The first Eurotalents TI&S camp for 11 female and male players selected in 2014 was held in the newly opened sport center in Vila Nova de Gaia (Oporto). “The conditions were fantastic. We gathered a total of 8 female and male players together with The first Eurotalents TI&S camp for 11 female and male players selected in 2014 was held in the newly opened sport center in Vila Nova de Gaia (Oporto). “The conditions were fantastic. We gathered a total of 8 female and male players together with 8 Portuguese sparring partners seniors juniors and cadets. Two players from the Netherlands and Belgium were absent because of their previously registered participation at the tournament in Linz as well as one female player from the Czech Republic due to her injury. Our kind hosts headed by our colleague Tiago VIEGAS secured excellent training conditions and quality accommodation as well as many other additional facilities in the center : fitness sauna outdoor athletic stadium…” stated Neven CEGNAR Development Manager TI&S. The main objectives of the camp were: analysis of the current status of automation of the players’ basic technical-tactical elements analysis of the current status of harmonization between the players’ game concept and their motoric and morphological characteristics and technical improvement of players and advising of their coaches on major guidelines in their future work “I would like to point out with the great pleasure that for the entire duration of the camp we had great support from the organization team of people from Portuguese Table Tennis Federation and 8 hardworking and motivated sparring partners who helped our young players in the implementation of the camp program. Everyday training program was divided into two group training sessions and one individual training for improving techniques and improving the game in the first two initial shots in the period from 20.00 to 21.30.“ The entire program of the camp was designed focusing on active participation of all the present coaches.“For each training session I gave the coaches only the basic exercise program units and generally each coach independently held at least one training session during the camp – starting from warming up to the final part of training”.
MECL ultimate clash under Suzhou-effect
Just a week after QOROS 2015 World Championships the first leg of Men`s European Champions League final will be held: Borussia Dusseldorf – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (Sunday May 10th 13h00 CET). Players approaching this clash with mixed feelings from Chinese city Suzhou summing everything they achieved there. Analyzing things from that angle the staff of German champion must be more satisfied than their opponents despite bad news regarding Kamal ACHANTA`s injury. Two Borussia`s players reached quarter-final being unique European representatives in that stage. If it was expected for 2011 WCH bronze medalist in Rotterdam Timo BOLL his young compatriot Patrick FRANZISKA surely exceeded expectations especially bearing in mind that he missed four months in the mid season because of an injury. Two Dusseldorf`s members did a significant progress on updated ITTF World Ranking List: Patrick FRANZISKA went 28 places up – from no. 56 to no. 28 (he was stopped by unexpected finalist Chinese FANG Bo) while Round of 32 participant Kamal ACHANTA jumped from no. 44 to no 32. The Indian forced by injury must withdraw from the event and doctor`s prediction is that he`ll be out of the action for three or even four months. Greek Panagiotis GIONIS who was eliminated by the newly crowned world champion MA Long in the same phase as the Indian climbed three spots from no. 22. to 19. It means that Borussia now has four Top 32 players (Timo BOLL is still no. 7). On the other side Orenburg`s leading man Dimitrij OVTCHAROV surprisingly finished his course in the second round at Suzhou playing seven games against Korean LEE Sangsu. However he continued as the best ranked MECL and European player (no. 6). His team mate Vladimir SAMSONOV the 1997 WCH runner-up in Manchester now reached Round of 16 having five games against actual Olympic champion and 2011 World champion Chinese ZHANG Jike. Both MECL finalist finished group stage on the top (Orenburg in A Borussia in D). Russians suffered just one defeat so far (from defending champion Pontoise in Round 5) playing confident in all other encounters while German squad had a real thriller in the quarter-final: they managed to progress despite 3:1 (11:6) away loss from Pontoise. Timo BOLL who lost in 2015 WCH quarter-final in six games from FAN Zhendong had a perfect 4-0 score in the 2014/15 MECL semi-final against Chartres ASTT. Borussia is record holder with 10 European titles (4 in MECL era – 2000 2009-2011) while Orenburg did it twice (2012 2013). They met just once in the ultimate chapter (2010/11) as German took third title in a row (1:3 away 3:0 home). Timo BOLL & Company will try to bring the 65th trophy in Borussia`s house. The most decorated European club ever plays for its third triple crown after 2009/10 and 2010/11. Considering individual scores in 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League Dimitrij OVTCHAROV leads… Borussia: Timo BOLL 13-2 Panagiotis GIONIS 7-3 Kamal ACHANTA 6-2 Patrick FRANZISKA 2-1 Danny HEISTER 0-1 Orenburg: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 12-1 Vladimir SAMSONOV 9-1 Alexey SMIRNOV 6-4.
Olympic champion CAMPRIANI named as Baku 2015 ambassador
Baku 2015 has today announced that Italian shooter and Olympic champion Niccolò CAMPRIANI will be an Athlete Ambassador for this summer’s inaugural European Games. CAMPRIANI won a gold and silver medal in rifle events at London 2012 setting two Olympic r Baku 2015 has today announced that Italian shooter and Olympic champion Niccolò CAMPRIANI will be an Athlete Ambassador for this summer’s inaugural European Games. CAMPRIANI won a gold and silver medal in rifle events at London 2012 setting two Olympic records in the first event and equalling the Olympic record in the second. He was named the 2012 ISSF Shooter of the Year and went on to complete a Master of Science in Sports Engineering in 2013. Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said: “With only 36 days to go until Baku 2015 it is extremely exciting to bring Niccolò on board as an Athlete Ambassador. Niccolò is the reigning Olympic champion in his discipline and we are delighted to add another world-leading athlete to our line-up of inspirational International Ambassadors.” Baku 2015 Athlete Ambassadors will represent their sports and feature in marketing campaigns around the continent and on social media to promote the European Games. CAMPRIANI said: “I am very excited to be an Athlete Ambassador for the inaugural European Games and honoured to have been chosen alongside leading athletes from across the continent. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to help raise the profile of the first European Games around the world.” Giovanni MALAGÒ President of the Italian Olympic Committee said: “Niccolò is a wonderful addition to the Baku 2015 Ambassador programme. I have no doubt that he will do a fantastic job promoting the European Games as well as building the excitement and support for all our athletes in the lead-up to Baku 2015.” CAMPRIANI joins German table tennis player Dimitrij OVTCHAROV Greek fencer Vassiliki VOUGIOUKA Irish boxer Katie TAYLOR Team GB’s taekwondo athlete Jade JONES French rhythmic gymnast Kseniya MOUSTAFAEVA Denmark’s canoe sprinter René Holten POULSEN Serbia’s 3×3 basketball team of Dušan DOMOVIC BULUT Marko SAVIC Marko ZDERO and Dejan MAJSTOROVIC and Polish mountain biker Maja WLOSZCZOWSKA as Baku 2015 international Athlete Ambassadors with more to be announced in the near future.
2016 Europe Top 16 Cup to be staged in Gondomar
The ETTU Executive Board last week in Suzhou confirmed that the Portugal TTA (FPTM) has been awarded the 2016 Europe Top 16 Cup to be held in Gondomar on 5th-7th February 2016. After the success of the 2014 European Team’s Championships in Lisbon The ETTU Executive Board last week in Suzhou confirmed that the Portugal TTA (FPTM) has been awarded the 2016 Europe Top 16 Cup to be held in Gondomar on 5th-7th February 2016. After the success of the 2014 European Team’s Championships in Lisbon ETTU Governing body accepted the Portuguese candidature with great pleasure. “We had a wonderful atmosphere in Lisbon last September. I hope that the euphoria after Portugal’s great achievement and last year’s gold will help building the same great event next year. The Europe Top 16 Cup is a most prestigious event under ETTU umbrella and I am sure Gondomar’s and all other spectators will enjoy great table tennis “ said ETTU President Ronald KRAMER.
MECL ultimate clash under Suzhou-effect
Just a week after QOROS 2015 World Championships the first leg of Men`s European Champions League final will be held: Borussia Dusseldorf – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (Sunday May 10th 13h00 CET). Players approaching this clash with mixed feelings from Chi Just a week after QOROS 2015 World Championships the first leg of Men`s European Champions League final will be held: Borussia Dusseldorf – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (Sunday May 10th 13h00 CET). Players approaching this clash with mixed feelings from Chinese city Suzhou summing everything they achieved there. Analyzing things from that angle the staff of German champion must be more satisfied than their opponents despite bad news regarding Kamal ACHANTA`s injury. Two Borussia`s players reached quarter-final being unique European representatives in that stage. If it was expected for 2011 WCH bronze medalist in Rotterdam Timo BOLL his young compatriot Patrick FRANZISKA surely exceeded expectations especially bearing in mind that he missed four months in the mid season because of an injury. Two Dusseldorf`s members did a significant progress on updated ITTF World Ranking List: Patrick FRANZISKA went 28 places up – from no. 56 to no. 28 (he was stopped by unexpected finalist Chinese FANG Bo) while Round of 32 participant Kamal ACHANTA jumped from no. 44 to no 32. The Indian forced by injury must withdraw from the event and doctor`s prediction is that he`ll be out of the action for three or even four months. Greek Panagiotis GIONIS who was eliminated by the newly crowned world champion MA Long in the same phase as the Indian climbed three spots from no. 22. to 19. It means that Borussia now has four Top 32 players (Timo BOLL is still no. 7). On the other side Orenburg`s leading man Dimitrij OVTCHAROV surprisingly finished his course in the second round at Suzhou playing seven games against Korean LEE Sangsu. However he continued as the best ranked MECL and European player (no. 6). His team mate Vladimir SAMSONOV the 1997 WCH runner-up in Manchester now reached Round of 16 having five games against actual Olympic champion and 2011 World champion Chinese ZHANG Jike. Both MECL finalist finished group stage on the top (Orenburg in A Borussia in D). Russians suffered just one defeat so far (from defending champion Pontoise in Round 5) playing confident in all other encounters while German squad had a real thriller in the quarter-final: they managed to progress despite 3:1 (11:6) away loss from Pontoise. Timo BOLL who lost in 2015 WCH quarter-final in six games from FAN Zhendong had a perfect 4-0 score in the 2014/15 MECL semi-final against Chartres ASTT. Borussia is record holder with 10 European titles (4 in MECL era – 2000 2009-2011) while Orenburg did it twice (2012 2013). They met just once in the ultimate chapter (2010/11) as German took third title in a row (1:3 away 3:0 home). Timo BOLL & Company will try to bring the 65th trophy in Borussia`s house. The most decorated European club ever plays for its third triple crown after 2009/10 and 2010/11. Considering individual scores in 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League Dimitrij OVTCHAROV leads… Borussia: Timo BOLL 13-2 Panagiotis GIONIS 7-3 Kamal ACHANTA 6-2 Patrick FRANZISKA 2-1 Danny HEISTER 0-1 Orenburg: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 12-1 Vladimir SAMSONOV 9-1 Alexey SMIRNOV 6-4.
TT world coming together to help Nepal
Following the terrible earthquake in Nepal last week a ceremony was staged during the Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships to show table tennis’s support to the Nepal Table Tennis Team. Support was provided from various sources including th Following the terrible earthquake in Nepal last week a ceremony was staged during the Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships to show table tennis’s support to the Nepal Table Tennis Team. Support was provided from various sources including the ITTF Athletes’ Commission Continental Federation Presidents National Associations as well as the United Nations Sport for Development and Peace and the International Table Tennis Federation. The main theme of the ceremony was players supporting players.“We can only imagine how difficult it is of course to the team and also to their country” said Vladimir SAMSONOV Chair of the ITTF Athletes’ Commission. He organized signed shirts from the world’s leading players to be donated to Nepal and received an offer from Belgium’s Jean-Michel SAIVE to conduct a coaching session. “We are with them in their grief” added Vladimir SAMSONOV. “You can still feel the sadness in here.” Thomas WEIKERT ITTF President having already sought out the Nepalese earlier in the week again expressed the condolences of the entire ITTF family and stated his commitment to personally join them for the opening of the UNOSDP Project in November this year. Additionally the Presidents of all six Continental Federations – CAI Zhenhua (Asia) Khaled EL-SALHY (Africa) Ronald KRAMER (Europe) Juan VILA (Latin America) Tony KIESENHOFER (North America) and James MORRIS (Oceania) – agreed to donate a combined sum of US$ 10 000 to help with relief of Nepalese players and their families. The International Table Tennis Federation and UNOSDP are to launch in the November a three year project worth over US$ 100 000 for the development of para table tennis in Nepal. Young Sam MA Co-chair of the UN International Working Group on People with Disabilities himself an International Umpire umpiring here in Suzhou was there to announce the support. “We feel deeply sorry for the tragedy in Nepal; I was in Kathmandu last December to prepare a the project ” said Leandro OLVECH the ITTF Development Director. “What we do today is just a small gesture to show that we’re with them; not only today but also in the next three years by running a long term project.” “The heart of the table tennis family is with the Nepalese inhabitants” added Leandro OLVECH. “We give a small gesture and we will see what happens; we pray there are not so many deaths and everything will be fine; I’ve spoke to the coach and some table tennis players thankfully no one in their family was hurt. “I would like to thank everyone from my heart it’s almost like a dream to get some gifts and support from former champions and ITTF members” said Shrestha NABITA aged 23 a Nepalese female player. “It’s great that we can meet like this; you are taking care of our country there is humanity in the International Table Tennis Federation.” Notably leading players from China Germany Korea Japan Sweden Austria Nigeria and Peru attended the ceremony as did ITTF Executive Committee members SHI Zhihao Masahiro MAEHARA and Petra SORLING China’s WANG Liqin three times Men’s Singles World champion and the Chinese Table Tennis Association were all on hand to present signed national team shirts from many past and present world champions while representing Korea Yang HAEUN recently crowned World Mixed Doubles Champion was personally present to provide a signed training shirt to the Nepalese team. Many other players also showed solidarity with the Nepalese including the Slovak Republic’s Para player Alena KANOVA and Germany’s Petrissa SOLJA.
Yekaterinburg next stop of LI Qian and LI Jie
It is self-evident that two babies now playing with two bronze medals from 2015 QOROS World Table Tennis Championships proud on their mums LI Qian (Poland) and LI Jie (Netherlands) unique Europeans on the podium in Chinese city Suzhou. Two recently pair It is self-evident that two babies now playing with two bronze medals from 2015 QOROS World Table Tennis Championships proud on their mums LI Qian (Poland) and LI Jie (Netherlands) unique Europeans on the podium in Chinese city Suzhou. Two recently paired players who gave a birth in last year and half went to China without big expectations but returned as heroes. “At the beginning we just wanted to try how can we play together. I didn’t use to play doubles before thus LI Jie was surprised that I`m doing so well. We didn’t think about medal just to play good. We enjoyed playing together and that was very important” said LI Qian speaking for the website of Polish National Association. LI Qian already had several big achievements in singles event like bronze medal from 2011 European Championships in Gdansk-Sopot and gold from 2009 Euro-Top 12 in Stuttgart. But in last seven years she didn`t participate in the doubles. Whilst LI Jie took two European medals in pairs with Elena TIMINA playing in Ostrava 2010 (silver) and in Gdansk-Sopot 2011 (bronze). “We played great against Mima ITO and Miu HIRANO” said LI Qian about crucial match that she and LI Jie had in Sozhou (they beat Japanese pair 4:3). “All other games we won easier until clash against DING Ning and LI Xiaoxia (0:4) who played on unbelievable level. We are not able to train together on a daily basis as Chinese stars do. We can meet only on major international tournaments and it is not enough to oppose them. After first two sets we started to read better their game but then it was too late”. Polish coach Zbigniew NECEK is satisfied how Polish-Dutch pair played: “Our cooperation is so good and some new participation is already planned including 2015 European Championships in Yekaterinburg (25th September-4th October)”.
MA Long is the 2015 Men’s World Champion
The 53rd World Championships concluded at the Suzhou International Expo Centre with the remaining two titles Men’s Singles and Women’s Doubles World titles being decided. World number one MA Long (CHN) became the Men’s World Champion f The 53rd World Championships concluded at the Suzhou International Expo Centre with the remaining two titles Men’s Singles and Women’s Doubles World titles being decided. World number one MA Long (CHN) became the Men’s World Champion for the first time in front of the capacity crowd in Suzhou. With this being his fourth time participation at world championships MA played his first World Championships Men’s Singles gold medal stage tonight in Suzhou. His best result at past world championships was in the semifinals where he met the now retired WANG Hao (CHN) on all three occasions. The 26 year old faced compatriot FANG Bo who eliminated hot favorites XU Xin (CHN) as well as two-time defending and Olympic champion ZHANG Jike (CHN) en route to the finals. Determined to get hold of the St. Bride Vase MA was all fired up to dominate the court in front of the home crowd. Despite all of FANG’s efforts to turn the situation in his favour MA won 4-2 (11-7 7-11 11-4 11-8 11-13 11-4) to claim the title that has eluded the world number one all these years. “It is like a dream come true. Having losing in the semifinals at the three world championships previously honestly I have a lot of pressure to earn this title. At the end of the day I think these was worth it.” shared the newly crowned champion. In the other gold medal match of the night DING Ning (CHN) who reclaimed her Women’s Singles title last night in the most dramatic fashion put up a good fight with partner LI Xiaoxia (CHN) in the Women’s Doubles gold medal match. Facing teammates LIU Shiwen and ZHU Yuling DING/LI pulled off amazing rallies during the match to take the lead early in the match despite DING having difficulty moving around with her sprained ankle. LIU/ZHU equally determined to take home the title trailed closely behind in the match. LIU/ZHU eventually prevailed 4-3 (8-11 11-8 3-11 11-8 11-13 11-8 11-8) to emerge victorious to claim the title. This defeat means that DING Ning has now played four Women’s Doubles finals in a row and have lost them all! LIU who lost her women’s singles title against DING the night before expressed: “I was very upset after the loss last night. While I know I only have to accept it. I’d like to thank my coach teammates and friends for their support.” The 24 year old added: “Since I had doubles to play today I knew I had to be mentally tough. I cherish this match because I’ve never won the championship in single’s event before and I knew I had to give it my best effort tonight.” Other than the two World Championship titles that was won Japan’s 14 year old sensation Mima ITO won the Qoros Newcomer award for her outstanding performance at the Qoros 2015 World Championships. She battled her way to the quarterfinals on her debut here in Suzhou. Gold Medalists at the Qoros 2015 World Championships: Men’s Singles: MA Long (CHN) Women’s Singles: DING Ning (CHN) Men’s Doubles: ZHANG Jike / XU Xin (CHN) Women’s Doubles: LIU Shiwen / ZHU Yuling (CHN) Mixed Doubles: XU Xin (CHN) / YANG Haeun (KOR) #ITTFWorlds2015 Statistics: Total viewership in 6 days: 223 332 000 Total unique viewership on CCTV on 2 May 2015: 99 027 000 which is the 6th highest rating sports show on CCTV in 2015 Total viewership between 27 April – 2 May: 223 332 000 Total unique people have seen content on ITTF’s facebook page between 26 April – 2 May: 2 373 752 Total unique people who have visited ITTF’s website between 26 April – 2 May: 8 560 318 With the perfect closing of the Qoros 2015 World Team Table Tennis Championships the 54th edition of the World Championships will be staged in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in February 2016.
XU & ZHANG clinched Men’s Doubles Gold
China’s XU Xin and ZHANG Jike are the new Men’s Doubles World Champions after being victorious at the Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships in Suzhou China. In the final XU and ZHANG overcame teammates FAN Zhendong and ZHOU Yu 4-2 (12- China’s XU Xin and ZHANG Jike are the new Men’s Doubles World Champions after being victorious at the Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships in Suzhou China. In the final XU and ZHANG overcame teammates FAN Zhendong and ZHOU Yu 4-2 (12-14 11-7 11-9 9-11 11-7 11-9). XU added the gold to his Mixed Doubles title with his Korean partner YANG Haeun to become the first international mixed doubles champions since 1954. On their route to gold the dynamic duo took down international pairing of Timo BOLL (GER) and MA Long (CHN) and Japan’s Masataka MORIZONO and Yuya OSHIMA among other strong contenders for the crown. “I am very happy to win my first ever doubles title at the World Championships. The support from the media and cheers from the fans in the venue definitely was a huge motivation behind the win ” said ZHANG. XU added: “Very honored to be able to win both doubles medals but honestly it feels a little incomplete for me having knocked out early in the Men’s Singles event.”
LI & LI put Europe on medal list
The only medal winners coming from Europe are LI Jia and LI Qian. The successful combination of Dutch and Poland’s girls reached semi final of the Women’s’ Doubles Event at the Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships in Suzhou China. In the penultima The only medal winners coming from Europe are LI Jia and LI Qian. The successful combination of Dutch and Poland’s girls reached semi final of the Women’s’ Doubles Event at the Qoros 2015 World Table Tennis Championships in Suzhou China. In the penultimate stage they have been beaten in the duel against newly crowned World singles Champion DING Ning and LI Xiaoxia of China 4:0 (11:5 11:2 11:7 11:6). “It was very difficult to play against them. We were to slow for our adversaries and could not find the answer for their top spins ” stated LI Jie. The adjustment to Chinese style is crucial for European challengers. “We do not have opportunity to play on trainings against Chinese stars. Only time we meet is on big Championships and then it is too late. It was the same case here. Before third game we struggled to find the rhythm and to read our opponents. After third things got better but then it was to late ” explained LI Qian. On their way to the medal rostrum LI jie and LI Qian overcame HU Melek of Turkey and SHEN Yanfei of Spain KIM Hye Song and KIM Jong of Korea Miu HIRANO and Mima ITO of Japan and Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden and Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia. “Beside the last duel and the match against young Japan’s players all the rest were easy for us.” said LI Jie. The encounter against HIRANO and ITO in the second Round was something different. “We did not expect we would win it. We were relaxed and we just keep on playing. Eventually w won it 4:3 ” explained LI Qian.
