STAG European Youth Championships National Youth Team of Greece had a busy week in Peace and Friendship Stadium before the start of the STAG European Youth Championship in Guimaraes and had great a company to work with. Τhe athletes of the Romanian national junior team were in Athens from last Monday and joined Greeks at the training. Leading European players Kristian PLETEA and Rares SIPOS who are in positions 1 and 2 respectively in the European ranking Under 18 and 4 and 11 in the World ranking list were present. SIPOS will play in Doubles with Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS as they did in the European Championship Under 21 last season. With the Greek athletes of the national youth and national men team were also Florin SPELBUS and Dragos OPREA while the boys were accompanied with the federal coach of the team Mandaline IONASCU. Coach Kostas VATSAKLIS welcomed the Romania’s players and coaches at the STIGA Area. The national coach said that it is a great opportunity for the Greek players to play with them at the trainings. The president of Greek Table Tennis Federation Manolis KOLYMBADIS also greeted members of the Romanian national junior team and thanked for the visit to Athens. Thir presence were helpful in the preparation of Greek internationals players. The Romanians also visited the capital’s sights and went to beach. They had arrived in Athens via Thessaloniki with a mini van of the Romanian Federation and reside in Kastela. Recently before this year’s national women’s team matches in the STIGA Area Elisabeta SAMARA had mini preparations whilst Bernadette SZOCS was there in a recovery period after injury.
Greek’s team worked with Romania’s players
STAG European Youth Championships National Youth Team of Greece had a busy week in Peace and Friendship Stadium before the start of the STAG European Youth Championship in Guimaraes and had great a company to work with. Τhe athletes of the Romanian national junior team were in Athens from last Monday and joined Greeks at the training. Leading European players Kristian PLETEA and Rares SIPOS who are in positions 1 and 2 respectively in the European ranking Under 18 and 4 and 11 in the World ranking list were present. SIPOS will play in Doubles with Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS as they did in the European Championship Under 21 last season. With the Greek athletes of the national youth and national men team were also Florin SPELBUS and Dragos OPREA while the boys were accompanied with the federal coach of the team Mandaline IONASCU. Coach Kostas VATSAKLIS welcomed the Romania’s players and coaches at the STIGA Area. The national coach said that it is a great opportunity for the Greek players to play with them at the trainings. The president of Greek Table Tennis Federation Manolis KOLYMBADIS also greeted members of the Romanian national junior team and thanked for the visit to Athens. Thir presence were helpful in the preparation of Greek internationals players. The Romanians also visited the capital’s sights and went to beach. They had arrived in Athens via Thessaloniki with a mini van of the Romanian Federation and reside in Kastela. Recently before this year’s national women’s team matches in the STIGA Area Elisabeta SAMARA had mini preparations whilst Bernadette SZOCS was there in a recovery period after injury.
Gerflor as the official sports floor partner and supplier for the LIEBHERR 2017 European Championships
The European Table Tennis Union is pleased to announce Gerflor as the official sports floor partner and supplier for the LIEBHERR 2017 European Table Tennis Championships. The Championships will be played at d’Coque the National Sports and Culture Centre Luxembourg from 13th to 17th September. ETTU President Ronald Kramer said that ETTU is very satisfied with the continuing partnership with Gerflor recognising the constantly high quality of their flooring.
Gerflor as the official sports floor partner and supplier for the LIEBHERR 2017 European Championships
The European Table Tennis Union is pleased to announce Gerflor as the official sports floor partner and supplier for the LIEBHERR 2017 European Table Tennis Championships. The Championships will be played at d’Coque the National Sports and Culture Centre Luxembourg from 13th to 17th September. ETTU President Ronald Kramer said that ETTU is very satisfied with the continuing partnership with Gerflor recognising the constantly high quality of their flooring.
BCE Host broadcaster of the 2017 European Championships
BCE has been selected as the host broadcaster for the 2017 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships which will take place from the 13th to the 17th September 2017 in Luxembourg. Taking place at the d’Coque the national sports and culture centre of Luxembourg the five days tournament will welcome players from across Europe. BCE will cover 9 games starting in the quarter finals of the tournament with live streaming on RTL.lu and the final on RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg. The event will also be broadcasted on a global scale on Eurosport and other channels. “With all the necessary outside broadcasting and production means BCE is able to ensure the perfect coverage of the tournament. But it is our added –value services which make the difference: BCE holds a content delivery network as well as a strong transcoding platform allowing worldwide streaming on any device or platform” concludes Xavier Thillen Head of Production at BCE.
African Cup Champions Aruna & Meshref Qualifies for 2017 ITTF World Cups
Quadri Aruna & Dina Meshref claims titles at the 2017 ITTF-African Cup to qualify for 2017 ITTF Men’s & Women’s World Cups Nigeria’s Quadri ARUNA & Egypt’s Dina MESHREF have emerged Champions at the 2017 ITTF-African Cup that concluded yesterday 3 July 2017 in Agadir Morocco to secure their places at the 2017 ITTF Men’s & Women’s World Cups later this year. In an epic final Men’s Singles final clash ARUNA ended the dominance of his long time rival Omar ASSAR (EGY) in a tight seven-games encounter claiming a 4-3 (11-7 3-11 11-8 4-11 11-8 8-11 11-9) victory to make his second consecutive appearance at the Men’s World Cup. “I am so happy today that I won because it was not an easy match ” stated the elated 28-year-old. “I am happy that my backhand worked well in the match because I was afraid to use it against my friend – Omar Assar whom I know was in his best form this time. I think Omar Assar played and that I was just lucky today because sometime luck played crucial role in matches.” The Women’s Singles final was another classic Egypt – Nigeria clash between Dina MESHREF (EGY) & Olufunke OSHIONAIKE (NGR). In the very same venue where OSHIONAIKE shocked the young Egyptian last year at the 2016 ITTF-African Championships to reclaim the African Championships title 24 years after her first the 41-year-old was not able to repeat her success against MESHREF this time round. The 23-year-old Egyptian was determined not to let history repeat itself putting up an impressive performance to sweep the title 4-0 (11-7 11-9 11-8 11-2) leaving no chance for OSHIONAIKE to fight back in the match. MESHREF stated after her victory “It was not an easy match and this cannot be judged by the result. The first two games were very tough and I knew that if I could win the first two games my confidence will grow and I have the opportunity to win the match.” “It was good winning at same venue I lost to her last year but most importantly qualifying for the ITTF Women’s World Cup a tournament which is very special to me.” The 2017 ITTF-African Cup staged in Agadir Morocco from 1-3 July is the continental qualification for the prestigious ITTF Men’s & Women’s World Cups to be held later in the year: Liebherr 2017 ITTF Men’s World Cup – 20-22 Oct 2017 Liege (BEL) Uncle Pop 2017 ITTF Women’s World Cup – 27-29 Oct 2017 Markham (CAN) The ITTF World Cups are the second most prestigious events on the international table tennis calendar with only 20 of the top table tennis players qualifying through their respective Continental Cups together with the current World Champions one host player and a wildcard. The next continental qualification for the ITTF World Cups will be the ITTF-Pan American Cup in San Jose (CRC) from 28-30 July 2017. Qualified Players: World Champions: MA Long (CHN) DING Ning (CHN) 2017 ITTF-Europe Top 16 Cup: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) Alexander SHIBAEV (RUS) Simon GAUZY (FRA) LI Jie (NED) Petrissa SOLJA (GER) Sabine WINTER (GER) 2017 ITTF-Oceania Cup: David POWELL (AUS) LAY Jian Fang (AUS)
ITTF President Appoints Key Positions
Khalil Al-Mohannadi & Steve Dainton appointed as ITTF Deputy President & acting CEO respectively TTF President Thomas WEIKERT has announced three key positions following his successful Presidential campaign last month in Düsseldorf. Khalil AL-MOHANNADI (QAT) has been appointed the ITTF Deputy President a role that he has fulfilled since 2014 when the then Deputy President Thomas WEIKERT became President. Petra SÖRLING (SWE) will also continue her role as Vice-President of Finance. AL-MOHANNADI who is also the President of the Qatar Table Tennis Association stated: “I am looking forward to continue working closely with the newly elected ITTF President over the next four years to take the ITTF to a more prestigious level within the international sporting community.” Steve DAINTON a 39-year-old Australian who has been the ITTF Marketing Director since 2008 will become the acting CEO. On the three appointments the ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT stated: “I have really appreciated the support of Khalil AL-MOHANNADI as my Deputy President over the past three years since I first became the ITTF President. I am looking forward to continuing this relationship over the next four years to grow the sport.” “Ms. Petra SÖRLING and I have been working very well together in Europe and in recent years at the ITTF and I am excited to work on the new era of ITTF together with her expertise.” “Steve DAINTON’s long term vision for the sport with an increased emphasis on commercialization and growth made him the ideal candidate to ensure the ITTF can develop to the next level.”
ITTF President Appoints Key Positions
Khalil Al-Mohannadi & Steve Dainton appointed as ITTF Deputy President & acting CEO respectively TTF President Thomas WEIKERT has announced three key positions following his successful Presidential campaign last month in Düsseldorf. Khalil AL-MOHANNADI (QAT) has been appointed the ITTF Deputy President a role that he has fulfilled since 2014 when the then Deputy President Thomas WEIKERT became President. Petra SÖRLING (SWE) will also continue her role as Vice-President of Finance. AL-MOHANNADI who is also the President of the Qatar Table Tennis Association stated: “I am looking forward to continue working closely with the newly elected ITTF President over the next four years to take the ITTF to a more prestigious level within the international sporting community.” Steve DAINTON a 39-year-old Australian who has been the ITTF Marketing Director since 2008 will become the acting CEO. On the three appointments the ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT stated: “I have really appreciated the support of Khalil AL-MOHANNADI as my Deputy President over the past three years since I first became the ITTF President. I am looking forward to continuing this relationship over the next four years to grow the sport.” “Ms. Petra SÖRLING and I have been working very well together in Europe and in recent years at the ITTF and I am excited to work on the new era of ITTF together with her expertise.” “Steve DAINTON’s long term vision for the sport with an increased emphasis on commercialization and growth made him the ideal candidate to ensure the ITTF can develop to the next level.”
Diane the Koala Welcomes World’s Best Players to the Australian Open
Seamaster 2017 World Tour Platinum Australian Open The world’s top table tennis players had a special greeting by Diane the Koala at the press conference prior to the Seamaster 2017 World Tour Platinum Australian Open which starts tomorrow 4 July in the sunny Gold Coast! Once the welcome party concluded the players got back their focus for the US$400 000 event and secure points to qualify for the million dollar World Tour Grand Finals later in the year. Due to the Chinese Men’s team withdrawing event Rio 2016 bronze medalist Jun MIZUTANI (JPN) is the number one seed and favorite to lift the boomerang trophy on Friday. During the press conference the world number six and the defending Australian Open Champion stated: “I am very happy to be here in Australia it is a beautiful country. I am here to defend my title and I hope I play my best and can win my second Australian Open.” MIZUTANI’s biggest competition will come from Europe with Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) looking to win his 27th World Tour title and his first title in Oceania which is the only continent eluding the 41-year-old table tennis legend. Marcos FREITAS (POR) CHUANG Chih-Yuan (TPE) and Simon GAUZY (FRA) will be the other trio gunning for the large pay check here in Australia. World number three and World Champion runner-up ZHU Yuling (CHN) tops the women’s seeding ahead of her team mate and world number five CHEN Meng (CHN). Speaking next to the Koala ZHU stated: “The Australian Open is a great opportunity for me to win another title. I have been playing well and I hope this continues and I can list the trophy here in this beautiful country.” It won’t be so easy for the Chinese players as they have to contend with Asian Champion and one of the form players in the world 14-year-old Miu HIRANO (JPN) and world number four FENG Tianwei (SGP). Qualification for the main draw of 32 men and 32 women concludes today with the world’s best players starting tomorrow. The 2017 Australian Open is the fourth platinum event of the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour which features 12 events across the world in 2017 plus a World Tour Grand Finals which only the top 16 male and female players from the 12 World Tour events qualify for. The events are split into two tiers Regular and Platinum. The six ITTF World Tour Platinum events will have higher prize money and be of a higher level organisation which will ensure the attendance of the world’s best players resulting in more international exposure for the hosts.
The 2017/18 ECLW seeding list: Reigning champion is not on the top
The 2016/17 runner-up KTS Tarnobrzeg tops the list while reigning champion Berlin will be No. 2 this time Just announced 2017/18 European Champions League Women seeding list shows some big changes comparing with the last year. Reigning champion and No. 1 seed in last three seasons TTC Berlin Eastside now starts as No. 2 while actual runner-up KTS Tarnobrzeg will take the highest starting place. Berlin strengthened its squad with actual No. 28 TIE Yana from Hong Kong having now four Top 32 players from ITTF World Ranking list (SHAN Xiaona No. 18 Petrissa SOLJA No. 27 Georgina POTA No. 32). Tarnobrzeg signed former individual European champion and current bronze medalist from 2016 European Championships Elizabeta SAMARA ( No. 30) while super defensive trio continues: HAN Ying (No. 9) LI Qian (No. 38) Viktoria PAVLOVICH (No. 59). Third seeded Croatian Dr. CASL is returning to the ECLW with a very ambitious team composed by three world class players: LI Jie (No. 15) DOO Hoi Kem (No. 17) and FU Yu (No. 36). Two out of them won medals at the LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships: FU was runner-up LI took bronze. Actual individual champion of Old Continent HU Melek will lead again Bursa’s side who signed two strong players Singapore’s ZENG Jian and Russia’s Yana NOSKOVA. Bursa won 2016/17 ETTU Cup. Hungarian Szekszard (No. 5 seed) signed former Fenarbahce’s player CHENG I-Ching (actual world No. 8) currently best ranked player of the 2017/18 ECLW. She will be supported by three well know faces in this competition Polina MIKHAILOVA (No. 61) Dora MADARASZ (No. 90) and former European champion in singles event Ruta PASKAUSKIENE (No. 108). These five participants for sure have biggest possible ambitions. Linz AG Froschberg will be No. 10 seed. Linz’s leading player for years LIU Jia decided to continue her career in Germany. The 2017/18 ECLW seeding list 1 KTS TARNOBRZEG (POL) 8469 2 TTC BERLIN EASTSIDE (GER) 8392 3 Dr. CASL (CRO) 8372 4 BURSA BÜYÜKSEHIR BELEDIYESPOR (TUR) 7985 5 SZEKSZARD AC (HUN) 7883 6 UCAM CARTAGENA TM (ESP) 7727 7 CP LYSSOIS LILLE METROPOLE (FRA) 7589 8 TT SAINT-QUENTINOIS (FRA) 7546 9 ALCL TT GRAND QUEVILLY (FRA) 7372 10 LINZ AG FROSCHBERG (AUT) 7203 11 SKST MART HODONIN – STAVOIMPEX (CZE) 6873 12 TUS BAD DRIBURG (GER) 6600
