The national German championships will take place from March 1st to 3rd at the Stechert arena in Bamberg (Bavaria). The stars, Timo BOLL and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV are at the list of competitors. In the last two finals OVTCHAROV lost against Bastian STEGER in, The national German championships will take place from March 1st to 3rd at the Stechert arena in Bamberg (Bavaria). The stars, Timo BOLL and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV are at the list of competitors. In the last two finals OVTCHAROV lost against Bastian STEGER in seven games. ”After last two narrow defeats in the final, I’ll try to clinch the title this year. Of course that is something you can not promise,” said OVTCHAROV. “I have not played at the competitions in January. Instead of that, I had a very good training and create the good foundations for the beginning of the year. With Kuwait and Qatar, the first international tournaments for me in this year, I get match practice and confidence – also for the German Championship. This title is still missing in my record. I will be particularly focused and try to do my best.“ The defending champion Bastian STEGER explains: “I will try to defend little in bit more relaxed way than it was two years ago. I can enjoy more the tournament thanks to the victories of 2011 and 2012.“ Timo BOLL in Bamberg might achieve something unique. With nine titles in the men’s singles European champion leads at the history record of the nationals German Championships, together with Conny FREUNDORFER and Eberhard SCHÖLER. With another success, Boll will stay alone at the top. However, the competition will be strong with STEGER, Christian SUSS, OVTCHAROV and Patrick BAUM also aiming same trophy. In the women’s event, at the beginning of 2013 several players struggled with injuries. Defense player Irene IVANCAN, European vice champion in 2011, suffered a ligament injury in January and stated with trainings in late February again. Also for Kristin SILBEREISEN (tennis elbow) and Sabine WINTER (ligament in the left ankle) 2013 started roughly. “My goal is the semi-finals, even though that will not be easy. The competition is stronger each year. A lot will depend on the draw“, SILBEREISEN said. Top favorite for the title the winner of 2012, WU Jiaduo was forced to cancel the participation.She strained thigh already in Qatar but still hoped for the best until yesterday. ZHENQI Barthel (seeded no. 5) now took her position on top of the draw. Wu was the reigning champion in doubles too – partnering Kristin SILBEREISEN. Main Favorites in Men´s Singles are Timo BOLL, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Bastian STEGER, Patrick BAUM, Christian SUSS, Patrick FRANZISKA. In Women´s Singles: SHAN Xiaona, Petrissa SOLJA, ZHENQI Barthel, Sabine WINTER, Kristin SILBEREISEN, Irene IVANCAN. National German Championships 2012, Winners: Men´s Singles: Bastian STEGER Women´s Singles: WU Jiaduo Men´s Doubles: Lars HIELSCHER/Bastian STEGER Women´s Doubles: Kristin SILBEREISEN/WU Jiaduo Time schedule – Friday, March 1, from 14:00: Qualification Men´s and Women´s Singles Saturday, March 2, from 10:00: Main Round: Men´s and Women´s Singles/Doubles Sunday, March 3, from 10:00: Semi Finals Men´s and Women´s Singles/Doubles, from 13.30: Finals Men´s and Women´s Singles/Doubles (by Florian LEIDHEISER, courtesy DTTB) Photo: Dima OVTCHAROV (Photo Roscher)

Dansk BordTennis Union is looking for an Elite manager to handling the daily management of the association’s elite work It is a new position, as the functions until now have been divided between the association’s head coach and the associations CEO. Click, Dansk BordTennis Union is looking for an Elite manager to handling the daily management of the association’s elite work It is a new position, as the functions until now have been divided between the association’s head coach and the associations CEO. Click on Job advertisement  and Job description to know more.

The 2013 BUTTERFLY Irish National Senior Championships takes place at ALSAA, Dublin on the 2-3 March, 2013. This is the most prestigious event in the Irish domestic Senior calendar, with players from all over the island competing for the title of National, The 2013 BUTTERFLY Irish National Senior Championships takes place at ALSAA, Dublin on the 2-3 March, 2013. This is the most prestigious event in the Irish domestic Senior calendar, with players from all over the island competing for the title of National Senior champion. Commenting on the launch of this event, ITTA Chair Pat HUNTER stated: “This weekend will see many National Championships staged throughout Europe. Former World Champion, 46 year-old Jorgen PERSSON will play his last National Championships in Sweden – while John MURPHY will attempt to make his own history by adding to his five National Singles titles. I am looking forward to some great competitive matches, contested in a spirited and sporting manner – good luck to all!” With a full programme of events including Veterans, Wheelchair, Doubles (including Mixed Doubles this year), Under 21 and a Restricted Singles event, it is sure to be a great day of competition at ALSAA. All eyes will be on who will be crowned 2013 Men’s and Women’s National Champion. In the Men’s event, it is again difficult to pick a winner with some top class young players currently playing very well. This is traditionally the time of the year when UCD’s John MURPHY hits top form – his five National Singles titles testify to his ability to deliver top class performances when it matters most. Last year’s National Final was no different with a ruthless display full of energy and commitment seeing off Paul MCCREERY to claim victory. Murphy tops the ranking list going in to this year’s event and with his experience will be the favourite in many fan’s minds. A strong challenge is expected from Gavin MAGUIRE, who has based himself in Germany this year playing full-time. Maguire has tasted Nationals victory once before and will be eager to claim a 2nd National Senior title. Irish international Paul McCREERY will see this year’s event as the year he will make the breakthrough and claim the National title that seems to be inevitable for a player of his ability. He has claimed some very impressive British Grand Prix wins this season and will be looking to cap those wins with a National title. There is a strong pool of talent outside this top 3; expect Ashley ROBINSON, Mark O’FLYNN, Ryan FARRELL, Peter GRAHAM and Daryl STRONG to all impact significantly on this event. We are also delighted to see ALSAA’s Sam LOGUE back on Irish soil and playing in the Nationals – Logue has been playing in England where he has racked up some impressive wins recently at the Doncaster Grand Prix. A very difficult event to predict but so exciting for the spectators. In the Women’s event, last year’s champion Amanda MOGEY has entered but remains a doubt with injury concerns. Even with an injury, MOGEY will be a threat to anyone in this tournament and she will no doubt pull out all the stops to defend her title. The Women’s scene has been very competitive this year, with a number of different winners across BUTTERFLY National Ranking events. Ulster’s Ashley GIVAN goes into the event as Ireland’s top ranked player and will fancy her chances of claiming a Senior National title. Youngster Hannah Lynch DAWSON has had a real breakthrough season, claiming a Munster Open victory and also just back from a successful Women’s British League promotion campaign. Her teammates from that event Sabina DDEVEREUX  and Emma LUDLOW are also live contenders at the Nationals, while UCD’s Sarah TIMLIN has been consistent all season and has just returned to Ireland from an ITTF Pro Tour event in Austria which will have benefitted her immensely. An intriguing title battle ahead which is a difficult one to call – one thing is for sure, there will be lots of twists and turns on the road to crowning 2013 National Women’s Champion. All are welcome at ALSAA this weekend, play starts at 9am on Saturday morning with the Singles Finals scheduled for 4pm on Sunday afternoon. (courtesy Irish TTA) Photo: John MURPHY (courtesy Irish TTA) 

Nineteen-year-old Liam PITCHFORD is aiming to secure his maiden Men’s Singles title at the 54th English Senior National Table Tennis Championships in Sheffield this weekend. The youngster from Derbyshire has already been a beaten finalist twice to fellow , Nineteen-year-old Liam PITCHFORD is aiming to secure his maiden Men’s Singles title at the 54th English Senior National Table Tennis Championships in Sheffield this weekend. The youngster from Derbyshire has already been a beaten finalist twice to fellow London 2012 Olympic Games team-mates Paul DRINKHALL, 23 from Loftus, and Andrew BAGGALEY, 30 from Milton Keynes. However, PITCHFORD’S rivals will be keeping a close eye on the English no. 2 at Ponds Forge after the teenager recorded yet another international shock when he beat Korea’s KIM Minseok, ranked 34 in the world, last week at the ITTF World Tour Qatar Open. His reputation for giant-killing is starting to precede the world no. 157 following a catalogue of victories over some of the world’s biggest stars, including world no. 9 Vladimir SAMSONOV, no. 20 Alexey SMIRNOV, no. 32 Robert GARDOS and no. 51 Dimitrij PROKOPCOV. PITCHFORD, however, remains bashful over his own success and doubts his rivals are fearful of his fledgling career. He said: “I don’t really know to be honest, I guess people will be doing their homework before they play me but I don’t think they fear me that much just yet. Hopefully they will soon!” His international success hasn’t been replicated on the domestic stage with just a single Men’s Doubles and Men’s Under-21s title to his name, but he hopes that this year he can master the added pressure that comes from playing at home. PITCHFORD said: “I guess there is a sort of pressure that comes with it, it’s always more difficult playing against teammates, but at the end of the day it’s just another tournament that everyone is fighting to win. I’ve lost in the final twice now, of course it would be great to win and that is the main goal, so I’ll be taking each match at a time and see how it goes.” The youngster, who plays professionally in Germany for Champions League side TTF LIEBHERR Oschenhausen, hasn’t had the ideal preparation over winter with a hip injury sidelining him for the start of the year. “I was out for five weeks and only started getting back into full practice a couple of weeks ago but I think it has been good for me to have that break. I had some great help from the doctors and physios down at Isokinetic in London and everything felt good in Qatar so it’s just about keeping on top of it now so it doesn’t happen again. I don’t think it will affect me at the Nationals. I chose not to play in the Under 21s due to my hip and having to play so many matches, it was a difficult choice but the main goal is to win the Men’s Singles so it was something I thought was best for me.” Should the 19-year-old be successful in Sheffield he’ll continue his chase for medals at the Commonwealth Championships in New Delhi, India (5-10 May), where the England team have a great chance of medaling once more. PITCHFORD said: “The main aim after the Nationals is the Commonwealth Championships. I think there is a massive possibility to come away with medals like we proved at the Games in Delhi. After that will probably be the World Championships, hopefully I can go further than last time.” Tickets for the English Senior National Table Tennis Championships are available on the door at Ponds Forge, Sheffield (1-3rd March) with free entry on the Friday, while Saturday prices are £6 for adults and £3 for concessions and Sunday prices are £8 for adults, £4 for concessions. You can alternatively follow all the action LIVE with coverage from the English Table Tennis Association. Regular twitter updates from @ettatabletennis will be supplemented by a livestream service of table 1 during the weekend. More details to appear on the ETTA website on Friday. (by Russell MOORE, courtesy ETTA) Photo: Liam PITCHFORD (courtesy ETTA)   

National Championships of Austria will take place in Linz, and it starts on Saturday, 2nd March and will be finished on Sunday, 3rd March. Main favorites for this years title in Men’s singles Event are Stefan FEGERL, Robert GARDOS, Daniel HABESOHN and Chr, National Championships of Austria will take place in Linz, and it starts on Saturday, 2nd March and will be finished on Sunday, 3rd March. Main favorites for this years title in Men’s singles Event are Stefan FEGERL, Robert GARDOS, Daniel HABESOHN and Christoph SIMONER. In Women’s Singles LIU Jia, Amelie SOLJA, Sofia POLCANOVA, Nicole GALITSCHITSCH. This season in Men’s Doubles the last year’s winning pairings are not together. This time most chances for title will have Robert GARDOS and Daniel HABESOHN, Stefan FEGERL and FENG Xiaoquan, Dominique PLATTNER and Martin STORF. In Women’s Doubles favorites are Sofia POLCANOVA and Amelie SOLJA, Nicole GALITSCHITSCH and Theresa RAICH, whilst in Mixed doubles under spotlight will be Bernhard PRESSLMAYER and LIU Jia, Dominique PLATTNER and Amelie SOLJA, Martin HEIMBERGER and Nicole GALITSCHITSCH, Martin LEONHARTSBERGER and Sofia POLCANOVA Last year’s winner in Men’s Singles is Stefan FEGERL, Women’s Singles LIU Jia, Men’s Doubles Daniel HABESOHN and Dominik HABESOHN, Women’s Doubles LI Qiangbing and Amelie SOLJA and in Mixed Doubles LI Qiangbing and Stefan FEGERL (by Mathias NEUWIRTH, courtesy OTTV) Photo: Stefan FEGERL (Photo Roscher) 

This weekend closed Czech national Championships will be played in a brand new sporthall facility in Teplice. “The entries were closed last Thursday and it is our pleasure to inform that all the best Czech players confirmed their participation, such as Dm,

Spanish national Championships started on February 23rd in Pontevedra (Galicia) in all categories. It is the impressive event with 900 players playing at 40 tables. The first part of the competition will finish tomorrow. However, yesterday we saw the conc,