Today’s five matches duel between Poland’s K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo and GV Hennebont ended in favor of hosts. Polish side prevailed in the opening leg of the Europe Cup final. Second leg will be played on Tuesday. Jakub DYJAS gave his club perfect start with the straight games win over CHUANG Chih-Yuan. However Kristian KARLSSON was equally effective and he beat Jonathan GROTH to level the match. Swede also prevailed against DYJAS in forth match but he was only to score for GV Hennebont TT. Kaii KONISHI beat Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS and in the last match GROTH accounted for CHUANG. “We are very happy that we managed to win this opening leg in front of our spectators. We showed today how strong we are as a team. We fought hard for each point. Only in that way we can beat club like Hennebont. The coach’s strategy was equally important. He gave us right advices at right moment. We are aware it will be very difficult to play against Hennebont in France and to repeat the success. We have only few days to prepare for second leg ” said DYJAS Dekorglass won the European Cup for the first time in 2018 and now they have a chance to add a second trophy to the collection. “We know that we have the opportunity to do something above average in table tennis. Getting to the final is a great result but the goal is a fantastic result which is trophy – summed up coach Michał DZIUBAŃSKI. K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo – GV Hennebont TT 3:2 Jakub DYJAS – CHUANG Chih-Yuan 3:0 (11:3 11:6 11:3) Jonathan GROTH – Kristian KARLSSON 0:3 (7:11 10:12 4:11) Kaii KONISHI – Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS 3:0 (12:10 11:6 12;10) Jakub DYJAS – Kristian KARLSSON 2:3 (11:4 11:13 11:7 6:11 5:6) Jonathan GROTH – CHUANG Chih-Yuan 3:1 (11:6 11:13 12:10 11:7)
Borussia Düsseldorf won first battle against 1. FC Saarbrücken TT
Borussia Düsseldorf overcame 1. FC Saarbrücken TT in the opening leg of the Champions League Men in away match in Joachim Deckarm Halle. In full five matches thriller the hero of the duel was QIU Dang who overcame both Darko JORGIC and Patrick FRANZISKA. Dang won two titles at the German Championships last weekend and he stayed in same rhythm tonight. With safe 3:0 win over JORGIC World’s no. 9 gave dream start to guests and he justified his rankings by beating FRANZISKA in the decisive match. Both FRANZISKA and JORGIC accounted for Anton KÄLLBERG but Cedric NUYTINCK could not find the game for Kay STUMPER. The guests went home with great advantage before the Monday’s second leg in Düsseldorf’s ARAG CenterCourt. “In was very intense match. Luckily we had a better end. It could have gone both ways. Both teams gave their best. It is always very difficult to play against Saarbrücken. They have amazing players and I am happy we managed to get through. Now we are tired but we will be ready for the second match on Monday ” said QIU. Coach Danny HEISTER commented: “We are happy to win and to do it in front of so many spectators and Borussia’s fans. Four matches went in three games but the last one was my time classic with 19:21 at the end. We saw strong performance from Dang and Kay but Anton did not have his day today. Nothing is over yet. We have to justified this on Monday.” It was not easy for Darko to talk after the match. “ It was great atmosphere. So many people came tonight and that meant a lot to us. It helped us to come back each time when we were down but at the end Düsseldorf was better. We pushed the match into the decider and that was the best we could do tonight. Dang played superbly. He opened the duel in big style and avenged his defeat in Top 16 Cup. Patrick leveled and won 3:0 despite he was down in each game. Cedric failed to find the right rhythm. Kay did not make easy mistakes. Anton was under great pressure. I am happy I managed to come back and to beat him after I suffered 0:3 in the opening match. In the last match Dang had 2:0 and 4:0. Patrick managed to come back but not for long. Dang was very strong tonight. However this is not the end. We are at the halfway and there is still a chance to clinch the first ever trophy in Champions League ” said Darko JORGIC. Timo BOLL was unavailable tonight due to persistent shoulder problems which recently led to the cancellation of the WTT Smash tournament in Singapore. This is the third year in the row that Borussia Düsseldorf meet 1. FC Saarbrücken TT in the final and in two previous occasion Borussia Düsseldorf won. FC Saarbrücken TT – Borussia Düsseldorf 2:3 Darko JORGIC – QIU Dang 0:3 (7:11 5:11 8:11) Patrick FRANZISKA – Anton KÄLLBERG 3:0 (11:8 12:10 11:7) Cedric NUYTINCK – Kay STUMPER 0:3 (7:11 4:11 9:11) Darko JORGIC – Anton KÄLLBERG 3:0 (11:7 11:8 13:11) Patrick FRANZISKA – QIU Dang 1:3 (10:12 1:11 11:5 19:21)
Brunetti Castel Goffredo clinched the title in Italian Supercup for a fifth time
There is always the same team on the throne of the Women’s Italian Supercup. In their home of PalaTennistavolo “Elia Mazzi” Brunetti Castel Goffredo raised the trophy for the fifth time in as many editions of the event after beating 5-3 Polisportiva Bagnolese Panino LAB. Deputy vice-president of Italian Table Tennis Federation Carlo BORELLA presented the awards. The match was played at two table in best of nine singles. At the end of the first six matches the result was in perfect balance. At table 1 Bagnolese dominated thanks to Romania’s Roxana ISTRATE who defeated Taipei’s CHEN Szu-Yu and to Canada’s ZHANG Mo who overcame Nicole ARLIA and CHEN while at table 2 Castel Goffredo was carried away by Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS who accounted for TIAN Jing and the compatriot ISTRATE and by ARLIA who forced TIAN Jing to surrender. The fourth round of matches marked the turning point with two thrilling endings. In both Bagnolese was leading 1-0 and then 2-1 with ZHANG over SZOCS and with ISTRATE over ARLIA but the two players of Castel Goffredo came back and triumphed in the fifth and decisive set on the distance of the six point with “sudden death” at 5-5. “It went well for us ” said coach Alfonso LAGHEZZA who led the team together with Robert STAMENKOVSKI” It was one of those times when Bagnolese put us in serious trouble. Bernadette has confirmed to be a champion and in Europe there are not many players who are able to beat her. However she also had her problems because Zhang played really well. Nicole won two points and lost against Zhang perhaps playing better than against ISRATE. In the last match she showed mental strength. Unfortunately Chen did not manage to play at her best level. We are happy to win this Supercup after Italian Cup. Now we are going to focus on the championship playoffs”. TABLE 1 CHEN Szu-Yu – Roxana ISTRATE 1-3 (11-9 9-11 6-11 9-11) Nicole ARLIA – ZHANG Mo 1-3 (10-12 11-7 7-11 8-11) CHEN Szu-Yu – ZHANG Mo 1-3 (11-4 11-13 7-11 10-12) Bernadette SZOCS – ZHANG Mo 3-2 (9-11 11-8 10-12 11-6 6-3) TABLE 2 Bernadette SZOCS – TIAN Jing 3-0 (11-4 11-5 11-9) Bernadette SZOCS – Roxana ISTRATE 3-0 (11-6 11-7 11-9) Nicole ARLIA – TIAN Jing 3-1 (11-9 11-7 12-14 13-11) Nicole ARLIA – Roxana ISTRATE 3-2 (7-11 11-9 7-11 11-7 6-3)
KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg in fast lane
In the opening leg of the European Champions league final Poland’s KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg overcame Metz TT in France. They needed only three matches to secure the win. Reigning champions represented by HAN Ying YANG Xiaoxin and YU Fu overcame Adina DIACONU Mariia TAILAKOVA and Pauline CHASSELIN. It was only Mariia TAILAKOVA who put extra pressure on YANG Xiaoxin and forced her to go full distance. Metz TT – KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg 0:3 Adina DIACONU – HAN Ying 0:3 (7:11 9:11 6:11) Mariia TAILAKOVA – YANG Xiaoxin 2:3 (6:11 11;8 11:13 5:6) Pauline CHASSELIN – YU Fu 0:3 (5:11 13:15 4:11)
ETTU letter to member Associations – National Leagues clash with the European Team Championships Stage 2
Luxembourg 30th March 2023 To the ETTU Member Associations Subject: National Leagues clash with the European Team Championships Stage 2 Dear European table tennis friends We hope this letter finds you well and healthy. We reach out to you as we noted that some national Associations scheduled their national league matches on the same period as the European Team Championships Stage 2. As more Associations are concerned by this issue we address our letter to all our Member Associations. ETTU urges its member Associations to avoid clashing in general with European Championships or other major competitions but stressing the imminent need for European Championships Stage 2 which will be qualification to the European Championships Final Stage which will be qualification for the 2024 Team World Championships which will be qualification for 2024 Olympic Games. National team players should be free of obligation to compete in the period 1 day before until 1 day after European Championships Stage 2 (4-8.5.2023). On behalf of the European Table Tennis Union we thank you for your understanding and co-operation. ETTU Acting President Pedro Moura ETTU Secretary GeneralPierre Kass
The Hennebont Ping Center has launched the application process for joining its Academy
Hennebont Ping Center which is identified as an “ETTU network training center ” and later this year will be hosting an ETTU u-15/u-17 Development Camp from 10th till 16th December has launched the application process for joining its Academy a 10 months training program open to athletes from 11 to 18 years old starting in September 2023. Located in the west part of France close to the Atlantic Ocean coast the Academy benefits from unique infrastructures in Europe thanks to the Hennebont Ping Center (30 tables in training set up fitness and medical center…) and its dedicated accommodation center of 32 rooms. Based on 20 years of expertise from the French professional club of Hennebont each athlete is followed academically and sportingly by a team of specialists (doctor physiotherapist podiatrist physical trainer…) all through an individualized program leaded by Adrian CRISAN officiating as Head of Performance. Under the motto “Excellence for all” the training group will be composed by 35 players starting from intermediate players to top youth athletes such as Iulian CHIRITA (ROM). Academy members have the opportunity to compete mostly every WE in the French Championship for individual and team events. When entering the Academy 2 schooling options are available: keep following your own national education program by taking e-learning courses or joining the French school system thanks to our partnership with renowned private schools. Being part of this Academy alongside more than 15 different nationalities offer a unique multicultural environment. This diversity is a wonderful opportunity for children to discover new languages to enrich themselves culturally and to open up to the world. For more info please visit https://pingcenter-gvhtt.com/en/academy or contact Nicolas PETIT Head of International Development to npetit.gvhtt@gmail.com. You can watch video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLq1g4lTH98é
27 teams confirmed for Malmo after European Championships First stage
The European Championships Stage one concluded last night. The list of 13 Men’s and 14 Women’s teams qualified for the Final stage in Malmo (from 10th to 17th September) is completed as well as the list of teams which will play in Stage 2 in Osijek between 5th and 7th May. In Men’s European Championships final will play: Germany as a reigning champion Sweden as a host as well as Belgium Denmark France Austria Croatia Czechia Romania Portugal England Slovakia and Slovenia. The list of Women’s European Championships final starts with the reigning champion Germany host Sweden and goes on with Romania Portugal France Luxembourg Hungary Czechia Slovakia Serbia Ukraine Slovenia Poland and Spain. For the 11 tickets for Malmo in Men’s Event in Osijek will play: Poland Serbia Spain Italy and Ukraine as the teams finished at the position 3 in A Groups. Winners and runners up qualified for Second stage are: Greece Netherlands Turkey Finland Hungary Luxembourg Lithuania Norway Estonia Montenegro Switzerland and Israel. In Women’s Event 14 teams will play for 10 positions in Malmo. Coming from A groups are: Turkiye Italy Netherlands and Austria. From B will play: Croatia Belgium England Greece Bulgaria Finland Israel Estonia Wales and Lithuania.
Stage one concluded with last match in Austria
Austria’s men’s team made it into the final round of the European Championship as group winners which will take place in Malmö (Swe) in mid-September. Two times winner tonight Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK and local hero David SERDAROGLU who scored once brought the packed Alte Au to a boil. World champion Werner SCHLAGER praised young player: “Maciej was in a good mood and showed that he can fill the role of No. 1.” Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK was the hero of the last European Championship group game in Stockerau: against Spain the newly crowned Austrian vice-champion started with a 3:1 win against Alberto LILLO after a 8:11. “I was nervous at the beginning but I stopped making simple mistakes after the first game. The confidence I got from the national championship also helped. I’m happy when I can do my best for Austria ” said the U21 European Championship bronze medalist after his debut victory in the national team. Then David SERDAROGLU set a milestone towards success with a 3-0 win against Miguel PANTOJA. The first game was decisive in which he saved two set points and won 12:10. Then the man from Stocker won the second tight heat with 13:11 and made it 2:0 for Austria with a 3:0. “I was able to vary my systems well and I thank Dr. Raschner who was able to make me fit despite my injury.” Andre KASES then had no chance in the 3-0 draw against Carlos CABALLERO: “It was a difficult game he put a lot of pressure on. Now that I’m looking at the U21 European Championship in Sarajevo on April 5 I know that I have to play more actively and stay closer to the table.” Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK sealed the deal with a 3-0 win against Joan MASIP. Austria – Spain 3:1 Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK – Alberto LILLO 3:1 (8:11 11:7 11:3 11:5) David SERDAROGLU – Miguel Angel PANTOJA 3:0 (12:10 13:11 11:3) Andre Pierre KASES – Carlos CABALLERO 0:3 (1:11 6:11 7:11) Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK – Miguel Angel PANTOJA 3:0 (11:3 11:8 14:12)
TTX EU Format project … more FUN more LIFE presented today in Italy
The project “TTX EU Format … more FUN more LIFE” organized by the Italian Table Tennis Federation as part of a European call within the ERASMUS + funding line has been presented today on Zoom platform. The program covers education training youth and sport in Europe. The project is carried out by the Italian Table Tennis Federation in collaboration with Real Federación Española de Tenis de Mesa Federation Francaise de Tennis de Table Federação Portuguesa De Ténis De Mesa Polish Table Tennis Association Table Tennis Federation of Latvia Malta Table Tennis Association Namiznoteniška zveza Slovenije Hungarian Table Tennis Association and Cyprus Table Tennis Association. The online meeting was attended by Acting president of the European Table Tennis Union Pedro MOURA President of the International Table Tennis Federation Petra SÖRLING President of the Italian Table Tennis Federation Renato Di NAPOLI President and CHIEF Executive Officer of Sport e Salute Spa Vito COZZOLI ITTF Senior Advisor Stefano BOSI and Secretary General of FITeT Giuseppe MARINO. “It is very special moment for the European table tennis. This is ITTF project but it is mainly supported and gained a lot of popularity in Europe. FITET have been main engine of spreading the idea of TTX all over the Continent. We are extremely proud that 10 European associations are the part of this Project which is very well prepared very well organized and well promoted by the Italian national Federation. This is the excellent tool to promote our sport. It is also a positive tool to approach our sport to the community and above all it is very fun ” said ETTU Acting President Pedro MOURA who admitted he had great fun playing it. “ The main topic was Table Tennis X a new fun and inclusive discipline conceived by the International Table Tennis Federation which FITeT promoted in October 2019 hosting the “Roma Ping Pong Fest … a TTX Experience” at via dei Fori Imperiali in Rome. It gathered over 40 000 visitors and in next two years it was attended by thousands of people. TTX uses wooden rackets without rubber covers and bigger and heavier balls than table tennis and can be played by anyone regardless of technical ability and anywhere. “TTX is a great sport which reminds me of our ITTF slogan “Table Tennis for all for life!” In fact TTX is so inclusive that it can be played by all age groups and anywhere. Any table can be a TTX table. TTX was at first appreciated for its fun appeal but later became really professional. It kicked off on a great start in 2019 thanks to the Italian Table Tennis Federation’s fantastic event in Rome but then had to grind to a halt due to the worldwide pandemic. Now fortunately we are on the go again with this great European initiative captained once again by the Italian Table Tennis Federation ” said ITTF President SORLING. “TTX EU Format … more FUN more LIFE based on the collaboration of Italy Cyprus France Hungary Latvia Malta Poland Portugal Slovenia and Spain has the objective to create a European format which involving young people aged 11 to 18 encourages the habit of practicing sport through the diffusion of TTX. “This is an important moment for our Federation. The initial moment was the great event we organized in Rome in via dei Fori Imperiali in October 2019 and subsequently we developed the initiative further. There are ten European countries participating with us. I am sure that many young people between the ages of 11 and 18 will respond to our call as well as the clubs that will organize the various stages with the Federations that will lead us to the final event in Rome. The presence here today of the top executives of the ITTF and ETTU confirms the importance of the project. I am grateful to everyone for the contribution you are giving and will give to the success of the project ” said FITT President Renato Di NAPOLI. Each partner Federation will have to promote the project initiatives on its own territory through national and local Media select a school and two physical education teachers in a disadvantaged area of a city and organize within it between April and May a TTX tournament involving 100 students (target 8-11 years). They will also have to organize a stage of the TTX Europe Tour in a peripheral area of a city with the partecipation of at least 200 young people. TTX Europe Tour includes between June and July 19 stages nine in the European partner countries and ten in Italy. The 19 winners of the school and of the Tour tournaments will be invited each together with a companion to take part in the finals which will take place in Rome in October (from 6th to 8th) during the conclusive three-day event. There will also be a third tournament which will see in action two not competitive athletes for each gender belonging to each Association Partner. The website www.ttxeuformat.com is already operational and so are the social media Facebook @ttxeuformat and Instagram (ttxeuformat).
Vallot VAINULA won his 39th Championships title in Estonia
Estonian National Championships were held in Tallinn. The winners of men and women singles were Vallot VAINULA (MS) and Valeria HACHARD (WS). The 44-year old Vallot VAINULA also broke a record in Estonia having now won 39 championship gold medals. He was also the man of the match by winning gold also in Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. The Chairman of ETTA Priit LEHTLAAN pointed out that a big number of young players coming up and playing at Estonian Championships is something to be to be proud of. “Our bronze medal in Men’s Singles went to Markkos PUKK who is only 16 and there were other great performances from many young players as well. This makes me really happy as I can see our future building up and that our work at ETTA has been effective ” said Lehtlaan.
