Baku 2015 European Games has been recognised for its exceptional new branding by a major international design website.Design Week has named the new look of the inaugural European Games which was launched in August as one of the biggest rebrands of 2014 al Baku 2015 European Games has been recognised for its exceptional new branding by a major international design website.Design Week has named the new look of the inaugural European Games which was launched in August as one of the biggest rebrands of 2014 alongside several other high-profile companies. The brand was developed by Baku 2015 European Games Operations Committees’ design team alongside renowned agency SomeOne who are based in London. Mr Simon CLEGG Baku 2015 Chief Operating Officer said: “I would like to congratulate everyone who worked on the rebrand which is already immediately identifiable with the inaugural European Games and has also brightened up the city streets here in Baku. The recognition by Design Week is a great achievement and helps to raise awareness of the European Games around the world.” Inspired by the natural beauty of Baku the striking rebrand will feature on venues tickets uniforms and all official merchandising of the inaugural European Games. Central to the new brand is the pomegranate tree which symbolises unity in Azerbaijani folklore. Interwoven with the branches of the tree are historical symbols of the country’s heritage and culture along with eye-catching pictograms of the different sports and disciplines. Mr Charlie WIJERATNA Commercial Director of Baku 2015 said: “The colourful brand is central to the marketing activity that will help to promote the European Games globally. We are very proud of our work that is already recognised instantly as being innovative and representative of Baku 2015.”
ETTU President’s end of year message
This is the moment of the year when everyone looks back on the year that is coming to its end and looks forward to the year to come. This is not different for your President. The year 2014 has been the first full calendar year that the Executive Board el This is the moment of the year when everyone looks back on the year that is coming to its end and looks forward to the year to come. This is not different for your President. The year 2014 has been the first full calendar year that the Executive Board elected in Schwechat (AUT) in October 2013 has been in office. In this year I think we have managed to become a well organised and very active team. With the assistance of our Secretary General and his Deputy and all others who work closely with us we have succeeded in bringing back a great deal of the very much needed stability in ETTU’s organisation. However this does not mean that we can rest on our laurels on the contrary there is still much work to be done to bring ETTU closer to the goals we formulated when we were elected. These will take some further years to be achieved. We can be very proud on all our events organised in 2014 from the Youth Top-10 in Tours (FRA) to our Club Competitions and from our Youth Championships in Riva del Garda (ITA) to the European Championships in Lisbon (POR) and the success of our youth at the World Cadet Challenge in Bridgetown (BAR). Also our Congresses with a new format appeared to be successful and promising for future decision-making. Due to difficult preparatory circumstances only the experimental Team Veterans Championships did not meet our expectations. Travelling throughout Europe – and elsewhere – in 2014 I have met so many enthusiastic people contributing to our sport that it has strengthened my opinion that we are very well prepared for the future. I have met many people who want to contribute by organising our events but also to the development of table tennis at all levels. Although many people are contributing the appointment and subsequent work of Neven CEGNAR as our Development Manager cannot stay unmentioned here. With very limited resources we have seen much progress in this field. My year 2014 is however ending with mixed feelings! Let me explain. We experienced an emotional and unexpected ending of the men’s final during our European Championships so warmly organised in a very short period of time by our Portuguese friends guided by Pedro MOURA. And recently the Portuguese men’s table tennis team was elected ‘sports team of the year’ and Pedro RUFINO as ‘coach of the year’ in Portugal. This is very good promotion for table tennis in Portugal deserving our congratulations. Some weeks later Europe’s five men players lost with a small difference from the Asian men during the Euro-Asia All Star Challenge in China (4-6). And finally I witnessed the prize ceremonies at the World Junior Table Tennis Championships in Shanghai…. Not one European flag could be raised. So on one hand we are enjoying great table tennis in Europe while on the other hand the gap between Europe and Asia in the future does not seem to be closing rather on the contrary. In 2015 and further years to come we will have to work on new insights and methods of recognising developing and supporting our European talents. The selection in 2014 of eleven ‘Eurotalents’ provides a promising start. We must strengthen our quality criteria for training and coaching for management and ultimately for selecting and supporting our players. And we will need to further the cooperation with our Asian friends. In my meetings with many of them I have discovered their serious willingness to do so. Having said this I would like to sincerely thank everybody involved in European table tennis for their hard work in 2014 and hope for 2015 that we will see further progress in the quality of our events and in the development of our players and coaches. I wish ETTU and all visitors of our website an enjoyable end of 2014 and a happy start of 2015!
The final nominees for the Dubai Star Awards announced
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) announced the nominees for the Male & Female Para Star Star Coach and Star Point which will be announced at the Dubai 2014 ITTF Star Awards in Dubai on 7 January 2015. The 2nd edition of the ITTF Star The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) announced the nominees for the Male & Female Para Star Star Coach and Star Point which will be announced at the Dubai 2014 ITTF Star Awards in Dubai on 7 January 2015. The 2nd edition of the ITTF Star Awards will take place at the Armani Hotel at the base of the world’s tallest building the Burj Khalifa which is a fitting location to honor the world’s best players. The nominees in the running to be crowned a 2014 Table Tennis Star are: Female Para Table Tennis Star presented by Stag Sandra PAOVIC (CRO)- World number 1 in Women’s Class 6 2014 Para Table Tennis World Championships Class 6 Women’s Singles winner; MAO Jingdian (CHN)- World number 2 in Women’s Class 8 2014 Asian Para Games Class 8 Women’s Singles & Class 6-8 Women’s Teams winner 2014 Para Table Tennis World Championships Class 8 Women’s Singles & Class 6-8 Women’s Teams winner; Melissa TAPPER (AUS)- World number 6 in Women’s Class 10 2014 Para Table Tennis World Championships Class 10 Women’s Singles bronze medalist. Male Para Table Tennis Star presented by Tinsue Alvaro VALERA (ESP)- World number 1 in Men’s Class 6 2014 Para Table Tennis World Championships Class 6 Men’s Singles & Class 6-7 Men’s Team winner; Holger NIKELIS (GER)- World number 2 in Men’s Class 1 2014 Para Table Tennis World Championships Class 1 Men’s Singles bronze medalist & Class 1 Men’s Teams silver medalist; Nesim TURAN (TUR)- World number 3 in Men’s Class 4 2014 Para Table Tennis World Championships Class 4 Men’s Singles winner & Class 5 Men’s Teams silver medalist. Star Coach presented by Butterfly KONG Linghui (CHN)- Head coach of Chinese Women’s National Team. Coached the Chinese women’s team to 24 wins and no defeats at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships; Pedro RUFINO (POR)- Head-coach of Portuguese Men’s National Team. Coached the men’s team from quarterfinal the year before to gold this year in the European Championship team event. They were only one set from being eliminated in the group stage and they turned it around to win gold. All the top players in Portugal has better ranking now then in the beginning of the year; Volker ZIEGLER (GER)- Head-coach of German Para Table Tennis National Team. After taking over the national-team in 2013 Germany has doubled up the amount of medals from four (comparing from last World Championship 2010 and Paralympics games 2012) to eight medals at this year’s Para World Championship. Star Point presented by DHS: CHUANG Chih-Yuan vs JOO Se Hyuk – ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships Quadri ARUNA vs ZHANG Jike – LIEBHERR 2014 Men’s World Cup MA Long vs FAN Zhendong – GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour – China Open FENG Tianwei vs SEO Hyowon – ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships DING Ning vs WU Yang – GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour – China Open The Star Point will be determined by the public vote at ITTFStarAwards.com and the other three categories chosen by an expert panel made up from ITTF officials their peers and members of the media. For information on the other award nominees please click here:.
Baku 2015 EG announces first international Athlete Ambassadors
Baku 2015 European Games has today announced the first international athletes who will become Ambassadors for next summer’s inaugural event. The high-profile athletes have been selected to represent their sports and will feature in marketing campaigns ar Baku 2015 European Games has today announced the first international athletes who will become Ambassadors for next summer’s inaugural event. The high-profile athletes have been selected to represent their sports and will feature in marketing campaigns around the continent to promote the first ever European Games. French rhythmic gymnast Kseniya MOUSTAFAEVA and Denmark’s canoe sprinter René Holten POULSEN have been selected along with Serbia’s Basketball 3×3 team of Dušan Domovic BULUT Marko SAVIC Marko ZDERO and Dejan MAJSTOROVIC. Mr Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said: “The Ambassador programme will see support for the inaugural European Games from high profile athletes from around Europe as well as Azerbaijani medal hopefuls so we are confident it will be a success. I would like to congratulate the first of our international Athlete Ambassadors that have been selected and we are very much looking forward to working with them and the remaining Ambassadors who will be announced over the coming months to help promote Baku 2015.” The six international athletes will feature in extensive marketing campaigns in their home countries and on social media to promote the European Games. Mr Domovic BULUT 29 who is considered one of the world’s best players said: “It is very exciting for an innovative sport like Basketball 3×3 to be included in a major multi-sport event such as the European Games and we are sure that fans will love the speed and skill of our game. We are looking forward to competing against Europe’s other top teams at Baku 2015.” Ms MOUSTAFAEVA 19 said: “I am extremely excited to be representing Gymnastics ahead of Baku 2015. With all five disciplines of Gymnastics featuring at the European Games I am sure it will be a wonderful event with the best athletes in Europe.” And Mr POULSEN 26 who won a silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games said: “The Canoe Sprint competition at Baku 2015 is sure to be a memorable occasion and it is an honour to be selected as an Ambassador for my sport for the first ever European Games.” Baku 2015 recently announced 11 Azerbaijani Athlete Ambassadors and there are plans to announce more international Athlete Ambassadors in the near future.
MIZUTANI accounted OVTCHAROV in Bangkok
Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI won the Men’s Singles title at the US$ 1 000 000 GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Bangkok. In a final MIZUTANI the top seed beat Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV the second seed in a gripping full distance seven games c Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI won the Men’s Singles title at the US$ 1 000 000 GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Bangkok. In a final MIZUTANI the top seed beat Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV the second seed in a gripping full distance seven games contest (14-12 12-10 8-11 11-3 6-11 12-14 11-6). It was Jun MIZUTANI who made the better start he won the first two games both settled by the minimal margin. However in the third game the advantage swung in favour of Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. He went ahead 7-1 before Jun MIZUTANI staged a recovery to reduce the deficit to three points at 9-6. Jörg ROSSKOPF the German National Men’s Team coach fearing a momentum change called “Time Out”. It proved a wise move; Dimitrij OVTCHAROV remained firm to win the game and reduced the deficit to one. Immediately MIZUTANI responded to secure the fourth game. A comfortable fourth game win for MIZUTANI; it was an equally decisive fifth game success for Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. It was to be much different in the sixth game. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV went ahead 8-6; MIZUTANI levelled at 9-all and the saved game point on three occasions to stand level at 12-all. He called “Time Out”; a break it worked but it worked for Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. He won the next two points a deciding seventh game beckoned. In the decisive seventh game MIZUTANI led 5-4 when the players changed ends and at 10-5 held five match points; the first was saved not the second. Jun MIZUTANI collects US$ 100 000 for his efforts; Dimitrij OVTCHAROV departs with US$ 60 000. In the semi final Jun MIZUTANI accounted for Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS the no.5 seed (11-9 11-7 11-6 4-11 11-9) before Dimitrij OVTCHAROV the no.2 seed followed suit. Impressively he accounted for Hong Kong’s TANG Peng the no.11 seed in four straight games (11-6 11-8 11-6 11-7). Outstanding en route to the final Japan’s Kasumi ISHIKAWA maintained the form shown in the earlier rounds to win the Women’s Singles title. At the final hurdle she beat Korea’s SEO Hyowon the ninth seed in four straight games (11-7 11-7 11-3 11-9) to arrest the title. In the semi final Kasumi ISHIKAWA the no.2 seed ended the hopes of Georgina POTA the no.10 seed (11-6 11-3 11-7 11-5).
Dutch NOC*NSF President addresses ETTU EB
At the end of the Executive Board Meeting (EB) in Netherlands (10-11 December 2014) Dutch NOC*NSF President André BOLHUIS informed the EB from the “first hand” of the main decisions of the IOC meeting last weekend in Monaco. “I’m just back from the IOC e At the end of the Executive Board Meeting (EB) in Netherlands (10-11 December 2014) Dutch NOC*NSF President André BOLHUIS informed the EB from the “first hand” of the main decisions of the IOC meeting last weekend in Monaco. “I’m just back from the IOC extraordinary session in Monaco. The Agenda 2020 with its 40 recommendations not only have been discussed by the IOC members but also has been approved unanimously. A milestone not only for the Olympic Movement but also for the sport in general. IOC President BACH proclaimed frequently in Monaco that this is the time for change. He quoted even Shakespeare in a slightly modified way by saying: ‘to change or to be changed’ that’s the question. Due to the approval of the 40 recommendations changes certainly will come soon; not only for NOCs but also for international and European sports federations” said BOLHUIS. A new framework for the Olympic programme has been approved. “This means that medal events will be restricted to 310 events at future summer Games. However at the same time the number of sports won’t be limited. Additionally an increase of mixed events has been recommended by the session too. For some federations for sure these restrictions will create new opportunities for their Olympic programme. For others it will require rethinking of their Games’ participation. Additionally true gender equality at various sports has been added to the recommendations which will make it even more complicated for some federations. In relation to table tennis it seems you have been a real trailblazer for some sports with already organising single double and team events for men and women at the Olympic Games.” But there is more change to come. “In 2015 the inaugural European Games will be held in Baku Azerbaijan. As a member of the Coordination Commission of the European Games I’m following the preparation of the Games closely. In less than 200 days the opening ceremony will take place. I can tell you it will be impressive and inspiring Games. The organizing committee is doing very well venue preparations are on schedule agreements with national broadcasters are on its way and official sponsors have joined already. And above all the Games will have a significant impact on the people of this beautiful and emerging country. I am well aware that the European Games are a fully integrated and high level competition on the ETTU events agenda and that the European Games in Baku provide direct qualification for athletes for the Olympic Games in Rio. A vey wise decision by the ETTU which not only will boost the European Games but also will have for sure an important impact on table tennis in Europe. “ In his speech André BOLHUIS paid gratitude to ETTU. “The European Table Tennis Union in October 2013 has elected Ronald Kramer as its new President. Of course as the President of the Dutch NOC*NSF your decision made me proud and I would like to thank ETTU for this appointment. Ronald Kramer has gained a lot of experience in the past in the Netherlands as president of the Dutch Table Tennis Association and also as a professional at the Ministry of Sport; and not to forget as a very capable professional at our very own Dutch Olympic Committee.“ One of the main goals of the Dutch NOC and the Dutch federations is to provide a true contribute to the international world of sports and to strengthen sports in the Netherlands and abroad. “Knowledge exchange being a good host for congresses and major sporting events and participation in European and international committees are our main targets. Therefore Ronald Kramer’s Presidency of ETTU is in full line of the NOC’s ambitions and the Dutch NOC*NSF will support Ronald Kramer’s Presidency whenever needed.”
Europe’s trio in the Grand Finals semis
In the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles Event at the US$ 1 000 000 GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals Dimitrij OVTCHAROV will play against TANG Peng; in the opposite half of the draw Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI will face Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS. In the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles Event at the US$ 1 000 000 GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals Dimitrij OVTCHAROV will play against TANG Peng; in the opposite half of the draw Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI will face Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS. OVTCHAROV succeeded against CHUANG Chih-Yuan in the thrilling seven games quarterfinal duel. In the decisive seventh game Dimitrij OVTCHAROV led 5-4 at the change of ends; CHUANG Chih-Yuan recovered to level at 6-all and promptly called “Time Out”. He won the next two points to lead 8-6 before Dimitrij OVTCHAROV secured the next four points to hold two match points at 10-8. CHUANG Chih-Yuan saved the first not the second when a forehand top spin finished in the base of the net. “The result could have gone either way; one point at any stage could have made all the difference” said Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. “We both changed out tactics several times during the match; it’s always a great fight between us although usually I have managed to win CHUANG Chih-Yuan is a good friend it was a great match.” Marcos FREITAS won the first two games against Koki NIWA; he lost the third but then established a 7-6 lead in the fourth. Koki NIWA called “Time Out” a break that was to prove fruitful he progressed to win the win the game being the more positive of the two players. Arguably Marcos FREITAS was relying too much on his blocking skills and area of his play where he was experiencing problem. Matters level in the fifth game Marcos FREITAS established a 10-7 lead he lost the next two points and duly called “Time Out”; a prudent move he won the next point. Three games to two ahead in the sixth game once again Marcos FREITAS led 10-7 again the next two points went to Koki NIWA. The Portuguese star was pinned against the ropes he fought and turned disadvantage to advantage; the point of the day bought FREITAS a semi-final place. Semi-finalist in the Women’s World Cup in the Austrian city of Linz earlier this year Hungary’s Georgina POTA was once again in outstanding form on the evening of Saturday. At the quarter-final stage of the Women’s Singles event she booked her place in the penultimate round to match the achievement of some two months earlier. Occupying the no.10 seeded position in the competition Georgina POTA beat Portugal’s YU Fu the no.15 seed in five games.
Europeans in fast lane at Grand Finals
The top seed Jun MIZUTANI was the player to perform the biggest recovery experienced to date at the US$ 1 000 000 GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok. Today he recovered from a two games to nil deficit to bea The top seed Jun MIZUTANI was the player to perform the biggest recovery experienced to date at the US$ 1 000 000 GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok. Today he recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat compatriot Misataka MORIZONO the no.10 seed. Jun MIZUTANI succeeded in seven games in the first round of the Men’s Singles Event. Hong Kong’s TANG Peng the no.11 seed overcame England’s Paul DRINKHALL the no.4 seed in a duel that experienced a most bizarre incident. In the fourth game TANG Peng was leading 11-10 Paul DRINKHALL was pinned to the ropes; inexplicably the Englishman stopped the point the common belief was that the ball had broken. It was not the situation. “The umpire’s alarm clock went ding ding ding” reflected TANG Peng who went on to win the match. “I won that game and I did feel confident in that game I was down 6-10 so it was an important stage of the match.” Gradually TANG Peng asserted his authority on proceedings. “I knew how Paul played he’s a good player” added TANG Peng. “He is physically strong but I’m mentally strong.” Marcos FREITAS the no.5 seed accounted for Hong Kong’s WONG Chun Ting the no.15 seed; Koki NIWA the no.3 seed ended the hopes of Korea’s CHO Eonrae . At the quarter-final stage Jun MIZUTANI plays Germany’s Steffen MENGEL; Marcos FREITAS confronts Koki NIWA; TANG Peng meets Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany overcame Yuto MURAMATSU of Japan in straight games. Tomorrow he will meet CHUANG Chih Yuan the player who beat Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal. YU Mengyu was the player to cause the biggest upset in the first round of the Women’s Singles event. She beat Germany’s HAN Ying in six games. YU Mengyu was the no.13 seed as opposed to HAN Ying who occupied the no.3 seeded position; also HAN Ying is a defensive player and of all the current high level female backspin players she is the most defensive. Korea’s SEO Hyowon accounted for Austria’s LIU Jia the no.6 seed. Sayaka HIRANO the no.12 seed accounted for Sweden’s LI Fen the no.5 seed At the quarter-final stage SEO Hyowon plays Singapore’s FENG Tianwei. Sayaka HIRANO confronts YU Mengyu Ai FUKUHARA opposes the Kasumi Ishikawa. Georgina POTA of Hungary beat Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania and in the quarterfinal she will meet YU Fu of Portugal. Portugal’s player overcame SHAN Xiaona of Germany in seven thrilling games.
OVTCHAROV and LIU Jia topping Top 16 invitation list
ETTU invited European elite players to the 2015 ITTF-Europe TOP-16 which will be held on the 6 – 8 February 2015 in Baku. Germany is the country with the most of the representatives – four men and four women. According to the December 2014 World Ranking ETTU invited European elite players to the 2015 ITTF-Europe TOP-16 which will be held on the 6 – 8 February 2015 in Baku. Germany is the country with the most of the representatives – four men and four women. According to the December 2014 World Ranking following players are nominated for the tournament: Dmitrij OVTCHAROV and Timo BOLL of Germany Marcos FREITAS of Portugal Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal Patrick BAUM of Germany Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece Andrej GACINA of Croatia Robert GARDOS of Austria Bastian STEGER of Germany Michael MAZE of Denmark Adrian CRISAN of Romania Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden Simon GAUZY of France Adrien MATTENET of France Farhad ISMAYILOV of Azerbaijan. Substitutes are Stefen MENGEL (only to replace one from Germany) Joao MONTEIRO of Portugal Par GERELL of Sweden Paul DRINKHALL of England Patrick FRANZISKA (only to replace one from Germany) Liam PITCHFORD of England Grigory VLASOV of Russia. For Women’s Singles invited players are: LIU Jia of Austria Georgina POTA of Hungary Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania LI Jiao of Netherlands HU Melek of Turkey WU Jiaduo of Germany Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus LI Jie of Netherlands Petrissa SOLJA of Germany Iveta VACENOVSKA of Czech Republic Kristin SILBEREISEN of Germany Irene IVANCAN of Germany Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine LI Qian of Poland Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN of Romania Maryam IMANOVA of Azerbaijan. Substitutes are: Sabine WINTER (only to replace one from Germany) Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia Bernadette SZOCS of Romania Natalia PARTYKA of Poland Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden NI Xialian of Luxembourg and Britt EERLAND of Netherlands. The deadline for the confirmation is 22nd December.
Baku 2015 EG opens press accreditation process
Baku 2015 European Games has today opened the press accreditation process for next summer’s inaugural sporting event. Members of the press who wish to attend Baku 2015 must first register for access to the Press Extranet. Press accreditation requirements Baku 2015 European Games has today opened the press accreditation process for next summer’s inaugural sporting event. Members of the press who wish to attend Baku 2015 must first register for access to the Press Extranet. Press accreditation requirements only applies to members of the press. Rights-holding television and radio broadcasters should not submit requests for press accreditation. The deadline to apply is 6 March 2015 and no further application will be accepted after that date. In addition to accreditation information the Extranet also has important information about the facilities and services that will be available to press during the European Games as well as access to an extensive media library of pictures and videos. Mr Simon CLEGG Baku 2015 Chief Operating Officer said: “The inaugural European Games will be a fantastic celebration of sport that will be enjoyed worldwide and we are delighted to now be able to formally invite global press to join us here in Baku. I would urge all members of the press who wish to attend to submit their accreditation requests as soon as possible.” The Press Extranet and information on where to register can be found here: http://www.baku2015.com/en/news/press-extranet
