Fresh from the first ever Doubles title for Denmark at the ITTF World Tour in Minsk Jonathan GROTH is on the duty again. At the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour in Zagreb Dane is the best ranked player in the qualification stage of the Men’s Singles Event Fresh from the first ever Doubles title for Denmark at the ITTF World Tour in Minsk Jonathan GROTH is on the duty again. At the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour in Zagreb Dane is the best ranked player in the qualification stage of the Men’s Singles Event. GROTH secured the leading place in his group after two victories over Ludvik PERSOLJA of Slovenia and Alin SPELBUS of Romania. In Group 2 Benedikt DUDA of Germany also secured top position and his compatriot Lars HIELSCHER joined him after two straight games victories in Group 3. For the first upset in the qualification stage we had to go further down to Group 14 where Simon PFEFER of Austria exceeded his rankings and beat Samuel WALKER of England. Maria DOLGIKH of Russia Petra LOVAS of Hungary and Galia DVORAK of Spain successfully cruised through two opening rounds in qualifications.
The world’s best players will head to Lisbon
Lisbon Portugal has won the bid to host the most lucrative table tennis event on earth the GAC Group 2015 World Tour Grand Finals. The year-ending finale of the 23 ITTF World Tour events will be held on10-13 December 2015 in the Portuguese capital. Toge Lisbon Portugal has won the bid to host the most lucrative table tennis event on earth the GAC Group 2015 World Tour Grand Finals. The year-ending finale of the 23 ITTF World Tour events will be held on10-13 December 2015 in the Portuguese capital. Together with the World Tour Grand Finals Lisbon will also host the third edition of the ITTF Star Awards which will celebrate the world’s best players for their achievements in 2015. On the news ITTF’s CEO Judit FARAGO stated: “ITTF is delighted to allocate the organization of the World Tour Grand Finals to Lisbon. This is the best momentum that the table tennis has had in Portugal and the team is enjoying it’s most successful period of its history. The ITTF World Tour turns 20 years old this year and it is hard to imagine better place for the anniversary celebration than to have the Grand Finals and the ITTF Star Awards in Lisbon a popular destination for visitors.” Lisbon is no stranger to hosting major table tennis events after successfully holding the TMS 2014 European Team Championships last year where the Portuguese Men’s Team won their first European Championships title much to the delight of the packed crowd. The locals will be hoping for similar success in December with world number 10 Marcos FREITAS and world number 22 Tiago APOLONIA looking to repeat their European success on home soil. An upbeat Portuguese Table Tennis President Pedro MOURA stated: “The Portuguese Table Tennis Federation is very proud and honored to be awarded by ITTF with the organization of 2015 World Tour Grand Finals. After the success of the TMS 2014 European Team Championships we felt we should go for other important international events in order to retain the interest and attention of the Portuguese general public on our wonderful sport. Being able to host the 2015 ITTF Star Awards in conjunction with the World Tour Grand Finals will turn all eyes on Lisbon as the World Table Tennis Capital in December. It’s a dream come true for us and the Portuguese Table Tennis Federation is finally matching the level of its best players. Just like when hosting the continental championships last September we’ll do our best to turn these events truly memorable for all!” 16 men and 16 women who secured the most “Race to Lisbon” points over the 23 World Tour events qualify for the World Tour Grand Finals as well as 8 men’s and 8 women’s doubles pairs together with 8 men’s and 8 women’s under 21 players. The GAC Group 2015 World Tour is split into three tiers (highest first): Super (6 events) Major (6 events) Challenge (11 events). The higher the series the more prize money world ranking points “Race to Lisbon” points and higher quality of competition on offer. The ITTF World Tour Grand Finals were held last time in Europe in 2011 when it served as test event for the London Olympic Games.
First ever Doubles gold for GROTH-STERNBERG
Mima ITO clinched the Women’s Singles title at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk. Occupying the no.3 seeded position in the competition in an all-Japanese final she beat Misako WAKAMIYA the no.6 seed in four straight games to cl Mima ITO clinched the Women’s Singles title at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk. Occupying the no.3 seeded position in the competition in an all-Japanese final she beat Misako WAKAMIYA the no.6 seed in four straight games to claim the title. After becoming the youngest ever Women’s Singles winner on the ITTF World Tour when she succeeded in Germany earlier this year at the age of 14 years 152 days old the achievements of Mima ITO are expected rather than unexpected! Mima ITO will leapfrog Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA and move to the very top of the Standings and of course establishes yet another record; she will be the youngest ever play to own the top spot. She is 14 years and 208 days old. Ruwen FILUS of Germany won two silver medals. In the Men’s Singles Event he suffered the defeat against Qatar’s LI Ping in six games. Previously he lost the final duel in Doubles Event. Not seeded the Danish partnership of Jonathan GROTH and Kasper STERNBERG won the Men’s Doubles title. At the final hurdle they beat the Ruwen FILUS and Ricardo WALTHER the no.4 seeds to claim the title. They are the first pairing from Denmark ever to win an ITTF World Tour Men’s Doubles title.
Eslovs clinch ETTU trophy for a first time
Swedish club AL Eslovs clinched the title in the Men’s ETTU Cup. Robert SVENSSON XU Hui and Mattias OEVERSJÖ accounted for Poland’s club Olimpia Unia Grudziadz in both legs of ETTU Cup final. In first duel in Sweden Swedish side won by narro Swedish club AL Eslovs clinched the title in the Men’s ETTU Cup. Robert SVENSSON XU Hui and Mattias OEVERSJÖ accounted for Poland’s club Olimpia Unia Grudziadz in both legs of ETTU Cup final. In first duel in Sweden Swedish side won by narrow margin but as guests they showed less mercy. In return leg host club scored only once. The game difference 11:9 after opening leg promised good duel but at the end it was not as close as everyone expected. KAII Yoshida gave hosts good start with victory over Robert SVENSSON but after that all went wrong for Olimpia Unia Grudziadz. XU Hui overcame Patryk ZATOWKA in straight games before WANG Yang and Mattias OEVERSJÖ went full distance. After Swede clinched victory Eslovs were in driving seat. Olimpia Unia Grudziadz – AL Eslovs 1:3 KAII Yoshida – Robert SVENSSON 3:1 (11:13 11:6 11:7 11:5) Patryk ZATOWKA- XU Hui 0:3 (7:11 4:11 8:11) WANG Yang – Mattias OEVERSJÖ 2:3 (6:11 9:11 11:9 11:6 8:11) KAII Yoshida – XU Hui 1:3 (11:6 9:11 10:12 3:11)
Belarus Open: FILUS joins semis in two events
German player Ruwen FILUS secured the semi-final spot in the Men’s Singles event and the final in the Doubles event on GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk. In the Men’s Singles quarter final two unique representatives of Europe met one German player Ruwen FILUS secured the semi-final spot in the Men’s Singles event and the final in the Doubles event on GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk. In the Men’s Singles quarter final two unique representatives of Europe met one another as Ruwen FILUS beat Kirill SKACHKOV 4:1 (11:7 11:8 5:11 15:13 11:5). German will play against Japanese Mizuki OIKAWA in the semis. OIKAWA currently world’s no. 179 upset his compatriot and top seed in Yuto MURAMATSU (no. 24) in the Round of 32. Other semi-finalist are Qatar’s LI Ping and Takuya JIN from Japan. In the Women’s Singles all four semi-finalists come from Japan: Misaki MORIZONO Mima ITO Misako WAKAMIYA and Hitomi SATO. Jonathan GROTH and Kasper STERNBERG (Denmark) defeated Mikhail PAIKOV and Grigory VLASOV (Russia) in the straight games of the Men’s Doubles semi-final. Other finalists are Ruwen FILUS and Ricardo WALTHER (Germany) who prevailed against Mihai BOBOCICA and Leonardo MUTTI (Italy) playing four sets. Russian pair Ekaterina GUSEVA and Yulia PROKHOROVA lost from Japanese Miyu MAEDA and Sakura MORI 3:1 in the Women’s Doubles semi-final. MAEDA and MORI will play against compatriots Sayaka HIRANO and Misaki MORIZONO for the title.
Netherlands to host 2019 European Games
The 50 member NOCs comprising the European Olympic Committees (EOC) have today unanimously approved in principle the Netherlands as hosts of the second edition of the European Games in 2019 at an Extraordinary General Assembly in Belek Turkey giving the The 50 member NOCs comprising the European Olympic Committees (EOC) have today unanimously approved in principle the Netherlands as hosts of the second edition of the European Games in 2019 at an Extraordinary General Assembly in Belek Turkey giving the EOC Executive Committee the mandate to finalise negotiations with the Netherlands Olympic Committee. The Dutch NOC gave a presentation about their proposed hosting concept for the 2019 European Games which the EOC membership ratified. The decision means the EOC Executive Committee and the Dutch NOC will continue its private negotiations until a definitive sporting commercial and financial plan for the Games is finalised. EOC President Patrick HICKEY said: “The Dutch have put together a very exciting proposition for the 2019 European Games which fits perfectly with the EOC’s strategic approach and prioritises flexibility; sustainability; and world-class quality. I am delighted that the EOC membership agrees and has ratified in principle the Netherlands’ proposed hosting concept for 2019. I am now very much looking forward to working with them to continue developing their plans.” The Extraordinary General Assembly was the final act of a three-day gathering in Belek hosted by the Turkish Olympic Committee which included an Executive Committee meeting the 36th EOC Seminar and an IOC Olympic Solidarity Forum. Prior to the decision about the 2019 European Games the organisers of the first edition – which is taking place next month in Azerbaijan’s capital city Baku – gave a presentation on their preparations confirming that Baku is ready to stage a first-class sports event from 12 June to 28 June. The EOC in collaboration with the Dutch NOC will provide further updates about the 2019 European Games in due course.
Gerhard SCHNABEL nominated Umpires for EYC
On behalf of the ETTU-URC Gerhard SCHNABEL ETTU URC – Chairman announced the nominations for the Umpires at the European Youth Championships in Bratislava to be held from 10th to 19th July 2015. Beside 37 Umpires (see here) at the Championships will als On behalf of the ETTU-URC Gerhard SCHNABEL ETTU URC – Chairman announced the nominations for the Umpires at the European Youth Championships in Bratislava to be held from 10th to 19th July 2015. Beside 37 Umpires (see here) at the Championships will also be Referees Petr BOHUMSKY; Deputy Referees Vincent BLANCHARD Maria TSIPOU Pieter VAN DER HAMMEN Karen TONGE Mario RE FRASCHINI; Assistant Referee Matej HAMRAN.
Nice win for Dane Jonathan GROTH in Minsk
Dane Jonathan GROTH overcame no. 14 seed Kohei SAMBE of Japan to reach the Round of 16 at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open (Challenge) in Minsk. GROTH is currently listed at the position no. 88 at the World list whilst Japan’s playe Dane Jonathan GROTH overcame no. 14 seed Kohei SAMBE of Japan to reach the Round of 16 at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open (Challenge) in Minsk. GROTH is currently listed at the position no. 88 at the World list whilst Japan’s player occupies position no. 88. After all-Russia’s duel Kirill SKACHKOV beat Viacheslav BUROV whilst in all Belarus match Pavel PLATONOV prevailed against Evgueni CHTCHETININE. Mehdi BOULOUSSA of France was stretched to full distance in the match against Russia’s Alexey LIVENTSOV; WANG Zengyi of Poland needed just four games against Martrin ALLEGRO of Belgium. Germany’s Ruwen FILUS and Russia’s Grigory VLASOV are also among top 16 players. Quartet of three Russia’s and one Belarus girls reached the Round of 16. Maria DOLGIKH beat Japan’s Yui HAMAMOTO in straight games Anna TIKHOMIROV overcame another Japan’s representative Hina HAYATA whilst Yulia PROKHOROVA overcame Shiho MATSUDAIRA in another Russia vs. Japan duel. Alexandra PRIVALOVA of Belarus accounted for Elena TROSHEVNA of Russia.
Baku 2015 signs TV deals in four more countries
Baku 2015 has extended its global reach after signing agreements with a further five broadcasters in four countries to show the inaugural European Games which will take place between 12-28 June. The latest broadcast agreements are as follows: •Ukraine – Baku 2015 has extended its global reach after signing agreements with a further five broadcasters in four countries to show the inaugural European Games which will take place between 12-28 June. The latest broadcast agreements are as follows: •Ukraine – NTU a national free-to-air public broadcaster which will offer exposure to over 16m households across the country •Georgia – Georgian Public Broadcasting a national free-to-air broadcaster which broadcast the London 2012 Olympic Games •Norway – TV2 a free-to-air broadcaster which recently acquired the rights to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games •Israel – Baku 2015 has agreed a rights share deal between Sport 5 (The Sport Channel) and Sport 1 (Charlton) both of which are leading pay TV sports channels in the country Commenting on these new broadcast announcements Mr Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said: “The appetite from broadcasters to screen the inaugural European Games continues to grow and we are delighted that sport fans in Ukraine Georgia Norway and Israel will have the chance to watch the world-class athletes competing in Baku this summer. One of our aims has always been to build the brand of the European Games on a global level and these broadcast agreements are a key strategic tool in helping us to successfully deliver that objective. More than 176 million households in Europe will now have access to the European Games providing a 70% market penetration with a minimum average broadcast of close to six hours per day.” These latest agreements are further evidence of the global appeal of the European Games joining broadcast partnerships already signed in the United States Canada Australia China Hong Kong India and across Europe.
Borussia targets two titles in five days
After two turbulent seasons Borussia shows its full strength. The most decorated European club ever after beating Orenburg 3:1 last Sunday in the 1st MECL final leg have a good chance to reach two titles in five days. They will play in the Bundesliga`s After two turbulent seasons Borussia shows its full strength. The most decorated European club ever after beating Orenburg 3:1 last Sunday in the 1st MECL final leg have a good chance to reach two titles in five days. They will play in the Bundesliga`s final against Fulda on May 24th while the ultimate MECL clash will be held five days later in Russian city Orenburg. “it’s the result of my dreams”! stressed Borussia`s manager Andreas PREUSS speaking about the match against Russian champion in front of 1.100 fans in ARAG CenterCourt. “We were a little lucky but this match had everything: World class-Table Tennis absolutely outstanding rallies – one team had to win in the end and I am exuberantly happy that it was us. We did a great step in the right direction – a big Thank you to our fantastic spectators!” Greek Panagiotis GIONIS who added one point on Timo BOLL`s two to secure the victory said about it: “We knew that the third match would be the most important. SMIRNOV is the weakest of the Orenburg team he had to be beaten and then of course we need to depend on Timo (BOLL) to make two points. I was very focused in my match – I could have won 3:0 maybe but okay. This was a big first step now but it will be very difficult in the 2nd leg. We need to be on guard and stay focused.” Coach Danny HEISTER praised all his player: “Of course I hoped for a 3:0 (winks) but `Franz´ (FRANZISKA) had to adjust to the abnormal high level of Dima (OVTCHAROV). The plan was of course that Panos (GIONIS) had to win against SMIRNOV but that has to work out to begin with – so I am very satisfied that he made the point. Timo played extraordinarily well in his 50:50 match against Dima I just tried to stay calm on my chair and show him confidence. I am very glad he won. Those are the matches we work for during the whole season. This was a good first step now we have to stay grounded. We have the final of the German League in front of us at first and after that we fly to Orenburg.” The returning MECL final game will be held on May 29th (13h20 CET) in Orenburg. German champion has a chance to reach the third triple crown in its history bearing in mind that it already took German Cup five months ago.
