The best ever final of Russian League will be finished today at Moscow (14h00 CET), between reigning champion Fakel Gazproma Orenburg and UMMC. After two games, played in last two days, the score is 1:1 (3:4, 4:3). The 2008 Olympic champion, Chinese MA Li, The best ever final of Russian League will be finished today at Moscow (14h00 CET), between reigning champion Fakel Gazproma Orenburg and UMMC. After two games, played in last two days, the score is 1:1 (3:4, 4:3). The 2008 Olympic champion, Chinese MA Lin fulfilled expectations of UMMC`s coach Tatiana KUTERGINA, winning all six his encounters – four individual and two in doubles. On the other side, three times European champion Vladimir SAMSONOV is undefeated in singles. Verkhnaya Pyshma`s club won first clash and led 3:2 in second, but Alexey SMIRNOV and Vladimir SAMSONOV turned the match beating TAN Ruiwu and Alexander SHIBAEV respectively. No doubt that current Men`s European Champions League winner is faced with its toughest task this year. All six players from both teams are placed among Top 55 on ITTF World rankings list: no. 7 Dmitrij OVTCHAROV, no. 8 MA Lin, no. 10 Vladimir SAMSONOV, no. 41 TAN Ruiwu, no. 47 Alexander SHIBAEV and no. 55 Alexey SMIRNOV. 1st final: Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – UMMC 3:4 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Alexander SHIBAEV 3:1 (11:7, 11:9, 11:13, 11:8) Alexey SMIRNOV – MA Lin 1:3 (9:11, 14:12, 10:12, 6:11) Vladimir SAMSONOV – TAN Ruiwu 3:0 (11:7, 11:3, 11:6) SAMSONOV/SMIRNOV – MA/TAN 2:3 (12:10, 11:2, 7:11, 9:11, 7:11) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – MA Lin 0:3 (8:11, 9:11, 10:12) Vladimir SAMSONOV – Alexander SHIBAEV 3:1 (11:13, 11:8, 11:5, 11:3) Alexey SMIRNOV – TAN Ruiwu 0:3 (9:11, 9:11, 6:11) 2nd final: UMMC – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg 3:4 MA Lin – Alexey SMIRNOV 3:2 Alexander SHIBAEV – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 1:3 (8:11, 4:11, 11:7, 3:11) TAN Ruiwu –Vladimir SAMSONOV 2:3 (3:11, 5:11, 11:9, 13:11, 3:11) MA/TAN – SAMSONOV/SMIRNOV 3:0 (11:7, 15:13, 11:2) MA Lin – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 3:1 (15:13, 9:11, 11:8, 11:4) TAN Ruiwu – Alexey SMIRNOV 0:3 (9:11, 3:11, 5:11) Alexander SHIBAEV – Vladimir SAMSONOV 1:3 (5:11, 6:11, 12:10, 9:11)
Physical preparation seminar in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki was the host of the seminar co-organised by The European Table Tennis Union and Hellenic Table Tennis Association. The expert on duty was Dr. Miran KONDRIC from Faculty of Sport, Slovenia. Two years ago the similar seminar was conducted in At, Thessaloniki was the host of the seminar co-organised by The European Table Tennis Union and Hellenic Table Tennis Association. The expert on duty was Dr. Miran KONDRIC from Faculty of Sport, Slovenia. Two years ago the similar seminar was conducted in Athens and this time location was some 500 km away from the capitol of Greece. In total 22 participants attended the seminar and among them were table tennis coaches from Thessaloniki and some neighboured cities. Thru three days seminar participants have taken theoretical and practical lessons. Theoretical background in physical preparation, fitness testing, monitoring, planning, loads in training and choice of exercises were the key points of the seminar. Special attention was pointed on proper warming up in different categories and levels of players. Benefits of all those parameters are necessarily for the exact planning of table tennis training. “Performance in table tennis is the result of a number of factors, and physical preparation has a special role in table tennis plan. Therefore, physical training accounts a portion of any performance, and so the role of any physical coach depends on cooperation with head coach who has to prepare balanced program in which player can fulfill all the goals of his/her development” said Dr. KONDRIC. “Still physical preparation is one of the key roles in table tennis players training. You can have a perfect technique but if you cannot reach the ball, all your work in technical part was a waste of time.” During physical preparation there can be difficulties in selection of exercises and independent planning of trainings. In such cases it is possible to take advantage already of known programs of training, taking into account only features of the body build and level of training. Players who prefer to attack and often play top spin strokes are especially prone to injuries of the shoulder girdle. A correct fitness-training programme must therefore be carefully planned throughout the year (definition and enhancement of both the general and specific fitness). But, during the season, a training programme design should be aimed at maintaining, rather than to increasing the level of fitness. The role of the physical coach is to bridge the gap between the theory of training and applied training, helping players to become faster, stronger and more flexible and to build their muscular endurance so they perform better and remain injury free. Physical coaches’ works alongside a table tennis coach to assist them in designing specific programmes that will address the particular need of the player. The ETTU and Hellenic Table Tennis Association signed agreement on coaches’ education and this is a promise to a future collaboration aiming the raise of table tennis coach’s knowledge. Through different tools, such as publications, seminars and workshops, concourses and campaigns they want to support Greek coaches under the motto: “Educate through positive models”. On one side, the ETTU provides financial and professional supportThe Hellenic TT Association will support the project by publishing and distributing different booklets, posters, etc., related to the table tennis subjects and making sure that these publications arrive to the table tennis coaches as well. “Organizing seminars is not enough so we would like to stay in contact with Miran who will provide additional information and programs to interested coaches and help us to publish additional materials”, added Sokrates PAPASAVOGLOU the local head coach. “It was my second stay in Greece and first stay in Thessaloniki and I am delighted. Like Athens also Thessaloniki is a hyper-archaeological site with important tourist monuments. For me as a physical training coach it was that’s why walking the best way to discover Thessaloniki and among that I had also to burn out some calories since Sokrates, Nikos, Michael and especially girls (Anita, Barbara and Lydija) have had fun with me presenting me all possible variations of Greek food ”, pointed out expert on duty. “For both sides this was a great experience. During the seminar and my leisure time I have in Nikos the local “alfa and omega in table tennis organizing” a perfect guide. The participants became new knowledge on physical preparation and I become free lessons on Greek language. Still I have high problems with Greek language but having Michael KATSIKADELIS as a translator at my side it was very easy to communicate with participants”, concluded dr. Kondric.
Cream of the crop has successfully started
On Tuesday evening, it was clear: Every of the 2,739 participants of the European Veterans Championships in Bremen has started the tournament. With the class Men 40, the “cream of the crop”, the last category played their first matches on the second day o, On Tuesday evening, it was clear: Every of the 2,739 participants of the European Veterans Championships in Bremen has started the tournament. With the class Men 40, the “cream of the crop”, the last category played their first matches on the second day of the event. They had to fulfill both tasks at once – play all their group matches in singles and doubles. The favorites endured their opening matches in the singles without any problem. The 1989 World Doubles Champion, Steffen FETZNER, did not lose a single game. Like him did the number 3 seeded Russian, Dmitrij MAZUNOV, and Martin OLEJNIK, finalist of the 2012 World Veterans Championships from Czech Republic. Ari-Matti KOSKINEN from Finland used the opportunity and won group 1 as Austrian pro, the actual number one seed CHEN Weixing, had to cancel his participation after the draw had been done because he has to compete in the league play-offs in Austria. “Everyone wants to win against me here, so I am glad to have survived the first round”, admits Steffen FETZNER. For him, success is no longer the only important thing. “For me the fun factor is very high in these championships”. In doubles, FETZNER conceded a surprising defeat: along with Heiko WIRKNER the number 4 seed combination lost its second match against the German-Danish duo Alexander OLTMANN/Henrik VENDELBO in four games. Anyway, this defeat does not have a huge negative effect. Like in the singles events this winner of the group and the runner-up continue to the main competition proper. Only the third and fourth play the consolation rounds only.
FLORE and SZOCS ruled Juniors category
Tristan FLORE still holds the top of the European Junior Rankings at the end of May. The situation in Junior Boys Rankings is unchanged at the top. Top 9 players are still the same, whilst only Andrea LANDRIEU of France progressed from 11th to 10th place., Tristan FLORE still holds the top of the European Junior Rankings at the end of May. The situation in Junior Boys Rankings is unchanged at the top. Top 9 players are still the same, whilst only Andrea LANDRIEU of France progressed from 11th to 10th place. Enzo ANGLES and Alexandre ROBINOT are still at position no. two and three among juniors. Tamas LAKATOS of Hungary follows at the position no. four. In Junior Girls Rankings Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS is still the leading name followed by Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia, and Nina MITTELHAM of Germany. Alina ARLOUSKAYA of Belarus moved from spot no. 4 to no. 5. In Cadet Boys Alexandre CASSIN and Joe SEYFRIED of France are number one and two. Maxim CHAPLYGIN of Russia progressed to position no. three. Marie MIGOT of France is listed at position no. 1 in cadet Girls Rankings, Adina DIACONU of Romania is second, HO Tin Tin of England third and Maria MALANINA of Russia is fourth. Click here to read/download June rankings
EVC participants: this and that
After accreditation, there are alltogether 2,739 players competing in the European Veterans Championships. Approx. 5% of the originally entered players did not appear at the accreditation centre. Anyway, the players in Bremen create a new participation re, After accreditation, there are alltogether 2,739 players competing in the European Veterans Championships. Approx. 5% of the originally entered players did not appear at the accreditation centre. Anyway, the players in Bremen create a new participation record. The oldest participant is Antonin MOREAU from France, 92 years of age, born 8th of March, 1921, exactly 60 years before Timo BOLL was born on the same day. This means that the youthful musketeer is one month and one day older than Inge-Brigitte HERRMANN who was also born in 1921, on the 9th of April – and managed to become a media star in Germany due to her amazing success in table tennis at the age of over 90. The youngest players at the event in Bremen are Thomas KÖHNE (born 20th of December 1973) and Katrin RIPKE (born 30th of September 1973), both not quite reaching the club of over 40s. To travel alone obviously is good for results. The only four single participants per country, Larysa PASHUKEVICH from Belarus (Women 50), Iliya TIMAN from Israel (Men 40), Izet BEGANOVIC from Montenegro and Miroslav JELACA from Serbia (both Men 65) started the tournament very successfully and moved to the main competition proper as winners of their qualifying groups. The most funny entry “Application photo” came from Jürgen ALBERTS (see photo). He announced to remove one ball from the photo when he loses in singles – and the other one as soon as the doubles event is finished for him. By the way: Jürgen ALBERTS, born in Kirchen/Sieg (Germany) lives in Bremen for many years, is a passionate table tennis player and succesful author of detective novels. Among other awards, he received the “Deutscher Krimi Preis”, an important national award for detective stories, in 1994. In Bremen, you find many friendships, but also several married couples among the competitors. We do not know if Monika and Christoph OTTO, Wolfgang and Renate BARTEL, Heinz and Hannelore DILLENBERGER, all from Germany, and the German/Welsh couple Regina und Roger GRECH regret missing a (non existing) “mixed doubles” competition or just enjoy their doubles with different partners! With the former European and German Champion Edit WETZEL (born 19th of May 1941) and her sister Ellen HAAK, real twins take part in the competition. Under their maiden name Buchholz, both Edit and Ellen played table tennis for TTK Grün-Weiß Kiel, but also successfully handball for Holstein Kiel at the beginning of the 60s in the last century.
Hosts holds the top in Luxembourg
The table tennis Events at the 15th Games of the Small States of Europe started today in Luxembourg. Team’s Event opened the competition. In men’s category host nation posted two victories against Malta and Montenegro. Montenegro also suffered againt Mona, The table tennis Events at the 15th Games of the Small States of Europe started today in Luxembourg. Team’s Event opened the competition. In men’s category host nation posted two victories against Malta and Montenegro. Montenegro also suffered againt Monaco. Monaco also finished the day unbeaten. They overcame San Marino as well. Malta beat Montenegro. Luxembourg holds the top in the Women’s Team’s Event also. Girls secured the top position with two straight matches victories over Iceland and Monaco. Malta beat San Marino and Iceland. Monaco has two victories and one defeat.
Games of the Small States of Europe in Luxembourg
Luxemburg is the host of the 15th Games of the Small States of Europe. The biennial, multi-sport event, launched by the Republic of San Marino, organized by and featuring the National Olympic Committees of eight European small states since 1985, started t, Luxemburg is the host of the 15th Games of the Small States of Europe. The biennial, multi-sport event, launched by the Republic of San Marino, organized by and featuring the National Olympic Committees of eight European small states since 1985, started today. The Games feature competition in nine Summer Olympic sports and among them is the table tennis as well. In Men’s Team’s Event there are four countries at the list of participants: Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco and San Marino, whilst in Women’s the list is longer for Island. Tournament starts tomorrow.
All stars survived the challenges of day 1
Day 1 of the European Veterans Championships in Bremen didn’t make any of the former top players stumble. Mikael APPELGREN had to be early at the table for his 9 o’clock opening match but neither this time nor his opponents caused any trouble to him. Swed, Day 1 of the European Veterans Championships in Bremen didn’t make any of the former top players stumble. Mikael APPELGREN had to be early at the table for his 9 o’clock opening match but neither this time nor his opponents caused any trouble to him. Sweden’s former World and European Champion did not lose a single game in his preliminary group 1 of category 50. His direct competitors, 14-times German Champions Zsolt-Georg BÖHM, and the former Olympic quarter-finalist DING Yi from Austria, did not have any weaknesses today either: 3 matches, 3 victories, 9-0 games. Like them did Olga NEMES (Women 40), JING Tian-Zörner (50) and Jutta TRAPP (65). Only Eliska KREJCOVA had to fight. The multiple World Championship of the 1940s and 1950s from Czech Republic was 0-2 down against Latvian Laimdota JORDANE, before KREJCOVA could turn it into a 3-2 victory. Germany’s World Doubles Champion from 1989, Steffen FETZNER, and bronze medallist Dmitrij MAZUNOV from Russia will play their first matches on Tuesday. CHEN Weixing – originally top-seed in their category 40 – had to cancel his participation because of the play-offs in Austria. Incidentally “Speedy” FETZNER did not relax on his day off, but gave a few media interviews and had a training session with Heiko WIRKNER at the practice hall. That is where they faced a downside of being VIPs. FETZNER/WIRKNER were surprisingly sent off: When they asked two ladies, whether they may join them for training crosswise, the women, who immediately recognized them, replied indignantly: “But your matches will only start tomorrow!” The German duo was perplexed, smiled – and then looked for another training table. For all age groups except Men 40 the second day of the tournament is “doubles day”. On Wednesday all players have a day off from competition but are welcome to practice in the afternoon.
Atmospheric EVC opening in Bremen
The European Veterans Championships was open. On Sunday at 20:36, the Chairman of the ETTU Veterans Committee, Dr. Zdenko KRIZ said the well-known official formula to 3,500 enthusiastic spectators at the ÖVB-Arena in Bremen. The premiere of European Veter, The European Veterans Championships was open. On Sunday at 20:36, the Chairman of the ETTU Veterans Committee, Dr. Zdenko KRIZ said the well-known official formula to 3,500 enthusiastic spectators at the ÖVB-Arena in Bremen. The premiere of European Veterans Championships in Germany is on now, the matches will last from May 27 to June 1. The opening ceremony was atmospheric, acrobatic and fun offering a colorful 1.5-hours-programme to players, accompanying persons and spectators from Bremen. The “Blues Brothers” of the TV Ludwigshafen were one of the top acts of the evening. They have just been awarded the official “Show group of the German Gymnastics Federation” for the fourth time in a row. Another highlight were the formation dancers of the Grün-Gold-Club Bremen, multiple German Champions, European Champions and World Champions. Much applause received Roswitha WAHL and Renate RECKNAGEL. The two 70-somethings are reigning German Veterans Champions in Gymnastics and still in to shape even at the parallel bars. Sven MARÉE from Berlin showed his skills hanging from the ceiling, the rope artist also pulled the strings in the background and directed the entire show too. DTTB Vice-President Mrs. Heike AHLERT welcomed the approximately 2,900 participants from all over Europe. “We very pleased with this high number of participants, the highest number at European Veterans Championships ever,” says AHLERT. “The number of prominent participants in the field is outstanding, too.” Thus, Mikael Appelgren of Sweden, the Germans Olga NEMES, JING Tian-Zörner, Zsolt-Georg BÖHM and Steffen FETZNER, the Russian Dmitrij MAZUNOV or Eliska KREJCOVA from Czech Republic, multiple World Champion of the 1940s and 1950s and reigning World Champion of the class 85 and above. Heike AHLERT wished all participants and accompanying persons “fantastic days in our huge table tennis family”. ETTU representative Zdenko KRIZ emphasized a value of European Veterans Championships that goes beyond sport performances: “At this venue usually the professionals compete for World or European Championship titles. But European Veterans Championships are not only a sports event, but also stand for friendship and staying in touch with fellows and mades.” Martin GÜNTHNER welcomed the spectators at the opening ceremony as the representative of the free Hanseatic City of Bremen. The 37 year-old Senator for Economics, Labour and Ports was perfectly in the topic, called Bremen with the “long tradition of major table tennis events a table tennis stronghold” and stated: “We are ready to host outstanding European Veterans Championships.” Facing mostly table tennis experts in the ÖVB-Arena, GÜNTHNER congratulated also the top players of local Bundesleague club SV Werder Bremen, CHUANG Chih-Yuan, for winning the World title in doubles recently. The Senator wished successful competitions to all players and all those involved “an unforgettable week in Bremen”.
MIZUTANI and MONTEIRO join UMMC
Russian vice-champion UMMC signed contracts with Japanese Jun MIZUTANI (world`s no. 11) and Portuguese Joao MONTEIRO (no. 64) who will join TAN Ruiwu (41), Alexander SHIBAEV (47) and Grigory VLASOV (109) in next season. Twenty four-year old, last year`s w, Russian vice-champion UMMC signed contracts with Japanese Jun MIZUTANI (world`s no. 11) and Portuguese Joao MONTEIRO (no. 64) who will join TAN Ruiwu (41), Alexander SHIBAEV (47) and Grigory VLASOV (109) in next season. Twenty four-year old, last year`s world no. 5 MIZUTANI, who broke many national records since he became the youngest Japanese champion in his 17, will take the leading role that belonged to Chinese defender HOU Yingchao in last seasons. MONTEIRO has a lot experience from European Champions League reaching semifinal with Saarbrucken last year. Verkhnaya Pyshma`s side already played national championships with 2008 Olympic champion from Beijing MA Lin, actual no. 8 on ITTF World ranking list. He is just taken in attempt to reach national title which means after all, to beat Russian and ECL champion Fakel Gazproma Orenburg. The 2012/13 Russian League (named Super Final) will be concluded this Tuesday or Wednesday (the champion needs two victories in the final) at Moscow.
