Second leg will be held this Friday with the LAOLA1.tv live broadcast: Zamek Tarnobrzeg – Cartagena (17:00 1st leg 3:1) Berlin – Linz (19:30 1st leg 3:2) Returning semi-final games of the 2015/16 European Champions League Women will be held on Friday April 1st as both host teams start with an advantage: Zamek Tarnobrzeg – Cartagena (17:00 1st leg 3:1) Berlin – Linz (19:30 1st leg 3:2). German champion Berlin the 2012 and 2014 ECLW winner hosts the 2009 and 2013 champion Linz AG Froschberg. The first leg was very intense and close concluded by small advantage for Irina PALINA`s side – 3:2 (10:9). As Berlin’s coach stressed earlier it’s clear that each team must win to ensure progress into the final. „The conclusion after the first leg is that the winner of the second game might be the over all winner of the semifinal the better individual performance will decide. It will be a tough mental game for the players the clubs representatives and the spectators” stated Linz team manager Robert RENNER. Austrian side led twice at the first leg held three weeks ago thanks to LIU Jia and Iveta VACENOVSKA who beat Georgina POTA and Petrissa SOLJA respectively in the opening and third clash. But SHAN Xiaona was very convinced against LIU and POLCANOVA while POTA added the winning point playing with POLCANOVA. HAN Ying had no mercy in Cartagena bringing two points (6-0) to Zamek Tarnobrzeg who hosts Spanish side with 3:1 advantage. Both sides enjoy in their very first ECLW semi-finals but just one of them will have a chance to challenge double ECLW champion in the final. Polish champion aims its second consecutive final after 2015 ETTU Cup title. ECLW returning semi-final matches KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg – UCAM Cartagena (April 1st 17:00) 1st leg 3:1 http://www.laola1.tv/watch/livestream/kts-zamek-tarnobrzeg-ucam-cartagena-lde TTC Berlin Eastside – Linz AG Froschberg (April 1st 19:30) 1st leg 3:2 http://www.laola1.tv/watch/livestream/ttc-berlin-eastside-linz-ag-froschberg-lde
Second World Table Tennis Day Happening on Wednesday 6 April
The second ever World Table Tennis Day hosted by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) will be held Wednesday 6 April 2016. The World Table Tennis Day is a celebration of the joy to play Table Tennis for fun bringing people together where the focus is less on the competition and more on participation and fun. Every year on April 6 table tennis fans around the world will show that Table Tennis is a sport for all and for everyone everywhere. On the launch of World Table Tennis Day ITTF Development Director Leandro OLVECH stated: “We are very excited about the second World Table Tennis Day. Events can be big or small the most important thing is to celebrate and share the passion for table tennis having fun and bringing people together.” Together with the National Associations around the world there are currently 91 different events in 48 across all continents which aims to have over 1000 participants on 6 April to celebrate World Table Tennis Day. Activities range from table tennis being played for 24 hours in Ottobrun Germany and an underwater tournament in Senigalli Italy plus many more exciting table tennis parties across the globe. The reason behind World Table Tennis day being on 6 April is because that day was established by the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT was equally excited about World Table Tennis Day: “The idea behind this day is to gather Table Tennis enthusiasts attract people who usually don’t play table tennis promote the love for our sport and ideally engage new players to the practice in the long term. I can’t wait for the entire world to play table tennis on 6 April.” So stop what you are doing on 6 April and play some table tennis anywhere anytime! Remember the key points on World Table Tennis Day is: Universal Popular and Inclusive No matter if small or big event do something! No matter if 6 April before or after do something! For more information on World Table Tennis Day to register your event and more information about the events going on around the globe please visit TT4ALL.com.
Zagreb awaits young champions
59th European Table Tennis Youth Championships The city of Zagreb capital of Croatia will host the 59th edition of the European Table Tennis Youth Championships (from 8th to 17th July 2016). In the venue of Dom Sportova Team’s Events are scheduled from Friday 8th to Tuesday 12th whilst day after the singles Events starts. One year ago in Slovakia’s Bratislava France won the crown in Junior and Cadet Boys Team’s Event whilst Romania clinched the title in Junior Girls. The winners in Cadet Teams Event were the girls from Russia. Anton KALLBERG of Sweden and Adina DIACONU of Romania were the most successful Juniors in Singles; Darko JORGIĆ and Deni KOZUL of Slovenia clinched the Doubles title in the same age category and Maria MALANINA and Daria CHERNORAY succeeded to the highest place at the medal rostrum in Junior Girls Event. Romania’s Alexandru MANOLE and Andreea CLAPA were winners in Junior Mixed Doubles. Once again Romania reached the top place in Cadet Boys Singles with Cristian PLETEA and Russia’s Maria TAYLAKOVA secured the crown in Cadet Girls. French pairings Irvin BERTRAND and Lilian BARDET as well as Ema MARIN and Andrea PAVLOVIĆ of Croatia were the best Doubles and Romania’s/Russian combination of Cristian PLETEA and Maria TAYLAKOVA won the Mixed Doubles title. Preliminary Entries have to be addressed to the Organising Association hsts@zg.t-com.hr by using the attached form(with a copy to the ETTU Secretariat: ettu@pt.lu) not later than Saturday 30th April 2016. Final entries must be submitted on the ETTU online entry system by providing all necessary information. In order to go through the entry process successfully each field has to be completed properly. Final entries will be open from Monday 2nd May 2016 and closed on Thursday 26th May 2016. The draw for team events will take place on Wednesday 1st June 2016 at the Belgian Table Tennis Association office in Brussels. You can visit official web site here You can find prospectus here
TTCLM returning semi-finals: Each team targets final
Finalists will be decided this Friday: Orenburg – Pontoise (14:20 CET 1st leg 1:3) Olimpia Unia – Eslovs (18:00 CET 3:2). LAOLA1.tv will be broadcast both matches as well as ECLW Two high-profile matches will be held this Friday at the 2015/16 TTCLM semi-final: Fakel Gazproma Orenburg hosts AS Pontoise Cergy in the reprise of the 2014 final while Olimpia Unia and Eslovs play in Poland for their first ever final in this prestigious competitions. Pontoise secured decent advantage in France 3:1 (10:7) but when they meet Russian team everything is possible. Upcoming clash will be sixth one between them in last three seasons. French team won in the 2013/14 TTCLM final thanks to better set-ratio (3:1 1:3 18:16). Last year in the group stage visitors won 3:0 in both games. “All our matches against Pontoise Cergy were held in a very tense struggle” stated Orenburg`s coach Valeriy SALABAEV who is convinced that Dima OVTCHAROV (lost both his matches in France) will be in his best shape. Pontoise`s coach Christian ADAM is aware that 3:1 (10:7) advantage still doesn’t guarantees final: “We know that this victory is a small advantage before the return match and that nothing is done. It will be essential to play our best table tennis in order to preserve our advantage”. Last season`s ETTU Cup finalists now fight for the place in the TTCLM final. Olimpia Unia believes that this time will be able to overcame Eslovs starting from 3:2 (9:9) advantage in the rematch: “We have to fight for victory. Although we won the first match 3:2 but 9:9 set-ratio does not allow a calculation” stressed Olimpia Unia`s coach Piotr SZAFRANEK Vice-president of Polish champion Jerzy WILMANSKI cited that the crowded hall will support his side: “We have a lot of requests for the tickets and accreditations. That shows huge interest among fans and journalists for this historic game and opportunity to advance to the very first finals. We count on a great show and above all to win of our team. LAOLA1.tv will broadcast live all ETTU Champions League Men and ETTU Women European Champions League returning semi-final matches. Returning semi-final games of 2015/16 TTCLM TTC Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – AS Pontoise Cergy (April 1st 14:20 CET) 1st match 1:3 http://www.laola1.tv/watch/livestream/ttclm-sf-1-2nd-leg-lde Olimpia Unia Grudziadz – Eslovs Al Bordtennis (April 1st 18:00 CET) 1st match 3:2 http://www.laola1.tv/de-at/livestream/ttclm-sf-2-2nd-leg-lde
New APP for the 2016 World Veterans Championships
On the occasion of the celebration of the 2016 World Table Tennis Veterans from 23 to 29 May in Alicante/Elche the organization has created an application for Smartphones and Tablets. WVC2016 is the official name of this application which from is available for free for IOS and Android devices. It is possible to download it from the internet portals of these platforms with the option to run it in Spanish English and German. In the application you will find all the necessary information about the Championships from each competition category the most important dates and events that will take place in parallel during these days in which Spain is going to become center of attention of the World veteran table tennis community. The application also offers the possibility to consult the accommodations to make reservations to get official material of the championship and in summary to find all type of services offered to the participants and guests including booking lockers for comfortably and secure personal items or transport services. In addition before and during the Championships you can receive alerts with information of interest and enjoy the best images of the tournament through its gallery that every day will be updated from the IFA exhibition center (IFA) where the competition will be held. Links for free download: ANDROID: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=es.novacreative.wvc2016 IOS: https://itunes.apple.com/app/2016-world-veteran-table-tennis/id1090030563?mt=8
PALINA: ELCW final guarantees only victory in Berlin
TTC Berlin Eastside hosts Linz AG Froschberg in the returning semi-final leg this Friday (April 1st 19:30 CET) Two double ECLW champions will play one against another one more time on April 1st (19:30 CET) in Berlin at the returning semi-final game of 2015/16 ECLW. German side the 2012 and 2014 ECLW champion won 3:2 (10:9) in Austria three weeks ago what suggests one more close clash. „The first match was very difficult almost three hours without pause and as a result before the second match is the same goal as before the first match – a passage to the ECLW finals only to ensure victory in Berlin” stated Berlin’s coach Irina PALINA. Berlin`s players have been competed at the two recent World Tour Super events in Kuwait City and Doha. Petrissa SOLJA who lost to Iveta VACENOVSKA in Linz improved her form reaching quarter-final in Doha (world’s no. 1 LIU Shiwen beat her in straight games). Berlin is still undefeated in the ongoing season having 24-0 in total: German League 13-0 German Cup 4-0 ECLW 7-0. Austrian club the 2009 and 2013 ECLW winner targets one more final. President Gunther RENNER explains why he is so optimistic: „There is now so much pressure in the next game on the side of Berlin that’s exactly what we tried to put on their shoulders. We are absolutely happy with the performance of our ladies actually you could feel the tie between the fans and the team both really want to see another game in LINZ this season we want it also!”
Orenburg predicts one more tough clash with Pontoise
Coach Valery SALABAEV speaks about returning semi-final match of 2015/16 TTCLM After 2016 World Tour Qatar Open (Super) held in last four days in Doha some of the best European players are returning to their clubs in order to practice for the second leg of the 2015/16 TTCLM semi-final (April 1st). Two Orenburg`s stars Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Vladimir SAMSONOV reached semi-final and quarter-final respectively at Qatar`s event giving a lot of confidence to their coach Valery SALABAEV although they were beaten by AS Pontoise Cergy 3:1 (10:7) in the first leg in France. “All our matches against AS Pontoise Cergy TT were held in a very tense struggle. The first TTCLM semifinal match was no exception too. Unfortunately the leader of our team – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV did not get the proper forms. Now all team players are focused on preparing for the second leg”. Actual individual European champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV lost twice at the first leg against Pontoise but he was in his best shape in Qatar where he reached semi-final. German defeated current Olympic champion ZHANG Jike in the quarter-final but then lost to World champion MA Long.
World Number Ones MA Long and LIU Shiwen take titles in Qatar
ITTF World Tour Qatar Open World number one MA Long and LIU Shiwen from China are the winners of the men’s and women’s singles titles at the 2016 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open that concluded today in Doha. After last week’s loss at the Kuwait Open MA the 2015 World Champion proved that he is still the dominant leader pulling off an impressive victory over compatriot FAN Zhendong winning 4-1 (11-9 11-9 5-11 13-11 11-5) in a thrilling men’s singles final. The 27-year-old Chinese stated “We both played well there might not be many fantastic rallies but we are both very much into the games and fully focused.” “It’s a very tight match the first three games that I won were both played till the maximum 11-9 11-9 13-11 so it wasn’t easy at all. I think all these are very critical games if I had lost any of them this match could have been like our last encounter at the World Tour Grand Finals last year in Lisbon where we played full seven games in the final ” added the champion after his victory. The women’s singles final was a rematch of the 2015 World Championships final where world number one LIU faced off world number two DING Ning. DING took the crown in Suzhou but it was LIU who prevailed today in Qatar to take her second ITTF Qatar Open title beating DING 4-1 (11-8 9-11 11-8 11-9 11-9) to secure her victory. LIU shared: “I think the match itself wasn’t as exciting as we hope it to be probably because this is the second consecutive world tour event so we are both a little exhausted. We are in a crucial period of time where our internal competition is intense to qualify for Rio so this win definitely helps in boosting my confidence.” Rivals in the women’s singles event DING and LIU joined forces in the women’s doubles to overcome Japanese duo Ai FUKUHARA and Mima ITO 3-2 (6-11 11-9 11-6 4-11 11-7) to take the women’s doubles crown. Grand slam champion ZHANG Jike together with FAN Zhendong avenged their teammates XU Xin and MA Long’s loss to Koki NIWA and Maharu YOSHIMURA crashing the Japanese pair 3-0 (11-8 11-9 11-7). In the Under-21 events Singapore’s ZENG Jian beat Japan’s Hina HAYATA 3-0 the champion at the Kuwait Open to take home the U21 women’s singles title while Hong Kong’s HO Kwan Kit overcame France’s Alexandre ROBINOT 3-2 to be crowned the U21 men’s singles champion. With the conclusion of the 2016 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open the world’s top table tennis players will be focusing on their respective continental Olympic Qualification tournaments to qualify for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil.
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV beat ZHANG Jike
2016 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open (Super) Doha European champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV recorded impressive five games win over Olympic champion ZHANG Jike of China (5-11 11-7 11-6 11-7 12-10). In the semi final of the Men’s Singles Germany’s player tomorrow will meet World Champion MA Long also of China. Only week ago ZHANG beat OVTCHAROV in Kuwait after seven games and with 11:8 in the decisive game. Understandably OVTCHAROV was delighted after having his revenge in Qatar. The joy was even greater since best ranked European players had doubts before the tournament should he play at all. OVTCHAROV paused three weeks because of a back muscle strain with nerve irritation and came back to the training arena only two weeks ago. OVTCHAROV said: “It was the match at the highest level. I have not even thought that I can already perform at such level after my forced break. However that is sport: sometimes it’s better to make the break and then return in full swing. Today I had nothing to lose.” Men’s coach Jörg ROSSKOPF praised his protégé: “This is a very important really good win for Dima This gives him a lot of confidence and it also gives benefits to our team. Dima has tactically played very well we have spoken a lot before the quarterfinals about the match at the Kuwait Open drew the right conclusions from it. ZHANG Jike still can play a bit better than he did today but that also applies to Dima. “ In the quarters FAN Zhedong of China halted the progress of Belarus Vladimir SAMSONOV. In the quarterfinal of the Women’s Event Petrissa SOLJA og Germany suffered by the hands of LIU Shiwen of China TIE Yana of Hong Kong beat LI Xue of France Ding NING of China overcame HAN Ying of Germany.
Tapper Becomes First Australian Paralympian to Qualify for the Olympic Games
Melissa TAPPER has entered Australian sporting folk law by becoming the first Australian athlete to qualify for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. TAPPER a class 10 Paralympian was born with nerve damage in her right arm secured her Olympic berth by defeating Grace YEE from Fiji at today’s ITTF-Oceania Olympic Games Qualification Tournament in Bendigo Australia. Holding back the tears of joy the 26-year-old who has already qualified for the Paralympics in Rio stated: “I was ridiculously nervous before my matches today. I am so excited and stoked with this result it is come from a lot of hard work a lot of dedication and a lot of support. I can’t believe I am a part of Australian sporting history. Rio is going to be an experience of a lifetime. I want to do the best I can in the Olympics and win gold in the Paralympics.” TAPPER will be joined in Rio by Jian Fang LAY who also created history by qualifying for her fifth Olympic Games 16 years after her first games at Sydney 2000. Due to Australia qualifying two women it means they also get to compete in the team event in Rio. Their third team member will be Sally ZHANG who finished the next highest in the trials. The pair of Australians will be joined by 14 year old Sally YEE from Fiji who had to defeat her sister Grace to qualify for Rio 2016. Australian’s David POWELL and Chris YAN secured their ticket to their first Olympic Games by topping the men’s qualification here in Bendigo. They will be joined by Tengteng Liu from New Zealand and Hemming HU who will be the third player in Australia’s team for the team event. POWELL who narrowly missed out on qualifying for London 2012 stated: “There was a part of me that didn’t want to try and qualify for Rio because it was such a deflating experience before London and I really didn’t want to go through it again “Powell said. “But after qualifying for Glasgow in 2014 I knew I had it in me. I felt a lot of pressure today but when I went 4-0 down in the final set I just relaxed and everything worked out for me”
