Once again Buzau will host the European Mixed Doubles Championships. In Romania the best pairings will gathered in June from 14th to 16th . Last year at the same place Andrei FILIMON and Elizabeta SAMARA clinched the title. In the final they overcame VANG, Once again Buzau will host the European Mixed Doubles Championships. In Romania the best pairings will gathered in June from 14th to 16th . Last year at the same place Andrei FILIMON and Elizabeta SAMARA clinched the title. In the final they overcame VANG Bora and HU Melek of Turkey. The organizing committee released the logo of the event today.
Stefano BOSI candidate for ITTF presidency
ETTU President Stefano BOSI, attending today’s 2013 European Championships official presentation in Vienna, surprisingly announced his candidature to International Table Tennis Federation’s Presidency, in view of ITTF Congress next May 15th in Paris. “Eur, ETTU President Stefano BOSI, attending today’s 2013 European Championships official presentation in Vienna, surprisingly announced his candidature to International Table Tennis Federation’s Presidency, in view of ITTF Congress next May 15th in Paris. “European Championships are the Old Continent’s most important event and we’re looking forward a superb edition to be held here in Austria, at Schwechat’s Multiversum, under the guidance of Austrian Table Tennis Federation and Werner Schlager Academy staff, hence this became a perfect opportunity to give an announcement – Stefano BOSI explained during the Press Conference –. Life is full of coincidences sometimes. Werner SCHLAGER was the last European player to clinch World title ten years ago precisely, and it happened just in Paris. I’m here in Austria, now, inside the Werner SCHLAGER Academy, one of most beautiful table tennis facilities in the world… It looks like a full circle to come… This marks a turning point definitively”. Stefano BOSI drafted a short but exhaustive analysis of current table tennis sport. “Asia improved impressively, that’s why Europe is today’s underdog, whilst other continents were not growing as expected, this means ITTF strategy was not appropriate. ITTF wanted to keep everything under its control, neglecting Continents’ role. Continents must be the core of our sport and work in a very close cooperation, thereby being all together as a whole instead of extraneous. Europe and Asia are ready to cooperate strongly for overall growth, that is our one-way future”. The Italian manager explained further reasons pushing him to challenge Mr. Adham SHARARA, being in the office since 14 years. “A huge part of table tennis family, including myself of course, disagrees current ITTF strategy to centralize everything and reduce the autonomy of Continents further. This system generated serious problems even in terms of financial fair-play: we got the evidence of some serious infringements happened”. Mr. BOSI straightforward stated: “There’s no transparency inside our International Federation nowadays. We would like ITTF, one of biggest International Sport Associations in the world with 217 affiliated countries, moving back to a great sport community, rather than a business district”. After a long career as TT player (7 national titles and Italian national team’s 250 caps) Stefano BOSI, 58, built a huge experience in sport management. In table tennis, he has been Italian Association’s Chairman from 1990 to 2004. Since 1996 he took the presidency of the ETTU (European Table Tennis Union).
The supreme statistician “JJ” HUBERMAN passed away
It is with great sadness that the death of Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN is announced. The supreme table tennis statistician, he passed away on Tuesday 26th March 2013 in the Canary Islands; he was 60 years old. He died of a brain tumour. In recent years he had s, It is with great sadness that the death of Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN is announced. The supreme table tennis statistician, he passed away on Tuesday 26th March 2013 in the Canary Islands; he was 60 years old. He died of a brain tumour. In recent years he had suffered from a heart condition; unfortunately the heart condition could not sustain the operation to remove the tumour. Born on Saturday 6th December 1952, he amassed an unparalleled record of results, working for the International Table Tennis Federation from January 1998 until the Liebherr World Team Championships in Dortmund in 2012. Little did we know that when we parted company on that early evening in April, just one year ago, we were not saying farewell, we were saying a final goodbye. My first encounter with Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN was in 1995, soon after I had started to work for the International Table Tennis Federation in the offices in the south coast English seaside resort of St Leonards-on-Sea. A telephone call was diverted my way; the caller was Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN. The question appeared relatively simple. “I’m missing the name of one of the quarter-finalists in the Men’s Singles at the World Championships”, was the comment. Quickly I replied that I was sure it was no problem whatsoever. He then added “Cairo 1939”. It did not take long to realise that Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN, alias “JJ” had an unparalleled collection of data. One year later Table Tennis Illustrated was born and soon I was well aware that a regular section “Table Tennis Superstar” could be introduced, there was one man who could supply the necessary information for a player’s career highlights; that man was Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN. He made an outstanding contribution to every issue of the publication. Always information was supplied punctually, always with detailed accuracy and the greatest precision. Communicate with him, he may have advised that he was busy and would reply four days hence, the reply would come in two days. Writing articles on tournaments, especially when not present, I relied heavily on the information provided by Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN. It was the same for journalists, commentators and the whole gambit of the media, they relied heavily on his fountain of data. I never heard anything but high praise for his unstinting efforts. The sadness is that many who praised his work never met him to express a personal gratitude. “Thank you” was all he asked. One occasion stands out in my mind when he supplied detailed information quickly and accurately. The recipient never responded to express gratitude; a disappointed Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN contacted me to express his displeasure. Perhaps we all took it too much for granted that Jean-Jacques Huberman would deliver on time and with unerring accuracy. Sometimes he did not receive the credit he richly deserved. “Jean-Jacques had a passion for table tennis facts and figures; also for rock music”, reminisced Arne MADSEN, Chair of the ITTF Media Committee. “He was never a very good player but he became a fantastic table tennis statistician; he even sent me information on Danish players, players from my country I didn’t know even existed!” The extent of the information at hand was remarkable; he could advise on the most obscure tournament in the most obscure setting. “He attended several World Championships but he did watch many matches”, continued Arne MADSEN. “He did not have time; with his typical ironic humour he would respond that he had to work to update his statistics and profiles to give journalists the best service.” Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN worked quietly in the background; modest, always helpful, punctual to respond to requests, pleased to part of a team but never seeking the limelight. The life of Jean-Jacques HUBERMAN is over, he is sadly missed but he will never be forgotten, his work lives for ever. He leaves a wife and two children, a son who lives in Switzerland and a daughter in Paris.
Daniela DODEAN’s awaited comeback is now
Romanian Daniela DODEAN is coming back to competitive table tennis exactly four months after serious knee surgery on December 5th. SVS STROCK star and double European champion missed a crucial games in Women’s European Champions League semi final and she , Romanian Daniela DODEAN is coming back to competitive table tennis exactly four months after serious knee surgery on December 5th. SVS STROCK star and double European champion missed a crucial games in Women’s European Champions League semi final and she will play first time on April 5th, during the Austrian League’s match against TTV Wiener Neudorf 1947. “I’m thrilled to be back and I will give everything to get back in top form as soon as possible”, says Daniela DODEAN who trains since the summer of 2010 in the actual Austrian champion, based in Werner Schlager Academy at Schwechat. For Daniela DODEAN the last weeks were dedicated to convalescence, physical strengthening and the return to table tennis training. These days, the attending physician Dr. Gerald KUCHLING has approved her comeback to competitive sport. So SVS STRÖCK coach Aya UMEMURA decided with the consent of Daniela DODEAN to deploy the Romanian again against Wiener NEUDORF. Her next big goals are the World Championships in Paris (13-20 May), where she will compete in singles and doubles with her Romanian partner Elisabetha SAMARA.
Olympic champion stumbles but China retains title
China completed the Men’s and Women’s golden double in impressive fashion at the Times Property 2013 World Team Classic in Guangzhou. The men’s team, represented by the world ‘s top three ranked men MA Long, XU Xin and ZHANG Jike, , China completed the Men’s and Women’s golden double in impressive fashion at the Times Property 2013 World Team Classic in Guangzhou. The men’s team, represented by the world ‘s top three ranked men MA Long, XU Xin and ZHANG Jike, were made to work hard for their gold by a talented Chinese Taipei trio of CHEN Chien-An, CHUANG Chih-Yuan and CHIANG Hung-Chieh. Player of the day was 20 year old former World Junior Champion CHEN Chien-An; not selected for the Chinese Taipei Olympic Team last year, sensationally he beat Olympic champion ZHANG Jike in five games pulsating contest. “I didn’t underestimate my opponent” stated ZHANG Jike. “I felt very heavy and slow in this match and my form has been a bit unstable lately; this does not take anything away from CHEN Chien-An, he was fantastic.” The victory was as close as Chinese Taipei came. World no. 1, the tournament’s most valuable player, MA Long, combined with XU Xin to secure doubles success against CHEN Chien-An and CHIANG Hung-Chieh, before beating the latter to ensure that it was a golden afternoon for the large crowd at Tianhe Gymnasium. “It is a good sign for the health of world table tennis that we had a new opponent in the final”, stated Chinese Head Coach LIU Guoliang. “They gave us a tough test and exposed some weaknesses in our team, which we will have to fix before the World Championships in six weeks’ time.” The women’s final was the same as at the London 2012 Olympic Games, with the young Japanese team standing between China and the spot on the top of the podium. As was the case in London, China prevailed. The trio of DING Ning, LI Xiaoxia and WU Yang proved too good for the Japanese team, represented by Ai FUKUHARA, Kasumi ISHIKAWA and Sayaka HIRANO. They recorded a comprehensive three-nil victory. The Olympic Champion, LI Xiaoxia, who was named the women’s most valuable player, stated at the press conference: “I would like to congratulate Japan for their vast improvement over the years; this has forced me and my team to improve. I was very nervous before the game; I am glad I was able to record this important victory.” LIU Guoliang, Chinese Head Coach echoed LI Xiaoxia’s comments by saying: “Japan is one of the table tennis powerhouses, so we had to prepare very well to beat them. We expect an even tougher test next year where we will face them on their own turf at the 2014 World Table Tennis Team Championships in Tokyo.” A defiant Ai FUKUHARA drew positives from the defeat: “We are getting better and we will be even better on our own tables, in front of our own crowd next year and hopefully we can turn our silver into gold.” Undoubtedly, the 2013 edition will stay forever in people minds for the incredible run of Egypt to reach the semi-finals and Brazil and Australia reaching the quarter-finals. The upsets ensured that there were five continents represented in the last eight for the first time in the tournament’s history and demonstrated that the ITTF’s extensive development work in these regions is reaping huge benefits. Attention now turns to Paris, France for the Liebherr 2013 World Table Tennis Championships to be held from Monday 13th to Monday 20th May 2013.
Egypt storms into World Team Classic semis!
Egypt caused one of the biggest upsets in table tennis history by beating Germany to progress to the semi-finals of the Times Property 2013 World Team Classic in Guangzhou, China on Saturday 30th March 2013. The Egyptian team, represented by Omar ASSAR, E, Egypt caused one of the biggest upsets in table tennis history by beating Germany to progress to the semi-finals of the Times Property 2013 World Team Classic in Guangzhou, China on Saturday 30th March 2013. The Egyptian team, represented by Omar ASSAR, El-Sayed LASHIN and Ahmed SALEH, outplayed and outshone the London 2012 Olympic team bronze medallists and no. 2 seeds. They won three-two to create an unthinkable semi-final against Chinese Taipei. Omar ASSAR was the man who will forever go down in Egyptian table tennis folklore, holding his nerve and defeating Patrick FRANZISKA by three games to one to clinch the match and guarantee Egypt at least a bronze medal. “We have won medals in African and Arab events, now for the first time we have won at a world event,” stated an emotional Assar OMAR. El-Sayed LASHIN who won his singles match in five games against Bastian STEGER stated: “It is unbelievable that we have beaten Singapore and Germany and we are in the semi-finals at such a prestigious event.” The Egyptian fairytale’s next chapter is against Chinese Taipei, led by World no.6 CHUANG Chih-Yuan, who easily accounted for Austria in the quarter-finals. Brazil, the other success story of the tournament, looked like they may cause another upset when Cazuo MATSUMOTO, World no.91 played the match of his life to beat Jun MIZUTANI, World no.9. However, it was not enough as Brazil, who eventually went down three-one but they will leave Guangzhou, with a myriad of new fans, due to the passion and dedication showed. Japan will face a more daunting task in the semi-finals, as they take on the mighty China, who beat Korea three-nil in the quarter-finals.
Umpires invitation at 2013 EYC in Ostrava
The European Table Tennis Union has the great pleasure to invite International Umpires (IU) for officiating at the European Youth Championships, July 12-21 2013, in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The application shall arrive before April 24 by email at paul.sch, The European Table Tennis Union has the great pleasure to invite International Umpires (IU) for officiating at the European Youth Championships, July 12-21 2013, in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The application shall arrive before April 24 by email at paul.schiltz@education.lu . The form must be completed and used! Only the associations can submit applications, up to 6 per association. Click here to read/download the invitation and the entry form
Tenth ECL crown on SAMSONOV’s brain
If reigning Men`s ECL champion Fakel Gazproma Orenburg beat Chartres next month, Vladimir SAMSONOV will level Borussia`s all-time record. Now, German side leads 10:9 in European titles against great Bielorussian. But, first three out of his nine crowns, h, If reigning Men`s ECL champion Fakel Gazproma Orenburg beat Chartres next month, Vladimir SAMSONOV will level Borussia`s all-time record. Now, German side leads 10:9 in European titles against great Bielorussian. But, first three out of his nine crowns, he reached in Borussia`s jersey. Other six with Charleroi (5) and Orenburg (1). Three times individual European champion (1998, 2003, 2005) and the runner-up of 1997 World Championships at Manchester gave us a fast interview, speaking not just about Men`s European Champions League… First of all, your comment on Men`s ECL semi final (Orenburg defeated Pontoise, Chartres surprised Borussia), are you surprised by Borussia`s elimination? Borussia was a favorite, but Christian (SUSS) has an injury and GAO Ning is in fantastic shape. Chartres deserves to be in the final. What do you expect from MECL final against Chartres? “Chartres is a great team, we almost lost against them in the last season (twice 3:2 for Orenburg). Of course we will do anything to win”. – You already has nine MECL titles, more than any other player. What are your best memories, do you remember something special from first final and title? “I am sure it was a great feeling. Every final is special”. – Your impressions from Asia-Europe All Stars, especially from your match against actual Olympic and World champion ZHANG Jike? “We had a good start, and were a bit unlucky in some games. Still, considering ranking positions of European and Asian players we must be satisfied with the result. I am very happy to beat ZHANG Jike, matches like this give the strength to continue playing”. – What European table tennis must do to be more equal with China? “To be more popular, we need more kids playing”. – How did you manage to stay almost two decades in the top of world`s table tennis? “I have a lot of support from my wife, from my children. In every club where I played, or where I practiced, I had (have) a great coach“. – Your table tennis plans until the end of this year and in the future? “Champions League, World Championships, European Championships, the usual”.
World Team Classic: Germany and Netherlands halted in quarters
China and Singapore, the respective top two seeds, booked their places in the semi finals of the Women’s event at the Times Property World Team Classic in Guangzhou, following quarter-final wins. In the quarter:final duel against Germany; the trio of LI X, China and Singapore, the respective top two seeds, booked their places in the semi finals of the Women’s event at the Times Property World Team Classic in Guangzhou, following quarter-final wins. In the quarter:final duel against Germany; the trio of LI Xiaoxia, LIU Shiwen and DING Ning proved themselves to be a step ahead. LI Xiaoxia overcame the defensive skills of Irene IVANCAN (11:5, 11:8, 11:1) before LIU Shiwen handed out the same punishment when facing Kristin SILBEREISEN (11:7, 11:8, 11:3). DING Ning combined with LIU Shiwen to secure victory against Kristin Silbereisen and Petrissa SOLJA in a similarly impressive and authoritative fashion (11:4, 11:3, 11:8). Against Germany, China took no chances; fielding the players who occupy the top three places on the Women’s World Rankings is by definition an awesome team. Success for China, in the counterpart Women’s Team semi final played on the evening of the second day of action it was success for Singapore against the Netherlands with FENG Tianwei the mainstay of victory. She accounted for LI Jiao (11:8, 11:7, 13:11) and Britt EERLAND (11:3, 11:7, 11:9) with the one further win for Singapore being recorded by YU Mengyu; she overcame Linda CREEMERS in the second match of the fixture (11:4, 11:6, 11:9); the one success for the Netherlands came in the doubles with Britt EERLAND and LI Jiao accounting for Isabelle SIYUN LI and YU Mengyu (11:5, 11:6, 8:11, 11:5).
Austro-rapper Lukas PLÖCHL is rocking the WSA
Lukas PLÖCHL – Entertainer, Austro-rapper, stage hog. For about three years the 23-year-old Upper Austrian is a fixed star in the Austrian music business. A man of tomorrow, possibly the man of the future in the industry. And Lukas PLÖCHL is the son, Lukas PLÖCHL – Entertainer, Austro-rapper, stage hog. For about three years the 23-year-old Upper Austrian is a fixed star in the Austrian music business. A man of tomorrow, possibly the man of the future in the industry. And Lukas PLÖCHL is the son of Austrian women’s table tennis coach LIU Yan Jun, which explains his high sports and table tennis affinity. “Now the first single of his solo debut album to be published in April is on the market, “Du host ned des Recht”. The matching video which is already on the Internet and played up and down has been filmed to a considerable extent in the Werner SCHLAGER Academy in Schwechat. Lukas PLÖCHL may be admired in many sequences on table tennis table and impressively demonstrates that he would have had the talent not only for a musician but also for a table tennis player. “As a child I trained very hard table tennis with my father and that shaped me. Since then, I know that you have to work very hard and yet keep a cool head in order to find the right ways. Therefore, it was important for me to visually include table tennis into this song about fighting for “going the own way”, Lukas PLÖCHL comments his side-trip to the ping pong table. The Werner SCHLAGER Academy presented for Lukas PLÖCHL and his team the ideal environment. His music management packed a highly sociocritical issue in a breathtaking way into the surroundings of the fastest (re-) impact sport in the world.
