DYJAS of Poland who took the spotlight. Listed at no.60 on the Men’s World Rankings Jakub DYJAS recovered from an opening game deficit to beat no.18 Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO (14-16 11-6 11-6 11-6 11-8). Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden joined them after victory over India’s Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN (11-6 11-6 11-2 11-7).
Romain LORENTZ safely through to the second phase
2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg At the end of the day two at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg group phase of qualifications are concluded in Men’s and Women’s Singles Event. In the Men’s Singles Qualification there were 46 groups and the winners of Groups from 19 – to 46 advanced to the preliminary round 1 whilst the winners of the Groups 1 to 18 advanced to the Preliminary Round 2 and play against the winners of the matches in the Round 1 Among the surprise winners of the Groups were French player Romain LORENTZ Hungarian Bence MAJOROS and Nandor ECSEKI… Romain LORENTZ beat top seed in Group 7 Mattias KARLSSON of Sweden (11-8 11-4 11-8 10-12 11-9) and Padasak TANVIRIYAVECHAKUL of Thailand (5-11 11-7 11-9 11-9 11-9). Presently listed at no.210 on the Men’s World Rankings Bence MAJOROS beat Nigeria’s Quadri ARUNA (6-11 11-5 13-11 3-11 11-2 11-8) named at no.27 in the global order and the recent winner at the 2017 ITTF Challenge Polish Open. Nandor ECSEKI followed suit standing at no.233 in the world rankings he accounted for Gao Ning who occupies the no.43 spot. Furthermore GAO Ning has enjoyed notable success on the ITTF World Tour in 2007 he won in India in 2012 in Chile. Top name in the Men’s Singles Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS beat the Dominican Republic’s WU Jiaji (6-11 11-6 11-8 11-9 13-11) and PARK Jeongwoo of Korea (8-11 11-6 11-8 11-9 13-11). In Women’s Singles qualifications leading European name LI Jie of Netherlands failed to secure top spot in her qualification Group. She suffered by the hands of Nina MITTELHAM of Germany (11-6 12-14 11-7 5-11 8-11 4-11) but it was Miyu NAGASAKI of Japan who accounted for that victory. Japan’s player lost seven games thriller against LI (9-11 11-7 11-7 12-10 8-11 7-11 11-5) but beat Nina and progressed to the main draw directly as a winner of Group 2.
Romain LORENTZ safely through to the second phase
2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg At the end of the day two at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg group phase of qualifications are concluded in Men’s and Women’s Singles Event. In the Men’s Singles Qualification there were 46 groups and the winners of Groups from 19 – to 46 advanced to the preliminary round 1 whilst the winners of the Groups 1 to 18 advanced to the Preliminary Round 2 and play against the winners of the matches in the Round 1 Among the surprise winners of the Groups were French player Romain LORENTZ Hungarian Bence MAJOROS and Nandor ECSEKI… Romain LORENTZ beat top seed in Group 7 Mattias KARLSSON of Sweden (11-8 11-4 11-8 10-12 11-9) and Padasak TANVIRIYAVECHAKUL of Thailand (5-11 11-7 11-9 11-9 11-9). Presently listed at no.210 on the Men’s World Rankings Bence MAJOROS beat Nigeria’s Quadri ARUNA (6-11 11-5 13-11 3-11 11-2 11-8) named at no.27 in the global order and the recent winner at the 2017 ITTF Challenge Polish Open. Nandor ECSEKI followed suit standing at no.233 in the world rankings he accounted for Gao Ning who occupies the no.43 spot. Furthermore GAO Ning has enjoyed notable success on the ITTF World Tour in 2007 he won in India in 2012 in Chile. Top name in the Men’s Singles Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS beat the Dominican Republic’s WU Jiaji (6-11 11-6 11-8 11-9 13-11) and PARK Jeongwoo of Korea (8-11 11-6 11-8 11-9 13-11). In Women’s Singles qualifications leading European name LI Jie of Netherlands failed to secure top spot in her qualification Group. She suffered by the hands of Nina MITTELHAM of Germany (11-6 12-14 11-7 5-11 8-11 4-11) but it was Miyu NAGASAKI of Japan who accounted for that victory. Japan’s player lost seven games thriller against LI (9-11 11-7 11-7 12-10 8-11 7-11 11-5) but beat Nina and progressed to the main draw directly as a winner of Group 2.
ITTF to Implement New World Ranking System in 2018
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) will be implementing its newly developed World Ranking system in 2018 to present a more accurate measure and realistic situation of the playing level and to ensure that the World Ranking better supports ITTF events. The decision comes after the new system was approved at the Executive Committee (EC) meeting on 23 September 2017 in Halmstad Sweden and will become effective from 1 January 2018. The new World Ranking system which is more simplified and comprehensive is expected to create a more dynamic World Ranking based on athlete’s performance and results during the entire year encouraging players to participate as inactivity affects each position. The ITTF believes that a high level of competition and sports presentation assured by the constant participation of its top players at events will maximize exposure and promotion through TV social media and traditional media. Coupled with the more frequent shifts along the World Ranking it will be in the benefit of sports development to count on a larger variety of nationalities and higher presence of players proceeding from all continents. This will in turn improve the popularity and global reach of the sport leading to substantial increase in prize money for players and generate more interest of more countries to focus on professional development. Basic principles and the main changes compared to the current WR system The new ranking is based on the final positions reached at the tournaments only (regardless the relative strength of the opponent player). Only bonus points are awarded (no rating points are given) which are valid for 12 months except the World Championships. NO loss of points in case of losing a match. Ranking Points are fixed according to the point tables using different weightings for different types of events. Only the best 8 results are considered on a yearly basis (with one continental event included). Separated ranking lists for each age category (Senior U-21 Junior Cadet) taking into consideration only results in the respective category. Special seeding in case of injury and pregnancy More information on the new ITTF World Ranking can be found here or watch the explanation video to find out more! The ITTF is also looking at creating a more unified event structure that would strengthen brand awareness increase exposure and commercial revenue to bring major improvements in the world of table tennis. Quick Links: New ITTF World Ranking Explanation New ITTF World Ranking 2018 (PDF) New ITTF World Ranking Senior U21 Junior Cadet
ITTF to Implement New World Ranking System in 2018
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) will be implementing its newly developed World Ranking system in 2018 to present a more accurate measure and realistic situation of the playing level and to ensure that the World Ranking better supports ITTF events. The decision comes after the new system was approved at the Executive Committee (EC) meeting on 23 September 2017 in Halmstad Sweden and will become effective from 1 January 2018. The new World Ranking system which is more simplified and comprehensive is expected to create a more dynamic World Ranking based on athlete’s performance and results during the entire year encouraging players to participate as inactivity affects each position. The ITTF believes that a high level of competition and sports presentation assured by the constant participation of its top players at events will maximize exposure and promotion through TV social media and traditional media. Coupled with the more frequent shifts along the World Ranking it will be in the benefit of sports development to count on a larger variety of nationalities and higher presence of players proceeding from all continents. This will in turn improve the popularity and global reach of the sport leading to substantial increase in prize money for players and generate more interest of more countries to focus on professional development. Basic principles and the main changes compared to the current WR system The new ranking is based on the final positions reached at the tournaments only (regardless the relative strength of the opponent player). Only bonus points are awarded (no rating points are given) which are valid for 12 months except the World Championships. NO loss of points in case of losing a match. Ranking Points are fixed according to the point tables using different weightings for different types of events. Only the best 8 results are considered on a yearly basis (with one continental event included). Separated ranking lists for each age category (Senior U-21 Junior Cadet) taking into consideration only results in the respective category. Special seeding in case of injury and pregnancy More information on the new ITTF World Ranking can be found here or watch the explanation video to find out more! The ITTF is also looking at creating a more unified event structure that would strengthen brand awareness increase exposure and commercial revenue to bring major improvements in the world of table tennis. Quick Links: New ITTF World Ranking Explanation New ITTF World Ranking 2018 (PDF) New ITTF World Ranking Senior U21 Junior Cadet
Jersey invites players for Easter
Jersey Open 2018 The beautiful Channel Island of Jersey is once again the venue for this highly popular 3 day table tennis tournament held over Easter. Many International and club players from the UK and Europe have graced the courts at the superb purpose built Geoff Reed Centre over the years and Table Tennis Jersey looks forward to welcoming new and old friends. Jersey is particularly beautiful in April and further information about the Island can be found on https://www.jersey.com
