The GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Airports of Regions Russian Open starts tomorrow and the biggest stars have their mind sets on a big goal. The prestigious US$ 1 000 000 Grand Finals to be staged in Thailand’s capital city in December is getting closer The GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Airports of Regions Russian Open starts tomorrow and the biggest stars have their mind sets on a big goal. The prestigious US$ 1 000 000 Grand Finals to be staged in Thailand’s capital city in December is getting closer and leading names are looking for the chance to make step forward or to justified their places. The ultimate goal is a top 16 place on the Standings and thus provided appearances in a minimum five ITTF World Tour tournaments during the year have been completed an invitation the prestigious end of year event can be expected. Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI and Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS alongside Japan’s Koki NIWA occupy the top four seeded places on the current Men’s Singles Standings. Jun MIZUTANI occupies third spot on the Standings but the two players ranked higher China’s XU Xin and FAN Zhendong are not on duty in Ekaterinburg; each has only appeared on three occasions on this year’s GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour. Neither is competing in Russia and with only one other tournament remaining on the this year’s calendar the GAC Group 2014 ITTF Swedish Open neither of the Chinese stars can qualify for Bangkok. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Marcos FREITAS both have currently appeared in three GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour tournaments; both are on duty in Russia and both have entered the GAC Group 2014 ITTF Swedish Open. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV is one place behind Jun MIZUTANI on the Standings and in terms of those who have completed the qualification criteria Marcos FREITAS is next in line.Complete the five tournament criteria; Marcos FREITAS Jun MIZUTANI and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV are undoubtedly Bangkok bound. Host nation representative Alexander SHIBAEV is the no.12 seed and by playing in home soil he will meet the five tournament criteria by competing in Ekaterinburg as will Alexey SMIRNOV the no.24 seed. Meanwhile Kirill SKACHKOV is the no.18 seed and has met the five tournament requirement as has Grigory VLASOV the 25 seed. In order to secure Men’s Singles Bangkok invitation all will need to produce outstanding performance; taking into account the potential list of eligible players all four are outside the top 20 names.
Baku 2015 EG employs 1 000th member of staff
Baku 2015 European Games has today celebrated the employment of its 1 000th full-time member of staff. Ms Aysel AKHUNDOVA from Azerbaijan was the landmark employee as she joined the Press Operations team as part of the Games Academy Graduate Excellence Baku 2015 European Games has today celebrated the employment of its 1 000th full-time member of staff. Ms Aysel AKHUNDOVA from Azerbaijan was the landmark employee as she joined the Press Operations team as part of the Games Academy Graduate Excellence Programme. Mr Azad RAHIMOV Baku 2015 Chief Executive Officer and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sport said: “This is a significant milestone in the continued growth of the Baku 2015 team and I would like to welcome Aysel on board as she joins the journey to the inaugural European Games. Our blend of international staff with top-level experience and national staff with excellent local knowledge have combined to create a formidable team. I am extremely confident that our whole team’s set of skills and expertise will ensure delivery of a spectacular event that will make all of Azerbaijan and the whole of Europe proud.” Ms AKHUNDOVA who recently graduated in Law from Baku State University has work experience for some of Azerbaijan’s previous other major events including the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup and the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest. Ms AKHUNDOVA 21 said: “I am extremely proud to have joined the Baku 2015 team and I am looking forward to contributing to this exciting adventure towards the first ever European Games. For myself and for all of the team it is a wonderful opportunity to help play a role in this historic event and I am very much looking forward to helping make Baku 2015 become a reality.” The Baku 2015 team is now represented by 43 countries from around the world including Azerbaijan working across 18 directorates to deliver the European Games. Mr Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said: “Week by week the Baku 2015 team continues to grow and I am extremely pleased that we have been able to assemble such a quality team of first-class professionals. The vital blend of international staff and local Azerbaijanis has created a dynamic and fun environment that will help us deliver the best possible event for the cream of European sporting talent.”
Europe clinch seven medals in Bridgetown
After fantastic success in Girls and Boys Teams Event at the 2014 ITTF World Cadet Challenge in Bridgetown Barbados and gold and silver medal for the European players Old Continents’ representatives added five more to their treasury. ETTU Development M After fantastic success in Girls and Boys Teams Event at the 2014 ITTF World Cadet Challenge in Bridgetown Barbados and gold and silver medal for the European players Old Continents’ representatives added five more to their treasury. ETTU Development Manager Neven CEGNAR was with the teams and he was delighted by great success. “Romania’s Cristian PLETEA and Moldova’s Andrei PUTUNTICA clinched gold in the Junior Boys Doubles Event. Also PLETEA added another bronze to the list in Singles Event. Adina DIACONU of Romania won bronze in Singles and in Doubles with Lisa LUNG of Belgium she clinched silver. Maria TAYLAKOVA of Russia and Daria TRIGOLOS of Belarus also won bronze” said CEGNAR. In the final of the Boys’ Doubles competition PLETEA and PUTUNTICA upset the rankings. The third seeds they beat the top seeded partnership of HWANG Minha of Korea and Yuto KIZUKURI of Japan to reserve the top step of the medal podium. Furthermore they succeeded in four straight games (11-9 11-5 11-9). “We were confident and we play like crazy today; we have played together before we played together last year in Constanta and we won on that occasion” said Cristian PLETEA. “I told Csilla BATORFI our coach that before the event even started that we wanted to play together.” Clearly it was a very good decision; the left hand and right hand combination worked to perfection. “I trust Cristian; I can play push flip top spin or whatever and I know he will respond and put the next ball on the table” added Andrei PUTUNTICA. “Today we played so strongly; really I don’t think we’ve ever played as well as this ever; perfect tactics.” Korea’s HWANG Minha and Japan’s Mima ITO the top seeds and favourites for gold won the respective Boys’ Singles and Girls’ Singles. Asia have suffered a three-two defeat at the hands of Europe in the Girls’ Team final but Mima ITO of Japan completed the whole tournament unbeaten and handled the pressure of being the top seed and favourite for honours. In the final of the Girls’ Doubles a second title ending in the hands of Mima ITO. She partnered her victim in the singles final KIM Jiho to success; the pair beating the second seeded partnership of Romania’s Adina DIACONU and Belgium’s Lisa LUNG to claim the top prize (11-7 4-11 11-5 11-7). Gold in both the Girls’ Singles and Girls’ Doubles events finished in the hands of Asia; Europe challenged with Adina DIACONU reaching the semi-final stage of the Girls’ Singles event losing to KIM Jiho. “I think the results that we have seen in the individual events show how well our girls played to win the team title; on the way to the Girls’ Singles final Mima ITO dropped only one game Kim Jiho won every match four-nil” said Marc CLOSSET. “Furthermore look how well LEE Ka Yee played; she reached the semi-final.”
Asia won the 2014 All Stars Challenge
Asia emerged victoriously at the 2014 Asia – Europe All Stars Challenge (Asian Event) –. After second day of fierce battles host Continent preserved the advantage gained on the first day. Adrian CRISAN scored for Europe like day earlier and Robert GARDOS Asia emerged victoriously at the 2014 Asia – Europe All Stars Challenge (Asian Event) –. After second day of fierce battles host Continent preserved the advantage gained on the first day. Adrian CRISAN scored for Europe like day earlier and Robert GARDOS added another point today. Europe – Asia 4:6 was the final score. The day2 of the 2014 Asia – Europe All Stars Challenge (Asian Event) started. Asia had 3:2 lead after opening day of the Event. Europe – Asia 2:4 – TAN Riuwu– Jun MIZUTANI 1:3 (9:11 8:11 15:13 7:11) Opening match of the second day brought two left-handers to the table. Whole first game was very close as both players could not secure wider gap until 9:9 when Jun made two excellent services. TAN failed to produce good return of service and it was 11:9 for Jun. The much better start from MIZUTANI was seen in the second game. TAN was still thinking about last two point from previous game and his adversary took full advantage of it: 5:1 8:3…Finally TAN produced two big forehand spins and it was 8:6…TAN was back but Jun preserved minimum advantage with 9:8 and Japan’s player had a service -10:8. Great rally brought Jun to 2:0 lead it was 11:8. Again MIZUTANI made a gap 4:2 in the opening stage of the third game. Time-out was needed for TAN. Croatia’s player struggled since Jun is good in defense as well. MIZUTANI kept the distance at the same level: 7:5 8:6. It forced TAN to change the tactics; he came closer to the table and it paid off. TAN made four quick points and narrowed the gap to 8:10. Jun was passive for 9:10 no risk in next one for 10:10. The game was leveled once again at 11:11 after two great points in counter-attacking. Audience enjoyed the game but they were silenced at match ball for Jun at 14:13. The unbelievable flip from Tan made direct point on service of Jun! It was 14 all before Jun created another match ball. Jun called for time out and suspense rose. At 15 all TAN proved once again that he is not the player who will ever quit – 17:15 for him and 1:2 in games. Angry Jun entered fourth game with 3:0 lead and then 5:3 8:6…. We saw great table tennis from both sides and little touch of luck for Jun with one edge ball at 10:6. It gave him 4 match balls and he made it at 11:7. Europe – Asia 3:4 – Adrian CRISAN – TANG Peng 3:1 (11:8 8:11 12:10 11:5) Both players stayed at the same course. Adrian won his match yesterday and TANG suffered defeat on the opening day. We all expected another point for Europe. However it is always easier to say… After slow start of the match with 3:3 and 4:4 Adrian CRISAN was the first to make a gap at 6:4 9:7. Great forehand gave him further advantage to seal the game at 11:8. TANG changed the pace. He had stronger start at the beginning of the second game. From 4:1 to 8:4 he looked very determined to win this contest. CRISAN came close at 8:7 but TANG Peng found the rhythm to stay in the match. Romania’s player insisted on playing against backhand of Tang. Coach Richard PRAUSE gave correct advice; once again Adrian was in the lead 4:2. However TANG recovered and leveled at 6:6. It was time for coach PRAUSE to call for time out. The game stayed close at 7:7 8:8 9:9 10:10. It was a great finish by Adrian at 12:10 that gave him 2:1 lead. “Adrian is really good” said TV commentator on CCTV5. True… It was 4:1 at the beginning of fourth game for CRISAN and last chance for TANG with time-out from coach WU Jing Ping. Big points followed but CRISAN radiate: 5:1 5:3 7:3. Everybody applauded him after 9:4 and finally at 11:5. Adrian is kept Europe´s hopes alive two big matches are coming and we are 3:4 behind…who knows… Europe – Asia 3:5 – Panagiotis GIONIS – CHUANG Chih-Yuan 0:3 (9:11 6:11 11:13) At the beginning of the third duel of the day Panagiotis GIONIS had some pain in his right shoulder. However the hope was still alive since CHUANG is not the player famous for best of performance in matches against choppers. Europe badly needed this point from GIONIS since the next match is XU Xin playing in Zhang Jia Gang in front of home crowd fully packed Gymnasium with 3000 spectators… Already at 1:1 in the opening game we saw spectacular points from defense to counter top-spins. It was 6:4 for Greek player but CHUANG fired back. It was 7:7 8:8 9:9 before CHUANG showed patience to overcome GIONIS defending skills and secures 1:0 lead. Until 4:4 in the second game both players kept the score under control but it was CHUANG who managed to took off with four consecutive points. He made it 8:4 9:5 before he closed the game with big forehand at 11:6. Taipei’s player showed no trace of mercy in the beginning of the third game. It was 4:2 and 6:4 before call from time out came from the European bench. It could not help. CHUANG sealed the match in his favor. Europe – Asia 3:6 – Bastian STEGER – XU Xin 0:3 (5:11 6:11 4:11) Everybody was excited to watch XU Xin playing. Bastian STEGER had enormous challenge in front of him. From the first moment XU attacked: 4:1 7:5 for XU and easy 11:5 first game. Europe’s no. 1 in China gave his best but could not halt XU. From 3:0 to 4:1 to quick 8:1 XU looked unstoppable. The three nice points followed from Basti for 8:4
Baku 2015 launch ticketing sign-up page on website
Baku 2015 has opened a sign-up page on its website allowing fans to register their interest in purchasing tickets for next summer’s inaugural European Games. The website gives international and Azerbaijani supporters the opportunity to request ticke Baku 2015 has opened a sign-up page on its website allowing fans to register their interest in purchasing tickets for next summer’s inaugural European Games. The website gives international and Azerbaijani supporters the opportunity to request ticketing updates on the sports programme as well as receive all the latest news from the Games. Ticket sales to the general public will open next year but those who register their interest now will be the first to be sent frequent email updates on all the latest developments as the countdown continues. The sign-up page has been developed and implemented by Tickethour the official ticketing supporter of the Games. To register on the website please click here.
Asia in the lead after first day (3:2)
Asia is in the lead after the first day of the play at the 2014 Asia – Europe All Stars Challenge (Asian Event) – 3:2. Adrian CRISAN and TAN Riuwu scored for Europe whilst XU Xin CHUANG Chih Yuan and Jun MIZUTANI recorded wins for host Continent. Europe Asia is in the lead after the first day of the play at the 2014 Asia – Europe All Stars Challenge (Asian Event) – 3:2. Adrian CRISAN and TAN Riuwu scored for Europe whilst XU Xin CHUANG Chih Yuan and Jun MIZUTANI recorded wins for host Continent. European team arrived safe in Zhangjiagang. Team members landed in Shanghai whilst ETTU President Ronald KRAMER and Europe’s team captain Richard PRAUSE landed in WU Xi. After three hours of drive they reached the destination in Zhangjiagang. Players already had morning training and we are all waiting for the first match of the Asian Event of the 2014 Asia – Europe All Stars Challenge. “We traveled well boys are OK. After hour and the half of training they are all anxious to start the duel ” said coach Richard PRAUSE. Players has busy schedule in China. Before meal they have visited local hospital and even exchanged few strokes with few patients. After the training they played with kids in fan zone. On Day one Robert GARDOS will open the match with duel against Jun MIZUTANI Adrian CRISAN vs. GAO Ning is next in line and Panagiotis GIONIS vs. XU Xin in third on list. After Bastian STEGER will play against CHUANG Chih Yuan and TAN Riuwu in final encounter will play against TANG PENG. Europe – Asia 0:1 – Robert GARDOS – Jun MIZUTANI 0:3 (9:11 8:11 5:11) In the opening game after slow start 1:5 Robert came back on 7:7 but lost important last point with backhand top-spin out of the table. Jun was very fast and very offensive. In second game we saw a: very nice table tennis from both players. Jun was always point or two in the lead. It seams that double-colored (white-yellow) balls does not disturb them It seams Jun was still a little bit faster. In the final game Japan’s player made an early 0:3lead. It forced coach Richard PRAUSE to call for time-out called. New plastic balls gave some extra speed to Jun MIZUTANI. He is looking much faster than before. However the course of the match remained the same. Nothing changed 1:6 on the end 11:5. Europe – Asia 1:1 -Adrian CRISAN – GAO Ning 3:2 (11:9 11:5 7:11 3:11 12:10) GAO Ning started well but Adrian CRISAN caught him at 9:9 and finish in great style first game with two agressive attacks. Losing first game GAO returned to the table under stress and Adrian took advantage of him very easily with 11:5 in next game. Impressive backhands from half-distance were major weapon from Romania’s player. The nice opening of the third game followed. It started with the two big points from GAO. Game was wide open until 7:7. The audience enjoyed fierce battle in the court. Lead by more than 3.000 spectators GAO won 11:7. In fourth game the match went in different direction. It seamed like there is only one player in front of the table – and it was GAO. He blew away Adrian with 11:3 by puting extra pressure on him ball after ball. In decisive game once again crowded Gymnasium vitnesed great table tennis big points… Adrian compeletly recovered and hammered GAO with strong counter-attacks….At 6:3 he was in the lead when WU Jing Ping called time-out for GAO…6:5..It was time for PRAUSE to call for time-out. The score board showed 7:5 8:5 .9:5 9:6 and 9:7 on Adrian´s service. The 9:8 was just the intro of the drama that follows. GAO leveled 9:9 and then it was 10:9 after return mistake from GAO. On match ball Adrian missed first top-spin and it was 10:10. On second match ball at 11:10 after two backhand top-spins Adrian won the match with strong forhand. Europe – Asia 1:2 – Panagiotis GIONIS – XU Xin 0:3 (4:11 5:11 8:11) Great atmosphere in Jiang Su Zhang Jiagang Gymnasium reached boiling point. The anticipation reached the top before the match of the day. Home crowd awaited great duel from World no. one XU Xin against European defender GIONIS. In the first game XU established the 5:3 lead Panos looked a little bit to much impressed by the event so soon it was 7:3 after two terrible forhands – 10:4. And eventualy 11:4 whilst we were looking best player in the world in very good shape. Second game was a bit better for GIONIS 4:4 but there is no diffence against XU’s attacks and now soon Chinese star came to very quickly 11:5 In third game it was close only in the opening stage ;5:5 before XU reached 9 :6. Xu has close the match in great style by 11:08. Europe -Asia 1:3 – Bastian STEGER – CHUANG Chih Yuan 0:3 (8:11 6:11 6:11) Asia added another point to their score board. The best ranked European player on duty in China Bastian STEGER was fast but CHUANG was faster on his legs. Serial of strong forehand attacks brought big advantage to him – 10:5 and soon he closed first game with 11:08. In second game CHUANG was unstoppable and established easy lead 7:3 and closed the game at 11:6. In the third game it was the same story as Bastian can´t control CHUANG in full speed. Match finished11:06 for him and Asia leads 3:1. Europe – Asia 2:3 – TAN Riuwu– TANG Peng 3:1 (11:8 8:11 11: 9 11:8) Europe is back in game. TAN Riuwu started well against TANG Peng. It was quick 6:3 but in split second the immediate answer from TANG followed and he leveled at 8:8. It was not good enough as TAN closed at 11:08 with two backhand pimples-out blocks. Little bit more aggressive playing from TANG brought him second game by 11:08. Third
Gold for Europe in Barbados
Once again Caribbean country was good for European team. 9 years after the success of the Ekaterina KOLODYAZHNAYA Margaryta PESOTSKA and Amelie SOLJA in the Dominican Republic Old Continents’ representatives are at the top. Adina DIACONU Lisa LUNG and Once again Caribbean country was good for European team. 9 years after the success of the Ekaterina KOLODYAZHNAYA Margaryta PESOTSKA and Amelie SOLJA in the Dominican Republic Old Continents’ representatives are at the top. Adina DIACONU Lisa LUNG and Maria TAYLAKOVA with Daria TRIGOLOS resigned to the bench won the Girls’ Team title at the 2014 ITTF World Cadet Challenge in Bridgetown Barbados. In the final they overcame the Asia Team trio of Mima ITO LEE Ka Yee and KIM Jiho by three matches to two. Boys also reached medal rostrum. Artur ABUSEV Cristian PLETEA Andrei PUTUNTICA and Gerrit ENGEMANN clinched silver. Top seeds and favourites for gold; Asia won the Boys’ Team title. The final match in Girls category went full distance. After losing to Mima ITO Lisa LUNG won the deciding fifth match of the fixture against LEE Ka Yee. Adina DIACONU had a same score; success against LEE Ka Yee but defeat against and Mima ITO. “Mima was very strong today; she played very fast and I didn’t receive her service well” explained Adina DIACONU. “Against Lee Ka Yee I was really motivated; I knew it was important that we had a good start I knew that was really important.” Maria TAYLOKOVA succeeded against KIM Jiho. “At the Europe Top Ten there was one player in one place; another in another; they were all over the place and I thought that somehow I had to make this group a team” explained coach Marc CLOSSET. “Now here in Barbados they are always together; there is really good spirit they fight in the matches and they cheer for each other. In Boys category Korea’s HWANG Minha led Asia to gold. He overcame overcoming the defensive skills of Russia’s Artur ABUSEV and beat Romania’s Cristian PLETEA. The one further win for Asia came from Japan’s Yuto KIZUKURI. He accounted for Cristian PLETEA. Moldova’s Andrei PUTINTICA accounted for Hong Kong’s WONG Ho Hin. Play in the Team events over attention now turns to the individual events; play starts on Thursday 30th October; Wednesday is a rest day.
TAN Ruiwu replaces SHIBAEV in Zhang Jia Gang
Only four days before the start of the 2014 Asia – Europe All Stars Challenge (Asian Event) European team suffered another blow. Alexander SHIBAEV of Russia due the renewed knee injury was forced to withdraw. The time before the start of the competitio Only four days before the start of the 2014 Asia – Europe All Stars Challenge (Asian Event) European team suffered another blow. Alexander SHIBAEV of Russia due the renewed knee injury was forced to withdraw. The time before the start of the competition was very short but the solution has been found European singles vice champion from Danish city Herning 2012 and champion in doubles event one year latter in Austria Croatia’s TAN Ruiwu will replace SHIBAEV. SHIBAEV already came as a replacement for Marcos FREITAS of Portugal. The 2014 Asia-Euro All Stars Challenge will be staged on October 31 to November 1 in Zhang Jia Gang Jiagang Gymnasium. For Europe also will play Bastian STEGER of Germany currently ranked at position no. 18 at the World rankings no. 7 in Europe; Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece World’s no 21 Europe’s no.9 Adrian CRISAN of Romania World’s no. 28 Europe’s no. 11 Robert GARDOS of Austria no. 26 Europe’s 10 and SHIBAEV World’s no. 37 and Europe’s no. 13. SHIBAEV never played in at the Asia-Euro All Stars Challenge. For Asia will play XU Xin of China World’s no. one CHUANG Chih-Yuan of Taipei World’s no. 8 Jun MIZUTANI of Japan no. 7 GAO Ning of Singapore World’s no. 13 and TANG Peng of Hong Kong currently ranked at the position no. 16. The head coach is Richard PRAUSE. ETTU President Ronald KRAMER will also be on the event with special guest Greek TTA President Emmanouil KOLYMPADIS and Team Manager Roman PLESE. The press conference and draw ceremony of the competition will be held on Oct. 30th 17 at the official Hotel.
Polish champions’ experience prevails
Austrian champion has maybe most talented team in 2014/15 Women`s European Champions League but tonight they had no chance in fight with high class experience: SVNO STROCK – Zamek Tarnobrzeg 2:3. Polish champion usually counts on two points of HAN Ying ( Austrian champion has maybe most talented team in 2014/15 Women`s European Champions League but tonight they had no chance in fight with high class experience: SVNO STROCK – Zamek Tarnobrzeg 2:3. Polish champion usually counts on two points of HAN Ying (she had the best 12-1 individual score in 2013/14 WECL) but this time it wasn’t the case. Each Zamek`s player contributed with one win. Matilda EKHOLM brought first lead to Schwechat`s side beating Renata STRBIKOVA in four games. Zamek`s player opened better the encounter but world`s no. 59 (22 places jump on last ITTF list) took next three in a row. Dora MADARASZ lost from HAN Ying in five games but she didn’t disappointed. Hungarian the fifth ranked U21 European player forced world`s no. 8 to show her best. The runner-up of the 2010 European Youth Championships in junior girl’s event was leveled all the time with the guest who saved three set balls in the first set (7:10 12:10). MADARASZ was brilliant in the third one coming from 6:9 to 11:9. Host led 6:4 in the latest set which was ended by three points in a row of HAN (8:8 11:8). Croatian Lea RAKOVAC the second ranked European player on U18 list needed a time to show how strong she is against LI Qian. The winner of the recent junior`s Europe Top 10 collected just four points in first two sets but she delivered her talent in third one winning after 30 points long set. But LI won easily fourth one. Two well known defensive players met in fourth match. STROCK did a right thing when signed Tetyana BILENKO who is able to beat world class players. Ukrainian lady showed it on 2013 World Championships and tonight defeating HAN Ying in straight games. Host was five points down in third set (1:6). Finally Renata STRBIKOVA secured a very important win to Zamek which is very close to play its second WECL semi-final in a row. WECL Round 3 Group A SVNO STROCK – Zamek Tarnobrzeg 2:3 Matilda EKHOLM – Renata STRBIKOVA 3:1 (5:11 11:8 11:7 11:7) Dora MADARASZ – HAN Ying 2:3 (10:12 11:4 11:9 2:11 8:11) Lea RAKOVAC – LI Qian 1:3 (2:11 2:11 16:14 4:11) Tetyana BILENKO – HAN Ying 3:0 (11:8 11:7 11:9) Dora MADARASZ – Renata STRBIKOVA 0:3 (4:11 4:11 8:11)
ZHANG Jike pays price of win in Düsseldorf
The winner in Paris three years earlier ZHANG Jike regained the LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup title in the ISS Dome in the German city of Düsseldorf. He clinched gold in one of the most dramatic finals ever witnessed since the tournament was first staged in 1 The winner in Paris three years earlier ZHANG Jike regained the LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup title in the ISS Dome in the German city of Düsseldorf. He clinched gold in one of the most dramatic finals ever witnessed since the tournament was first staged in 1980. Occupying the second seeded position in the competition he beat Chinese National Team colleague and top seed MA Long in scintillating final to arrest the title. ZHANG Jike the master of the big occasion won in seven games (8-11 11-4 13-11 7-11 2-11 11-5 12-10) and celebrated in a manner for which with good grace he later apologised. Overcome by the moment emotional he put his foot through two of the surrounds guarding the court; it was spur of the moment reaction and one which he regretted when the adrenalin flow had calmed in ferocity. The decision of the Jury is that he will not receiving any prize money for his actions. “I am very sorry for what I did” said ZHANG Jike. “It was not acceptable behaviour and I am sorry.” We all make mistakes and let us at least give some credit to ZHANG Jike. I am not condoning his actions but it takes a brave man to apologise publicly. “This was a perfect victory I have been under a great deal of pressure with people questioning my form” said ZHANG Jike. “I am now very satisfied and very relieved I would like to congratulate MA Long on an amazing final; we really put on a table tennis exhibition.“ Gold for ZHANG Jike silver for Ma Long; it was bronze for the host nation’s Timo BOLL in what was a repeat of their contest four years earlier in Magdeburg when they had duelled for third place. On that occasion Timo BOLL won in seven games (11-7 11-7 8-11 10-12 11-9 9-11 11-7); in Düsseldorf it was one game less (2-11 11-7 11-8 6-11 11-2 11-9). “Despite being a left hand player I always have had a problem playing a left handed player like me” said Jun MIZUTANI. “Against Timo BOLL I could not receive his service while his topspin was difficult for me to control; I am not happy that I am finishing fourth for the third time at the World Cup.” In addition to 2010 Jun MIZUTANI finished in fourth place in Paris in 2012; on that occasion he was beaten in the play-off match by Korea’s JOO Saehyuk (11-3 11-4 11-9 11-6). Defeat for Jun MIZUTANI; for Timo BOLL success and a win with an extra meaning. “The victory against Jun MIZUTANI was very important because I am a player who does not like to lose especially in front of my own crowd” he said. “It was a good feeling for me going into my vacation with this win.” Happy holidays for Timo BOLL for ZHANG Jike in his third LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup gold for the second time.
