The most important international junior table tennis event of the year the Wisdom 2014 World Junior Table Tennis Championships has kicked off today in Shanghai China. The prestigious event sees 192 players from 41 countries battle for the 7 gold medal The most important international junior table tennis event of the year the Wisdom 2014 World Junior Table Tennis Championships has kicked off today in Shanghai China. The prestigious event sees 192 players from 41 countries battle for the 7 gold medals on offer: boy’s and girl’s team boy’s and girl’s singles boy’s and girl’s doubles and mixed doubles over the next 8 days. For 38 of these players high-level competition is no stranger for them as they competed in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games earlier in the year just down the road in Nanjing China. Within these 38 players are five out of the six singles medalists with only the men’s singles Champion FAN Zhendong (CHN) missing from the stellar field of under 18 year olds. 18 year old Lily ZHANG (USA) who created history at the Youth Olympic Games by winning bronze which was the first ever table tennis (Youth) Olympic medal for a North American country will be playing in her last ever junior event here in Shanghai. ZHANG who was one of the stars in the recently released Top Spin documentary stated: “Winning a medal in Nanjing was my goal and my dream and achieving it has given me a lot of confidence and allowed me to set higher goals for myself in the future. One of these goals is to win a medal in both the teams and singles events here which I believe I have a good chance. I just need to fight and have a bit of luck and hopefully I will be making more history by winning the first World Junior Championships medal for a North American country.” The gold and silver medalists at the Youth Olympic Games LIU Gaoyang (CHN) and DOO Hoi Kem (HKG) will again be the favorites in the girl’s singles to add more medals to their 2014 collection next Sunday. The silver medalist in Nanjing defender Yuto MURAMATSU (JPN) has had a stellar year and not just at the ITTF Junior events. The 18 year old has also had some breakthrough results on the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour and has qualified for the US$1 000 000 grand finals to be held in Bangkok Thailand on 11-14 December 2014. KIM Minhyeok (KOR) will be hoping to follow in 2013 boys singles champion JANG Woojin (KOR) and become Korea’s third World Junior Champion. Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) will be pushing both MURAMATSU and KIM to the limit in his quest to become the first World Junior Champion from Latin America. Event schedule: 30 November 2014 -Team event stage 1 1 December 2014 – Team event stage 2 2 December 2014 – Team Events QF’s SF’s and position matches 3 December 2014 – Team Events Finals position matches and Mixed Doubles’ preliminary rounds 4 December 2014 – Singles preliminary groups and boys’ and girls’ doubles KO stage (1st round) 5 December 2014 – Singles and doubles K.O. stages 6 December 2014 – Singles and doubles K.O. stages 7 December 2014 – Singles semi-finals and singles and doubles finals
No. 1 seed Fenerbahce still unbeaten
Women`s European Champions League No. 1 seed Fenerbahce won its fifth consecutive match playing at home Round 5 against Zamek – 3:1. Turkish champion and actual WECL runner-up secured top spot of Group A while the best Polish club has to fight in the la Women`s European Champions League No. 1 seed Fenerbahce won its fifth consecutive match playing at home Round 5 against Zamek – 3:1. Turkish champion and actual WECL runner-up secured top spot of Group A while the best Polish club has to fight in the last round for the second place to obtain semi-final spot. Fenerbahce combines this season two strong Chinese players as team`s no. 1 and today WEN Jia played instead WU Yang. But in final outcome nothing has changed because they both defeated all their rivals. WEN brought two points against Zamek beating first LI Qian in straight games and at the end world`s No. 9 HAN Ying in four sets. The second best ranked WECL player HAN overcame Irene IVANCAN in second match. Host missed one set ball in opening set guest got her chance and easily won next two sets. Yana NOSKOVA and Natalia PARTYKA played very interesting match in five games. Each had its shining and black moments. For example NOSKOVA lost two sets in which had decent lead (6:1 10:8 in 2nd 8:4 in 3rd) but in fourth she managed to escape from unpleasant situation (6:8). All what HAN could do against WEN in the last clash was just to get first set. WECL Round 5 Group A: Fenerbahce – KTS Spar Zamek Tarnobrzeg 3:1 WEN Jia – LI Qian 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:3) Irene IVANCAN – HAN Ying 0:3 (11:13 4:11 4:11) Yana NOSKOVA – Natalia PARTYKA 3:2 (11:9 11:13 13:15 12:10 11:4) WEN Jia – HAN Ying 3:1 (8:11 11:9 11:4 11:4)
HABESOHN shapes Group B top spot
Daniel HABESOHN played main role in game in which his club needed victory to stay in the race for quarter-final of 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League: Wienviertel Niederosterreich – Eslovs 3:2. He brought two points to 2008 MECL winner so now three Daniel HABESOHN played main role in game in which his club needed victory to stay in the race for quarter-final of 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League: Wienviertel Niederosterreich – Eslovs 3:2. He brought two points to 2008 MECL winner so now three clubs in Group B have 3-2 score before the ultimate chapter of group stage: Wienviertel Niederosterreich Eslovs and Chartres. Final decision comes on December 5th when Eslovs expects Charetres and Werder Bremen hosts Niederosterreich (both games at 19h00 CET). Tonight everything went smoothly for Austrian side until third encounter. First HOU Yingchao defeated Robert SVENSSON in straight games then Daniel HABESOHN overcame XU Hui in four sets. It looked like the end is very close because world`s no. 53 Stefan FEGERL was a clear favorite against no. 177 Mattias OVERSJO. But Swede won in five games giving a chance to XU to play against HOU. XU Hui showed in first meeting in Sweden that he knows how to play against well known defenders of Niederosterreich when he beat him 3:1. Tonight Eslov`s player did it much easier in straight games. Robert SVENSSON accustomed us this season to be master of fifth encounters but this time Daniel HABESOHN was too strong for him. Austrian played confidently all the time providing very important win to his side. In Group D Bogoria beat away Walter Wels 3:0. It means that Polish champion will fight next week against Hennebont for the group`s 2nd place which guaranties MECL quarter-final while Austrian side lost all chances for that. Interestingly when these two clubs met in Poland guests also won (3:1). It could say that first two matches decided final result both played in five games. First Daniel GORAK beat Zolt PETE who defeated him in crucial encounter in Round 2 in Grodzisk Mazowiecki. They again fought in five sets. In second match Lehel DEMETER played one of his better games this season but he lost from former World`s Top 10 player OH Sang Eun. Korean took close third set thanks to his experience and that was one of decisive moments. The third encounter was unique without excitements. Robert FLORAS overcame Dominique PLATTNER in straight games. MECL Round 5 Group B: Wienviertel Niederosterreich – Eslovs 3:2 HOU Yingchao – Robert SVENSSON 3:0 (11:9 13:11 11:7) Daniel HABESOHN – XU Hui 3:1 (3:11 11:9 13:11 11:9) Stefan FEGERL – Mattias OVERSJO 2:3 (12:14 13:11 6:11 11:6 9:11) HOU Yingchao – XU Hui 0:3 (5:11 4:11 10:12) Daniel HABESOHN – Robert SVENSSON 3:0 (11:6 11:7 14:12) Group D: SPG Walter Wels – Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki 0:3 Zolt PETE – Daniel GORAK 2:3 (7:11 11:6 11:9 9:11 6:11) Lehel DEMETER – OH Sang Eun 2:3 (7:11 11:8 11:13 11:9 8:11) Dominique PLETTNER – Robert FLORAS 0:3 (6:11 7:11 9:11)
Chartres reminds on its power
In tonight`s Round 5 matches of Men`s European Champions League it`s Chartres significantly improved its chances to progress in quarter-final Werder Bremen missed its last opportunity for that Borussia continued its dominancy in Group D Sten Marketing In tonight`s Round 5 matches of Men`s European Champions League it`s Chartres significantly improved its chances to progress in quarter-final Werder Bremen missed its last opportunity for that Borussia continued its dominancy in Group D Sten Marketing got first victory in Group C… Borussia confirmed the top spot of Group D sending clear message to other title pretenders that they have to count on it in that race. After two bad seasons hit by several injuries Dusseldorf’s side performs like in its best time. Tonight they lost just one set against GV Hennebont and now has 5-0 score and outstanding 15-2 set-ratio. Timo BOLL beat CHEN Chien-An in straight games of the opening match to improve his individual season`s record to 7-0 (21-3 in sets). Guest forced German to play his best table tennis in first two tight sets but in third he had no solution to stop him. Experienced Greek Panagiotis GIONIS confidently overcame young Frenchman Quentin ROBINOT while Indian Sharat Kamal ACHANTA defeated Kalinikos KREANGA in four sets to secure fifth consecutive win for Borussia. The 2013 MECL runner-up Chartres reached its second consecutive victory and now controlled fully its destiny in Group B. GAO Ning & Co. beat tonight 2013 Bundes liga winner Werder Bremen 3:0. “The Greens” MECL semi-finalists in 2012/13 reached only one set (STEGER against GERELL). It could say that first match between GAO and Adrian CRISAN directed the whole clash. Singaporean won it in straight games but each set was very close and tense. Robert GARDOS dominated against Constantin CIOTI who got just 13 points in total. After the game between Angers and Sten Marketing in France the real winner is German Saarbrucken! Czech side won away and now it has like Angers 1-4 score. It means that both have no chance to reach quarter final while Saarbrucken (3-2) automatically secured the place for the next stage. Sten Marketing now has the better chance than Angers to finish as no. 3 in Group C and to continue in ETTU Cup. Man of the match was Pavel SIRUCEK who won two encounters both in five games against Christophe LEGOUT and Jens LUNDQVIST. MECL Round 5 – Group B Chartres ASTT – SW Werder Bremen 3:0 GAO Ning – Adrian CRISAN 3:0 (12:10 11:9 12:10) Par GERELL – Bastian STEGER 3:1 (6:11 11:8 11:8 16:14) Robert GARDOS – Constantin CIOTI 3:0 (11:4 11:3 11:6) Group C Vaillante Angers – Sten Marketing HB Ostrov 1:3 Jens LUNDQVIST – Tomas TREGLER 3:0 (11:8 11:8 13:11) Christophe LEGOUT – Pavel SIRUCEK 2:3 (11:9 12:10 8:11 5:11 7:11) Benjamin BROSSIER – Petr KORBEL 0:3 (10:12 7:11 3:11) Jens LUNDQVIST – Pavel SIRUCEK 2:3 (11:7 7:11 11:9 9:11 6:11) Group D Borussia Dusseldorf – GV Hennebont 3:0 Timo BOLL – CHEN Chien-An 3:0 (12:10 13:11 11:5) Panagiotis GIONIS – Quentin ROBINOT 3:0 (11:7 11:3 15:13) Sharat Kamal ACHANTA – Kalinikos KREANGA 3:1 (8:11 11:7 11:6 11:9)
POTA keeps Berlin on top
Defending WECL champion Berlin beat Linz AG Froschberg 3:2 in Round 5 after four hours exhausting battle in Austria. It was fourth mutual match between these clubs this year and all four belonged to German side (first 3:1 and three in a row 3:2). Berlin Defending WECL champion Berlin beat Linz AG Froschberg 3:2 in Round 5 after four hours exhausting battle in Austria. It was fourth mutual match between these clubs this year and all four belonged to German side (first 3:1 and three in a row 3:2). Berlin waits the last round on the top of Group B with 4-1 score but Linz and Metz who defeated tonight Postas 3:0 both have chance to reach semi-final. LI Xiaodan brought two points for Linz overcoming two best Berlin`s players Georgina POTA in first and SHAN Xiaona in fourth encounter. One of crucial moment was happened in fifth set of the second match when LIU Jia and SHAN Xiaona met. World`s No. 12 LIU the best ranked player in this clash turned from 6:7 to 8:7 but SHAN controlled the finish. The 2005 individual European champion lost tonight both her games. Petrissa SOLJA prevailed against Iveta VECANOVSKA in five games to bring first lead to Berlin. LI provided new chance for Linz beating SHAN in four sets. Host was in bad position in the last set (2:6) but caught up her opponent on 9:9 and won. LIU Jia and Georgina POTA got a chance to decide the winner. They met in Round 2 in Berlin when Hungarian player was better. The same outcome was tonight but in five games. LIU had a decent advantage in early fifth set (4:1) but guest answered by 7:1 run (8:5 lead). It turned out as crucial moment for the final score. In other Group B match Metz defeated Postas 3:0. FU Yu and WU Jiaduo won their matches in straight games against Krisztina AMBRUS and LI Jiao respectively. Laura GASNIER confirmed comfortable win for French playing four games against Rita KERTAI. In Round 6 matches are: Postas – Linz Berlin – Metz. There is a possibility to see three clubs with 4-2 score at the end so the last round guarantees huge excitements. WECL Round 5 – Group B Linz AG Froschberg – TTC Berlin Eastside 2:3 LI Xiaodan – Georgina POTA 3:1 (11:9 8:11 11:7 11:8) LIU Jia – SHAN Xiaona 2:3 (9:11 11:6 7:11 11:7 9:11) Iveta VACENOVSKA – Petrissa SOLJA 2:3 (11:9 9:11 13:11 4:11 7:11) LI Xiaodan – SHAN Xiona 3:1 (11:7 5:11 11:7 11:9) LIU Jia – Georgina POTA 2:3 (9:11 11:9 12:10 6:11 8:11) Metz TT – Postas Sport Egyesulet 3:0 FU Yu – Krisztina AMBRUS 3:0 (11:3 12:10 11:9) WU Jiaduo – LI Jiao 3:0 (11:6 14:12 11:7) Laura GASNIER – Rita KERTAI 3:1 (11:7 3:11 14:12 11:5)
World Junior elite in Shanghai
The Wisdom 2014 World Junior Championships starts in Shanghai on Sunday 30th November. France on position no. six and Germany listed at number four at the seeding list in their respective Boy’s and Girl’s Team Events are the leading European teams in Chin The Wisdom 2014 World Junior Championships starts in Shanghai on Sunday 30th November. France on position no. six and Germany listed at number four at the seeding list in their respective Boy’s and Girl’s Team Events are the leading European teams in China. In fierce competition Nina MITTELHAM of Germany and Can AKKUZU of France occupies positions no. 12 and 13 in Singles. One month ago in the Caribbean at the ITTF World Cadet Challenge the European Girls’ Team excelled; the trio of Adina DIACONU Lisa LUNG and Maria TAYLAKOVA with Daria TRIGOLOS resigned to the bench won the Girls’ Team title. The names of all four European girls appear on the entry list for the forthcoming Wisdom 2014 World Junior Championships. “Our team achieved great result but for me it is hard to compare those two Championships. At Barbados the best players from China and Japan were missing. In addition the rankings are not speaking in our favor. We are looking forward duels in category of best juniors and unfortunately there is no player from Europe ranked in top eight on seeding list. Our chances are greater in the Team’s event. We are capable of making upsets against favorites ” said ETTU Development Manager Neven CEGNAR. In the singles everybody awaits for the draw. In Boy’s Singles AKKUZU is the only player in main draw. Patryk ZATOWKA of Poland is the highest ranked player in Group 1 on position no. 17 followed with Alexandre CASSIN of France on position. no. 20 Killian ORT of Germany at 21st position David REITSPIES of Czech Republic 22nd and Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia 23rd… In Girl’s Singles the situation is slightly better. Beside MITELHAM Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia gained direct access to main draw at position no. 14. Chantal MANTZ of Germany Ekaterina GUSEVA of Russia and Adina DIACONU are top three players below the line on positions no. 17 18 and 19. “Nina was injured and we will see how much successful her come back will be. I expect good result from AKKUZU CHEN CASSIN and ZATOWKA as well as from MANTZ RAKOVAC and DIACONU…For me it is important to see the quality of game that our players will produce the overall result is not first priority.”
Five ECL games on ETTU TV powered by LAOLA1.tv
As usual ETTU Men`s and Women`s European Champions League will be broadcasted live this weekend when Round 5 is schedulled. Totaly five games are available LIVE and FREE on http://ettu.laola1.tv as well as in the LAOLA1.tv APPs (IOS/Android). Live covera As usual ETTU Men`s and Women`s European Champions League will be broadcasted live this weekend when Round 5 is schedulled. Totaly five games are available LIVE and FREE on http://ettu.laola1.tv as well as in the LAOLA1.tv APPs (IOS/Android). Live coverage is go on ETTU TV powered by LAOLA1.tv. Friday 28th November 2014 Men`s ECL Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – AS Pontoise Cergy TT (13:20 CET) http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/fakel-gazproma-orenburg-as-pontoise-cergy-tt/263349.html Chartres ASTT – SV Werder Bremen (19:00 CET) http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/chartres-astt-sv-werder-bremen/263355.html Borussia Düsseldorf – GV Hennebont (19:00 CET) http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/borussia-dusseldorf-gv-hennebont/263357.html 2014/2015 Women’s ECL Metz TT – Postas Sport Egyesulet http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/metz-tt-postas-sport-egyesulet/264309.html Saturday 29th November 2014 2014/2015 Men’s ECL Weinviertel Niederösterreich – Eslovs AI Bordtennis (17:00 CET) http://www.laola1.tv/watch/live/weinviertel-niederoesterreich-eslovs-ai-bordtennis/266178.html Watch all matches LIVE and FREE as well as full matches on demand and mobile on http://ettu.laola1.tv.
Overwhelming Pontoise sweeps Orenburg
Reigning MECL champion Pontoise Cergy showed one of its best performances ever in this competition beating away Fakel Gazproma Orenburg 3:0 (9:5) in Round 5 of 2014/15 MECL. Nobody before managed to defeat in that style Vladimir SAMSONOV Dimitrij OVTCHA Reigning MECL champion Pontoise Cergy showed one of its best performances ever in this competition beating away Fakel Gazproma Orenburg 3:0 (9:5) in Round 5 of 2014/15 MECL. Nobody before managed to defeat in that style Vladimir SAMSONOV Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Alexey SMIRNOV on their soil. It was the battle for the top spot of Group A in which both sides now have 4-1 score. Currently Pontoise has better set-ratio but Russian champion is better in the mutual encounters (Orenburg won in France 3:0/9:3). Portugal`s hero in the recent 2014 TMS European Championships in Lisbon Marcos FREITAS (world`s No. 9) who beat Timo BOLL in decisive match of the final today provided one more big win against one great German. This time he overcame Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (No. 6) in five games of opening match. Actual individual European champion easily won first and third set while Portuguese reached second and fourth in latest moments (2nd 8:8 11:8 3rd 9:9 11:9). FREITAS made a crucial run in the fifth set when he took six consecutive points (6:4 to 10:4). In the second match world`s No. 46 Kristian KARLSSON beat No. 10. Vladimir SAMSONOV in five games. Byelorussian managed to level on 2:2 after 0:2 deficit but Swede was better in the latest moments of the fifth set. KARLSSON needed two set balls to secure 2:0 lead for guests. Pontoise`s coach Peter FRANZ took a good decision when he set WANG Jian Jun on 3rd position. In all three previous meetings these teams in last six months Chinese played as no. 2. Today he was unstoppable for Alexey SMIRNOV for sure the best no. 3 player in MECL in last five seasons. MECL Round 5 Group A Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – Pontoise Cergy 0:3 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Marcos FREITAS 2:3 (11:3 8:11 11:3 9:11 8:11) Vladimir SAMSONOV – Kristian KARLSSON 2:3 (6:11 7:11 11:8 11:4 10:12) Alexey SMIRNOV – WANG Jian Jun 1:3 (4:11 9:11 11:9 2:11)
WECL title pretenders clashing in Linz
Women`s European Champions League Round 5 scheduled from this Friday to Monday brings two reprises of 2013/14 semi-finals: Fenerbahce – KTS Spar Zamek Linz AG Froschberg – TTC Berlin Eastside. There is a chance to see all these four clubs in the Women`s European Champions League Round 5 scheduled from this Friday to Monday brings two reprises of 2013/14 semi-finals: Fenerbahce – KTS Spar Zamek Linz AG Froschberg – TTC Berlin Eastside. There is a chance to see all these four clubs in the forthcoming semis but it depends also of SVNO STROCK`s and Metz`s results in remaining two rounds. The top of Group A is secured for the No. 1 seed Fenerbahce who has good memories of last five consecutive clashes against Zamek. Turkish champion defeated the best Polish side in 2012/13 ETTU Cup final twice in 2013/14 WECL semi-final and recently in Group A match. Next Sunday in Istanbul audience will have a rare opportunity to see two world`s top ten players in one game: WU Jang (no. 8) and HAN Ying (no. 9). Polish champion needs victory to come closer to the semis. In other Group A game SVNO STROCK (0-4 score) hosts Szekszard (2-2). Although Austrian club has no any win they still have a small chance to reach next stage. First of all young squad from Schwechat needs to overcome Hungarian side. LIU Jia & Co. will try to stop Berlin`s winning streak against them. Actually German club won latest three games against Linz AG Froschberg: two in previous semi-final (3:1 3:2) and one in recent group`s clash (3:2). All matches were close so it`s not hard to predict new tough battle. Both teams have currently 3-1 score in Group B and both reached two WECL titles: Linz 2009 2013 Berlin 2012 2014. In other Group B game Metz plays against Postas. French side needs victory to stay on the direction to the semi-final. Metz won 3:1 in first game that was held in Budapest. Hungarian side still has no any win. WECL Round 5 Group A: Fenerbahce – KTS Spar Zamek Tarnobrzeg (November 30th 13h30 CET); SVNO STROCK – Szekszard (Decembar 1st 19h00 CET) Group B: Linz AG Froschberg – TTC Berlin Eastside (November 28th 18h00 CET); Metz TT – Postas Sport Egyesulet (November 28th 19h30 CET)
European NOCs back Baku to deliver outstanding EG
The Baku 2015 European Games is shaping up to be the biggest multi-sport event on the European calendar next year and the ideal proving ground for athletes ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games according to senior figures at the leading National Olympic Co The Baku 2015 European Games is shaping up to be the biggest multi-sport event on the European calendar next year and the ideal proving ground for athletes ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games according to senior figures at the leading National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of Europe. Top representatives from all 49 European NOCs gathered in the Azerbaijan capital Baku last weekend for the 43rd European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly. They received status updates from the Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) confirming preparations for Europe’s inaugural continental multi-sport games are firmly on track. The NOC Presidents and Secretaries General also had a tour of the key venues including the National Stadium the National Gymnastics Arena and the Baku Aquatics Centre. Dr Thomas BACH President of the International Olympic Committee attended the EOC General Assembly. Speaking from Baku he said: “I am deeply impressed to see the development here in regard to sport. What I have seen and heard about the preparations for the Baku 2015 European Games makes me very confident they will be an outstanding success for European sport and also an outstanding success for Azerbaijan.” Members from seven European National Olympic Committees added: FRANCE – Denis MASSEGLIA – French Olympic Committee President: ”It is important for French athletes to go to Baku 2015 and to do well. The conditions will be perfect for elite performances I am sure: great venues great accommodation and transport and great organisation. We know that Baku 2015 is part of the road to Rio 2016 and we want to give our athletes the maximum of chances possible to qualify. But just as importantly we want French athletes bringing home the first ever European Games medals. Baku 2015 is going to be the perfect proving ground for some future stars of French sport.” GERMANY – Michael VESPER – German Olympic Sports Confederation Secretary General: “With over 6000 athletes and more than 250 medal events the European Games are Europe’s most important sport event in 2015. This means an important test for our athletes one year before the Rio Olympics. Some of them like our top table tennis players and triathletes can even book their tickets to Rio at the European Games. I have no doubt that our athletes are going to find the perfect conditions to achieve sporting excellence here next year.” RUSSIA – Alexander ZHUKOV – Russian Olympic Committee President: “I believe in the future of the European Games. Baku 2015 will be an excellent event from every perspective – the organisation the city the quality of sport. Baku 2015 is our number one priority next year our biggest event without question. Russia will have a strong team at the European Games. After seeing the venues and meeting the organisers this week I am more convinced than ever that Baku 2015 will be an important stage on our road to Rio 2016.” SERBIA – Vlade DIVAC – Olympic Committee of Serbia President: “Serbia’s athletes should be getting really excited about these Games because they will be amazing unlike any other event on the European sports calendar. They will be a breath of fresh air for European sport and a great chance to see Serbian athletes on the podium. The Organising Committee of Baku 2015 has considered every part of their hosting concept from an athlete and NOC perspective and that is really reassuring for me and my team. I think Baku 2015 will be one of the surprise events of next year and the European Games certainly has a healthy future starting from this strong base.” SPAIN – Victor SANCHEZ –Spanish Olympic Committee Secretary General: “Spanish athletes should be looking at Baku 2015 as a chance to become the first ever European Games champion in their sport. Although the European Games are clearly an excellent opportunity to help athletes on their path to Rio 2016 they are a continental Games in their own right – and are being organised to an incredibly high level by Baku 2015‘s organisers. The stadions here are stunning and the facilities for athletes in the Village and around the city are of the highest level – Baku is a great breeding ground for sporting success. I can’t wait to see our athletes perform here in 2015.” TURKEY – Ugur ERDENER – Turkish Olympic Committee President: “There are 250 medals available at Baku 2015 so it represents a very good opportunity to get Turkish athletes on the podium. We will be sending a strong team to Azerbaijan no question. There are qualification points on offer for Rio 2016 but just as importantly it gives Turkish athletes the experience of competing – and winning – at a major multi-sport event in a world-class sports environment. I am very impressed at what they have achieved in Baku and the new sports infrastructure is excellent. The first European Games is going to have a big impact on the development of Olympic sports and young athletes not just in Azerbaijan but across Europe.”
