After Spanish Open the Euro-Africa Challenge Series moved to Cairo. Egypt Open will be staged from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th March. Brothers Omar and Khalid ASSAR very much carry the hopes of the host nation .Omar ASSAR is the second seed in the Men’s , After Spanish Open the Euro-Africa Challenge Series moved to Cairo. Egypt Open will be staged from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th March. Brothers Omar and Khalid ASSAR very much carry the hopes of the host nation .Omar ASSAR is the second seed in the Men’s Singles event; Khalid ASSAR is the second seed in the Under 21 Men’s Singles competition. Men’s Singles top seed is Turkey’s Bora VANG with Abdel-Kader SALIFOU of France being the third seed followed by Spain’s Marc DURAN. In the Under 21 Men’s Singles competition, the top seed is Belgium’s Julien INDEHERBERG, the respective third and fourth seeds are the host nation’s Mohamed SHOUMAN and Omar BEDAIR. Yana NOSKOVA of Russia, Dana CECHOVA of Czech Republic, Dina MESHREF of Egypt and Maria DOLGIKH of Russia are the leading names in the Women’s Singles Event. At the ITTF 2013 World Tour Spanish Open in Almeria in January, Cazuo MATSUMOTO beat Christophe LEGOUT of France in five games in the final, whilst Hong Kong’s Jiang Huajun won the Women’s Singles title. She accounted for the host nation’s SHEN Yanfei, the top seed, at the final hurdle. None of these players are listed in Egypt.
Another knee surgery for Christian SUSS
It is one of the bitterest messages for an athlete: Christian SUSS will have another right knee surgery. The surgery appointment in the city of Augsburg with knee specialist Dr. Ulrich BOENISCH, who successfully operated the German national team soccer pr, It is one of the bitterest messages for an athlete: Christian SUSS will have another right knee surgery. The surgery appointment in the city of Augsburg with knee specialist Dr. Ulrich BOENISCH, who successfully operated the German national team soccer pros Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER and Lukas PODOLSKI in the past, is 27 March. SUSS will therefore be missing at a.o. Champions League, Bundesliga play-offs and the World Championships in Paris. The 27 year-old triple silver medalist at World Team Championships will need to pause about six months again, about as long as after the first operation because of his cartilage damage in June 2011. “It is the same procedure and will probably take same time for rehab. This time maybe a tad bit longer because I will probably not start as early as I did last time,” says Christian SUSS. “I hope that I can make my comeback at the end of this year. I leave everything open now, have wait and see what the doctor says after the surgery.” The pain in his knee never completely disappeared after the first surgery more than year and a half ago. “I wanted to help Borussia and pull this season through,” SUSS explains why he actually wanted to wait with the second surgery appointment. “Because of to the development of the last week it makes no sense for me to wait any longer and bumble at the table. In table tennis, you need two healthy legs. Now I want to undergo this surgery as soon as possible, fully recover and then be back at 100 percent.” Christian SUSS remains optimistic: “There is no use moaning and quarrel with fate,” he says. “The doctors have bolstered me. They say they saw football players with even more severe knee injuries who completely recovered.” German table tennis keeps its fingers crossed for him.
Take-all GAO Ning drawing no lines
If Singaporean GAO Ning manage to continue his winning streak at Dusseldorf`s ARAG Center this Friday (19h00, live and free on LAOLA1.tv), it will mean that most successful European side ending its journey in 2012/2013 Men`s European Champions League. Wor, If Singaporean GAO Ning manage to continue his winning streak at Dusseldorf`s ARAG Center this Friday (19h00, live and free on LAOLA1.tv), it will mean that most successful European side ending its journey in 2012/2013 Men`s European Champions League. World`s no 14 is just fifth best ranked MECL player, behind Borussia`s Timo BOLL (5), Werder`s CHUANG Chih Yuan (6), Orenburg`s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (7) and Vladimir SAMSONOV (11), but he stays as only unbeaten participant before semi final second leg. Chartres beat Borussia 3:1 (11:5) in first semi final match at France as GAO brought two 3:0 wins, defeating Patrick BAUM and Timo BOLL. Despite the claim of Borussia`s manager Andreas PREUSS that the German side has just 5 % in rematch, Singaporean knows that nothing is decided yet… “We won first leg and I am very happy to have been part of this success. But the 2nd leg in Düsseldorf will be another match. We`ll have to be more efficient if we want to reach the final”. French champion is very close to its best success ever. Last season they lost in semis from Russian Orenburg who lifted the trophy. All their recent successes are connected with GAO Ning who is very happy at Chartres. “My first steps in Chartres were four years ago. I previously played in Russia and I had the opportunity to come and play in France, and especially in Chartres, an ambitious team. Since that time, no regret: together with the team, we have good results.” GAO Ning`s best ITTF ranking is no. 9 in 2008. He is the 2007 Asian Cup winner at Hanoi, two times Commonwealth Championships winner (Jaipur 2007, Glasgow 2009), two times Pro Tour winner (New Delhi 2007, Santiago de Chile 2012), three times in a row South East Asian Games champion (Nakhon Ratchasima 2007, Vientiane 2009, Jakarta 2011), semi finalist of Pro Tour Grand Finals (London 2011), quarter finalist of 2010 Asian Games at Guangzhou, Round of 16 on 2012 Olympics at London, Round of 16 on 2007 World Championship at Zagreb. On last summer`s Olympics at London he was beaten by silver medalist WANG Hao 4:1 in the Round of 16. He has 8-0 score in 2012/2013 Men`s European Champions League. He was faced with the biggest problem in his first match, against El Nino`s Tomas KONECNY who was one set up twice, but Singaporean won 3:2 (7:11, 13:11, 6:11, 11:9, 16:14). Last four games, against four medalists from last couple of European Championships, (TOKIC, STEGER, BAUM and BOLL) he has not lost a single set. Of course, the most important win is one against six times champion of Old Continent, Timo BOLL. All GAO`s matches in MECL 2012/2013 Round 3: GAO Ning – Tomas KONECNY (El Nino) 3:2 Round 5: GAO Ning – Tiago APOLONIA (Ochsenhausen) 3:1 QF 1: GAO Ning – Joao MONTEIRO (Saarbrucken) 3:1 QF 1: GAO Ning – Bojan TOKIC (Saarbrucken) 3:1 QF 2: GAO Ning – Bojan TOKIC (Saarbrucken) 3:0 QF 2: GAO Ning – Bastian STEGER (Saarbrucken) 3:0 SF 1: GAO Ning – Patrick BAUM (Borussia) 3:0 SF 1: GAO Ning – Timo BOLL (Borussia) 3:0
Borussia put its trust in history
This Friday we will know who are the finalists of Men’s European Champions League, after two semi final rematches: Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – AS Pontoise (March 22nd, 12h00 CET, 1st leg 3:0) and Borussia Dusseldorf – Chartres ASTT (March 22nd, 19h00 CET, l, This Friday we will know who are the finalists of Men’s European Champions League, after two semi final rematches: Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – AS Pontoise (March 22nd, 12h00 CET, 1st leg 3:0) and Borussia Dusseldorf – Chartres ASTT (March 22nd, 19h00 CET, live and free on LAOLA1.tv, 1st leg 1:3). Reigning champion Orenburg is 99 % in the final after 3:0 (9:3) win at Pontoise, especially knowing that two leading players of the best Russian team played very well on 2013 Asia-Europe All Stars Series at Qingdao: Vladimir SAMSONOV beat current Olympic and World champion ZHANG Jike 3:2, whilst Dimitrij OVTCHAROV overcame world’s no. 6 CHUANG Chih Yuan 3:0. Unlike clash at Russia, it can expect a big fight at Düsseldorf’s ARAG center. The most successful European side ever, Borussia is in bad situation after 3:1 (11:5) loss at France. Two main players of The Lions, Timo BOLL and Patrick BAUM suffered 3:0 loss each from Singaporean GAO Ning. But, their coach Danny HEISTER does not loss a hope. “We are prepared for Chartres. Our players are in a good shape. Especially Timo (BOLL) played excellent against Steffen MENGEL last Sunday who has beaten him in the final of German Individual Championships a few weeks ago. Patti (BAUM) has shown great performances against Ochsenhausen (beat Kirill SKACHKOV and RYU Seung Min) and Frickenhausen (defeated strong Japanese Koki NIWA) in German Bundesliga. If we are able to play our best table tennis everything could happen on Friday.” Speaking about chances, Dutch mentioned one historical Borussia`s win, when Jörg ROSSKOPF, Steffen FETZNER and Thierry CABRERA managed to reach the Cup of Champions title although they had lost 5:1 in first final leg from Levallois. It was happened in 1990/1991 final. “We know about the difficult situation and our minimal chances to reach the finals. Chartres has got a very strong team on one hand and on the other hand we have to come back after a 1:3 defeat in Chartres. But – Borussia Düsseldorf has got several matches in history in which we came back, for example the Cup-final in 1991 against Levallois (1:5, 5:0). Last season UMMC has shown it in ECL that it’s possible to reach next round after an evident defeat (0:3, 3:0). So we believe that we will have a little chance. We had a bad day in Chartres and we lost the close match between Christian (SUSS) and Pär GERELL. But we know that every Borussia`s player is able to do it better than in France. Furthermore it’s a home match. The spectators will help us to do the impossible.” Regardless of how the battle will be finished, Danny HEISTER says that it is not a decisive moment for Borussia. “It’s an important moment for us on Friday but not a decisive one. We won already the German national Cup, our 60th title in club’s history, we reached the semis in MECL and German Bundesliga. It would be great if we could win another trophy but if not it’s not the end of the world.”
…and Tarnobrzeg aiming fourth final
KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg is looking forward fourth final in ETTU Cup. They recorded straight matches victory in the first leg of the ETTU Cup and they are under less pressure before the match in front their supporters and LAOLA1.TV cameras. In the same positi, KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg is looking forward fourth final in ETTU Cup. They recorded straight matches victory in the first leg of the ETTU Cup and they are under less pressure before the match in front their supporters and LAOLA1.TV cameras. In the same position is Turkish Fenerbahce. They will welcome Fotoprix Vic in Istanbul on Saturday. Polish coach Zbigniew NĘCEK pointed at the first match in the opening duel as a most important match of the first leg. “For us it was crucial win of Margaryta PESOTSKA against Aurore DESSAINT after full distance match. Of course, absence of YOU Meng Yu made it much easier for us. To miss such opportunity to win will be a shame I think.” Chances for their adversary are very slim now. “We need only 3 sets to qualify to the final, so our opponents will be under pressure. Of course we would like to win, not only qualify, but will see which players will arrive to Poland. Anyway we are well prepared and ready,” said coach Zbigniew NĘCEK Saint-Quentin did its best in the first leg but it was in vain as World N°28 YU Mengyu from Singapore was injured and could not lead the French team. Anyway 1200 spectators enjoyed a real show with local-born Aurore DESSAINT who nearly made it, losing 9/11 in the fifth set, after a 2/1 lead, against Junior European Champion Margaryta PESOTSKA, ranked N°44 in the world. “Sanja KORAK was called at the very last minute to play as N°3 for Saint-Quentin and the new mum was encouraged by the spectators for her first appearance of the season although there was no escape against German YING Han N°40. Finally British Joanna PARKER N°134 showed a lot of guts against Renata STRBIKOVA N°83, coming back from 5/10 to 10 all, in the decisive game. But all in all it was an easy match for the players of KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg on their way to the finals for the 4th time,” said Manager Jean-Louis POLARD. It will not be that easy for the hosts since YU Mengyu will return into the game. Fenerbahce Sport Külübü beat Turkish Fotoprix Vic. Matilda EKHOLM was the only player who scored. She beat ZHOU Fangfang, but Viktoria PAVLOVICH and HU Melek showed no mercy. Elizabeta SAMARA missed that duel. “We decided to play with this line up. In the club there are four very good players and we can decide the best combination at the moment,” explained SAMARA. In Istanbul it will be more harder for their adversaries. “It is very important match. It will not be easy despite the great advantage. However our goal is much higher and I hope we will reach it.” Fotorix VIC faces enormous task. “The first match was difficult for us. Fenerbahçe team really has a dream team and on the other side our players were ill. However I think we playrd a really good match, and during a few minutes, we dreamt about the victory. After the Matilda’s victory and Sara’s 1:0 against HU Melek, it was possible…” stated manager Miquel DURAN. “We are going to Istanbul to try to do our best. We’ll try to win the match but only a miracle could help us.”.
All-Polish Men’s ETTU Cup final stands out…
We can see we are approaching the closing stages of the Men’s Cup by the fierce battles between the last four remaining clubs in the competition. Both matches of the first leg in the semi final of the Men’s ETTU Cup concluded after full five matches. Ever, We can see we are approaching the closing stages of the Men’s Cup by the fierce battles between the last four remaining clubs in the competition. Both matches of the first leg in the semi final of the Men’s ETTU Cup concluded after full five matches. Everything, before the start of the second leg this weekend is open – but still Polish teams are the ones with the advantage. Istres Tennis de Table suffered by the hands of players from Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk on their home soil, whilst Olimpia Unia Grudziadz beat UMMC Ekaterinburg. In Istres Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk prevailed in close match, three out of five duels went full distance. CHEN Jian beat Daniel GORAK and JIANG Tianyi in five games and by same margin Christophe LEGOUT lost against JIANG Tianyi. “Robert FLORAS gave us very important point against Antoine HACHARD. There was also big team spirit and team work for the victory. Every Bogoria’s player won one game and that was enough for 3:2,” stated Manager Marta STEMPNOWSKA. The goal for the team is clear: “We are determined to win in any style and any result – even again 3:2 after table tennis thriller. Our goal is to achieve first ETTU Cup final in club history. We can not wait for Saturday. We especially count on Daniel GÓRAK who is in his best career shape. He won 14 out of 16 last games in various matches and competitions.” Club slipped to second position in Polish league. The second semifinalists from Poland Olimpia-Unia Grudziadz took over the leading position by one point. “We will play against Olimpia-Unia on March 25th in16th leg of Polish table tennis Superleague. We are looking forward that match.” Sports Director of Istres Eric MASSON explained that every match was open and also pointed that duel between HACHARD and FLORAS was crucial. “Every single match was important; every point of every game was hard to score! The third game was most certainly the turning point of the match.” Now they are facing even bigger challenge since they will play in Poland. “In order to win in Grodzisk, our three players will have to be very efficient and a little lucky too. The Polish team is obviously favorite as they are playing at home, nevertheless this narrow defeat give us space for hope. We are really motivated and we are going to play very freely,” promised Director MASSON. DARTOM Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki – Istres will be broadcasted ”live on Laola1.tv UMMC Ekaterinburg struggled in Grudziadz. HOU Yingchao won both encounters, against Bartosz SUCH and HUANG Sheng Sheng, but on the other side all three players SUCH, HUANG and Tomislav KOLAREK gave their contribution to the victory. “Polish team played really good and on our side TAN Rui Wu and Grigory VLASOV failed to produce their usual level of play. We hope to show our selfs in better light in front of our home supporters,” said Manager Alexandra YASINOVSKAYA.
ROMANESCU re-elected in Romania unanimously
Yesterday, Romanian Table Tennis Federation held elections for the President position. Cristinel ROMANESCU was re-elected as president for the next four years, with 86 votes out of 86, unanimously. ROMANESCU’s appeal for this campaign was the motiva, Yesterday, Romanian Table Tennis Federation held elections for the President position. Cristinel ROMANESCU was re-elected as president for the next four years, with 86 votes out of 86, unanimously. ROMANESCU’s appeal for this campaign was the motivational slogan: Let’s continue together! For 2013-2017! Yesterday, there were also elected the members of the RTTF Board and for the next four years the compound of the Board elected will be:Vicepresident – Mr. Nicolae OCHEANA, Marketing & PR – Ms. Beatrice ROMANESCU, Members – Mr. Mircea LAZAR, Mr. Viorel BITANG, Mr. Adrian MOLDOVAN. When we speak about the result Romania is on the right course, so the result of the election did not came as a surprise. Only last year Adrian CRISAN played in the quarterfinal of The Olympic Games, and Daniela DODEAN and Elizabeta SAMARA reched round of 32 and 16 in Women’s singles event respectivly. Romanian team reached third position in Women’s Teams Event, whilst Daniela DODEAN and Elizabeta SAMARA clinched gold in Doubles at the European Championships. At the World Junior Championships Bernadette SZOCS and Irina CIOBANU clinched bronze in Doubles and SZOCS played in the quarters of the Singles Event. Bernadette SZOCS is European champion in singles, doubles and she led her team to the gold in Team’s Event. Cadet Girls won silver. Mihaela LUPU won gold in Doubles for cadets. Romania also organized European Mixed Doubles Championships and Europe Top-10 last year.
Star names on show in China at World Team Classic
The world’s best Table Tennis players have confirmed their attendance at the USD 268,000 ITTF World Team Classic to be held on 28-31 March 2013 in Guangzhou, China. The World Team Classic is comprised of 12 teams, which include the 6 continental cha, The world’s best Table Tennis players have confirmed their attendance at the USD 268,000 ITTF World Team Classic to be held on 28-31 March 2013 in Guangzhou, China. The World Team Classic is comprised of 12 teams, which include the 6 continental champion teams plus the best 6 world ranked teams. “The World Team Classic is a very important part of ITTF’s calendar” stated ITTF President Adham SHARARA. “It allows the champions of each continent to have a chance to compete against the World’s best for the lucrative prize money on offer.” The 8th edition of the World Team Classic will be headed by the always star studded Chinese team, whose dominance was recently acknowledged by being nominated for the Laureus Team of the Year award. The men’s team will be led by current World no.1 MA Long and London 2012 Champion ZHANG Jike who will join up with their other celebrated team mates in the bid for the World Team Classic crown. Like the Chinese men, the Chinese women’s team will go to Guangzhou also boasting the World no.1 player DING Ning and the London 2012 gold medalist LI Xiaoxia in their ranks, and will be heavy favorites for the title. The main challenge to China, in the Men’s Team event will come from no.2 seeds Germany with the reigning European Champion Timo BOLL at the helm. The recently turned 32 year-old will have strong support from London 2012 bronze medalist Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and some rising stars in the bid to turn the bronze they won as a team in London 2012 to a World Team Classic gold. Fellow bronze team medalists from London 2012, Singapore’s women’s team will have a new look heading to Guangzhou as they hope to topple the mighty Chinese. FENG Tianwei, who inspired that bronze in London, is on duty but with the rest of the London 2012 retired, FENG will be supported by a younger cast, who will be hoping that youth will be the key to beating the Chinese. The tournament is organized in two stages; the first stage in each competition sees the 12 teams drawn into four groups with three teams in each group; the teams finishing in first and second places progress to the quarter-finals. MEN’S TEAM EVENT – SEEDING 1. China 2. Germany 3. Korea 4. Japan 5. Austria 6. Chinese Taipei 7. Sweden 8. Singapore 9. Brazil 10. Egypt 11. Australia 12. United States WOMEN’S TEAM EVENT – SEEDING 1. China 2. Singapore 3. Korea 4. Japan 5. Hong Kong China 6. Germany 7. Netherlands 8. Poland 9. United States 10. Australia 11. Brazil 12. Egypt.
Action-packed weekend of table tennis on Laola1.tv
Get ready for an action-packed weekend of table tennis! The 2nd legs of the women’s final and men’s semi-finals as well as the ETTU Cup will be LIVE and FREE on ETTU TV powered by LAOLA1.tv! ETTU Champions League Men – Borussia Düsseldorf – Ch, Get ready for an action-packed weekend of table tennis! The 2nd legs of the women’s final and men’s semi-finals as well as the ETTU Cup will be LIVE and FREE on ETTU TV powered by LAOLA1.tv! ETTU Champions League Men – Borussia Düsseldorf – Chartres ASTT| 22.03.2013 19:00 CET Friday night will be the moment of judgement for Düsseldorf and Chatres. The French team comes into this match with the upper-hand after surprisingly beating the giants 3-1 in the 1st leg. The situation does not look good for the lions as they head into this game on a losing streak, suffering defeat in the league to Ochsenhausen recently as well, and are now sharing top spot in the league. It is fair to say that this is as good a time as any for Chartres to head to Germany and get a win. The Lions are wounded and the table tennis world will be watching on with intrigue on Friday night to see how they respond. Join us on for this exceptional tie to find out whether Düsseldorf can turn this match around LIVE and FREE on http://ettu.laola1.tv. ETTU Champions League Final Women – Linz AG Froschberg – Budaörsi 2ISC | 23.03.2013 20:15 CET Linz AG Froschberg head into the 2nd leg of the women’s final with one hand firmly on the trophy. They won the first leg in Hungary 3-1 to put them in the driving seat in front of their home fans, but it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Austrians. Budarösi 2ISC had chances to win this match but they didn’t take them, and they therefore find themselves trailing 7:10 in sets. LIU Jia and her team look on course to win their 2nd Champions League title and it will have to take something out of the ordinary for Szandra PERGEL and her young talents to win this match. Tune in LIVE and FREE on Saturday evening at 20:15 CET to find out who will be crowned ETTU women’s Champions League winner 2013! ETTU Cup Women – KTS “ZAMEK” Tarnobrzeg – TT Saint Quentin | 22.03.2013 17:00 CET ETTU TV powered by LAOLA1.tv will also be showing two semi-finals from the ETTU Cup this weekend with the first to take place on Friday night from the women’s event. The polish side are in control of this match as they won the 1st leg in straight sets and will play in front of their own fans to book a place in the final. Don’t miss the deciding action at 17:00 CET on http://ettu.laola1.tv. ETTU Cup Women – DARTOM Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki – Istres | 23.03.2013 18:00 CET The 2nd match in the ETTU Cup this weekend LIVE and FREE on ETTU TV powered by LAOLA1.tv will be between DARTOM Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki and Istres. The Polish side won the 1st leg 3-2 in a very tight match and they head into this tie in front of their own fans with a slight advantage over the French team. Who will make it to the final? Find out at 18:00 CET here. .
KANG Dongsoo signs for Enjoy & Deploy Taverzo
KANG Dongsoo 19 year-old defender from South Korea joined the Netherlands team Enjoy & Deploy Taverzo from Zoetermeer. South Korea has a long tradition with defenders and has one of the best defenders on the field – JOO Seehyuk. The South Korean, KANG Dongsoo 19 year-old defender from South Korea joined the Netherlands team Enjoy & Deploy Taverzo from Zoetermeer. South Korea has a long tradition with defenders and has one of the best defenders on the field – JOO Seehyuk. The South Korean gave chances to the younger generation during the World Tour in Kuwait and KANG Dongsoo seized this opportunity and showed his potential to become the successor of his compatriot. During the main tournament he successively defeated the world class players ZHAN Jian from Singapore and Chinese FANG Bo. Finally he lost in very close match against CHUANG Chih-Yuan. Coach Martin BRINKHOFF: “Our ambition is to at least repeat our performance this year in the 2013/2014 ETTU Cup. We are aware that defenders in the international top are rare. Since we lost in Angers against the excellent Greek defender GIONIS we were focused our search for young defending talent. We are very proud that one of the most talented players will be part of the team. With KANG Dongsoo, Borna KOVAC, Jan ZIBRAT and Rajko GOMMERS we are ready to give our utmost best to the established teams. All players are young, ambitious and ready for adventure in the ETTU Cup. ‘ The team from Zoetermeer is very pleased that KANG Dongsoo chose Enjoy & Deploy Taverzo. The player is now at position 15 of the World rankings under 21. In the men’s ranking he improved in March 2013 with a step from position 324 to 121. Playing in the ETTU Cup is for KANG Dongsoo an important step in his development. His Korean coach already announced the ETTU Cup is very important for the young player. Team manager Ruud van GRAAFEILAND: “In recent weeks we have been watching the videos of this talent several times at the club. I would definitely recommend all table tennis enthusiasts to view these videos and particularly invite them to come and see our 4 ambitious talents during the ETTU Cup matches next season.”
