With sound of drums and huge roar of relief Czech Republic saluted new champions yesterday. Host’s Cadet Boys Teams clinched the title in Ostrava at the 56th European Championships. Who would of thought that mighty France will fall and who will bet , With sound of drums and huge roar of relief Czech Republic saluted new champions yesterday. Host’s Cadet Boys Teams clinched the title in Ostrava at the 56th European Championships. Who would of thought that mighty France will fall and who will bet on Czech Republic vs. Slovenia final. But it happened… Tomas POLANSKY gave hosts the lead and proved once again his superior form in Ostrava. “He was ready for this Championship. Tomas performance here is incredible. He has lost only one singles match,” praised POLANSKY’s performance coach Lubos PENKAVA. On the other side Patrik KLOS needs little more experience. “He was under great pressure here and that affected his performance. I tried to make him be more focused on his game. We did not pay attention on his adversaries style, his task was to play “his game” and it paid off eventually”, explained coach. The result of the semi final was not such big surprise. Only recently in Hodonin at Czech Open two teams with exactly the same line up have meet each other. “We beat France 3:2, so we already went through this. At that time, I was thinking , it is perfect moment. Beating big France, it is something than makes you proud. And I thought it will not repeat any time soon…And then here we are again and I have deja vu. But it was even better, because we overcame them at the such big event as European Championships. Same fantastic enthusiastic crowed cheated us, gave us strength, same team on both sides, and at the end same outcome…perfect.” In Round of 16, Czech Republic faced hard challenge. They went full distance against Moldova. POLANSKY lost his duel against Andrei PUTINIC. “Then in decisive match Patrik lost first set against MUTCOGLO, but after that all the stress went away. He rose his game and like in the match against Slovenia, he started to play very good.” Coach is confident in his players. He believes they can achieve good result in singles as well. “I do not have to worry about Tomas, but Patrik is different story. A lot depends on his adversary. We have to work on his technique little more, we have to improve his style of play.” Coach PENKAVA admitted. “I waited 17 years for this medal and everything here comes to the right place. The team was perfect, supporters, support from our federation and organisation of the Championships…. I am so happy.”
DIACONU and CLAPA conquered Europe
Tiny little girls with lion’s strength and great will to fight, Adina DIACONU and Andreea CLAPA clinched the title in the cadet Girls Team’s Event at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava. In the final they overcame France. “It was, Tiny little girls with lion’s strength and great will to fight, Adina DIACONU and Andreea CLAPA clinched the title in the cadet Girls Team’s Event at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava. In the final they overcame France. “It was the final worth it’s name. Four players out of Top 5 were involved. All of them showed great performance. Only the details prevailed,” said coach Marian FILIPAS. And the detail that brought the difference was the coach’s tactics. Every match Romania started with DIACONU. “No one understood why, but I did it that way. It paid off eventually, despite the fact that in the final Marie MIGOT played that first match against DIACONU. We always had 2:0 and two chances if doubles lose. Adina was our ace in decisive game,” said coach FILIPAS. Before final Romania was under pressure against Serbia. “It was hard match but you have to expect something like that from the semi final.” Thanks to agreement that President of the Romanian federation ROMANESCU made with the Olympic Committee both girls will be involved in special Olympic program. “We made special program for them and we hope they will achieve a good result in Rio 2016. They have excellent support. CLAPA will work in Olympic centre in Bistrita, whilst DIACONU will be in Slatina”. SZOCZ named those girl as her successors… “They have quality that is for sure and that is something they proved already. However we still have to work ion CLAPA’s mentality. She is still very afraid of losing the matches. We need to build up her winning mentality. It is her last cadet year and we do not have much time.”
78 clubs in ETTU Cup this season
For the season 2013 – 2014 in ETTU Cup there are 48 clubs in Men’s Event and 30 in Women. Top eight seeds in Men’s Clubs Competitions are: Polish Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Germany’s TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau E.V, Russia̵, For the season 2013 – 2014 in ETTU Cup there are 48 clubs in Men’s Event and 30 in Women. Top eight seeds in Men’s Clubs Competitions are: Polish Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Germany’s TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau E.V, Russia’s TTC Magistral Moscow French Stella Sport La Romagne and Istres Tennis De Table, Turkish Istanbul BBSK, Belgium’s Logis Auderghem TT and Croatia’s Stk Dr. Casl. In Women’s ETTU Cup at the top of the list are:Russia’s Evromost – Kuban, French Alcl Tennis De Table Grand-Quevilly, Club Pongiste Lyssois Lille Metropole, Croatia’s STK Dr. CASL, Austria’s TTC Carinthiawinds-Villacher, Leistungszentrum Linz Froschberg, Czech’s SKST Mart Hodonin and Russia’d Table Tennis Club “Kazan”. The draw will be held on Friday, during the European Youth Championships in Ostrava. Click here for Men’s ETTU Cup seeding list Click here for Women’s ETTU Cup seeding list
Italian gold hailed as a masterpiece
After five years of ruling Europe, France was forced to give up the crown to new champions. Italy won the Junior Boy’s Teams Event, after fantastic final in Ostrava. For a first time in history Italy won the event. The team who already achieved so m, After five years of ruling Europe, France was forced to give up the crown to new champions. Italy won the Junior Boy’s Teams Event, after fantastic final in Ostrava. For a first time in history Italy won the event. The team who already achieved so much had a shaky start. Alessandro BACIOCCHI took the first game from Enzo ANGLES, Europe’s no. two , but in the meter of minutes, Enzo was back on his feet. BACIOCCHI maintained his discipline and recovered to level, but in the decisive game ANGLES had all the right answers at the beginning. And just when everyone felt it is over, Alessandro upset the order. With courageous performance he won that match in close finish 14:12. Leonardo MUTTI continued where BACIOCCHI left off. Against Alexandre ROBINOT he won first game. In second he saved two set points, before French coach called for time out. It proved good decision, because on his return to the table ROBINOT immediately scored and won second game. Third went on MUTTI’s account in another close contest. At that point ROBINOT’s game was broke. MUTTI brought Italy to 2:0 lead. Europe’s best cadet player, Alexandre CASSIN had the difficult task of withstanding the pressure to keep France in final. Maurizio MASSARELLI did not make it easy for him a bit. After quick first game, the next one was nervous wrecking and it ended with 15:13 for CASSIN. It was just worm up for Maurizio, who took next game without great difficulties. In last set CASSIN was saved by the bell, it was 12:10. The duel between Enzo ANGLES and Leonardo MUTTI fulfil all the expectations of table tennis fans. Great suspense and thrilling duels whilst advantage went from one side to another. However at the end it was MUTTI who celebrated. “We were nervous, but now time changes. Now it is time for our adversaries to be afraid of us,” said Alessandro BACIOCCHI Poland and Germany played thrilling five matches duel for third position. In close finish Michal BANKOSZ, Adrian WIECK and Jakub DYJAS on position no. three prevailed. Germany was without Marc RODE. Kilian ORT played alongside QIU Dang and QIU Liang. Slovakia beat Turkey to avoid relegation. England won their match for 17th position. Junior Boy’s Teams final: France – Italy 1:3 Enzo ANGLES – Alessandro BACIOCCHI 2:3 (10:12, 11:7, 11:5, 9:11, 12:14) Alexandre ROBINOT – Leonardo MUTTI 1:3 (9:11, 11:9, 13:15, 6:11) Alexandre CASSIN-Maurizio MASSARELLI 3:1 (11:6, 15:13, 6:11, 12:10) Enzo ANGLES-Leonardo MUTTI 1:3 (7:11, 11:5, 6:11, 9:11),
Romania at the throne again
Romania won seventh title in Junior Girls Teams Event at the 56th European Youth Championships. In the final they overcame Germany, the same national team they beat in Istanbul 2010 as well. Princesses defended their crown from Austria and sealed fantasti, Romania won seventh title in Junior Girls Teams Event at the 56th European Youth Championships. In the final they overcame Germany, the same national team they beat in Istanbul 2010 as well. Princesses defended their crown from Austria and sealed fantastic run in tech Republic. Irina CIOBANU took first game of the match in very effective way, but even in next one when Europe’s no. three player Nina MITTELHAM rose her game Romania’s player was still in control. Nina build her game slowly and she continued to add the pressure and forced CIOBANU into errors. That brought her easy win in third game, but CIOBANU is not the player who will back off easily. She attacked Nina in the fourth game to secure opening match win for Romania. Reigning junior single’s and team’s champion Bernadette SZOCS nullified all efforts done by Chantal MANTZ and she conducts a win easily and convincingly. It gave Romania 2:0 lead and good overture for the duel between Theresa KRAFT and Bernadett BALINT. Romania’s representative won opening game by narrow margin. She could not save next one. After 11:3 for German player in fourth game errors flowed, Bernadett’s frustration was evident. KRAFT recovered completely to win the match. It gave chance for spectators to enjoy the duel between top ranked European junior girls. Nor Nina MITTELHAM nor Bernadette SZOCS lost their match this year in Team’s event. But at the end everything went according to rankings and SZOCS prevailed. “I am so happy that I finally played the way I know. It is good that it happened in the right moment,” smiled Irina CIOBANU. Bernadette SZOCS was delighted. “I knew I have to stop Nina to impose her game. She is very aggressive and play like a boy. I had to stop her,” explained SZOCS. Nina MITTELHAM accepted the faith and stated that silver medal is not bad after all. “I made a lot of mistakes in the first match and that opened the door for CIOBANU’s win. Against Bernadette I had chances in fourth game it was 10:9, but I mad two mistakes…” Croatia overcame Serbia in the match for the third position. Both teams played with the strongest line up. Mateja JEGER beat both Serbia’s top players Aneta MAKSUTI and Anja ZOFIJA FENJVESI . The only point for Serbia scores Viktoria TRUZINSKI. Turkey and Portugal played the match to survive in the top division, and Turkey prevailed. Portugal moved to second Division, whilst Hungary managed to come back. Hungary beat Lithuania in the decisive match for position no. 17 Junior Girls Teams Final: Germany – Romania 1:3 Nina MITTELHAM – Irina CIOBANU 1:3 (6:11, 10:12, 11:5, 5:11) Chantal MANTZ – Bernadette SZOCS 0:3 (7:11, 5:11, 9:11) Theresa KRAFT – Bernadett BALINT 3:2 (9:11, 12:10, 6:11, 11:3, 11:3) Nina MITTELHAM – Bernadette SZOCS 1:3 (8:11, 7:11, 11:3, 10:12)
Romanian cadets matured for triumph
In the Cadet Girls Teams Event Romania won the gold medal. They went full distance in the final against France, but eventually prevailed. Romania, last year silver medalists, showed from the start that they will have no mercy. Adina DIACONU smoothly brou, In the Cadet Girls Teams Event Romania won the gold medal. They went full distance in the final against France, but eventually prevailed. Romania, last year silver medalists, showed from the start that they will have no mercy. Adina DIACONU smoothly brought her team to the opening match advantage. Audrey ZARIF pressured Andreea CLAPA in the early stages of her match. After one all, CLAPA won third game 22:20, but still did not broke ZARIF’s spirit. Audrey levelled, before CLAPA won the decisive game. France recovered to win doubles contest and Marie MIGOT was in driving seat at the beginning of the first game against Andreea CLAPA. She maintained the same rhythm to give Audrey ZARIF chance to enter arena again. ZARIF, however could not overcame DIACONU. “We build slowly this results. We started three years ago with bronze medal, and we reached silver in Austria, before we become champions here,” said coach Marian FILIPAS. In the match for the third position Russia overcame Serbia. Daria CHERNORAY and Maria MALANINA beat Sabina SURJAN and Izabela LUPULESKU in straight matches. Only in first match LUPULESKU streched CHERNORAY to full distance, but after Russia broke that it was one way street to success for them. Match for 15th place, that brings stay in the Top 16, went on Turkey’s account. They beat Croatia. Spin beat Netherlands in the match for the 17th position. Cadet Girls Teams final: France – Romania 2:3 Marie MIGOT – Adina DIACONU 0:3 (9:11, 7:11, 4:11) Audrey ZARIF – Andreea CLAPA 2:3 (11:7, 8:11, 20:22, 11:5, 8:11) Audrey ZARIF, Marie MIGOT – Andreea CLAPA, Adina DIACONU 3:1 (11:7, 8:11, 11:9, 11:7) Marie MIGOT – Andreea CLAPA 3:0 (11:8, 11:6, 11;6) Audrey ZARIF – Adina DIACONU 0:3 (8:11, 7:11, 9:11)
Czech Republic boys fired up Ostrava
Tomas POLANSKY and Patrik KLOS won first ever gold medal in Cadet Boy’s Teams Event for Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia won four titles in Cadet Boys Teams Event in 56 year long history of European Youth Championships, but this is the first for Czech, Tomas POLANSKY and Patrik KLOS won first ever gold medal in Cadet Boy’s Teams Event for Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia won four titles in Cadet Boys Teams Event in 56 year long history of European Youth Championships, but this is the first for Czech Republic. In the final they overcame Slovenia and denied them of wining their first. In rapid exchange of strokes, both, Czech’s Tomas POLANSKY and Slovenia’s Erik PAULIN were eager to bring their nation the most precious medal as soon as possible. PAULIN had a better start, but POLANSKY recovered quickly . Inspired by very enthusiastic crowd POLANSKY won third game by narrow margin, before PAULIN put some extra pressure. Tomas withstood his adversary’s recovering and sealed the match. Like in the first match. Slovania’s Darko JORGIC had a better start. Complete atmosphere took a little off the sharpness from KLOS, so JORGIC dominated completely. In doubles Slovenia established the lead. Europe’s no nine Tomas POLANSKY attacked player ranked at position no. 6 at current continental rankings, Darko JORGIC, from the very beginning of fourth match in attempt to bring back hosts in game. He succeeded by posting second victory today. In decisive game players fired up the crowd. It seamed that PAULINE took all the control, but KLOS was unstoppable when he felt weakness in his opponents game. “We could not done this without great atmosphere created by our supporters. It was great playing here today,” said POLANSKI, who won both matches. Romania overcame last year’s champions, France, in the match for the third place. Alexandru MANOLE won his both encounters against Nolan GIVONE and Irvin BERTRAND, whilst Cristian PLATEA overcame BERTRAND. Moldova prevailed in the match for the 15th position against Hungary, whilst Portugal beat Spain for place no. 17. Cadet Boy’s Teams final: Czech Republic – Slovenia 3:2 Tomas POLANSKY – Erik PAULIN 3:1 (7:11, 11:7, 11:9, 11:7) Patrik KLOS – Darko JORGIC 0:3 (7:11, 8:11, 6:11) Tomas POLANSKI, Patrik KLOS – Erik PAULIN, Darko JORGIC 1:3 (9:11, 6:11, 11:9, 8:11) Tomas POLANSKY – Darko JORGIC 3:0 (11:8, 11:7, 11:5) Patrik KLOS – Erik PAULIN 3:1 (2:11, 11:8, 11:1, 11:2)
Romania vs. Germany to play for gold
Last year’s bronze medalists in the Junior Girls Team’s Event, Germany will play in tomorrow’s final at the 56th European Youth Championships in Ostrava. Their adversaries will be well known, fantastic stars of women’s junior table, Last year’s bronze medalists in the Junior Girls Team’s Event, Germany will play in tomorrow’s final at the 56th European Youth Championships in Ostrava. Their adversaries will be well known, fantastic stars of women’s junior table tennis- Romania. In the semi final against Croatia, Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS showed no mercy. She beat both Mateja JEGER and Lea RAKOVAC. Irina CIOBANU lost her duel against Lea, but Bernadett BALINT faced no great problems against Dorina SREBRNJAK. Germany beat Serbia in the semifinal. Determined German team led by Nina MITTELHAM was big challenge for Serbia, the team who showed less then in previous rounds. Nina beat Aneta MAKSUTI in opening duel. Theresa KRAFT continued in same way against Anja ZOFIA FENJVESI. In crucial moments Serbia’s players failed to showed their strength, whilst German players were at the top of the game. Chantal MANTZ overcame Viktoria TRUZINSKI in last match. Fantastic contests marked the quarterfinal of the Junior Girls Team’s Event. Most thrilling was the duel between Croatia and Poland. Last year’s semi finalists, Croatia repeated the success. Mateja JEGER lost her opening match against Natalia BAJOR in straight games, after losing two last games 10:12 and 9:11. Lea RAKOVAC beat Sandra WABIK to level the score, but Poland was once again back in saddle after Agnieszika KACZMAREK overcame Dorina SREBRNJAK. Mateja JEGER proved her quality against WABIK and last duel against RAKOVAC and BAJOR was breathtaking clash. Similarly, the match between Serbia and Belarus produced fantastic suspense. Aneta MAKSUTI started with the win for Serbia against Katsiaryna BARAVOK, but after five games Alina ARLOUSKAYA levelled against Anja ZOFIJA FENJVESI. Viktoria TRUZINSKI was too strong for Hanna PATSEYEVA and in the last duel MAKSUTI overcame ARLOUSKAYA after five games. For Romania it was business as usual, even when they faced very good French team at the other side of the net. Bernadette SZOCS beat Pauline CHASSELIN, Irina CIOBANU proceed with the victory against Laura PFEFER and Bernadett BALINT sealed the triumph with the third point against Chloe MARTIAL. Russia put Germany under pressure but not enough to reach the medal. After socking defeat of cadet girls team Germany reached the medal rostrum in junior’s category. Nina MITTELHAM was stretched to full distance against Anna ROSSIKHINA before Theresa KRAFT beast Ekaterina GUSEVA in straight games. Chantal MANTZ lost her duel against Svetlana MOKHNACHEVA in another full distance encounter, but KRAFT showed no mercy. —> FINAL TIME SCHEDULE – New! (updated July 15th, 23h00 CET)
Romania and France on golden path
In the final of the Cadet Girls Team’s Event at the 56th European Youth Championships France will play against Romania. Romania proved too strong for Serbia in the penultimate stage. Adina DIACONU and Andrea CLAPA left no space for Sabina SURJAN and, In the final of the Cadet Girls Team’s Event at the 56th European Youth Championships France will play against Romania. Romania proved too strong for Serbia in the penultimate stage. Adina DIACONU and Andrea CLAPA left no space for Sabina SURJAN and Izabela LUPULESKU. Unlike their adversaries who were overwhelmed by the fact that they reach the medal, Romania, kept on fighting with gold in their minds. Marie MIGOT gave France a dream start in the semi final duel against Russia’s Anastasia KOLISH. In three games she paved the route to success. Maria MALANINA prevented the quick end, and she beat Audrey ZARIF after five close sets, but Russia could not preserve same rhythm. In Doubles France was back and they won that point in express way. In last duel MIGOT overcame MALANINA. Previously, Serbia halted Austria’s fantastic progress from the lower division to the quarters. On their way to the best 8, Karoline MISCHEK and Sandra FUCHS beat reigning European champion, Germany, but today against Serbia, they did not have a chance. Sabina SURJAN was first player on duty for Serbia with the goal to stop MISCHEK and to give her teammates the lead and confidence. She fulfilled her assignment and overcame Europe’s no. 10 in four games. After that Serbia was in charge. Izabela LUPULESKU dominated in the match against Sandra FUCHS and only occasionally in doubles girls were challenged. Adina DIACONU and Andreea CLAPA demonstrated again perfect game. They showed no mercy against Portugal’s Marta SANTOS and Raquel ANDRADE. Adina lost only a game. Duel between Belarus and Russia, started in favour of Belarus team, but ended in opposite direction.Daria TRIGOLOS overcame Valeria BAGAPOVA at the opening and that was the only won they recorded. Maria MALANINA showed no mercy. She beat Lizaveta TSIKHANAVA , and TRIGOLOS and added another victory from the doubles to the score list. Marie MIGOT and Audrey ZARIF lost only one point in doubles against Italy today. In singles Veronica MOSCONI and Cristiana DUMITRACHE could not stop them. —> FINAL TIME SCHEDULE – New! (updated July 15th, 23h00 CET)
Reigning champions will meet Italy
In Juniors Boys final Bronze medalist from Austria, Italy, will play for gold in Junior Boy’s Team’s Event tomorrow at the 56th European Youth Championships in Ostrava. On the other side of the net will be France, reigning champions. In re-run, In Juniors Boys final Bronze medalist from Austria, Italy, will play for gold in Junior Boy’s Team’s Event tomorrow at the 56th European Youth Championships in Ostrava. On the other side of the net will be France, reigning champions. In re-run of last year’s final France beat Germany. However, this year Germany showed much better performance compared to Austria, where they won only a game. Enzo ANGLES overcame Kilian ORT after full five games duel. Marc RODE was also stretched to full distance against Alexandre ROBINOT, whilst Florian SCHREINER steal one game from Alexandre CASSIN. Italy beat Poland in five thrilling matches in the semi final. Jakub DYJAS gave opening match advantage to Poland. He beat Alessandro BACIOCCHI. Leonardo MUTTI levelled the score with the win over Patryk ZATOWKA . Once again Poland was in the lead after Michal BANKOSZ overcame Maurizio MASSARELI. However it was last point for Poland. MUTTI and BIACIOCCHI were at the top of the game in last two matches. Poland left the arena first after quarterfinal win over Belgium. Jakub DYJAS concluded his match against Martin ALLEGRO in straight games, leaving very few points to his adversary. Patryk ZATOWKA was only under pressure in the last game against Florent LAMBIET and Poland continued to dominate in the last match. Adrian WIECK overcame Arthur BILAS. France bat Portugal 3:1, but it was not that easy game. Enzo ANGLES was the only player who recorded straight games victory. He succeeded against Joao GERALDO. Alexandre ROBINOT lost his encounter against Diogo CHEN in four games with 11:9 in last set. Jorge COSTA was near to gave Portugal a lad. He had 2:1 advantage against Mehdi BOULOUSSA, but failed to convert it into victory. Enzo finished the match the way he started it, in effective way. With great shout of relief Italy celebrated the medal. They joy was multiplied by the fact that they did it after exhausting five matches duel against Sweden. Leonardo MUTTI beat Viktor GORMAN but lost against Carl AHLANDER JOHANSSON. It was the same with Alessandro BACIOCCHI who lost against AHLANDER, but brought the decisive point to his team with victory over GORMAN. For two and a half hours lasted the great battle between Germany and Hungary. Fantastic display of power and technique marked this great duel which concluded in the favour of last years silver medalists. Marc RODE, Killian ORT and Florian SCHREINER all scored, but Nandor ECSEKI, Tamas LAKATOS and Adam SZUDI proved they are worthy rivals. Tamas LAKATOS was the scorer of both points for Hungary. —> FINAL TIME SCHEDULE – New! (updated July 15th, 23h00 CET)