Carl AHLANDER JOHANSSON inflicted the pain in the heart of host nation supporters. He was the man who caused the biggest first round Men’s Singles upset at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour, Belarus Open, Euro Africa Challenge Series. Sweden’s play, Carl AHLANDER JOHANSSON inflicted the pain in the heart of host nation supporters. He was the man who caused the biggest first round Men’s Singles upset at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour, Belarus Open, Euro Africa Challenge Series. Sweden’s player; the 17 year old ousted the host nation’s more experienced 38 year old Vitaly NEKHVEDOVICH, the no.9 seed. Furthermore, the Swedish teenager succeeded in four straight games (11:8, 11:4, 11:8, 11:9). It was a most impressive performance by the teenager, who earlier this year reached the quarter-final stage of the Junior Boys’ Singles event at the Swedish Junior and Cadet Open. Vadim YARASHENKA, 17 years old, listed at no.871 on the current Men’s World Rankings, beat Japan’s Asuka SAKAI, named at no.191 and the no.12 seed in Minsk; furthermore, like Carl AHLANDER-JOHANSSON, he succeeded in four straight games (13:11, 11:6, 11:8, 11:7). Meanwhile, for the elite names, there were no great problems in the opening round of proceedings. Italy’s Mihai BOBOCICA, the no.2 seed, ousted Scotland’s Craig HOWIESON (11:4, 11:3, 11:9, 12:10); whilst Abdel Kader SALIFOU of France, the no.4 seed, ended the hopes of Japan’s Tomo MIYAZAKI (9:11, 7:11, 11:7, 11:9, 11:6, 11:3). In Women’s Singles Event top seed Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia prevailed against Stephanie LOEUILLETTE of France (12:14, 9:11, 12:10, 11:6, 11:5, 11:9) to reach Round of 16, whilst Anmaria ERDELJI of Serbia beat Russia’s Daria CHERNOVA (11:8, 6:11, 6:11, 7:11, 9:11).
Title for Mateja JEGER in Varazdin
Hungary’s Adam SZUDI clinched the title at the Croatia Junior and Cadet Open in Varazdin. The no. 3 seed, the 17 year old won the Junior Boys’ Singles title overcoming Belgium’s Martin ALLEGRO, the no.5 seed at the final hurdle. Mateja JEGER was the host , Hungary’s Adam SZUDI clinched the title at the Croatia Junior and Cadet Open in Varazdin. The no. 3 seed, the 17 year old won the Junior Boys’ Singles title overcoming Belgium’s Martin ALLEGRO, the no.5 seed at the final hurdle. Mateja JEGER was the host nation’s heroine. She won the Junior Girls’ Singles title after earlier in the day having partnered colleague, Lea RAKOVAC to Junior Girls’ Doubles success. Occupying the third seeded position in the Junior Girls’ Singles event, she overcame Slovenia’s Zala VERONIK, the no.12 seed, in the quarter-finals (11:4, 6:11, 11:9, 9:11, 11:9, 12:14, 11:4), before ending the hopes of Romania’s Arina SINGEORZAN, the no.8 seed (5:11, 11:4, 11:5, 11:8, 7:11, 11:7) in the semi-final to book a place in the gold medal contest. At the final hurdle she accounted for Russia’s Valeria SHCHERBATYKH to clinch gold (12:10, 10:12, 11:5, 11:9, 12:10). It was for Mateja JEGER her second ITTF Junior Circuit Girls’ Singles title, her previous success was one year ago in Tata when she succeeded in Hungary, one year later she succeeded in Varazdin. In the final Adam SZUDI succeeded in five games (3:11, 11:9, 11:8, 11:5, 11:5) to collect the second ITTF Junior Boys’ Singles title of his career; in 2012 he won in Velenje when he struck gold at the Slovenian Junior and Cadet Open. In the round of the last eight, Adam SZUDI beat Tomislav PUCAR by the narrowest of margins in a tense full distance seven games duel (11:4, 9:11, 6:11, 11:4, 11:8, 7:11, 12:10), before rather more comfortably defeating Nador ECSEKI in the penultimate round (11:3, 11:5, 12:10, 8:11, 11:7). The bronze medal for Nandor ECSEKI in the Junior Boys’ Singles event, in the Junior Boys’ Doubles in harness with colleague Bence MAJOROS it was gold. Tomislav PUCAR who partnered Filip ZELJKO was forced to withdraw from the final through injury; the match was awarded to Nandor ECSEKI and Bence MAJOROS; thus Hungary completed the second day of play with two gold medals, honour maintained.
Alina ARLOUSKAYA recovered to shine in Minsk
The leading names in the first stage of both the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk duly finished in first places in their respective groups on the opening day of the tournament. In the Men, The leading names in the first stage of both the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk duly finished in first places in their respective groups on the opening day of the tournament. In the Men’s Singles event it was top spot for the Japanese trio of Mizuki OIKAWA, Yuto HIGASHI and Kohei SAMBE; as it was for Russia’s Viatcheslav KRIVOSHEEV and Mikhail GLADYSHEV. Similarly, there were no great problems for Bulgaria’s Stanislav GOLOVANOV and Italy’s Leonardo MUTTI. But it was not safe way for rest of the lower ranked players. Sweden’s Anthony TRAN, listed at no.353 on the current Men’s World Ranking list was extended the full seven games distance by the host nation’s Dmitriy FOREITOROV (12:10, 11:6, 10:12, 11:8, 9:11, 9:11, 5:11, 11:9); whilst Japan’s Ryotaro OGATO, also needed the full seven games to overcome Russia’s Ivan MOSKAEV (10:12, 11:5, 11:6, 10:12, 11:7, 7:11, 11:9); likewise a player who currently owns no global status. Ryotaro Ogata is listed at no.486 on the current Men’s World Rankings. Similarly, in the opening phase of the Women’s Singles event, the top eight names all ended the day with a perfect record; two matches played, two matches won and a place secured firmly in the main draw. Laura PFEFFER of France, the eighth highest globally listed player in first day Women’s Singles action needed the full seven games to overcame Japan’s 14 year old Kana TAKEUCHI (11:3, 11:6, 8:11, 3:11, 13:11, 8:11, 11:7). Earlier she had beaten Megan PHILIPPS of Wales in five games (12:10, 17:15, 11:8, 8:11, 11:4) and thus secured top place in the group. PFEFFER stands at no.244 on the Women’s World Rankings, TAKEUCHI is at no.352. Two close calls and there was a testing duel for the sixth highest listed in action, the host nation’s Alina ARLOUSKAYA. Named at no.242 on the Women’s World Rankings, after overcoming Alice BARENDREGT of the Netherlands in four straight games (11:3, 11:2, 11:4, 11:9), she needed six games to defeat Sweden’s Linda BERGSTRÖM (11:9, 10:12, 11:8, 7:11, 14:12, 11:2). Alina ARLOUSKAYA has been side-lined recently through injury.
Fenerbahce enriching European TT
Opening of 2013/14 Women’s European Champions League fulfilled expectations, especially the clash between two title pretenders in Istanbul. Top seed Fenerbahche beat 2012 finalist SVS STROCK in four games, but Austrians missed good chance to do something , Opening of 2013/14 Women’s European Champions League fulfilled expectations, especially the clash between two title pretenders in Istanbul. Top seed Fenerbahche beat 2012 finalist SVS STROCK in four games, but Austrians missed good chance to do something more. LI Fen was two sets up in fourth match against Viktoria PAVLOVICH, but current individual European champion managed to recover, providing very first WECL win for Turkish champion. “First of all I want to say that the participation of Fenerbahce Istanbul is enrichment for European Table Tennis Community. The standards they are unbelievable. Professionalism, friendship, and the enthusiasm of this team is really great”, stressed STROCK`s manager Martin SOROS and added: “This match was from both sides on a very high level and even we lost 1-3 there was definitely the chance to win. LI Fen was in 4th set only two points away from beating PAVLOVICH and the fifth match CHEN I Ching – DODEAN would be wide open. Nevertheless we see that the WECL is strong this year and SVS STRÖCK is in de middle of the action. Right from the beginning of the competition I said that Istanbul, Berlin or SVS STRÖCK will win the WECL this year. This stands”. SOROS is sure that next matches versus Metz (18.10.) and Berlin (25.10. in Werner Schlager Academy) are the key for two times Austrian champion in the group stage. The goal is, going step by step, to reach WECL final and new battles against Fenerbahce – “the team with four no.1 players”, as STROCK`s manager emphasizes. His colleague in Istanbul`s club, Gurhan YALDIZ sounds very happy after debuting game on main European stage (Fenerbahce is two times ETTU-Cup winner). “First match against STROCK was very difficult for us but we started with very good result. STROCK`s team fought until the last point. I think all points were wonderful and exciting. Spectators were very happy to watch such a good game. I think our group is stronger than the other. If we take second position for to go up, than we`ll have chance to play final in WECL”. YALDIZ underlined that Viktoria PAVLOVICH (two wins) „was the perfect”, praising also performance of HU Melek. “CHEN was not so good because she can not start good in first set. She lost very important 4-5 rally points in third and fourth set and after that she lost concentration”.
Carlos MACHADO and WANG Zhipei won Vic Open
28th International Open Vic – 9th International Open Vic Adapted (Vic-Barcelona, Spain) was held last weekend. The winner in men’s singles category is Carlos MACHADO of Portugal. In the final, in front of 600 spectators, MACHADO overcame WEI Dong Sh, 28th International Open Vic – 9th International Open Vic Adapted (Vic-Barcelona, Spain) was held last weekend. The winner in men’s singles category is Carlos MACHADO of Portugal. In the final, in front of 600 spectators, MACHADO overcame WEI Dong Shi of China 3:2. Third position won Admir DURANSPAHIC of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Diogo dos Santos PINHO of Portugal. In Women’s Singles Event WANG Zhipei of China overcame Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden by narrow margin 3:2. Nora ESCARTÍN of Spain and Clàudia CAYMEL also of Spain split third position.
New system in cadet rankings
The European Youth Rankings for September 2013 are now available. Major changes are made to the system of the Cadet Rankings. Click here for further information and the complete rankings. However this month situation at the very top is unchanged. Tristan , The European Youth Rankings for September 2013 are now available. Major changes are made to the system of the Cadet Rankings. Click here for further information and the complete rankings. However this month situation at the very top is unchanged. Tristan FLORE of France still holds the top of the junior list whilst his compatriot Enzo ANGLES is still at position no. two. Jakub DYAS of Poland is at the spot no. three. Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS is still the leading name in Junior Girls Rankings, Nina MITTELHAM of Germany is second and Lea RAKOVAC is third. In Cadet boys category Alexandre CASSIN of France is number one, Maxim CHAPLYGIN of Russia is second and Andreas LIND of Denmark is third. Marie MIGOT of France is listed at position no. 1 in cadet Girls Rankings, Adina DIACONU of Romania is second and Maria MALANINA of Russia is at position no. three.
All champions on duty again in Terni
In Italian Terni from 20th to 22nd September European youth will play for prestigious Old Continent’s title at the 2013 Youth Top 10. Four title holders from last year’s tournament in Buzau will be on duty again. Reigning champion Leonardo MUTTI of Italy , In Italian Terni from 20th to 22nd September European youth will play for prestigious Old Continent’s title at the 2013 Youth Top 10. Four title holders from last year’s tournament in Buzau will be on duty again. Reigning champion Leonardo MUTTI of Italy is invited once again, alongside Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS. Alexandre CASSIN of France will try to defend his title in Cadet Boys Event as well as Audrey ZARIFF of France. Invited players in Junior Boy’s Category are: Jakub DYJAS of Poland, Alexandre ROBINOT of France, Leonardo MUTTI of Italy, David REITSPIES of Czech Republic, Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia, Joao GERALDO of Portugal, Filip ZELJKO of Croatia, Andrea LANDRIEU of France, Diogo CHEN of Portugal and Can AKKUZU of France. Bernadette SZOCS at the list of Junior Girls participants. European champion Nina MITTELHAM of Germany is the second seed, followed by Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia, Irina CIOBANU of Romania, Alina ARLOUSKAYA of Belarus, Laura PFEFER of France, Bernadette BALINT of Romania, Theresa KRAFT of Germany, Mateja JEGER of Croatia, Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy. For Cadet Boys Event are invited Alexandre CASSIN of France, Joe SEYFRIED of France, European champion Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic, Darko JORGIC of Slovenia, Nolan GIVONE of France, Aliaksandr KHANIN of Belarus, Andreas LEVENKO of Austria, Lucas RIGAULT of France, Nils HOHMEIER of Germany, Daniele PINTO of Italy. At the top of the list in Cadet Girls category is Adina DIACONU of Romania, Maria MALANINA of Russia, HO Tin Tin of England, Andreea CLAPA of Romania, Lisa LUNG of Belgium, Audrey ZARIF of France, Anastasia KOLISH of Russia, Karoline MISCHEK of Austria, Julia KAIM of Germany and Cristiana DUMITRACHE of Italy. The venue is the Palatennistavolo Via Del Centenario in Terni. Click here for the prospectus
Everything set for second stage of ETTU Cup
After the fierce fights during the last weekend all the participants of the second round of the ETTU Cup in Men and Women category are known. In Luxemburg the draw was held today for the next stage scheduled for 19th and 20th October. In Men’s ETTU Cup in, After the fierce fights during the last weekend all the participants of the second round of the ETTU Cup in Men and Women category are known. In Luxemburg the draw was held today for the next stage scheduled for 19th and 20th October. In Men’s ETTU Cup in October we will have 8 groups again. At the top of 8 groups in second stage draw are: Russia’s Baikal, Polish “Olimpia-Unia” Grudziadz, Spanish Cajasur Priego T.M, French Entente Pongiste Issenne, Dutch Enjoy & Deploy Taverzo, SF SKK EL Nino Praha and KST Robot Metalfin Hustopecefrom Czech Republic and TTSC “NORD” from Ukraine. Baikal will host Roskilde Bordtennis, BTK61, CTM San Sebastian de los Reyes and ASD Marcozzi Cagliari. In Group 2 “Olimpia-Unia” Grudziadz will host DT Diddeleng, Irun Leka Enea and Sokah Hoboken. In Group 3 Cajasur Priego T.M. waits for Sokol Kraluv Dvur ,CS Tristavu Campulung and TTC-FVT/Visser-V/D Ham Rotterdam. In Group 4 to be held in France, Entente PongisteIssenne will host DKV Borges Vall, Drumchapel Glasgow and DT Echternach. Dutch representative Enjoy & Deploy Taverzo will be ready to host UTTF Raiffeisen Ligist, Arteal Tenis de Mesa and TTC Rio Star Muttenz. SF SKK EL Nino Praha will welcome Gr. Desp. Do Centro do Juncal, OB-Bordtennis and TT Sport Club “Elem”. Another Czech representative is at the top of group 7. KST Robot Metalfin Hustopece will host Grupo de sportivo dos Toledos, Yroni Givatayim and Sport Klub Wien. In Group 8 TTSC “NORD” waits for Libertas Marinkolor Dubrovnik, NTK Ilirija Ljubljana and STK Aladza – A. In Women’s ETTU Cup in second stage in Group 1 are SKNT “Luch-Vladimir” of Russia and Bursa Büyüksehir Belediyespor Külübü of Turkey. From the first stage ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari and DT Diddeleng will join them. In Group 2 are: TTSC “Nord” from Ukraine and Grupo Desp. Do Centro Soc. Do Juncal. YMCA Thessaloniki and KTTC AFP Antwerpen joined them. In Group 3 Team Malarenergi BTK is at the top, but the host will be DT Rued from Luxembourg. ASD Tennis TavoloNorbello and Buducnost Podgorica complete the line up. In Group 4 TIGEM Sports Club will welcome guests. USD Tennistavola Zeus, Gr. Desp. Casa do Poro da Madalena and Dozy den Helder / Noordkop will travel to Turkey. Click here for Men’s stage2 draw Click here for Women’s stage2 draw
Thessaloniki and Madamena in second phase
In Group 1 YMCA Thessaloniki reached top of the Group in t heir first appearance in ETTU Cup. Hosts of the Group DT Diddeleng from Luxemburg were pushed one place below, whilst Irune Leka Enea finished their journey in ETTU Cup for this season. New club d, In Group 1 YMCA Thessaloniki reached top of the Group in t heir first appearance in ETTU Cup. Hosts of the Group DT Diddeleng from Luxemburg were pushed one place below, whilst Irune Leka Enea finished their journey in ETTU Cup for this season. New club dominated in Group 2 as well. Madamena shined in Antwerpen. However, host team, KTTC AFP Antwerpen also progressed to the next stage. TTC Neuhausen failed to produce any wins this weekend. In Podgorica team from Montenegro is second. They lost only one match, against the group’s winner ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari. Draycott & Long Eaton and Sporten Club Saedinenie are third and fourth. Another Italian representative, ASD Tennis Tavolo Norbello, moved to next stage. Girls are unbeaten after two days. Hosts of the group, Dozy Den Helder / Noordkop, are second and also will play in next phase scheduled for October.
Drama in Serbia’s Zrenjanin
In the opening round of the Group stages in ETTU Men’s Cup in Group 1 DKV Borges Vall upset the ranking order and emerged at the top of the standings in Romania. They are unbeaten and only Italian ASD Marcozzi Cagliari put some pressure on them. Hosts CS , In the opening round of the Group stages in ETTU Men’s Cup in Group 1 DKV Borges Vall upset the ranking order and emerged at the top of the standings in Romania. They are unbeaten and only Italian ASD Marcozzi Cagliari put some pressure on them. Hosts CS Pristavu Campulung finished at position no. two, beaten by Spanish club and also stretched to full distance against Cagliari. Hosts of Group 2, Sokol Kraluv Dvur has been challenged only in the duel against OB-Bordtennis, but even then adversaries failed to took more then one match from Czech team. Danish side is second and Sokah Hoboken is third. In Group three DT Diddeleng recorded maximum of 6 points from three matches in front of home crowd. Yroni Givatayim from Israel is second and Visser Ham Rotterdam as third reaches next stage. In Group 4 Roskilde prevailed after decisive win against DT Echternach lost which placed third behind NTK Ilirija Ljubljana. In Group 5 clubs played for sake of joy. TT Sud Telecom Virton did not come, so UTTF Raiffeisen Ligist, Drumchapel Glasgow TTC and STK Aladza-A were not under pressure. In Group 6 hosts, Serbia’s Zrenjanin missed the place in next stage by set. They finished the two days competition at the bottom of the standings. Centro Soc. do Juncal concluded their journey unbeaten at the top spot. TTC Rio-Star Muttenz and Irun Leka Enea are second and third. In Nicosia, in Group 7, another host failed to produce the result that will lead them to the second stage. Mavrommatis Ayiou Pavlou, this time without Yiangos YIANGOU, who is in the Army now, lost all their encounters. Grupo Desportivo is safely through, followed by CTM San Sebastian de los Reyes and Tischtennis SportKlub Wien. In Group 8 Libertas Marinkolor from Dubrovnik emerged at the top of the Group. They recorded all four wins, having hard times only against Arteal Tenis de Mesa. Spaniards concluded the competition in the opening phase on spot no. two by losing only one match in full distance thriller. Hosts TT Sport Club Eltem progressed to next stage with only one victory. They beat DT Recken.
