Vienna 07. April 2016 – Europe’s best table tennis players in the battle for their ticket to Rio de Janeiro: The European Table Tennis Qualification Tournament for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro is held from Tuesday 12 April until Saturday 16 April in Halmstad Sweden. LAOLA1.tv is covering the competition with comprehensive reporting and showing all matches from table 1 and 2 live. Europe’s table tennis women and men are facing five days of intense fighting to get one of the precious tickets to Rio de Janeiro. But in the end only 10 women and 10 men will be able to qualify in Halmstad for the Olympic Games in Brazil. Up to 6 players (maximum 3 men and 3 women) of each National Olympic Committee (NOC) may enter the competition except for the NOC whose players won the European Games singles event. This NOC are only allowed to send 2 men (GER) or 2 women (NED). Maximum 2 players from one nation can qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games singles events. The games will be played in “best of 7 games” mode. The preliminary stage draw will be conducted on Monday 11 April at 2pm local time (CEST). LAOLA1.tv will broadcast all games from table one and two worldwide and live and then provide full match coverage on its website. As an added benefit Premium members will be able to follow the matches on the move on their smartphones on the computer accessing up to four simultaneous live streams or via Smart TV in top HD and commercial-free quality. The European Table Tennis Qualification live on LAOLA1.tv: Tuesday 12 April (CEST) 10.00 am: Table 1 10.00 am: Table 2 Wednesday 13 April (CEST) 11.00 am: Table 1 11.00 am: Table 2 Thursday 14 April (CEST) 9.30 am: Table 1 9.30 am: Table 2 Friday 15 April (CEST) 10.00 am: Table 1 10.00 am: Table 2 Saturday 16 April (CEST) 10.00 am: Table 1 10.00 am: Table 2
Christian ADAM: Eslovs to be tough hurdle at the end of TTCLM
Pontoise`s coach praises his players who overcame two most powerful European clubs in the last ten years Borussia Dusseldorf (quarter-finals) and Orenburg (semi-finals) Current French champion AS Pontoise Cergy targets two titles in the rest of the 2015/16 season as a leading team of national league and the finalist of the Table Tennis Champions League Men. In the last two seasons they got two biggest achievements in their history winning TTCLM in 2014 and Pro A League in the 2015 but 2016 could be special one. Pontoise established itself as one of the two most successful TTCLM participants in the last three seasons securing the second final through battles against top seeded Fakel Gazproma Orenburg. Russian team has been named as the huge favorite at the beginning of the season but French side upset them second time in three years (Pontoise beat Orenburg in the 2014 final). “This is a great victory to win among the best European team of the past five years! We knew that although it would be very difficult it was possible to do it because we are one of the few teams to have already beaten them in recent years” stated Pontoise`s coach Christian ADAM. Marcos FREITAS Kristian KARLSSON Tristan FLORE and WANG Jian Jun were faced with many tough hurdles during the 2015/16 TTCLM season having two games in the group stage against Eslovs Al Bordtennis their upcoming adversary in the final. Both teams won their away matches. “This shows the value of our team as our “road” to the final has not been easy: indeed in our group we had Eslovs that we are going to find again in final Bremen team that is going to play ETTC final. In the quarter-finals we beat Borussia Dusseldorf and in the semi-finals Orenburg ! We are aware that everything remains to be done because we know the value of Eslövs’ team. It will still be a very hard fight!” stressed Christian ADAM.
Greece celebrated the World Table Tennis Day
Greece celebrated the Table tennis yesterday. The April 6th was celebrated for the second year in Greece with many events organized by clubs – members of the Greek Federation. Some clubs made the action in their areas other in schools or even outdoor at squares all in all they gathered hundreds of friends of sport and show them that table tennis could be played anywhere by anyone! The global celebration gathered Iraklis G.S. Thessaloniki A.S.E.A. Sarises Florina A.S. Ifitos Patras A.S. ALFA YMCA Thessaloniki A.O. Ilissos Kallithea M.G.S. Ethnikos Alexandroupolis and Pharos of Alexandroupolis all over the country. The biggest events were held in Thessaloniki Florina and Alexandroupoli. The team of Iraklis placed one table in the gym of Mantoulidis Schools and gathered about 300 students. The kids enjoyed spectacular exhibition game from two athletes of the club got information about the sport and played. Football players of Iraklis joined the celebration among the water polo players representatives of rhythmic gymnastics and swimming… Florina local club in Sarises attracted dozens of children in George Square Modi and for six hours gave them the chance to enjoy table tennis and learn basics of sport. The slogan was Join Us and the younger students built beautiful paintings celebrating the spirit of the day. Four tables were set up and more than 100 childrenn tried to play with the help of coaches and athletes of the club. Sarises prepared a beautiful video (duration 3.5 minutes) from the event and you can find it here In Alexandroupolis the clubs of Ethnikos and Pharos organized an action together in the gymnasium of the first primary school. They invited the primary schools of the city and for four hours gave them the opportunity to come into contact with the Olympic sport. Dozens of children enjoyed the game and tried their talents in table tennis. Moreover every class of the schools drew a picture with subject “the sport of table tennis.” The best picture will be awarded while all together will adorn the training areas of the two clubs. By I. FAKAROS
Happy World Table Tennis Day!
Today 6 April 2016 marks the second ever World Table Tennis Day a day to celebrate table tennis throughout the globe This year there are 154 events in 67 countries in every continent around the world that have officially registered an official World Table Tennis event making it the biggest and best yet. This shows the world that table tennis is a sport for all – for everyone everywhere. Remember the key point of World Table Tennis Day is: •Universal Popular and Inclusive •No matter if small or big event do something! •No matter if 6 April before or after do something! Millions of people are playing table tennis today submitting photos and videos at TT4All.com.
Tarnobrzeg after 17 years in the ECLW final
Polish champion challenges TTC Berlin Eastside in the 2015/16 final determined to win second trophy in a row after 2014/15 ETTU Cup After 17 years Polish city Tarnobrzeg will host the ECLW final. KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg beat UCAM Cartagena in the semi-final (twice 3:1) and set the final clash against the current ECLW top seed and double champion TTC Berlin Eastside (2012 and 2014 winner). „Cartagena`s coach Adriana ZAMFIR had no many options before the returning semi-final leg hence she had to risk. I put a classic option because I saw that my whole team is in high disposal which later was confirmed at the table” stated Tarnobrzeg`s coach Zbigniew NĘCEK. HAN Ying did her usual job collecting four points in two games with Spanish club. „I was surprised how easily I earn points and it lulled me a little but at the end everything went as we expected” cited HAN speaking about the opener against Iulia NECULA. When LI Qian defeated Maria XIAO Polish club secured its spot in the final. Tarnobrzeg now prepares for its second ECLW final which will be held on April 29th-May 1st (first leg in Poland) and May 27-29th (returning leg in Germany). They also fought for the title in 1998/99 against multiple winner Statisztika Budapest but lost. However Anna JANUSZYK DU Jing Elena KOVTUN and Wanda LITYŃSKA-SYDORENKO went down in history playing in front of 1 700 fans at home. After that Tarnobrzeg appeared in five ETTU Cup finals winning just last one in the 2014/15.
Melissa TAPPER starting off the World Table Tennis Day festivities off in Nepal
Table Tennis for NepALL – Inauguration Ceremony Kathmandu hosts the main event of World Table Tennis Day and promotes Table Tennis among people with a disability in Nepal On April 6 Kathmandu has the honour to be the capital of the World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) celebrated by Table Tennis enthusiasts all over the world to show the public a sport able to gather all kind of people having fun while playing Table Tennis. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) chose Nepal to host the WTTD main event as it coincides with the launching of ‘Table Tennis for NepALL – Project’ a motivating sample project that aims to develop the practice of Table Tennis among people with a disability in Nepal. The same ceremony inaugurates the newly renovated Para Table Tennis Training Centre in Kathmandu (damaged by last year’s earthquake) and celebrates the International Day on Sport for Development and Peace. Table Tennis for NepALL runs for three years and is organized by ‘All Nepal Table Tennis Association’ (ANTTA) ‘Nepalese Disabled Table Tennis Association’ (NDTTA) together with International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). The United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace and the International Working Group supports the project. It will run simultaneously in Biratnagar Pokhara Nepaljung Dhangadi and two locations in Kathmandu and will provide opportunities for all persons with disabilities by empowering strengthening and integrating them in using Para Table Tennis as vehicle for a positive social change. The undertaking includes the sensitization of local coaches the improvement of accessibility for players with a disability in local community clubs and the creation of a solid network between Para Table Tennis Clubs and local organizations to develop Para Table Tennis in Nepal and train Role Models. High ranked guests confirmed their attendance like ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried LEMKE International Working Group Co-chair of the Sport and Person with Disabilities Young Sam MA and role model Melissa TAPPER Australian player who has become the first ever Australian player to qualify for both the Olympics and Paralympics at Rio 2016. The event takes place on 6 April 2016 at 11:00 am at NDA Khagendra New Life Jorpati Training Centre Kathmandu Nepal
ITTF Signs Chinese Digital Deal with SECA
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) brokered by rights holders TMS International has agreed a partnership deal with SECA for all internet and mobile rights within Mainland China. The exclusive deal will run for four years between 2017 and 2020 and is the start of a new era of ITTF’s digital rights within China. As part of the deal both the ITTF and SECA agree to further explore opportunities in overall brand marketing local activation and new exciting initiatives for the sport. TMS International Managing Director Anders THUNSTROM stated: “TMS International is very pleased to have concluded this agreement with SECA that will have a particular emphasis to catering to the youth. I am sure SECA will be an excellent partner for TMS and ITTF in distributing World Title events in table tennis over the Internet into mobile phones and other devices”. SECA CEO and Founder LI Sheng stated: “Table tennis is known as the national sport of China with 190 million people watching the recent World Team Table Tennis Championships and there being 30 million registered table tennis players across the country. These facts combined confirms the infinite potential in the Chinese table tennis market which is shared by both SECA and the ITTF”. “It is SECA’s great honor to become one of ITTF’s Chinese partners to promote table tennis in China by presenting it as fashionable and entertaining to gain value within China. SECA will use new technologies like visual reality augmented reality and mixed reality within table tennis broadcasts to ensure it becomes more and more attractive and valuable for all stakeholders.” ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT added: “This deal with SECA is the first step of a greater partnership to grow table tennis brand. We are excited to be working with a new motivated partner and we have seen some great work SECA has been doing in several other sporting properties. We are sure they will help us to lift our sport to greater heights” Within the new deal SECA obtains the internet and mobile rights within China for the following ITTF events: World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) Men’s World Cup Women’s World Cup World Team Cup (held every two years 2017 and 2019 only) World Junior Table Tennis Championships World Tour and World Tour Grand Finals
LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup tickets out now
From the October 1st to 3rd the LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup the one of the most important tournament after the Olympic Games and the World Table Tennis Championships will take place in the “Saarlandhalle” in Saarbrücken. Tickets are available here For more information please visit tournament website
Berlin wants to go down in history
Coach of German club Irina PALINA says that ECLW final against Zamek Tarnobrzeg will be special. Berlin targets its third title in five seasons In the first decade of the ECLW competition launched in 2005 four clubs won the title twice: Sterilgarda Castelgoffredo (2006 2007) MF Seervices Heerlen (2008 2010) Linz AG Froschberg (2009 2013) and TTC Berlin Eastside (2012 2014). Bearing in mind outcome of the 2015/16 semi-final Berlin has a chance to go down in history as unique triple ECLW champion but it will be tough task for sure because actual ETTU Cup winner KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg targets its very first ECLW crown. “It is difficult to say anything all our players played very well and everyone was ready to do everything and if need be even a little bit more” stated Berlin`s coach Irina PALINA about semi-final returning leg against Linz (3:1). “After the first two games when the score was 1:1 it had an advantage compared to the first match in two sets. And Petrissa (SOLJA) showed all the public (the hall was full) what it means to be number 13 in the world”. German side won in Austria 3:2 (10:9) thus everything has been open in the Berlin`s hall. After first two matches in the second leg the score was same like three weeks ago (1:1) but this time Petrissa SOLJA was better than Iveta VACENOVSKA in the third encounter. After all SHAN Xiaona confirmed her status as a key Berlin`s player winning four points in both games. “Very much hope that Nana (SHAN) will be able to show in the final game same result as against Linz and Peti (SOLJA) and Gina (POTA) will support! The final match will be special because there are two defense players. It is important to prepare well.” Berlin and Zamek will play first final clash on April 29th-May 1st while the rematch will be held on May 27-29th. Polish champion defeated UCAM Cartagena in the semis and now approaching to its very first ECLW final.
15-Year-old Diaz Secures Historic Olympic Qualification
15-year-old Adriana DIAZ has created history by becoming the first ever Puerto Rican to qualify for the table tennis event at the Olympic Games. The rising superstar booked her place at Rio 2016 at the 2016 ITTF-Latin America Olympic Qualifications held on 1-3 April 2016 in Santiago Chile. Despite being the youngest player at the event DIAZ was the number one seed she stated after her emotional victory: “I can’t believe I have qualified by dream of representing my country at the Olympic Games. It was extremely tough to qualify here. I said to myself fight no surrender it was very close and my team mates really helped me. Now for Rio and a great experience”. Joining DIAZ in Rio will be Columbia’s Lady RUANO who is 19 years DIAZ’s senior as well as the Brazillian pair of Caroline KUMAHARA and GUI Lin Mexico’s Yadira SILVA and Venezuela’s Gremlis ARVELO. After being defeated in the decisive contest to secure a place at Beijing 2008 and four years later to again miss out on a place at London 2012 Mexico’s Marcos MADRID finally secured his dream of becoming an Olympian by qualifying for Rio 2016. “Really I fought like a dog I left my home over eight years ago with the goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games now thanks to the support from my family I have achieved my goal” said MADRID. “It is the greatest moment of my career against Gustavo it was an intense struggle each point was hard fought now my dream has come true I can enjoy my dream.” One of the men that MADRID beat on the way to qualification top seeded Gustavo TSUBOI from Brazil had to wait until the final match to ensure the final Latin American spot for Rio 2016 was his. TSUBOI who was expected to cruise through the qualifications being the highest ranked player at the qualification event stated: “I am very happy to have eventually overcome many problems here in Santiago five months ago I injured my playing arm and I only started to practice again one month ago. I have trained really hard for this event in the past I have qualified on the first day but here it was much harder however I had the support of my family and my coach.” Youth Olympian Brian AFANADOR followed in the footsteps of his countrywomen Adriana DIAZ to become the second Puerto Rican to play at the Olympic Games table tennis event. Along with them the pair of Cubans Jorge CAMPOS and Andy PEREIRA make up the five men to qualify for Rio 2016 along with Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) who secured his position by winning the Pan American Games last year. Full list of Qualifiers from the 2016 ITTF-Latin American Olympic Qualification Tournament: Women Adriana DIAZ – Puerto Rico Lady RUANO – Columbia Caroline KUMAHARA – Brazil GUI Lin – Brazil Yadira SILVA – Mexico Gremlis ARVELO – Venezuela Men Marcos MADRID – Mexico Gustavo TSUBOI – Brazil Brian AFANADOR – Puerto Rico Jorge CAMPOS – Cuba Andy PEREIRA – Cuba Quick Links: Event news & results: http://bit.ly/1otQ9Cw Editorial photos: http://bit.ly/239UURx Match replays: http://bit.ly/1RTDOSE
