In Group B all four clubs participated in previous edition of the Men’s European Champions League: Chartres ASTT SV Werder Bremen Weinviertel Niederösterreich and Eslövs AI BTK Bordtennis. After shocking defeat in the quarterfinal last year against Pont In Group B all four clubs participated in previous edition of the Men’s European Champions League: Chartres ASTT SV Werder Bremen Weinviertel Niederösterreich and Eslövs AI BTK Bordtennis. After shocking defeat in the quarterfinal last year against Pontoise “The Greens” from Germany will play again in little bit changed line up. CHUANG Chih Yuan left the club so Bastian STEGER from Saarbrucken took over position no. one in the team. After the draw Werder Bremen`s team manager Sascha GREBER was cautious. “It is a very tough draw; Chartres is absolute favorite for winning this group. Niederösterreich and Eslöv will be also difficult tasks for us; both have non seeded Chinese players in their team so they are much better than the rankings shows. Eslöv has Robert SVENSSON. We remember him as a strong player from his time in Fulda. It will be hard but our goal is to reach the quarter final.”
Carlos MACHADO rewrites the history books
The Antequera (Málaga) hosted the Spain Championships in all categories from the very young to seniors and disabled from June 21 to 29. The success of Carlos MACHADO highlighted this year’s edition of the competition in Men’s Singles Event. He won the ti The Antequera (Málaga) hosted the Spain Championships in all categories from the very young to seniors and disabled from June 21 to 29. The success of Carlos MACHADO highlighted this year’s edition of the competition in Men’s Singles Event. He won the title for a 10th time and thus he becomes the best Spanish player of all time. Maria XIAO clinched the title in Women’s Singles Event. In team’s UCAM Cartagena won the Championship in men’s and in women’s champion is Fotoprix Vic More than 1400 participants have competed in these championships on a total of 40 tables. “This Championships was organized by Spanish Table Tennis Association with the collaboration of Municipality of Antequera and Butterfly ” stated Antonio GARCÍA media officer in RFETM. .
14-year-old American headlines World Cup qualification
14-year-old Kanak JHA (USA) has became the youngest winner of a continental event by winning the 2014 ITTF-North American Cup which qualifies him for the ITTF World Cup later in the year. JHA will be joined at the ITTF World Cup by the 2014 ITTF-North A 14-year-old Kanak JHA (USA) has became the youngest winner of a continental event by winning the 2014 ITTF-North American Cup which qualifies him for the ITTF World Cup later in the year. JHA will be joined at the ITTF World Cup by the 2014 ITTF-North American Cup Women’s champion Canada’s ZHANG Mo and the 2014 ITTF-African Cup Men’s and Women’s Champions Nigeria’s Quadri ARUNA and Egypt’s Dina MESHREF. The ITTF-North American Cup and ITTF-African Cup were the final two qualification events for the 2014 Men’s and Women’s ITTF World Cups which are two of the most prestigious table tennis events on the ITTF calendar. Only 20 of the best table tennis players in the world qualify for these top events. The 2014 editions will take place in: Women’s World Cup 17 – 19 Oct 2014 Place TBD LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup 24 – 26 Oct 2014 Dusseldorf Germany The 2014 ITTF-North American Cup was staged in Burnaby Canada from 25 Jun to 26 Jun 2014. In the Men’s finals Kanak JHA overcame compatriot Adam HUGH in five games (12-10 11-8 11-9 6-11 11-4) to secure the Men’s title. After his victory the 14 year-old stated. “In the finals I knew that I had what it takes to beat him (Adam HUGH) but it was mostly a mental game. It was important to win the first few games to set the tone of the match. I never expected to come to the finals and even make it to the World Cup! I am very happy and I definitely will play my best there it will be a great experience.“ Meanwhile Canada’s top ranked player ZHANG Mo defeated USA’s rising star 12 year old Crystal WANG four-one (11-4 8-11 13-11 11-4 11-7) in the Women’s finals to secure the top position on the podium. ZHANG will be making her third appearance in the Women’s World Cup she played previously in 2009 and 2010. She stated: “The home crowd is great helping me a lot! I am really happy to be qualified for the Women’s World Cup again after missing it for three years.” On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean Nigeria hosted the 2014 ITTF-Africa Cup in the city of Lagos which Nigeria’s Quadri ARUNA and Egypt’s Dina MESHREF emerged successful in the Men’s & Women’s Singles respectively. Defeated in the semifinals of the recent Nigeria Open Quadri ARUNA had his sweet revenge against the top seed Egypt’s Omar ASSAR in the semifinals of the 2014 ITTF Africa Cup. He eventually took down the defending champion El-Sayed LASHIN (EGY) in the finals showdown in a tight 7-games match (11-9 13-15 5-11 11-7 11-9 9-11 11-2). The 25-year-old Nigerian shared on his win: “This victory meant a lot to me and it is the beginning of a new era in my career because it will surely improve my ranking.” In the Women’s Singles finals Dina MESHREF overcame Quadri ARUNA’s compatriot Olufunke OSHONAIKE in 4 straight games (11-6 13-11 11-9 16-14) to secure her ticket to the Women’s World Cup. After her triumph the Egyptian heroine stated: “It was not an easy match but I am so happy winning. I am excited to represent Africa at the World Cup and I hope I can win a medal there!” JHA ZHANG ARUNA and MESHREF join the following players that have qualified for the Men’s and Women’s World Cups: DHS 2014 Europe Cup: LI Jiao (NED) LIU Jia (AUT) Viktoria PAVLOVICH (BLR) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) Marcos FREITAS (POR) Michael MAZE (DEN) GAC 2014 Honda Asian Cup: DING Ning (CHN) LI Xiaoxia (CHN) YU Mengyu (SIN) MA Long (CHN) Jun MIZUTANI (JPN) K-Sport 2014 ITTF-Oceania Cup: William HENZELL (AUS) LAY Jianfang (AUS) 2014 ITTF-Latin America Cup: Cazuo MATSUMOTO (BRA) Caroline KUMAHARA (BRA) Current World Champions ZHANG Jike (CHN) and LI Xiaoxia(CHN) also qualified directly. The additional places will be based on world ranking on those who participated in the Continental Cups but did not gain an automatic qualification position.
England vs Australia in Preston
In their last stop before heading off to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a rare opportunity to see the England Team in action England will be competing against Australia at the University of Central Lancashire on Sunday 20th July in a match hosted In their last stop before heading off to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a rare opportunity to see the England Team in action England will be competing against Australia at the University of Central Lancashire on Sunday 20th July in a match hosted by UCLan and Preston Table Tennis Association. England squad – Men: Andrew BAGGALEY Paul DRINKHALL Liam PITCHFORD Daniel REED Sam WALKER. Women: Joanna DRINKHALL Hannah HICKS Tin-Tin HO Karina Le FEVRE Kelly SIBLEY.
Winding MECL road awaits Borussia
Group D of 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League coming out from the draw in Vienna looks like the group without secret. Borussia Dusseldorf GV Hennebont and Bogoria shared MECL group once before in 2009/10 season when German side won its 9th title. Group D of 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League coming out from the draw in Vienna looks like the group without secret. Borussia Dusseldorf GV Hennebont and Bogoria shared MECL group once before in 2009/10 season when German side won its 9th title. Now they will be together in Group D with Austrian Walter Wels who is the last placed 16th seed. The ten times European champion Borussia Dusseldorf had last three bad seasons after three titles in a row (2009-11). Several injuries affected the unstoppable line-up Timo BOLL Christian SUSS Patrick BAUM. Everything went wrong when SUSS received one hard injury and same problem in last two seasons had Timo BOLL. The team surprisingly lost all four group stage games in 2013/14 edition. “It is a very hard and well balanced group. All three group favorites have an outstanding players. Therefore we already in the group stage need to do everything to go ahead. I hope that we can finally avoid injuries and in good shape reached quarter finals” stressed Borussia`s manager Andreas PREUSS after the draw which is held in Vienna. Borussia is the 2nd seed third consecutive season behind Orenburg. The world`s no 10 Timo BOLL continues as no. 1 team player supported by newcomer Panagiotis GIONIS (no. 27 instead Patrick BAUM) Patrik FRANZISKA (no. 29) and Kamal ACHANTA (no. 40).
Orenburg and Pontoise neverending duel
The draw of 2014/15 Men’s European Champions League was held in Vienna. Last finalists will meet in Group A in upcoming autumn: reigning MECL champion AS Pontoise Cergy against Fakel Gazproma Orenburg. Other two clubs in that group are newcomer from Polan The draw of 2014/15 Men’s European Champions League was held in Vienna. Last finalists will meet in Group A in upcoming autumn: reigning MECL champion AS Pontoise Cergy against Fakel Gazproma Orenburg. Other two clubs in that group are newcomer from Poland Olimpia-Unia Grudziadz and Danish Roskilde Bordtennis BTK61 which is coming back in the action. Despite recent defeat from Pontoise in the clash for the 2013/14 title the two times MECL winner in last three seasons Orenburg is considered again as top favorite starting as no. 1 seed. Group B consists of four clubs which participated in previous edition: Chartres ASTT SV Werder Bremen Weinviertel Niederösterreich and Eslövs AI BTK Bordtennis. French champion Chartres continues with the same line-up GAO Ning Robert GARDOS Par GERELL having a goal to achieve one more final (they were beaten by Orenburg in super dramatic 2012/13 final). „The Greens” from Germany with one big change (STEGER instead CHUANG) tries to go far than in last season (quarter-final) but the 2008 MECL champion Weinviertel Niederösterreich will be hard opponent. Group C provides a remake of excellent 2011/12 MECL semis connecting again UMMC and Saarbrucken. Both clubs changed their squads from that time but the good fight is guaranteed. French Vaillante Angers TT hopes that it can repeat success from 2013/14 (semi-final) while newcomer and 15th seed from Czech Republic Sten marketing HB Ostrov will try to be one of surprises. Group D offers long time rivalries knowing how many times Borussia (no. 2 seed) Bogoria (9) and Hennebont (7) played one against another. Two seasons ago Polish champion was fatal for German side. Timo BOLL & Company is motivated to delete bad memories from last two seasons (especially last one). Former Anger`s player Greek Panagiotis GIONIS hopes that he can keep high number of wins that Patrick BAUM had in the past in Borussia`s jersey. The 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League groups GROUP A Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (Russia 1st seed) AS Pontoise Cergy TT (France 6) Olimpia-Unia Grudziadz (Poland 12) Roskilde Bordtennis BTK61 (Denmark 13) GROUP B Chartres ASTT (France 4) SV Werder Bremen (Germany 8) Weinviertel Niederösterreich (Austria 11) Eslövs AI BTK Bordtennis (Sweden 14) GROUP C UMMC Verkhnaya Pyshma (Russia 3) Saarbrücken TT (Germany 5) Vaillante Angers TT (France 10) Sten marketing HB Ostrov (Czech Republic 15) GROUP D Borussia Düsseldorf (Germany 2) GV Hennebont TT (France 7) Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki (Poland 9) SPG Walter Wels (Austria 16)
Street TT in Riva to excite visitors
The upcoming 2014 Sterilgarda European Table Tennis Youth Championships to be held in Riva del Garda (Italy) from 11th to 20th of July will feature an outstanding novelty. The Italian Table Tennis Association and the Garda Trentino organization decided to The upcoming 2014 Sterilgarda European Table Tennis Youth Championships to be held in Riva del Garda (Italy) from 11th to 20th of July will feature an outstanding novelty. The Italian Table Tennis Association and the Garda Trentino organization decided to set-up an exciting “Fun Zone” destined to be a great place to get familiar with this massive event gathering 46 participating countries. With the huge 10-day tournament running in the Baltera Expo-fair’s pavillons all day long the “Fun Zone” situated in central Piazza Battisti (in front of La Rocca monument surrounded by restaurants and cafes just by the Lake Garda) will be a superb tourist attraction and much more. In fact visiting the tensostructure the international TT fans will be able to support their favorite players and cheer them up watching the live coverage on one of the plasma screens. At the same time the fantastic location should catch the eye of many sport fans and tourists. The “Fun Zone” will offer a great deal of entertainment indeed. Three TT tables will be placed under the large tent. Everyone will be able to try their hand at the table for free and even compete against each other. If someone wishes to hear a word of advice or would like to improve his technique the TT coaches will be more than happy to give their assistance. Near the tables a small VIP lounge will be also placed to welcome special guests. Multilanguage hostesses will serve a helping hand in case of any questions about the event or Garda Trentino attractions. The organizers aim to highlight Sterilgarda EYC “Fun Zone” as a massive meeting point where plenty of Garda Trentino’s visitors from all around Europe may have the opportunity to live the atmosphere of a new sport experience.
Ibrahim HAMATO and HE Zhi Wen in prime time
Last night Ibrahim HAMATO player who plays table tennis despite having both arms amputated was invited to participate in the popular TV show in Spain. TV Show “El Hormiguero”; the most famous TV show on the prime time in the Spanish Televisi Last night Ibrahim HAMATO player who plays table tennis despite having both arms amputated was invited to participate in the popular TV show in Spain. TV Show “El Hormiguero”; the most famous TV show on the prime time in the Spanish Television(it has the highest audiences among all national public and private TV networks) every week hosts very famous people like Novak DJOKOVIC actors like STALLONE Hugh GRANT Harrison FORD … “It was great promotion for our sport. We worked with Mr Khaled El-SALHY and Alaa MESHREF for obtain the visa and all details for his coming to this show. Ibrahim was playing with the singers of “Estopa” a very popular music band in Spain ” explained David CORRAL Sport Manager in Spanish Table Tennis Association. HE Zhi Wen was also in the show. “This was a great moment for our sport and for disabled table tennis. Mr HAMATO and Mr HE Zhi Wen were great in the show.”
Chinese youth shines in Taicang
2014 China Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Premium Junior Circuit in Taicang host nation clinched three gold medals in Team’s Event. In Junior boys Teams Event Thailand suffered a three-nil defeat at the hands of China ‘A’ represented by CHEN Xin 2014 China Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Premium Junior Circuit in Taicang host nation clinched three gold medals in Team’s Event. In Junior boys Teams Event Thailand suffered a three-nil defeat at the hands of China ‘A’ represented by CHEN Xin WEI Shihao and FANG Yinchi. Supanut WISUTMAYTHANGKOON Padasak TANVIRIYAVECHAKUL could not halt the progress of top seeded Chinese partnership. In semi final Taipei l;ost against China and Thailand beat China B. Russia’s Maxim CHAPLYGIN Nikita YARSUHIN and Maksim KISELEV suffered by the hands of China A in quarterfinal. In Junior Girls Teams Event China B with WANG Yidi FAN Siqi and MU Jingyu overcame Korea DPR in the final to secure the crown. In Cadet Boys Teams Event Chinese Taipei beat China in the final whilst in Cadet Girls China reached the top spot at the medal rostrum. At the final hurdle they succeeded against Japan.
EYC stunning 46-country record number
Summer time has come at Garda Trentino with the whole area full of tourists and sun. A joyful atmosphere expects the table tennis family joining the Northern side of the lake within few days. Riva del Garda has a lot to offer in the upcoming July. The app Summer time has come at Garda Trentino with the whole area full of tourists and sun. A joyful atmosphere expects the table tennis family joining the Northern side of the lake within few days. Riva del Garda has a lot to offer in the upcoming July. The approaching 2014 Sterilgarda European Youth Championships is an event a table tennis fan cannot miss or ignore. A record number of 46 countries taking part to the 10-day tournament (from 11th to 20th of July teams competition first then individuals) speaks for itself. 39 countries confirmed their participation in Junior Boy’s Teams Event and 32 nations at the Junior Girls list. In Cadet Boys Team’s event 42 countries are listed and in Cadet Girls 36. The competition schedule has been completed. Around 3.500 matches are going to be played. 14 titles will be granted – JB JG CB CG teams single doubles mixed doubles (juniors and cadets). It’ll be a tough but glamorous event at Baltera Expo Fair in Rival del Garda where the venue preparation already started to set up 24 competition tables and 24 for training besides locker rooms offices restaurants commercial area vip lounges. Approximately 550 players will participate in the event. They will be accompanied by 200 coaches managers physios. Around 300 registered personnel including 100 referees and umpires media and table tennis companies representatives 80 OC staff and 40 volunteers. Riva del Garda’s Baltera Expo Fair complex area covers 25.000 sqm. The entire area is a fully air-conditioned and shaded structure. There are 2 show-courts 14×7 mt. each where the most important matches and the finals will take place (televised live by ETTU TV powered by Laola1.tv worldwide). Also there are 22 courts (12×6 mt. each) and 24 practice tables (10×5 mt. each) which will be at players disposal. No wonder that the organizers choose Riva del Garda as a place to carry out the competition. It’s well connected with major Italian airports (Milan Bergamo Verona Venice Treviso). The unique location surrounded by the mountains at the shore of Lake Garda creates a pleasant climate and optimal temperatures. It offers accommodation with over 4500 rooms ranging from luxurious to simple ones. The attractions are easily available at walking distance. Everyone can find the activity which suits them most. From climbing in Arco canyoning in Ledro Valley to sailing and diving in Lake Garda itself. The whole territory is available for bike excursions thanks to well-organized trails and routes. The intensity of the 10-day competition is impressive but the environment looks really great.
