The IOC President attended the Opening Ceremony of the inaugural European Games The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Mr Thomas BACH praised the unifying power of sport to transcend cultural and political differences and bring athletes from all backgrounds together at international multi-sport events like the European Games.  During his visit to the Baku 2015 European Games Mr BACH said: “We see Russian athletes competing alongside Ukrainians. There are Serbian and Kosovan teams in these Games and we see Armenian athletes alongside their hosts from Azerbaijan. All these athletes marched together at the Opening Ceremony. This is the power of sport to bring people together regardless of background belief or nationality. This is something that sport can do and maybe something that only sport can do.” The IOC President attended the Opening Ceremony of the inaugural European Games alongside dozens of heads of state and IOC members on Friday before attending Triathlon Karate and Wrestling competitions and visiting the Athletes Village in Baku.  Mr BACH added: “The Opening Ceremony was truly spectacular full of history symbolism and culture. The Ceremony and the whole organisation of the European Games reflect the magnificent job the organisers have done in such a short period of time. It has been a great achievement.”

In their style by winning in straight matches as Germany did or playing marathons in case of Netherlands best two teams reached ultimate stage It seams like nothing can prevent Germany of winning the gold in the Women’s Teams Event at the Inaugurals European Games. After another outstanding performance they booked the place in the ultimate round of the Event. So far the team secured the medal but they will face extreme challenge. Netherlands is back in game. After Germany clinched the gold medals in two previous European Championships Dutch team was untouchable in period between 2008 and 2011. They won four titles in that period. Czech Republic suffered by the hands of German player in the semi final. HAN Ying beat Iveta VACENOVSKA in the opening duel losing only a game.  “I was not completely ready and VACENOVSKA produce few extraordinary rallies. She forced me to change the tactics to try to adopt on her style of play ” explained HAN.  Petrisa SOLJA was on duty in the second singles match. She overcame Renata STRBIKOVA. “Maybe I am little bit more adopt to her style of play then the others. She plays more like man and I used to have male sparing partners. She is very strong faster has very strange and unusual strokes. STRBIKOVA is very dangerous adversary ” explained SOLJA. However with the variety of her strokes SOLJA coped very well. German team covers all the styles and it gives coach Jie SCHOOP opportunity to focus on next duel. “When they are playing like they did in past two days I do not have the reason to worry. I am already in the match of the final in my mind.” Dutch team as everybody expected was involved in another thrilling marathon. After LI Jiao and LI Jie succeeded against Margaryta PESOTSKA and Tetyana BILENKO the pendulum swung. Ukraine’s girls Ganna GAPONOVA and BILENKO overcame Britt EERLAND and LI Jiao. EERLAND lost against PESOTSKA before LI Jie overcame GAPONOVA for the place in the final. “We expected the things would go that way. Only what was important was to avoid the 1:1 situation after first two matches; then we will be in great problem. This way we knew Jie will manage to seal the match ” explained coach Elena TIMINA.  After short break Netherland is aiming the top of the medal rostrum again.  “We have so much to offer in terms of variety of our game. Experience of Jie and Jiao now mixed with fantastic improvement of Britt are the winning combination. Britt becomes real professional. When she stands near the table she plays until the last boll. She is giving her maximum in every game whether she wins or loses. She has someone to teach her and most important she wants to learn. The atmosphere in our team pushes us to the top” said TIM

French player beat Vladimir Samsonov Even without Timo BOLL and possibility to have his replacement Germany book their semi final place at the Men’s Teams Event at the European Games in Baku. European vice champions beat Sweden to join winners from Lisbon last year – team of Portugal. Germany will play against France whilst Portugal meets Austria. Timo BOLL suffers from the stomach problems so he was unable to join his teammates today in the quarterfinal. Unfortunately coach Jorg ROSSKOPF is not sure will he be ready latter tonight for the penultimate stage. According to rules there is no possibility of replacement any of three players listed for the Team’s Event so if one got injured there is still possibility of play but with two walk overs. “This was unpleasant situation for both teams. For us obviously because we are 2:0 in reverse even before the start of the game and for Sweden because they are aware of three chances for win. It made huge pressure on our adversaries. We were in the situation that we cannot allow to be defeated even once. If we had lost one match it is –over ” explained ROSSKOPF. Having that on mind Dimitrij OVTCHAROV opened the match against Par GERELL. He had to go full distance. “GERELL’s top spins are very dangerous but at the point when OVTCAROV improved his service – receive game he was on winning tracks.” Patrick BAUM beat Kristian KARLSSON in four games. “For the game against Jon PERSSON I had doubts. BAUM was absent from the circuit for six seven months and simply he was not in such situation for a while. I decided to put OVTCHAROV. PERSSON has very strong forehand so he made it really hard for OVTCHAROV. It was not easy for him neither. It was his first match at the tournament and suddenly out of the blue he had to play against OVTCHAROV.” France booked their place in semis in superb style. Evgueni CHTCHETININE stretched Adrien MATTNET to full distance but next match was the one who attract all the attention. Emmanuel LEBESSON world’s number 79 overcame Vladimir SAMSONOV currently ranked at position no. 9. “In last 20 matches I took only on game from him. This is fantastic victory. It has been a while since I managed to beat some player from Top 10. However I have to admit SAMSONOV was not on his usual level and on the other side everything went my way today ” stated LEBESSON. Simon GAUZY and LEBESSON sealed the duel with full distance victory in doubles. Austria prevailed against Russia. “I said sometimes you are happy with the draw and then you lose…This time we were not very happy with the team’s draw but we won. I had few very difficult encounters against Alex SHIBAEV and I was not very happy that I have to play against him ” said GARDOS who won in straight games. Stefan FEGERL overcame Kirill SKACHKOV and with lot of tension Austrian parings GARDOS HABESOHN sealed the victory. “It was very tough situation. We were in position to risk everything by losing the doubles. The draw for the fourth and fifth match was not in our favor. We could not let our advantage be wasted ” said HABESOHN.

Germany will play against Czech Republic In the semi final of the Women’s Teams Event at the European Games in Baku Germany will play against Czech Republic. Iveta VACENOVSKA Renata STRBIKOVA and Hana MATELOVA beat French team 3:1. In the other semi final Ukraine who beat Sweden 3:0 meets Netherlands. Dutch team succeeded against Poland. The match lasted almost three hours before Netherlands won. “ It is always like that. We always play long matches. However one thing I still do not understand previously we had two defenders now only one and still we are incapable to finish the match faster ” said coach Elena TIMINA laughing. Li Jiao overcame Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA at the opening. “To be honest we were lucky with the draw but it did not save Jiao from pressure. Her duel was pivotal for our overall victory. She had to win it. Under those circumstances she produced perfect performance. It was very difficult for her. Li Jie had less chances against LI QIan so we were focused next on doubles. Britt EERLAND and LI Jiao did a great work together.” Against Britt LI Qian proved too strong so Jie entered the arena once again to play against Natalia PARTYKA. Paralympic champion put Jie on the severe test. “Once again Jie proved her team and fighting spirit. She gives everything for the team ” said TIMINA. Jie admitted: “I was so scared but the good thing was that Natalia never beat me. That gave me a little bit of advantage and eased the pressure.” Speaking about the pressure young Britt said that everything is easer when you have team like her. “Everything is easer with my teammates. They are such wonderful persons and players. At the beginning thy approached me and told me they will be there for me so I can tell them everything what bothers me. When someone opens to you is in that way it is easy to open yourself ” explained Britt. In the quarterfinal Germany overcame Russia in impressive style. HAN Ying gave her team dream start with the victory over Yana NOSKOVA. Despite the victory HAN was not very happy with her performance at the beginning. “It did not start the way I wanted and I lost second game. As the match progressed NOSOKOVA played better and better. She adjusted to mu style and managed to find the answer for defense ” said HAN.”We played against each other only once and I beat her but today it was much harder. Yana improved her game very much.” Unlike yesterday Petrissa SOLJA got the opportunity to play singles in quarters as well as doubles. “I woke up nervous unable to eat. However that was good sign. The tension was just at the right level ” admitted SOLJA who beat Polina MIKHAILOVA. ”It was difficult to play against the player with the defensive style but the service was the part of Polina’s game that bothers me the most. In the third game I only managed to answer on her service once or twice.” SHAN Xiaona joined SOLJA in Doubles duel: ”There were no problem at all.” Asked about the playing system with very short break between singles and doubles SOLJA answered: ”It works good for me. I am still warm after the singles. Only problem today was that I was very happy after victory in singles so I needed to come down.” Coach Jie SCHOPP was satisfied with the team’s performance. ”They were focused on victory. Only problem I had was to calm down SOLJA. She was nerveus.” What did you have to do? “Her willing to win is usually enough to put the things on right place.”

Belarus won against Czech Republic by narrow margin In the quarterfinal of the Men’s Teams Event at the European Games in Baku bronze medalists from the European Championships in Portugal last year Sweden will face silver medalists top seeded team Germany. The same team of Sweden that played in Lisbon secured the place in quarters with the victory over Ukraine: Kristian KARLSSON Pär GERELL and Jon PERSSON. Marcus SJÖBERG. Kristian KARLSSON won a close encounter against Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO. “It was really close. KARLSSON was 1:6 in reverse in decisive game. Then I call for time out so he narrowed the margin to 3:6. He started to play better and better he regained his confidence. It was good for GERELL to start his match against KOU Lei at 1:0. However judging by the level of Par’s game and the way he had played it will be extremely difficult for anyone to beat him today ” explained coach Marcus SJÖBERG. In the doubles Jon PERSSON and Ivan KATKOV joined same players from previous encounter. “It is very strange to play this format of the competition. Usually if we play in doubles we have at least one match in between to take a break. Here we have only five minutes to catch the breath ” said GERELL. Judging by the result it affected their adversaries more. Sweden won 3:0. Now they have more time to prepare for Germany. “Our biggest chance is to try to attack them in doubles. We have a lot of matches together and we are confident. If we can get with 1:1 to the third match that will open the door for us ” said GERELL. Germany’s players justified their status. Timo BOLL Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Patric BAUM who joined national team after a few months break beat Spain. “Timo had an easy job against Alvaro ROBLES whilst OVTCHAROV faced only few tough moments. He won the second game 19:17 against Carlos MACHADO but generally we were never under severe pressure today “explained coach Jorg ROSSKOPF. BAUM was happy to be back in team. “I was a little bit nervous but I am confident with my game now ” said BAUM. Speaking about confidence OVTCHAROV radiate with it. “When we look at the rankings we are favorite against Sweden but we are well aware who will be at the other side of the table. They are very good as team they never give up and they fight up to the last point. However since the time I am in the national team they have never beaten us…” France with Adrien MATTENET Simon GAUZY and Emmanuel LEBESSON beat Greece 3:1 with Gionis PANAGIOTIS being the only player to score for Greece. Most thrilling match came from their next adversaries – Belarus. Team led by Vladimir SAMSONOV beat Czech Republic after five matches. European champions team of Portugal also reached next round. Romania failed to halted their progress. Austria succeeded against Croatia in straight matches. Robert GARDOS beat Tan RUIWU to give his team dream start. “We got the draw just like we wanted. In addition things got better when we made a 2:0 lead. We counted on our point in doubles as safe one and sought for a chance to won at least one singles before. It turned up we did even better. We had 2:0 before the doubles ” explained GARDOS. Stefan FEGERL beat Andrej GACINA. “We played twice before and in both encounters I beat him. Not only that event’s draw was just like we wanted but the teams’ was perfect one. Unfortunately I was a bit nervous at the beginning so the couch advised me to change the tactics and to calm down. I was to passive and I had to do more to stop GACIN of playing his backhand. It is very dangerous stroke when you play against him. I changed the style and it paid off ” said FEGERL. European champions and vice champions in Doubles Event Daniel HABESOHN and GARDOS showed no trace of weakness against Tomislav PUCAR and TAN. “After 2:0 we were relaxed. It was an easy win.” Said HABESOHN. They will play against Russia who also succeeded in straight matches against Hungary. “It is difficult to predict the outcome. A lot of will depend on team draw tomorrow.”

Sweden reached quarterfinal after they beat Romania In the Women’s Team’s Event at the Baku 2015 European Games Poland is in quarterfinal. They will meet Netherlands whilst Ukraine will play against Sweden. Poland overcame Luxembourg. “LI Qian gave us good start with the victory over Sarah DE NUTTE ” stated Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA.”I also had few chances against experienced NI Xia Lian. We went full distance and I had the advantage 5:2 in decisive game. NI recovered had advantage 6:5 9:7…” The next duel in doubles was very important. Polish partnership of GRZYBOWSKA and Natalia PARTYKA won it. “In past four years from London time Natalia and I paying together. We feel confident together and it brought us success once again. So after our win it was up to LI to seal the victory and she did it easily.” PARTYKA and GRZYBOWSKA were runners up in Bangkok Germany and at Czech open. In the quarters Poland will meet Netherlands the team that has beat them four years ago at the World Championships in Moscow. Dutch team overcame Serbia in the duel that suffered with luck of suspense. Dutch team was a clear favorite but they started their journey in Azerbaijan in full power. Two leading ladies LI Jiao and LI Jie were on duty against second lower ranked team in the field this morning. LI Jiao beat Gabriela FEHER at the opening. “No one fells good in the opening match. We needed good start here and we did our best to get it. Now we are ready for Poland. We hope for the semi final at least in Baku ” said LI Jiao. “I struggled a little against top spins in doubles but everything was all right at the end.” LI Jie overcame Anamarija ERDELJI. “ERDELJI was to nervous.” One of the major upsets came from Sweden. They overcame Romania and the backbone of their success was Matilda EKHOLM who beat both Elizabeta SAMARA and Bernadette SZOCS. “I played against SAMARA at the European Championships in 2014 and I beat her. I know what to do and it gave me some sort of confidence. We were also aware how strong Romania is. We could not let them feel we will give up at any point. We were focused to show that we are strong as a team and that they have to work hard to beat us ” explained Matilda EKHOLM. Opening victory and red alarm came already with Linda BERGSTROM. She overcame Camelia POSTOACA. Linda is currently ranked at the position no. 187 at the World rankings whilst POSTOACA is World’s no 94. EKHOLM overcame SAMARA to widen the gap before victory for Romania in doubles made some space for their recovery. Romania won the doubles but they need to stop Matilda for reaching the decisive match. Bernadette SZOCS only managed to stretch Matilda to full distance. “It was so difficult to play against Bernadette. She is so full of energy and she never gives up ” explained EKHOLM. SAMARA was devastated after the defeat. “I am so upset. It is hard for me to speak now. We were so unlucky with the draw but we should win this one. I should beat Matilda. She is left hander and I usually play very good against such adversaries. Today Matilda seized every chance. She felt the ball well and did not make any easy mistake to made it any easier for me.” On the other side Bernadette was extremely proud with her performance. “I lost but I played very good. I am happy with the way I opposed Matilda. I hope for good results in singles.”

Women’s Teams Event in Baku 2015 starts with good performance of top favorites In the quarter final of the Women’s Team’s Event at the Baku 2015 European Games France will meet Czech Republic and Germany will play against Russia. France of all teams in Women’s Event had a less difficult way to the quarters. Azerbaijan who gained their place as a host nation failed to halt the progress of European Championships’ quarterfinalists from the Portugal 2014. LI Xue who missed the World Championships in China earlier this year due the eligibility rules proved as most valuable player today. She overcame Rufat GULIYEVA before she joined XIANG Yifang in the doubles match to repeat the success. Carole GRUNDISH overcame Maryam IMANOVA on the way to the next round. “I have enough of experience to overcame pressure at such events. I was not nervous and I was self-confident. I want to reach the gold medal. We had a good preparations ” stated Qatar open semifinalist in singles LI Xue. Germany also speared a little bit of energy for further duels. European Champions beat Hungary team who surprisingly reached lower half of the draw list in June according to rankings. The adversary took the best of Germany. “We were ready even for 3:2 match” stated Petrissa SOLJA. “And that is probably the reason why we won 3:0” coach Jie SCHÖPP quickly replied. SHAN Xiona opened the duel with the match against Dora MADARASZ 3:1. “I never had played against MADARASZ so we were very cautious and we talked a lot about the tactics night before. It started good but in the third game Dora adjusted to my style she responded better on my rhythm changing changed her tempo. I was more focused in the fourth game and it went well ” explained SHAN. In doubles with Petrissa SOLJA SHAN added another point to German account. Szandra PERGEL and MADARASZ won only first game. “At Qatar open they beat us so we went through tactical and good mental preparation for this. We had to get over that defeat ” said SHAN. HAN Ying beat Georgina POTA in straight games. “We have not played against each other in past four years but previously we played a lot in Bundesliga. In two opening games I imposed my rhythm I played safe and I faced no difficulties ” explained HAN. SOLJA entered the match in the doubles. “Coach asked me would I be all right with that since I will not have any action in singles. We agree that I should play but I was very nervous. Especially since we lost 3:0 in Qatar recently. They are playing very clever sometimes “dirty”. I also got a lot of support from SHAN. She kept telling me what to do ” stated SOLJA. None of girls was happy with the morning schedule. Getting up early was not the only thing that made them unhappy. “We missed the Opening ceremony yesterday. However I promised myself to make it up in the future. I will watch the re-run with the two medals from Baku ” promised SOLJA with the smile. Asked why she was so nervous SOLJA answered: “In German house I always watch the medals and I want to add one of mine.” Coach Jie SCHÖPP added:” We did not play at the highest level but I can be happy with the result.” Hungarian coach Peter TEGLAS was disappointed: “For a first time we were not among top 8 teams so the draw was ruthless. Against top seeds we had very few chances.”  

The Opening Ceremony of the inaugural European Games was staged in spectacular fashion at the Olympic Stadium in Baku with over 2 000 performers creating a landmark moment in European sport In front of a capacity crowd of 68 000 enthralled spectators and a potential global audience of one billion viewers the first European Games was officially declared open by Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Opening Ceremony – a spectacular display of Azerbaijan’s cultural richness and depth – also included a performance by one of the biggest names in pop music Lady Gaga. Azerbaijan’s rich culture was highlighted by Mehriban ALIYEVA the First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chair of the Baku 2015 European Games Organising Committee who said: “Azerbaijan is proud that the first European Games are being held in Baku. “At the sacred temple of Ateshgah the European Games’ Flame was lit and has travelled across our beautiful country touching the hearts of every Azerbaijani along the way. It has carried a message of celebration inspiration and unity. It is the burning spirit that brings us all together. Azerbaijan is a country rich in history culture and traditions. Multiculturalism and tolerance friendship and hospitality harmony and solidarity are an integral part of Azerbaijani life. This year we host the European Games. In 2017 we will host the Islamic Solidarity Games. This demonstrates Azerbaijan’s role in the promotion of a dialogue between cultures. As an independent state we are young only 24 years old so it is fitting that tonight’s Ceremony Countdown started from this number.The last 24 years have seen the rapid development progress and modernisation of our country. Azerbaijan’s economic stability and sustainable development have allowed us to host such a big sporting event.” She added: “I stand here proud and moved by the people of our country and all we have achieved. I thank you all for giving your heart to these Games. However far the Flame of the European Games travels in the years to come the spirit of Azerbaijan and Baku 2015 will be there burning brightly.” Patrick HICKEY President of the European Olympic Committees said: “This is the proudest moment in the history of the European Olympic Committees. Here tonight in Baku’s magnificent new Stadium we are witnessing – we are creating – a landmark moment in European sport – the opening of the inaugural European Games. Baku 2015 is the culmination of a long road and a bold dream. Tonight we add the missing fifth ring to the Continental Games of the world. And through Europe’s first Games we bind the five continents of the Olympic Movement even closer together.” Mr Hickey added a special message for the 6 000 competing athletes: “You will only have one chance to become the first ever European Games champion. I urge you to take it. I urge you to strive for excellence and compete in the true Olympic spirit of friendship and respect. And I urge you to write your names forever into Europe’s glorious sporting history.” The stage itself which contained six kilometers of cracks to reflect the famous mud volcano landscape of Azerbaijan took three months to build but will now take just three days to dismantle and prepare for the Athletics competitions that commence on 21 June.

Germany’s men and women are expected to be strong in the Table Tennis competitions at the inaugural European Games. OVTCHAROV who is ranked no.1 in Europe and BOLL currently placed second are the hot favourites to take the gold medal in the men’s event. The Germans will most likely receive competition from Portugal whose team members include European no. 4 Marcos FREITAS and no. 7 Tiago APOLONIA. Among other candidates vying for podium spots are Austria Belarus France and Sweden. “It’s Germany in the medals but then after that it’s very tight ” said Sweden’s Par GERELL who won a bronze medal at the 2014 European Championships. Despite acknowledging their role as favourites BOLL is also well aware of the fact that his team were beaten by Portugal in the final of the 2014 European Championships. “We are looking for redemption ” BOLL said adding that the Germans are used to the pressure. “We should be able to beat everyone except China.” Following the doubles the singles will most likely pit Ovtcharov and Boll against each other in the final with a place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at stake. In the women’s competition Germany’s HAN Ying is a fixture at the top of the European rankings but she will enter Baku 2015 with her usual mindset of never taking opponents lightly. “It’s not easy to be number one ” said HAN. “You know you can beat everyone but you have to fight for every match.” In the team competition Han will play alongside either Petrissa SOLJA no. 1 at European U21 level or senior no. 9 SHAN Xiaona. “We are the most professional team in Europe everybody knows that ” continued Han who is ranked 10th in the world. “Personally though I can’t be arrogant. I can’t go into matches thinking ‘I am the number one in Europe’.” The Netherlands could be the strongest challenger with Europe’s no. 5 LI Jie playing alongside no. 11 LI Jiao. In the singles Han is wary of Austria’s world No. 17 Liu Jia and No. 18 Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania but is confident she can fend off the challengers. There is a strong women’s field in Baku with the top 11 players in Europe present when the team competition begins at 09:30 on Saturday 13 June.