The ETTU Executive Board met online on the 18th of December 2023 for the last time of the year. The Acting President updated the board on the latest events and activities he attended and the future partnership agreements. The General Secretariat announced the reception of applications for the 2025 event organisation noting: 2 bids for the 2025 Europe Top 16 Cup from France and Switzerland Bosnia and Herzegovina’s bid for Stage 1 of the 2025 European Team Championships. Sweden’s bid for the 2025 European U13 Championships. France’s bid for the 2025 Europe Youth Top 10. The Executive Board discussed the date and location of the European Olympic Singles Qualification following the recent IOC decision on participation. Updates on the status of event planning and recent activities were provided by the General Secretariat followed by the board’s approval of the 2024 development budget communicated during a preceding meeting of the ITTF and the continental presidents. The board has also affirmed its commitment to support Ukrainian players’ participation in 2024 ETTU events. The session concluded with the Executive Board extending the season’s greetings to the entire ETTU family.
TTC Neu-Ulm Clinches Final 4 Berth with Dominant Win Over KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki
After Germany’s Borussia Düsseldorf and Austria’s SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt Germany’s TTC Neu-Ulm becomes the third club to secure a spot in the Champions League Final 4 (scheduled for March 31st and April 1st in Saarbrücken) with four wins in the Stage 2 Group phase. Tonight they notched their second victory against Poland’s KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki. The Polish club had been the only adversary to put Germany’s stars severe pressure in the Champions League during their duel at the end of last month. In the opening leg they forced a full-distance match where Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (12th in the world rankings) and Quadri ARUNA (16th) lost their duels against Takuya JIN and Milosz REDZIMSKI. However tonight’s match unfolded far from that scenario. In a furious style the favorites sealed this phase of the competition with a decisive victory in straight matches. Additionally all three matches concluded in straight games. Czechia’s club HB Ostrov remains without a win in the group. TTC Neu-Ulm – KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki 3-0 Truls MOREGARD – Marek BADOWSKI 3-0 (11-6 11-7 11-8) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Milosz REDZIMSKI 3-0 (11-6 11-7 12-10) Quadri ARUNA – Takuya JIN 3-0 (11-4 11-9 11-5)
Eurotalents Development Camp U13 in Havířov
The selection camp ‘Eurotalents Development Camp U13 ‘ unfolded at the National Training Centre in Havířov throughout the entire week. A total of 26 boys and girls from 13 European countries participated marking the third camp within this year’s Eurotalents program. Young players were invited based on their performance at selection camps and the results of certain international tournaments in the respective age category. Marek ČIHÁK served as the head coach for the camp supported by assistants Marek KLÁSEK and Petr NEDOMA. The players also had the valuable opportunity to benefit from the services of fitness coach Patrik KAIZAR and the expertise of Chinese coach XU Kai. Additionally other coaches joined the camp with their respective national teams. The training program commenced on Monday featuring two structured training sessions each day with a third session available for individual and voluntary participation. Naturally a boys’ and girls’ singles tournament also took place.
Borussia Düsseldorf Advances to Final Four Without Losing a Single Individual Match
With four wins Borussia Düsseldorf secured its place in the Champions League Men Final 4 tournament. The Group D winners defeated Sporting Clube de Portugal in Germany clinching their spot in the semi-finals. The club was represented by the experienced Timo BOLL and two youngsters Borgar HAUG and Kay STUMPER. “Overall it was a solid win especially considering the lineup. We won 3-0 with the youngsters. I hope everyone has gained self-confidence for the semi-finals ” said Timo BOLL. Norway’s Borgar HAUG defeated Diogo CHEN. “I was a little bit under pressure at the beginning. Diogo played a very good long service and it was difficult to find the rhythm. However after a while I found my rhythm and started to control the match better and play my game ” said HAUG who posted his first win in ARAG CenterCourt in Champions Legue. “I hope there will be many more to come.” Sporting Clube de Portugal has so far recorded three defeats but there is still one match to play against SPG Felbermayr next Wednesday. “We gave our best and there are not many regrets. Borussia Düsseldorf is too strong and the atmosphere here is fantastic. Now we hope we can win in the last round and hopefully reach the second place in the group which will keep us in the competition in the Continent in the Europe Cup ” said CHEN. Borussia Düsseldorf – Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-0 Timo BOLL – Bode ABIODUN 3-0 (11-7 11-9 11-3) Borgar HAUG – Diogo CHEN 3-1 (11-9 7-11 11-8 11-6) Kay STUMPER – Diogo CARVALHO 3-1 (11-9 8-11 12-10 11-3)
ETIVAL ASRTT Secures Top Spot in Champions League Women’s Group C Despite Loss to GRAND-QUEVILLY ALCL
In the last match of Group C in the Champions League Women ETIVAL ASRTT lost to GRAND-QUEVILLY ALCL 1-3. All three clubs in this group finished with two wins and 6 points. However thanks to a better game ratio ETIVAL ASRTT is first with 8-6 LINZ AG Froschberg is second with 8-8 and GRAND-QUEVILLY ALCL is third with 7-9. The top two clubs will continue their competition in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. In the opening leg ETIVAL ASR TT beat GRAND-QUEVILLY ALCL 3-0. LINZ AG Froschberg has one win and one defeat against each team in the group. ETIVAL ASR TT – GRAND-QUEVILLY ALCL 1-3 Marie MIGOT – LI Samson 2-3 (11_13 11-5 5-11 7-11 4-6) SHAO Jieni – WU Jiaduo 2-3 (11-5 7-11 4-11 19-17 0-6) Camelia IACOB – Anais SALPIN 3-1 (11-6 5-11 11-8 11-5) Marie MIGOT – WU Jiaduo 1-3 (4-11 11-13 14-12 11-13)
1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. step closer to Final 4
1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. is making significant strides toward its first-ever Final Four in the Champions League Men which will be held in Saarbrücken. In the penultimate match in Group A they overcame A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT without any undue alarm. The reigning champions remain unbeaten in three matches so far. Tonight against the French team there was not much suspense. “We were relieved at the beginning when we saw that the Korean players were not in the lineup. It made our job even easier. However we did not let our guard down. We took it seriously and began the match on high alert. It gave me a good opening against Flavio MOURIER ” explained Darko JORGIC. In the group stage each game and match are crucial so the team fought hard for every point. “In the second match FRANZISKA joined the team despite his seven-day absence due to illness. He is aware of the importance of the matches in the Champions League and did not want to leave anything to chance so he played. We have the Final 4 here in a few months and that is a big thing ” said JORGIC. Marcos FREITAS was the only player to score on the French side. “We all know who FREITAS is. I was losing to him like anyone else. Our adversaries put him in the third position to maximize their match wins. He won clearly against NUYTINCK. My match against BOULOUSSA did not start well for me. I was losing 1-5 7-3 but I beat him 12-10 in the opening game which boosted my self-confidence. In the end I took complete control of the match ” said JORGIC. The second match between 1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. and A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT is scheduled for December 21st. “I expect it will be harder than it was now especially if their two Koreans return to the team. However we only need two matches to reach the next stage and hopefully we will achieve that.” Tesla Batteries Havirov is without a win in Group A having played all four matches. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. – A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT 3-1 Darko JORGIC – Flavio MOURIER 3-0 (11-2 11-5 11-6) Patrick FRANZISKA – Mehdi BOULOUSSA 3-1 (7-11 11-7 11-3 11-7) Cédric NUYTINCK – Marcos FREITAS 0-3 (11-13 6-11 6-11) Darko JORGIC – Mehdi BOULOUSSA 3-0 (12-10 13-11 11-2)
Felix LEBRUN and Han YING lead the elite in Montreux
The most prestigious individual tournament on the Continent the 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup will take place for the last time in Montreux on Saturday January 20th and Sunday January 21st 2024. Since 2018 the Swiss town has been the host with the only exception in 2021 due to Covid. In the 53rd edition the leading names are Felix LEBRUN of France and HAN Ying of Germany. The defending champions are Darko JORGIC of Slovenia and the top-seeded HAN Ying. The world’s number 8 the younger LEBRUN brother will play at the 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup for the first time. The 17-year-old star is currently ranked at position no. 4 in Europe. The World’s number 12 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany the no. 2 seed has won the tournament five times with the last time being crowned in Montreux in 2019 (after titles in 2017 2016 2015 and 2012). Last year he finished third. His compatriot QIU Dang who played for the first time last year and reached the final is the no. 3 seed. Champion in two previous occasions Slovenian Darko JORGIC will have his 5th appearance in January. The list continues with Swede Anton KALLBERG and 2015 winner in Lausanne Marcos FREITAS of Portugal runner-up in 2022 Truls MOREGARD of Sweden Alexis LEBRUN of France. Liam PITCHFORD of England who finished third last year. On the entries list are also 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. The no. one seed HAN Ying defended her title last year by becoming the oldest winner ever at 39 years and 10 months breaking the record Timo BOLL set in 2020 when he won his 7th title at 38 years and 11 months. 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 Swede Linda BERGSTROM 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. The total prize money is 100 000 Euros. The winner will receive a check for €10 000 runners-up will get €6 000 semifinalists will receive €4 000 quarterfinalists will receive €2 500 and those in the Round of 16 will get €2 000. The tournament originally was played as a Europe Top-12 and the first edition was held in Zadar (former Yugoslavia Croatia) in 1971.
The 2023 ETTU Women’s Coaching Seminar Successfully Concluded in Granada
The Andalusian city of Granada hosted the ETTU Women’s Coaching Seminar from December 11th to 13th. This event specifically designed to support the development and professional knowledge of female coaches in Europe was highlighted for its focus on enriching the game promoting networking and fostering the continuous growth of attendees. The seminar opened its doors not only to European female coaches but also to male coaches and members of associations outside Europe thus incorporating a diverse range of experiences and perspectives that enriched the learning environment. Participants had the opportunity to actively engage exchanging ideas and presenting projects which contributed to a more interactive and committed atmosphere promoted by the group activities of the speakers. Krisztina TOTH who brought her technical experience and unique perspectives as a bronze medalist in world championships and seven-time European champion; and Mar ROVIRA RODRÍGUEZ a specialist in sports psychology offered valuable insight into mental health in coaching from a gender perspective. The event unfolded with sessions spread over three days. The seminar effectively combined theory with practice resulting in an enriching and educational experience for all attendees.
12 Clubs in men’s and 8 in women’s category secured their places at the Europe Trophy men and women
The weekend of fierce battles all over the Continent ended with 12 Clubs in men’s and 8 in women’s category qualified for the Europe Trophy men and women Grand Final. The tournaments were held in Lille (FRA) Eskilstuna (SWE) Zagreb (CRO) Valletta (MLT) and Pontevedra (ESP) in men’s and in Antwerpen (BEL) Tallin (EST) Bratislava (SVK) and Zagreb (CRO) in women’s category. Grand Final qualifier men: Lille Metropole TT (FRA) (Winner region I) De Boer Taverzo (NED) (Runner-up region I) Eskilstuna BTK (SWE) (Winner region II) Pöytätennis Espoo (FIN) (Runner-up region II) STK Vyhne (SVK) (Winner region III/C) SK Vydrany (SVK) (Runner-up region III/C) TJ Geolog Roznava (SVK) (Winner region III/D) KAP-OFF (TUR) (Runner-up region III/D) Panathinaikos A.C. (GRE) (Winner region IV/E) ASD TT Santa Tecla Nulvi (ITA) (Winner region IV/F) TTC RADNIČKI 1972 BEOČIN (SRB) (3rd place region IV) Arteal TDM (ESP) (Winner region V) Grand Final qualifier women: KTTC AFP Antwerpen (BEL) (Winner region I) Club Pongiste Lyssois Lille Métropole CP (FRA) (Runner-up region I) Wamet Dobry Wiązar Dąbcze (POL) (Winner region II ASV Kufstein I (AUT) (Winner region III) SCO Bodensdorf (AUT) (Runner-up region III) Dr. Casl (CRO) (Winner region IV /D) STK Aquaestil (CRO) (Winner region IV /E) AD Muravera TT -B- (ITA) (3rd place IV)
59 Referees attended International Referee Conference in Slovakia
After 6 years without an International Referee Conference due to COVID restrictions ITTF URC invited this year all International Referees to attend the Referee Conferences this year. 121 out of 132 referees worldwide attended the IR Conferences either in Beijing in November or in Senec in December. The Conference in Senec has been supported and organized by Slovak Table Tennis Association. In the Conference the referees discussed different scenarios and agreed on common solutions. They also practiced public draws and implementation of events in a role play. Tina CROTTA from WTT presented the procedures and changes for the WTT events in 2024. Kevin CARPENTER informed about the ITTF Integrity Unit. A lively discussion started in the sessions with players and coaches. In Senec the Austrian coach Jarek KOLODZIEJCZYK discussed with referees the expectations of and cooperation between referees players and coaches. All referees also had to do an online rules exam. Werner THURY: “Three days of exchange of experiences and discussions finished with the common agreement that it is necessary to continue this way of development to ensure a common approach and professionalism. As chairperson I was really happy to see that around 90% of all referees worldwide attended the Conference this year.” Anton HAMRAN and the Slovak Table Tennis Association have organized the Conference in an excellent way. Jarek KOLODZIEJCZYK as ETTU chair of the Coaches Committee gave us an excellent insight into the expectations of coaches.
