Baku 2015 European Games announced today the route of the Journey of the Flame which will start with a ceremony at Ateshgah on 26 April and revealed for the first time the design of the Baku 2015 Torch and Lamp. In a celebration of Azerbaijan’s extrao Baku 2015 European Games announced today the route of the Journey of the Flame which will start with a ceremony at Ateshgah on 26 April and revealed for the first time the design of the Baku 2015 Torch and Lamp. In a celebration of Azerbaijan’s extraordinary landscape culture and heritage the flame will travel the length and breadth of the country spreading the spirit of the Games and warming the hearts of people in all 60 regions. Azerbaijan is known as the Land of Fire so it is fitting that Baku 2015 will capture the European Games Flame from the ground at Ateshgah an ancient and sacred temple on the outskirts of Baku this Sunday 26 April. The flame will then travel nearly 5 500 km before the cauldron is lit at the Opening Ceremony on 12 June – 47 days later. The torch will come within an hour’s travelling time of 99% of the Azerbaijani population and thousands of people are expected to join in the daily celebrations along the route. Mr Azad RAHIMOV Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015 said: “The European Games mark a historic moment for European sport and for Azerbaijan it will be a milestone in the country’s progress as an independent forward-looking member of the European family. This extraordinary journey will showcase the best of Azerbaijan – taking in historical natural sporting and cultural highlights in the 60 regions.” Ms Catherine UGWU Baku 2015 Director of Ceremonies said: “The Journey of the Flame will build momentum and excitement in the lead to the first-ever European Games. It will help set the tone for what’s to come.” There will be more than 1 000 torchbearers in total. The torch will be transported over ground by bus funicular railway bicycle; underground on the Baku metro; on water by boat; and in the air by plane. The torch – a symbol of Azerbaijan’s culture The Baku 2015 Torch and Lamp were art directed by Yarat and designed by Sebastian Bergne. They are beautifully designed engineered and crafted using materials and techniques inspired by traditional Azerbaijani metalwork. The torch measures 660mm high and its body features a pomegranate tree echoing the Baku 2015 brand. The copper head that protects the flame is also in the form of a pomegranate – its 50 pips representing the number of nations participating in the Games. At each location the flame will be transferred to an oil-fired lamp based on an iconic Azeri design incorporating the pomegranate tree motive from the torch and games identity. You will be able to follow the Journey of the Flame on the dedicated social website that will be launched on 26 April at Baku2015.com
IOC President Thomas BACH has visited Kosovo
IOC President Thomas BACH has visited Kosovo. He has also visited KTTA office and has attended training camp of young players. “He was excited with the table tennis promotion and the work that we are all doing on promoting sport in this region. He has pro IOC President Thomas BACH has visited Kosovo. He has also visited KTTA office and has attended training camp of young players. “He was excited with the table tennis promotion and the work that we are all doing on promoting sport in this region. He has promised a lot of support in the future for promoting further sport among all communities in order that through sport people get more connected and benefit from it. It was really a honour to have such important person at our association and more than happy that he enjoyed his time and is looking to visiting us again” stated Kosovo TTA representative Jeton BEQIRI.
Summer Table Tennis School in Shanghai
This summer European players will have opportunity to improve their skills in China. China Table Tennis College is the first professional institution of table tennis in the World which jointly established by Shanghai Municipal Government and Chinese Table This summer European players will have opportunity to improve their skills in China. China Table Tennis College is the first professional institution of table tennis in the World which jointly established by Shanghai Municipal Government and Chinese Table Tennis Association. It is located in Shanghai with teaching training scientific research and foreign exchange. It also has degree education of undergraduate master Ph.D. as well as the mission of cultivating outstanding youths. Specialists hold the Summer School every year in order to further promote the development of world table tennis and improve the technical level of the youths from various countries. Summer School begins from 15th July to 12th August. Students will have table tennis training learning traditional Chinese culture and extra-curricular practice like sightseeing tours etc. The event aims to improve the technical level of table tennis players and expand their horizons to better promote the common development of world table tennis. The players need to know and speak English well so they can communicate with the teachers. They have to be over the age of sixteen. The College will provide participants living accommodations meals related learning materials as well as domestic travel costs for free. International travel costs of participants should be paid by themselves. Submit personal information form to the college E-mail. The closing date is 1st June 2015. Email: stella20402040@163.com Tel: +86 21 51253366 (Contact: Miss Xu)
Gold for France and Russia in Metz
France A justified their top seeded position to secure gold in the Junior Boy’s Teams Event at the 2015 French Junior and Cadet Open in Metz. Russia clinched the title in the Junior Girls Teams Event. Boy’s A team beat their compatriots from France A justified their top seeded position to secure gold in the Junior Boy’s Teams Event at the 2015 French Junior and Cadet Open in Metz. Russia clinched the title in the Junior Girls Teams Event. Boy’s A team beat their compatriots from B team. Alexandre CASSIN gave the champions the perfect start by beating Irvin BETRAND before Can AKKUZU accounted for Joe SEYFRIED and Nolan GIVONE brought matters to a conclusion by defeating Remi MENAUD in the final. In semis France A beat Japan whilst B team succeeded against Czech Republic. The team of Russia with Maria TAYLAKOVA Daria CHERNOVA Maria MALANINA and Valeria SHCHERBATYKH despite their defeat in the Groups stage against Germany managed to recover and to clinch the title in Girls event. At the final hurdle they overcame Romania with Diana LUPU Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN. In semis Russia beat France B whilst Romania beat combined team of England Japan and Romania. Moldova and France A secured the respective Cadet Boys’ Team and Cadet Girls’ Team titles. The success recorded by Moldova was a major upset.They started proceedings as complete outsiders they were the no.12 seeds; the top place gained by France A was less of a surprise; they were the no.2 seeds. In the final Vladislav URSU and Cristian CHIRITA beat Japan’s Yu KAYAMA and Takeru KASHIWA. Earlier Japan beat France B whilst Moldova prevailed against Germany A. In Girls Event Lucie GAUTHIER proved the mainstay of French success in the Cadet Team final against top seeds Sweden. She beat both Hanna KJELLSON and Christina KÄLLBERG; whilst teaming with Leili MOSTAFAVI to secure the doubles. The one win for Sweden came in the second match of the fixture when Christina KÄLLBERG overcame Leili MOSTAFAVI. France A and Denmark – India reached bronze.
Bundesliga: Borussia’s unbelievable comeback
Some 1.100 spectators in Dusseldorf`s ARAG CenterCort witnessed an amazing comeback of Borussia in the returning match of Bundesliga semi-final. After 3:0 (9:4) away defeat reigning German champion beat at home Saarbrucken 3:0 (9:3) to reach the final cl Some 1.100 spectators in Dusseldorf`s ARAG CenterCort witnessed an amazing comeback of Borussia in the returning match of Bundesliga semi-final. After 3:0 (9:4) away defeat reigning German champion beat at home Saarbrucken 3:0 (9:3) to reach the final clash against Fulda-Maberzell who overcame Zugbrucke Grenzau (twice 3:2). The final will be held in Frankfurt on May 24th. “This is absolute madness! We have been working hard whole week we wanted to take our chance. The whole team believed that we can do it. And just like that with this team spirit and this incredible will it was possible” emphasized host coach Danny HEISTER for Borussia`s website. In the opening encounter Kamal ACHANTA beat Adrien MATTENET in straight games. Borussia`s manager Andreas PREUSS stressed after the match that “all his players are match-winners” but two well experienced Timo BOLL and Kamal ACHANTA surely will agree that Patrick FRANZISKA deserves to be in the focus. Young German succeeded to defeat world`s no. 20 Tiago APOLONIA in five games despite 2:1 lead of Portuguese. Finally Timo BOLL beat Bojan TOKIC in four sets to secure the final for the host side. Last weekend Slovenian defeated him 3:1. Not to forget that Borussia managed to survive in the 2014/15 MECL quarter-final against defending European champion Pontoise AS Cergy (1:3 3:1 17:16 in sets). Bundesliga semi-final leg2 Borussia Dusseldorf – 1. FC Saarbrucken 3:0 (1st leg 0:3) Kamal ACHANTA – Adrien MATTENET 3:0 (11:8 11:1 11:9) Patrick FRANZISKA – Tiago APOLONIA 3:2 (12:10 6:11 9:11 12:10 11:9) Timo BOLL – Bojan TOKIC 3:1 (11:6 2:11 11:4 11:7) Zugbrucke Grenzau – Fulda-Maberzell 2:3 (1st leg 2:3) Tomas PAVELKA – Ruwen FILUS 0:3 (10:12 8:11 7:11) Masaki YOSHIDA – WANG Xi 3:1 (11:9 9:11 11:4 11:9) Jonathan GROTH – Christian SUSS 3:1 (11:7 11:8 9:11 11:7) Tomas PAVELKA – WANG Xi 1:3 (9:11 5:11 11:6 12:14) Masaki YOSHIDA – Ruwen FILUS 0:3 (8:11 5:11 9:11)
Germany aim for medal in Suzhou
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV World’s no 6 and Petrissa SOLJA World’s no. 22 will lead Germany’s Men and Women team at the QOROS 2015 World Table Tennis Championships to be held in Suzhou China on 26 April – 3 May 2015. German coach Jörg ROS Dimitrij OVTCHAROV World’s no 6 and Petrissa SOLJA World’s no. 22 will lead Germany’s Men and Women team at the QOROS 2015 World Table Tennis Championships to be held in Suzhou China on 26 April – 3 May 2015. German coach Jörg ROSSKOPF underlined that the players are highly motivated. “They have big goals I notice this fact during the training. They work very hard they are focused and very concentrated.” When we speak about German team the aim is always high. “We have our chances. We do not going to the World Championships to reach the quarter final. We want maximum. We have the chance to win medals and try to reach our best.” Dimitrij OVTCHAROV is well aware of the enormity of the challenge that awaits in China. “I am honest. There is the chance to win a medal. Okay compared to a European Championships the World Championships are on another level the competition is very strong. I also can lose in the last 64 but I am going to Suzhou to win a medal. Before London 2012 I did the same way.” ZHANG Jike is the reigning champion. Another one the winner in singles in Rotterdam 2011 MA Lin will team up with Timo BOLL in doubles. “As I know Ma Long he will be extremely motivated and ambitious. I believe he will train much harder than all other Chinese players. Already at German Open he made a very good impression. I have no worries about him (laughing).For sure we have a good chance in doubles to become World Champion. Anyway I think more about the singles competition although the chances in doubles are quite bigger.” National Coach Jie SCHÖPP was cautious speaking about chances of the Women’s team. “I hope my players will play their best table tennis they can do. If they reach the best shape victories against higher ranked players are possible.” Top star young Petrissa SOLJA spoke about her goals. “After the German Open I had so much self-confidence that I managed to hit each ball. Now it is more difficult. I hope that I can repeat my performance from Bremen. First I have to wait for the draws. My goal is to reach the Top 20 in the world. Maybe it will be after the World Championships.” Men’s team: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (26 Fakel Orenburg World Rankings: 6); Timo BOLL (34 Borussia Düsseldorf World Rankings: 7); Bastian STEGER (34 SV Werder Bremen TT World Rankings: 26); Steffen MENGEL (26 TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt World Rankings: 31); Patrick FRANZISKA (22 Borussia Düsseldorf World Rankings: 56) Women’s team: Petrissa SOLJA (21 ttc berlin eastside World Rankings: 22); Kristin SILBEREISEN (30 ttc berlin eastside World Rankings: 39); Irene IVANCAN (31 Fenerbahce Istanbul TUR World Rankings: 41); Sabine WINTER (22 SV DJK Kolbermoor World Rankings: 61); Nina MITTELHAM (18 TuS Bad Driburg World Rankings: 89) Doubles: Timo BOLL / MA Long (GER / CHN); Bastian STEGER / Patrick FRANZISKA; Petrissa SOLJA / Nina MITTELHAM; Kristin SILBEREISEN / Sabine WINTER; Steffen MENGEL / Petrissa SOLJA Coach: Jörg ROSSKOPF ZHU Xiaoyong Jie SCHÖPP WAN Guohui
2015 World Champs to be most followed TT event ever
The Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships to be held on 26 April – 3 May in Suzhou China is set to be the most followed table tennis event in history. The 53rd edition of the ITTF World Championships will be seen on TV in a record 169 countri The Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships to be held on 26 April – 3 May in Suzhou China is set to be the most followed table tennis event in history. The 53rd edition of the ITTF World Championships will be seen on TV in a record 169 countries across the globe an increase of 53 countries from 2014. Commenting on the record numbers ITTF Marketing Steve DAINTON stated: “In our effort to take the top events of the ITTF to more and more people and spread our great sport around the world it’s fantastic to be able to announce at a World Championships in China that will have unprecedented numbers of TV broadcasters improved digital media offerings and tickets are nearly sold out!” Complementing the viewership on TV the ITTF will be streaming eight tables LIVE on its online streaming platform ITTF.com/iTV for the first time. These eight tables of world-class table tennis expect to get over five million live and on demand views over the eight days of the Championships. A record number of fans will not just be watching on their TV’s and computers with five out of the eight days of the Championships already being sold out! ITTF’s social media platforms will be in overdrive with Facebook.com/ITTFWorld looking to break the 12 million impression mark and YouTube.com/ITTFChannel expecting more than 5 million views on match highlights features and more! This exposure in addition to the 1000 accredited media on site will ensure that the 53rd edition of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships will be the most followed table tennis event in history!
Azercosmos to provide satellite support for Baku 2015 EG
Baku 2015 European Games has today appointed the highly respected Azercosmos as an Official Supporter and Official Satellite Services Provider for the inaugural event. Azercosmos becomes the 11th Official Supporter of the first European Games and will pl Baku 2015 European Games has today appointed the highly respected Azercosmos as an Official Supporter and Official Satellite Services Provider for the inaugural event. Azercosmos becomes the 11th Official Supporter of the first European Games and will play a key role in transmitting the exciting images of the event to billions of television viewers across Europe and the globe. The company will also provide a Satellite News Gathering (SNG) truck in order to relay the feed from Mingachevir which will host the Canoe Sprint competition during the Games to the International Broadcasting Centre in Baku. Mr Azad RAHIMOV Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015 said: “Azercosmos is a greatly admired and respected company in Azerbaijan and will be a very important part of the international transmission of the European Games among our 74 broadcast rights holders around the world. They join other international and Azerbaijani household names who comprise the impressive and valued list of Official Partners and Supporters of this important addition to the international sporting calendar.” Azercosmos is the only satellite operator in the Caucasus region and provides highly reliable satellite-based communication services to private and government customers for DTH voice video data and mobility applications. Mr Rashad NABIYEV CEO and Chairman of Azercosmos said: “Hosting the inaugural European Games is a landmark moment for Azerbaijan and we are delighted to be participating as an Official Supporter. By joining the Baku 2015 team we will be able to make a key contribution to the success of the Games and continue our track record as a respected Azerbaijani institution.” Azercosmos joins Azersun Holding Bazarstore McDonald’s Azerbaijan Milla Motorola Solutions NAZ Nestlé Red Bull Sitecore and Tickethour as Official Supporters of the Baku 2015 European Games.
AS Pontoise Cergy clinches the title in France
Two rounds before the conclusion of the Pro A season AS Pontoise Cergy clinched the title in France. With the victory over ANG Vaillante on Day 16 club secured top position in standings. With 44 points seven more than GV Hennebont Pontoise Cergy can s Two rounds before the conclusion of the Pro A season AS Pontoise Cergy clinched the title in France. With the victory over ANG Vaillante on Day 16 club secured top position in standings. With 44 points seven more than GV Hennebont Pontoise Cergy can start celebration. It is their first title in France that came just few months after they clinched first ever title in the European Champions league in epic final against Fakel Gazproma. Before the start of the 16th Day of the Pro A AS Pontoise Cergy had 6 points advantage ahead of three times French champion Chartres and they needed only a draw on the banks of the Loire to mathematically assure their coronation. Both Kristian KARLSSON and World’s no 8 Marcos FREITAS clinched two victories against Jens LUNDQUIST Christophe LEGOUT and Kenji MATSUDAIRA. Japan’s player was the only one who scored for Vaillante in the duel against WANG Jian Jun. However it did not distract FREITAS. The day before his 27th birthday he prevailed in four sets against Kenji. The last match of the evening confirmed the guest’s domination since KARLSSON brought the final victory easily against fellow Swede LUNDQVIST. After four times in the last six seasons (2009 2010 2013 and 2014) the Pontoisiens were finally rewarded for their efforts on national stage.
Bundesliga semis Borussia needs a miracle
Reigning German champion Borussia Dusseldorf hosts Saarbrucken this Sunday (15h00 CET) with the whole staff aware to need a miracle in the returning semi-final game of German Bundesliga. Saarbrucken shocked them at home winning 3:0 but Tiago APOLONIA & Reigning German champion Borussia Dusseldorf hosts Saarbrucken this Sunday (15h00 CET) with the whole staff aware to need a miracle in the returning semi-final game of German Bundesliga. Saarbrucken shocked them at home winning 3:0 but Tiago APOLONIA & Co. are careful although they are very close to the final. “The chances are still 50-50 because Borussia is able to beat any team 3:0” stressed Saarbrucken`s team manager Erwin BERG speaking for Borussia`s website. Saarbrucken`s coach Slobodan GRUJIC knows very well that each team who has Timo BOLL is able for miracles. He was team mate of this great German in Geonern when they managed to conquer Men`s European Champions League. Serbian stressed for “Tischtennis Bundesliga” website: “Before the first match our chances were 30-70% but after our 3:0 win I would say 50-50%. We are in good position now but nothing has been decided yet”! Dusseldorf`s side disagree with BERG and GRUJIC… “Realistically we are out although we have result which we can theoretically catch up but we need a table tennis miracle” said Borussia coach Danny HEISTER. Borussia aimed to reach all three finals this season especially knowing that they played extremely well in last six months. Unique loss in 18 rounds they suffered from Saarbrucken (3:2 in February Timo BOLL didn’t play). Dusseldorf’s club already got German Cup and secured MECL final (against Russian Orenburg). The 1st semi-final leg of 2014/15 Bundesliga: Saarbrucken – Borussia Dusseldorf 3:0 Tiago APOLONIA – Patrick FRANZISKA 3:2 (6:11 11:9 7:11 11:8 12:10) Bojan TOKIC – Timo BOLL 3:1 (13:11 3:11 12:10 11:5) Adrien MATTENET – Panagiotis GIONIS 3:1 (12:10 11:9 10:12 11:7) Fulda-Maberzell – Zugbrucke Grenzau 3:2. Both rematches will be held on April 19th at 15h00 CET.
