Baku 2015 European Games has today signed an agreement with The Coca-Cola Company to serve as an Official Partner of this summer’s inaugural event. The deal will see the Baku 2015 brand exclusively displayed on the Company’s Coca-Cola and Bonaqua Water la Baku 2015 European Games has today signed an agreement with The Coca-Cola Company to serve as an Official Partner of this summer’s inaugural event. The deal will see the Baku 2015 brand exclusively displayed on the Company’s Coca-Cola and Bonaqua Water labels throughout Azerbaijan. Coca-Cola will also release limited edition product packaging dedicated exclusively to Baku 2015 and launch an integrated marketing campaign to help raise awareness of the Games. Mr Azad RAHIMOV Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015 said: “I am very pleased to confirm Coca-Cola as an Official Partner of the inaugural European Games. “They are a brand with international recognition and a long association with major multi-sport events which make them a perfect partner for Baku 2015. Coca-Cola is the world’s leading manufacturer marketer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverages producing more than 500 brands of products in more than 200 countries and serving over 1.9 billion drinks every day. Ms Galya Frayman MOLINAS President of Coca-Cola Turkey Caucasus and Central Asia Business Unit said: “We are very proud to be supporting the inaugural European Games which will soon become one of the international calendar’s leading multi-sport events. This is an exciting opportunity to support a new and innovative event that will unite Europe in a celebration of sport and active lifestyle and we are looking forward to developing our relationship with Baku 2015.” Coca-Cola has a long history of supporting the Olympic movement having first sponsored the Olympic Games in Amsterdam in 1928 and every Games since. Mr Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said: “Coca-Cola’s association with major sporting events makes this agreement an excellent opportunity to spread the word about Baku 2015. With the help of all our Official Partners and Supporters we will deliver an exceptional event that will engage and excite the entire continent in an historic celebration of sport this summer.” Coca-Cola is the seventh Official Partner of the Baku 2015 European Games joining Azerbaijan Airlines BP Nar Mobile P&G SOCAR and Tissot.
Women’s 2015 ETC duels starts in Hodonin
2015 Women’s ETTU Cup starts with the quarterfinal duel between SKST Mart Hodonin and KTS Spar Zamek Tarnobrzeg. Four time runner ups will travel to Hodonin on another quest for a first title. In previous round SKST Mart Hodonin beat SKNT Luch Vladimir 3: 2015 Women’s ETTU Cup starts with the quarterfinal duel between SKST Mart Hodonin and KTS Spar Zamek Tarnobrzeg. Four time runner ups will travel to Hodonin on another quest for a first title. In previous round SKST Mart Hodonin beat SKNT Luch Vladimir 3:1 whilst Polish club played in the European Champions League and concluded first phase at the position no. three in their group. Russia’s Kazan will host two times winners of the ETTU Cup – Spanish Ucam Cartagena TM on Saturday whilst Metz TT will meet Hungarian Budaors day latter. Last year Budaorsi 2I SC overcame ACS Dumbravita UCAM Cartagena overcame Madalena 3:0 whilst Kazan succeeded against Bursa BKK in thrilling five matches encounter. In Men’s ETTU Cup three matches will be played on Sunday: Istres Tennis de Table vs. Eslov Vaillante Angers vs. Caen and Olimpia Unia Grudziadz vs. Zoetermeer. GV Hennebont will host La Romagne on January 23rd.
Baku 2015 EG volunteers to be called Flamekeepers
Baku 2015 has today announced that volunteers at the inaugural European Games will be known as Flamekeepers. The name reflects the volunteers’ central role in promoting the spirit of the event and is also an homage to Azerbaijan the Land of Fire and the Baku 2015 has today announced that volunteers at the inaugural European Games will be known as Flamekeepers. The name reflects the volunteers’ central role in promoting the spirit of the event and is also an homage to Azerbaijan the Land of Fire and the passion and warmth of its people. Mr Azad RAHIMOV Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015 said: “The European Games volunteer programme offers a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved with Baku 2015 and support Azerbaijan on the international stage. All of our Flamekeepers will gain valuable experience while taking part in a landmark moment in the history of our country with the programme leaving a lasting legacy of delivering a major multi-sport event in Azerbaijan.” Recruitment for Games volunteers is underway and more than 16 000 hopefuls have already applied online for selection. Baku 2015 will recruit 12 500 volunteers by the time the Games begin on 12 June and is conducting hundreds of interviews on a weekly basis. Flamekeepers can expect to enjoy key roles during the Games including assisting athletes and dignitaries working at sport competitions or providing assistance to spectators or the media. Mr Farhad HAJIYEV Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation and Baku 2015 Organising Committee board member said: “The chance to take part in the first European Games and welcome the whole of Europe to Baku is tremendously exciting for the people of Azerbaijan. We have one of Europe’s youngest populations and becoming a Flamekeeper will be a great opportunity for young people to contribute to our country’s renowned hospitality and enthusiasm for sport.” Mr Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said: “At any major multi-sport games the athletes are the heart of the event and the volunteers are the soul. The Flamekeepers will help make Baku 2015 a spectacular celebration of sport this summer and leave a lasting legacy which will keep the volunteer flame burning when Azerbaijan hosts many more major international events in the future.” In return for their contribution to Europe’s first multi-sport Games Flamekeepers will benefit from free public transport to venues uniforms meals and a SIM card provided by Nar Mobile the Official Partner of the Baku 2015 volunteer programme. Nar Mobile is also the official mobile telecommunications service provider of Baku 2015 and will help promote the Games through in-store advertising social media channels text messaging and a number of short films to engage with volunteers. Applications for the Baku 2015 volunteer programme are open and more information can be found here
OVTCHAROV and HAN hold top positions
Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV holds the top of the Men’s first rankings in 2015. Best ranked player at the women’s list is HAN Ying of Germany. Germany’s players dominated in both lists. No. two at the Old Continent is Timo BOLL followed by Marcos FREITAS Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV holds the top of the Men’s first rankings in 2015. Best ranked player at the women’s list is HAN Ying of Germany. Germany’s players dominated in both lists. No. two at the Old Continent is Timo BOLL followed by Marcos FREITAS of Portugal Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal Patrick BAUM of Germany Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece and Steffen MENGEL of Germany. In Women’s list LIU JIa of Austria is ranked at position no. two Georgina POTA of Hungary is placed at third position followed by LI Fen of Swden YU Fu of Portugal Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania and SHAN XIaona of Gemany. Leading names at Under 21 Boy’s and Girl’s lists are Simon GAUZY of France and Petrissa SOLJA of Germany.
Steffen MENGEL replaces Patrick BAUM in Baku
The list of participants at the forthcoming 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF-Europe Top-16 Cup went under changes. After withdrawal of Patrick BAUM the name of Steffen MENGEL entered the list. In addition Matilda EKHOLM also withdrew from the position of r The list of participants at the forthcoming 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF-Europe Top-16 Cup went under changes. After withdrawal of Patrick BAUM the name of Steffen MENGEL entered the list. In addition Matilda EKHOLM also withdrew from the position of reserve player. BAUM was forced to cancel his participation due the illness. The situation is severe and everybody expects that Patrick will decide on spring whether he will remain in competitive sport. Right now he is under treatment and future is uncertain. “I would like to play Table Tennis in Future. We have to see if that’s possible” he said to the magazine “tischtennis” this month. At the moment Patrick practice with his brother at home. The German Table Tennis Association would be very happy if he would have his comeback in the national team soon. In men’s event at the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF-Europe Top-16 Cup will play Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Timo BOLL of Germany Marcos FREITAS of Portugal Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece Andrej GACINA of Croatia Robert GARDOS of Austria Bastian STEGER and Stefen MENGEL of Germany Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden Simon GAUZY and Adrien MATTENET of France Joao MONTEIRO of Portugal Par GERELL of Sweden and Fahrad ISMAYLOV of Azerbaijan. The list in women’s event starts with LIU JIa of Austria. In Baku will also play Hungary’s Georgina POTA Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania LI Jiao of Netherlands HU Melek of Turkey WU JIaduo of Germany LI JIe of Netherlands Petrissa SOLJA of Germany Iveta VACENOVSKA of Czrch Republic Kristin SILBEREISEN of Germany Irene IVANCAN of Germany Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine LI Qian of Poland Polina MIKHAILOVA Bernadette SZOCS and Maryam IMANOVA of Azerbaijan.
Terrific FREITAS opens the gap
Reigning MECL champion AS Pontoise Cergy defeated Borussia Dusseldorf 3:1 in the first quarter final leg held in France. Ten-time European champion will be faced with a big challenge in the returning game on January 23rd. In opening encounter Marcos FR Reigning MECL champion AS Pontoise Cergy defeated Borussia Dusseldorf 3:1 in the first quarter final leg held in France. Ten-time European champion will be faced with a big challenge in the returning game on January 23rd. In opening encounter Marcos FREITAS beat Panagiotis GIONIS in four games. First two sets were close while Portuguese dominated in the next two. When WANG Jian Jun overcame Timo BOLL in second game reigning MECL champion had very comfortable situation. Chinese made a key step in the last fourth set when he sent two unstoppable serves in a row collecting four consecutive points in total (5:3 9:3). They met many times in MECL and German had more success like in 2008/09 semis and in 2009/10 final (both times Borussia beat Charleroi). Tonight BOLL missed two set balls in the third set and it was one of two crucial moments in this clash. Indian Sharat Kamal ACHANTA beat Kristian KARLSSON in five games of third match thus Borussia got a new hope to provide good result before returning leg in Dusseldorf (January 23rd 19h00 CET). Swede had 2:1 (9:8) advantage but guest managed to level. In the latest set ACHANTA `s decisive run came after 4:4 when he got four points in a row. Two world`s Top 10 players and two left-handers met in the fourth match Marcos FREITAS (no. 10) against Timo BOLL (no. 9). It was remake of the decisive clash at 2014 Team`s European Championships in Lisbon when FREITAS overcame BOLL to provide the gold medal for Portugal over Germany. As in that game Portuguese needed four sets to defeat great German. Third set was most exciting one. Guest managed to save four set balls but host ended this chapter after long and thrilling rally. FREITAS made an impressive feat in the fourth set concluding the match by six consecutive points (5:8 11:8). MECL quarter final leg1 AS Pontoise Cergy – Borussia Dusseldorf 3:1 Marcos FREITAS – Panagiotis GIONIS 3:1 (11:8 7:11 11:4 11:3) WANG Jian Jun – Timo BOLL 3:1 (4:11 11:7 13:11 11:8) Kristian KARLSSON – Sharat Kamal ACHANTA 2:3 (10:12 11:7 11:4 9:11 7:11) Marcos FREITAS – Timo BOLL 3:1 (11:8 8:11 13:11 11:8).
High-class semis to appoint the finalists
The last two weeks of the month of January will show us who are the finalists of the 2014/15 Women`s European Champions League. For sure Austria will have its representative in the ultimate chapter bearing in mind that two club from that country will me The last two weeks of the month of January will show us who are the finalists of the 2014/15 Women`s European Champions League. For sure Austria will have its representative in the ultimate chapter bearing in mind that two club from that country will meet in the semi final – SVNO STROCK – Linz AG Froschberg (1st leg January 19th 19h00 CET) while in other clash German TTC Berlin Eastside will fight against Turkish Fenerbahce (1st leg January 17th 19h00 CET). When Linz plays against STROCK it`s always super motivation for both sides so it`s clear that new amazing encounter will be seen at WSA Hall in Schwechat. Since WECL establishing Froschberg always played in semi finals winning two titles 2009 and 2013 while the best result of the youngest WECL club STROCK is the 2011/12 final. LIU Jia & Co. are 14 times Austrian champion taking all national crowns from 1998 until now except three which belonged to its biggest opponent STROCK (2011 2012 2014). Schwechat club is the actual national champion. In the group stage Froschberg (4-2 score) showed more than STROCK (2-4) finishing on the top of Group B in front of reigning WECL champion Belin Eastside. LI Xiaodan is still unbeaten (5-0). She won all her four games in both matches against German side while LIU Jia lost all four. Regarding STROCK`s performances in Group A they lost all four first rounds but reached the semis thanks to the wins against Szekszard (3:0 home) and Zamek (3:2 away). After that game STROCK`s published on its website its new motto: “We have no reason to fear of anybody” ! But Linz sent clear messages that the final is reserved for its girls. We`ll see after the returning leg on January 22nd. Top seeded Fenerbahce went to Germany with awareness of the last season`s final when they were beaten in both games by TTC Berlin Eastside (3:2 away 3:0 home). Turkish champion is again considered as big favorite for the crown winning all six games in the group stage. With two strong Chinese options WU Yang (world`s no. 7 the best ranked WECL player) and WEN Jia actual runner-up has a big advantage. On the other side Berlin is fully motivated to repeat achievements in its best season ever (last year they reached all three titles German League and Cup and WECL). Good thing for coach Irina PALINA is the fact that Georgina POTA plays excellent (she occupies her best ever no. 14 on ITTF WR list) and that Petrissa SOLJA confirmed that she is able to secure important points as team`s no. 3. Of course SHAN Xiaona knows very well how big expectations are from her. 2014/15 WECL semi finals leg1 TTC Berlin Eastside – Fenerbahce (January 17th 19h00 CET) SVNO STROCK – Linz AG Froschberg (January 19th 19h00 CET)
UMMC in France without MIZUTANI
In the next ten days we’ll know who are the semi finalists of the 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League. First quarter final leg will be held this Thursday and Friday: FC Saarbrucken – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (January 16th 19h00 CET live and free on L In the next ten days we’ll know who are the semi finalists of the 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League. First quarter final leg will be held this Thursday and Friday: FC Saarbrucken – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (January 16th 19h00 CET live and free on LAOLA1.tv) Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki – Wienviertel Niederosterreich (January 16th 18h30 CET) Chartres ASTT – TTSC UMMC (January 16th 19h00 CET) AS Pontoise Cergy – Borussia Dusseldorf (January 15th 19h45 CET live and free on LAOLA1.tv) No. 1 seed Orenburg arrived to Dusseldorf on December 10th having five days preparation in Borussia`s home. Leading trio of Russian champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV Vladimir SAMSONOV and Alexey SMIRNOV are familiar with this place because they used to play in this German club. In Saarbrucken they will be clear favorite but big home defeat against Pontoise in the last round of group stage warnings them that there is no easy games in MECL. The host side actual ETTU Cup winner is able to beat anybody in Joachim-Deckarm-Halle. Coach Slobodan GRUJIC hopes that Tiago APOLONIA will use his „good memories” from recent 2014 TMS European Championships in Lisbon where the best Saarbrucken`s player overcame Dima OVTCHAROV in the final of Team’s Event (Portugal – Germany 3:1). In Poland five times national champion Bogoria plays against the 2008 MECL winner Niederosterreich. Tomasz REDZIMSKI`s side has never been played in the semi final and that is a special motivation for Daniel GÓRAK Robert FLORAS i Pawel FERTIKOWSKI supported by Korean OH Sang Eun. Austrian side has a lot of confidence after it reached the top spot in super close Group B overtaking such strong time like Chartres and Werder Bremen. Strong defender HOU Yingchao Stefan FEGERL and Daniel HABESOHN will try to push their club to the place wher it used to be in Werner SCHLAGER`s time. French champion Chartres the runner-up of MECL 2012/13 hosts the 2011/12 MECL finalist UMMC. Host side showed in last few seasons that its trio GAO Ning Robert GARDOS Par GERELL is able to beat anybody in the Europe. On the other side two times Russian champion still has no MECL title and everybody in Verkhnaya Pyshma hope that maybe this season could be that one. “We are faced with very hard rival and as I used to say: there are no easy opponents in MECL. Even we go to France without MIZUTANI and the fact that SHIBAEV is not fully recovered I hope that MONTEIRO and VLASOV will be able to provide us good result” stressed UMMC coach Tatiana KUTERGINA. The best UMMC player is not in the team because of his participation on National Championship of Japan where he will defend the title. Two title pretenders Pontoise and Borussia will meet in France. Host club defends the crown while Timo BOLL & Company will try to reach new one after three bad seasons. Both coaches Peter FRANZ and Danny HEISTER said that chances are 50-50 %. German champion has two unbeaten players so far Timo BOLL and Panagiotis GIONIS while Pontoise`s players have minimum one loss each: Marcos FREITAS 4-1 WANG Jian Jun 5-2 Kristian KARLSSON 4-1. MECL Quarter finals/1st leg FC Saarbrucken – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (January 16th 19h00 CET) Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki – Wienviertel Niederosterreich (January 16th 18h30 CET) Chartres ASTT – TTSC UMMC (January 16th 19h00 CET) AS Pontoise Cergy – Borussia Dusseldorf (January 15th 19h45 CET)
Men’s and Women’s ECL live streams on ETTU TV
This week we will have live coverage of Men’s and Women’s European Champions League matches. The duels will be broadcast LIVE and FREE on http://ettu.laola1.tv as well as in the LAOLA1.tv APPs (IOS/Android). On Thursday 15th January 2015 at 19:45 (CET) y This week we will have live coverage of Men’s and Women’s European Champions League matches. The duels will be broadcast LIVE and FREE on http://ettu.laola1.tv as well as in the LAOLA1.tv APPs (IOS/Android). On Thursday 15th January 2015 at 19:45 (CET) you can watch Men’s ECL match AS Pontoise Cergy TT vs. Borussia Düsseldorf http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/as-pontoise-cergy-tt-borussia-dusseldorf/282632.html Friday 16th January 2015 from 18:30 (CET) Bogoria Grodzick Mazowiecki vs. Weinviertel Niederösterreich http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/bogoria-grodzick-mazowiecki-weinviertel-niederoesterreich/284802.html 1.FC Saarbrücken – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/1-fc-saarbruecken-fakel-gazproma-orenburg/282633.html On Saturday 17th January 2015 at 19:00 (CET) Women’s ECL match TTC Berlin Eastside vs Fenerbahce Sport Club http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/ttc-berlin-eastside-fenerbahce-sport-club/284805.html Monday 19th January 2015at 19:00 (CET) SVS Ströck vs. Linz AG Froschberg http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/svs-stroeck-linz-ag-froschberg/282639.html
BOLL: “Our biggest challenge so far”
This Thursday Men’s European Champions League continues by the first quarter-final game as actual winner will host ten times champion of Old Continent: AS Pontoise Cergy – Borussia Dusseldorf (19h45 CET live and free on LAOLA.1tv). Both sides have the s This Thursday Men’s European Champions League continues by the first quarter-final game as actual winner will host ten times champion of Old Continent: AS Pontoise Cergy – Borussia Dusseldorf (19h45 CET live and free on LAOLA.1tv). Both sides have the same goal to win this prestigious competition and both agree that chances are 50-50! “Pontoise is our biggest challenge in this season” stressed Timo BOLL for Borussia`s website. “Marcos FREITAS became a real top player Kristian KARLSSON develops his play while WANG Jian Jun is dangerous for any player. When they have a good day they can beat everybody as they did last season. They are not accidentally the best MECL club”. It will be interesting to see new meeting between former Borussia`s Marcos FREITAS and six times individual European champion Timo BOLL. Pontoise`s no. 1 player beat great German in decisive game of the recent final of TMS Team’s European Champion held in Lisbon. Portugal defeated Germany 3:1 and the same score was in the clash between FREITAS and BOLL in the last fourth match. “This is the time when we need to confirm how strong we are exactly” emphasized Borussia`s manager Andreas PREUSS. Both sides played excellent in group stage. Borussia finished on the top of Group D as one of two undefeated clubs after six rounds (UMMC is the other one). Pontoise concluded Group A by the 3:0 away win against 2014/15 MECL top seed Fakel Gazproma Orenburg but Russian champion went to the quarter final as no. 1 in the group. Good news for Borussia`s coach Danny HEISTER is that Patrick FRANZISKA has recovered from injury and he will join the teammates in France. Rematch will be held in ARAG CenterCourt in Dusseldorf on January 23rd (19h00 CET).
