Coach of German club Irina PALINA says that ECLW final against Zamek Tarnobrzeg will be special. Berlin targets its third title in five seasons In the first decade of the ECLW competition launched in 2005 four clubs won the title twice: Sterilgarda Castelgoffredo (2006 2007) MF Seervices Heerlen (2008 2010) Linz AG Froschberg (2009 2013) and TTC Berlin Eastside (2012 2014). Bearing in mind outcome of the 2015/16 semi-final Berlin has a chance to go down in history as unique triple ECLW champion but it will be tough task for sure because actual ETTU Cup winner KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg targets its very first ECLW crown. “It is difficult to say anything all our players played very well and everyone was ready to do everything and if need be even a little bit more” stated Berlin`s coach Irina PALINA about semi-final returning leg against Linz (3:1). “After the first two games when the score was 1:1 it had an advantage compared to the first match in two sets. And Petrissa (SOLJA) showed all the public (the hall was full) what it means to be number 13 in the world”. German side won in Austria 3:2 (10:9) thus everything has been open in the Berlin`s hall. After first two matches in the second leg the score was same like three weeks ago (1:1) but this time Petrissa SOLJA was better than Iveta VACENOVSKA in the third encounter. After all SHAN Xiaona confirmed her status as a key Berlin`s player winning four points in both games. “Very much hope that Nana (SHAN) will be able to show in the final game same result as against Linz and Peti (SOLJA) and Gina (POTA) will support! The final match will be special because there are two defense players. It is important to prepare well.” Berlin and Zamek will play first final clash on April 29th-May 1st while the rematch will be held on May 27-29th. Polish champion defeated UCAM Cartagena in the semis and now approaching to its very first ECLW final.
15-Year-old Diaz Secures Historic Olympic Qualification
15-year-old Adriana DIAZ has created history by becoming the first ever Puerto Rican to qualify for the table tennis event at the Olympic Games. The rising superstar booked her place at Rio 2016 at the 2016 ITTF-Latin America Olympic Qualifications held on 1-3 April 2016 in Santiago Chile. Despite being the youngest player at the event DIAZ was the number one seed she stated after her emotional victory: “I can’t believe I have qualified by dream of representing my country at the Olympic Games. It was extremely tough to qualify here. I said to myself fight no surrender it was very close and my team mates really helped me. Now for Rio and a great experience”. Joining DIAZ in Rio will be Columbia’s Lady RUANO who is 19 years DIAZ’s senior as well as the Brazillian pair of Caroline KUMAHARA and GUI Lin Mexico’s Yadira SILVA and Venezuela’s Gremlis ARVELO. After being defeated in the decisive contest to secure a place at Beijing 2008 and four years later to again miss out on a place at London 2012 Mexico’s Marcos MADRID finally secured his dream of becoming an Olympian by qualifying for Rio 2016. “Really I fought like a dog I left my home over eight years ago with the goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games now thanks to the support from my family I have achieved my goal” said MADRID. “It is the greatest moment of my career against Gustavo it was an intense struggle each point was hard fought now my dream has come true I can enjoy my dream.” One of the men that MADRID beat on the way to qualification top seeded Gustavo TSUBOI from Brazil had to wait until the final match to ensure the final Latin American spot for Rio 2016 was his. TSUBOI who was expected to cruise through the qualifications being the highest ranked player at the qualification event stated: “I am very happy to have eventually overcome many problems here in Santiago five months ago I injured my playing arm and I only started to practice again one month ago. I have trained really hard for this event in the past I have qualified on the first day but here it was much harder however I had the support of my family and my coach.” Youth Olympian Brian AFANADOR followed in the footsteps of his countrywomen Adriana DIAZ to become the second Puerto Rican to play at the Olympic Games table tennis event. Along with them the pair of Cubans Jorge CAMPOS and Andy PEREIRA make up the five men to qualify for Rio 2016 along with Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) who secured his position by winning the Pan American Games last year. Full list of Qualifiers from the 2016 ITTF-Latin American Olympic Qualification Tournament: Women Adriana DIAZ – Puerto Rico Lady RUANO – Columbia Caroline KUMAHARA – Brazil GUI Lin – Brazil Yadira SILVA – Mexico Gremlis ARVELO – Venezuela Men Marcos MADRID – Mexico Gustavo TSUBOI – Brazil Brian AFANADOR – Puerto Rico Jorge CAMPOS – Cuba Andy PEREIRA – Cuba Quick Links: Event news & results: http://bit.ly/1otQ9Cw Editorial photos: http://bit.ly/239UURx Match replays: http://bit.ly/1RTDOSE
Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyes reached the ultimate phase
Women’s ETTU Cup Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyes repeited the success and beat ALCL TT Grand Quevilly in the second leg of the Women’s ETTU Cup. At home soil they showed even less mercy by beating French club in straight matches. In the final Turkish side will meet another French representative – CP Lyssois Lille Metropole. HU Melek opened the match the way she finished the previous leg – she gave hosts dream start by beating TIAN Yuan. Russia’s Polina MIKHAYLOVA had a bit harder job. She was forced to go full distance against Shiho ONO. However after 2:0 for the hosts it was all over. Sibel REMZI sealed the match with straight games victory over Colette LE CORUEC. Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyes – ALCL TT Grand Quevilly 3:0 HU Melek – TIAN Yuan 3:1 (13:11 11:8 4:11 11:4) Polina MIKHAYLOVA – Shiho ONO 3:2 (5:11 11:7 15:13 9:11 11:8) Sibel REMZI – Colette LE CORUEC 3:0 (11:3 11:7 11:4)
SV Werder Bremen joined Weinviertel Niederösterreich in the final
Men’s ETTU Cup SV Werder Bremen will play against Weinviertel Niederösterreich in the final of the Men’s ETTU Cup. In the semi final the team from Germany recorded victories in both legs to secure the place in the ultimate stage. Like three weeks ago the back bone of Germany’s success was Bastian STEGER who won both his matches. Jens LUNDQVIST stole one point from the hosts by beating Hunor SZÖCS but Constantin CIOTI won the close encounter against Jon PERSSON to secure valuable point. SV Werder Bremen – Angers Vaillante Sports TT 3:1 Bastian STEGER – CHEN Jian 3:0 (11:2 11:8 11:9) Hunor SZÖCS – Jens LUNDQVIST 1:3 (7:11 11:2 8:11 12:14) Constantin CIOTI – Jon PERSSON 3:2 (11:3 9:11 11:9 5:11 11:9) Bastian STEGER – Christophe LEGOUT 3:0 (14:12 11:6 11:8)
Two top ECLW seeds the final: Berlin vs. Zamek
Returning semi-final matches: TTC Berlin Eastside – Linz AG Froschberg 3:1 KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg – UCAM Cartagena 3:1 TTC Berlin Eastside and KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg are going to play in the 2015/16 European Champions League Women. That was the outcome of the tonight`s returning semi-final matches held in Germany and Poland: TTC Berlin Eastside – Linz AG Froschberg 3:1 (1st leg 3:2) KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg – UCAM Cartagena 3:1 (3:1). Two double ECLW champions again played tough and close match. This time it took four matches instead five but nuances decided forth encounter between SHAN Xiaona and LIU Jia. Guest led 1:0 and 2:1 but host turned after thrilling fourth set (13:11) and finally won after full five games. Austrian side had no solution for SHAN who won all four his matches in two legs. Tonight Petrissa SOLJA responded sharply to Iveta VACENOVSKA who beat her three weeks ago in Linz. LIU took unique point for Austrian champion as she beat Georgina POTA in the second match. Berlin will play for the third ECLW crown while Zamek targets its first ever. Actual ETTU Cup winner has unique chance to reach two different European titles in a row. Polish champion progressed with two 3:1 wins. Strong defender HAN Ying again contributed with two points against Iulia NECULA and XIAO Maria both in straight games. LI Qian added one more while former individual European champion Ruta PASKAUSKIENE won unique point for Spanish side. Returning semi-final matches of the 2015/16 ECLW KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg – UCAM Cartagena 3:1 (1st leg 3:1) HAN Ying – Iulia NECULA 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:5) LI Qian – XIAO Maria 3:0 (11:7 11:3 11:7) Natalia PARTYKA – Ruta PASKAUSKIENE 2:3 (7:11 12:10 11:9 5:11 8:11) HAN Ying – XIAO Maria 3:0 (11:3 12:10 11:4) TTC Berlin Eastside – Linz AG Froschberg 3:1 (1st leg 3:2) SHAN Xiaona – Sofia POLCANOVA 3:0 (11:8 11:5 11:6) Georgina POTA – LIU Jia 1:3 (9:11 11:8 5:11 8:11) Petrissa SOLJA – Iveta VACENOVSKA 3:0 (11:8 11:7 11:7) SHAN Xiaona – LIU Jia 3:2 (12:10 5:11 8:11 13:11 11:7)
CP Lyssois Lille Metropole won both legs
Women’ s ETTU Cup After CP Lyssois Lille Metropole won the opening leg of the Women’s ETTU Cup semifinal in Hungary -3:2 French club confirmed their dominancy in the return leg. In France CP Lyssois Lille Metropole overcame Postas Sport Egyesulet in four matches. Xiaoxin YANG and Bernadette SZOCS showed no mercy in the duels against Mercedes NAGYVARADI and Rita KERTAI. LI Jiao justified her class by adding the only point to the Hungarian team’s side but even Dutch star could not stop Xiaoxin YANG in fourth game. CP Lyssois Lille Metropole – Postas Sport Egyesulet 3:1 Xiaoxin YANG – Mercedes NAGYVARADI 3:0 (11:4 11:5 11:7) Agnès LELANNIC – LI Jiao 0:3 (6:11 4:11 6:11) Bernadette SZOCS – Rita KERTAI 3:0 (11:9 11:8 11:8) Xiaoxin YANG – LI Jiao (11:9 11:7 11:8)
Pontoise again upsets reigning TTCLM champion Eslovs to play in their very first final
After FLORE`s victory against SMIRNOV French side led 2:1 and booked their place in the final bearing in mind 3:1 home win. Olimpia Unia Grudziadz – Eslovs Al Bordtennis 1:3 Against all predictions: Eslovs Al Bordtennis will challenge AS Pontoise Cergy in the 2015/16 Table Tennis Champions League Men! The 2014 TTCLM champion AS Pontoise Cergy upset the 2015 winner and actual top seed Fakel Gazproma Orenburg playing second semi-final match held in Russia. French champion commenced with 3:1 advantage in front of 1 000 spectators at Orenburg`s Hall and after third encounter they could celebrate. In that moment – when Tristan FLORE beat Alexey SMIRNOV and brought 2:1 lead to Pontoise – the winner has been decided. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV defeated Kristian KARLSSON in straight games of the opening match but Marcos FREITAS leveled against Vladimir SAMSONOV. In that moment all eyes in the Hall were on well experienced Alexey SMIRNOV… Former Euro Top 12 winner lost to 21-year-old Tristan FLORE. Frenchmen 2011 European Junior gold medalist at the Singles Event was two sets down but responded by three sets in a row to secure second TTCLM final in Pontoise`s history. “We are very happy. After the victory in the first leg we knew that we didn’t finish our job. On a good day Orenburg can beat any team 3:0. But we also knew that we have players able to disturb them. This is a very good win especially bearing in mind that we decided to put Tristan FLORE in place of WANG Jian Jun. Now that we’re in the final the goal is obviously to win. “ Swedish champion Eslovs Al Bordtennis actual ETTU Cup winner again shocked Olimpia Unia Grudziadz. These two teams met in the 2015 ETTU Cup final as Eslovs lifted the trophy. This time it looked like Polish champion is closer to the TTCLM final having 3:2 away victory. But XU Hui & Co. showed their team spirit like never before and deserved their very first TTCLM final. Each of Eslov`s players contributed with one point in the 3:1 win. Robert SVENSSON beat Yoshida KAII in the opener managing to recover after 2:0 lead of Japanese player and it determined the whole clash. WANG Yang kept host side in the game as he beat XU Hui. But OVERSJO and XU overcame ZATOWKA and KAII respectively to secure historic victory for Eslovs Al Bordtennis. Returning semi-final leg of 2015/16 TTCLM Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – AS Pontoise Cergy 3:2 (1st match 1:3) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 (11:5 11:8 12:10) Vladimir SAMSONOV – Marcos FREITAS 1:3 (12:14 7:11 11:3 6:11) Alexey SMIRNOV – Tristan FLORE 2:3 (11:7 11:7 8:11 7:11 8:11) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Marcos FREITAS 3:0 (11:0 11:0 11:0) Vladimir SAMSONOV – Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 (11:0 11:0 11:0) Olimpia Unia Grudziadz – Eslovs Al Bordtennis 1:3 (1st leg 3:2) Yoshida KAII – Robert SVENSSON 2:3 (12:10 11:6 9:11 5:11 4:11) WANG Yang – XU Hui 3:2 (11:6 11:8 8:11 9:11 11:9) Patryk ZATOWKA – Mattias OVERSJO 1:3 (9:11 11:7 6:11 3:11) Yoshida KAII – XU Hui 1:3 (7:11 8:11 7:11)
Weinviertel Niederosterreich in the final
ETTU Cup Men Austria’s Weinviertel Niederosterreich booked their place in the final of the Men’s ETTU Cup. Unlike big drama in the opening match of the semis in the return leg Stefan FEGERL and his club mates dominated against Istres OPTT. Istres won the opening leg by narrow margin – 3:2. In the return leg there were less excitement. The only player who posted victory for the guests were Omar ASSAR. The player from Egypt beat Daniel HABESOHN and came close to prevail against HOU Yingchao by forcing HOU to go full distance. In the opening match HOU beat Benjamin BROSSIER in straight games whilst Stefan FEGERL overcame Paul GAUZY in similar style. Weinviertel Niederosterreich – Istres OPTT 3:1 HOU Yingchao – Benjamin BROSSIER 3:0 (11:5 11:8 11:3) Daniel HABESOHN – Omar ASSAR 0:3 (8:11 7:11 8:11) Stefan FEGERL – Paul GAUZY 3:0 (11:9 11:4 11:3) HOU Yingchao – Omar ASSAR 3:2 (11:7 8:11 11:8 8:11 11:7)
2016 Summer School of China Table Tennis College
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 and 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. They 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. This Summer School begins from 6th July to 2th August in Shanghai China. 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. “I think it is a very good opportunity for young table tennis enthusiasts to get in touch with Chinese table tennis philosophy and chinese culture. Board and lodging learning materials and domestic traveling is free. International travel and costs for personal needs has to be covered by the participants” explained coach Martin OSTERMANN. 8 spots of this years programme are reserved for the China Table Tennis College – Europe (CTTC-E) in Luxembourg. Information: stella20402040@163.com
European Olympic Qualification media accreditation form available now
The deadline is 10 April There are less than two weeks before the start of the 2016 ITTF-European Olympic Games Qualification Tournament (from Tuesday 12th to Saturday 16th April) to be staged in Halmstad Sweden. With the total number of 159 entries 83 in Men’s Singles and 75 in Women’s Singles Event we are looking forward fierce battles and great excitement on player’s journey toward greatest of all sports goals. All the media representatives interested to follow the action in Halmstad Arena are more than welcome. You can find the European Olympic Qualification media accreditation form here . The deadline is 10 April. 10 men and 10 women will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games singles events. If including 2015 European Games qualifiers there are more than 2 players qualifying from the same National Olympic Committee (NOC) per gender a mechanism has been established to determine 2 qualifiers the third player being a reserve. The winners of the European Games singles event in Baku Azerbaijan 13th-19th June 2015 are direct qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games singles events. The players will be seeded based on the latest available ETTU ranking at the time of the draw on 5th April 2016.
