2016 ITTF-European Olympic Singles Qualification Tournament There are 160 names at the entries list for the 2016 ITTF-European Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held from 6th to 10th April in Istanbul. From Europe so far only Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and LI Jiao of the Netherlands secured places in the respective Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events at the forthcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games as a winners of the European Games in Baku in June 2015. After Olympic Qualification Tournament a further ten players will have gained places in each of the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events. In Men’s Singles event will play 84 whilst in Women’s there are 76 names listed; 37 nations in both Men’s and Women’s Events are represented. Following the conclusion on the Qualification Tournaments in each of the six continents – Africa Asia Europe Latin America North America Oceania – further places will be decided by the ITTF Olympic Singles Ranking list issued in early May 2016. The 22 highest named eligible players (a maximum of two per National Olympic Committee) will gain qualification; however this number may be increased if the host country place is reallocated or the Team Quota places of likewise 22 players are not fully used. The seeding list of the upcoming EOSQ will be done with the latest available WR list (April 2016). With that list the TOP 16 seeded players will be announced. For the Women´s event the following playing system will apply at the preliminary stage: Days 1 and 2: Preliminary Stage number of participants 65-79 players 3-4 players in 16 groups A-P are playing in round robin. There will be 16 seeded players. The 16 seeded players will not play in the groups but are direct qualified for Stage 1. The remaining players will be drawn into the 16 groups A-P 4 by 4 to positions 1-3 or 1-4 according to the snake system. Players from same NOC will be drawn into different groups. The top 3 players in each of the 16 groups A-P will qualify for Stage 1 together with the 16 seeded players a total of 64 players. For the Men´s event the following playing system will apply at the preliminary stage: Days 1 and 2: Preliminary Stage number of participants 80-112 players 4-5 players in 16 groups A-P are playing in round robin. There will be 16 seeded players. The 16 seeded players will not play in the groups but are direct qualified for Stage 1. The remaining players will be drawn into the 16 groups A-P 4 by 4 to positions 1-4 1-5 or 1-6 according to the snake system. Players from same NOC will be drawn into different groups. The top 3 players in each of the 16 groups A-P will qualify for Stage 1 together with the 16 seeded players a total of 64 players. For both events (Women´s and Men´s event) the following playing system of stage 1 & 2 will apply: Day 3: Stage 1 (65-112 players) 8 players in each of 8 groups a-h in positions 1-8 are playing in direct K.O. system. The 8 players seeded No 1-8 go respectively to position 1 in groups a-h. The 8 players seeded 9-16 are drawn in position 8 in groups a-h. The 16 winners of groups A-P are drawn in to positions 4 and 5 in groups a-h. The 16 runners-up of groups A-P are drawn to position 3 and 6 in groups a-h. The 16 players finishing in third position in groups A-P are drawn to positions 2 and 7 in groups a-h. Players from same NOC will be drawn into different groups. Players who met in the Preliminary stage will not play each other in Stage 1. The winners of each of the 8 groups are qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games if –including 2015 European Games qualifiers- there are no more than 2 players qualifying from the same NOC. Otherwise a mechanism has been established to determine 2 qualifiers the third player being a reserve). This is explained through the “Annex 1”. Days 4 and 5: Stage 2 The remaining 56 players from Stage 1 (the 8 group winners are already qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games) will continue in Stage 2 in two direct K.O. draws of 32 players with 4 byes each. To make it easier to understand both 32 places draws are numbered consecutively. Thus draw RED has places 1-32 and draw BLUE has places 33-64. The 8 losing finalists in the 8 groups in Stage 1 will be drawn to positions 1 16 17 32 33 48 49 and 64. The 16 losing semi-finalists in the 8 groups in Stage 1 will be drawn in to positions 5 8 9 12 21 24 25 28 37 40 41 44 53 56 57 and 60. The 32 losing quarter-finalists in the 8 groups in Stage 1 will be drawn to positions 3 4 6 7 10 11 13 14 19 20 22 23 26 27 29 30 35 36 38 39 42 43 45 46 51 52 54 55 58 59 61 and 62. Players from the same NOC will be separated as far as possible. Players who met in Stage 1 or in Stage 2 will be separated as far as possible. The winners of draw RED and draw BLUE are qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games if –including 2015 European Games qualifiers- there are no more than 2 players qualifying from the same NOC. Otherwise a mechanism has been established to determine 2 qualifiers the third player being a reserve). This is explained through the “Annex 1”. Substitutions: any changes/substitutions are accepted until Tuesday 29th March 2016. Draw of the Preliminary stage: Tuesday 5th April 2016 at 14:00 local time At the links below you can find the Entry lists of the EOSQ event held from 6 – 10 April 2016 in Istanbul Turkey.
TTCLM semis: Olimpia Unia wins in Sweden
Polish champion beat Eslovs 3:2 in the first semi-final match of 2015/16 TTCLM Olimpia Unia Grudziadz beat away Eslovs Al Bordtennis 3:2 in the tonight`s first semi-final match of TTCLM. It was the meeting of 2014/15 ETTU Cup finalists in which Swedish champion lifted the trophy. Polish team finally found solution how to stop XU Hui who was invincible in the both final matches (4 wins in 4 encounters) of the last ETTU Cup final. Thus the crucial moment in tonight`s match was duel between Yoshida KAII and Chinese player. Japanese won in four games and leveled on 2:2. WANG Yang secured victory to guest side beating Robert SVENSSON in straight games. TTCLM semi-final (first leg) Eslovs Al Bordtennis – Olimpia Unia Grudziadz 2:3 XU Hui – WANG Yang 3:0 (13:11 11:3 11:4) Robert SVENSSON – Yoshida KAII 2:3 (11:7 9:11 9:11 11:7 9:11) Mattias OVERSJO – Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO 3:0 (11:8 11:8 11:8) XU Hui – Yoshida KAII 1:3 (11:6 7:11 8:11 9:11) Robert SVENSSON – WANG Yang 0:3 (7:11 7:11 5:11) AS Pontoise Cergy – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (March 13th 17:00)
Bastian STEGER led SV Werder Bremen to victory
Men’s and Women’s ETTU Cup semi final In the opening leg of the Men’s and Women’s ETTU Cup semi final it was very hard day for hosts in France. Istres OPTT won after five matches whilst SV Werder Bremen beat Angers Vaillante Sports TT. In Women’s ETTU Cup Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyes overcame ALCL TT Grand Quevilly whilst CP Lyssois Lille Metropole beat Postas Sport Egyesulet in Hungary. Jon PERSSON gave dream start to Angers Vaillante Sports TT after beating Constantin CIOTI in four games but Bastian STEGER showed no mercy tonight. Germany’s player beat another Swede Jens LUNDQVIST in straight games before succeeded against PERSSON in fourth match. In thrilling duel Christophe LEGOUT stretched Kirili SKACHKOV to full distance but Russia’s player prevailed. Angers Vaillante Sports TT now will have a very hard task to secure their third ETTU Cup final in three weeks in Germany. French Istres OPTT needed full five matches before they secured opening leg victory against Weinviertel Niederosterreich. Egypt’s Omar ASSAR created little upset at the beginning with victory over Stefan FEGERL. The member of the European team’s title in Russia in October suffered by the hands of Benjamin BROSSIER as well. Only HOU Hingchao proved too strong for top two host’s players. Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyes made a huge step toward the final of the Women’s ETTU Cup final. In the first leg against ALCL TT Grand Quevilly they succeeded in four matches as guests in France. Only Stephanie LOEUILLETTE saved the host club from straight matches defeat. She overcame Russia’s Maria DOLGIKH.With two wins HU MElek was the backbone of Turkey’s success whilst Polina MIKHAYLOVA gave her team a good start. LI Jiao gave Postas Sport Egyesulet a very good start she justified her rankings on the second return to the table but she remained the only player who scored for Postas Sport Egyesulet. On the other side of the net Bernadette SZOCS YANG Xiao Xin and Agnes LE LANNIC recorded victories. Istres OPTT – Weinviertel Niederosterreich 3:2Omar ASSAR – Stefan FEGERL 3:1 (9:11 11:8 11:6 11:6)Benjamin BROSSIER – HOU Hingchao 0:3 (4:11 7:11 7:11)Paul GAUZY – Daniel HABESOHN 3:0 (11:5 11:9 11:5)Omar ASSAR – HOU Hingchao 1:3 (6:11 5:11 11:4 9:11)Benjamin BROSSIER – Stefan FEGERL 3:1 (11:9 1:11 11:6 11:4) Angers Vaillante Sports TT – SV Werder Bremen 1:3Jon PERSSON – Constantin CIOTI 3:1 (12:10 11:7 6:11 11:8)Jens LUNDQVIST – Bastian STEGER 0:3 0:3 (6:11 9:11 10:12)Christophe LEGOUT – Kirili SKACHKOV 2:3 (9:11 11:7 8:11 11:5 3:11)Jon PERSSON – Bastian STEGER 1:3 (12:10 7:11 6:11 8:11) ALCL TT Grand Quevilly – Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyes 1:3 TIAN Yuan – Polina MIKHAYLOVA 0:3 (4:11 7:11 9:11) Ono SHIHO – HU Melek 0:3 (14:16 4:11 7:11) Stephanie LOEUILLETTE – Maria DOLGIKH 3:1 (11:4 9:11 11:8 11:6) TIAN Yuan – HU Melek 1:3 (11:7 9:11 7:11 3:11) Postas Sport Egyesulet – CP Lyssois Lille Metropole 2:3LI Jiao – Bernadette SZOCS 3:1 (11:8 6:11 11:7 11:9)Mercedsz NAGYVARDI – YANG Xiao Xin 0:3 (7:11 5:11 1:11)Rita KERTAI – Agnes LE LANNIC 0:3 (9:11 5:11 8:11)LI Jiao – YANG Xiao Xin 3:0 (11:7 11:6 11:2)Mercedsz NAGYVARDI – Bernadette SZOCS 1:3 (11:9 7:11 9:11 6:11)
ECLW semi-finals: Advantage to visitors
First semi-final matches was held tonight in Austria and Spain: Linz – Berlin 2:3 Cartagena – Zamek 1:3 Visitors won first semi-final matches of the 2015/16 ECLW which were held tonight in Austria and Spain: Linz AG Froschberg – TTC Berlin Eastside 2:3 UCAM Cartagena – KTS SPAR-Zamek Tarnobrzeg 1:3. The clash between two ECLW champions was very intense from the begining. Linz led twice in front of its fans at the Sportpark Lissfed Hall as LIU Jia beat Georgina POTA in the opener and Iveta VACENOVSKA overcame Petrissa SOLJA in the third encounter. SHAN Xiaona has kept her side on the right course providing two points against Sofia POLCANOVA and LIU Jia respectively. After third match it looked like host side has better chance to win bearing in mind that Iveta VACENOVSKA defeated the best ranked Berlin`s player Petrissa SOLJA (current world`s no. 13). Host moved from 7:9 to 10:9 (13:11) in the fourth set and secured 2:1 lead for Linz. Decisive encounter belonged to POTA who prevailed against POLCANOVA in four games. Hungarian continued to be an important factor in Berlin`s side especially when she takes responsibility in the fifth match. HAN Ying was ruthless in Spain having twice 3:0 wins against Ruta PASKAUSKIENE and Iulia NECULA. Cartagena started convincing as NECULA beat LI Qian in four games but it was unique point for the host side. Natalia PARTYKA secured third victory for actual ETTU Cup winner Zamek Tarnobrzeg. Returning games are scheduled for April 1st ECLW semi-finals (first leg) Linz AG Froschberg – TTC Berlin Eastside 2:3 LIU Jia – Georgina POTA 3:0 (11:4 11:8 11:5) Sofia POLCANOVA – SHAN Xiaona 1:3 (11:9 6:11 10:12 8:11) Iveta VACENOVSKA – Petrissa SOLJA 3:1 (9:11 11:5 11:7 13:11) LIU Jia – SHAN Xiaona 1:3 (7:11 5:11 11:8 2:11) Sofia POLCANOVA – Georgina POTA 1:3 (9:11 11:5 9:11 8:11) UCAM Cartagena – KTS SPAR-Zamek Tarnobrzeg 1:3 Iulia NECULA – LI Qian 3:1 (11:9 12:10 9:11 11:7) Ruta PASKAUSKIENE – HAN Ying 0:3 (7:11 6:11 7:11) WANG Zhipei – Natalia PARTYKA 1:3 (8:11 8:11 11:6 7:11) Iulia NECULA – HAN Ying 0:3 (9:11 9:11 4:11)
PITCHFORD: We got the confidence and energy from each other
Perfect 2016 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur After the great success at the Perfect 2016 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur the member of the bronze medal winning team of England Liam PITCHFORD reflected on outstanding tournament they had. England won first medal at the World Championships after 33 years. “I think the main moment for us was winning against Germany the first two matches against Sweden and France we didn’t feel like we performed how we could have done but after that against Denmark and Germany we really started to play good and they were really important victories. We still needed the right result between Sweden and Germany to go through and luckily it went our way ” said PITCHFORD. PITCHFORD explained in more details: “I think the matches against Sweden and France sort of took the pressure off of us like I said we probably didn’t play as well as we could have in those matches and after that we just told ourselves to give it our best and see what happens. “ England met France twice; they suffered defeat in the Groups stage and beat their adversaries in the match for medal. “In our eyes it was a completely different game we knew if we played better then we had a chance and we did just that we were all ready for the fight and it was probably my best match of the tournament so that was nice. “ In the semi final Japan proved too strong. Asked what could be done diferently Liam said: “I could probably have tried to be more relaxed when the close points were there but it is easy to say that now I was close to winning both matches and I will learn from that for next time.” When the rise of this generation started? “I think the potential has been there for a while we all had quite okay junior careers (especially Paul) we just maybe couldn’t make the next step in seniors. Me and Sam are practicing in Ochsenhausen at the moment and that has been a big help for the both of us to be able to compete with the best in the World.” What can you underline as your teammates best qualities? “In this tournament it was definitely the team spirit we only had 3 of us so we knew we really had to rely on one another and put in big performances we were really a team and we got the confidence and energy from each other while we were on the table. “ What changed in English table tennis for better? “We have a better system in place now more organised and professional and so we were able to prepare together as a team and really work hard to achieving what we can.” Speaking about his best results so far Liam said: “As a team before this tournament our best result was winning the second division in 2014 we never dreamed that two years later we would have a medal! In singles I was in quarter final at European games and last 16 of European championships in 2015 hopefully this year can be even better. “ The support from the family and special ones was huge despite the time difference. “It helps a lot to know your family will always support you in whatever you do. Because of time difference it was very early in the morning in Europe but my girlfriend was up to watch all the matches and it’s such a good feeling and gives you a boost to know that whatever the result in the end you have the support of the people closest to you. “ We are looking forward Olympic Games. “My mind is now moving to Olympic qualification in April and if I can keep the same form as in Malaysia then everything is possible. If I do qualify then I will be ready for Rio when it comes around!” Playing in Ochsenhausen helps Liam improving his game. “The competition is very strong. You always have to be ready; there are no easy matches and that prepares you for world tours and big tournaments. The practice is at a much higher level also so you always have to be switched on and working or there are other players waiting to take their chance.”
Linz vs. Berlin – four ECLW titles in one clash
This Friday both semi-final games will be held. Linz`s LIU Jia: „Every time we play at home it’s a highlight to us” First semi-final games of the 2015/16 ECLW will be held this Friday (March 11th) with two former ECLW champions in one clash (Linz AG Froschberg and TTC Berlin Eastside) and actual ETTU Cup winner (Zamek Tarnobrzeg) and newcomer (UCAM Cartagena) in the second one. Two title pretenders is going to meet in Austria. They won four out of last six ECLW crowns: Linz 2009 and 2013 Berlin 2012 and 2014. Long-time coach of Austrian side BIAN Yadong stressed that the current ECLW top seed must take role of the favorite: „The both still active two time champions Linz AG Froschberg and Berlin Eastside always compete at the equal level. This time LINZ is the underdog because we had already two very close matches against the French teams Lille and Metz. Beside the fact that we are good at matches with this atmosphere against better ranked teams we know that we have a chance if we use every chance that we get. Every ball and every set is important but that’s no problem for us we have our experiences with that situation. This time will be very interesting if Petrissa SOLJA is going to have one of her good or bad days because to beat her on a good day is not easiest thing to do.” LIU Jia had a pivotal role in the semi-final duels against Metz contributing with all four possible points. Individual European champion from 2005 always has a special feelings in the Froschberg`s hall: „Every time we play at home it’s a highlight to us it’s not like playing any Pro tournament we have had so many fantastic moments here in Linz so we will stay focused and hungry for the game that’s what we can do…” Linz president Günther RENNER explains why he expects tough game for both sides: „Everything can happen 0:3 or 3:0 but it’s the semi-final we were hoping for. All the spectators love to see us winning against Berlin if not – the favourite was better no big deal”. Team manager Robert RENNER added: „Small things can decide that match: who is more tired from the WTTTC in Malaysia who wants to win more… It will be deciding because some players still hoping for a ticket to Rio2016 I guess for our players is the club maybe a little bit more important than for others but we will see…” First leg of the 2015/16 ECLW semi-final UCAM Cartagena – KTS SPAR-Zamek Tarnobrzeg (March 11th 18:00) Linz AG Froschberg – TTC Berlin Eastside (March 11th 17:00)
Another title for Darko JORGIC
2016 Italian Junior and Cadet Open in Lignano Top seeded Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC justified his rankings in Italy. He beat Moldova’s Andrei PUTUNTICA to clinch the title at the Junior Boys’ Singles event at the 2016 Italian Junior and Cadet Open in Lignano Sabbiadoro 4:2 (11-8 8-11 6-11 11-8 13-11 11-3). In semis JORGIC Prevailed against Matteo MUTTI of Italy 4:1 (11-6 11-7 10-12 11-9 11-5) whilst PUTUNTICA overcame Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia 4:3 (11-8 10-12 5-11 11-7 10-12 11-7 11-7). “Throughout whole tournament I was under little pressure. I came as top seed and I knew I cannot lose. The hardest for me was the final match. Moldova’s player played very well until 2:2. However after that moment I felt his service game better and it become easier for me ” said JORGIC. In past few months JORGIC became regular at the medal rostrum at the ITTF Junior Circuit. At Czech Open he won silver in singles and doubles in Qatar JORGIC clinched gold also in both events. In a meanwhile he played at the World Championships as a member of senior team in Kuala Lumpur. Maki SHIOMI of Japan clinched the title in the Junior Girls Singles Event. In the final she beat her compatriot Miyuu KIHARA. In semi final KIHARA beat Tin-Tin HO of England whilst SHIOMI overcame Caroline HAJOK of Germany. Maksim GREBNEV and Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia overcame Moldova’s Andrei PUTUNTICA and Vladislav URSU in the final of the Junior Boys Doubles Event. Tijana JOKIC and Dragana VIGNJEVIC overcame Tin-Tin HO and Emily BOLTON of England in the final match in Girls Event.
Europe’s best teams in the battle for the crown
Semifinals of the ETTU Champions League and ETTU Cup live on www.laola1.tv Two of Europe’s most prestigious table tennis tournaments are approaching the final stage. A total of eight European Teams are competing against each other in the semifinals of the ETTU Champions League Men and ETTU Cup Men. As if that were not enough LAOLA1.tv broadcasts also the women’s ETTU CL match between UCAM Cartagena and KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg. LAOLA1.tv is covering the tournaments from Friday 11 March on with comprehensive reporting and showing all games live. Eight of Europe’s best male table tennis teams are fighting for the finals of ETTU Champions League and ETTU Cup. As of Friday 11 March Eslovs Ai Bordtennis Olimpia Unia Grudziadz AS Pontoise Cergy and TTC Fakel Gazproma Orenburg are entering the semifinals of the ETTU Champions League in line with the ETTU’s CL slogan “simply the best”. Whereas Vaillante Sports Angers TT SV Werder Bremen Istres Tennis de Table and Weinviertel Niederösterreich are competing against each other in the semifinal of the ETTU Cup. LAOLA1.tv also covers the women’s ETTU Champions League match between UCAM Cartagena and KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg. LAOLA1.tv will broadcast all ETTU Champions League Men and ETTU Cup Men games live and then provide full match coverage on its website. As an added benefit Premium members will be able to follow the matches on the move on their smartphones on the computer accessing up to four simultaneous live streams or via Smart TV in top HD and commercial-free quality. The ETTU Champions League Men live on LAOLA1.tv: Friday 11 March (first round) 7.00 pm: Eslovs Ai Bordtennis (SWE) – Olimpia Unia Grudziadz (POL) http://www.laola1.tv/watch/livestream/ttclm-sf-2-1st-leg-lde Sunday 13 October (first round) 5:00 pm: AS Pontoise Cergy (FRA) – TTC Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (RUS) http://www.laola1.tv/watch/livestream/ttclm-sf-1-1st-leg-lde Friday 1 April (second round) 2.20 pm: TTC Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (RUS) – AS Pontoise Cergy (FRA) 6.00 pm: Olimpia Unia Grudziadz (POL) – Eslovs Ai Bordtennis (SWE) The ETTU Cup Men live on LAOLA1.tv: Friday 11 March (first round) 7.30 pm: Vaillante Sports Angers (FRA) – Werder Bremen (GER) http://www.laola1.tv/watch/livestream/angers-vaillante-sports-tt-sv-werder-bremen-lde 7:30 pm: Istres (FRA) – Niederösterreich (AUT) http://www.laola1.tv/watch/livestream/istres-niederoesterreich-lde Friday 1 April (second round) 5.10 pm: Niederösterreich (AUT) – Istres (FRA) Saturday 2 April (second round) 6.00 pm: Werder Bremen (GER) – Vaillante Sports Angers (FRA) The women’s ETTU Champions League live on LAOLA1.tv: Friday 11 March (first round) 6.00 pm: UCAM Cartagena (ESP) – KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg (POL) http://www.laola1.tv/watch/livestream/ucam-cartagena-kts-zamek-tarnobrzeg-lde
TTCLM semi-finals: Games without secrets
Eslovs hosts Olimpia (March 11th) in the remake of the 2014/15 ETTU Cup final while Orenburg travels to France to meet Pontoise (March 13th) in the reprise of the 2013/14 TTCLM final First matches of the 2015/16 TTCLM semifinals will be the meetings of old acquaintances: Eslovs Al Bordtennis – Olimpia Unia Grudziadz (March 11th 19:00) and AS Pontoise Cergy – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (March 13th 17:00). The same pairings have emerged in the two finals in the last two seasons: the 2014/15 ETTU Cup and 2013/14 TTCLM respectively. Eslovs beat Olimpia last spring to reach its first ever ETTU Cup trophy but now both sides enjoy in their best ever achievements in the TTCLM. Virtually nothing has changed since their previous meeting bearing in mind that five out of six players will be engaged (Yaroslaw ZHMUDENKO is new face in the Olimpia`s line-up) thus we can expect one more intense game. Polish champion is aware that they must prevent XU Hui to reach again two points. Chinese was unstoppable in the ETTU Cup finals winning four encounters in total: Swedish champion won twice 3:2 at home 3:1 away. Olimpia sees its chance in the fact that WANG Yang and Yoshida KAII are in much better form than last season. Coach Piotr SZAFRANEK was satisfied with a preparation period in Gdansk having all players in the hall since ZHMUDENKO arrived on Tuesday. “Players are mobilized and in a good shape hence we are counting on victory in Sweden” stated briefly coach SZAFRANEK. Regarding clash which will be held in France the better side after two legs will emerge as a huge favorite in the final knowing how strong line-ups have both clubs Pontoise and Orenburg. French team shocked Russian giant in the 2013/14 TTCLM final taking the title because of better set-ratio (3:1 1:3 18:16). Last year in the group stage each side surprisingly won 3:0 away. Four Top 30 players at the ITTF World ranking list will be available in the forthcoming clash – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (no. 5 Orenburg) Vladimir SAMSONOV (no. 9 Orenburg) Marcos FREITAS (no. 16 Pontoise) and Kristian KARLSSON (no. 27 Pontoise) but previous meetings showed that Alexey SMIRNOV and WANG Jian Jun could emerge as pivotal factors. “It is expected a very intense match of constant rivals the two best clubs in Europe. Our opponent is a strong team but Fakel – Gazprom is set up only to win in the upcoming TTCLM semifinal match. All our players are intensively preparing. The team is incredibly motivated which should contribute to our success” stressed Victor ANDREEV head coach of TTC Fakel – Gazprom. The 1st semi-final leg of 2015/16 TTCLM Eslovs Al Bordtennis – Olimpia Unia Grudziadz (March 11th 19:00) AS Pontoise Cergy – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (March 13th 17:00)
WALKER: I still need some time to realise fully what we have achieved
Perfect 2016 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur England the team that had started proceedings as the no.18 seeds at the Perfect 2016 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur concluded the Men’s Event with the bronze medal. It was first medal for England after 33 years. In the semi final Paul DRINKHALL Liam PITCHFORD and Semual WALKER suffered defeat in the match againt Japan after they overcame France Germany Poland and Denmark. “There’s no doubt that I still need some time to realise fully what we have achieved ” addmited WALKER. Samuel WALKER underlined few important moments at the Championships. “I think the most important moments for us at the championships were when we beat Germany and France. I think the match against Germany was a real turning point for us as a team it gave us a lot of confidence. Of course the match against France was huge and that win secured us a medal which was an amazing moment!” WALKER led us step by step throughout the Event. “We started the tournament against Sweden which was a really tough match we were hoping to do more in that match and were disappointed to lose 1-3.The match against France in the group was a hard one to take at the time we lost 3-0 and I think we felt like we could’ve done more in that match. It was great to turn out form around against Denmark with a hard fought win they are good team and it was great to beat them. I think we really started to build momentum and gain a lot of belief after we beat Germany. For us that was a massive step and then we started to think about going through the group. Against Malaysia we were the favourites to win for the first and only time in the tournament and we all did a great job to win that match 3-0.” They stayed at the right track even after the defeats. “I think after losing to Sweden and France it was important for us to just stay positive and continue to play our games our team spirit was amazing and that really helped. Everything was still possible and we just wanted to take each match one at a time and finish as high in the group as possible I don’t think we were really thinking about winning any medals at that point!” England beat France when it was most important. “Obviously the two matches against France were totally different in the quarterfinal all of us were playing much better than in the group stages. We had built up a lot of momentum and again our team spirit was fantastic and despite losing the first match we believed we could do it the second time around. I think we managed to put more pressure on France in the quarterfinals as well after Liam pulled it back to 1-1 and that was a really important match.” The fantastic run concluded in the semi final after the duel against Japan. “I guess the biggest thing we would like to have done differently against Japan was win! But in all honesty I don’t think we have any regrets in that match we all gave it 110 percent and left it all out on the table. People have been criticizing Liam for losing from 2-1 and 10-6 up and for not taking a time out but I don’t think that’s fair. Liam gave it everything and in some aspects I think he was a little unlucky MIZUTANI is number 7 in the World and for Liam to be in that situation in the first place is incredible. He had an unbelievable tournament with some great performances so I really don’t think it’s fair to criticize him for that I’m proud of him and everyone in the team we have created history. I think we have to give credit to Japan they played great and kept their nerve to win it.” It was first time in history that newly promoted team clinged the medal at the World Championships.“Our team has really started to rise since the last World team Championships in Tokyo where we won the second division. From then we’ve gone from strength to strength and achieved so much we made history at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 where collectively we won 5 medals including the silver. Paul has had a career high World ranking of 33 I think it was and also wok the Spanish Open. Liam and Paul both made great performances in the European Games in the summer and now we’ve won the bronze at the Worlds. It has been a couple of years where we have made a lot of history for English table tennis.” WALKER addded: “We have great team spirit but not just in our team it’s right through the whole England squad. From the women’s team right through to the Physio and staff who have been out in Malaysia with us. We’re all good friends as well and I think that is a great quality to have in a team there’s always a good atmosphere with us and that’s important!” Team has great support from the national association. “The English association has gone through a big change from changing the name to Table Tennis England to changing staff and I think it’s the hard work of all the staff behind the scenes that are really trying to push us forward as a sport and nation with very limited resources has had a major impact.” WALKER is currently ranked at position no 118 in the World. “I’m currently on a career high ranking. I’ve had some really big wins in the last year against the likes of OSHIMA FRANZISKA KIM Doghyun ACHANTA and HE Zhiwen which really great for me. Last season I also won the 2. Bundesliga with my club ASV Grünwettersbach which was a major achievement for me and it has been fantastic playing my first season in
