Elections for the ITTF Athletes’ Commission will take place at the forthcoming ZEN-NOH World Team Championships in Tokyo; five members will be elected and will hold office for a period of four year. The current Chair is Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus; he st Elections for the ITTF Athletes’ Commission will take place at the forthcoming ZEN-NOH World Team Championships in Tokyo; five members will be elected and will hold office for a period of four year. The current Chair is Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus; he stands for office alongside Hungary’s Krisztina TOTH Belgium’s Jean-Michel SAIVE Croatia’s Zoran PRIMORAC Singapore’s YANG Zi Romania’s Andrei FILIMON and Australia’s David POWELL. Venue for casting votes is the Dining Room at the Shinagawa Hotel in Tokyo with a three day period being allocated for proceedings. Players may cast their votes on Monday 28th April from 5.30pm to 11.00pm; on Tuesday 29th April from 11.30am to 4.00pm and from 5.30pm to 11.00pm and likewise on Thursday 1st May from 11.30am to 4.00pm and from 5.30pm to 11.00pm.

Germany seeded no. two at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Japan from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May once again is the main favorite for the medal rostrum. Keeping the European hopes high German squad already arrived in Jap Germany seeded no. two at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Japan from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May once again is the main favorite for the medal rostrum. Keeping the European hopes high German squad already arrived in Japan with high aspirations. At the press conference DTTB Sports Director Dirk SCHIMMELPFENNIG talked about the German expectations: “We want to fight for medals at the World Championships. With the men’s team the medal should be as bright as possible. Our goal is a place on the podium. The women are ranked at position 6. The group is difficult but manageable. The aim is to progress from the group stage and proceed to the quarter finals if it is possible. The World Championships is the highlight of the season this year. They are halfway between London and Rio Olympics. For us Tokyo is at halftime also an important feedback two years before the Olympics.” German women’s coach Jie SCHÖPP talked about the shape of her team: “I have a better feeling now than immediately after the German Open in terms of the shape of my players. They too have more self-confidence now. At the World Team Ranking we are at position 6. We want to confirm our position in the preliminary rounds. I think that we even have a chance against Hong Kong on a good day for us. We want to play well in the group and perhaps reach the quarter finals.” European champion WU Jiaduo stressed that German team plays well at World Championships: “In 2012 we were in the quarter finals and have only just lost to Singapore in a very close match. In 2010 we became 3rd in Moscow. In team events we always fight for each other no matter who is on the team. One for all all for one. Therefore I have a very positive feeling for Tokyo.” Jörg ROSSKOPF was asked about a possible final match against China: “I do not think so much about it. China will definitely be in the final. We have to get there and that is a long way with many critical situations. First we need to do our “homework” and play well before we can start thinking about a final against China.” Jörg ROSSKOPF also talked whether the prospects have improved against China since the 2012 World Championships: “I believe that the opportunities have not changed since Dortmund two years ago. You always have to believe that you will be able to beat the Chinese in a game like this. Every series breaks some time. China will not win the World Championships the next 30 years some time a different national anthem will be played.” Dimitrij OVTCHAROV showed confidence before the start of the Championships: ”In recent weeks it went very well for me. That gave me confidence for Tokyo. As so often the mental condition is the decisive point. It is important that I start well the tournament and then hopefully reach 100 percent in the final.” Timo BOLL cancelled the German Open at the end of March due to injury: “I’ve been back to practice for more than two weeks now. On both weekends I’ve played in good shape at the Bundesleague play-offs. I feel fit. There are still a few percent up to go. All in all I am satisfied with my current performance keeping in mind that I had a 2-week table tennis break.” MEN: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (club: Fakel Orenburg World Ranking: 4 National team matches: 69) Timo BOLL (Borussia Düsseldorf World Ranking: 9 National team matches: 123) Patrick BAUM (Borussia Düsseldorf World Ranking: 21 National team matches: 40) Patrick FRANZISKA (TTC Fulda-Maberzell World Ranking: 37 National team matches: 14) Steffen MENGEL (TTC Frickenhausen World Ranking: 49 National team matches: 8) WOMEN: WU Jiaduo (club: Metz TT World Ranking: 32 National team matches: 79) Petrissa SOLJA ( Linz AG Froschberg World Ranking: 40 National team matches: 7) Irene IVANCAN (ttc berlin eastside World Ranking: 46 National team matches: 17) Kristin SILBEREISEN (ttc berlin eastside World Ranking: 51 National team matches: 74) Sabine WINTER (SV DJK Kolbermoor World Ranking: 79 National team matches: 19) Coaches: Dirk SCHIMMELPFENNIG (Sports Director) Jörg ROSSKOPF (Men’s head coach) ZHU Xiaoyong (Assistent to Men’s head coach) Jie SCHÖPP (women’s head coach) By S. Hinz   picture attached by DTTB (Benedikt Probst)

Slovenia’s town of Lasko will host the 11th Slovenia Open from 6th to 11th May. Singles events are scheduled for a first two days of the competition whilst team’s event will be played at 9th and 10th May. The venue of the event is Sports hall Tri Lilije. Slovenia’s town of Lasko will host the 11th Slovenia Open from 6th to 11th May. Singles events are scheduled for a first two days of the competition whilst team’s event will be played at 9th and 10th May. The venue of the event is Sports hall Tri Lilije. The singles and teams events in both categories will be played in class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 and 11 but the organizers and Technical delegate reserve the right to combine classes as may be necessary. So far 303 players announced their arrivals. At the list are competitors from Argentina Austria Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chile Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Great Britain Spain France Germany Hungary Iran Israel Italy Japan Malaysia Mexico FYRM Netherlands Norway Poland Romania Russia Slovenia Serbia Switzerland Slovakia Sweden Thailand Turkey Ukraine USA. Official organizer is Paralympic Committee of Slovenia. The event will be organized under the auspices and authority of the Slovenian TTA and ITTF / Para Table Tennis Division. Read/download prospectus and list of participants

After six days of trainings in Eslöv and a few days of rest for Easter the Sweden’s team arrived in Tokyo to continue with the final preparations for the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Japan from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May. After six days of trainings in Eslöv and a few days of rest for Easter the Sweden’s team arrived in Tokyo to continue with the final preparations for the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Japan from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May. “In the Japanese table tennis center they have already started to work ” reported Peter SARTZ while he was walking his dog Alvis at home in Malmö. Peter who after 19 years in the Danish service makes a comeback on the Swedish bench will flight to Japan on Friday. Peter will lead Sweden’s men’s team and Thomas von SCHEELE – is already at the place in the World Championships city with Swedish ladies. It is noticeable that Peter looking forward to the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Championships with excitement. “We have to be among top three in the group. It is our plan. South Korea is the favorite; North Korea is unknown for us and Taiwan led by CHUANG is good on paper but not always reliable when it shrinks” SARTZ added. Sweden is ranked as the twelfth World Championship team and the goal to be among the top ten teams is very realistic.“China is the favorite of course ahead of Germany and Japan. The rest…everything is open.” Pär GERELL is now very high ranked as 35th in the world rankings and announced with his quarterfinal place in the German Open that he’s in good shape this spring. He was pleased with Eslöv camp. “If we just can find the stability in our game it will be perfect. I hope Pär GERELL will find the way to manage pressure and progress as our number one. Do not forget that he led 3-0 against ZHENDONG in Qatar” emphasizes Peter. Pär GERELL had a little pain in the neck at the end of the camp otherwise everything else was fine. No sign at all of injuries in the Swedish World Championships squad. Peter adds: “Jens plays at his highest level and he can produce good performance in Japan just like Kristian who played well in his French club Pontoise Cergy both in the national league and the Champions League. Jon and Harald also have a lot to give.” Peter SARTZ is pleased with the move from Denmark to Sweden. “Communication with the guys has been great. It is great to be focused on Sweden again and it is a great fun to be at the major championship. In China and Japan the stands are always full and inspiring for all.” Last time Peter SARTZ was engaged in Sweden’s team at the World Championships in Tianjin in 1995 when he assisted Soren AHLEN. Two years before that in Gothenburg he worked with Anders THUNSTRÖM. Sweden’s World Cup squad – Men: Pär GERELL  Born: 23/6 1982  Club: ASTT Chartres France  Rankings: 35; VM starts: 9th (05 06 08 09 10 11 12 13 14) Jens LUNDQUIST  Born: 29/8 1979  Club: Valli Ante Sports Angers France  Rankings: 66; World Cup starts: 13th (97 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14) Kristian KARLSSON  Born: 6/8 1991Club: Pontoise Cergy France  World ranking: 97; VM starts: third (12 13 14) Jon PERSSON  Born: 23/10 1986  Club: Söderhamns UIF  Rankings: 133; World Cup starts: 3rd (07 08 14) Harald ANDERSSON  Born: 9/29 1991  Club: Halmstad BTK  Rankings: 193; World Cup starts: Debutante Sweden’s World Cup squad – Women: Matilda EKHOLM  Born: June 15 1982  Clubs: Fotoprix VIC Barcelona (Spain) JS Cugnaux-Villeneuve (France)  Rankings: 55; VM starts: 10th (05 06 07 08 09. 10 11 12 13 14) Linda BERGSTRÖM  Born: January 12 1995  Club: Ängby SK  World ranking. 235; VM starts: second (12 14) Daniela MOSKOVITS  Born: June 18 1993  Team: Team Mälarenergi BTK  World ranking: 299; VM starts: second (12 14) Jennifer JONSSON  Born: August 13 1994  Club: Spårvägens BTK  World ranking: 303; VM starts: second (12 14)

For a first time after 2010 fantastic Michale MAZE is the part of the Danish line up at World Championships. Next week at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Tokyo from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May MAZE will lead the outfit s For a first time after 2010 fantastic Michale MAZE is the part of the Danish line up at World Championships. Next week at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Tokyo from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May MAZE will lead the outfit seeded at position no. 17. The team will consist of Michael MAZE Jonathan GROTH Kasper STERNBERG Mikkel HINDERSSON and Morten Hyrup RASMUSSEN. Since it is the first time since 2010 that Michael MAZE will play in a World championships coach Linus MERNSTEIN hopes that the final result will exceed the achievements recorded in previous occasions. In their Group are also Germany Hong Kong Croatia Singapore and Ukraine. Denmark is fifth seed in Group B. “It is a difficult draw but if MAZE is in good shape and GROTH and STERNBERG continue their progress we can be hard opponent to beat for any teams ” said the Danish coach. Best result Denmark had in 1969 and 2008. They reached position no. 11.    

With the most powerful weapon men’s national team of Greece will fight at the World Championship in Japan. Panagiotis GIONIS Kallinikos KREANGA and Kostas PAPAGEORGIOU who led the team to the silver medal at the European Championships in Austria will be With the most powerful weapon men’s national team of Greece will fight at the World Championship in Japan. Panagiotis GIONIS Kallinikos KREANGA and Kostas PAPAGEORGIOU who led the team to the silver medal at the European Championships in Austria will be present in Tokyo joined by Tasos RINIOTIS (which was also Austria) and Kostas LAGOGIANNIS. The corresponding team of women gathers Katerina TOLIOU Maria CHRISTOFORAKI and Angelina PAPADAKI. From the bench Kostas VATSAKLIS will conduct well-trained orchestra. However there is one surprise in women’s department. The technical guidance of the women’s team is given to Christina FILI! The national coach VATSAKLIS is responsible for all international players in training area STAG at the Peace and Friendship Stadium but at such event as ZEN-NOH World Team Championships in Japan is it is impossible to take care about both teams at the same time. So the Greek federation made the decision to engage champion of AC Pera Athens who is professor of Physical Education and is licensed coach as well. “I am honored with the trust given to me by the girls the Federation and the coach Kostas VATSAKLIS. I want more than anything to win and stay in the 2nd category and I’ll do my best because I love this team. I am a child of the national coach” said Christina FILI who became part of the national women team in the middle of 90s and retired after the 2009 Mediterranean Games to give priority to family matters. Kostas VATSAKLIS talked about chances for the men’s team in the Championship Division. “We have a good draw will play with the teams that we beat in the recent past and that help us psychologically. We really want to be among the first twelve teams. Everything is open and we are optimistic”.

Team of Russia started their final preparation in the Training Centre in Tokyo in Ajinomoto. No. 10 seed in Men’s Event and no. 12. in women’s event at the ZEN-NOH World Team Championships in Japan finalizing their preparation in good mood. Russia’s outfi Team of Russia started their final preparation in the Training Centre in Tokyo in Ajinomoto. No. 10 seed in Men’s Event and no. 12. in women’s event at the ZEN-NOH World Team Championships in Japan finalizing their preparation in good mood. Russia’s outfit of Alexander SHIBAEV (world’s no. 34) Kirill SKACHKOV (no. 53) Alexey LIVENTSOV (no. 71) Grigory VLASOV (no. 86) and Mikhail PAYKOV (no. 102) is in Group A with top seeded China. However the composition of the Group gave their head coach Alexandre PETKEVITCH First Deputy President of Belarus Table Tennis Federation reason to look forward with dose of optimism. Beside China Russia will face Austria Brazil Poland and Serbia. “We have four teams from Europe in our Group. So far we have very good experience playing against them. Therefore our aim is to reach position two or three. Most important matches will be the duels against Austria and Poland ” explained coach PETKEVITCH. In women’s event Russia will be represented by: Yana NOSKOVA (WR 80) Polina MIKHAILOVA (WR 92) Maria DOLGIKH (WR 112) Elena TROSHNEVA (WR 119) and Olga BARANOVA (WR 192). Girls are in Group C with Korea Republic Singapore Netherlands France and Luxembourg.