Jean-Michel SAIVE, the top seed in the Men’s Singles event at the ITTF World Tour Morocco Open in Rabat, suffered defeat at the hands of Belgian compatriot, Cédric NUYTINCK, the no.10 seed, in a five games encounter in the Round of 16. Cédric NUYTINCK , h, Jean-Michel SAIVE, the top seed in the Men’s Singles event at the ITTF World Tour Morocco Open in Rabat, suffered defeat at the hands of Belgian compatriot, Cédric NUYTINCK, the no.10 seed, in a five games encounter in the Round of 16. Cédric NUYTINCK , however failed to progress the semi final today after he lost his duel against Michel MARTINEZ of France. French player will meet another player from Belgium tomorow, Robin DEVOS. DEVOS beat Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN of India in quarters. In lower half of the draw two French players will fight for the place in the final Enzo ANGLES will meet Abdel-Kader SALIFOU. In the semi final of the Women’s Singles Event Maria BYKOVA of Russia will meet Pooja SAHASRABUDHE of Morocco, whilst Russia’s Irina ERMAKOVA will play against Sarah DE NUTTE of Luxembourg
Med Games: Turkey and Spain clinched gold
At the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Mersin Turkey and Spain clinched gold medals in the Men’s and Women’s Teams Event. In the final of the men’s Event LI Ahmet and VANG Bora overcame Italy’s Mihai BOBOCICA, Niagol STOYANOV and Marco RECH DALDOSSO in stra, At the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Mersin Turkey and Spain clinched gold medals in the Men’s and Women’s Teams Event. In the final of the men’s Event LI Ahmet and VANG Bora overcame Italy’s Mihai BOBOCICA, Niagol STOYANOV and Marco RECH DALDOSSO in straight matches. Previously Italy overcame Serbia, whilst Turkey beat Spain. In the duel for bronze Spain overcame Serbia. In the final of the Women’s Team’s Event SHEN Yanfei and Sara RAMIREZ of Spain beat XIAN Yi Fang and LI Xue from France. In semis Spain beat Italy and France beat Egypt. Latter Egypt succeeded against Italy in match for bronze
Belgium and France in good run in Morocco
Top seed at the Men’s Singles event at the Euro-Africa Series Morocco Open in Rabat Jean Michel SAIVE successfully concluded opening round of the main draw with straight games win over Morocco’s Abdellah REDA. For the place in quarterfinal he will play ag, Top seed at the Men’s Singles event at the Euro-Africa Series Morocco Open in Rabat Jean Michel SAIVE successfully concluded opening round of the main draw with straight games win over Morocco’s Abdellah REDA. For the place in quarterfinal he will play against compatriot Cedric NUYTINICK. NUYTINICK beat Galal RAAFAT in the first round. Robin DEVOS strenthened further Belgium’s line up after the victory over Louis WELSCHBILLIG of France. France will also has few aces for the medal rostrum: Enzo ANGLES, Paul GAUZY, Alexandre ROBINOT, Mehdi BOULOUSSA, Michel MARTINEZ all progressed to the second round. In the Women’s Singles Event Maria BYKOVA of Russia, Sarah DE NUTTE of Luxembourg and Irina ERMAKOVA of Russia clinched top places in thir respective groups.
Med Games: Serbia and Turkey in semi final
At the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Mersin Serbia and Turkey progressed directly to the semi final of the Men’s teams’ Event. Both teams clinched top places in their respective Groups to secure their position among top 4 teams. Serbia beat top seeds in G, At the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Mersin Serbia and Turkey progressed directly to the semi final of the Men’s teams’ Event. Both teams clinched top places in their respective Groups to secure their position among top 4 teams. Serbia beat top seeds in Group A, France in five matches. In decisive match Zolt PETE overcame Adrien MATTENET in straight games to move Serbia forward. They also beat Tunisia. Tunisia suffered by the hands of French players as well. In Group B Turkey also created the upset. Hosts overcame top seeded Egypt. VANG Bora, LI Ahmet and Gencay MENGE succeeded against Libya and Greece. In Group C Spain is at the top with the wins over Macedonia, Italy and Lebanon. In next, knock out stage, Serbia awaits the winner of the match Egypt vs. Italy, whilst Turkey will play against the better from the duel between Spain and France. In Women’s Teams Event Spain is at the top of Group A with victories over Slovenia and Egypt. In Group B France overcame Turkey and Italy.
Med Games: three medals for Turkey in Mersin
The first part of the table tennis tournament at the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Mersin concluded with Turkey at the top of medals table. In both singles events they won three medals in total – gold, silver and bronze. Egypt is second with gold and Spai, The first part of the table tennis tournament at the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Mersin concluded with Turkey at the top of medals table. In both singles events they won three medals in total – gold, silver and bronze. Egypt is second with gold and Spain at position no. three with silver and bronze. At the ultimate day of the singles event Omar ASSAR of Egypt overcame VANG Bora of Turkey in the final 4:0 (11:9, 11:6, 11:9, 11:9). In the match for bronze LI Ahmet of Turkey overcame HE Zhiwen of Spain 4;0 (11:4, 11:8, 11:7, 13:11). In Women’s Singles final HU Melek of Turkey overcame Sara RAMIREZ of Spain 4:3 (11:3, 10:12, 5:11, 11:6, 12:10, 11:6). SHEN Yanfei of Spain clinched bronze. She beat LI Xue of France in battle for third place 4:0 (11:4, 11:5, 11:2, 11:8).
Jean-Michel SAIVE at Morocco Open
Legendary Jean-Michel SAIVE is the top seed in the Men’s Singles event at the Euro-Africa Series Morocco Open, to be staged in Rabat from Thursday to Sunday. In terms of longevity, the 43 year-old Belgian is setting new standards; when he appeared in Pari, Legendary Jean-Michel SAIVE is the top seed in the Men’s Singles event at the Euro-Africa Series Morocco Open, to be staged in Rabat from Thursday to Sunday. In terms of longevity, the 43 year-old Belgian is setting new standards; when he appeared in Paris earlier this year in May, he was competing in no less than his 22nd World Championships. Equally on the ITTF World Tour the record is staggering; when he plays in Rabat he will be competing in no less than his 118th Tour tournament. Now in its 18th year, Jean-Michel SAIVE has played in every year of the concept and in every continent. Speaking about the Euro-Africa Series it will be third tournament this season. So far we had three surprise winners. Brazil’s Cazuo MATSUMOTO won in Spain, whilst in Cairo and Egypt the player who secured the top step of the podium was Abdel-Kader SALIFOU of France. In all three instances neither player was listed amongst the top two seeds. Abdel-Kader SALIFOU will play again in Morocco. He is the second seed this time. Equally, a major challenge to the aspirations of the twice winner on this year’s Tour comes from his colleagues, the rising generation of French stars. Enzo ANGLES, who currently occupies third spot on the ITTF Junior Boys’ Standings and was crowned champion at the French Junior and Cadet Open earlier this year, is on duty, as are fellow teenagers Alexandre ROBINOT, Antoine HACHARD and Mehdi BOULOUSSA. In Women’s Singles Event will play Maria BYKOVA of Russia, DE Sarah NUTTE of Luxembourg, Irina ERMAKOVA of Russia…
Mediterranean Games: MACHADO halted MATTENET
Adrien MATTENET failed to reach quarters At the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Mersin Men’s Singles event reached quarterfinal stage. Top ranked player in Men’s singles Adrien MATTENET of France suffered surprising defeats by the hands of Carlos MACHADO of, Adrien MATTENET failed to reach quarters At the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Mersin Men’s Singles event reached quarterfinal stage. Top ranked player in Men’s singles Adrien MATTENET of France suffered surprising defeats by the hands of Carlos MACHADO of Spain and Marko JEVTOVIC of Serbia in second stage of the Event. He failed to “survive” competition in Group phase. Both MACHADO and JEVTOVIC progressed to knock out stage. MACHADO will meet LI Ahmet of Turkey tomorrow, whilst JEVTOVIC will play against HE Zhiwen of Spain. Simon GAUZY of France will meet Turkey’s VANG Bora, Mihai BOBOCICA of Italy will play against Omar ASSAR of Egypt. SHEN Yanfei of Spain directly passed to the quarters and she will play against XIAN Yi Fang of France. LI Xue of France, Sara RAMIREZ of Spain, Nikoleta STEFANOVA of Italy are also among best 8. Four players Dina MESHREF of Egypt against Angeliki PAPADAKI of Greece and Jana TOMAZINI of Slovenia vs. Aikaterini TOLIOU of Greece will play additional matches for the place in the quarters.
Ping pong started at XVIIth Mediterranean Games
Table Tennis events started today at the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Turkish Mersin. At the opening day, the qualification rounds in men’s and women’s singles were at programe. Italian BOBOCICA beat ABUSHUWASHI of Lebanon in straight games, whilst GAUZY, Table Tennis events started today at the XVIIth Mediterranean Games in Turkish Mersin. At the opening day, the qualification rounds in men’s and women’s singles were at programe. Italian BOBOCICA beat ABUSHUWASHI of Lebanon in straight games, whilst GAUZY of France needed two more to beat JEVTOVIC of Serbia. Italian recorded double success. STEFANOVA overcame XIAN of France. HU secured victory over TOMAZINI of Slovenia.
Camille GONDERINGER received decoration
With great sense of pride ETTU members learned that Mr. Camille GONDERINGER, ETTU Vice President for Finances, has been allocated for the decoration of ‘Grand Officier de l’Ordre de la Couronne de Chêne’, which is the highest degree possible person can ge, With great sense of pride ETTU members learned that Mr. Camille GONDERINGER, ETTU Vice President for Finances, has been allocated for the decoration of ‘Grand Officier de l’Ordre de la Couronne de Chêne’, which is the highest degree possible person can get as a civil servant or civil servant assimilated person. Mr. Camille GONDERINGER received the decoration in relation with the National Day of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (23rd June). The Grand Duke awards the order upon the recommendation and with the countersignature of the Minister of State, president of the government Luxembourg to citizens who performed outstanding civil and military services, as well for distinguished artists who made outstanding achievements. The words of supports and congratulations are coming from all over the Europe. ETTU President Stefano BOSI also addressed to Mr. Camille GONDERINGER. “First of all, my sincere congratulations for the very prestigious award. Looking to your important contribution and dedication to the European Table Tennis, I can only imagine how high and precious has been the support you have given to your National sport community. Moreover, you deserve this decoration for your human qualities. Sport in general needs persons like you and their contribution…” stated President BOSI.
Huge upsets as Japan dominates 2013 Japan Open
World number 188 Masato SHIONO has caused one of the biggest upsets in table tennis history by winning the $200,000 GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour – Japan Open in Yokohama, Japan, adding to the tally of gold for Team Japan. SHIONO, who had to pay hi, World number 188 Masato SHIONO has caused one of the biggest upsets in table tennis history by winning the $200,000 GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour – Japan Open in Yokohama, Japan, adding to the tally of gold for Team Japan. SHIONO, who had to pay his own entry fees to participate, beat three top 30 players, including world number 6 and Doubles World Champion CHUANG Chih-Yuan (TPE), on his way to clinching his first ever title. Furthermore, it is the first time that two players, in what is now the 18th year of the ITTF World Tour, have negotiated the qualification stage and have proceeded to reach the final of a Men’s Singles event; the first time two non-seeded players have progressed to the gold medal match. The 27 year-old defender stated after beating XU Chenhao (CHN), who was playing in his first World Tour Event, 11-3, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 in the final: “I was so surprised to win the event, because I have never won a title in Japan before, let alone an event of this size. Playing in front of all these people and being live on national TV in Japan is a dream for me, I can’t believe it. I even had to pay the entry fees. I am going to enter the US Open in July and try to prove that this was not a fluke and I really belong on the world stage.” Before SHIONO’s heroics, the crowd was treated to national hero and Olympic silver medalist Ai FUKUHARA, who was also made a wax sculpture of herself at Tokyo airport, winning her first Super Series World Tour title in front of a capacity crowd at the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium. The World number 15 beat two highly rated Chinese opponents on the way to the final before eventually overcoming MOON Hyunjung (KOR) 11-7, 11-5, 13-11, 11-8 to clinch an emotional title. “This is the first time I won the Japan Open, an event which is very special to me. I am very happy to win such a big event in front of so many people. The reason that I won today was the spectators, especially the ones that have followed my whole career.” A red card for FUKUHARA’s coach for giving her advice during points only motivated her more to claim victory. “After my coach was dismissed, I became more focused. I played without fear and showed my passion which led me to the gold.” Jin UEDA and Maharu YOSHIMURA completed the golden hat trick for Japan by shocking their higher ranked and more fancied teammates Kenta MATSUDAIRA and Koki NIWA 7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8. “We are glad, but very shocked,” said the dynamic duo.“This is the first time we have been paired and we were not confident at all going into the final, as we were playing such strong opponents. Our combination ended up working well as we covered each other’s mistakes. We had nothing to lose and no pressure which helped us a lot.”
