ETTU Ranking Committee Chair Igor HELLER with endless patience for people and figures is one of the busiest men at the Events. Nevertheless among all those facts and figures he is dealing with he always “dig” something “extra”. TMS European Championship ETTU Ranking Committee Chair Igor HELLER with endless patience for people and figures is one of the busiest men at the Events. Nevertheless among all those facts and figures he is dealing with he always “dig” something “extra”. TMS European Championships in numbers: 80 teams 239 team matches 886 individual matches 3314 games 60691 points Most matches played men: Benedek OLAH (FIN) 11 (10 won) Timo BOLL (GER) 10 (9 won) Most matches played women: Kelly SIBLEY (ENG) 11 Iveta VACENOVSKA (CZE) 10 Barbora BALAZOVA (SVK) 10 NI Xialian (LUX) 10 Teams not having lost a singles match (all matches won 3-0): SRB Women (Challenge division) Unbeaten players having played at least 6 matches: Shimon RABINOVICH (ISR) Ana Marija ERDELJI Andrea TODOROVIC Gabriela FEHER (SRB) HAN Ying SHAN Xiaona (GER) Lea RAKOVAC (CRO) Lisa LUNG (BEL) Youngest player: Men: Filip RADOVIC (MNE) 14 years 2 months Women: Camille-Chloe LINKE (SUI) 14 years 7 months Oldest player: Men: HE Zhiwen (ESP) 52 years 4 months Women: NI Xialian (LUX) 51 years 2 months (both playing in Champ.div He winning 3 out of 5 Ni winning 7 out of 10)  

First time in the history Portugal clinched medal at the European Championships in the Men’s Teams Event. They did it in great style by beating the big champions Germany – in front of home crowd in Lisbon. “This was difficult tournament for us. We strug First time in the history Portugal clinched medal at the European Championships in the Men’s Teams Event. They did it in great style by beating the big champions Germany – in front of home crowd in Lisbon. “This was difficult tournament for us. We struggled through the Group stages. We build our game through matches. We found our way here in Lisbon ” said coach Pedro RUFINO The power of the team lays in their mental strength according to coach. “They are working perfectly as a team. Their unity and mental power led to this big success.” Beating Germany after their 6 consecutive titles was a huge task. “We overcame players ranked at position no. one and two in the Europe Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Timo BOLL. They made it possible by the only way- by being the best at the top of their game.” In the Group stages Marcos FREITAS and Steffen MENGEL already played against each other. After five games FREITAS won previous encounter. Now he needed three. “I was well prepared. I knew what to expect. The crucial match was against Timo. I was persistent did not give up even when he won second game.” Unlike Marcos Joao MONTEIRO could not stop Timo BOLL in the final. “He is the top player. He is in good shape I could not find the game to beat him.” Tiago APOLONIA overcame Europe’s best player Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. “All I can say is that I am very happy. I helped the team when it was most important. I did it in the final and that makes me proud. I played so many times against Dimtrij but this wan is most valuable victory of all. I would not trade it for any other.”

Germany lost their title at the TMS European Championships in Lisbon. They were unbeaten in the final since the EC in Belgrade 2007. Portugal halted their progress to the new record. If they had succeeded yesterday they will have broke the record of Swede Germany lost their title at the TMS European Championships in Lisbon. They were unbeaten in the final since the EC in Belgrade 2007. Portugal halted their progress to the new record. If they had succeeded yesterday they will have broke the record of Sweden with 6 consecutive titles n Men’s Teams Event in 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974. They had consolation in silver after thrilling final against host nation. “Congratulation to the winners. They proved they had a best three players here in hall. They deserved to win. We were misfortunates before this tournament and everything that had proceeded led to our disappointment now. We could not have best of preparation for the players who are here ” explained coach Jorg ROSSKOPF. ROSSKOPF admitted their goal is to move to the next level. “It is not another title in Europe. We want to beat the best in the World.” Patric BAUM withdrew Patrick FRANZISKA ended his aspiration with the injury on the second day and right from the plane fresh from surgery Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was forced to play. “Under this circumstances this team gave its best. It was not easy for us at all.” Timo BOLL beat Joao MONTEIRO but lost against Marcos FREITAS in the ultimate match. “I never gave up. I always play until the end. I struggled with Marcos’ service game tonight. He had big advantage in that part ” stated Timo BOLL. OVTCHAROV was also disappointed. “I was not ready for this. Medications that I have to take are very strong. I am not fit and I am without the training. It was very visibly in the final. When everything happened I just did not want to sit in front of TV and not to help my teammates. I came here and gave my best. It worked before the final but at the end Tiago was too strong. He played perfectly tonight ” said OVTCHAROV. MENGEL was in new situation. “This is my first Championships. I am disappointed we did not reach the gold. In Germany only titles count but we have to move on.”  

In the dramatic final Germany secured their sixth title whilst Austria reached first ever silver. Defending champion needed three straight matches to clinch gold. SHAN Xiaona HAN Ying and Petrissa SOLJA beat Sofia POLCANOVA LIU Jia and Li Qiangbing. “F In the dramatic final Germany secured their sixth title whilst Austria reached first ever silver. Defending champion needed three straight matches to clinch gold. SHAN Xiaona HAN Ying and Petrissa SOLJA beat Sofia POLCANOVA LIU Jia and Li Qiangbing. “First match between SHAN and POLCANOVA was very important for us. Both players were very nervous but SHAN played at top level. In second HAN found herself in new situation at this tournament. She lost two games! LIU Played very well today. SOLJA gave solid performance. Our team proved they are in top shape. Throughout the tournament they were at the top of the game ” said coach Jie SCHOPP. SHAN Xiaona explained what happened in the duel against POLCANOVA: “At the Qatar Open I won 4:0 against her but she has become better. Actually I like the quick game but only to block and play the ball on the table is not enough against her. In the first two games I was too passive. I thought if I play this style I cannot win. Then I played with more risk. I learned how to be patient. I currently feel during a match that I cannot lose. I have all matches won here at the European Championships in the fifth set.” HAN Ying repeated the success against LIU Jia but it did not come easy. “I knew that it would be a more difficult game than in the previous round. Then I had won relatively easily against her. After the first game I’ve become nervous. In the first set I have 9:5 and still lost. If I could win this it would have been much easier.” SOLJA was also full of energy. “I could not wait to enter the box. I wanted to play so much. I was focused and ready. I was running like a crazy before the match at the warm up and started perfectly from the first point.” said Petrissa SOLJA. Austria clinched first ever medal at the European Championships in team’s Event. They lost final in Lisbon but they put Germany on test. Two opening matches went full distance. “Sofia POLCANOVA improved her rankings by 100 places in last year but she still needs experience. That was the breaking point in her match against SHAN Xiaona. She started good but then SHAN changed the tactics and Sofia could not follow. That will come with time ” said coach LIU Jan Jun. Same situation were in the duel between HAN Ying and LIU Jia. LIU was two games up and then she suffered defeat. “LIU improved her game against defenders and came close here to HAN. However HAN was much better today. At the end LI Qiangbing was nervous against Petrisa SOLJA today. She needs experience in big matches.”

Portugal writes their name into the prestigious event’s history books. The major contenders for honours and major threat to the hopes of the defending champions seized their opportunity and clinched the title at the Men’s Teams Event at the 2014 TMS Europ Portugal writes their name into the prestigious event’s history books. The major contenders for honours and major threat to the hopes of the defending champions seized their opportunity and clinched the title at the Men’s Teams Event at the 2014 TMS European Championships in Lisbon. They secured first ever gold for Portugal. Germany’s successful row with 6 consecutive titles ended. Bronze medalists are Croatia and Sweden. Marcos FREITAS warmed up crowd at the MEO Arena with comfortable win over Steffen MENGEL at the beginning of the match. However in the same ruthless manner Timo BOLL returned the ball to Portugal’s side of the table. In straight games BOLL overcame Joao MONTEIRO and silenced the crowd. Tiago APOLONIA and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV gave great performance worth big final. In atomic exchange of rallies in two final games in nail biting finishes Portugal won another point. Marcos FREITAS was man in fire. He took the opening game against Timo BOLL in superb style. True to his character Timo BOLL remained resolute and responded immediately to level matters. In third game Marcos put extra pressure to establish the lead once again. FREITAS won third game and in a duel played at a breathtaking pace seal the victory by winning the fourth set. Portugal – Germany 3:1 Marcos FREITAS – Steffen MENGEL 3:0 (11:8 11:8 11:8) Joao MONTEIRO – Timo BOLL 0:3 (7:11 1:11 8:11) Tiago APOLONIA – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 3:1 (11:7 11:2 11:13 11:9) Marcos FREITAS – Timo BOLL 3:1 (12:10 5:11 11:6 11:9)

Germany clinched the title in the Women’s Teams Event at the TMS European Championships in Lisbon. After 1962 1968 (as West-Germany) 1996 1998 and 2013 it is their sixth title. In the final they overcame Austria in straight matches. Austria reached fi Germany clinched the title in the Women’s Teams Event at the TMS European Championships in Lisbon. After 1962 1968 (as West-Germany) 1996 1998 and 2013 it is their sixth title. In the final they overcame Austria in straight matches. Austria reached first ever medal in Team’s Event. Bronze medalists are Sweden and Poland. SHAN Xiaona had a shaky start against Sofia POLCANOVA. The beginning of the match between players ranked at positions no. 31 and no. 24. went on account of the lower ranked player. POLCANOVA was 2:0 up; SHAN was worming up. Even in second game German player had a game ball. SHAN failed to convert it but after second set she hardly missed opportunities. Xiaona recovered to level and eventually beat POLCANOVA. HAN Ying found herself in the same situation like SHAN match earlier. World’s no. 9 was two games down against LIU Jia currently ranked at position no. 12 before she recovered. It was only Petrissa SOLJA who escaped from the dramatic situation. From the first moment of the match against LI Qiangbing she was in the driving seat. “First match between SHAN and POLCANOVA was very important for us. Both players were very nervous but SHAN played at top level. In second HAN found herself in new situation at this tournament. She lost two games! LIU Played very well today. SOLJA gave solid performance. Our team proved they are in top shape. Throughout the tournament they were at the top of the game ” said coach Jie SCHOPP. Germany – Austria 3:0 SHAN Xiaona – Sofia POLCANOVA 3:2 (5:11 10:12 11:4 11:9 11:7) HAN Ying – LIU Jia 3:2 (9:11 8:11 11:8 11:5 12:10) Petrissa SOLJA – LI Qiangbing 3:0 (11:4 11:3 11:9)

Ukraine secured the title in the Men’s Challenge Division at the TMS European Championships in Lisbon and qualified for the Baku 2015 European Games to be staged next year in Azerbaijan. In the final of the Event they overcame Serbia. Serbia lost their pl Ukraine secured the title in the Men’s Challenge Division at the TMS European Championships in Lisbon and qualified for the Baku 2015 European Games to be staged next year in Azerbaijan. In the final of the Event they overcame Serbia. Serbia lost their place for first ever European Games but returned to the Championships Division next year in Yekaterinburg. Kou LEI had to save two match points in the deciding fifth game before securing victory against Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC. KARAKASEVIC had advantage 7:3 and 10:8.  “Nobody else plays like him he has such good control he keeps changing the direction of the play changing the spin; playing him if you lose concentration you have no chance I was lucky I won the last point with a ball that clipped the net ” explained Kou LEI. Slovakia and Italy relegated from the Championships Division The final results and placements for each team at the TMS European Championships were used as qualifications for 2015 European Games that will be held in Baku (Azerbaijan). Top 14 teams from Championship division are directly qualified together with the winner of Challenge division and host – Azerbaijan Table Tennis Association. In Men’s category in Baku will play Germany Portugal Croatia Sweden Russia Belarus France Spain Poland Hungary Austria Greece Czech Republic Romania and Ukraine.

Serbia won the Women’s Challenge Division title at the TMS 2014 European Team Championships in Lisbon. Gabriela FEHER Ana Marija ERDELJI and Andrea TODOROVIC won all six encounters in their division and had not lost individual match on their way to the C Serbia won the Women’s Challenge Division title at the TMS 2014 European Team Championships in Lisbon. Gabriela FEHER Ana Marija ERDELJI and Andrea TODOROVIC won all six encounters in their division and had not lost individual match on their way to the Championships Division in Yekaterinburg next year. Last in line was Slovakia. Gabriela FEHER beat Barbora BALAZOVA Ana-Maria ERDELJI accounted for Eva ODOROVA and Andrea TODOROVIC succeeded against Eva JURKOVA. FEHER came to Lisbon after the knee surgery. “I was very nervous how it will looks. I was not sure I am ready. However it seams everybody else believed in me more then I did. Coach and players encouraged me and now I am surprised with the results. I had best possible care in Barcelona I could not join my team on preparation but I was in constant contact with the coach ” explained Gabriela. Few days before the start of the TMS European Championships head coach of the women team Zoltan MELIK resigned. “He did a great job before he took that decision. We wanted to make him proud here and I hope we did. This was our way to show him gratitude for all the work he did ” stated FEHER. The final results and placements for each team at the TMS European Championships were used as qualifications for 2015 European Games that will be held in Baku (Azerbaijan). Top 14 teams from Championship division are directly qualified together with the winner of Challenge division and host – Azerbaijan Table Tennis Association. In Women’s category in Baku will play Germany Austria Sweden Poland Hungary Netherlands Romania Belarus Czech Republic France Russia Portugal Luxembourg Ukraine and Serbia. All qualified Associations must have respective NOC´s confirmation for participation before March 1st 2015