Top seeded China which the Singles Gold and Silver medalists in their line-up is heading their way into the Women’s Team final to face off surprise finalists Germany to defend their title. The Chinese team made up of world number 1 LIU Shiwen and two Grand Slam Champions DING Ning and LI Xiaoxia smashed their way to the final with a convincing 3-0 victory over Singapore.   Despite FENG Tianwei’s (SIN) brave performance in the opening match the world number four lost 0-3 against the Rio 2016 Singles Silver medalist LI Xiaoxia (CHN) in the opening match which was crucial if Singapore was going to repeat their 2010 World Team Championships final victory over China.   After the match the London 2012 champion stated: “It’s not an easy match I had to catch up for two of the games. I didn’t expect to win 3-0 I was just trying to playing each match to the best I can.”   “The preparation process is grueling. We didn’t play any matches yesterday so we were preparing the whole day you don’t know what exactly will happen on court the only thing we could do is to be positive and enjoy the process. It was better after we came on court.”   “Tianwei and I played in the same club in the Chinese Super League for years and we won the Gold few time together off court we are good friends. After I lost the singles final she also texted me to show encouragement. It’s normal for us that we remain good friends off the table but we compete our best level on court that’s the beauty of competitive sports.”   In the second match 22-year-old ZHOU Yihan (SIN) managed to secure a game against Rio 2016 Olympic Champion DING Ning (CHN) but the world number two’s class prevailed in the end winning 3-1 to put China in a commanding 2-0 position.   China’s devastating performance continued in the doubles where LIU Shiwen team up with DING Ning to outclass the Singaporean pair of YU Mengyu and ZHOU Yihan 3-0 to clinch victory and set up a date with Germany to battle for gold tomorrow at 19:30 Rio time (-3 GMT).   On China’s match against Germany LI Xiaoxia stated: “I have full faith in our team of course we want to win but thinking is not enough so we have to go back and study the Germany team thoroughly.”   “The overall strength of the German team is strong with the line-up of HAN Ying SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA so we have thought that they will reach the final. For our team it doesn’t matter who our opponent is we just have to play our best.”   “The Women’s Team final might be the last time I’m representing my country to compete. My goal will be to win but the most important thing to show my best self on court.”   Singapore must now regroup before their bronze medal match against Japan tomorrow at 11:00am Rio time.

A busy time in the main arena at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games behind the scenes there is also plenty of activity with a range of meetings being on the agenda.   One of the most significant was held on Sunday 14th August when ITTF Continental Development and ITTF Continental Affiliation Agreements were signed.   The agreements are for the Olympic cycle from 2017 to 2020; they enable the continents to facilitate long term planning whilst giving surety of budget.   “It is a formal recognition of the continents; it gives them more say in organising their various programmes it gives autonomy” said Glenn TEPPER ITTF Deputy Chief Executive Officer.   ETTU and ITTF already established very good colaboration in that field. .   “I am happy to continue the very good co-operation. It is an investment for the future it will help our Eurotalents programme” Ronald KRAMER President European Table Tennis Union   “The new agreement gives us more possibilities especially to develop in the various regions” Khaled EL-SALHY President African Table Tennis Federation   “The level in many parts of Asia is high we have a great deal to offer in developing our sport further” CAI Zhenhua President Asian Table Tennis Union   “It means a great deal for Latin America it will help us reach our main goal which is to reduce the gap between Latin America and Europe and Asia.” Juan VILA President Latin American Table Tennis Union   “The United States and Canada have very young players right now we want to try to get them closer to the best in the world; also we have the US Virgin Islands and Bermuda who are in the development stage” Tony KEISENHOFER President North American Table Tennis Union   “We have many small associations the agreement helps up to promote table tennis throughout our regions of the world; we can take initiatives that otherwise would not have been possible” James MORRIS President Oceania Table Tennis Federation

2016 Rio Olympic Games   Two times Germany was in the lead two times Japan nullified their advantage but in close decisive match HAN Ying beat Ai FUKUHARA to sealed epic thriller. At the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Germany won the first medal in the Women’s Team’s Event. It is first medal for European women in all three events (Singles Doubles and Team’s) after Yugoslavia’s pairings Jasna FAZLIC and Gordana PERKUCIN won bronze at the at the inaugural table tennis Olympic tournament in Seoul 1988. Germany will play for gold against the winner of the match between China and Singapore.   Petrissa SOLJA gave Germany a dream start after very close victory over Mima ITO 2-2 (5-11 11-4 8-11 11-6 12-10). Japan continued to struggle in the next duel between Kasumi ISHIKAWA and HAN Ying. HAN was two games up before Kasumi recovered. She won next three games in the row.   “We all played with our hearts. We are super happy and can’t believe it. They were favorites going in. My head is spinning and I can’t speak my thoughts are everywhere. We needed a bit of luck and play or best to have a chance” said Petrissa SOLJA. “Before we came here we wanted this medal so bad. When we saw the draw we knew it was possible. We played perfect.”   In doubles SHAN Xiaona and SOLJA pushed Germany ahead once again in another full five games match but Kasumi ISHIKAVA needed only three games in next to secure the decisive match. HAN Ying sealed the encounter.   Germany suffered defeat at the quarter-final stage four years ago in London at the hands of Japan.

2016 Rio Olympic Games   The bronze medal winners in London 2012 are one step closer to the medal rostrum in the Men’s Teams Event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Tonight they overcame the reigning European champions  Austria. Germany will meet Japan in the match for final.   Timo BOLL Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Bastian STEGER all three secured the victories in their singles matches. Germany only failed to score in the doubles. The Men’s Doubles title winners at the 2012 European Championships staged in Herning Daniel HABESOHN and Robert GARDOS beat STEGER and BOLL.   In the opening match of the contest BOLL beat Robert GARDOS (14-12 11-8 12-10) before OVTCHAROV Prevailed against Stefan FEGERL in three straight games (11-7 12-10 11-8).   “Timo had beat Robert GARDOS in the European Olympic Games qualification tournament in Halmstad; in the first game he was game point down he had an edge. We knew Dima was in good shape so we were confident.” said coach Jörg ROSSKOPF.   In third singles match STEGER overcame FEGERL.   “We knew how to play against Stefan how to receive his service; Bastian is now playing at a higher level and consistently at a higher level. We have three good singles players in the team” added Jörg ROSSKOPF  

2016 Rio Olympic Games   In the semi final of the Men’s Teams Event China will meet Republic of Korea. That is the outcome of today’s first part of the program in the Riocentro Pavilion 3 at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.   In the quarterfinal top seeded China halted the progress of the World Championships’ bronze medalists. Great Britain failed to score against the favorites.   Coach LIU Guoliang praised his adversaries efforts: “The three members of the Great Britain team has been playing well this year including the World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur and here at the Olympic Games they have really surprised many with their performance.”   MA LONG beat Liam PICFFORD XU Xin prevailed against Paul DRINKHALL and China’s pairings ZHANG Jike and XU Xin overcame Samuel WALKER and DRINKHALL. All three matches conculded in four games.   “Today even though Ma Long and I both lost our first games I think it was still an easy win for us much easier than we had expected” stated XU Xin. “The Great Britain team already made it to the Semifinals of the World Championships and almost made it through to the Final so it may seem to everyone that they are the dark horse. But for us we are already prepared for a tough match against them. We watch their match footages to study them for hours last night to get ready for this match. I think they are also a strong team one of the top teams in Europe now and they even defeated Germany at the World Championships group stage.”   MA Long added:“They have improved a lot and grew strong over the past two years to make the top four at the World Championships. I had a tough match against PITCHFORD losing the first game and having to come back from 7-9 in the next. As the first player I wanted too much to win the first match for our team. But because I had pressure and that I’m not familiar with him I lost the first game easily and after that I was tense throughout the rest of the match.”   Liam PITCHFORD had his chances but MA responeded the challenge.     “I think we surprised them I had a plan to follow I won the first game against Ma Long and then I had 9-7 in the third and fourth but I couldn’t make it count; he responded that’s why he is Olympic and World champion.”   Still the European team maintained high level of play. “I think since Japan 2014 we are all now much more consistent as individuals; we wanted to win we gave our best it’s been a great tournament” said Paul DRINKHALL.   Republic of Korea beat Sweden. Kristian KARLSSON suffered by the hands of JOO Saehyuk in the opening duel but Mattias KARLSSON beat LEE Sangsu in next. Doubles brought another point to Korea’s account. JEOUNG sealed the match with the victory over Kristian.  

Women’s Teams Event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games   In the semi final of the Women’s Teams Event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games China will meet Singapore whilst Japan will play against Germany.   HAN Ying was the instrumental in Germany’s win over Hong Kong. She won both her singles against LEE Ho Ching and Tie Yana whilst SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA joined her with the victory in doubles.   Top seeded China overcame DPR Korea 3-0 to advance to the Women’s Team Semifinals. LI Xiaoxia overcame RI MI Gyong LIU Shiven beat KIM SOng I whilst DING Ning and LIU Shiven overcame RI Myong Sun and KIM Song I. All three matches concluded in straight games.   LI Xiaoxia:“I played RI before in the past and her strokes today were lighter than how she played in our previous encounter so it took some time for me to adapt in time for it. Initially I was told by Coach Kong Linghui that I will be playing against KIM Song I this morning but I think there were some mistakes and I ended up playing against RI Mi Gyong instead.”   The thoughts of the final are already behind” “I don’t see it as a failure and it didn’t affect me much. The only impact is that my old injuries are coming back after playing the Singles. I played five matches in three days so it was hard on my body. I have two more matches left so I hope to prepare well for them.”   Olympic champion DING Ning added:“The double match was better and we took it easily. We didn’t get into too much rallies so it didn’t strain my shoulders too much. I think out of the three of us I’m the only one who have played KIM Song I. So last night during our team meeting I shared on my experience playing against her and some characteristics on her playing style. But of course I am left handed and Shiwen is right handed and we play different styles all together so it all depends on how she adapts on court.”   Singapore the no.4 seeds beat Korea Republic the no.7 seeds 3:2.   FENG Tianwei:“It was an intense and tough match. I played the first and last match so both are very crucial. It’s good that we didn’t come into the match with too much pressure and all three of us fought hard for every point.”

Men’s Teams Event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games   Seeded at position no. two Germany started their journey in the Men’s Teams Event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with the victory over Chinese Taipei no. nine seed whilst Austria prevailed against Portugal. Those two teams will meet each other in the match for the semi final.  Japan beat Poland and they will meet Hong Kong China.   In three singles encounters Germany’s Timo BOLL Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Bastian STEGER recorded victories. Taipei’s pairings CHIANG Hung-Chieh and CHEN Chien-An gained only one point in doubles match against Bastian STEGER and Timo BOLL.    “It’s hard just playing in the team event it’s a strange feeling; you practise but it’s not the same as a match. Here there is so much noise from the crowd the start the wave and you really have to push yourself hard to concentrate. I am not complaining the atmosphere here has been great” stated STEGER. “Today against Chuang Chih-Yuan I think he was a little down after losing to Quadri Aruna in the Men’s Singles. I won the first game I think he became nervous and I was able to play my game.”   European champions from Russia 2015 Austria beat Old Continents champions from 2014 Portugal to upset the order of merit. Austria is seeded at position no. 10 whilst Portugal is ranked at the position no. six. Roberta GARDOS set his team in the winning mode after 3:2 victory over Tiago APOLONIA. Marcos FREITAS fought back for 1:1 after victory over Stefan FEGERL. He also needed full five games. In another full distance clash in doubles Daniel HABESOHN and Robert GARDOS put Austria in lead once again.   “We made a lot of mistakes in the doubles we did not play with confidence; throughout the match we had to focus really hard to serve short. We were lucky today Tiago and João they are a good pair in the fifth game we led 10-8 they recovered then at 11-10 Danny played a great return of serve to win the match.” said Robert GARDOS   Stefan FEGERL beat João MONTEIRO the concluding match to seal victory.   “It was nearly the same today as last year in Ekaterinburg; against João I was under less pressure than him we had won the doubles we were ahead. I felt I could win the rallies I felt confident with top spin to top spin from both backhand and forehand. It was a 50:50 match against Portugal today we had the luck” explained Stefan Fegerl.   In full distance thriller Japan prevailed over Poland to reach the Men’s Team Quarterfinals. Jakub DYJAS and pairings Daniel GORAK and WANG Zengyi scored for Poland. Jun MIZUTANI won both singles for Japan and Maharu YOSHIMURA added one point.   Maharu YOSHIMURA:“I was nervous before the match but I quickly found a rhythm to my play and I became more and more confident as the match progress; WANG Zengyi has a different style of play to most players but I was able to adapt. It did not cause me great problems.”

2016 Rio Olympic Games   In the opening round of the Men’s Team event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games top seeds China beat Nigeria in straight matches. The most exciting match was the duel between France and Great Britain. In the battle that lasted four hours all five matches concluded in five games.   For reigning champions the opening round was less challenging.    “It’s the first match and it’s a good start for us. Jike and I played the Men’s Singles Final last night so we didn’t really have time to prepare for the Team event so both of us hope to quickly adjust our mindsets and get ready for the Teams. For XU Xin he has been preparing here for half a month to get ready for tonight. Tomorrow we will have a day off to rest and recover in preparation for the Team event so it will all start for us maybe the day after tomorrow from the Quarterfinals onwards.”   About playing with ZHANG Jike today as a team: “We both understand the situation we both completed our goal to reach the final and it’s for sure one of us will win and the other lose. Before we came to Rio we both were mentally prepared and have the understanding that regardless what the Singles outcome is we are still teammates to support each other for the Team event” said MA Long.    Sweden also needed only three to secure the place in the quarterfinal. Par GERELL Kristian KARLSSON and Mattias KARLSSON prevailed against FENG Yijun JHA Kanak and WANG Timothy.   After quarterfinal of the World Championships in February this year the bronze medal winners England met France once again. Like few months before it was Simon GAUZY who gave his team a dream start and also he had his avenge for the defeat in previous duel against Liam PITCHFORD.   Emmanuel LEBESSON lost the decisive game in Kuala Lumpur but tonight he gained parity for France in the second match. In another full five games duel he beat Paul DRINKHALL. In doubles Tristan FLORE and LEBESSON was two games in reverse before they recovered to beat Samuel WALKER and DRINKHALL. France had advantage once again. In the next match FLORE had 2:0 against PITCHFORD but Liam recovered and even saved the match point to push Great Britain into the decisive match.   In the decisive game of the decisive match GAUZY had a match point but failed to seal the duel. WALKER seized his opportunity one minute later and won the match.    WALKER who was not selected to play singles for Great Britain stated after his unlikely win : “I was very focused obviously it is a noisy hall. But the support of our guys and it was amazing that kind of helped me get through it. When he (Gauzy) was up 10-7 (in the decider) I was still focused and I never stopped believing that I could still win it and I did. I am stoked!”  

2016 Rio Olympic Games     In the opening round of the Women’s Team event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Brazil confronted China the top seeds. The defending champions and favorites to add to the titles secured in 2008 in Beijing and four years later in London prevailed in straight matches. Germany overcame USA on their way to the quarters.   HAN Ying and SHAN Xiaona overcame ZGEN Jiaqi and ZHANF Lily whilst Petrissa SOLJA and SHAN Xiaona went full distance against USA doubles composed of WU Yue and ZHENG.   HAN Ying said: “I was so nervous before the match but I came through; ZHENG Jiaqi is quite good against defence.”   In all European duel Austria prevailed against Netherlands. LIU Jia was a pivotal player for Austria. She beat LI JIao and Britt EERLAND whilst LI Jie brought the only point for the Dutch team.   LIU Jia said: “I have played Li Jiao many times and I always used to win but recently I think I’ve lost at least four times the European Games the Super League the European League and the World Championships. In the first game I made so many mistakes I lost the first seven points of the match. Today I tried to make some changes and eventually things worked out.”   Seeded no. three Singapore also secured opening round win against Egypt whilst DPR Korea overcame Australia. Only one match which went full distance was the one between the seventh seed Republic of Korea and Romania seeded at the position no. 12.   World’s no 11 JEON Jihee beat player currently ranked at the position no. 30 Elizabeta SAMARA in straight games to give her team a dream start. The duel between 17th player at the World rankings SUH Hyowon against the World’s no. 58 Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO went in favour of the lower ranked player. Daniela and Bernadette SZOCS could not keep the winning course in next clash. JEON partnering YANG Haeun secured advantage once again. On her second return to the table SAMARA gained parity for Romania. She beat YANG and the match entered the fifth nail biting decisive game. SZOCS’s attacking skills versus SUH’s defence streched the favorite to full five games but the last game finished in the favor of Korea’s player.   Japan succeeded against Poland. Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA-FRANC suffered by the hands of Kasumi ISHIKAWA Mima ITO overcame LI Qian; combination of Natalia PARTYKA and GRZYBOWSKA-FRANC lost against Ai FUKUHARA and Mima ITO.

MIZUTANI beat SAMSONOV to win the first bronze for Japan   The new Olympic champion is MA Long. World’s no 1 beat London’s Olympic champion ZHANG Jike  in straight games (14-12 11-4 11-4 11-4) in the final encounter in the Men’s Singles Event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Jun MIZUTANI become the first ever male player from Japan to win a medal in the table tennis events at an Olympic Games. On his historic path MIZUTANI halted the progress of Belarus Vladimir SAMSONOV in the battle for the third step at the medal rostrum. Occupying the no.4 seed position in the competition he overcame Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus the no.7 seed in five games (11-4 11-9 6-11 14-12 11-8).   For SAMSONOV fourth place is his best ever finish in an Olympic Games; his previous most successful conclusion being a quarter-final place in 1996 in Atlanta and four years later in Sydney. Vladimir SAMSONOV:    “It is definitely not a very good feeling to lose the bronze medal match. This is probably my last chance to get an Olympic medal as I don’t know if I will be at Tokyo” stated SAMSONOV.  “After my match with Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in the quarterfinals I was injured and probably did not really get into the game in this match. I also didn’t want to push my injury too hard. Although I missed the chance to win the 4th game the adrenaline made me just move on and forget.”   MIZUTANI was delighted .   “I feel very happy! This is the best feeling ever! SAMSONOV was not an easy opponent to play as we know each other very well. Although he came back and won a game and was close to winning the 4th I did not give up until the end.”   World champion MA Long beat Olympic champion ZHANG Jike to secure the 12th victory from 17 matches on their head-to-head record on the Table Tennis world circuit. Victory it was success for the fifth time for China for the fifth player; no player has ever won the title more than one.   LIU Guoliang was the first to secure gold when he won in Atlanta 20 years ago in 1996 he was followed in 2000 in Sydney by KONG Linghui; before more recently Ma Lin succeeded in Beijing in 2008 and four years ago ZHANG Jike was anointed in London.