2017 ITTF Premium Junior Circuit French Open Bastien REMBERT of France held off the challenge of Haruki MIYAMOTO (7-11 5-11 11-7 11-8 11-6 11-7) to take the Junior Boys’ Singles trophy at the 2017 ITTF Premium Junior Circuit French Open in Metz. Azerbaijan’s NING Jing recovered from two games down to defeat the no.1 seed Maki SHIOMI (4-11 9-11 11-6 8-11 11-8 11-8 11-7) on her way to claiming the title in the Junior Gorls Singles Event Previously REMBERT beat the no.3 seed Jiri MARTINKO (12-10 11-7 11-9 11-7) in the quarter-finals and also overcame Hungary’s Csaba ANDRAS (11-5 15-13 10-12 11-9 6-11 11-9) in the last four. In the querters NING Jing beat Miyu NAGASAKI (11-7 8-11 11-6 7-11 11-8 11-8) before her victory over WONG Chin Yau of Hong Kong (11-4 9-11 11-8 11-4 11-7) saw her move through to the final.
European pairings in the final in New Delhi
Two best ranked Europeans at the 2017 Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour India Open Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany and Georgina POTA of Hungary successfully progressed to the quarterfinal of the their respective Men’s and Women’s Singles Event. I women’s Doubles Event Matilda EKHOLM f Sweden partnering POTA reached the final and in Men’s Doubles Ruwen FILUS and Ricardo WALTHER of Germany also succeeded to the ultimate stage. OVTCHAROV halted enthusiastic run of Portugal’s Joao GERALDO. Previously required to compete in the qualification tournament GERALDO beat Germany’s Steffen MENGEL the no.13 seed in four straight games (11-9 13-11 11-7 11-7) but against OVTCHAROV he faced same faith. OVTCHAROV prevailed (11-3 11-3 11-5 11-4). Paul DRINKHALL of England also progressed to the quarters. He accounted for Ruwen FILUS of Germany (4-11 14-16 8-11 11-6 11-5). Robert GARDOS of Austria joined them after victory over Sanil SHETTY of India (11-9 9-11 10-12 11-4 11-7 11-7). In Women’s Singles Event three European players survived Round of 16. No. three seed POTA beat SOO Wai Yam Minnie of Hong Kong (11-8 7-11 11-8 11-8 12-10) Matilda EKHOLM overcame LIN Po-Hsuan of Taipei (11-3 11-6 11-8 11-6) whilst SHAI Jieni of Portugal succeeded against WANG Yi-Ju (10-12 13-11 17-15 11-6 11-5). In the semi final of the Women’s Doubles Event KHOM and POTA beat LIN Po-Hsuan and WANG Yi-Ju (10-12 6-11 6-11) whilst in Men’s Doubles semis Ruwen FILUS and Ricardo WALTHER overcame compatriots Benedikt DUDA and Steffen MENGEL (7-11 6-11 11-6 4-11). 2017 Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour India Open
European pairings in the final in New Delhi
Two best ranked Europeans at the 2017 Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour India Open Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany and Georgina POTA of Hungary successfully progressed to the quarterfinal of the their respective Men’s and Women’s Singles Event. I women’s Doubles Event Matilda EKHOLM f Sweden partnering POTA reached the final and in Men’s Doubles Ruwen FILUS and Ricardo WALTHER of Germany also succeeded to the ultimate stage. OVTCHAROV halted enthusiastic run of Portugal’s Joao GERALDO. Previously required to compete in the qualification tournament GERALDO beat Germany’s Steffen MENGEL the no.13 seed in four straight games (11-9 13-11 11-7 11-7) but against OVTCHAROV he faced same faith. OVTCHAROV prevailed (11-3 11-3 11-5 11-4). Paul DRINKHALL of England also progressed to the quarters. He accounted for Ruwen FILUS of Germany (4-11 14-16 8-11 11-6 11-5). Robert GARDOS of Austria joined them after victory over Sanil SHETTY of India (11-9 9-11 10-12 11-4 11-7 11-7). In Women’s Singles Event three European players survived Round of 16. No. three seed POTA beat SOO Wai Yam Minnie of Hong Kong (11-8 7-11 11-8 11-8 12-10) Matilda EKHOLM overcame LIN Po-Hsuan of Taipei (11-3 11-6 11-8 11-6) whilst SHAI Jieni of Portugal succeeded against WANG Yi-Ju (10-12 13-11 17-15 11-6 11-5). In the semi final of the Women’s Doubles Event KHOM and POTA beat LIN Po-Hsuan and WANG Yi-Ju (10-12 6-11 6-11) whilst in Men’s Doubles semis Ruwen FILUS and Ricardo WALTHER overcame compatriots Benedikt DUDA and Steffen MENGEL (7-11 6-11 11-6 4-11). 2017 Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour India Open
Szekszard deserves ECLW semis
TT Saint Quentin manager Jean-Luis POLARD comments returning quarter-final match TT Saint Quentin`s manager Jean-Luis POLARD commented returning quarter-final match of 2016/17 European Champions League Women. His side was beaten twice by Hungarian Szekszard AC (3:2 1st home leg 3:0 2nd leg). “After the first leg between Saint-Quentin and Szekszard everything was possible and so the final result of the second leg is very disappointing. Obviously our players were not in good shape: our leader ZENG Jian lost again this time against her compatriot YE Lin and Daniela MONTEIRO could not beat Dora MADARASZ the thorn in our side. The young Hungarian player is still on fire as she won her 3 away and home games. A big difference with our N°1 player who lost 3 times. No wonder Szekszard will play the semi-finals. We wish them good luck.”
Szekszard deserves ECLW semis
TT Saint Quentin manager Jean-Luis POLARD comments returning quarter-final match TT Saint Quentin`s manager Jean-Luis POLARD commented returning quarter-final match of 2016/17 European Champions League Women. His side was beaten twice by Hungarian Szekszard AC (3:2 1st home leg 3:0 2nd leg). “After the first leg between Saint-Quentin and Szekszard everything was possible and so the final result of the second leg is very disappointing. Obviously our players were not in good shape: our leader ZENG Jian lost again this time against her compatriot YE Lin and Daniela MONTEIRO could not beat Dora MADARASZ the thorn in our side. The young Hungarian player is still on fire as she won her 3 away and home games. A big difference with our N°1 player who lost 3 times. No wonder Szekszard will play the semi-finals. We wish them good luck.”
Two New Additions to the ITTF Marketing Team
ITTF’s Marketing Team is boosted by the arrival of Cowan & Necula. On the back of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) taking back in house its commercial & marketing rights two new marketing staff have been added to the team. Jonny COWAN comes on board as the ITTF Partnerships Manager and Iulia NECULA will be the new Event Marketing and Player Service Coordinator. COWAN brings with him an extensive amount of sport marketing experience previously being the Head of Marketing at Everton Football Club and working on various projects with UEFA Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Premiership Rugby. On his new challenge COWAN from Northern Ireland stated: “I’m delighted to be joining ITTF Marketing & Commercial Director Steve DAINTON and the team on the next chapter of developing table tennis around the world with a particular focus on Europe and enhancing the marketing and partnership elements of the sport.” “Having worked in the English Premier Football League and with other rights holders in different sports I’m keen to increase our use of data and insight to build a global picture of our table tennis fans to enhance their experience with table tennis across all touch points and to add even more value to partners and sponsors by connecting their brands with table tennis and its fans in new and innovative ways.” NECULA an MBA trained table tennis Olympian bring a perfect mix of professional table tennis experience mixed with business training to the ITTF. The former Romanian national player stated: “It’s a big pleasure and a challenge at the same time to be working on ‘the other side of the net.’ After more than 20 years competing as a professional player it’s time for me to move forward and do my best in the ITTF Marketing team.” “The main objective is to improve the communication between the ITTF the players and the event organizers. It’s time for table tennis to get more prominent and players to be treated with the level of importance that they deserve. There are many ways that table tennis can develop and I am very excited to be a part of it!” ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT is equally excited with the two new members joining the team: “As the ITTF now has all our rights back in house it is important that we boost our marketing presence in order to maximize all the potential commercial opportunities. Jonny and Iulia are fantastic hires and I am sure they will be perfect assets to our already strong marketing team led by Steve DAINTON.” The duo will begin work immediately to increase ITTF’s marketing presence world wide.
Two New Additions to the ITTF Marketing Team
ITTF’s Marketing Team is boosted by the arrival of Cowan & Necula. On the back of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) taking back in house its commercial & marketing rights two new marketing staff have been added to the team. Jonny COWAN comes on board as the ITTF Partnerships Manager and Iulia NECULA will be the new Event Marketing and Player Service Coordinator. COWAN brings with him an extensive amount of sport marketing experience previously being the Head of Marketing at Everton Football Club and working on various projects with UEFA Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Premiership Rugby. On his new challenge COWAN from Northern Ireland stated: “I’m delighted to be joining ITTF Marketing & Commercial Director Steve DAINTON and the team on the next chapter of developing table tennis around the world with a particular focus on Europe and enhancing the marketing and partnership elements of the sport.” “Having worked in the English Premier Football League and with other rights holders in different sports I’m keen to increase our use of data and insight to build a global picture of our table tennis fans to enhance their experience with table tennis across all touch points and to add even more value to partners and sponsors by connecting their brands with table tennis and its fans in new and innovative ways.” NECULA an MBA trained table tennis Olympian bring a perfect mix of professional table tennis experience mixed with business training to the ITTF. The former Romanian national player stated: “It’s a big pleasure and a challenge at the same time to be working on ‘the other side of the net.’ After more than 20 years competing as a professional player it’s time for me to move forward and do my best in the ITTF Marketing team.” “The main objective is to improve the communication between the ITTF the players and the event organizers. It’s time for table tennis to get more prominent and players to be treated with the level of importance that they deserve. There are many ways that table tennis can develop and I am very excited to be a part of it!” ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT is equally excited with the two new members joining the team: “As the ITTF now has all our rights back in house it is important that we boost our marketing presence in order to maximize all the potential commercial opportunities. Jonny and Iulia are fantastic hires and I am sure they will be perfect assets to our already strong marketing team led by Steve DAINTON.” The duo will begin work immediately to increase ITTF’s marketing presence world wide.
2017 ITTF-Europe Cup in Antibes winner on duty in India
Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour India Open After seven years India is hosting an ITTF World Tour event. In glamorous Thyagraj Sports Complex in the city of New Delhi 80 players will be on duty by the end of the week led by the no. one seeded in Men’s Singles event Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany and no. one seeded in Women’s Singles DOO Hoi Kem of Hong Kong. Leading name in the Men’s Singles Event is in the winning mode. In the last two weeks Dimitrij OVTCHAROV won the Men’s Singles title at the 2017 ITTF-Europe Cup in Antibes France and he was crowned the champion at the DHS 2017 Lausanne Open in Switzerland. The world no.5 will face strong challenge: Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus Koki NIWA Yuto MURAMATSU and Yuya OSHIMA of Japan Paul DRINKHALL of England Benedikt DUDA of Germany Robert GARDOS of Austria as well as host nation representative Sharath Kamal ACHANTA all are listed in India. “I am excited to play in India. I think table tennis there is getting more and more famous. Actually I am really looking forward to playing in front of the Indian table tennis fans “said Dimitrij OVTCHAROV At the list of the seeds in Women’s Singles Event DOO Hoi Kem and her compatriot LEE Ho Ching are at the top followed by Georgina POTA of Hungary and another crowned champion from DHS 2017 Lausanne Open in Switzerland – Matilda EKHOLM. Among top 10 seeds is the name of Manika BATRA of India.
Both HEISTER and SKORIC praise their players
Comments after returning quarter-final leg of Table Tennis Champions League Men The winner of the all-German quarter-final of TTCLM Borussia Dusseldorf continues its way in the best club`s competition but there is no disappointment in the defeated side TTF LIEBHERR Ochsenhausen. Both coaches praised their players after returning leg held in the sold out ARAG CenterCort (1 100) in Dusseldorf where host team won 3:1 (2:3 1st leg) after super tense and exhausted battle. “I am very proud of my team who reached the semi-finals” stressed Borussia`s coach Danny HEISTER. “It was really amazing that every player made his point in two games. That Timo (BOLL) won his match with his injury and Stefan FEGERL who was not planned to play win against GAUZY was unbelievable. I think we have a very good team and they all want to be better from game to game.” Timo BOLL was extended to full distance by Hugo CALDERANO in the opening game but he wasn’t able to play in the fourth match against Simon GAUZY due to injury. Stefan FEGERL replaced him successfully as he beat Frenchman in four games. “That was good for the Borussia because FEGERL was fresh full of energy and played very strong while Simon (GAUZY) was a bit empty and exhausted struggling with light back problems. But that was certainly not decisive” stated Ochsenhausen president Kristijan PEJINOVIC. Ochsenahusen`s coach Dubravko SKORIC added: “We had chances to win this fantastic game but Düsseldorf also had their chances in first leg. We have no reason to be discouraged. Hugo (CALDERANO) was very close to beat Timo (BOLL) FEGERL was fresh in the last match while Simon’s battery was empty.”
Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor on the run for another finalNew news
Women’s ETTU Cup Despite great difficulties Turkey will have two clubs in the Women’s ETTU Cup semifinal. Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor and Tigem SC Ankara will fight for their place in the ultimate stage. Head coach of Bursa BSB Mehmet ASLAN was happy with the overall victory against Budaorsi 2i Sport Club (2:3 3:1) but he reminded us of the situation that preceded the big success. “First of all we would like to state that we have played both matches as guests. We’ve always believed that we will qualify for semifinal. We fully believed in our players. Club seriously conducted the preparations with our rival’s match videos we set our tactics and won. I also would like to emphasize that Alexandra PRIVALOVA win was vital for us. “ Organising the matches in such condition was not an easy task. “We would like to thank Budaorsi for all we had a few problems in second match in terms of hall and meals but they understood such things may happen it’s normal.” CP Lyssois Lille Metropole will be their next adversary. “We know Lille Metropole very well as we played already in the ETTU Cup final against them. We deeply respect this team they have strong players. This match is going to be a really hard duel our chances are 50 – 50. However we have 2016 European Champion Melek HU in our team she’s much better than she was last year and now she is in her top form so this gives extra confidence both to management and to the players. As a full-self-confident team we feel closer to the victory ” stated coach ASLAN. Crowned European champion HU Melek added: “Against Budaorsi we won very difficult and very close match. On the opening leg we lost 2:3. This is what I did not expect. In the next match we changed the positions. After a good start and victory in the first duel everything was different. We were under less pressure. Next match we will play against CP Lyssois Lille Metropole team so it will be something what we already experienced in last year’s final. We know each other but now is the new game. We will forget everything. Will fight for every point and every match. We can beat them and I hope we will prove it ” said HU.
