The Baku 2015 European Games is shaping up to be the biggest multi-sport event on the European calendar next year and the ideal proving ground for athletes ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games according to senior figures at the leading National Olympic Co The Baku 2015 European Games is shaping up to be the biggest multi-sport event on the European calendar next year and the ideal proving ground for athletes ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games according to senior figures at the leading National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of Europe. Top representatives from all 49 European NOCs gathered in the Azerbaijan capital Baku last weekend for the 43rd European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly. They received status updates from the Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) confirming preparations for Europe’s inaugural continental multi-sport games are firmly on track. The NOC Presidents and Secretaries General also had a tour of the key venues including the National Stadium the National Gymnastics Arena and the Baku Aquatics Centre. Dr Thomas BACH President of the International Olympic Committee attended the EOC General Assembly. Speaking from Baku he said: “I am deeply impressed to see the development here in regard to sport. What I have seen and heard about the preparations for the Baku 2015 European Games makes me very confident they will be an outstanding success for European sport and also an outstanding success for Azerbaijan.” Members from seven European National Olympic Committees added: FRANCE – Denis MASSEGLIA – French Olympic Committee President: ”It is important for French athletes to go to Baku 2015 and to do well. The conditions will be perfect for elite performances I am sure: great venues great accommodation and transport and great organisation. We know that Baku 2015 is part of the road to Rio 2016 and we want to give our athletes the maximum of chances possible to qualify. But just as importantly we want French athletes bringing home the first ever European Games medals. Baku 2015 is going to be the perfect proving ground for some future stars of French sport.” GERMANY – Michael VESPER – German Olympic Sports Confederation Secretary General: “With over 6000 athletes and more than 250 medal events the European Games are Europe’s most important sport event in 2015. This means an important test for our athletes one year before the Rio Olympics. Some of them like our top table tennis players and triathletes can even book their tickets to Rio at the European Games. I have no doubt that our athletes are going to find the perfect conditions to achieve sporting excellence here next year.” RUSSIA – Alexander ZHUKOV – Russian Olympic Committee President: “I believe in the future of the European Games. Baku 2015 will be an excellent event from every perspective – the organisation the city the quality of sport. Baku 2015 is our number one priority next year our biggest event without question. Russia will have a strong team at the European Games. After seeing the venues and meeting the organisers this week I am more convinced than ever that Baku 2015 will be an important stage on our road to Rio 2016.” SERBIA – Vlade DIVAC – Olympic Committee of Serbia President: “Serbia’s athletes should be getting really excited about these Games because they will be amazing unlike any other event on the European sports calendar. They will be a breath of fresh air for European sport and a great chance to see Serbian athletes on the podium. The Organising Committee of Baku 2015 has considered every part of their hosting concept from an athlete and NOC perspective and that is really reassuring for me and my team. I think Baku 2015 will be one of the surprise events of next year and the European Games certainly has a healthy future starting from this strong base.” SPAIN – Victor SANCHEZ –Spanish Olympic Committee Secretary General: “Spanish athletes should be looking at Baku 2015 as a chance to become the first ever European Games champion in their sport. Although the European Games are clearly an excellent opportunity to help athletes on their path to Rio 2016 they are a continental Games in their own right – and are being organised to an incredibly high level by Baku 2015‘s organisers. The stadions here are stunning and the facilities for athletes in the Village and around the city are of the highest level – Baku is a great breeding ground for sporting success. I can’t wait to see our athletes perform here in 2015.” TURKEY – Ugur ERDENER – Turkish Olympic Committee President: “There are 250 medals available at Baku 2015 so it represents a very good opportunity to get Turkish athletes on the podium. We will be sending a strong team to Azerbaijan no question. There are qualification points on offer for Rio 2016 but just as importantly it gives Turkish athletes the experience of competing – and winning – at a major multi-sport event in a world-class sports environment. I am very impressed at what they have achieved in Baku and the new sports infrastructure is excellent. The first European Games is going to have a big impact on the development of Olympic sports and young athletes not just in Azerbaijan but across Europe.”
UMMC secure Group C top spot
Russian UMMC beat at home Saarbrucken 3:0 in opening game of Men`s European Champions League Round 5 to secure the top spot of Group C. The 2012 MECL runner-up improves its season record to 5-0 while German side (3-2) kept good chance to reach quarter f Russian UMMC beat at home Saarbrucken 3:0 in opening game of Men`s European Champions League Round 5 to secure the top spot of Group C. The 2012 MECL runner-up improves its season record to 5-0 while German side (3-2) kept good chance to reach quarter final as second placed club from that group. In first season`s game between these two clubs played in Saarbrucken two leading players was not available Jun MIZUTANI (UMMC) and Tiago APOLONIA (Saarbrucken). Today they met in opening encounter and Japanese confidently won in straight games. Portuguese had a small chance in second set when he had a two points advantage until the end (7:5 9:9) but host continued unbeaten having 7-0 individual score. Other two matches had five sets each and both in the start promised better ending for German side. Both Adrien MATTENET and Bojan TOKIC led 2:0 in their clashes against Alexander SHIBAEV and Joao MONTEIRO respectively but host players replied by three winning sets in a row. Especially TOKIC was close to the win having 2:1 9:8 against tall Russian. In the fifth set Slovenian led 9:7 and 10:9 but that not helped him to provide fourth match and new chance for his side. Other Round 5 matches will be held this Friday and Saturday. MECL Round 5 UMMC – Saarbrucken 3:0 Jun MIZUTANI – Tiago APOLONIA 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:6) Alexander SHIBAEV – Adrien MATTENET 3:2 (6:11 8:11 11:6 11:4 11:7) Joao MONTEIRO – Bojan TOKIC 3:2 (4:11 8:11 11:4 11:9 12:10)
Baku 2015 unveils official mascots Jeyran and Nar
Baku 2015 European Games has today unveiled Jeyran and Nar as the exciting official mascots for the inaugural sporting event. Inspired by Azerbaijani nature and heritage Jeyran the Gazelle and Nar the Pomegranate reflect both the country’s proud history Baku 2015 European Games has today unveiled Jeyran and Nar as the exciting official mascots for the inaugural sporting event. Inspired by Azerbaijani nature and heritage Jeyran the Gazelle and Nar the Pomegranate reflect both the country’s proud history and promising future.The pair will symbolise the first European Games around the world as they feature on branding to promote Baku 2015. Mr Azad RAHIMOV Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sport and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015 said: “We are extremely happy to introduce Jeyran and Nar to the world and we hope that they will come to represent the excitement of the inaugural European Games. As symbols of Baku 2015 they will inspire excite and entertain a new generation of sports fans in Azerbaijan and will be visible around the city and the country in the coming months.” Jeyran will become the cultural ambassador of the Games offering visitors a glimpse into Azeribaijan’s rich heritage. From high up in the Caucasus mountains to the shores of the Caspian Sea Jeyran likes guiding visitors around the country and showing them all that Azerbaijan has to offer. Jeyran the Azerbaijani word for gazelle is a symbol in the country of natural beauty grace and purity. The gazelle is a protected species in Azerbaijan. Nar is a sun loving playful pomegranate who grew up outside of the city of Goychay. Full of life and energy Nar loves participating in new sports and will be getting involved with the European Games action. The pomegranate symbolises unity in Azerbaijani folklore and features heavily in the colourful Baku 2015 branding already displayed extensively around the city. Mr Simon CLEGG Baku 2015 Chief Operating Officer said: “Our mascots are important symbols of the inaugural European Games and we are delighted to be welcoming them to the Baku 2015 family. “Jeyran will be an elegant cultural ambassador for the Games and for the rich heritage of Azerbaijan.Nar represents the energy enthusiasm and fun of the Games and will be seen explaining and getting involved with the sports at our venues.” Mr Charlie WIJERATNA Baku 2015 Commercial Director said: “We wanted to help bring the European Games to life in a playful and colourful way and we hope that Jeyran and Nar will become popular across all of Azerbaijan as we look forward to hosting Europe’s elite athlete here at Baku 2015. “The mascots have started life as flat illustrations but will soon be animated and of course transformed in three dimensions to form a part of the merchandising of the European Games.”
Orenburg-Pontoise clash for the primacy
From Wednesday to Saturday Round 5 of 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League will be held. Three out of 16 clubs are still unbeaten: Orenburg UMMC and Borussia. Orenburg hosts Pontoise in the reprise of last season`s final and it will be decisive match From Wednesday to Saturday Round 5 of 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League will be held. Three out of 16 clubs are still unbeaten: Orenburg UMMC and Borussia. Orenburg hosts Pontoise in the reprise of last season`s final and it will be decisive match for the top spot of Group A. These two clubs had a latest meeting in France on October 4th playing Round 2 when Russian champion beat convincingly 3:0 (9:3) actual MECL winner. As the most equal group Group B guarantees excitements in last two rounds. This Friday Chartres (2-2 score) expects Werder Bremen (1-3) while the leading Eslovs (3-1) goes to Austria to play against the 2008 MECL winner Wienviertel Niederosterrecih (2-2). Last weekend Swedish champion beat the 2013 Bundesliga winner Bremen 3:2 so “The Greens” now have just mathematical chances. But if German side managed to beat Chartres everything would be possible in the latest Round 6. One of three unbeaten teams in the league UMMC plays tomorrow at home to secure top spot of Group C. Tatiana KUTERGINA`s side which has 4-0 score hosts Saarbrucken in the remake of unforgettable 2012 semi-final when Russian club reached final after several dramatical moments. In this season UMMC beat away Saarbrucken 3:1. “Saarbrucken is very serious opponent. When we met in Germany they couldn’t count on European team`s champion Tiago APOLONIA so it`s clear that they will be stronger now. We are aware that we need to play much better than in first encounter and we don’t need special motivation because the victory brings top spot of our group” said UMMC`s coach Zoran PRIMORAC speaking for UMMC`s website. Angers still has a chance for quarter final but first of all they must defeat Sten Marketing at home. In Group D ten times European champions Borussia plays confidently like three years ago when they reached their last MECL trophy. The team has all four wins after away clash with Bogoria and now in ARAG CenterCourt arrives Hennebont (2-2). Borussias manager Andreas PREUSS emphasized for club`s website after the game in Poland that Timo BOLL “was once again outstanding”. Six times individual European champion who has 6-0 score added: “We feel a big relief knowing that we are in quarter-final. Now we want of course to secure the first place in the group to avoid tough rivals from other groups.” In other Group D match Austrian champion will host the best Polish club: Walter Wels – Bogoria. Both teams have 1-3 score. MECL Round 5 Group A: Orenburg – Pontoise (November 28th 13h20 CET); Olimpia Unia – Roskilde 3:1 (played on November 23rd) Group B: Chartres ASTT – Werder Bremen (November 28th 19h00 CET); Wienviertel Niederosterreich – Eslovs (November 29th 17h00 CET) Group C: UMMC – Saarbrucken (November 26th 14h00 CET); Vaillante Angers – Sten Marketing (November 28th 19h30 CET) Group D: Borussia Dusseldorf – Hennebont (November 28th 19h00 CET); Walter Wels – Bogoria Grodzisk (November 29th 19h00 CET)
New WECL semis for Fenerbahce
Turkish champion Fenerbahce secured its second in a row semi-final of Women`s European Champions League after it beat away Austrian SVNO STROCK 3:1. It was the fourth consecutive victory for actual runner-up of WECL while 2012 finalist STROCK still has Turkish champion Fenerbahce secured its second in a row semi-final of Women`s European Champions League after it beat away Austrian SVNO STROCK 3:1. It was the fourth consecutive victory for actual runner-up of WECL while 2012 finalist STROCK still has no any win though their young players are showing significant improvements. First two matches were fully exciting and each took five sets. Matilda EKHOLM started excellent against Fenerbahce`s defender Irene IVANCAN taking two sets confidently. But the 2011 individual European vice-champion replied by three games in a row. Playing against German defender requires good concentration all the time but Swedish player (world`s no 63) was not able to keep that level after second set. One of sensation of 2013 LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris Tetyana BILENKO confirmed that she likes to play against big names. Tonight she was very close to world`s no. 8 WU Yang but Chinese won in five games. Ukrainian finished fourth set with six consecutive points but guest answered by untouchable 6:1 lead in the fifth one. Dora MADARASZ brought unique points for host side defeating Yana NOSKOVA in straight games. One more promising STROCK`s player Lea RAKOVAC got a chance to show her potential against WU Yang and not disappointed although she was beaten in three sets. WECL Round 4 Group A SVNO STROCK – Fenerbahce 1:3 Matilda EKHOLM – Irene IVANCAN 2:3 (11:8 11:9 7:11 6:11 6:11) Tetyana BILENKO – WU Yang 2:3 (7:11 11:8 2:11 11:3 2:11) Dora MADARASZ – Yana NOSKOVA 3:0 (11:4 11:8 11:4) Lea RAKOVAC – WU Yang 0:3 (6:11 7:11 5:11)
Taverzo and Swietelsky in fourth round
Enjoy&Deploy Taverzo and CVSE Swietelsky Wewalka progressed to the fourth round of the Men’s ETTU cup. Unlike the duel in Hungary that concluded 3:0 the match in Netherlands went full distance. In Zoetermeer Enjoy&Deploy Taverzo beat Belgium’s L Enjoy&Deploy Taverzo and CVSE Swietelsky Wewalka progressed to the fourth round of the Men’s ETTU cup. Unlike the duel in Hungary that concluded 3:0 the match in Netherlands went full distance. In Zoetermeer Enjoy&Deploy Taverzo beat Belgium’s Logis Auderghem after fierce fight. KANG Donghoon and Trinko KEEN gave host club good start but Benedek OLAH failed to stay on same track. Jesper MERCKX won against OLAH and Jean Michel SAIVE secured the decisive match. In final duel KANG Donghoon was stretched to full distance against Yannick VOSTES but he failed to seal the match. In Celldomolk Hungarian CVSE Swietelsky Wewalka overcame CS Pristavu Campulung in straight matches. Alin SPELBUS was the only player who managed to escape straight games defeat. Romania’s player stole one game from Daniel KOSIBA. In other two encounters Peter FAZEKAS and Nandor ECSEKI showed no mercy. CVSE Swietelsky Wewalka – CS Pristavu Campulung 3:0 Péter FAZEKAS – Alexandru MANOLE 3:0 (11:5 11:7 11:6) Dániel KOSIBA – Alin SPELBUS 3:1 (11:5 11:7 7:11 11:3) Nándor ECSEKI – Gabriel POSTOACA 3:0 (11:9 11:4 11:3) Enjoy&Deploy Taverzo – Logis Auderghem 3:2 KANG Donghoon – Jean Michel SAIVE 3:1 (11:9 10:12 11:6 11:8) Trinko KEEN – Yannick VOSTES 3:1 (7:11 11:7 17:15 11:8) Benedek OLAH – Jesper MERCKX 2:3 (6:11 4:11 11:7 11:7 8:11) Trinko KEEN – Jean Michel SAIVE 1:3 (11:6 4:11 9:11 5:11) KANG Donghoon – Yannick VOSTES 3:2 (11:9 11:5 8:11 5:11 12:10)
Nord progressed to fourth round
In Spain DKV Borges Vall suffered by the hands of Ukraine’s representatives. TTSC Nord succeeded in four matches in the third round of the Men’s ETTU Cup. It was only GUI Chenkai who scored for the host club but all three remaining matches were very clos In Spain DKV Borges Vall suffered by the hands of Ukraine’s representatives. TTSC Nord succeeded in four matches in the third round of the Men’s ETTU Cup. It was only GUI Chenkai who scored for the host club but all three remaining matches were very close. Marc DURAN lost his encounter against LI Yang with all four games concluded by narrow margin and the scenario repeated in the matches between Oriol MONZO and Ieven PRYSHCHEPA as well in full five games duel GUI Chenkai vs. LI Yang. The political situation forced Ukraine’s team to play in Spain despite the fact they were higher ranked club in this duel. DKV Borges Vall -TTSC Nord 1:3 GUI Chenkai – Oleksandr DIDUKH 3:1 (11:7 10:12 11:6 13:11) Marc DURAN-LI Yang 1:3 (13:11 12:14 10:12 9:11) Oriol MONZO- Ieven PRYSHCHEPA 1:3 (11:9 14:16 9:11 9:11) GUI Chenkai-LI Yang 2:3 (11:4 5:11 19:21 11:7 5:11)
French favorites justified their rankings
In the Round 3 of the Men’s ETTU Cup French representatives moved forward in full speed. In Istres Istres Tennis de Table beat Spanish Irun Leka Enea in straight matches. CHEN Jian overcame Endika DIEZ in straight games whilst Antoine HACHARD beat Jaime In the Round 3 of the Men’s ETTU Cup French representatives moved forward in full speed. In Istres Istres Tennis de Table beat Spanish Irun Leka Enea in straight matches. CHEN Jian overcame Endika DIEZ in straight games whilst Antoine HACHARD beat Jaime VIDAL also in three sets. Djorde BORCIC was the only player from the Spanish side to put advesary under pressure. He streched Alexandre ROBINOT to full distance. Stella Sport La Romagne at home soil also recorded victory. They overcame Toledos in another straight match duel. Adbel Kader SALIFOU beat Joào PEREIRA CHEN Tian Yuan succeeded against Vasco FIALHO whilst Brice OLLIVIER overcame Simào MEDEIRDS. All three matches concluded in straight games. El Nino EHW overcame Turkish BBSK Istanbul in Prague tonight. BAI He overcame both Batuhan ULLUCAK and Ahmed LI whilst Antonin GAVLAS scored against Gencay MENGE. David REITSPIES lost against Ahmet LI who gave guests only point. In Kiev Fortune suffered in the match against TTSC Elem. Ivan beat Ilya ZHIDKOV to give hosts good start but after that Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO and Vildan GADIEV proved to strong for Dmitriy PYSAR Vitaliy LYEVSHYN and KATKOV In Caen Jakub KLEPRLIK Romain LORENTZ and Zoltan FEJER KONNERTH secured their place in next round after straight matches victory over TT Amatori Sterilgarda
LIU Jia seals Linz success in Metz
Two-time WECL champion Linz AG Froschberg defeated away Metz TT 3:1 in Round 4 of 2014/15 Women`s European Champions League. This match could be decisive for the final standing to the semi-final from Group B. Austrian side now has three victories (like r Two-time WECL champion Linz AG Froschberg defeated away Metz TT 3:1 in Round 4 of 2014/15 Women`s European Champions League. This match could be decisive for the final standing to the semi-final from Group B. Austrian side now has three victories (like reigning champion Berlin Eastside) one more than French club. Most important moments were happened in second encounter when two former individual champions of Old Continent met: WU Jiaduo against LIU Jia. They appeared on the scene just after FU Yu overcame Sofia POLCANOVA in four games. When WU got first two sets Linz was in very bad position. But LIU showed like many times that she is the real champion. The 2005 ECH singles gold medalist managed to turn the match winning three sets in a row. Iveta VACENOVSKA secured lead to her team beating Yunli SCHREINER in straight games. The final outcome came after LIU Jia`s victory against FU Yu. Guest needed four sets to provide very important win for 2009 and 2013 WECL champion. WECL Round 4 Group B: Metz TT – Linz AG Froschberg 1:3 FU Yu – Sofia POLCANOVA 3:1 (12:10 13:15 11:6 11:8) WU Jiaduo – LIU Jia 2:3 (11:3 11:8 7:11 9:11 7:11) Yunli SCHREINER – Iveta VACENOVSKA 0:3 (4:11 9:11 7:11) FU Yu – LIU Jia 1:3 (9:11 8:11 11:5 7:11)
Men’s ECL: France – Austria 2:0
In tonight`s MECL Round 4 matches both French clubs were successful in Austria: Wienviertel Niederosterreich – Chartres ASTT 2:3 (Group B) Walter Wels – Hennebont 0:3 (Group D). After unexpected 3:0 defeat from Wienvirtel Niederosterreich at home Char In tonight`s MECL Round 4 matches both French clubs were successful in Austria: Wienviertel Niederosterreich – Chartres ASTT 2:3 (Group B) Walter Wels – Hennebont 0:3 (Group D). After unexpected 3:0 defeat from Wienvirtel Niederosterreich at home Chartres answered with 3:2 away victory. Now both clubs have 2-2 score in Group B with almost same chance to reach quarter-final (Eslovs leads with 3-1). Tonight`s game was full of energy and upside-downs. Stefan FEGERL and GAO Ning had unpleasant task to decide the winner after all and they were leveled until 8:8 in fifth set. In that moment Singaporean managed to take two points in a row and it was crucial. HOU Yingchao took both points for 2008 MECL winner beating Par GERELL and GAO Ning. Chartres the 2012/13 MECL finalist showed nice team work as GERELL GAO and GARDOS brought one win each. Host FEGERL played ten sets in total but lost twice after exhausting battles. In Group D Hennebont increased its chance for the quarter-final defeating Walter Wels 3:0. French side now has 2-2 score while Austrian champion continued with just one victory. Kalinikos KREANGA announced good result for the guests. He beat Serbian Zolt PETE in five games of opening round having decisive run in early fifth set (6:1). Dominique PLATTNER got first set against CHEN Chien-An but it was the last set taken by Walter Wels. CHEN won next three in a row while Dimitrij PROKPOCOV overcame Lehel DEMETER in straight games. MECL Round 4 Group B: Wienviertel Niederosterreich – Chartres ASTT 2:3 HOU Yingchao – Par GERELL 3:2 (6:11 11:7 9:11 11:1 11:8) Stefan FEGERL – GAO Ning 2:3 (7:11 11:2 5:11 11:8 6:11) Daniel HABESOHN – Robert GARDOS 1:3 (13:11 9:11 7:11 10:12) HOU Yingchao – GAO Ning 3:0 (11:9 12:10 11:9) Stefan FEGERL – Par GERELL 2:3 (11:5 2:11 4:11 11:5 9:11) Group D: Walter Wels – Hennebont 0:3 Zolt PETE – Kalinikos KREANGA 2:3 (12:10 6:11 15:13 7:11 6:11) Dominique PATTNER – CHEN Chien-An 1:3 (11:8 7:11 3:11 8:11) Lehel DEMETER – Dimitrij PROKOPCOV 0:3 (7:11 7:11 7:11)
