The 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux is only two weeks away (Saturday January 20th and Sunday January 21st 2024). At the 53rd edition the defending champions Darko JORGIC of Slovenia and the HAN Ying of Germany are both on duty. In Women’s Event for a second time Swede Linda BERGSTRÖM will play after very busy end of 2023. “It was a busy December with the Mixed World Cup the WTT Finals in Japan in doubles and the Champions League. I am very happy with my achievements in the last few months sustaining a high level and contributing wins for the SAINT QUENTIN TT in the Champions League and the national team. Ending the year by winning the last match and finishing 1st in the group in the Champions League was a great accomplishment ” reveiled BERGSTRÖM who is currently at the position no. 32 in the World Rankings.. What is your current shape? “I am not sure of my shape because I just had rest over Christmas and New Year but the body and mind feel refreshed. I’m ready to take on a busy 2024.” What will you play before Switzerland? “ I have two matches in the French league before I go to Qatar to play the Star Contender.” In the 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup the no. one seed is HAN Ying. Seeded at position no. 2 Bernadette SZOCS of Romania clinched the title in 2018 followed by Nina MITTELHAM of Germany the winner from 2021. Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA France’s Jia Nan YUAN Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA Prithika PAVADE of France Natalia BAJOR of Poland NI Xia Lian Portugal’s SHAO Jieni and YU Fu Slovakia’s Tatiana KUKULKOVA and Barbora BALAZOVA Spain’s Maria XIAO and Rachel MORET are all listed for this year’s edition. “It’s 15 strong players but if I have to choose one I would say HAN Ying. She won last year and had a really good 2023.” What is your goal for Top 16? “My goal is to do better than last year and win the first round ” said Linda who was 9th last year. How do you look back at 2023? “The 2023 was a good year for me especially after the summer. I feel I improved on many levels and reached my highest world ranking yet. The highlight was of course the European Championships in Malmö.” In Malmö team Sweden reached the quarterfinals. What is the goal for 2024? “For 2024 the big goal is the Olympics. First to qualify and then have a good tournament. Other than that it’s the European Championships where we hope to make a great result in doubles.” What is your 2024 resolution? “I don’t really make New Year resolutions but I’m at a great place in my life so it would be to stay there ” said Linda BERGSTRÖM at the end.
Alexis LEBRUN: Aiming for Victory in the Top 16
Once again the best players from the Continent will gather at the 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux scheduled for Saturday January 20th and Sunday January 21st 2024. Making their debut at this tournament with a rich and long tradition (first played in 1971 in Zadar) we will witness the action of two of French sport’s finest brothers Félix and Alexis LEBRUN aged just 17 and 20 respectively. While the younger Félix leads the seedings Alexis is seeded at position no. 8 in Switzerland. From both being ranked over 750th in the world to start 2022 the French players made an incredible run reaching positions no. 8 and no. 23 respectively at the end of 2023. Both brothers were immersed in the sport from a very young age which is no surprise considering their table tennis relatives. Their father Stéphane was ranked as high as the French national number 7 while the boys’ uncle Christophe LEGOÛT represented France at three Olympic Games (1996 2000 2008). Currently Alexis is on duty in Doha where he plays the WTT Finals Doubles Event with his brother. Félix also plays in Singles. After Qatar they will fly back to Europe to be part of the prestigious 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux. “I am very happy to make my debut in the European Top 16. It will be a very intense tournament and I hope to play well and try to win ” said Alexis. The list of players is as impressive as ever. Besides the LEBRUN brothers in Montreux Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany his compatriot QIU Dang and Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC the reigning champion will play. Also Swede Anton KALLBERG Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS Swede Truls MOREGARD Liam PITCHFORD of England Danes Jonathan GROTH and Anders LIND Portugal’s Joao GERALDO Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES Croatia’s Tomislav PUCAR Ukraine’s Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO and the host nation representative Loic STOLL. Who do you find the most challenging to play against and who is currently in the best form? “I think all the players play very well. Players are very strong and in this tournament it’s all the best European players so it will be very interesting. I think Félix played at a very good level during the last tournament.” Have you looked up to any of them in your early days? “I watched a lot of videos of Simon GAUZY because he was the French number one but I also watched some videos of Dima when I was younger.” Alexis played at the mixed World Cup and finished in the 5th place before he moved to Doha for doubles finals and Star Contender. “I feel very good. I’m in good shape so I’m excited to play the tournament.” What goals do you have for the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux? “My goal in the Top 16 is to win.” What is your best moment in 2023? “Personally my highlight of the year is my victory against FAN Zhendong. It was the most memorable moment of my 2023 season.” Lastly could you share your goals for 2024? “For 2024 my goals are to take medals in big tournaments and of course the Olympic Games in Paris ” stated Alexis LEBRUN.
5 European Stars in WTT Finals Men Doha 2023
We are just a day away from the WTT Finals Men Doha 2023. Among the elite players vying for the coveted title five European stars prominently feature in this exciting lineup: Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and QIU Dang Frenchman Felix LEBRUN Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC and Swede Anton KALLBERG. Leading the Men’s Singles category is the World No.1 FAN Zhendong. Having clinched victory in the inaugural event back in 2021 FAN is determined to add another trophy to his collection. With an impressive record of three WTT Series titles including the recent Singapore Smash FAN enters the competition with confidence. In his opening match he faces Darko JORGIC the World No.14. Fan holds a commanding 2:0 head-to-head record against JORGIC setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying start to the tournament. The top half of the draw hints at a potential semifinal showdown between FAN Zhendong and the legendary MA Long. Despite his illustrious career MA Long is still in pursuit of a WTT Men’s Singles title and Doha could be the stage where he breaks the spell. JANG Woojin stands as MA’s first challenge with the World No.3 maintaining a flawless record against him. However this encounter marks their first match in five years adding an element of unpredictability to this high-stakes match. The bottom half of the draw features defending champion WANG Chuqin who is set for a thrilling encounter with the 2023 breakout star Felix LEBRUN. Both players have achieved significant milestones in the 2023 season with WANG ascending to the World No.1 ranking for the first time and LEBRUN securing a spot in the Top 10. This matchup promises to be unmissable as the teenage sensation LEBRUN seeks to add a final chapter to his 2023 fairytale by challenging the defending champion.
Exciting Opportunity: National Coach Position at Table Tennis England
Table Tennis England is on the lookout for a National Coach to join their team and play a crucial role in shaping the future of table tennis in England. “The National Coach position is not just a job; it’s an opportunity to be a key player in supporting athletes on their journey to the podium at upcoming Olympic Games. If you have a vision to guide athletes to Olympic success this is the perfect role for you.” TTE are seeking an individual who passionately believes in ambitious goals embraces development programs and has the confidence to contribute as part of ‘the team behind the team.’ Being a National Coach demands dedication and new coach should be prepared for substantial domestic and international travel; commitment to working extended hours when required is crucial to meeting the demands of the position. Regular international travel is not just an expectation but a necessity to achieve the objectives outlined by the Head of Performance Development. Closing Date: 5 pm Friday 26 January 2024 Interviews: Expected to be held during the week commencing 29 January 2024. See the details here
The draw for the Champions League Women and Europe Cup Men and Women
The draw for the Champions League Women quarterfinals Europe Cup Women and Europe Cup Men quarterfinals was held today. After the little break the club competition commences on 30th January next year.
1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. Secures Final 4 Spot
The list of competitors for the Champions League Men Final Four is now complete with the host 1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. securing the last spot for the 2023/2024 season showdown from March 31 to April 1 2024 at the Saarlandhalle. Joining reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. in the Final Four are Borussia Düsseldorf TTC Neu-Ulm and the surprise winners of Group C SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt. The Austrians are the only non-German representatives in the final. In the ultimate match of Group A 1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. overcame French A.S Pontoise-Cergy TT after a closely contested five matches. In the opening match Darko JORGIC went the full distance against Korean player LIM Jonghoon but emerged victorious. “I am very happy that we managed to reach the Final 4 in Saarbrücken. Everybody expected that from us to play F4 on home soil. Personally it was also a very important individual win for me. My victory over LIM is very valuable since he is very highly ranked. It was very close and if I had lost we could easily have been defeated 0-3 ” explained JORGIC. “It was clear that FRANZISKA was missing his training. He was ill for ten days and did not have the chance to train at all. So it was very important that Yuto stood and prevailed after 1-1 and he beat BOULOUSSA. At that point we were in the clear we secured our place in F4 and everything became easier.” Yuto MURAMATSU added one point in the match against Mehdi BOULOUSSA. “My body was not feeling very well tonight. I had a stomachache. Also my adversary was very strong. However when I lost the opening game I did not give up. I kept on fighting.” Eduard IONESCU who only played against Tesla Batteries Havirov in Stage 2 overcame Flavio MOURIER in the decisive match. Patrick FRANZISKA returned to the team but failed to secure a victory tonight losing to Marcos FREITAS and LIM Jonghoon. A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. 2-3 LIM Jonghoon – Darko JORGIC 2-3 (11-6 1-11 13-11 7-11 2-6) Marcos FREITAS – Patrick FRANZISKA 3-1 (11-8 12-10 8-11 11-6) Mehdi BOULOUSSA – Yuto MURAMATSU 1-3 (12-10 6-11 10-12 9-11) LIM Jonghoon – Patrick FRANZISKA 3-1 (11-4 8-11 11-8 11-6) Flavio MOURIER – Eduard IONESCU 0-3 (10-12 2-11 12-14)
Saint Quentin TT Tops Group B
In a protracted and closely contested five-match series French Saint Quentin TT maintained an unbeaten record in duels against SKST Plus Hodonín in Group B of the Champions League Women. This victory launched them to the top position in the group in the ultimate match of phase 2. Czechia’s club remained in the second position securing their spot in the quarterfinals. UCAM Cartagena finished third and the Spanish side will continue the competition in the Europe Cup. In the quarterfinals the line up will feature Group A winners the reigning champions Polish KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL Tarnobrzeg and Novi Sad from Serbia; Group C’s top two French ETIVAL ASRTT and Austria LINZ AG Froschberg; and Group D winners French Metz and the club that finished second Italian QUATTRO MORI CAGLIARI. The draw for the Champions League Women Europe Cup Women and Europe Cup Men quarterfinals will be held live tomorrow at 12 CET onETTU.tv. SAINT QUENTIN TT – SKST Plus Hodonín 3-2 Linda BERGSTRÖM – Natalia PARTYKA 3-1 (9-11 11-7 11-5 11-6) Camille LUTZ – Sakura MORI 1-3 (4-11 9-11 11-9 9-11) Olga MIKHAYLOVA – Karin GROFOVA 2-3 (11-2 11-7 6-11 6-11 3-6) Linda BERGSTRÖM – Sakura MORI 3-1 (11-13 14-12 11-6 11-2) Camille LUTZ – Natalia PARTYKA 3-2 (11-9 7-11 14-12 7-11 6-5)
SPG Felbermayr Wels Triumphs in Portugal to Secure Second Place in the Group
The battles in another group in the Champions League Men have concluded with the last match in Group D between Sporting Clube de Portugal and SPG Felbermayr Wels ending in favor of the Austrian guests. In a fiercely contested five-match encounter Portugal pushed Wels to go the full distance but they were unable to secure the victory. In the preceding round Borussia Düsseldorf had already secured its place in the Champions League Men Final 4 by concluding all four matches unbeaten. SPG Felbermayr Wels finished in second place with two wins and two defeats. TTC Neu-Ulm the winner of Group B and SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt the winner of Group C have already booked their spots in the Final 4. With only one match remaining in the Champions League Men group phase tomorrow’s duel between Group A leaders reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. and French A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT in France will determine the final line up for Final four. Sporting Clube de Portugal – SPG Felbermayr Wels 2-3 Diogo CARVALHO – Andreas LEVENKO 3-1 (11-6 11-8 6-11 11-7) Diogo CHEN – Joao MONTEIRO 0-3 (9-11 10-12 5-11) Diogo SILVA – Jiri MARTINKO 0-3 (11-13 6-11 5-11) Diogo CARVALHO – Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK 3-0 (11-7 11-8 11-6) Diogo CHEN – Andreas LEVENKO 2-3 (11-9 6-11 6-11 11-4 3-6)
Six European players at the Chengdu Youth Training Camp
Since December 6th the Chengdu National Key Table Tennis Training School has been the epicenter of an extraordinary event – the prestigious Global Youth Training Camp a collaboration between the ITTF High Performance and the Chinese Table Tennis Association lasting until December 18th. This exceptional gathering has brought together six European players: Portugal’s Tiago ABIODUN Austria’s Julian RZIHAUSCHEK Slovakia’s Damian FLORO France’s Nina GUO ZHENG Spain’s Maria BERZOSA and Portugal’s Julia LEAL. They worked under the mentorship of head coaches Zoltan BATORFI and Anamaria SEBE from the European Table Tennis Union. The camp is particularly special as it sees the finest U15 players many fresh from the ITTF World Youth Championships in Nova Gorica Slovenia join forces with thirty exceptional talents from China. With a contingent of up to 80 players and their coaches the camp provides a platform for mentorship and guidance from Elite Coach Massimo COSTANTINI further elevating the learning experience. The participants not only engage in rigorous training sessions but also witness thrilling matches at the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup at the Sichuan Gymnasium adding an extra layer of excitement to their development journey.
KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO Triumphs in Final Group Match
In the last match of the Champions League Men Group C Poland’s KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO secured victory against French GV HENNEBONT TT on their home soil. Earlier SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt had concluded the group phase unbeaten securing their spot in the Final Four. Tonight Jonathan GROTH showed superb form by earning two points. He defeated Andrei MALTIZOV and Alexander GILLEN without any trouble. Konishi KAII also faced no difficulties against Alexander GILLEN. Vladimir SIDORENKO was the sole player to score for the French side overcoming Patryk LEWANDOWSKI. Austria’s SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt ascended from Stage One recording three wins out of three matches. Equally impressive they remained unbeaten in Stage Two. “We are very happy that we made it to the Final 4. Throughout the group stage individuals stood out in matches – myself in Hennebont Jin UEDA and Frane KOJIC in the victory against Dzialdovo at home. I am happy with my performance in the last match in the Group in Poland. I am very proud of defeating such a player as Zhou Yu. It’s my biggest victory in the Champions League so far and I’m very happy to have been able to help the team achieve such a historic result. Special praise to Jin UEDA who improved with each match throughout the Champions League. He started slowly considering he hadn’t had ‘matches under his belt ‘ but when it mattered most he stepped up. Frane KOJIC played very well defeating Yoshiya KAI at home. He is also my motivator pushing me to work and progress lately. I also want to thank my coach Martin DOPPLER for his exceptional support and belief in me. I also want to thank the president of Wiener Neustadt for giving me the opportunity to play for the team despite being young and inexperienced ” said Ivor BAN. There is no doubt about the mountains of tasks laying ahead for the club. “Let’s continue to the Final 4 and give our all to win a few more individual matches regardless of the fact that the other three teams are much stronger than us. We won’t give up just like we didn’t against Dzialdowo.” KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO – GV HENNEBONT TT 3-1 Jonathan GROTH – Andrei MALTIZOV 3-0 (11-6 11-3 11-3) Konishi KAII – Alexander GILLEN 3-0 (11-6 11-6 11-4) Patryk LEWANDOWSKI – Vladimir SIDORENKO 0-3 (7-11 7-11 6-11) Jonathan GROTH – Alexander GILLEN 3-0 (11-3 11-4 12-10)
