15-17th may 2015 it’s a special time for table tennis in Poland. Table tennis legends will play against each others in a prestigious tournament. The second edition of GRUBBA Polish Champions will begin on Friday in Warsaw. Table tennis stars children and 15-17th may 2015 it’s a special time for table tennis in Poland. Table tennis legends will play against each others in a prestigious tournament. The second edition of GRUBBA Polish Champions will begin on Friday in Warsaw. Table tennis stars children and Wschodzacy Bialystok Superliga players will take part in memorial of Andrzej GRUBBA the best player in the history of Polish table tennis. All of the ping-pong fans will experience once again the thrill of duels between unforgettable players. In the second such event in Poland and one of the few in Europe will take a part the best of the best among table tennis players: Jörgen PERSSON Jean-Michel SAIVE Lucjan BLASZCZYK and Daniel GORAK. The presence of iconic table tennis players guarantees sport excitement at the highest level. In addition to honoring Andrzej GRUBBA promoters want to show how attractive and entertaining for spectators table tennis can be and popularize this discipline as well in Poland as in all Europe. Andrzej GRUBBA was the best Polish table tennis player. Awarded bronze medals during the World Competition – in 1989 for single play in 1985 for team tournament and in 1987 for double play with Leszek Kucharski. Three times GRUBBA took part in the Olympic Games. He was also a World Cup winner in 1988 and chosen for “Polish Sportpersonality of the year” in 1984.
Russia’s girls in good shape in Belarus
The leading names in the qualification stage of both the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk remained unbeaten on the first day of action. Romania’s Ovidiu IONESCU Ukraine’s Oleksandr DIDUK The leading names in the qualification stage of both the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk remained unbeaten on the first day of action. Romania’s Ovidiu IONESCU Ukraine’s Oleksandr DIDUKH and Russia’s Mikhail PAIKOV alongside Frenchman Quentin ROBINOT completed their first stage matches in top place in their respective groups. Denmark’s Kasper STERNBERG listed at no.149 on the current Men’s World Rankings was beaten by Belgium’s Martin ALLEGRO named at no. 326 (11-9 11-4 5-11 11-6 11-6); whilst Croatia’s Frane KOJIC experienced defeat at the hands of Poland’s Konrad KULPA.Presently Frane KOJIC is named at no.221 on the Men’s World Rankings Konrad KULPA is at no.237. It was good day for leading players in the Women’s Singles event. Lithuania’s Ruta PASKAUSKIENE Japan’s Sakura MORI Russia’s Maria DOLGIKH and Korea’s CHOI Hyojoo are on winning path. However in their respective groups few other leaders suffered unexpected defeats. Elizaveta KHLYZOVA of Russia beat JO Yujin of Korea Katsiaryna BARAVOK of Belarus overcame Ekaterina GUSEVA of Russia. Olga KULIKOVA of Russia beat Magdalena SIKORSKA of Poland. SIKORSKA suffered by the hands of Anastasiya GOLUBEVA of Russia as well. Russia’s competitors proved to strong for Lisa LUNG too. Elena ABAIMOVA accounted for Belgium’s player. Milica Nikolic
ITTF & IOC Presidents meet to discuss additional OG gold
Prior to the Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships ITTF’s President Mr. Thomas WEIKERT met the International Olympic Committee’s President Dr. Thomas BACH in Lausanne Switzerland. This was the first official meeting between the two Pre Prior to the Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships ITTF’s President Mr. Thomas WEIKERT met the International Olympic Committee’s President Dr. Thomas BACH in Lausanne Switzerland. This was the first official meeting between the two Presidents since Mr WEIKERT stepped into office in September 2014. The main topics of conversation between the two German officials were Agenda 2020; ITTF’s Development Program which has now made it the largest International Federation with 222 National Association members; How the IOC and the ITTF can work closer together to achieve common goals. The two Presidents also discussed the possibility of table tennis having mixed doubles or mixed teams as fifth event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in addition to the current lineup of men’s & women’s singles and men’s & women’s teams events. On this proposal ITTF’s President Thomas WEIKERT stated: “We have tried in the past to get the mixed doubles or mixed teams in the table tennis Olympic program. My conversations with President BACH were positive so we hope that we will have a fifth table tennis gold medal added by Tokyo 2020.”
Mats BANDSTIGEN CEO of Stiga Sports AB passes away
Mats BANDSTIGEN the Chief Executive Officer of the world renowned Stiga Sports AB company passed away on Friday 8th May. BANDSTIGEN suffered a heart attack; he was only 46 years old. Mats BANDSTIGEN very much re-established the name of STIGA as a world l Mats BANDSTIGEN the Chief Executive Officer of the world renowned Stiga Sports AB company passed away on Friday 8th May. BANDSTIGEN suffered a heart attack; he was only 46 years old. Mats BANDSTIGEN very much re-established the name of STIGA as a world leader in the sport of table tennis. His father Bengt BANDSTIGEN founded Banda the company who supported Jan-Ove WALDNER in his early career. Later when Stiga having been the market leader in the 1960s faced financial problems he bought the name. In 1999 Mats BANDSTIGEN succeeded his father as the Chief Executive Officer of STIGA Sports AB. Successful in the world of business Mats BANDSTIGEN also enjoyed success as a player especially in junior days; where as Mats ANDERSSON he was very much a major player in the Swedish Junior Team. At the 1983 European Youth Championships alongside Niklas EKERSTAD Johan FALLBY and Thomas von SCHEELE he was a member of the Swedish outfit that won the Cadet Boys’ Team title; he was runner up with Thomas Von SCHEELE in the Cadet Boys’ Doubles event and bronze medallist in the Cadet Boys’ Singles. At the 1985 European Youth Championships he was a member of the gold medal winning Junior Boys’ Team. In 1986 Mats ANDERSSON reached the semi-final stage of the Junior Boys’ Doubles event at the European Youth Championships with Thomas von SCHEELE the player he beat in the final of the Cadet Boys’ Singles event at the Swedish National Championships in 1984 and two years later in the Junior Boys’ Singles final. Mats ANDERSSON retired from international play in 1987 and assumed the name Mats BANDSTIGEN; under his initiative the company becoming major supporters of the International Table Tennis Federation. They were the table suppliers for the 2013 and 2015 World Team Cup competitions they supplied the clothing for the volunteers at the recent Qoros 2015 World Championships whilst supporting the Daily Review and Shot of the Day. He is sadly missed; our thoughts and those of the whole table tennis world are with his family.
Baku 2015 is on track to make sporting history
With exactly one month to go to the inaugural European Games Opening Ceremony Mr Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 has expressed his satisfaction at the progress of preparations for the event. CLEGG said: “One month to go is the latest m With exactly one month to go to the inaugural European Games Opening Ceremony Mr Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 has expressed his satisfaction at the progress of preparations for the event. CLEGG said: “One month to go is the latest milestone on the incredible journey of Baku 2015 the sporting community of Azerbaijan and the European Games as a concept for sport in our continent. What is taking place here on the shores of the Caspian Sea is nothing short of astounding. Most Olympic host cities get seven years to prepare for their Games. Here in Baku we have had just 30 months to deliver the most important new sporting event in the international calendar for almost half a century. The support and vision of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham ALIYEV the Chair of the Baku 2015 European Games Organising Committee First Lady Mehriban ALIYEVA and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports Mr Azad RAHIMOV has been critical to the success of this project. Together we will ensure that the long-held dream of a multi-sport event for Europe’s finest athletes under the leadership of the President of the European Olympic Committees Mr Patrick HICKEY will become a reality. We knew it was going to be a challenge but the whole team in Baku has risen to the occasion and now with just a month to go I can say that we are on track to make sporting history. There is still work to be done – we all know that – and I have always said that we will need every minute of every day of the 30 months we were given. When Baku was announced as the host city for the European Games there was no blueprint to pull off the shelf no long-term broadcast deals and no commercial partners. Today we have 18 world-class venues broadcast agreements in place covering not only Europe but the whole globe and the support of eight outstanding Official Partners and 11 Official Supporters. Add to that our partnership with UNICEF Baku 2015’s Official Child Rights Organisation and you can see the excitement and power of the brand that the European Games is creating. The Flame Capture Ceremony at Ateshgah gave the world a glimpse of the spectacular events to come and the Journey of the Flame around Azerbaijan’s 60 regions continues to build excitement and anticipation as we head towards the start of the Games on 12 June. Another way in which we have endeavoured to involve and inspire the country has been through our Flamekeeper volunteer programme. Young Azerbaijanis have responded incredibly to this opportunity to participate in this historic moment for their country. During the Games 12 000 Baku 2015 Flamekeepers will take on key roles and will develop friendships skills and experiences that will last a lifetime. We are also seeing enthusiasm for the European Games reflected in the great demand for tickets both for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and for the sporting competitions. Our aim has been to ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy Baku 2015 and to achieve that we have put an affordable ticket pricing policy in place which allows children free admission to most venues. In one month’s time we will deliver an Opening Ceremony that is not only fitting and appropriate for our continent but will also mark the start of an event which will provide a lasting legacy for sport in Europe. Baku 2015 will be a defining moment for our host country as well as for our athletes. Everything is now in place for an unforgettable summer of top-level competition and I have no doubt that we will put on a show to make the whole continent proud.”
Azertac to become Official News Agency of Baku 2015
Baku 2015 today announced a partnership with Azertac that will see the media organisation become the Official News Agency of the Baku 2015 European Games which start on 12 June. With a team of over 50 journalists photographers and cameramen providing extensive coverage of the Games Azertac will be the single largest Azerbaijani media organisation at Baku 2015. Its text and photographic content will be available in several languages. In addition Azertac will produce a video news stream which will be available in Azerbaijani. All this content will be available via a dedicated Baku 2015 section on the agency’s website. Azertac will focus its resources on promoting the inaugural European Games to both domestic and international audiences ahead of the Opening Ceremony. This will include weekly features on international and Azerbaijani athletes competing at Baku 2015 as well as editorials promoting local ‘human interest stories’ around the Games.
Super BOLL too strong for Orenburg
As Timo BOLL predicted – nuance will decide today`s great match in Dusseldorf – but this nuance was Timo BOLL himself! Thanks to him German champion secured big advantage in the first finale leg of the 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League beating top As Timo BOLL predicted – nuance will decide today`s great match in Dusseldorf – but this nuance was Timo BOLL himself! Thanks to him German champion secured big advantage in the first finale leg of the 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League beating top seeded club from Russia: Borussia Dusseldorf – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg 3:1 (10:6). The six times individual champion of Old Continent and actual world`s no. 7 prevailed against no. 9 Vladimir SAMSONOV and no. 6 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. These three are the best ranked MECL and European table tennis players. The sold-out ARAG CenterCort witnessed an exciting clash between the two best MECL clubs who took five titles in last six years: Borussia three and Orenburg two. Deciding moment came in the fourth encounter when Timo BOLL met his team mate from German national team Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. In that moment host side led 2:1 thus the stake was enormous for both. In the big circumvention in all five games both were determined to do the final stroke and both showed how good serve is important in such an important fight. After three sets OVTCHAROV had an advantage making reverse from 3:6 to 8:6. But BOLL tied in the forth one making three consecutive points (6:5 9:5). After three points in a row guest was much close to the win having 9:7 lead. Host leveled (9:9) after time out but best ranked MECL player first had a match ball. World`s no. 7 again survived and concluded the game by three points in a row. BOLL opened today`s leg with a comfortable 3:0 victory against former World`s vice-champion Vladimir SAMSONOV who was a key Borussia`s players in his best days lifting many prestigious trophies with it. Byelorussian evinced his quality just in third set having a set ball. OVTCHAROV who disappointed on the recent 2015 QOROS World Championships leveled the score in four games against Patrick FRANZISKA the biggest surprise on that event held in China. In the third match Panagiotis GIONIS defeated Alexey SMIRNOV in four sets. After this match Timo BOLL has the best individual score 15-2. The second one is Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (13-2) who suffered his second defeat today. 2014/15 MECL final – Leg1 Borussia Dusseldorf – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg 3:1 Timo BOLL – Vladimir SAMSONOV 3:0 (11:3 11:7 14:12) Patrick FRANZISKA – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 1:3 (2:11 11:6 8:11 7:11) Panagiotis GIONIS – Alexey SMIRNOV 3:1 (11:3 11:5 8:11 11:4) Timo BOLL – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 3:2 (7:11 11:7 8:11 11:7 12:10)
Nuances to decide the MECL final
The game without secrets – it could be said for the upcoming Men`s European Champions League final which first out of two chapters will be held tomorrow in Dusseldorf: Borussia – Orenburg (13h00 CET). The rematch comes on May 29th on the soil of Russian champion. Thanks to Borussia`s Alex SCHILLING we can share the atmosphere from the host side and see how they comment upcoming fight. Coach Danny HEISTER explained why this week is exceptional one: “Our players all played well at the World Champs – now it is important for them to bring this energy to the table on Sunday. We don’t push it too hard this week the guys just have to take a short breath.” Manager Andreas PREUSS stressed that “such a day such a match needs an extraordinary energy and attitude. I believe that we might experience this on Sunday. Everyone plays for the others in this season like in few times before. There are no harsh words if someone hasn’t had his best day on the opposite- then one of the others steps into the breach and on the next occasion it’s the other way around again. There’s a lot of harmony and good vibes in the team – there has to be the certain sizzle on Sunday and then everything can happen.” Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA as quarter-finalists on the recent 2015 QOROS World Championships in Suzhou approaching to the first final game with a lot of confidence. Six times individual European champion BOLL knows very well that it will be “fight without secrets”: “We all know each other very well. I have fought Vladi (SAMSONOV) my whole career I won often but also lost quite often. His shape is not as steady recently sometimes he shows absolute world class table-tennis but he also does not play up to his level at times. Dima (OVTCHAROV) of course also plays at a top level I probably even know him a bit better than Vladi by now because we practice together pretty often. If you know each other so well it’s more difficult to create moments of surprise so in the end it’s only nuances. I am certainly highly motivated to play a Champions League Final against some of the best players there are.” Young Patrick FRANZISKA who did a great return after four months break due to injury has a chance for one more big step in his career: “I do have high self-confidence after playing well in the World Champs. I now try to hold the tension up to the final but I also know that it’s a different competition. Of course I want to bring my self-confidence into the match.” Greek Panagiotis GIONIS added: “I feel ready and believe in our team. We did well this season made two really strong Comebacks already and I believe that we can do it with the support of the home-crowd.” Men’s European Champions League Final 1 will be broadcast live and free on ETTU TV as well as in the LAOLA1.tv APPs (IOS/Android). Sunday 10th May 2015 | 13:00 (CET) 2014/2015 Men’s ECL – Final 1 LIVE: Borussia Düsseldorf – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg Watch all matches LIVE and FREE as well as full matches on demand and mobile on ETTU TV.
METC Final1: XU Hui leads Eslövs to victory
In the first leg of the ETTU Cup semi final Eslovs AL beat Olimpia Unia Grudziadz after fierce battle in Sweden. They needed full five matches to make narrow advantage before the next week’s second leg. XU Hui preserved unbeaten status. He beat bot In the first leg of the ETTU Cup semi final Eslovs AL beat Olimpia Unia Grudziadz after fierce battle in Sweden. They needed full five matches to make narrow advantage before the next week’s second leg. XU Hui preserved unbeaten status. He beat both Bartosz SUCH and Yoshida KAII. In the opening duel XU prevailed in straight games whilst KAII forced him to go full distance. Yoshida KAII beat Robert SVENSSON but Swede recovered from defeat to win the decisive match against SUCH. Eslövs AL -Olimpia Unia Grudziadz 3:2 XU Hui – Bartosz SUCH 3:0 (11:8 11:3 11:5) Robert SVENSSON – Yoshida KAII 1:3 (6:11 6:11 11:7 16:18) Mattias OEVERSJÖ – WANG Yang 1:3 (11:4 5:11 7:11 7:11) XU Hui – Yoshida KAII 3:2 (8:11 11:9 13:11 9:11 11:8) Robert SVENSSON – Bartosz SUCH 3:1 (11:6 8:11 11:7 13:11)
KTS Tarnobrzeg break Metz in WETC final1
Four times runners up in the Women’s ETTU Cup KTS Tarnobrzeg is on the way to make their dream come true eventually. Polish side overcame Metz TT in France 3:1. The back bone of Polish side success was HANG Ying. The 32-years-old European Team Cha Four times runners up in the Women’s ETTU Cup KTS Tarnobrzeg is on the way to make their dream come true eventually. Polish side overcame Metz TT in France 3:1. The back bone of Polish side success was HANG Ying. The 32-years-old European Team Champion with Germany showed no mercy in Metz. HANG beat WU Jiaduo and FU Yu in superb style. FU Yu went full distance against LI Qian who recently won bronze medal at the Woirld Championships in China before she prevailed to win the only point for hosts. Renata STRBIKOVA was in charge for the third point for KTS Spar Zamek Tarnobrzeg. Metz TT – KTS Spar Zamek Tarnobrzeg 1:3 FU Yu -LI Qian 3:2 (4:11 11:7 9:11 12:10 11:8) WU Jiaduo -HANG Ying 0:3 (6:11 7:11 9:11) SCHREINER Yunli -STRBIKOVA Renata 2:3 (11:6 11:9 6:11 5:11 6:11) FU Yu -HANG Ying 0:3 (5:11 4:11 9:11)
