Wales have hosted a massive training camp in their Capital city Cardiff in a partnership with England Scotland Ireland and Norway. The 5 day camp has an extremely intense training plan with the focus on power and movement combined with shot selection and the ability to think for yourself. ” A psychology session has been put into the plan with various fitness sessions testing the players motivations and resolve .There were 26 players from England four from Norway six from Scotland 6six from Ireland and 16 from Wales ” added Head Coach Ryan JENKINS. Coaches: Ryan JENKINS (Wales) Stephen JENKINS (Wales) Nick JARVIS (England) Alan COOKE (England) Gundars RUSIS (Norway) Pete LUGTON (Scotland) Judith WHITTON (Wales) Marcus GUSTAFSON (England) Conn HIGGINS (Ireland) Greg PRICE (Wales) Matjaz SERCER (England) Matt STANFORTH (England).
Two Table Tennis Paralympians to Compete in the Olympic Games
History will be made at Rio 2016 Olympic Games as two Paralympians will be playing in the Olympic Table Tennis event for the first time ever. Natalia PARTYKA (POL) and Melissa TAPPER (AUS) have both been confirmed for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games which shows the world that anything is possible. PARTYKA who is a three time Paralympics gold medalist will be competing in the team event for Poland after narrowly missing out on a singles berth. The 26-year-old class 10 player who was born without a right hand and forearm stated: “I will play just in team event in Rio but anyway I am very proud and happy that I will compete at the Olympic Games for a third consecutive time. I hope that this shows all disabled athletes that impossible is nothing.” The Polish player is no stranger to flying the Paralympic flag herself at the Olympic Games but this time she will be joined by Melissa TAPPER who will become the first ever Australian athlete to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. TAPPER who has nerve damage in her right arm will play both the singles and team events in Rio. The 26-year-old Australian is excited about the prospects of making history at the Olympic Games with PARTYKA: “I think that it’s awesome that the Paralympic athletes are breaking down barriers and getting to participate in the Olympics. Playing alongside Natalia is an honor but I think the biggest win is for our sport.” ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT is equally excited about the prospects of two Paralympians lining up in the Olympic table tennis event: “The ITTF is proud and excited to have a historic two Para players qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Natalia made history in Beijing by becoming the first ever Para table tennis Olympian and now she will be joined by Melissa Tapper in Rio. Both these players are inspirations to all para athletes as they show that disability is no barrier to success. We wish them the best of luck in Rio!” The Olympic table tennis event will take place from 6-17 August 2016 at RioCentro Pavilion 3. There will be four gold medals to be handed out: men’s singles women’s singles men’s team and women’s team. The singles event will be contested by 64 men and women while the best 16 teams on earth will battle to be crowned Olympic Team Champion.
Christian ADAM: Our players demonstrated a will and mental strength
Coach of AS Pontoise Cergy explains what was the crucial to win the double crown in the 2015/16 season and how his side managed to recover after 3:1 defeat in the first final leg of TTCLM French club As Pontoise Cergy won its very first TTCLM crown two years ago first ProA League title they took last season but the biggest success in the club`s history came last month when Marcos FREITAS Kristian KARLSSON Tristan FLORE and WANG Jian Jun secured first double crown winning both TTCLM and ProA. Returning final leg of 2015/16 TTCLM was one of most thrilling endings of that competition in last ten years as Pontoise defeated Eslovs thanks to better set-ratio. Each team won his home game 3:1 but French champion had one set more in total (15:14). Pontoise`s Coach Christian ADAM speaks about that clash commenting also entire 2015/16 season… How do you comment returning TTCLM final leg? After our defeat 1:3 on the first leg we had to react and take some risks in order to win the second leg. Change of tactic was essential and we have succeeded even if the scenario was not the one we thought. What did you say to Tristan FLORE after his amazing play? Of course Tristan Flore has been the “hero” of this event with his two victories but it is all the team who is to be congratulated for this great victory. What was the key for entire season to take all titles (French ProA League and TTCLM)? We managed a historic double: French champions and winners of Champions League the same season! Our players have been outstanding throughout the season and have demonstrated a will and mental strength! Everyone knew how and when to raise his level of play and bring the little extra needed when a teammate was in trouble or less competitive. What do you think about 2015/16 TTCLM season in general? TTCLM is becoming stronger every season and it’s a great performance of our team to have eliminated great clubs such as Borussia Dusseldorf in quarter final Fakel Gazprom Orenburg in semi final and the winner of ETTU Cup 2015 the Swedish club Eslov in final. Generally the TTCLM this season had many great clubs. We can however regret that due to lack of economic means many countries are not represented. Moreover the fact that there are more and more expenses and charges for clubs with no prize money which come to reward the participating teams that it becomes more and more difficult for clubs to join this TTCLM and if this remains so I’m worried about the future of this great competition. What about Pontoise aims in the next season and team`s line-up? For next season our team will be changed due to the departure of WANG Jian Jun (going back to China) and Kristian KARLSSON (going to Borussia Dusseldorf). But we think we are still competitive with the arrival of Mattias KARLSSON and a 4th one with who we are in touch at the moment. What do you expect from European players and teams at 2016 Olympics? About Olympic Games in Rio it is a great honor and pride for our club to have three players qualified for this major event worldwide. As usual we shall support them all the time and follow their results with a special attention for Tristan who will play by team with French national team. It will be his first Olympic Games and we hope that this young national French team will create a good surprise on that occasion!
Irina PALINA sees Berlin`s players in the fight for Olympic medals
Coach of Berlin Eastside comments on the recent ECLW final against Zamek Tarnobrzeg explaining how her club managed to take all three possible titles in the 2015/16 season TTC Berlin Eastside just finished its season to remember winning all three titles with a perfect 32-0 score in total: European Champions League Women 10-0 Bundesliga 18-0 and German Cup 4-0. Irina PALINA`s side broke many boundaries in the last nine months becoming the unique triple champion of ECLW since that competition replaced European Club Cup of Champions era in 2005/06 season. “First of all I want to thank all the sponsors and company Joola for support during the whole season! Without their participation there would be no such result in the team” first of all pointed out Irina PALINA. How do you comment returning ECLW final leg against Zamek and 3:0 victory (1st leg 3:2)? “It was our first ECL Final at home and I hope it’s remembered all the fans and visitors and interesting matches and beautiful award ceremony with “splashes of champagne”. What was the key for the entire season to take Triple Crown? “Given that the team played the German Cup the German Championship and the Champions League is difficult to identify someone. I would just say that in the Champions League semi-final matches played very well Nana(SHAN Xiaona). What about plans in the next season and Berlin`s line-up? “The following year the team remains same and added a very interesting young Chantal MANTZ”. What do you expect from European players and teams in 2016 Olympics? “Now all the players deserved vacation before the preparation and participation in the Olympic Games! With suitable draw in good physical shape and with little bit luck I believe that Peti (SOLJA) Gina (POTA) and Nana (SHAN) have a chance to win a medal. Of course especially we will be cheering for the team of Germany in the team tournament”. BERLIN`S FACTS AND FIGURES -Nine titles in five seasons -12 titles in total (they won each competition three times – ECLW winner 2012 2014 2016 ETTU Cup winner 2002 2004 2007 Bundesliga winner 2014 2015 2016 German Cup winner 2014 2015 2016 -Triple ECLW champion: 2011/12 2013/14 2015/16 -Players involved in 2015/16 ECLW title: SHAN Xiaona 13 wins-1 defeat (39-12) – the best individual ECLW score Georgina POTA 7-2 (22-9) Petrissa SOLJA 6-3 (20-11) Yui HAMAMOTO 1-0 (3-2) ROAD TO THE ECLW FINAL Team`s score 10-0 (30-8) Group stage (H) TT Saint Quentin 3:1 (A) Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor 3:0 (A) TT Saint Quentin 3:0 (H) Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor 3:0 Quarter-finals (A) SVNO STROCK 3:1 (H) SVNO STROCK 3:1 Semi-finals (A) Linz AG Froschberg 3:2 (H) Linz AG Froschberg 3:1 Final (H) Zamek Tarnobrzeg 3:2 (A) Zamek Tarnobrzeg 3:0
France and Romania will face tough challenge
2016 European Youth Championships in Zagreb The 2016 European Youth Championships team draw has been conducted today in the Belgium TTF office in Brussels by the Chair of the Ranking Committee Igor HELLER Chair of the Youth Committee Sandra DEATON Competition Managers Didier LEROY and Dimosthenis MESSINIS and Deputy Secretary General Pierre KASS. The most teams are listed in Junior Boys Teams Event – 41 whilst one less is in Cadet Boys Teams. In Junior Girls Teams there are 38 nations and in Cadet Girls 33. In Group A in Junior Boys Teams Event title holders France will meet Austria Spain and Slovakia. In Group B Russia is at the top with Poland Italy and England. From the top spot in Group C Germany will face challenge from Belgium Belarus and Hungary. Slovenia in Group D will meet Czech Republic Sweden and Turkey. Last year’s winners in Junior Girls Teams Romania will meet Belarus Czech Republic and Bulgaria.In Group B are France Spain Croatia and Ukraine. In Group C are: Russia Belgium Hungary and Turkey. In Group D: Germany Sweden Poland and England. Cadets from Russia clinched both titles in Teams event last year and they are the top of their A groups. Boys will meet Belgium Poland and Greece. In Boys Group B are: Sweden Germany Spain and Lithuania. In Group C: France Moldova Romania and England. In Group D: Italy Hungary Turkey and Portugal. In Cadet Girls Teams in Group A are Russia Italy Germany and Ukraine. In Group B: Poland Belgium Hungary and Belarus. In Group C: France Romania Croatia and Sweden and in Group D Slovakia Czech Republic Serbia and Slovenia. The title holder in Junior Boys Singles is Anton KALLBERG (SWE) in Junior Girls Singles Adina DIACONU (ROU) in Junior Boys Doubles Darko JORGIĆ and Deni KOZUL (SLO) in Junior Girls Doubles Maria MALANINA and Daria CHERNORAY (RUS) in Junior Mixed Doubles Alexandru MANOLE and Andreea CLAPA (ROU). In Cadet Boys Singles Cristian PLETEA (ROU) succeeded to the gold last year; in Cadet Girls Singles it was Maria TAYLAKOVA (RUS) in Cadet Boys Doubles Irvin BERTRAND and Lilian BARDET (FRA) in Cadet Girls Doubles Ema MARIN and Andrea PAVLOVIĆ (CRO) in Cadet Mixed Doubles Cristian PLETEA and Maria TAYLAKOVA (ROU/RUS). The competition starts on Friday 8th July and the Teams Events conclude on Tuesday 12th July . On the next day the Individual events commences.
2016 LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup at a “special place” for OVTCHAROV
“Saarbrücken is a very special place for me. In this area I play the Energis Masters every year. My main sponsor is based there: DONIC is supporting me since my childhood. I therefore hope that my fan base will be even larger than perhaps elsewhere in Germany” says the best non-Chinese in the world Dimitrij OVTCHAROV at the press conference for LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup at the Saarland Ministry of the Interior and Sports. This year the tournament takes place in Saarland’s capital Saarbrücken for the first time in the 36-year-old history of the Men’s World Cup. From 1 to 3 October Saturday to Monday the 20 best male players in the World Table Tennis will gather in Saarlandhalle – a maximum of 2 per country – to fight for the most wanted title in table tennis worldwide along with Olympic and World Championships singles’ gold. One of the participants is Germany’s and Europe’s number one the Olympic bronze medalist from London 2012 in singles and team event “Dima” OVTCHAROV. “The World Cup is one of the by far most important tournaments in the world. I am looking forward to the event. As the current number 5 in the world I’m striving for the top places. With the home crowd backing me my big goal is a place on the podium ” says the 27-year-old. OVTCHAROV reached the semi-finals twice in 2015 in Halmstad (Sweden) and in 2013 in Verviers (Belgium) he became third closely missing to enter the finals. “I look forward to this high-profile event. We will certainly experience first-class and exciting games in the Saarlandhalle. The Saarland will prove a worthy host ” says Klaus BOUILLON Minister of the Interior and Sports in Saarland who had personally campaigned for Saarbrücken as the venue. The DTTB President Michael GEIGER endorses: “The spectator interest in the region is enormous. We hope for a full house on all 3 days. Due to the tournament beginning on Saturday and German Unity Day’ on Monday fans can take advantage of this as a 3-day table tennis festival ” says Geiger. “The conditions are perfect: Table Tennis enthusiasm in Saarland is huge the World Cup is a very important tournament in an attractive format and with a high world-wide media distribution. It is an event that is watched throughout the world especially in Asia”. For the last time in 2003 Saarbrücken was hosting the Europe Top 12. Back then Timo Boll and today’s German women’s head coach Jie SCHÖPP both succeeded in this European ranking tournament. The Saarlandhalle is thus a historically good place for German table tennis. In addition the location of the event is not only close for fans in Saarland and the rest of Germany but also easy to reach for table tennis enthusiasts in France and Luxembourg. Top favorites in Saarbrücken next to OVTCHAROV are the reigning World Champion Ma Long and his Chinese compatriot the world’s number 3 XU Xin. Tickets for the LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup in Saarbrücken can be ordered online via ADTicket https://www.adticket.de/Liebherr-Men-s-World-Cup.html.
Chinese methods for European talents
Eurotalents Development Camp Luxembourg 15th – 22nd of May Another CTTC-E camp in cooperation with the ETTU/ITTF Eurotalents programme was held in May. ETTU invited 16 talents and from nine National Asociations: Anastasiia KOLISH Maksim GREBNEV Joshua WEATHERBY Tal ISRAELI Kornelija RILISKYTE and Emilija Kas VAN OOST Maciej KUBIK Maksymilian MIASTOWSKI LI Tiago Elena ZAHARIA Camelia MITROFAN Elizabet ABRAMIAN Rebecca MUSKANTOR Theo ABRAHAMSSON Karl HAST. . They were accompanied by their national coaches. Resulting of the co-operation with CTTA and CTTC 5 young Chinese training partners were available as usual in CTTC-E activities. The national cadet teams from Singapore under the direction of SUN Beibei (World Team Champion 2010 in Moscow) and MA Liang improved the quality of the camp a lot. Responsible for planning and conducting the camp were LI Xiaodong (CHN) ZHANG Yining (CHN) YAO Yan (CHN) Tamara BOROS (ETTU) Martin OSTERMANN (CTTC-E/LUX) and XIA Cheng (CTTC-E/LUX). “These activities have a special significance in enhancing understanding strengthening friendship learning table tennis and improving the level of play. The intention of the camp was to learn and grasp more advanced ideas techniques tactics and training methods. All players had the chance to improve their competitiveness ” explained OSTERMANN. There were two daily 2 5 – 3 hours sessions of systematic training. The main objectives were to learn the Chinese training methods to optimize and strengthen the fundamental skills regarding stroke techniques and footwork and to enhance athletic capabilities. Furthermore Table Tennis theories were provided by daily On-spot lectures and two evening seminars. Questions and answers communication between players coaches and the coaching staff was the preferred method. A tournament for boys and girls was scheduled for Saturday. The winners of the competition: Girls: 1. NI Zheqing (CHN) 2. Anastasiia KOLISH (RUS) 3. Elizabet ABRAMIAN (RUS) 4. Elena ZAHARIA (ROU) Boys: 1. Koen PANG (SIN) 2. Maksim GREBNEV (RUS) 3. BEH Kun Ting (SIN) 4 Tal ISRAELI (ISR)
Eslöv AI Bordtennis Club Dominate The Swedish League Once Again
The Eslöv AI Bordtennis Club men’s team lost a very close opening leg of the final 4-2 away in Halmstad. They managed to turn things around in the following two legs on home soil both legs going to Eslöv 4-1. Xu Hui remained undefeated in all three legs of the final with six wins from six matches. Eslöv have won the this title eleven times in the last twelve years. The women’s team regained the title for a third time after only managing to take the silver last season. In the final they faced Storfors and won both legs of the final 5-2 some fine performances were made by all players in the team. Notably the signing of a new Chinese player Xin Yu Li who has been practicing in the club since the end of January she remained unbeaten throughout the quarter semi and final stages.
Tristan FLORE delivers epic victory to Pontoise in the TTCLM final
AS Pontoise Cergy beat Eslovs Al Bordtennis 3:1 (10:5) in the returning final leg and won its second title thanks to better set ratio. Young Frenchman took two points beating XU Hui in decisive clash Dream came true for the 21-year-old Frenchman Tristan FLORE who had a main role in the 2015/16 TTCLM final returning leg as AS Pontoise Cergy beat at home soil Eslovs Al Bordtennis 3:1 (10:5). Just one set decided the new TTCLM champion counting first match in which Swedish club won 3:1 (9:5). In total 4:4 15:14. After the final ETTU President Ronald KRAMER handed over the trophy to the coach of the winning team Christian ADAM. All witnesses of tonight’s clash in Pontoise hall will not forget it for sure. Coach Christian ADAM chose a risky tactics but it opened the way to the title. It could say: everything will work properly in case that Tristan FLORE is capable to manage such big pressure. Two youngest players met in the opening game as FLORE defeated Mattias OVERSJO in straight games. Usually both have 3rd position in the line-up but this time they started thrilling showdown. When Marcos FREITAS beat XU Hui after four games Pontoise was one step to its second TTCLM title (first one in 2014). Chinese had a huge chance to level the score and maybe prevent French club to repeat best success in its history but he missed three consecutive set balls in the second set as well as chance to lead 2:0 against Portuguese. Almost same thing repeated in the fourth set when host player saved three set balls. In the moment when Pontoise had 2:0 in its favor it looked like Kristian KARLSSON has a nice chance to conclude the final against his compatriot Robert SVENSSON. But SVENSSON showed one of his best games in the last couple of seasons to reduce the lead of Pontoise to 2:1. KARLSSON reached opening set but guest responded by three in a row (crucial moment in the fourth set from 7:7 to 10:7). Fourth match has promised a lot to Eslovs bearing in mind that well experienced XU Hui the player with the best individual score before the second final game (he had 17-4) was the favorite against Tristan FLORE. But the 2011 European Junior Championships gold medalist played his best table tennis so far ending the final by five points in a row (6:7 11:7) in the fourth set. FLORE also secured the victory against defending champion Orenburg in the semi-final beating Alexey SMIRNOV in five games of the third match. He finished the 2015/16 TTCLM with six wins and just one defeat from XU in the opening encounter of the first final leg. For sure this season will be always something special in his carreer. The 2015/16 TTCLM final 2nd leg AS Pontoise Cergy – Eslovs Al Bordtennis 3:1 (10:5) Tristan FLORE – Mattias OVERSJO 3:0 (11:8 11:9 11:7) Marcos FREITAS – XU Hui 3:1 (6:11 13:11 11:8 15:13) Kristian KARLSSON – Robert SVENSSON 1:3 (11:4 5:11 7:11 9:11) Tristan FLORE – XU Hui 3:1 (11:6 13:11 6:11 11:7) The 2015/16 TTCLM final 1st leg Eslovs Al Bordtennis – AS Pontoise Cergy 3:1 (9:5) XU Hui – Tristan FLORE 3:1 (11:7 11:5 5:11 11:4) Robert SVENSSON – Marcos FREITAS 0:3 (9:11 11:13 11:13) Mattias OVERSJO – WANG Jian Jun 3:1 (11:4 11:6 9:11 11:9) XU Hui – Marcos FREITAS 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:7)
ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly won ETTU Cup in photo finish
With 5:5 in matches and and 18:16 in games French side clinched the title By narow margin with two games difference after two legs of the final French CP Lyssois Lille Metropole clinched the title in the ETTU Cup. Turkish Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyes suffered defeat in the second leg played today in Turkey. Like three weeks before the duel was strecehed to full distance and that was not the only similarity. In both occasions hosts failed to take advantage of playing at home. Thanks to HU Melek and Sibel REMZI hosts had a better start. Bernadette SZOCS and Agnes LE LANNIC both were defeated. Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor had advantage twice; at 1:0 and 2:1 but YANG Xiaoxin showed no mercy. She beat Polina MIKHAILOVA and HU Melek. In the decisive match Bernadette showed she has better finish and beat Polina in straight games but all three concluded by two points difference 11:9. Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor – CP Lyssois Lille Metropole 2:3 HU Melek- Bernadette SZÖCS 11:3 / 16:14 / 11:9 Polina MIKHAILOVA – YANG Xiaoxin 8:11 / 8:11 / 9:11 Sibel REMZI – Agnes LE LANNIC 11:5 / 11:5 / 11:9 HU Melek – YANG Xiaoxin 8:11 / 11:7 / 6:11 / 10:12 Polina MIKHAILOVA – Bernadette SZÖCS 9:11 / 9:11 / 9:11
