ITTF European Championships Qualifications In Men’s Team’s Event at the ITTF European Championships Qualifications Denmark and Slovenia were the only teams to secure the victory on home soil tonight. Denmark avenged the defeat they suffered in the opening round against Austria. Slovenia on the other side repeated the success from the opening round and beat Poland. Germany succeeded against Switzerland again. The favorites succeeded in all other matches: Belarus beat Israel France beat Finland Sweden beat Estonia Portugal overcame hosts in Lithuania Greece beat Netherlands. There were no surprises in Women’s Teams Event. All guests will travel home with new points. Men’s Teams Event Denmark – Austria 3:0Tobias RASMUSSEN – Andreas LEVENKO 3:2 (13:11 3:11 12:10 9:11 12:10)Anders LIND – Simon PFEFFER 3:0 (11:9 11:7 11:6)Claus NILSEN – David SERDAROGLU 3:2 (12:10 8:11 11:9 13:15 11:6) Switzerland – Germany 0:3Nicolas CHAMPOD – Ricardo WALTHER 0:3 (6:11 6:11 3:11)Gael VENDÉ – Benedikt DUDA 0:3 (4: 11 11:13 5:11)Lars POSCH – Kilian ORT 0:3 (7:11 8:11 5:11) Finland – France 0:3Alex NAUMI – Stephane OUAICHE 0:3 (11:13 5:11 5:11)Miikka O’CONNOR – BROSSIER Benjamin 0:3 (8:11 7:11 7:11)Veikka FLEMMING – Tristan FLORE 0:3 (2:11 5:11 2:11) Israel – Belarus 0:3Omri BEN ARI – Pavel PLATONOV 2:3 (12:10 7:11 3:11 11:5 10:12)Ron DAVIDOVICH – Aliaksandr KHANIN 0:3 (5:11 10:12 9:11)Yaniv SHARON – SHAMRUK 2:3 (11:7 13:11 10:12 9:11 8:11) Estonia – Sweden 0:3Vallot VAINULA – Simon ARVIDSSON 1:3 (7:11 11:6 5:11 7:11)Toomas LIBENE – Alexander FRANZEN 0:3 (4:11 5:11 8:11)Rivo SAAREMAE – Hampus SODERLUND 0:3 (7:11 6:11 3:11) Lithuania – Portugal 1:3M. STANKEVICIUS – Diogo CHEN 3:2 (15:13 11:9 9:11 7:11 14:12)Tomas MIKUTIS – Diogo CARVALHO 1:3 (11:7 5:11 3:11 4;11)Alfredas UDRA – Diogo PINHO 0:3 (6:11 6:11 7:11)M. STANKEVICIUS – Diogo CARVALHO 1:3 (11:9 4:11 9:11 6:11) Netherlands – Greece 1:3 Laurens TROMER – PAPEGEORGIOU Konstantinos 3:0 (11:4 11:6 11:6)Ewout OOSTWOUDER – Panagiotis GIONIS 0:3 (4:11 7:11 14:16)Rajko GOMMERS – Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS 1:3 (7:11 7:11 11:4 8:11)Laurens TROMER – Panagiotis GIONIS 1:3 (12:10 9:11 2:11 8:11) Slovenia – Poland 3:2JORGIC Darko – Daniel GORAK 3:1 (11:9 11:4 4:11 11:5)Bojan TOKIC – WANG Zengyi 3:2 (4:11 9:11 15:13 11:7 12:10)Deni KOZUL – Jakub DYJAS 0:3 (7:11 10:12 6:11)Darko JORGIC – WANG Zengyi 1:3 (10:12 6:11 11:4 7:11)Bojan TOKIC – Daniel GORAK 3:0 (11:7 11:6 11:6) Bulgaria – Russia 2:3Kiril POPOV – Vladislav BUROV 0:3 (6:11 5:11 6:11)Teodor ALEXANDROV – Grigory VLASOV 0:3 (4:11 8:11 8:11)Petko GABROVSKI – Alexey LIVENTSOV 3:1 (12:10 11:6 5:11 11:9)Kiril POPOV – Grigory VLASOV 3:0 (11:8 12:10 11:9)Teodor ALEXANDROV – Vladislav BUROV 1:3 (11:7 7:11 4:11 4:11) Women’s Teams EventEngland – Germany 0:3Kelly SIBLEY – SHAN Xiaona 0:3 (6:11 10:11 8:11)Tin-Tin HO – Nina MITTELHAM 0:3 (7:11 8:11 5:11)Karina Le FEVRE – Yuan WAN 0:3 (9:11 5:11 12:14) Greece – Romania 1:3 Konstantina PARADI – Bernadette SZOCS 0:3 (6:11 7:11 9:11) Aikatarina TOILOU – Elizabeta SAMARA 0:3 (11:13 7:11 7:11) Filareti EXARCHOU – Camelia IACOB 3:2 (12:10 5:11 4:11 11:4 11:9) Ioanna GERASIMATAU – Elizabeta SAMARA 0:3 (3:11 3:11 7:11) Bulgaria – Russia 0:3Maria YOVKOVA – Maria MALANINA 0:3 (11:13 9:11 4:11)Mihaela DIMOVA – Yana NOSKOVA 0:3 (10:12 4:11 3:11)Anelica KAROVA – Maria TAILAKOVA 0:3 (9:11 9:11 3:11) Switzerland – Poland 0:3 Rahel ASCHWANDEN – Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA FRANZ 1:3 (8:11 11:8 4:11 10:12)Celine REUST – Natalia PARTYKA 1:3 (0:11 4:11 11:8 2:11)Mireille KROON – Klaudia KUSINSKA 0:3 (8:11 6:11 9:11) Kosovo –Austria 1:3Viona MALOKU – Karoline MISCHEK 0:3 (5:11 6:11 8:11)Linda ZEQIRI – Amelie SOLJA 0:3 (2:11 1:11 8:11)Iliriana HALITI – Sehira LEITNER 3:1 (11:6 6:11 11:8 13:11)Viona MALOKU – Amelie SOLJA 0:3 (5:11 9:11 3:11) Lithuania – Czech Republic 0:3Egle STUCKYTE – Kvater TOMANOVSKA 0:3 (8:11 9:11 10:12)Ugne BASKUTYTE – Iveta VACENOVSKA 0:3 (4:11 5:11 5:11)Kornelija RILISKYTE – Hana MATELOVA 0:3 (6:11 5:11 2:11) Italy – France 0:3Chiara COLANTONI – Stephanie LOEUILLETTE 0:3 (3:11 4:11 4:11)Loan LETHIHONG – Laura GASNIER 1:3 (4:11 4:11 11:7 9:11)Jamila LAURENTI – Pauline CHASSELIN 2:3 (11:6 7:11 11:7 5:11 9:11) Belgium – Hungary 0:3Eline LOYEN – Szandra PERGEL 0:3 (7:11 3:11 4:11)Nathave MARCHETTI – Dora MADARÁSZ 0:3 (8:11 7:11 9:11)Margo DEGRAFF – Krisztina AMBRUS 2:3 (12:10 11:6 5:11 7:11 9:11)
Favorites repeated the success from the opening round
ITTF European Championships Qualifications In Men’s Team’s Event at the ITTF European Championships Qualifications Denmark and Slovenia were the only teams to secure the victory on home soil tonight. Denmark avenged the defeat they suffered in the opening round against Austria. Slovenia on the other side repeated the success from the opening round and beat Poland. Germany succeeded against Switzerland again. The favorites succeeded in all other matches: Belarus beat Israel France beat Finland Sweden beat Estonia Portugal overcame hosts in Lithuania Greece beat Netherlands. There were no surprises in Women’s Teams Event. All guests will travel home with new points. Men’s Teams Event Denmark – Austria 3:0Tobias RASMUSSEN – Andreas LEVENKO 3:2 (13:11 3:11 12:10 9:11 12:10)Anders LIND – Simon PFEFFER 3:0 (11:9 11:7 11:6)Claus NILSEN – David SERDAROGLU 3:2 (12:10 8:11 11:9 13:15 11:6) Switzerland – Germany 0:3Nicolas CHAMPOD – Ricardo WALTHER 0:3 (6:11 6:11 3:11)Gael VENDÉ – Benedikt DUDA 0:3 (4: 11 11:13 5:11)Lars POSCH – Kilian ORT 0:3 (7:11 8:11 5:11) Finland – France 0:3Alex NAUMI – Stephane OUAICHE 0:3 (11:13 5:11 5:11)Miikka O’CONNOR – BROSSIER Benjamin 0:3 (8:11 7:11 7:11)Veikka FLEMMING – Tristan FLORE 0:3 (2:11 5:11 2:11) Israel – Belarus 0:3Omri BEN ARI – Pavel PLATONOV 2:3 (12:10 7:11 3:11 11:5 10:12)Ron DAVIDOVICH – Aliaksandr KHANIN 0:3 (5:11 10:12 9:11)Yaniv SHARON – SHAMRUK 2:3 (11:7 13:11 10:12 9:11 8:11) Estonia – Sweden 0:3Vallot VAINULA – Simon ARVIDSSON 1:3 (7:11 11:6 5:11 7:11)Toomas LIBENE – Alexander FRANZEN 0:3 (4:11 5:11 8:11)Rivo SAAREMAE – Hampus SODERLUND 0:3 (7:11 6:11 3:11) Lithuania – Portugal 1:3M. STANKEVICIUS – Diogo CHEN 3:2 (15:13 11:9 9:11 7:11 14:12)Tomas MIKUTIS – Diogo CARVALHO 1:3 (11:7 5:11 3:11 4;11)Alfredas UDRA – Diogo PINHO 0:3 (6:11 6:11 7:11)M. STANKEVICIUS – Diogo CARVALHO 1:3 (11:9 4:11 9:11 6:11) Netherlands – Greece 1:3 Laurens TROMER – PAPEGEORGIOU Konstantinos 3:0 (11:4 11:6 11:6)Ewout OOSTWOUDER – Panagiotis GIONIS 0:3 (4:11 7:11 14:16)Rajko GOMMERS – Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS 1:3 (7:11 7:11 11:4 8:11)Laurens TROMER – Panagiotis GIONIS 1:3 (12:10 9:11 2:11 8:11) Slovenia – Poland 3:2JORGIC Darko – Daniel GORAK 3:1 (11:9 11:4 4:11 11:5)Bojan TOKIC – WANG Zengyi 3:2 (4:11 9:11 15:13 11:7 12:10)Deni KOZUL – Jakub DYJAS 0:3 (7:11 10:12 6:11)Darko JORGIC – WANG Zengyi 1:3 (10:12 6:11 11:4 7:11)Bojan TOKIC – Daniel GORAK 3:0 (11:7 11:6 11:6) Bulgaria – Russia 2:3Kiril POPOV – Vladislav BUROV 0:3 (6:11 5:11 6:11)Teodor ALEXANDROV – Grigory VLASOV 0:3 (4:11 8:11 8:11)Petko GABROVSKI – Alexey LIVENTSOV 3:1 (12:10 11:6 5:11 11:9)Kiril POPOV – Grigory VLASOV 3:0 (11:8 12:10 11:9)Teodor ALEXANDROV – Vladislav BUROV 1:3 (11:7 7:11 4:11 4:11) Women’s Teams EventEngland – Germany 0:3Kelly SIBLEY – SHAN Xiaona 0:3 (6:11 10:11 8:11)Tin-Tin HO – Nina MITTELHAM 0:3 (7:11 8:11 5:11)Karina Le FEVRE – Yuan WAN 0:3 (9:11 5:11 12:14) Greece – Romania 1:3 Konstantina PARADI – Bernadette SZOCS 0:3 (6:11 7:11 9:11) Aikatarina TOILOU – Elizabeta SAMARA 0:3 (11:13 7:11 7:11) Filareti EXARCHOU – Camelia IACOB 3:2 (12:10 5:11 4:11 11:4 11:9) Ioanna GERASIMATAU – Elizabeta SAMARA 0:3 (3:11 3:11 7:11) Bulgaria – Russia 0:3Maria YOVKOVA – Maria MALANINA 0:3 (11:13 9:11 4:11)Mihaela DIMOVA – Yana NOSKOVA 0:3 (10:12 4:11 3:11)Anelica KAROVA – Maria TAILAKOVA 0:3 (9:11 9:11 3:11) Switzerland – Poland 0:3 Rahel ASCHWANDEN – Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA FRANZ 1:3 (8:11 11:8 4:11 10:12)Celine REUST – Natalia PARTYKA 1:3 (0:11 4:11 11:8 2:11)Mireille KROON – Klaudia KUSINSKA 0:3 (8:11 6:11 9:11) Kosovo –Austria 1:3Viona MALOKU – Karoline MISCHEK 0:3 (5:11 6:11 8:11)Linda ZEQIRI – Amelie SOLJA 0:3 (2:11 1:11 8:11)Iliriana HALITI – Sehira LEITNER 3:1 (11:6 6:11 11:8 13:11)Viona MALOKU – Amelie SOLJA 0:3 (5:11 9:11 3:11) Lithuania – Czech Republic 0:3Egle STUCKYTE – Kvater TOMANOVSKA 0:3 (8:11 9:11 10:12)Ugne BASKUTYTE – Iveta VACENOVSKA 0:3 (4:11 5:11 5:11)Kornelija RILISKYTE – Hana MATELOVA 0:3 (6:11 5:11 2:11) Italy – France 0:3Chiara COLANTONI – Stephanie LOEUILLETTE 0:3 (3:11 4:11 4:11)Loan LETHIHONG – Laura GASNIER 1:3 (4:11 4:11 11:7 9:11)Jamila LAURENTI – Pauline CHASSELIN 2:3 (11:6 7:11 11:7 5:11 9:11) Belgium – Hungary 0:3Eline LOYEN – Szandra PERGEL 0:3 (7:11 3:11 4:11)Nathave MARCHETTI – Dora MADARÁSZ 0:3 (8:11 7:11 9:11)Margo DEGRAFF – Krisztina AMBRUS 2:3 (12:10 11:6 5:11 7:11 9:11)
TT Saint Quentin needs just two sets for ECLW quarter-finals
The concluding ECLW round of group stage will be held on December 16th and 18th There are just four games to play in the group stage of the 2016/17 European Champions League Women. Seven out of eight quarter-finalists booked their places so far – TTC Berlin Eastside Linz AG Froschberg UCAM Cartagena Szekszard AC ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly Metz TT and KTS Siarka ZOT Tarnobrzeg. The ultimate one will be decided in the Round 6 match between TT Saint Quentin and Postas Sport Egyesulet (December 16th 19:30 CET) but it could say that French side is 99 % certain needing just two sets. TT Saint Quentin manager Jean-Louis POLARD is aware how big score his side achieved in Hungary six weeks ago – 3:0 (9:1) saying that in spite of all circumstances they weren’t able to beat reigning ECLW champion in the previous round: “We flew to Germany with our best possible team to play against the 2017 ECLW favourite. As SHAN Xiaona was away and Petrissa SOLJA had a foot operation both coaches played tactics. RAN Li Kath was N°2 for Saint-Quentin and Daniela MONTEIRO-DODEAN and Petrissa were both N°3. First Georgina POTA had a rough time with RAN (who used to play for Berlin some years ago): she only won 11:8 in the 5th set after the best rally of the match at 9:8. Then U21 Yui HAMAMOTO N°5 easily beat U21 ZENG Jian N°8 in 3 quick sets. After the break Daniela MONTEIRO faced Petrissa SOLJA and she was leading 2 sets to nil (11:9 14:12) when the German player quit. The Romanian’s victory was a way to celebrate Great Union Day the Romanian’s National Day on December 1st. Unfortunately Singaporean ZENG Jian was in bad shape and couldn’t avoid another defeat by Gina POTA. Anyway just two sets to go on December 16th (Round 6) and we’ll wait for December 21st.” In Group B two times ECLW winner Linz AG Froschberg hosts ECLW newcomer TuS bad Driburg. Austrian side secured top spot in this group while German team regardless the score will stay on 3rd place. Szekszard AC and ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly will fight for the top position in Group C. But Hungarian club needs just three sets to defend the top spot. Metz TT and SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin will conclude competition in the Group D but the score will not change anything: French side stays at second place while Czech club finishes third. ECLW Round 6 December 15-16th GROUP A Dec 16 19:30 CET: TT Saint Quentin – Postas Sport Egyesulet GROUP B Dec 18 16:00 CET: Linz AG Froschberg – TuS bad Driburg GROUP C Dec 18 16:00 CET: Szekszard AC – ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly GROUP D Dec 16 19:25 CET: Metz TT – SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin
TT Saint Quentin needs just two sets for ECLW quarter-finals
The concluding ECLW round of group stage will be held on December 16th and 18th There are just four games to play in the group stage of the 2016/17 European Champions League Women. Seven out of eight quarter-finalists booked their places so far – TTC Berlin Eastside Linz AG Froschberg UCAM Cartagena Szekszard AC ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly Metz TT and KTS Siarka ZOT Tarnobrzeg. The ultimate one will be decided in the Round 6 match between TT Saint Quentin and Postas Sport Egyesulet (December 16th 19:30 CET) but it could say that French side is 99 % certain needing just two sets. TT Saint Quentin manager Jean-Louis POLARD is aware how big score his side achieved in Hungary six weeks ago – 3:0 (9:1) saying that in spite of all circumstances they weren’t able to beat reigning ECLW champion in the previous round: “We flew to Germany with our best possible team to play against the 2017 ECLW favourite. As SHAN Xiaona was away and Petrissa SOLJA had a foot operation both coaches played tactics. RAN Li Kath was N°2 for Saint-Quentin and Daniela MONTEIRO-DODEAN and Petrissa were both N°3. First Georgina POTA had a rough time with RAN (who used to play for Berlin some years ago): she only won 11:8 in the 5th set after the best rally of the match at 9:8. Then U21 Yui HAMAMOTO N°5 easily beat U21 ZENG Jian N°8 in 3 quick sets. After the break Daniela MONTEIRO faced Petrissa SOLJA and she was leading 2 sets to nil (11:9 14:12) when the German player quit. The Romanian’s victory was a way to celebrate Great Union Day the Romanian’s National Day on December 1st. Unfortunately Singaporean ZENG Jian was in bad shape and couldn’t avoid another defeat by Gina POTA. Anyway just two sets to go on December 16th (Round 6) and we’ll wait for December 21st.” In Group B two times ECLW winner Linz AG Froschberg hosts ECLW newcomer TuS bad Driburg. Austrian side secured top spot in this group while German team regardless the score will stay on 3rd place. Szekszard AC and ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly will fight for the top position in Group C. But Hungarian club needs just three sets to defend the top spot. Metz TT and SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin will conclude competition in the Group D but the score will not change anything: French side stays at second place while Czech club finishes third. ECLW Round 6 December 15-16th GROUP A Dec 16 19:30 CET: TT Saint Quentin – Postas Sport Egyesulet GROUP B Dec 18 16:00 CET: Linz AG Froschberg – TuS bad Driburg GROUP C Dec 18 16:00 CET: Szekszard AC – ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly GROUP D Dec 16 19:25 CET: Metz TT – SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin
Bogoria aims TTCLM quarter-finals
One of decisive matches of the TTCLM Round 6 will be held between BOGORIA GRODZISK MAZOWIECKI and G.V. HENNEBONT TT this Thursday (19:00 CET) BOGORIA GRODZISK MAZOWIECKI approaches decisive TTCLM Round 6 match against G.V. HENNEBONT in full swing after two very important victories in seven days. First they beat away FC SAARBRUCKEN TISCHTENNIS in the latest TTCLM game 3:1 then they repeated the same score in the super clash of Polish Super League against KS UNIA AZS AWFiS GDANSK to take over the leading position. The 2013 ETTU Cup runner-up now needs victory against French side to secure the quarter-final berth of 2016/17 TTCLM. Both sides Bogoria and Hennebont stand on 3-2 score in the Group C. Team manager of Polish club Dominik WIECZOREK provided us some statements of Bogoria`s player Daniel GORAK who stressed concerning the game in Saarbucken: “We knew that we are in difficult situation and if we wanna fight for the quarterfinal we have to put everything on one card and we have succeeded”. GORAK has played two matches in Germany first he lost to Patrick BAUM then he overcame Andrey SEMENOV. He wasn`t surprised by the fact that Bojan TOKIC will not be his second opponent: “In first match with BAUM I was and played really nervous so it was the main reason of my loss. And before my second game I heard that I will face young SEMENOV so I knew if I play calm I win this game.” Concerning chances against Hennebont on December 15th? “I’m glad that everything will be in our hands and if me Panos (GIONIS) and GAO play big game in front of our fans we are able to win this game”.
Favorits on the road in pursuit for points
ITTF European Championships Qualifications The fourth Round of the ITTF European Championships Qualifications will be played tomorrow. This week the leading teams in their respective groups will travel to play matches against the lower ranked teams. In Men’s Event after two wins in previous rounds Austria will travel to Odensee to meet Denmark. Hosts failed to post a win in previous encounters. In Group B Switzerland will host Germany in Magglingen. In Helsinki Finland will play against France in Lod Israel will host Belarus Talin will be the host of the match between Estonia and Sweden whilst Portugal will travel to Vilnius to meet Lithuania. Zoetermeer will be the host of the match between Netherlands and Greece whilst Slovenia and Poland will play in Nova Gorica. Russia will travel to Bulgaria’s Sofia. Slovenia is the only guest team with one defeat in the event. In Women’s Event in Preston England will host Germany in Piraeus Greece will host Romania whilst Bulgaria await Russia in Sofia. Girls of Switzerland will play alongside men’s team in Magglingen against Poland. The double program is also in Vilinius. Lithuanian team will play against Czech Republic. Kosovo will host Austria in Prishtina Italy will host France in Terni whilst Blegny will be the host city of the match between Belgium and Hungary.
Favorits on the road in pursuit for points
ITTF European Championships Qualifications The fourth Round of the ITTF European Championships Qualifications will be played tomorrow. This week the leading teams in their respective groups will travel to play matches against the lower ranked teams. In Men’s Event after two wins in previous rounds Austria will travel to Odensee to meet Denmark. Hosts failed to post a win in previous encounters. In Group B Switzerland will host Germany in Magglingen. In Helsinki Finland will play against France in Lod Israel will host Belarus Talin will be the host of the match between Estonia and Sweden whilst Portugal will travel to Vilnius to meet Lithuania. Zoetermeer will be the host of the match between Netherlands and Greece whilst Slovenia and Poland will play in Nova Gorica. Russia will travel to Bulgaria’s Sofia. Slovenia is the only guest team with one defeat in the event. In Women’s Event in Preston England will host Germany in Piraeus Greece will host Romania whilst Bulgaria await Russia in Sofia. Girls of Switzerland will play alongside men’s team in Magglingen against Poland. The double program is also in Vilinius. Lithuanian team will play against Czech Republic. Kosovo will host Austria in Prishtina Italy will host France in Terni whilst Blegny will be the host city of the match between Belgium and Hungary.
HAN Ying earns silver and 30 000 $
MA Long and ZHU Yuling are winners of the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Doha Germany`s HAN Ying took silver medal at the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Doha as she lost to China`s ZHU Yuling in straight games of the final – 4:0 (11:9 12:10 12:10 11:3). World and Olympic champion in Men`s Singles Event MA Long successfully defended his title in the all-Chinese final against FAN Zhendong – 4:2 (11:5 11:4 11:9 7:11 12:14 11:9). MA goes down in history with his fifth crown of the World Tour Grand Finals while ZHU reached her very first one. No. 11 seed in the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Doha HAN will take home 30 000 dollars in prize money. It was her best performances in this event. Last year she was quarter-finalist. “I am very pleased that I have been in the final. I am very satisfied with my performance at the tournament and I also played well in the final. ZHU Yuling was better in the final I must acknowledge that but I think one or two sets I could take” stated HAN Ying after the final.
HAN Ying earns silver and 30 000 $
MA Long and ZHU Yuling are winners of the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Doha Germany`s HAN Ying took silver medal at the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Doha as she lost to China`s ZHU Yuling in straight games of the final – 4:0 (11:9 12:10 12:10 11:3). World and Olympic champion in Men`s Singles Event MA Long successfully defended his title in the all-Chinese final against FAN Zhendong – 4:2 (11:5 11:4 11:9 7:11 12:14 11:9). MA goes down in history with his fifth crown of the World Tour Grand Finals while ZHU reached her very first one. No. 11 seed in the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Doha HAN will take home 30 000 dollars in prize money. It was her best performances in this event. Last year she was quarter-finalist. “I am very pleased that I have been in the final. I am very satisfied with my performance at the tournament and I also played well in the final. ZHU Yuling was better in the final I must acknowledge that but I think one or two sets I could take” stated HAN Ying after the final.
Japan dominating Finlandia Open team events
Olah recovering from surgery Japan gained double victories in both men´s and women’s team competition in Finlandia Open in Kisakallio Sports Institute. In men’s final Hokuto KORIYAMA and Kohei SAMBE clinched a straight 3-0 victory. Ayami NARUMOTO and Minami ANDO defeated their compatriots in women´s final by 3-1. Singles will be played with progressive knock-out system that gives exact positions to every player. The winners will be known Sunday. Like during four previous years Finlandia Open is once again full involving 124 men and 76 women. “ Our competition seems to have quite a strong position in international table tennis. It suits particularly well for the promises of the future. In addition the condition which provides full accommodation in the immediate vicinity of arena is highly appreciated” says FTTA president Esko HEIKKINEN. The home crowd’s favourite Benedek OLÁH who played well in both Olympic Games and European Championships arrived to Kisakallio on Friday directly from the hospital. On Thursday he went under surgery of the left foot and releasing another nerve compression. “I feel relieved because now it became clear that I really had a problem which would not heal without the surgery. However I did well in the Olympic Games and European Championships so the decisions were exactly correct. Training will start again in about one month” OLAH promised.
