There are no more European representatives in the Men’s and Women’s Singles Event at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open in Yokohama. Whilst Kristin SILBEREISEN of Germany reached quarterfinal, the progress of FRANZISKA and GACINA was halted in Round of 16. In, There are no more European representatives in the Men’s and Women’s Singles Event at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open in Yokohama. Whilst Kristin SILBEREISEN of Germany reached quarterfinal, the progress of FRANZISKA and GACINA was halted in Round of 16. In quarters SILBEREISEN lost against MOON Hyunjung of Korea in five games. Previously German player beat YOON Sunae of Korea. In Round of 16 LIU Xi of China beat LI Jiao of Netherlans, whilst MOON Hyunjung eliminated another German player SHAN Xiaona in seven games duel. LIU Gaoyang of China proved too strong for Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden. Both Europeans in Round of 16 suffered by the hands of host nation representatives. Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany lost his duel against Koki NIWA in six games, whilst Jun MIZUTANI accounted at Andrej GACINA of Croatia in straight games. In the final of the Men’s Doubles Event Kenta MATSUDAIRA and Koki NIWA will meet their compatriots Jin UEDA and Maharu YOSHIMURA. In Women’s Doubles Event in the ultimate stage will play CHENG I-Ching and HUANG Yi-Hua of Taipei against GU Yuting and ZHOU Xintong.
Another good run of Patrick FRANZISKA
Аt the ITTF World Tour Japan Open in Yokohama seeds fell one by one in Men’s Singles in two rounds of the main draw. The only European players in Round of 16 tomorrow will be Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany and Andrej GACINA of Germany. In second round FRANZ, Аt the ITTF World Tour Japan Open in Yokohama seeds fell one by one in Men’s Singles in two rounds of the main draw. The only European players in Round of 16 tomorrow will be Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany and Andrej GACINA of Germany. In second round FRANZISKA beat Adrien MATTENET of France, whilst GACINA succeeded against Jonathan GROTH of Sweden. Adrian CRISAN of Romania suffered by the hands of Hidetoshi OYA of Japan. In Women’s Singles Event SHAN Xiaona of Germany will play in Round of 16. Germany will have Kristin SILBEREISEN as well in the game, alongside LI Jiao of Netherlands, and Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden
Jonathan GROTH in main draw in Japan
The qualification stages of the Men’s and Women’s Singles at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open event concluded today. With two superior wins Dane Jonathan GROTH secured his position among best 64 players in main draw. For the place in the next round he will , The qualification stages of the Men’s and Women’s Singles at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open event concluded today. With two superior wins Dane Jonathan GROTH secured his position among best 64 players in main draw. For the place in the next round he will play against KANG Dangsoo of Korea tomorrow. Mikhail PAYKOV of Russia survived very tough encounter against LEE Chun Lin of Korea in the opening round of the qualifications. He also secured the passage to the main draw where he will meet Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany. Romania’s Adrian CRISAN will play against XIN Zhaouxu of Singapore, whilst Adrien MATTENET of France will play against CHOI Deokhwa of Korea. In Women’s Singles qualifications Galia DVORAK of Spain recorded two seven games wins. In Round of 32, she will play against LI Jiao of Netherlands. Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden will play against HSIUNG Nai I of Taipei.
Fantastic retirement party for Richard YULE
Under great secrecy England Table Tennis Association prepared the celebratory retirement party for Richard YULE, ETTA CEO, which took place in London. The fantastic party gathered a number of YULE ‘s colleagues, ex colleagues, players, officials, family a, Under great secrecy England Table Tennis Association prepared the celebratory retirement party for Richard YULE, ETTA CEO, which took place in London. The fantastic party gathered a number of YULE ‘s colleagues, ex colleagues, players, officials, family and friends for this most auspicious of occasions. In the company of friends YULE enjoyed some nostalgia, re-acquaint himself with old and current friends and listened to some accolades and recollections of his life. “This has been an unbelievable day that I will treasure forever. To see so many people past and present from all over the world has just blown me away. I was so surprised and am so grateful,” said Mr YULE. ETTU President Stefano BOSI showed respect for Richard YULE’s great career. “Although not being with you physically, I’m very much involved with the party organized to celebrate your retirement and I wish to recommend you to restart TT and practice a little bit more your “forehand” …Concerning the backhand … It is not necessary…,”joked President BOSI. In the letter President BOSI stated: “I remember so well your backhand, when you were blocking my topspin…We were both very young and probably no one of us, at that time, was thinking we spent our life to Table Tennis. Yes, a life to the sport we were dedicating our youngness …The day anyone of us decides to stop working, looks like a window opened on a new life. I’m sure there are plenty of things you would have been happy to do, but you didn’t. Well, it’s now their turn, to enjoy “normal” life, your innermost feelings and best friendships more. Of course, after years and years of intense work as ETTA Chief Officer, it’s time to take some rest, but never stopping to enjoy our beloved sport. I’m sure you’ll not make us missing your support, your experience, your cleverness, as Table Tennis has never been our job, it’s our life. On behalf of the European Table Tennis Union, I’ve the privilege to address our warmest “thank you, Richard” for all what you did and will do in favor of our sport. Personally, I feel extremely proud of your friendship and I can perceive the emotions you’re experiencing tonight. I read a clever quotes about retirement somewhere: “The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.” And I thought out loud: “If a problem can’t be solved, what’s the point in worrying?” YULE’s table tennis career was long and illustrious – he took up the sport at about 12 years old and he has recounted how he was reprimanded at school for reading from a book by the great Victor BARNA – at the back of the class. His career really began to blossom following his breakthrough aged 17 at the Perth Open – however it was nearly not to be as on the morning of the tournament it was snowing heavily and his lift had decided that it was too dangerous to drive. Unperturbed, resourceful and determined – he put on his wellies and hitch-hiked, arriving late but nevertheless making an impact by beating Stewart DOWNEY (Northumberland) and reached the semi finals. This proved a stepping stone for his senior debut for Scotland against Wales in 1970 and he went on to serve them with great distinction winning 285 caps thus making him the most capped Scottish sports player of all time. Mr YULE’s table tennis achievements were too long to mention at the gathering, however as a summary the guests are reminded that he was 8 times Scottish national mens singles champion, numerous occasions mens & mixed doubles champion, won the Scottish universities, many domestic Open titles, and bronze medal in the mens singles at the Commonwealth championships in Cardiff. In 1971 Scotland hosted and lost 5-3 a friendly to the mighty People’s Republic of China. YULE beat LIANG Ko Liang (former world No.2) and former world champion TSI En Ting . In 1974 at the Spanish Open Mr. YULE won the mens singles, team event and mixed doubles with Grace McKay. He played in 6 world championships, 7 European championships and 6 Commonwealth championships – in the process beating 3 England No.1s – Chester BARNES, Dennis NEALE and Nicky JARVIS. Richard YULE retired from national level play in 1985. In 1989 he was awarded the Harry Baxter award for services to Scottish Table Tennis. Mr. YULE was French, English and Scottish national leagues championships. He was Scottish national coach, but also national coach of Ireland and ran national training camps in Belgium. In 1985 he joined the Scottish Table Tennis Association as Director of Coaching & Development and ten years later MR. YULE become CEO in ETTA. In 1997 England hosted the world championships – this was the largest single sport competition ever held in England – and the vast table tennis family descended on Manchester. Two days prior the Championships Mr Richard YULE become Tournament manager due to a sudden illness of the late Mike Watts. The majestic WALDNER lit up the competition, however YULE’s crisis management skills and dimplomacy contributed to saving the day. In 1997 Mr YULE received the AK Vint staff award for your heroic efforts in Manchester. In 1998 he supported Alan RANSOME in the planning and submission to Sport England of the ETTA world class programme. Unprecedented funding to the tune of £1.28m per year for 8 years when Sport England invited governing bodies to dream their dream. Respect for Mr Yule was European and world wide and the lists of guests today in London was impresive. 143 Attendees at Richard Yule’s retirement party included Adham SHARARA, Michel GADAL, Matthew SYED and famous English entertainer Michael BARRYMORE as well as volunteers, staff past and present plus family and close friends.
Adrian CRISAN at Japan Open in Yokohama
CHUANG Chih-Yuan heads the seeding in the Men’s Singles event at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open, which starts in Yokohama tomorow. He is also in pole position in the Men’s Doubles competition with CHEN Chien-An, the pair now established amongst the best o, CHUANG Chih-Yuan heads the seeding in the Men’s Singles event at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open, which starts in Yokohama tomorow. He is also in pole position in the Men’s Doubles competition with CHEN Chien-An, the pair now established amongst the best on planet earth, after their sensational success at the recent LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris. The favourite but there is strong opposition, especially in the guise of no.2 seed; the one and only WANG Liqin, the man who has won every title at a World Championships including the Men’s Singles crown on three occasions. There will be a strong challenge from the defending champion, Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI, he is the no.3 seed; whilst one place lower HAO Shuai, the winner of four Men’s Singles titles on the ITTF World Tour is a major challenger for honours. The ever consistent Singaporean, GAO Ning, is the next in line in the Men’s Singles seeding, followed by Romania’s Adrian CRISAN, the host nation’s Koki NIWA and ZHAN Jian, also from Singapore. In Under 21 Men’s Singles Germany’s Patrick Franziska occupies the top seeded place followed by Japan’s Maharu YOSHIMURA, Singapore’s CHEN Feng, Asuka MACHI also from the host nation and Denmark’s Jonathan GROTH. Kasumi ISHIKAWA of Japan is at the top of the list in Women’s Singles Event. LI Jiao of Netherlands is no. 4 seed and Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden is seeded no. 10.
Rodina Arkhangelsk clinched the crown in Russia
In Nizhny Novgorod, Arkhangelsk won the decisive play off final match in Russian club championships 2012-2013 against Sdyusshor-13 (Nizhny Novgorod). They become Russia’s champions for the first time in its history. Despite the defeat in the opening matc, In Nizhny Novgorod, Arkhangelsk won the decisive play off final match in Russian club championships 2012-2013 against Sdyusshor-13 (Nizhny Novgorod). They become Russia’s champions for the first time in its history. Despite the defeat in the opening match of final in straight games, Arkhangelsk prevailed in next two duels. In both occasions Sdyusshor-13 forced their adversaries to go full distance. For the winners have played Anastasia VORONOVA, Julia PROKHOROVA, Veronika PAVLOVICH and Alexandra KUZNETSOVA KNT Tyumen (Tyumen) was third.
Happy ending of ITTF Hopes Challenge
Hong Kong’s LEE Ka Yee emerged as the most successful player at the ITTF Hopes Challenge at the Werner SCHLAGER Academy in Schwechat on the outskirts of the Austrian capital city of Vienna. The winner of the Team event in partnership with CHU Hoi Yuen, sh, Hong Kong’s LEE Ka Yee emerged as the most successful player at the ITTF Hopes Challenge at the Werner SCHLAGER Academy in Schwechat on the outskirts of the Austrian capital city of Vienna. The winner of the Team event in partnership with CHU Hoi Yuen, she added to her collection of gold by securing the top prize in the Girls’ Singles event on the final day of play. Furthermore she won with a degree of ease and clearly she had learned from the experiences of the previous day. On the concluding day of play, she surrendered just one individual game; that being the very first game of the day’s itinerary when facing Montenegro’s Ivona PETRIC. However, she recovered quickly from the reverse to secure a four games success (11-13, 12-10, 11-9, 11-8). A hard fought quarter-final success but from that moment onwards she went from strength to strength. At the semi-final stage she ousted Hungary’s Marta NAGYPAL in three straight games (11-6, 11-2, 12-10), before handing out the same punishment when opposing Crystal WANG of the United States in the final. One day earlier when facing the American, LEE Ka Yee had recovered from a two games to one deficit to overcome Crystal WANG by the very narrowest of margins in the decisive fifth game. In the Girls’ Singles final life was much less fraught. LEE Ka Yee posted a straight games success (11-5, 11-4, 11-7; the homework had been studied to perfection. An impressive performance by LEE Ka Yee and at both the quarter and semi-final stages it had been the same from Crystal WANG. In the round of the last eight, she beat Malaysia’s LOH Qiao Ni in four games (12-14, 11-6, 11-4, 11-1), before accounting for Thailand’s Nanpat KOLA in the penultimate round (11-9, 11-5, 11-6). Success for Hong Kong in the Girls’ Singles event; in the counterpart Boys’ Singles competition it was success for Thailand. YANAPONG Panagitgun emerged as the champion, hitting top form on the concluding day of play to arrest the title without being stretched the full five games distance. He accounted for Austria’s Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK (11-4, 7-11, 11-4, 11-1), before overcoming Brazil’s Rafael TORINO in the quarter-finals (9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 12-10) and Hong Kong’s CHU Hoi Yuen in the semi-finals (11-9, 11-8, 11-6) to book his place in the gold medal contest. Good form en route to the final, in the final that good form was maintained; he beat Sweden’s Truls MOREGARD in four games to clinch the title (11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9). En route the final on the ultimate day of play, Truls MOREGARD had beaten Dorian ZHENG of France (14-12, 11-7, 11-7, New Zealand’s ZHAO Yang Lun (11-3,8-11, 11-4, 11-9) and Singapore’s CHUA Sho Han Josh (11-2, 11-5, 11-9).
Lithuanian cadets clinched the boy‘s title in Vilnius
Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Ukraine participated at the 3rd Lithuanian cadet&mini cadet open in Memory of coach Brone BALAISIENE. The competition was held in capital of Lithuania, Vilnius. Winners of Cadet boy, Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Ukraine participated at the 3rd Lithuanian cadet&mini cadet open in Memory of coach Brone BALAISIENE. The competition was held in capital of Lithuania, Vilnius. Winners of Cadet boys team competition is Lithuania – 1 with Medardas STANKEVICIUS and Benas SKIRMANTAS. In the final boys beat Ukraine – 1 (Rodion CHMELOV and Bogdan SINKEVYCH). Lithuania – 1 in semi final overcame Lithuania – 2 3:2 (Rimas LESIV and Darius STANKEVICIUS) and Ukraine – 1 overcame their homeland team Ukraine – 2 (Ilja KANUNNIKOV, Ostap RIZNYCHENKO) 3:0. In Cadet girls competition 14 teams started the competition. In semi final Poland 3:0 won against Belarus (Nadezhda BOGDANOVA, Marharyta BALTUSHITE) and by same result, 3:0, Ukraine – 1 beat Ukraine – 2 (Veronika PEREBEYNOS, Olena NALISNIKOVSKA). In the final stronger was Ukraine – 1 (Yuliia SYNYTSYNA, Soloomia BRATEIKO) 3:0 beat Poland (Karolina LALAK, Julia SLAZAK). In Mini cadet (U-13) teams were 20 mini cadet girls and 20 mini cadet boys teams participants. In mini cadet boys strongest was Lithuanian U-13 national team who overcame another Lithuanian team „Kaisiadorys-Vilnius“. Bronze medals belongs to „Jonava“(LTU) and „KPOZTS“ (POL) teams. Winners of the mini cadet girls team competition became team from Sankt Peterburg „DUSSH No.2“. In the final russian girls fighted against Poland and won with result 3:2. 3rd place took Ukraine and Lithuania national teams. Table tennis competition „To the Memory of Brone Balaisiene“ first time was held in 1986. Competition was open just for students of Vilnius. Starting on 1996, the tournament grew up till the national level. Later, in 2000, table tennis tournament „To the Memory of Brone BALAISIENE“ were conjuncted with the international training camp „Šalčia“ and became international tournament with participants of Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Russia. In 2008 the organization of the tournament were intterupted by economical crises. Now, in 2011 we came back with bigger and even better quality event. For those who did not know Brone BALAISIENE (1921-1983) personally: “Always glad and energetic woman, as well optimist, determined, spirited, demanding for itself and for others specialist of table tennis – was Brone BALAISIENE. Self-taught player – she was studying all the time, boldly experimented while playing herself and teaching others to play. Brone BALAISIENE not only followed the fashion of the game, she dictated to them“ – these words were said on very first tournament in 1986. World Champion, a champion of the USSR – daughter Laima Balaisyte – Amelina, European junior girls Champion – Nijole Ramanauskaite-Kurdzikauskiene, EYC boys champion, multi-country championships medalist – Mironas Krejeris, medalist – Z.Rusakevicius, Soviet youth and junior champions – R.Miknevicius and D.Bartkeviciute, several dozens of Lithuanian champions – such is the hardworking coach work result. After many years you can still feel her spirit in Lithuanian table tennis coaches hearts, same crazy and in love to table tennis as she was.
China and Germany combine to clinch Doubles crown
The highly anticipated international doubles pairings at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour (Super Series) – China Open in Changchun, China, did not disappoint, with German Timo BOLL and Chinese MA Long winning the Men’s Doubles gold today in , The highly anticipated international doubles pairings at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour (Super Series) – China Open in Changchun, China, did not disappoint, with German Timo BOLL and Chinese MA Long winning the Men’s Doubles gold today in an epic final. The pair, dubbed ‘Longbo’ by the fans, were simply too good for fellow German and Chinese combination Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and YAN An. They won 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 in front of a loud Changchun crowd to show that table tennis transcends all language and cultural barriers. The 32-year-old BOLL who won his 7th World Tour Doubles crown 4 years after his last stated after the match: “It was a lot of fun to play with MA Long. It was helpful to chat and learn about his style of play and thoughts about table tennis. I hope to play with him again soon as our styles matches perfectly – I play softer with more spin and placement. Ma long is the more powerful one. We understood each other well and we were very happy with the outcome.“ The Doubles gold was not enough for World Number 2 MA Long, as he stepped back on the court within 30 minutes of his Doubles triumph to beat local town favorite WANG Hao 11-8, 11-8, 11-2, 11-8, to clinch the Men’s Singles title, which is MA Long’s 15th World Tour gold. MA, who lost to WANG in the Semi Finals at the last 3 World Championships (2009, 2011, 2013), said about his win: “I am happy with my win in my home country. This is my first main competition after the World Table Tennis Championships last month in Paris, but I feel that I played the key points well, which was vital to my victory. The victory is even more sweet after winning the doubles with my friend Timo BOLL. After playing so many matches the last 3 days, I am now looking forward to having a rest tomorrow.” World and Olympic Champion LI Xiaoxia (CHN) continued her impressive form in the Women’s Singles, defeating veteran GUO Yan (CHN) who announced that this may be her last international event as a player. The 25 year old won the her 9th World Tour Women’s title 11-8, 11-9, 11-4, 4-11, 11-5. The pair GUO Yue & LIU Shiwen, took little time thrashing FENG Yalan/GUO Yan 11-6,11-5,13-11 to claim the women’s doubles crown.
GAVLAS throwback secured the perfect year
Antonin GAVLAS and Renata STRBIKOVA of Czech Republic clinched the title at the 2013 ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships in Buzau. In the final they overcame Slovakia’s pairings Lubomir PISTEJ and Barbora BALAZOVA. “The hardest moment was in the , Antonin GAVLAS and Renata STRBIKOVA of Czech Republic clinched the title at the 2013 ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships in Buzau. In the final they overcame Slovakia’s pairings Lubomir PISTEJ and Barbora BALAZOVA. “The hardest moment was in the semi final when we played against Michal OBESLO and Hana MATELOVA. We know each other very well, but we were good prepared. We knew what was coming,” stated Renata STRBIKOVA after seven games duel against bronze medalists. In the final they prevailed in five games. “The tactic was to slow down Lubomir PISTEJ, to forced him into mistakes, or just to force him to play slowly. In that case we dictated the rhythm. Usually he is very aggressive player with very fast balls,” explained GAVLAS. 12 years ago and Antonin GAVLAS clinched the mixed doubles title in Bratislava as Cadet at the European Youth Championships. “That was a long time ago…In a meanwhile, I proved myself much more as a club player, then as a member of a national team. I guess I am not that good when I play alone. For a team it is a different story. In Bundesliga I played in club with Timo BOLL at the beginning, then I moved to Italy in Torino, won Scudetto and finally I returned to Czech Republic this season. With El Nino we won title. This is my best season ever,” said GAVLAS. He was teamed up with Renata STRBIKOVA for a first time. “She is so good tactic player. Her technique is very good. She is playing attacking style. Her opponents never know where the ball will go, so everyone must slow down and it gives me opportunity to play my aggressive style.” Asked will this partnership lasts, GAVLAS answered: “At every moment there are 10 men good enough for the national team. It is hard to make promises that I will play again here. We will see.” Click here to check official results
