In the final of the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships Germany overcame Romania to clinch the title     Germany defended their title clinched 11 months earlier in Lisbon. For a third time in the row Germany is at the top of the Continent. At the final stage of the Women’s Team event at the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships the Germany trio of HAN Ying SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA beat Romania.   World’s no 11 HAN Ying in the opening game against player ranked at the position no. 63 Bernadette SZOCS made advantage 9:6 before in good run Bernadette leveled and reached set ball first. HAN responded the challenge and patiently closed the game. In the second game Bernadette simply cannot find the way to go trough HAN’s superb defense. German player left her with only one point. Unfortunately for Romania the scene repeated in the next game as well 3:0 (12:10 11:1 11:1).   In the match SHAN Xiaona vs. Elizabeta SAMARA the meters also went according to rankings. SHAN ranked seven paces above SAMARA who is currently at position no. 21 was better in very close finishes of the two opening games. In third she established quick lead at 5:0 and soon sealed the game and match 3:0 (12:10 12:10 11:5).   “After she lost two very close games I think that SAMARA was little bit disappointed. She lost her rhythm and there were no more danger in her game ” explained coach Jie SHOPP.   Petrissa SOLJA secured two games lead at the beginning of the match against Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO but Romanian player was back on her feet in third one. She recovered and won two close games to prolong the match to thrilling fifth game. Eventually in the decisive game SOLJA prevailed 3:2 (11:8 11;6 8:11 8:11 11:9).   “I already saw myself with the gold medal after the second game and suddenly I could not play any more. Everything what I tried failed. It was only the fifth game when I recovered. Now I am even happier with 3:2 victory” explained SOLJA.   SHAN reflected about the tournament.   “It was not that easy against Romania but for sure most difficulties we experienced in the matches against Austria; especially me since I lost against POLCANOVA. Also it was very difficult to play against Russia. They played well above their usual level in front of the frantic crowd ” explained SHAN.   SOLJA also added: “We had huge respect for Romania. The line-ups helped us. I have played once against Dodean and lost. The chances were fifty-fifty. I believe that we can succeed a series like our men’s team. We are always the hunted team but we can handle it very good so far.”  

Spain secured the Challenge Division title Spain secured the Challenge Division title at the Women’s Event at the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF-European Championships. The three-nil win was recorded against Turkey and in a most impressive manner.   Maria XIAO gave Spain the perfect start by beating Kubra TAN (11-3 12-10 11-6) Galia DVORAK followed suit by overcoming Merve MENGE (11-2 11-4 18-16) before Sara RAMIREZ ended proceedings by beating Damla UZEL (11-4 11-6 11-7).    “Also in the team we have SHEN Yanfei she played in earlier matches; she adds a great deal of experience to the team” said Adriana ZAMFIR who like Danny TORRES has been a National Coach for the Spanish Women’s Team for just over a year. “We came here believing we could win and we succeeded.”   Sara have considerable experience for some five or six months Sara has not played that much but she played recently at the Bulgarian Open and she was well prepared for this tournament.”   A pleased Adriana Zamfir it was the same reaction from Danny Torres:   “They have a good attitude they are good friends they are a team together” he stressed. “Galia sets a very good example here her attitude was perfect she was in good shape well prepared; it was the same for Maria she was excellent.”   Success in an impressive manner it was the very same from the Netherlands in the Men’s Team Standard Division; they beat Moldova by three-matches to nil to secure the title.   Rajko GOMMERS set the Netherlands en route to gold; he beat Denis TERNA in the opening contest (9-11 11-7 11-5 11-5) before Ewout OOSTWOUDER doubled the advantage by overcoming Andrei PUTUNTICA (13-11 11-6 10-12 11-2).   Laurens TROMERS defeated Dubrovin VENIAMIN to end matters (11-7 11-4 11-9).   In the Women’s Team event there was no Standard Division.  

Belgium put their trust in youth     Belgium’s Robin DEVOS Cédric NUYTINCK and Lauric JEAN are the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships Men’s Team Challenge Division Champions. Last great success for the team came in 2008 when Yannick VOSTES Jean-Michel SAIVE and Martin BRATANOV won the bronze medal at the European Championships in St. Petersburg.   Seven years latter again in Russia both Jean-Michel SAIVE and Martin BRATONOV are present. Alongside Bart VERMOESEN Martin BRATANOV is the coach of the team. In the final contest in Division they beat Slovakia 3:2.   Experienced Lubomir PISTEJ beat both Robin DEVOS (11-9 11-2 11-4) and Cédric NUYTINCK (12-10 12-10 7-11 8-11 11-8) but that was the sum total of the success for the Slovak Republic. Peter SEREDA suffered defeat at the hands of Cédric NUYTINCK in the second match of the fixture (7-11 11-6 14-12 4-11 11-3); one match later Alexander VALUCH was beaten by Lauric JEAN (11-7 11-6 12-10) before in the vital fifth and concluding match of the engagement Robin DEVOS accounted for Thomas KEINATH (12-10 7-11 11-6 11-9).    “Team spirit; that was the important factor” said Martin BRATANOV. “A fighting spirit they showed that all the time; they have the talent now they have won in Europe it may not be the Championship title but it is a title and that must give them self-belief.”   Belgium put their trust in youth and it was repaid.   “ The players have a good attitude they are together; in the group stage we lost to Israel that was a bad result for us but we fought back.”   Time it was a fact with which Jean-Michel Saive concurred.   “We must be patient stay together and progress one step at a time” explained Jean-Michel SAIVE. “There is one year difference between each player; Lauric is the oldest followed by Cédric and Robin.”   Patient but Jean-Michel SAIVE was also optimistic.   “We have to wait and see what changes might be made to the team event for next time but with this team we have a good chance” continued Jean-Michel SAIVE. “There’s no reason why they should not reach the top eight; that’s just one match away from a medal in a quarter-final who knows what may happen.”  

In the glamorous reception held in the Ekaterinburg EXPO during the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships European Table Tennis Union Project Coordinator Zita PIDL introduced the brand new ETTU project in front of numerous guests and media representatives. ETTU proudly launched the European Table Tennis Hall of Fame and its web site.   ETTU President Ronald KRAMER highlighted the importance of such historical project.   “I feel quite fortunate the European Table Tennis Hall of Fame come true during my Presidency. The great champions of Europe do deserve their Hall of Fame ” stated ETTU President Ronald KRAMER.   The website honors the champions legendary players coaches and others who have made an exceptional contribution to the development of Table Tennis in Europe.   The member of the ETTHoF selection Panel Walter RÖNMARK who was a member of the board of Swedish Table Tennis from 1994 and elected president from 2003 to 2013 explained few details about the Panel.   “We had a long discussions during our meetings about the selection and we are aware that it will never satisfy everybody. However we did our best according to the agreed criteria. Every year there will be new inductees.”   Some of the legendary stars attended the reception as special guests. Among the guests was Marie HRACHOVA. She is the World vice Champion and European Champion in Mixed Doubles. In 1988 she reached the semi-final stage of the Women’s Singles event at the Seoul Olympic Games; it is the best ever performance by a European female player at the Olympics.   “I recent past I have been  a president of Club in small city where I started to play table tennis and returned there when I finished to play for the national team.  It was more than twenty years ago.  Also I was working as a coach. Last year I got back to playing because one of my players had a baby. It was very good experience for me. ”   Valentina POPOVA was the superstar of the European table tennis is the late seventies and in the eighties. She is nine times European champion; in 1984 she won in all events (team singles doubles and mixed doubles). She was born in Azerbaijan was national team member of Soviet Union. Now she lives in Slovakia.   “Last year I played and I told myself it is enough and I have to finish my career. However I was invited to take a part in the next Veteran Championship that will be held in Moscow and of course I cannot resist playing there. It’s an honor for me to become a part of Hall of fame. ”    “Mr Table Tennis of 2003” Werner SCHLAGER in that year became the first European player to combined the titles at the European and Words Championships. Now he is proud co-owner of the world famous TT Academy.   “I am very happy to be part of the first selection of players. Thank you very much for it.  2003 was a year of big changes for me. It is important for future generation to stay connect with our past and to learn from the best. ”    The first Hall of Fame members are announced: Maria ALEXANDRU (Romania) Mikael APPELGREN (Sweden) Otilia BADESCU (Romania) Viktor BARNA (Hungary England) Csilla BATORFI (Hungary) Stellan BENGTSSON (Sweden) Zoltan BERCZIK (Hungary) Tamara BOROS (Croatia) Richard BERGMAN (Austria England) Fluira BULATOVA (USSR Italy) Gizi FARKAS (Hungary) Jean-Philippe GATIEN (France) Gabor GERGELY (Hungary) Andrzej GRUBBA (Poland) Jill HAMMERSLEY (England) Maria HRACHOVA (Czech Republic) Kjell JOHANSSON (Sweden) Istvan JONYER (Hungary) Tibor KLAMPAR (Hungary) Eva KOCZIAN (Hungary) Johnny LEACH (England) Judit MAGOS (Hungary) Maria MEDNYANSZKI (Hungary) Jörgen PERSSON (Sweden) Valentina POPOVA (USSR Slovakia) Trude PRITZI (Austria) Jörg ROSSKOPF (Germany) Angelica ROZEANU (Romania) Zoya RUDNOVA (USSR) Werner SCHLAGER (Austria) Eberhard SCHÖLER (Germany) Ferenc SIDO  (Hungary) Dragutin SURBEK (Yugoslavia)   Bettine VRIESEKOOP (Netherlands) Ella ZELLER-CONSTANTINESCU (Romania) Jan-Ove WALDNER (Sweden).   The list of 36 names is not final there will benew names added to the ETTHoF in future years.     You can visit web site here START  

Only GAUZY scored against mighty adversaries   For the eight time in the row Germany will play at the final of the Men’s Teams Event at the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships. They will meet Austria in the match for the gold. Today they overcame France in semis.   Best-ranked European player at the ITTF rankings at position no. 5 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV needed three games to give Germany dream start. Emmanuel LEBESSON put some extra pressure in the third game but OVTCHAROV was not in the mood to give away single game 3:0 (11:3 11:8 12:10).   “I was ready this time. In our previous meeting at the European Games in Baku he beat me 3:1. I studied videos with his matches and I was well prepared. He came close at some points but I kept everything under control.”   In the only match where France had better ranked player – Simon GAUZY at position no. 27 it was world’s no. 48 Ruwen FILUS who had a better start. That situation did not last for long. When GAUZY returned to the table in the second set his powerful strokes brought him quick one – all. In third game Ruwen had a better start. He even had three set balls but after being 10:7 down Simon recovered to win the game at 12:10.  In the fourth game we almost saw the re -run of the previous one. Ruwen came to game ball at 10:7 before he lost next point. Luckily for Germany he recovered fast and won that game. In decisive it was GAUZY who prevailed 2:3 (11:9 4:11 10:12 11:9 7:11).   The match between Patrick BAUM and Stephane OUAICHE started with the small marathon. OUAICHE fought hard even won third game but BAUM justified his rankings 3:1 (19:17 11:9 5:11 11:4).   “It was mental game. I was very nervous. Last time he beat me 3:4. The opening game was difficult. Coming into the game at 1:1 puts some pressure ” explained BAUM.   Dimitrij OVTCHAROV beat very much man in form in Ekaterinburg Simon GAUZY in superb style in straight games – 3:0 (11:5 11:6 12:10) to secure the win for his team.   “I was in much better position then Patrick for the game against GAUZY. I entered the game at 2:1 for Germany. I think I played the best match at the tournament against GAUZY.”    

Russia performed at highest level but failed to produce the surprise   Reigning champions team of Germany inflicted the pain into the hearts of the host nation supporters. In three matches they overcame Russia to secure the way to the final of the Women’s Teams Event at the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships.   In titanic battle that kept spectators in Ekaterinburg Expo on the very edges of their seats YIN Hang World’s no. 11 needed 46 minutes to find the way to prevailed against more then determined Yana NOSKOVA World’s no. 99 – 3:2 (11:3 7:11 8:11 11:5 11:7).  Pressure of playing in almost full venue in front of more then enthusiastic supporters brought the best of young player. Her fighting spirit was to admire but at the end it was YIN’s defensive skills that prevailed.   SHAN Xiaona overcame Polina MIKHAYLOVA (8:11 11:7 11:6 12:10). Despite being severely tested against the player who reached the fourth day of the tournament unbeaten SHAN justified her rankings.   Petrisa SOLJA silenced the crowd completely. In the meter of minutes their match headed to one direction with Ana MIKHAILOVA completely disarmed by her adversary 3:0 (11:4 11:6 11:3).   “We are highly motivated. We are now enjoying our victory and then we will prepare for Romania. I’ve been throughout the year in a good shape ” said Petrissa SOLJA.   Germany’s coach SCHOPP praised the spirit of her team.   “We knew that it would be very difficult. Russia has played way over their usual level even in the semi-final against Portugal. YING and Nana showed great fighting spirit ” stated coach Jie SCHÖPP.   In the final Germany will meet Romania.   
”I can still remember the finals in 2013 in Schwechat. This was a match on a high level technically and tactically. At that time especially our strong will have made the difference. We have tomorrow definitely play our best table tennis and show a strong will again.” 


Austria accounted for Belarus on their way to the final After two heavy days and matches that lasted almost until early hours of next day against Russia and Portugal Austria received a little stroke of luck in semis. Yesterday after the match against reigning European Champions Robert GARDOS admitted that they wished for Belarus in the quarters but even Austrian could not dear to wish the team without Vladimir SAMSONOV in the semis.  It was big surprise to see Belarus line up without the key players: Vladimir SAMSONOV and Evgueni CHTCHETININE.   SAMSONOV suffered from the pain in his foot. He was injured last night in the match against Poland. Without SAMSONOV CHTCHETININE could not make bigger difference so at least youngsters got the chance.   Robert GARDOS World’s no. 26 needed one game to worm up against non ranked Gleb SHAMRUK before he concluded the straight games match – (12:10 11:1 11:3).   Stefan FEGERL faced little bit of pressure against Pavel PLATONOV only in closing stages. He lost third game before he won the fourth one 14:12 – 3:1 (11:6 11:6 8:11 14:12).   “We were not at our best. It is hard to perform at top level all the time at such long tournament. I think that our coach QIAN Qianli helped us find the way to play technically the best even when our shape is not at 100 percent ” said FEGERL.   Aliaksandr KHANIN will collect few valuable points for the World Rankings after he seized the opportunity to play in the semis of the European Championships. On his premiere in Ekaterinburg being ranked at the position no. 375 in the World he overcame Daniel HABESOHN World’s no. 63 – 1:3 (8:11 11:7 11:13 7:11). KHANIN’s major success was this year’s bronze at the European Youth Championships in double and mixed double whilst two years earlier he collected bronze in singles and doubles.   “I played relaxed being thankful to get a chance to play at the European Championships. I got nothing to lose here ” admitted KHANIN.   In the final match of the day GARDOS overcame PLATONOV 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:9).   Austria won last medal in Tema’s Event at the European Championships 2011 whilst in 2005 they won silver.

Ukraine proved worthy adversary   Romania booked the place in the final of the Women’s Team’s Event at the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships. In the semi final they overcame Ukraine 3:1.   Romania faced challenging task in the penultimate stage. In recent times there have not been defensive players of high quality in Romanian ranks. The most recent has been Maria ALEXANDRU in 1960 so it was not the ideal style of play for the trio of Elizabeta SAMARA Bernadett SZOCS and Daniela DOEDAN MONTEIRO.   Tetyana BILENKO justified her rankings I the duel against Bernedette SZOCS. Romanian player currently ranked at the position no. 63 at the ITTF rankings suffered by the hands of BILENKO who currently occupies place no. 47. SZOCS could not find the answer for BILENKO’s defensive skills.   “It was not my day. It was to early; I did not enter the match the way I wanted ” said Bernadette SZOCS.   With the style opposite to BILENKO’s Margaryta PESOTSKA stretched Elizabeta SAMARA to full distance. Silver medalist at the European Championships in Stuttgart 2009 at the age of 18 put golden medalist in Team’s Event 2005 SAMARA under severe pressure. In fast exchange of strokes it was PESOTSKA who won the opening game. Next two went to SAMARA’s account by very narrow margin before PESOTSKA recovered to level. In the final tense game SAMARA was more aggressive and accurate so she won the duel.   “I won the decisive game 11:9 and its speaks for itself. We both played very good. Tiny details prevailed; we were completely leveled throughout whole match.”   After two years of absence due the maternity reasons Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO was once again forced to put her fitness and patience to the test in the duel against Ganna GAPONOVA. Daniela made a dream start of her match but GAPONOVA recovered to level. Daniela maintained her patience and forced Ganna into errors to finish the match in victorious style.   “It was physically very demanding match but at the end I am happy with my performance. At 2:2 I run out of ideas. I did not know what to do to stop her. I just add some extra power to my game and it worked.”   Elizabeta SAMARA lost her duel against LI Qian yesterday but today she proved she could deal with the defender. BILENKO was left without many chances.   “When I saw GAPONOVA played against Dana I was motivated to win this match. I also think that she was a little bit afraid.”  

By: Ian Marshall ITTF Publications Editor   Unbeaten on the first two days of play at the Liebherr 2015 ITTF-European Championships in the Russian city of Ekaterinburg there was a well-deserved reward for England’s Paul DRINKHALL on the morning of the third day of action.   He received the Johnny LEACH Most Improved England Player of the Year Award; the presentation was made by Sandra DEATON the Chair of Table Tennis England.   The award is made in the name of player who is a true legend not only of table tennis but of sport; in the 1950s and 1960s Johnny LEACH was a household name.   He stood alongside the great English sporting personalities of the era; the direct result of winning the Men’s Singles title at the World Championships in both 1949 and 1951 whilst being a member of the outfit that won the Swaything Cup in 1953 the only time England has ever secured the title.   Sadly he passed away on Thursday 5th June 2014 he was 91 years old. A prestigious award the accolade acknowledges the success gained by Paul DRINKHALL in the past 18 months. Last April he won the Men’s Singles title at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Spanish Open in Almeria; later in the year in Ekaterinburg he was the runner up at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Airports of Regions Russian Open.   Overall the effect was that he qualified for the prestigious US$ 1 000 000 GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Bangkok where he acquitted himself admirably as he has done this year in Baku at both the NN Table Tennis Club 2015 ITTF Europe TOP 16 and the European Games.    “Paul has made the effort he is motivated he works so hard and most importantly he has shown a determination to improve” said Sandra DEATON who has been very much at the helm of a period of history in English Table Tennis when re-structuring has been necessary.   “He has travelled to ITTF World Tour tournaments on his own initiative I congratulate Paul for the endeavour he has shown” added Sandra Deaton. “He has now played for a long time and still he shows a passion for the sport; he is a very able and talented player and I think now more and more he believes in himself.”   Now 25 years old married to the Joanna the former Joanna PARKER with a son Douggie; Paul DRINKHALL was earmarked by none other than the 1971 World champion Stellan BENGTSSON in 1999 as arguably Europe’s brightest prospect.   “Now it’s even harder for Paul with having a family he has to spend time away from home” continued Sandra Deaton. “In fact I’ve been having trouble finding a time to make the presentation; that’s why we did it here today!”   At last Sandra DEATON caught up with Paul Drinkhall; in the shadow Johnny LEACH the award was made; a memorable moment in Ekaterinburg.      

Portugal lost against five matches thriller After spirited performance of the Austrian team reigning champions team of Portugal concluded their journey at the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Champions one step away from the medal rostrum. For a first time after 2011 Austria is in semis but this time without Werner SCHLAGER CHEN Weixing …however they managed to secure the medal with still lethal Robert GARDOS.   They will meet Belarus in the semi final of the Men’s Teams Event whilst Germany will meet France.   “We were little bit tired after yesterday’s late match against Russia. That is why I was not very confident before the start of my match against Tiago APOLONIA. It was very close game I was even little bit lucky at the end. After you succeed in such duel it give you extra power. I won lost match and that made more relaxed before I played against Marcos FREITAS”.    Robert already beat FREITAS but Marcos proved to strong for Stefan FEGERL in the opening duel. Still Stefen scored in the decisive one against Tiago APOLONIA.   “I am very happy for this result. It is our first semi final after 2009 and 2011 and then it was Werner SCHLAGER CHEN Weixing and Robert as main players in the team. We wished Belarus in the quarters more then Portugal at least. Now we beat Portugal we will meet Belarus and who knows now we can hope for gold.” Germany overcame Greece on their way to the medal rostrum. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV Patrick BAUM and Patrick FRANZISKA prevailed in straight matches against Panagiotis GIONIS Kalinikos KREANGA and Konstantinos PAPAGIORGIU.   “This victory does not make big difference. My thoughts are the same like they were before the game. It is nice to secure the medal but we are here after gold. Gionis PANAGIOTIS won opening game against Dimitrij OVTCHAROV but it did not make big impact on Dima’s game after. In addition Patrick FRANZISKA was 7:9 down in opening game before he beat Kalinikos KREANGA in straight games. After 2:0 for Germany I was not under pressure so it was easer for me to beat Konstantinos PAPAGEORGIU ” explained BAUM.   In the semi final they will meet France. The memories from European Games in Baku are still fresh and they are not so pleasant.   “Yes it brings back the memories when there were only two of us left in the field. I beat Simon Gauzy 3:2 after OVTCHAROV beat MATTENET and before he lost against LEBESSON ” reflected BAUM. ”They have very good team. Here in Russia even without MATTENET they are very dangerous.”   France prevailed against Sweden and Simon GAUZY was the player who secured two points in 3:1 victory.  “I beat Par GERELL recently at the Top 16 in Baku and we meet once three or four years ago. In both occasions I have won. I was aware how dangerous is his service game.  He is one of the best in that part but I managed to impose my rhythm. From the beginning I was in the lead. The key of this match was in the return game ” explained Simon GAUZY. On his second appearance in the court Simon overcame Kristian KARLSSON in straight games. “It was easier match for me then the one against GERELL. I knew his game too. We meet four years ago and I have won. Now I knew how to put him under pressure. Still it was not easy. I was 5:10 down in the second game and eventually won that set 15:13.” Emmanuel LEBESSON beat Kristian KARLSSON in straight games. “After 2:0 in games I was 10:8 up. I lost two set balls because of service. I did not change anything previously; KARLSSON read my service game and changed tactics. He attacked me on forehand close the game. In the finish of the third game which ended 20:18 I was better in the games of will ” said LEBESSON.   Recently France won the silver medal at the European Games in Baku.   “We justified that result now. It did not happened by accident. Less then a year before the start of the Olympic Games this is outcome that makes us all happy.”   Poland made it to the best eight but in the battle for the medal experience prevailed. Belarus booked their place in the semis. The instrumental in their success was once again Vladimir SAMSONOV. He won two matches whilst Evgueni CHTCHETININE joined him for a crucial third point.   SAMSONOV overcame Jakub DYJAS and Daniel GORAK.   “I had a very bad start at this tournament. Against Croatia I lost two matches and if someone asked me after that what will be tomorrow hardly that I will think about the medal. I also faced match ball against Greece…However today everything looks better. DYJAK is for sure very talented player; very dangerous and aggressive. Same stands for GORAK. They really deserved the place in knock out phase at the Championships.”   At 2:2 the man who brought victory was CHTCHETININE.   “I have no choice. Vladi told me I have to win ” joked Evgueni. “DYJAS is very good and talented player but in this situation experience was crucial. It was fifth match in the duel for the medal at the European Championships. For us it is maybe tenth time that we are in this position for young player it is great burden.”