Maryam IMANOVA will represent Azerbaijan at the forthcoming 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16. IMANOVA placed at position 672 at the current World Rankings will play against top European players but she showed no fear. “I am looking f Maryam IMANOVA will represent Azerbaijan at the forthcoming 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16. IMANOVA placed at position 672 at the current World Rankings will play against top European players but she showed no fear. “I am looking forward begin of the tournament. I will give my best I am not nervous at all ” said IMANOVA. IMANOVA has International experience since she already played at two European Championships in Austria and Lisbon and at the Word Championships in Tokio. “I never had opportunity to play against girls listed here it will be great experience for me. I think that LI Jiao is big favorite here ” said Maryam.

Last year was one of the best seasons in the career of Georgina POTA. She is currently no. 14 on ITTF World ranking list and this is her highest ranking so far. POTA’S first significant achievement was the gold from 2002 Junior European Youth Championship Last year was one of the best seasons in the career of Georgina POTA. She is currently no. 14 on ITTF World ranking list and this is her highest ranking so far. POTA’S first significant achievement was the gold from 2002 Junior European Youth Championships in Moscow; she was also two times winner of World Junior Circuit in Lima 2002 and Orebro 2003. Her best result on World Championships was the Round of 32 at Shanghai 2005. She finished 4th on recent 2014 World Cup in Linz. She had several successes on European Championships since the team gold in 2007 Belgrade. With Krisztina TOTH won gold in doubles event in 2008 European Championships in Saint-Petersburg. She had an important role in historical 2013/14 season for Berlin Eastside when German side took all three possible titles: German League and Cup and European Champions League. Few days ago POTA played semi final match of The ECL and unfortunately for TTC Berlin Eastside Fenerbahche with two more Top 16 participants Elizabeta SAMARA and Irene IVANCAN progressed to the final. POTA is seeded at position no. two at the forthcoming 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku “I am not sure about my shape now. We will see soon. I could not make any special preparation for the event since we have very busy schedule in this part of the year. I have a lot of matches with Berlin and I played at Hungarian Open ” stated POTA. January was fruitful for POTA. “At the beginning of the month we won the German Cup. However also in December I played pretty good in Bangkok. I was third and for me it was an amazing result ” said POTA with nice smile. In previous conversations many players placed POTA at the position of main favorite for the title at the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku. “My expectations for Top16 are simple. I just want to play good and win as many matches as I can. It would be nice to reach the semi final. Top 16 is one of the strongest competitions in the year. Best European players are playing against each other. The season is still young and I have not chance to play with lot of them recently. I do not know what to expect.”

HU Melek had top preparations for the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku. She was in China getting ready for the very long and important season. “Right now I am in China. My first goal is to show good performance at the Top 16 … HU Melek had top preparations for the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku. She was in China getting ready for the very long and important season. “Right now I am in China. My first goal is to show good performance at the Top 16 but this season there are many tournaments. However the event in Baku is my first in the season and it is important for me to make a good start ” said HU Melek. Currently HU occupies spot no. 28 at the World rankings. “The competition in Baku is fierce. Everyone can beat everyone. All the players are very strong and leveled. It will be difficult for all of us but I hope for good result.” HU won gold medals twice in Women’s Singles Event at the Mediterranean games in 2009 and 2013. In 2010 she won bronze medal at the European championships. “I already played at the Top12 previously and my best result is third position in 2011 ” stated HU who was fifth in Paris 2013 at the World Championships and reached the same position year latter in World Cup. Melek lifted the trophy in ETTU Cup twice with Fenerbahce and last year she was runner up with the same club.

The beginning of the year offers high quality table tennis events all over the globe as usual. With club’s season reaching climax the tournaments are also on top player’s agenda. Before the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku at the b The beginning of the year offers high quality table tennis events all over the globe as usual. With club’s season reaching climax the tournaments are also on top player’s agenda. Before the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku at the beginning of the February European Champions League reached semi final stage. Among quarterfinalists was Tiago APOLONIA’S 1 FC Saarbrucken. They lost against Gazproma Orenburg. “I travel a lot lately and we have a lot of matches. I do not have time for special preparations for Baku ” stated APOLONIA. Maybe he will not have special preparations but he will have a chance to see main adversaries on duty. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Vladimir SAMSONOV played for winning team Orenburg in last weekend’s ECL quarters against German club. For Saarbrucken also played Adrien MATTENET. Like APOLONIA French player also failed to score against Russia’s giants. “In Saarbrucken I lost against OVTCHAROV. It was a good game. He is in good shape. On the other side I had some minor injuries which prevented me from playing at highest level. Most important thing is that I feel good now and I hope to be at top shape in Baku.” APOLONIA will play for a third time at Top 16. “That is most prestigious tournament in Europe and I like the playing format. So far my best result is quarterfinal. I reached it last year in Lausanne. I hope for better this season ” stated Tiago APOLONIA.    

At the DHS Europe Cup last year in Lausanne Petrissa SOLJA reached fourth position. Once again she is at the list of competitors at the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku “Last year it was it great to play in Lausanne. I was very&#823 At the DHS Europe Cup last year in Lausanne Petrissa SOLJA reached fourth position. Once again she is at the list of competitors at the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku “Last year it was it great to play in Lausanne. I was very happy with the result. I reached the semi final and I will try to do it again this year. I am looking forward to Baku ” said Petrissa. At three different European Youth Championships SOLJA won seven medals in total. She was Old Continent’s cadet champion in Terni 2008 and Prague 2009 and junior European Youth Championships runner-up in Kazan 2011. Two more significant achievements Petrissa had on the global stage winning 2010 World Junior Circuit in Seligenstadt and taking the bronze on the 2012 World Junior Championships in Hyderabad. Talented left-hander became one of the youngest winner of Women’s European Champions League when she reached the 2012/13 title with Linz AG Froschberg. She currently plays for actual German and WECL champion TTC Berlin Eastside. She had a quality warming up period before Baku. “I think I am in good shape now. I had a lot of important matches before Baku; the second ECL match League match and the Hungarian open. I used these matches as good preparation. “ Asked about favorites for title in Baku SOLJA remained secretive. “I am afraid to say who the main favorite is. I guess that all matches will be tough and everything can happen. It has been long time since I have played against most of them ” said Petrissa SOLJA.

Baku 2015 European Games has announced that food producer Azersun Holding and supermarket chain Bazarstore are now Official Supporters of the inaugural event. Both companies are household names in Azerbaijan and will bring enhanced visibility to the Baku Baku 2015 European Games has announced that food producer Azersun Holding and supermarket chain Bazarstore are now Official Supporters of the inaugural event. Both companies are household names in Azerbaijan and will bring enhanced visibility to the Baku 2015 brand helping to raise awareness and increase anticipation for the Games. As Official Supporters of the event Azersun Holding and Bazarstore will benefit from unrivalled marketing activation opportunities in the run-up to and during the Games. Mr Azad RAHIMOV Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015 said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome these two leading Azerbaijani companies as Official Supporters of the first European Games. Azersun Holding and Bazarstore are an established part of life for millions of Azerbaijanis and their support will help to continue the momentum growing around Baku 2015.” Azersun Holding will be the Official Tea Supplier of Baku 2015 through its brand Azerçay which will also be the provider of Official Tea Products of Baku 2015. Azersun Holding has the right to use the Baku 2015 logo and composite branding in marketing and promotional activities including to feature the Baku 2015 logo on the packaging of Azerçay products and composite branding in TV adverts leading up to the Games. Mr Savas UZAN Chief Executive Officer of Azersun Holding said: “We are proud to be Official Supporters of the first European Games. Tea drinking is an important part of our country’s culture and the hospitality Azerbaijan is famous for. By supporting the European Games Azersun Holding and Azerçay will be part of a warm welcome for our guests at Baku 2015.” Bazarstore has been granted the rights to produce all official Baku 2015 merchandise for sale to the public. As the Official Supermarket of Baku 2015 Bazarstore will retail official Baku 2015 merchandise from its flagship store a number of pop-up outlets and a location at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. Baku 2015 branding will feature in Bazarstores across Azerbaijan on the company’s vehicle fleet in-store promotions staff uniforms and customer carrier bags and in billboard advertising. Mr Tahir GOZAL Member of the Board of Azersun Holding said: “We are delighted that Bazarstore will be the Official Supermarket of Baku 2015 and play its part in this historic moment for Azerbaijan. “By producing and retailing official Baku 2015 merchandise we will involve our staff and customers in the excitement and anticipation generated by the first European Games. Bazarstore Azersun Holding and Azerçay are proud to be joining a winning team by supporting Baku 2015.” Mr Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said: “These agreements bring the European Games the support of two of Azerbaijan’s best-known companies as well as Azersun Holding’s popular tea brand Azerçay. By having Bazarstore and Azersun Holding as Official Supporters we will be able to bring Baku 2015 into people’s daily lives.” The contracts mean that Baku 2015 now counts seven Official Supporters with Bazarstore and Azersun Holding joining McDonald’s Azerbaijan Milla Motorola Solutions Sitecore and Tickethour as well as seven Official Partners Azal Airlines BP Coca-Cola Nar Mobile P&G SOCAR and Tissot. Mr Charlie WIJERATNA Commercial Director of Baku 2015 added: “These agreements with Azersun Holding and Bazarstore take our announced sponsors to 14 companies and show that the Baku 2015 brand is going from strength-to-strength. Both companies complement our strong existing roster of Official Supporters and Official Partners very well. Having the best supermarket in Azerbaijan managing our merchandising and retailing both in venues and around the country is extremely positive for this project.”  

When you are playing in European Champions League and in Bundesliga you hardly can get better preparations for any event in Europe. That is the fact that Panagiotis GIONIS underlined before the start of the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 When you are playing in European Champions League and in Bundesliga you hardly can get better preparations for any event in Europe. That is the fact that Panagiotis GIONIS underlined before the start of the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku. The member of the Borussia Dusseldorf enjoyed the most successful year of his career in 2013 when he guided Greece to runners up spot in the Men’s Team event at the LIEBHERR European Championships in Schwechat. Later he reached the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event losing to Vladimir SAMSONOV. “I am in good shape. I do not need any special preparations matches in Bundesliga are sufficient. Recently I beat CRISAN and STEGER; my score is 12:4 in Bundesliga and 7:1 in Champions league so I am very happy with current form ” explained GIONIS. A stalwart of the Greek Men’s Team he has played in 16 consecutive World Championships commencing in 1997 in Manchester; he has competed in the three most recent Olympic Games and in 2009 in Pescara he won the Men’s Singles title in the table tennis events at the Mediterranean Games. At Top 12 last year he reached 7th position. “For Top 16 my goal is to be in quarter final as a first step and then to fight for semis.” Your favorites? “Marcos FREITAS is very strong at the moment. And not to mention Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. There will be fierce matches.” The event in Baku will be good rehearsal for the forthcoming inaugural European Games this summer. “I hope I will fight for medal in June. Also I hope for good result in Bundesliga and at the World Championships.” Greek national Coach Konstantinos VATSAKLIS added: “Events like Top 16 are a great challenge. The opportunity for the best of Europe to play against each other is good thing not only for players but for spectators as well. Our goal therefore is to fight for the quarter-finals and our main strength is good current shape and generally high class of Panagiotis. He also had the experiences of such matches especially after last year’s participation in the Europe Cup and the World Cup. The draw and the “day” will certainly play their role”.  

Timo BOLL withdrew from the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku. World’s no. nine has problems with the right hip flexor and he was forced to make a three-weeks break from competitions. The empty space opened the opportunity for Paul DR Timo BOLL withdrew from the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku. World’s no. nine has problems with the right hip flexor and he was forced to make a three-weeks break from competitions. The empty space opened the opportunity for Paul DRINKHALL of England who will play as no. 15 seed. BOLL’S focus is now on the German Open (March 18 to 22 in Bremen) and the World Championships in late April in Suzhou China. “The comfortable situation in the German Bundesliga with my club Borussia Düsseldorf is giving me this opportunity. I have often said that I have to “weigh” where and what to play. For my body a break from competition is very helpful and crucial” said BOLL. In Baku in men’s event will play: Dmitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany Marcos FREITAS of Portugal Vladimir SAMSONOV of belarus Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal GIONIS Panagiotis of Greece Andrej GACINA of Croatia Robert GARDOS of Austria Bastian STEGER Stefen MENGEL of Germany Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden Simon GAUZY Adrien MATTENET of France Joao MONTEIRO of Portugal Par GERELL of Sweden Paul DRINKHALL of England Farhad ISMAYILOV of Azerbaijan.  

Baku 2015 European Games has signed contracts to ensure the inaugural event will be broadcast in Spain Portugal Estonia Latvia and Slovenia. The new deals with public broadcasters RTVE (Spain) ERR (Estonia) LTV (Latvia) RTV Slovenija (Slovenia) an Baku 2015 European Games has signed contracts to ensure the inaugural event will be broadcast in Spain Portugal Estonia Latvia and Slovenia. The new deals with public broadcasters RTVE (Spain) ERR (Estonia) LTV (Latvia) RTV Slovenija (Slovenia) and subscription-based Sport TV (Portugal) all include daily coverage commitments or a minimum number of sport competition hours to be screened during the Games. Baku 2015 now has agreements in place to allow over one billion viewers worldwide to follow the event. Mr Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said: “I’m very happy to announce that Baku 2015 has signed broadcast agreements with five more leading networks from across Europe bringing our running total of announced countries to 47 worldwide. It is important that as many people as possible are able to share in the inaugural edition of the European Games this summer. With 130 days to go until the Opening Ceremony these new deals are a great step in achieving that aim.” In addition to providing extended competition coverage throughout the Games Spain’s RTVE will screen the Opening and Closing Ceremonies live. The network will also air a series of ‘Road to Baku’programmes focusing on preparations for Baku 2015 while Sport TV will cover the Games on a dedicated 24-hour channel to be broadcast in their home market of Portugal as well as in Mozambique and Angola. RTV Slovenija Latvia’s LTV and Estonia’s ERR have also committed to extensive coverage of the Games. Mr Charlie WIJERATNA Commercial Director of Baku 2015 said: “These agreements will bring the inaugural European Games to tens of millions of viewers across Europe and beyond. All of these broadcasters are Olympic rights holders for Rio 2016 and bring with them a wealth of experience in broadcasting major sports events. A key part of Baku 2015’s commercial offering has been our ability to secure broadcast agreements and I’m delighted that we’re continuing to deliver on this objective. This announcement shows that we are continuing to raise the profile of the event across the continent.”