Romania and Russia clinched the title in their respective Junior Boy’s and Girls Teams Events at the 2014 Croatia Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Junior Circuit in Varazdin. Romania’s Cristian PLETEA Alexandru MANHOLE and Rares SIPOS overcame Sloven Romania and Russia clinched the title in their respective Junior Boy’s and Girls Teams Events at the 2014 Croatia Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Junior Circuit in Varazdin. Romania’s Cristian PLETEA Alexandru MANHOLE and Rares SIPOS overcame Slovenia at the final hurdle of the Event. Surprise finalists the Slovenian trio of Darko JORGIC Deni KOZUL and Tom SFILOGOJ occupied the seventh seeded position in the competition and had confronted Romania in the group stage. On that occasion a three-two victory had been recorded by the Romanians. In the final the two teams met again; the result being a three-one success for Romania. Hungary and Slovak Republic reached semi final. Represented by Kristina KAZANTSEVA Valeria SHCHERBATYKH and Maria TAYLAKOVA; Russia B won the Junior Girls’ Team title and in so doing upset the odds. The second seeds they beat the top seeded Hungarian outfit formed by Orsolya FEHER Leonie HARTBRICH and Leila IMRE at the final hurdle to claim the title; they recorded a three matches to nil success. Russia A and Romania played in the semi final. Russia D and the Slovak Republic secured titles in the respective Cadet Boys’ Team and Cadet Girls’ Team events. Russia D dominated matters in the Cadet Boys’ Team event surrendering just one individual match en route to gold; that being in the final against Italy A when a three matches to one success was posted as the top seeds beat the second seeds to secure gold. Emma LABOSOVA and Tatiana KUKULKOVA of Slovakia overcame France in the ultimate match in cadet Girls Teams Event.
Baku European Games signs SOCAR as Official Partner
Baku 2015 European Games is today proud to announce that the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has signed an agreement to become an Official Partner. The deal will see Baku 2015 European Games branding on every SOCAR forecourt and ou Baku 2015 European Games is today proud to announce that the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has signed an agreement to become an Official Partner. The deal will see Baku 2015 European Games branding on every SOCAR forecourt and outlet across the entire country to raise awareness of the event. SOCAR will also help to promote the European Games around the continent thanks to a marketing campaign that will feature in four other countries including Switzerland Georgia Romania and Ukraine. Azad RAHIMOV Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Baku 2015 Chief Executive Officer said: “The European Games is an opportunity to promote Azerbaijan to the rest of the world and to have the backing of such a highly valued international company is of vital importance. We are very pleased to have the full support of SOCAR and all their staff ahead of Baku 2015.” The deal was announced today at a groundbreaking ceremony in the presence of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham ALIYEV and First Lady Mehriban ALIYEVA to mark the beginning of the construction of the South Gas Corridor extension. Significantly today also marks the 20th anniversary of signing of the ‘Contract of the Century’ which saw the historic agreement to open up the natural resources of Azerbaijan with the international community. Rovnag ABDULLAYEV President of SOCAR said: “We are very proud to be supporting the Baku 2015 European Games as it is the biggest sporting event ever to come to Azerbaijan. Sponsorships across sport are a very significant point for us and SOCAR is honoured to be associated with such an exciting moment in the history of the country. The European Games will help leave a legacy of lasting positive change and we are extremely happy to be playing a part in that.” SOCAR become the fifth Official Partner of Baku 2015 joining P&G Tissot BP and Nar Mobile. Patrick HICKEY President of the European Olympic Committees said: “To have the support of a number of high-profile international businesses is essential to any major sports event and the calibre of partners that Baku 2015 has secured will no doubt lead to a wonderful first edition of the European Games.” Simon CLEGG Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 added: “As we continue to count down the days until the beginning of the European Games it gives us great confidence to know that many major Azerbaijani businesses are backing our efforts to create an innovative event that will unite Europe through sport.” SOCAR – who employ more than 60 000 people – have a long standing association with major sporting bodies and events including the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. They have also agreed to be one of the main sponsors of the France 2016 UEFA European Football Championship.
ZAHARIA and LEVENKO clinched titles in Varazdin
Currently listed at no.157 on the Under 18 Girls’ World Rankings and the eighth seed in Varazdin Romania’s Alina ZAHARIA emerged as the surprise winner of the Junior Girls’ Singles title at the 2014 Croatian Junior and Cadet Open . She also won the Junio Currently listed at no.157 on the Under 18 Girls’ World Rankings and the eighth seed in Varazdin Romania’s Alina ZAHARIA emerged as the surprise winner of the Junior Girls’ Singles title at the 2014 Croatian Junior and Cadet Open . She also won the Junior Girls’ Doubles competition with colleague Arina SINGEORZAN. In the final ZAHARIA overcame host nation representative Dorina SREBRNJAK. In the semi final Dorina overcame Bianca CRISAN of Romania whilst ZAHARIA beat Arina SINGEORZAN. Austria’s Andreas LEVENKO clinched his first ever title on the ITTF Junior Circuit at the 2014 Croatian Junior and Cadet Open. The no.2 seed he accounted for England’s Helshan WEERASINGHE the no.10 seed in the final. Earlier LEVENKO had beaten Hungary’s Mate Buckner in the third round before recording a quarter-final success against Romania’s Rares SIPOS the no.5 seed. In semi final Andreas accounted for Russia’s Andrey SEMENOV. In penultimate round Helshan WEERASINGHE accounted for Romania’s Alexandru MANHOLE the no.9 seed. Helshan WEERASINGHE was second in the Junior Boys’ Singles event but in the Junior Boys’ Doubles competition it was the top step in harness with Slovenia’s Tom SFILGOJ. In final they overcame Hungary’s Mate BUCKNER and Bence MAJOROS the no.5 seeds.
Doubles events reached conclusion in Antwerp
First part of the table tennis event at the Special Olympics European Summer Games is finish. In Antwerp Doubles Mixed Doubles and Doubles Unified Events reached the end. In Women D1 Division Russia’s Nadezhda BETLINSKAIA and Anastasia LUKINA clinched g First part of the table tennis event at the Special Olympics European Summer Games is finish. In Antwerp Doubles Mixed Doubles and Doubles Unified Events reached the end. In Women D1 Division Russia’s Nadezhda BETLINSKAIA and Anastasia LUKINA clinched gold. Hungary and Poland are second and third. In D3 Division Kazakhstan’s Irina KOCHEGOVA and Karina KUZNETSOVA won gold. Austria Monaco and Poland are listed below. In Men’s Doubles Event D1 Division Poland’s Damian BZDAK and Roman SANIASZEK are new champions. Belgium and Great Britain are second and third. In D2 Monaco’s Steve de MARIA and Jody ONNIS beat all the adversaries. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan also reached medal rostrum. In D3 Germany’s Daniel RECKZIEGEL and Detlef STEITZER gained 1st place. Netherlands and Belgium are second and third. In Mixed Doubles Event in Division 1 Great Britain clinched gold Latvia silver and Tajikistan bronze. In D2: Lithuania Malta Czech Republic. In D3 GBR Turkey Ireland. D4: Ukraine Slovenia Faroe Islands. D5: Azerbaijan Spain Moldova. M6: Russia Ireland and France. In Unified Event in Division 1 Hungary Germany and Russia won gold silver and bronze. In D2 Slovakia Czech Republic and Greece whilst in D3 Romania Turkey and Austria reached top three positions at the medal rostrum. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. In Unified Sports teams are made up of people of similar age and ability which makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all.
Champions are ready for another battle
At the TMS European Team Championships in Lisbon next week Germany will try to defend their titles in both categories. German men are in the group with Portugal Austria and Hungary. At the press conference held on Wednesday DTTB sports director Dirk SCH At the TMS European Team Championships in Lisbon next week Germany will try to defend their titles in both categories. German men are in the group with Portugal Austria and Hungary. At the press conference held on Wednesday DTTB sports director Dirk SCHIMMELPFENNIG was optimistic but cautious. “We won the European titles in Schwechat last year with both teams. This year we would like to fight for both titles again with our teams and hopefully be successful. But the competition never sleeps”. The duel against the hosts will be real jewel. “Facing Portugal in the group stage could already be the final played in advance. I suppose that both teams Germany and Portugal will meet again in the final. Our group is pretty tough. Portugal is strong; their players are hungry for the title for years and they will have strong support from their home crowd. The match against Austria is anything but easy for us. Their players especially FEGERL and HABESON have developed well and play on high levels. And due to many shared training sessions the Hungarian team knows us very well ” explained men’s head coach Jörg ROSSKOPF Women team is in the group with Austria France and Turkey. “All my players are highly motivated well prepared worked hard and have shown good performances on the World Tour this year. It is on us now to call up our best performances during the European Championships ” promised Women’s head coach Jie SCHÖPP: Men Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (club: Fakel Gazproma Orenburg/Russland WR: 5) Timo BOLL (Borussia Düsseldorf 9) Patrick BAUM (TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell 14) Steffen MENGEL (TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt 36) Patrick FRANZISKA (Borussia Düsseldorf 40) Women HAN Ying (KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg/Polen WR: 9) SHAN Xiaona (ttc berlin eastside 24) Petrissa SOLJA (ttc berlin eastside 38) Irene IVANCAN (Fenerbahce Istanbul 44) Sabine WINTER (SV DJK Kolbermoor 52)
Greek silver team gathers again in Lisbon
Greek team is travelling to Lisbon with eight players. At the TMS European Championships in Portugal four players will play in Men’s and four in Women’s Events. The composition of men’s team is the same as the one which achieved the historical success and Greek team is travelling to Lisbon with eight players. At the TMS European Championships in Portugal four players will play in Men’s and four in Women’s Events. The composition of men’s team is the same as the one which achieved the historical success and clinched the silver medial two years ago in Schwechat. For Greece will play Panagiotis GIONIS Kallinikos KREANGA Kostas PAPAGEORGIOU and Tasos RINIOTIS as a substitute. The team will once again lead by national coach Kostas VATSAKLIS. Women team will compete in the Challenge Division. To the capitol of Portugal will travel Katerina TOLIOU Maria CHRISTOFORAKI Angelina PAPADAKI and Filareti EXARCHOU. Christina FILI will be in charge for the Women’s team. The former international player and current champion in the Greek top league with A.S. Pera Athens will help VATSAKLIS as she did few months ago at the World Championships in Tokyo.
China took home six gold medals at Para WC
The local Beijing crowd had much to cheer for today as hosts China took home six gold medals during the team finals of the 2014 ITTF Para World Table Tennis Championships. China won the Class 1-3 Class 5 Class 6-8 and Class 9-10 women’s team event The local Beijing crowd had much to cheer for today as hosts China took home six gold medals during the team finals of the 2014 ITTF Para World Table Tennis Championships. China won the Class 1-3 Class 5 Class 6-8 and Class 9-10 women’s team events defeating Turkey Sweden Germany and Poland in the process. But despite the strong performance Chinese player ZHANG Bian says there remains room for improvement. “We just partnered in the team event for about one year ” ZHANG said after her team’s 3-1 win over Sweden in the class 5 women’s team final. “We will practice more after this championship so we can win 3-0 straight the next time.” But despite winning both the Class 5 and 8 men’s team finals the Chinese men’s team was unable to match the dominance of their female counterparts. Local hopes at the National Para Training Center were dashed by Poland and Germany who defeated the hosts in the Class 9-10 and Class 3 men’s team finals respectively. “Our team believed we could win against China ” said Poland’s Patryk CHOJNOWSKI after his team’s 3-1 victory. “We played against them in three finals in this competition so we had to win at least one – and this was it. Everybody played good.” “One of our players didn’t feel so good and was injured so we had to change a little bit ” added Polish coach Elzbieta MADEJSKA. “They couldn’t play very strong so it was a surprise for the Chinese players. They expected very strong and tough fighting but it was often a very slow ball. They were waiting for the ball and it didn’t come so it was very good for us.” Germany’s Thomas SCHMIDBERGER was in similar high spirits after his team defeated a Chinese squad that included world number one FENG Panfeng in their ranks. “It is difficult against the Chinese players ” said SCHMIDBERGER after his team’s 3-2 win. “But everything is possible. We had to play our best table tennis to beat them and take the title today. It was really brilliant to have a German crowd here supporting us in Beijing with the German flag celebrating when we are making good points ” added SCHMIDBERGER referring to a vocal group of German supporters living in Beijing who were present to cheer their team on. Korea and France were the other big winners on finals day. Korea took home gold in the Class 1 Class 4 and 11 men’s team events while France were crowned men’s Class 2 champions. This brings France’s total gold medal haul at the ITTF Para World Table Tennis Championships to three an improvement from their performance at the 2012 London Paralympics. “It was a great moment to win here at the World Championships for the French team!” said France’s Stephane MOLLIENS. “It is a great moment for my partner (Fabian LAMIRAULT) to win both the singles and the team events.” In other results Spain defeated Ukraine 3-2 to become Class 6-7 men’s team champions Serbia beat 3-0 Chinese Taipei in the Class 4 women’s team final and Japan took home gold in the Class 11 women’s event after their 3-1 victory over Poland. Newly crowned Para World Champions: Women’s Teams Class 1-3: China Women’s Teams Class 4: Serbia Women’s Teams Class 5: China Women’s Teams Class 6-8: China Women’s Teams Class 9-10: China Women’s Teams Class 11: Japan Men’s Teams Class 1: Korea Men’s Teams Class 2: France Men’s Teams Class 3: Germany Men’s Teams Class 4: Korea Men’s Teams Class 5: China Men’s Team Class 6-7: Spain Men’s Team Class 8: China Men’s Team Class 9-10: Poland Men’s Team Class 11: Korea
Great success of ETTU Pre-selection Camp
From 25th to 31st August 2014 Luxemburg hosted ETTU Pre-selection Camp. The organizer was Luxembourg Table Tennis Federation in cooperation with Chinese Table Tennis Association and Chinese Table Tennis College and supported by the Sportsministry of Luxem From 25th to 31st August 2014 Luxemburg hosted ETTU Pre-selection Camp. The organizer was Luxembourg Table Tennis Federation in cooperation with Chinese Table Tennis Association and Chinese Table Tennis College and supported by the Sportsministry of Luxembourg and ETTU. The training camp was conducted by ZANG Yining CHEN Qi both from CTTA and head of the Chinese delegation YUAN Hua together with Martin OSTERMANN XIA Cheng both fropm Luxembourg and Eva JELER of Germany appointed by ETTU Also coaches from 11 European countries attended the camp: Peebles Hong Hong (ENG) Pernilla ANDERSSON (SWE) Svetlana MOISEEVA (RUS) Maksim SAATOV (BLR) Pavel STEFFEK (CZE) Mattias BERGKVIST (FIN) Gennady SEREF (ISR) Titus DAMSMA (HOL) Remi BEELEN (HOL) Sindre ATEIGEN (NOR) Pedro PELZ (SUI). Luxembourg hosted 41 players from 13 countries: Belarus China Czech Republic England Finland Germany Israel Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Russia Sweden and Switzerland. The venue was the National Sports Institute of Luxembourg (I.N.S.) located in Cents part of Luxembourg City. “The purpose of the event was to demonstrate the typical Chinese approach running a training camp for the age group U15. It was the second time that there was such cooperation with China and it was really very exciting and interesting for the European players and coaches” explained coach Eva JELER. A very rich and detailed program was prepared by ZHANG Yiningand CHEN Qi and agreed with the organisers and European coaches. “All coaches enjoyed the table tennis discussions and the remarkably open exchange with our Chinese partners. They very much appreciated the explanations and demonstrations of the daily program before the session and the evaluation after as well as the individual conversation during the training. All coaches were very much involved and active.”
SAMSONOV and POTA crowned champions in de Haan
Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus the no.2 seed clinched the title in the Men’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Belgium Open in de Haan. In the final he succeeded against the man who beat the odds. Simon ARVIDSSON the 24 year old Swede Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus the no.2 seed clinched the title in the Men’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Belgium Open in de Haan. In the final he succeeded against the man who beat the odds. Simon ARVIDSSON the 24 year old Swede presently with no World ranking owing to a lack of international exposure was his adversary at the last hurdle. In the final SAMSONOV recorded safe five games victory after thrilling encounter in semis. One round earlier he was stretched to full distance against Portugal’s Tiago APOLONIA the no.3 seed. Swede accounted for Niagol STOYANOV of Italy. In Women’s Singles Event Georgina POTA of Hungary clinched her first title. In January she reached first ever final in Hungary whilst today she moved step forward. In the ultimate stage she beat Megumi ABE of Japan. In semis POTA the no.4 seed halted the progress of Megumi ABE’S compatriot Kyoka KATO the no.14 seed. The winners in Men’s and Women’s U21 Event are Stephane OUAICHE of France and Bernadette SZOCS of Romania. OUAICHE overcame Benedikt DUDA of Germany in the final whilst SZOCS beat Japan’s Eka SO.
Belgium Open Niagol STOYANOV beat OVTCHAROV!
Italian Niagol STOYANOV caused a sensation in the third round of the Men’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Belgium Open in de Haan. The 27 year old beat Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV the top seed and reigning European champion by the Italian Niagol STOYANOV caused a sensation in the third round of the Men’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Belgium Open in de Haan. The 27 year old beat Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV the top seed and reigning European champion by the very narrowest of margins in a seven games thriller (11-9 8-11 7-11 11-9 11-4 4-11 11-9). Niagol STOYANOV the ninth seed by emerging successful books a place in the last eight of an ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles event for only the second time in his career. One year ago in September 2013 he reached the quarter-final stage in Belarus losing the Japan’s Kohei SAMBE. Currently Niagol Stoyanov is listed at no.134 on the Men’s World Rankings his best is no.131 earlier this year in May; his new best is October 2014! Today he went one step further. In quarters Niagol overcame Alexandre CASSIN in six games. CASSIN’S progress to quarter was another big upset today. Alexandre CASSIN of France the no.26 seed and reigning European Junior Champion accounted for Ecuador’s Alberto MIÑO the no.23 seed. Mihai BOBOCICA the no.4 seed ended the adventures of qualifier Korea’s KIM Doyub but lost his duel in quarters against Simon ARDVISSON of Sweden. Georgina POTA of Hungary is the only European representative in the last four in Women’s Singles Event. In quarterfinal she was stretched to full distance against Bernadette SZOCS of Romania but eventually prevailed.
