The national teams of Greece had a unique opportunity to meet and work with World’s Doubles champion CHEN Chien-An in the hall STAG of Peace and Friendship Stadium. From Thursday to Sunday, after the second quarterfinal of the European Champions League, t, The national teams of Greece had a unique opportunity to meet and work with World’s Doubles champion CHEN Chien-An in the hall STAG of Peace and Friendship Stadium. From Thursday to Sunday, after the second quarterfinal of the European Champions League, the great left-handed player from Taipei went to Athens with his team-mate Kallinikos KREANGA for mini preparing until they left the Greece together for the rest of the championship in France. World champion in junior singles of 2008 visited Greece for first time. Playing with several players he was completely satisfied with the quality of work. As part of his visit CHEN Chien-An gave an interview to the website of H.T.T.F. and among other things said: ”It was not surprise to me that Greece has won two medals at the European Championship. I know great potential of your players. Shortly after Schwechat I played against GIONIS at the World Tour in Sweden and lost. The Greece can achieve good position at the World Championship in Tokyo and I hope Greece will not be drawn against Taipei. GIONIS is very capable defender. Also, he is not the only one and that makes Greece very tough team to beat.” CHEN spoke about Europeans who can challenge Chinese players. “At this moment I see that from Europe only Dimitrij OVCHAROV may seem threatening for Chinese players. He is in excellent condition, has a very athletic body and has dangerous backhand”. He spoke about French Pro A. “It is difficult to play in Franch league, but it is very good for me to play there. I love it and will stay in Hennebont,“ said CHEN.
Olympic capital ready for the big guns
Olympic capital, Lausanne, will host prestigious DHS 2014 Europe Cup. From Friday 7th to Sunday 9th February 24 top players from Old Continent will fight for a glorious title and total prize fund of US$ 50,000 with the winner of each of the Men’s Singles , Olympic capital, Lausanne, will host prestigious DHS 2014 Europe Cup. From Friday 7th to Sunday 9th February 24 top players from Old Continent will fight for a glorious title and total prize fund of US$ 50,000 with the winner of each of the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events gaining US$ 8,000. That is not the end of the story – the players finishing in the top three places will qualify the respective Men’s and Women’s World Cup tournaments to be staged later in the year. Furthermore, depending on World Ranking when the invitations are issued for the World Cup tournaments further places may be available; the finishing position is vital, there is a great deal at stake in Lausanne. The list of players who received the invitation starts with the name of top European player Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany. European champion in Singles and bronze medalists at the Olympic games in London confirmed his participation At the forerunner of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup, the Europe Top 12, OVTCHAROV won in 2012, the most recent occasion on which the tournament was staged. He will compete alongside other former winners as Belarus Vladimir SAMSONOV, four times winner, third on the all-time list of winners; one behind Timo Boll, who has won five times. BOLL will also be present as seed no. two. SAMSONOV has reached the final of the Europe Top 12 on 12 occasion SHEN Yanfei of Spain will not be on duty in Lausanne and the top seed position took LI Jiao of Netherlands. Crowned European champion in Belgrade in 2007 and once again in Gdansk in 2011, Li Jiao won in Arezzo in 2007; she succeeded the following year in Frankfurt before winning consecutively in Dusseldorf in 2010 and Liège in 2011. Men: Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal), Timo BOLL (Germany), Adrian CRISAN (Romania), Marcos (Portugal), Andrej GACINA (Croatia), Robert GARDOS (Austria), Panagiotis GIONIS (Greece), Adrien MATTENET (France), Michael MAZE (Denmark), Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany), Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus), Alexander SHIBAEV (Russia). Women: Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden), HU Melek (Turkey), LI Jiao (Netherlands), LIU Jia (Austria), Daniela MONTEIRO-DODEAN (Romania), Rachel MORET (Switzerland), Viktoria PAVLOVICH (Belarus), Margaryta PESOTSKA (Ukraine), Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania), Petrissa SOLJA (Germany), Iventa VACENOVSKA (Czech Republic), WU Jiaduo (Germany) Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter
MAZE will be back in Lausanne finally!
After a year of struggling Michael MAZE will be back at the international scene this weekend at the DHS Europe Cup in Lausanne. Michael ANDERSSON had an opportunity to meet up with Michael MAZE in late November in Copenhagen. You can read the whole story , After a year of struggling Michael MAZE will be back at the international scene this weekend at the DHS Europe Cup in Lausanne. Michael ANDERSSON had an opportunity to meet up with Michael MAZE in late November in Copenhagen. You can read the whole story here “This is the story about one year of pain, considerable doubt and how important it is to have the drive to eventually come back again.”
AKKUZU and MITTELHAM lead the elite
After the Qualification tournament in Portugal the list of participants at the forthcoming Youth European Olympic Qualification Tournament (from 9th to 11th February) in Czech city of Hodonin saw some changes. The new list with confirmed players includes , After the Qualification tournament in Portugal the list of participants at the forthcoming Youth European Olympic Qualification Tournament (from 9th to 11th February) in Czech city of Hodonin saw some changes. The new list with confirmed players includes names of 21 boys and 19 girls. The best ranked player at the list is Worlds U18 no. 24 Can AKKUZU of France, followed by Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia no 25 and Diogo CHEN of Portugal ranked at position no. 26. In Hodonin will also play World’s no. 35. Carl AHLANDER of Sweden and 37 Poland’s Patryk ZATOWKA. Austria will be represented by Andreas LEVENKO, Belgium by Martin ALLEGRO, Belarus by Aliaksandr KHANIN, Estonia by Aleksandr LUSIN, Britain by Helshan WEERASINGHE, Israel by Mathan SIMON, Italy by Luca MARCATO, Luxembourg by Louis VAN WAMBEKE, Moldova by Denis TERNA, Netherlands by Martin KHATCHANOV, Romania by Alexandru MANOLE, Russia by Maxim CHAPLYGIN, Slovenia by Darko JORGIC, Switzerland by Lionel WEBER, Slovakia by Samuel KALUZNY and Ukraine by Kyrylo SAMOKYSH. World’s no. 8, European champion, Nina MITTELHAM of Germany will lead the Gorls list. For Belgium will play Nathalie MARCHETTI, for Belarus Alina NIKITCHANKA, for Croatia Lea RAKOVAC, for Czech Republic Kristyna STEFCOVA, for France Audrey ZARIF, for Britain Charlotte CAREY, for Hungary Leila IMRE, for Israel Nicole TROSMAN, for Italy Giorgia PICCOLIN, for Luxembourg Michelle MODERT, for Moldavia Alina SANDUL, for Netherlands Kim VERMAAS, for Poland Natalia BAJOR, for Portugal Rita FINS, for Russia Maria MALANINA, for Slovenia Zala VERONIK, for Switzerland Celine REUST and for Ukraine Kateryna KIZIUK.
Special day for Austria LIU JIa and HABESOHN
Crowned European champion in Aarhus in 2005, Austria’s LIU Jia won the Women’s Singles title at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open in the city of Szombathely. LIU Jia secured her fourth career ITTF World Tour Women’s Singles title in what w, Crowned European champion in Aarhus in 2005, Austria’s LIU Jia won the Women’s Singles title at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open in the city of Szombathely. LIU Jia secured her fourth career ITTF World Tour Women’s Singles title in what was her ninth appearance in a final. Daniel HABESOHN joined her at the top place at the medal rostrum. Austria’s player overcame Steffen MENGEL in the final of the Men’s Singles Event .Never previously beyond the third round HABESOHN lost the first two games against MENGEL before winning the next four to secure a six games success. The win in Szombathely means that Daniel HABESOHN becomes the second ever Austrian to win an ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles event. The other is Werner SCHLAGER, the 2003 World Champion. In a dramatic final, occupying the no.3 seeded position in the draw, LIU Jia beat the host nation’s Georgina POTA, the no.4 seed, to clinch the top prize. Liu Jia recovered from a three games to one deficit to post a full distance seven games victory. LIU Jia remains the only Austrian ever to win a Women’s Singles title on the ITTF World Tour. The Austrian success in Hungary was almost complete. Sofia POLCANOVA beat Japan’s Shiho MATSUDAIRA, the top seed in the final in a close seven games duel to arrest the title, having at the semi-final stage ousted Russia’s Anna BLAZHKO, the no.9 seed. In all French duel in the final of the Under 21 men’s Event Romain LORENTZ overcame Enzo ANGLES. One round earlier it was also French affair; LORENTZ succeeded against Tristan FLORE, whilst ANGLES beat Stephane OUAICHE.
Fantastic tournament for Camelia POSTOACA
The highest rated player in the qualification stage of the Women’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open in Szombathely; Camelia POSTOACA caused the biggest upset of the day in a tournament that has been littered with surprise, The highest rated player in the qualification stage of the Women’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open in Szombathely; Camelia POSTOACA caused the biggest upset of the day in a tournament that has been littered with surprises. In an all Romanian third round duel, she beat Elizabeta SAMARA, the no.2 seed, to book her place in the quarter-finals of an ITTF World Tour Women’s Singles event for the first time in her career. However she did not stop there. After seven games thriller she overcame Haruka SAKAI of Japan to secure semi final stage. Poland’s Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA, another player who had been required to negotiate the qualification stage, accounted for Hungary’s Petra LOVAS, the no.7 seed in quarters, but lost the next round duel against Hungary’s Georgina POTA. Germany’s Sabine WINTER, the no.12 seed, overcame Japan’s Shiho MATSUDAIRA, the no.8 seed in quarter, but in next round lost against Netherlands’ LI Jiao. LI Jiao, the no.1 seed, beat Russia’s Yulia PROHOROVA previously; whilst also in the top half of the draw Hungary’s Georgina POTA, the no.4 seed, ended the progress of the Slovak Republic’s Eva ODOROVA. In the lower half of the draw it was success for Austria. LIU Jia, the no.3 seed, halted the brave run of Audrey ZARIF of France and Amelie SOLJA, the no.5 seed, defeated Croatia’s Suncica VUGRINEC. The Austrian players played against each other in semis and LIU Jia prevailed. No World ranking, the progress of the Slovak Republic’s WANG Yang continued in the Men’s Singles event. In the third round of proceedings, he accounted for Tristan FLORE of France in five games, the player who one round earlier had ousted Germany’s Christian SÜSS by a similar margin to which he was to experience defeat. In addition to WANG Yang, Sweden’s Harald ANDERSSON, Poland’s Robert FLORAS, Germany’s Steffen MENGEL and the Czech Republic’s Michal OBESLO all booked quarter-final places and all started their quest in the qualification phase.
Orenburg set all-Russian semis
Reigning Men’s European Champions League Fakel Gazproma Orenburg is confirmed semi-final ticket, beating again ten times European champion Borussia Dusseldorf at home 3:1. Five days ago, at Germany, Russian side won 3:0 in first quarter-final. They will p, Reigning Men’s European Champions League Fakel Gazproma Orenburg is confirmed semi-final ticket, beating again ten times European champion Borussia Dusseldorf at home 3:1. Five days ago, at Germany, Russian side won 3:0 in first quarter-final. They will play against UMMC in all-Russian semi-final on March. Despite big loss at home, Borussia arrived to Orenburg in best possible line-up. Host coach decided to play with Alexei SMIRNOV (usual no. 3) on no. 1 and he was beaten by Timo BOLL in straight games. Six times individual champion of Old Continent didn’t give any chance to his rival. Patrick BAUM led 1:0 in sets against Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and it looked like German side could do something more. But, actual individual European champion answered by three games in a row to secure semi-final for Orenburg. In next two encounters, first Vladimir SAMSONOV defeated Kamal ACHANTA in four sets, while Alexei SMIRNOV concluded the match beating Patrick BAUM. The 2013/14 Men’s ECL quarter-final (2nd leg Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – Borussia Dusseldorf 3:1 Alexei SMIRNOV – Timo BOLL 0:3 (6:11, 5:11, 8:11) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Patrick BAUM 3:1 (9:11, 11:4, 11:9, 11:8 Vladimir SAMSONOV – Kamal ACHANTA 3:1 (9:11, 11:9, 11:3, 11:5) Alexei SMIRNOV – Patrick BAUM 3:0 (11:6, 16:14, 11:5)
SUSS’ comeback at Hungarian Open
Top seed at the Men’s Singles Event at the the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open in Szombathely Christian SUSS of Germany successfully concluded the opening round of the main draw. However the win did not come easy. He was stretched to full se, Top seed at the Men’s Singles Event at the the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open in Szombathely Christian SUSS of Germany successfully concluded the opening round of the main draw. However the win did not come easy. He was stretched to full seven games against Hunor SZOCS of Romania. It was SUSS’s first match at this level of the competition after his break. He was forced to go under second knee surgery 10 month ago. At the bottom of the draw Stefan FEGERL of Austria beat Robin DEVOS of Belgium. Unexpected qualifiers for the main draw in the Women’s Singles event players, who had excelled in the first phase, maintained their form in the opening round of the main draw. Against predictions Poland’s Klaudia KUSINSKA, Ukraine’s Ievgeniia VASYLIEVA, the Slovak Republic’s Eva ODOROVA and Serbia’s Viktoria TRUZSINSKI had all emerged in first place in their relevant first phase group matches. All booked second round places. KUSINSKA overcame Slovenia’s Alex GALIC and VASYLIEVA accounted for Germany’s WAN Yuan and Viktoria TRUZSINSZKI ended the hopes of Hungary’s Kata TOTH. Eva ODOROVA defeated Marina BERHO of France. LI Jiao of the Netherlands, the no.1 seed, proved too experienced for Hungary’s Timea PETERMAN-VARGA. Defeat for the host nation but there was success. Georgina POTA, the no.4 seed, defeated Laura PFEFER of France, whilst Petra LOVAS, the no.7 seed defeated Linda CREEMERS of the Netherlands.
Winners in Baku will book place for Rio 2016
The inaugural European Games will be held next year in Baku from 10th to 28th June. In Azerbaijan the total of 223 set of medals will be distributed and among them four, for best Men’s and Women’s Singles and Teams Events in table tennis. These events wil, The inaugural European Games will be held next year in Baku from 10th to 28th June. In Azerbaijan the total of 223 set of medals will be distributed and among them four, for best Men’s and Women’s Singles and Teams Events in table tennis. These events will have additional values for the players; the winner of the men’s and women’s singles events at the Baku 2015 European Games will receive automatic qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games. Тhe number of athletes playing singles is 48 men and 48 women. Only athletes who have complied with the Olympic Charter may participate in the European Games. For the sake of clarity, all athletes must comply with the provisions of the Olympic Charter in force during the qualification period for the European Games up until the end of the period of the European Games. The ETTU will inform NOCs/NFs in writing on 1 March 2015 of the athlete quota places they have obtained at the Qualification Event. Eligible NOCs must inform the ETTU in writing by 15st March 2015 whether or not they intend to participate at the European Games. By 1st April 2015 the ETTU will reallocate all available quota places.
Borussia with almost zero chance
Two top seeds of 2013/14 Men’s European Champions League will meet on Friday (January 31st, 12h20 CET) in returning quarter final leg: Fakel Gazpoma Orenburg – Borussia Dusseldorf. Russian club and reigning MECL champion has almost elusive advantage 3:0 (, Two top seeds of 2013/14 Men’s European Champions League will meet on Friday (January 31st, 12h20 CET) in returning quarter final leg: Fakel Gazpoma Orenburg – Borussia Dusseldorf. Russian club and reigning MECL champion has almost elusive advantage 3:0 (9:4) and Borussia`s coach Danny HEISTER tries to be realistic: “We are proud that we played at same level with Orenburg. But we had so many chances to win sets or matches which we could not use. And also we have been very unlucky in several moments in the matches, especially in the single of Timo (BOLL) and Vladi (SAMSONOV) in decisive situations, with net- and rim-balls. We are very disappointed. Now our chance to reach the semis is near to zero” Timo BOLL, who lost from Byelorussian in fours sets of opening game, stressed that he is not in his best shape: “Vladi played excellent and he showed why he is back in Top 10 of the world-ranking. Myself I’m on the way back to my highest level but I need more of this top-standard matches to reach it” Former Borussia`s player Dimitrij OVTCHAROV beat Patrick BAUM in second encounter. Orenburg`s best ranked member says that he enjoyed very much in first game at Dusseldorf: “The audience was fantastic and all the singles have been on a very, very high level. Such games with such great spectators in sold out halls I’d like to have more often. We are lucky that we won this fight against Düsseldorf and we know that all matches have been very close. If Borussia would have had more fortune we could have lost the game also 0:3. Now it looks good to us” Borussia`s manager Manager Andreas PREUSS agrees that the first game was excellent: “We have seen unbelievable table tennis. It was our best performance in this season and it was much higher than four weeks ago when we won the German Cup. But unfortunately our opponent is the best one in Europe at the moment and you can see why Orenburg is favorite to win the title again. It was a great fight for two and a half hours on one level with the unhappiness that we lost 0:3”.
