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”.
Hungarian girls dominated in Szombathely
At the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour, Hungary Open in Szombathely many upsets marked the opening day of the qualifications. In Men’s Singles Event Paul DRINKHALL of England easily prevailed in match against Kirill GERASSIMENKO of Kazakhstan, but that was, At the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour, Hungary Open in Szombathely many upsets marked the opening day of the qualifications. In Men’s Singles Event Paul DRINKHALL of England easily prevailed in match against Kirill GERASSIMENKO of Kazakhstan, but that was not the scenario in second Group, where top seeded Tomislav KOLAREK failed to produce victory against Laurens TROMER of Netherlands. Jesper HEDLUND of Sweden also had good moments. He beat Rajko GOMMERS of Netherlands. David MCBEATH overcame both adversaries in his Group Jon Persson of Sweden and Vildan GADIEV of Russia to upset the rankings. In Women’s Singles qualifications Camelia POSTOACA of Romania, highest ranked player on duty in this stage, recorded both victories. She overcame Aleksandra RADONJIC of Serbia and Marya KUCHUK of Belarus. Tin Tin HO of England upset the rankings and overcame first seed in her qualification Group. Young HO overcame Nikoleta STEFANOVA of Italy in five games. Eva BRAUN of Hungary created few upsets on her own to cheer up the home crowd. Ranked at the bottom of her Group, Eva succeeded against Ganna FARLADANSKA of Ukraine and Sibel REMZI of Bulgaria. Kata TOTH also took full advantage of home soil. She overcame Polina TRIFONOVA of Ukraine in full distance duel. The list of surprises goes on with Mirella MADACKI who recorded victory against Katsiaryna BARAVOK of Belarus.
SARAZIN: “In Vienna I had a dream”
French Angers created one of biggest sensations in Men’s European Champions League in last couple of years, eliminating the 2008 winner SVS Niederosterreich last weekend. Austrian champion was better in first quarter-final leg (3:2 in France), while Anger, French Angers created one of biggest sensations in Men’s European Champions League in last couple of years, eliminating the 2008 winner SVS Niederosterreich last weekend. Austrian champion was better in first quarter-final leg (3:2 in France), while Angers answered by 3:0 win at Schwechat near Vienna. “We played our match in Vienna like in a dream – Angers` president Gérard SARAZIN said – All happened as we wanted. First match Michel MARTINEZ, who likes to play against defender, beat CHEN Wexing 3:1 and then we knew that all is possible. So many trust for us and not for Niederosterreich…” Angers did a big change in its line-up for the rematch. Usual no. 1 Panagiotis GIONIS, the bronze medalist from 2013 European Championships, has been posted on no. 3. Why, SARAZIN explains now… “We thought that they didn’t imagine our position of players with GIONIS as no. 3, but knowing that he lost in first match against HABESOHN and CHEN Weixing, it was logical for us. And most we knew than Jens LUNQUIST was sure our best player for this match (because of way of play). We put him in strong position but it was no necessary because he beat HABESOHN 3:0 and then GIONIS could finish the match and beat FEGERL 3:0. We lost only one set! In Angers the score was a little hard for us because we lost twice 3:2 after leading 2:1 and we knew that everything is possible”. Next opponent, in the MECL semis, is quite known. “Now we will play against a very strong French team Pontoise. They beat us 4:0 in national championship, so sure we are not favourites”, stressed Angers` president. The 2013/14 MECL semi-finals will be held on March 7-9th and 21-23rd.
Swedish TT Association appoints new Secretary General
Mikael PETERSON will be the new Secretary General of the Swedish Table Tennis Association. PETERSON has great knowledge in sports and leadership. He has experiences from several different associations, as board member and employee. He has been working as , Mikael PETERSON will be the new Secretary General of the Swedish Table Tennis Association. PETERSON has great knowledge in sports and leadership. He has experiences from several different associations, as board member and employee. He has been working as Secretary General at the Swedish Association of Athletics and the Swedish Ice Hockey Association. Before that he was President of the Swedish Canoeing Association for five years. “Swedish Table Tennis has a lot of challenges ahead. One of the main goals is to grow, to attract more people to join the table tennis family. With the experience and the knowledge that Mikael has we think he is the right person to lead us into the future,” said Petra SÖRLING, President of the Swedish Table Tennis Association.
Superb UMMC run to MECL semis
Russian champion UMMC reached 2013/14 Men’s European Champions League semi-final in superb style, beating Hennebont 3:0 (triple 3:0) in returning quarter-final match. French club defeated them 3:2 in first leg. Now, UMMC waits to see will it play against , Russian champion UMMC reached 2013/14 Men’s European Champions League semi-final in superb style, beating Hennebont 3:0 (triple 3:0) in returning quarter-final match. French club defeated them 3:2 in first leg. Now, UMMC waits to see will it play against reigning champion Orenburg or Borussia Düsseldorf, but knowing that Vladimir SAMSONOV & Co. had almost elusive advantage from 1st leg (3:0, 9:4), it will be all-Russian semis by all odds. UMMC has not been in good shape in first game, when Japanese Jun MIZUTANI took both its points. That clash was finished by Dmitrij PROKOPCOV`s 3:0 win against Alexander SHIBAEV who lost his nerves after 2:0 and referee punished him for unsporting behavior (11:0 in 3rd set). But, today everything was perfect in Tatiana KUTERGINA`s side which players needed just three games each to secure semi-final. First national champion of Japan, Jun MIZUTANI overcame Kalinikos KREANGA who had just one, but small chance to do something more in third set. Their meeting at France was also finished in MIZUTANI`s favor, but took fours sets. Alexander SHIBAEV was redeemed for poor performances at France where he lost twice (3:1 from KREANGA, 3:0 from PROKOPCOV). Today he was perfect against CHEN Chien-An who beat Joao MONTEIRO last week. Russian kept his rival on safe distance all the time. Finally, Joao MONTEIRO confirmed UMMC`s win, overcoming Dmitrij PROKOPCOV. Portuguese dominated, while Czech was far from his play in first leg. The 2013/14 Men’s ECL quarter-final (second match) UMMC – Hennebont 3:0 Jun MIZUTANI – Kalinikos KREANGA 3:0 (11:8, 11:7, 12:10) Alexander SHIBAEV – CHEN Chien-An 3:0 (11:4, 11:7, 11:7) Joao MONTEIRO – Dmitrij PROKOPCOV 3:0 (11:8, 11:4, 11:8)
Froschberg beat the odds
Leistungszentrum Linz Froschberg was stretched to full distance in both legs against ALCL Tennis de Table Grand-Quevilly in the Women’s ETTU Cup quarterfinal. However they concluded this phase unbeaten and impatiently waits for March and duel against SVS , Leistungszentrum Linz Froschberg was stretched to full distance in both legs against ALCL Tennis de Table Grand-Quevilly in the Women’s ETTU Cup quarterfinal. However they concluded this phase unbeaten and impatiently waits for March and duel against SVS Strock. “It was a match we need to win, because we had no chance to win with 3:2 and a 2:3 loss. Our set ratio has been against us and we know that it will be very hard for STEFCOVA to challenge LI Xue on the position Nr. 3,” explained Manager Günther RENNER. “Of course we were surprised that the French team played with three native Chinese players, but it that light now the win is even bigger.” Manager Günther RENNER proudly underlined: “We are happy that two native Europeans we “raised” in Linz could succeeded and we also want to congratulate LIU Yuan who showed her husband and Coach BIAN Ya Dong that he can be proud of her also in table tennis matters.” In the decisive match POSTOACA needed full five games to overcome SU Yan. “This is biggest victory I ever had for the club. I proved to everybody who was not sure of my qualities that I am a Champion if the surrounding fits me. Günther RENNER always believed in me, so I am very happy to give him and the Club something back.” For Kristyna STEFCOVA it will be first ETTU Cup semi final. “It is a dream came true for me. I am happy to play in such good team, it is very important to get experiences like this to succeed in the future. It is also unbelievable for me to beat the team with 3 Chinese players. I hope I can help my club with a victory in the semis, maybe I can play against DODEAN like I did in the Bundesliga opening event in Austria this year. I beat her 3:0, so I am the favorite,” STEFCOVA says ironically winking. LIU Yuan added: “I am happy and proud now, I was very focused because I know all three players from China, and they are good ones. It is also good that we win with two Europeans against this team, it is a high level marketing success for the work that was made in Linz for years and years.”
SVS Strock justified their dominance
SVS Strock repeated the success from the opening round of the Women’s ETTU Cup quarterfinal. In Austria’s Schwechat, once again girls showed no mercy and beat DR CASL in straight games. They will play against Leistungszentrum Linz Froschberg in the penult, SVS Strock repeated the success from the opening round of the Women’s ETTU Cup quarterfinal. In Austria’s Schwechat, once again girls showed no mercy and beat DR CASL in straight games. They will play against Leistungszentrum Linz Froschberg in the penultimate stage of the Cup, whilst in second semi final Lyssois Lille Metropole will meet SKST Mart Hodonin. Tonight, in last duel of the quarterfinal, European champion LI Fen beat young Lea RAKOVAC in straight games. Tetyana BILENKO also showed no mercy against Suncica VUGRINEC and it was only Klara CAKOL who managed to steal one game from adversaries. However Petra LOVAS sealed the match in favor of hosts. First leg of the semi final is scheduled for 7th to 9th March.
KIM and DOO crowned 2013 Global Junior Circuit champions
After 30 competitions involving 2,121 players from 105 countries, KIM Minhyeok (KOR) and DOO Hoi Kem (HKG) have been crowned the 2013 Global Junior Circuit Champions. The pair were triumphant at the ITTF Global Junior Circuit Finals, which saw the top 16 , After 30 competitions involving 2,121 players from 105 countries, KIM Minhyeok (KOR) and DOO Hoi Kem (HKG) have been crowned the 2013 Global Junior Circuit Champions. The pair were triumphant at the ITTF Global Junior Circuit Finals, which saw the top 16 boys and girls from the ITTF 2013 Global Junior Circuit to compete in Vilanova de Gaia, Portugal. The 2013 ITTF Global Junior Circuit Finals were held immediately after the 2013 Road to Nanjing Finals, which saw 4 boys and 4 girls secure their spot at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games. KIM Minhyeok made up for his disappointment not securing a spot at Nanjing 2014 by winning the boys ITTF Global Junior Circuit Finals gold. The 17-year-old Korean beat number one seed Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) in the final 13-11, 6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 to cap off a fantastic season for Korea after JANG Woojin won the World Junior Table Tennis Championships in December 2013. The third seed stated after his victory: “I am very happy to be able to bounce back after not achieving my goal of direct Youth Olympic Games qualification. It is a great honour for me to finish first out of so many good players.” DOO Hoi Kem capped off a dream week in Portugal after securing her spot at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games before beating the surprise finalist, number 11 seed HUANG Yi-Hua (TPE), 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 to become the girl’s 2013 ITTF Global Junior Circuit Champion. The 17-year-old number one seed who was unbeaten in all week in Vilanova de Gaia stated with a big smile: “In the first two games I felt too nervous and I played too safe, so I made a lot of mistakes. After this I just told myself to be patient and relax. I am very happy that I won, especially as I faced a lot of difficulties and did several comebacks.” There is not much rest for the world’s best junior table tennis players, as attention now turns to the ITTF 2014 Global Junior Circuit which starts with the Czech Junior and Cadet Open on 12 February 2014.
Hennebont tests UMMC power
After 3:2 home win against UMMC in first quarter-final leg of 2013/14 Men’s ECL, Hennebont is not underdog anymore, so it will be interesting to see the rematch to be held this Tuesday at Verkhnaya Pyshma (January 28th, 14h00 CET). Each Hennebont`s player, After 3:2 home win against UMMC in first quarter-final leg of 2013/14 Men’s ECL, Hennebont is not underdog anymore, so it will be interesting to see the rematch to be held this Tuesday at Verkhnaya Pyshma (January 28th, 14h00 CET). Each Hennebont`s player took one point – Kalinikos KREANGA, Dmitrij PROKOPCOV and CHEN Chien-An, while Jun MIZUTANI brought both wins for Russian champion. UMMC`s coach Tatiana KUTERGINA praised his ability to stay in the focus despite having not much time to adapt on different time zone. “Jun MIZUTANI played in Japan where he became a national champion. He came through several time zones, but managed to win his games at France. He showed what kind of professional he is”, said Tatiana KUTERGINA who also praised Hennebont`s performance and hospitality: “Hennebont team is very good and professional, also there were really good fans, they helped their team a lot, but also were very attentive and kind to us”. Dmitrij PROKOPCOV beat Alexander SHIBAEV in decisive match of first clash. But, Russian helped him a lot. After 2:0 lead for Czech player, guest lost his nerves and was punished by referee for his unsporting behavior (11:0 for the host in 3rd set). KUTERGINA says that there is no excuse for this. However, she believes that her side is able to win 3:1 or more and invites UMMC`s fans (the club announced on its website that the entrance will be free). Hennebont`s coach and manager Boris ABRAHAM emphasizes good play of all his players and believes that they can beat Russian champion even on their soil. The winner plays in the MECL semis against the winning team in the game between Orenburg and Borussia (Russian club won 1st leg 3:0 at Dusseldorf, remacth is on January 31st).
