The three-day Lithuanian table tennis championship ended in Druskininkai on Sunday featuring 64 (32 men and 32 women) strongest Lithuanian table tennis players. Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ (coach Jolanta Prūsienė) and Alfredas UDRA (coach Indra UDRIENĖ) defended their champion titles in the singles competition. “This is my fifth gold medal in singles in a row. This year as in previous years I set myself the highest goals and I am glad that I managed to achieve them. I was really excited because it is always difficult to defend the title of champion. I met my sister Emilija in the final and it was a very pleasant meeting for me” said Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ after the singles final. “The championship is organized at a very high level – an excellent sports facility good food and a planned schedule. The final was very difficult and even though I had to beat my adversary in the decisive set but thanks to experience technique and character I managed to turn the events in a beneficial direction and win the seventh champion title. I wish my adversaries to continue trying to beat me” said Alfredas UDRA. In the women’s semi-final Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ (coach Jolanta Pūsienė SM “Sostinės tauras”) beat Marija MIKALAUSKYTĖ (coach Artūras Orlovas Vilnius) 4:0. In the other semi-final Laura ABARAVIČIŪTĖ played against Emilija RILIŠKYTĖ 0:4. Both athletes are the players of coach Jolanta PRŪSIENĖ representing the sports school “Sostinės Tauras”. Marija MIKALAUSKYTĖ and Laura ABARAVIČIŪTĖ were awarded bronze medals. Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ won the final 4:0. In the men’s semi-finals Alfredas UDRA (coach Indra UDRIENĖ Klaipėda) overcame Valdas MARTINKUS (coach Raimondas JACKEVIČIUS) Arnoldas DOMEIKA (coach Raimondas JACKEVIČIUS) met Lukas RIMKUS (coach Artūras ORLOVAS Vilnius). Alfredas UDRA defeated his opponent 4:0 and Lukas RIMKUS defeated Arnoldas DOMEIKA 4:3. Valdas MARTINKUS and Arnoldas DOMEIKA were awarded bronze medals. Alfredas UDRA won the title of Lithuanian champion in the final defeating Lukas RIMKUS 4:3. There were 13 pairs in the women’s doubles match. Third place went to Auksė GECEVIČIŪTĖ with Kornelija ŠČIGLAITĖ and Eglė JANKAUSKIENĖ with Vitalija VENCKUTĖ (coaches: Laurynas Pakalniškis Algirdas Majorovas Artūras Orlovas Saulius Bureika). Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ with Emilija RILIŠKYTĖ met Lukrecija JUCHNAITĖ with Laura ABARAVIČIŪTĖ in the final. Emilija and Kornelija RILIŠKYTĖ became the women’s doubles champions 3:2. There were also 15 pairs in the men’s doubles match. Third place shared Valdas MARTINKUS with Rimvydas MARTINKA and Rimas LESIV with Mindaugas STEPONKUS (coaches: Raimondas Jackevičius Gediminas Ušackas Saulius Bureika). In the final Ignas NAVICKAS (coach Inga Navickienė) with Kęstutis ŽEIMYS (coach Viktoras Rybakas) met Arnoldas DOMEIKA and Matas VILKAS (coaches: Raimondas Jackevičius Jonas Piekautas). Ignas NAVICKAS and Kęstutis ŽEIMYS became the men’s doubles champions 3:1. The winners of the mixed doubles became Ignas NAVICKAS and Emilija RILIŠKYTĖ who beat Kęstutis ŽEIMYS and Kornelia RILIŠKYTE 3:2 in the final. Third place is shared by Rimvydas MARTINKA ( coach Gediminas Ušackas) and Viltautė ADAMONYTĖ (coach Jelena Anikejeva) and Rimas LESIV (coach Saulius Bureika) with Auksė GECEVIČIŪTĖ (coach Laurynas Pakalniškis).
Exciting Battles in Store at Singapore Smash 2023
Defending Singapore Smash champions FAN Zhendong and CHEN Meng are ready and eager to do battle to retain their singles crowns while Singapore’s table tennis players are also raring to do the home fans proud as the main draw starts on Saturday. Singapore Smash spectators can expect some tantalising clashes from 11-19 March after the singles draw ceremony took place in the Infinity Arena on Thursday at the Singapore Sports Hub’s OCBC Arena. Table tennis fans can also anticipate a thrilling opening round clash between former world youth champion XIANG Peng of China and Japanese star Tomokazu HARIMOTO. Other first-round matches to watch include multiple Olympic medalist Kasumi ISHIKAWA of Japan taking on tricky Brazilian Bruna TAKAHASHI in the women’s singles and China’s up and coming LIN Shidong facing Swedish Kristian KARLSSON in the men’s singles. The winner of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Darko JORGIC of Slovenia will play against Andrej GACINA of Croatia. In the women’s singles world No. 3 WANG Yidi of China opens against Romanian world No. 32 Bernadette SZOCS. CCB Europe Top 16 Cup semi finalists Nina MITTELHAM of Germany will play against other semifinalists SHAI Jieni of Portugal. Germans QIU Dang and Patrick FRANZISKA to face England’s Liam PITCHFORD and Sweden’s Mattias FALCK in their respective singles openers.
Acting President MOURA delivered the Badge of Honour to SCHLITZ
ETTU Acting President Pedro MOURA delivered the Badge of Honour to Paul SCHILTZ. The Badge was awarded to SCHILTZ in October 2021 in Cluj during the European Team Championships and on the occasion of the the WTT Youth Contender in Vila Real ETTU Acting President Pedro MOURA had the pleasure to carry out this pleasant duty. Paul SCHILTZ was awarded for his outstanding contribution as chair of the ETTU Umpires and Referees Committee including particular attention to the appointment of officials for all ETTU events and club competitions. In addition as the past chair of the ITTF Equipment Committee Paul SCHILTZ has assisted ETTU when questions relating to playing equipment tables balls rackets have arisen.
New date– same Fun: Call for Europe to join World Table Tennis Day
World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) has been celebrated annually in April since 2015. It is the day we celebrate table tennis as well as the universality and social inclusiveness the sport represents. Starting this year and moving forward we will celebrate WTTD on 23 April honouring Ivor MONTAGU organiser of the first World Table Tennis Championships in 1926 and the founder and first president of the ITTF. ITTF Foundation calls upon the European Table Tennis Union to join them in celebrating WTTD 2023. “We invite you to organise a Highlight Event focusing on sustainability for people planet and prosperity through the sport ” stated ITTF Foundation Director Leandro OLVECH. The ITTF Foundation will: WTTD celebrates the joy of playing table tennis for fun bringing people together focusing less on competition and more on participation and enjoyment. Here you have the link with information regarding World Table Tennis day from the foundation website https://ittffoundation.org/programmes/tt4all/world-table-tennis-day
Europe Youth Series kick off in Osijek
ETTU is gearing up to set the stage alight with the first-ever ETTU Europe Youth Series event. The 2023 Croatia Open will be played in Osijek from 26th to 30th April. Showcasing the stars of tomorrow the new ETTU Youth Series will include the Under 13 and Under 15 age categories. Final Entries day is Monday 27th March 2023; accommodation details deadline is Thursday 30th March 2023; travelling details deadline is Monday 3rd April 2023; payment deadline is Thursday 20th April 2023 Changes/Substitutions deadline: Monday 24th April 2023 at 12:00 local time (CEST) All information (entries schedule results updates…) regarding the EYS Croatia Open will be published on the following link. Maximum number of Individual entries : 176 Maximum number of Teams entries : 40 NUMBER OF GUARANTEED TEAMS/PLAYERS PER EVENT: Number of guaranteed mixed teams per event per association: 2 Number of guaranteed players per event per association: 4 Number of guaranteed doubles per event per association: 2 Number of guaranteed mixed teams per event for the host association: 3 Number of guaranteed players per event for the host association: 8 The ETTU Competition Manager can allow teams with players from different Associations only for players whose Associations do not reach a guaranteed number of teams per event. Please note that ITTF ID is mandatory for entering players for the event. For the players who do not have an ITTF ID yet Associations shall finish the registration process in ITTF before the entry deadline on the 27th of March.
ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari in the final after the golden match
In the second leg of the Europe Cup semifinal between ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari and ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly the hosts suffered by the hands of the players from the French club by the same margin they won the opening leg 3:1. However in the golden match the pendulum swung once again to their favor. In general the match was full of ups and downs. Andreea DRAGOMAN was two games up before Samson LI recovered to level. LI had 5:0 in the decisive game before she lost 5:6. Anis SALPIN avenged her opening leg defeat against Tania PLAIAN to level the match. Again like in previous duel the clash was stretched to full five games but the games were much closer. It was SALPIN who went ahead with 2:0 PLAIAN recovered but French player withstood her spirited comeback. Eden OFFIONG lost to Isa COK and Andreea DRAGOMAN suffered by the hands of Anis SALPIN. In the golden match it was opposite; both COK and DRAGOMAN won their games. LI Failed to win any points today whilst SALPIN lost her first after two wins in the “regular” time. “It was very crazy. We are happy we are in the final. We started with hope because we had an advantage with our first win and even if we lost the match we were super motivated in the golden sets we knew we could win this match ” said DRAGOMAN. ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari – ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly 1:3 Andreea DRAGOMAN – Samson LI 3:2 (11:5 11:5 6:11 6:11 6:5) Tania PLAIAN – Anis SALPIN 2:3 (15:17 8:11 14:12 13:11 4:6) Eden OFFIONG – Isa COK 1:3 (6:11 5:11 13:11 5:11) Andreea DRAGOMAN – Anis SALPIN 0:3 (4:11 10:12 9:11) Golden match ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari – ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly 2:0 Eden OFFIONG – Samson LI 11:7 Andreea DRAGOMAN – Anis SALPIN 11:4
One Village-One Venue – the new concept for EVC2023 Sandefjord
With the last day for entry just one month away European Veterans are busy planning their visit to Sandefjord Norway. Those who want to take part in EVC2023 should get ready. The standard entry will close 31st March just some weeks from now. Over 3000 participants are expected with more than 1800 already on the lists. So if you want to secure your place in the event visit www.evc2023.com today. A new feature to this championship is the “One Village-One Venue”-concept. “This has been well received ” event director Karl Borre REITE said. “With playing halls accommodation restaurants social activities and leisure activities at Oslofjord Convention Center we will get a fantastic Table Tennis Town. We even see players bringing their families making it a part of their summer holiday. With the beach the golf course and other activities on site this seems like a perfect summer stay. The village will be buzzing with life the whole week. Most of the participants will stay at Oslofjord Convention Center saving time and money on transport and meals and having fun together with their friends. From a slow start bookings are now boosting at Oslofjord. With a full refund policy on accommodation until 7 days before the event there is no need for waiting. -People just needed to get used to the idea.” Perfect time for visiting Norway. “Late June is the time of the long light summer nights in Norway. We will of course make the most of it at Oslofjord Convention Center where we have the fjord and the beach outdoor concerts and restaurants and of course your terraces or balconies outside your apartments. We even think that you should consider adding some days exploring Norway. And of course: With a weak Norwegian Krone just now the exchange rate is favorable for most tourists in Norway. This makes June 2023 the best time to visit Norway!” Discounts on entry fee for groups in March With a high number of entries over a few weeks EVC2023 has decided to give a discount on the entry fee for groups in March. 5-9 entries (players) in one order will give 100 euro discount. 10 and more entries (players) in one order will give 200 euro discount. Select bank transfer (not Visa/Master) Send code “DISCOUNT” and the invoice number to info@evc2023.com You will get a new invoice to pay for the group within a few days. Visit www.evc2023.com for entry accommodation and meals touristic offers and airport bus transfers. Visit www.facebook.com/evc2023 and https://www.facebook.com/groups/evc2023info for more information. Visit https://oslofjord.com/en/oslofjord-living-2/ to learn about Oslofjord Convention Center
Top European names in hunt for glory on the final day in Montreux
On the ultimate day of play at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux 2023 Darko JORGIC of Slovenia and HAN Yang of Germany defended their titles. In the ultimate stage JORGIC beat QIU Dang of Germany. Bronze medalists are Liam PITCHFORD of England and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany. In the Women’s final HAN overcame Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria whilst SHAO Jieni of Portugal and Nina MITTELHAM of Germany clinched bronze medals. Darko became the 13th player and the 5th man to retain the title. HAN Ying wins two titles in a row and she was the 12th player and the 8th woman to retain the title. They join Jan Ove WALDNER Vladimir SAMSONOV Dmitrij OVTCHAROV Timo BOLL Jill HAMMERSLEY NI Xialian Beatrix KISHAZI LI Jiao LIU Jia Qianghong GÖTCH and Ann Christin HELLMAN. OVTCHAROV (2015-2017) NI (1996-1998) and KISHAZI (1971-1973) won 3 in a row. HAN Ying is now the oldest winner ever with 39 years and 10 months breaking the record Timo BOLL set in 2020 when he won his 7th title at 38 years and 11 months. Liam PITCHFORD is the first English player on the podium since Desmond DOUGLAS won the Top 12 in 1987 and the 3rd ever from England joining Douglas and triple winner Jill HAMMERSLEY. Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) – Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) 3:4 (7:11 12:10 11:8 7:11 8:11 11:9 9:11) The day commenced with the thrilling seven games match. In the first semifinal 2021 champion Nina MITTELHAM stretched no. two seed Sofia POLCANOVA to full seven games but in the big turn over in the last game Austrian prevailed. POLCANOVA dominated in the opening moments of the match. “I won the opening game and had 5:0 in second when my tendency to make experiments when I am leading came to picture. I become too passive and just waited for Nina to make mistake but she had other ideas. In general in this match was nothing about tactics but it was all about mental strength. We know each other so well we know how the other player will play next ball there is no mystery there ” said POLCANOVA. In the seventh game MITTELHAM had 7:4 but then she become too passive and POLCANOVA recovered to win the match. “I entered the arena this morning thinking how I am in the semifinal and that I already accomplished a big success. Then I remembered I was there three times before and I was always so angry on myself by not going further…At this level it is so difficult your mind is under pressure your body reacted on that. At some points my hand was not listening to me. It is difficult to explain just you know what to do but the body and the hand does not listen.” HAN Ying (Germany) – SHAO Jieni (Portugal) 4:0 (11:5 12:10 11:4 11:5) Top seeded HAN Ying had superb start of her match against SHAO Jieni but in the second game Portugal’s player managed to put HAN on pressure. “I played very well but in the second game I lost my focus and allowed SHAO to take control. She is very good in blocking and I wanted to finish the game fast. That is why I stopped playing my game and started to be more aggressive. I attacked her which worked in her favor this time. As soon as I went back to my usual style I was in control again ” said HAN. SEMIFINALS Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) 4:2 (8:11 12:10 12:10 7:11 11:4 12:10) Five times winner of the Top 16 event Dimitrij OVTCHAROV had a better start in the semifinal but reigning champion Darko JORGIC was in no mood to relinquish the reigns. OVTCHAROV took an early control of the match but from second game JORGIC responded and started to play more egressive. “He was in charge at the start of the game thanks to his backhand service bombs. I did not feel well and I needed some time to find the answer to his services. He was very aggressive but then I managed to find a way to attack; my service game improved and I played with much more variations on my backhand and forehand. As the match progressed the rallies become longer and longer. I adapted better to his game ” said JORGIC. QIU Dang (Germany) – Liam PITCHFORD (England) 4:3 (6:11 11:4 11:5 5:11 11:5 10:12 11:8) QIU Dang secured his first ever final in rather strange match against Liam PITCHFORD. Five games went from one side to another with the players wining their games in safe way. Only in two last game we saw close fight. “I needed some time to adjust but nevertheless it is very difficult to play against PITCHFORD. He is here in fine shape and he proved that he did not beat Truls MOREGARDH “by accident”. He is very dangerous and I gave my best to stop him control the game – with more or less success ” said QIU. HAN Ying – Sofia POLCANOVA 4:1 (11:5 10:12 11:3 11:9 11:5)The final of the women’s event brought clash between no. one and no. two as the seedings predicted. The winner justified her status. HAN dominated the match.“It was not easy. POLCANOVA knows to block well so i had to be patient and to wait for her mistakes. She adjusted to my style and the rallies had gone longer and longer as the match progressed ” said HAN. Final Darko JORGIC – QIU Dang 4:2 (11:8 11:9 13:11 7:11 5:11 11:7) In powerful out-of-World and aggressive exchange of strokes Darko JORGIC overcame QIU Dang. “From the very first point I felt the game the table the ball. QIU started aggressively but I responded well. I stretched the back muscle at 7:5 but with some medical help I managed to play. I was focused and I kept the control over the match ” said Darko.
Broadcasters CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux 2023
You can follow the semi final and the final of the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux 2023 today on TV. Switzerland: RTS/SRG Switzerland on www.rts.ch/sport Swiss Sport TV https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://swiss-sport.tv/2023/02/25/tischtennis-ccb-europe-top-16-cup-montreux/__;!!Ji65QoKJ03PKJY7K!BX-3LFLqKbjImyFk4_CJ5TJGu3Ox8dcS-04VfY1TILE0KgtEYGAr4fLUCFHzlNUUIgmU7Po0KXBhWOLm$ Blue: Shows all matches of Sunday in March and June Germany: Deutschland TV Shows all matches on https://sportdeutschland.tv/ccb-europe-cup Slovakia: Arena TV France: Sportall France shows all matches on https://bit.ly/MontreuxTop16 Czech: CESKA TELEVIZE on www.ctsport.cz or sport.ceskatelevize.cz Romania: Sport Extra TV Portugal: Sport TV Portugal UK/Ireland: Shows all matches on TTE.TV China: Migu all matches on Saturday and Sunday are on Migu China – CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux : https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://s.miguvideo.com/ZfaIRbq__;!!Ji65QoKJ03PKJY7K!AoJlyoPAbKp1FTiAzlH8dSUcHvNy85j_x49I3DvojCh2ItUaSAtAZXcjrnLcOwCS_jUXK_VZrtlwYaJvkAoH$ Sweden: SVT Sport
Favorites tested in the quarterfinal matches in Monterux
The favorites were tested as the second part of the opening day at the China Construction Bank Europe Top 16 Cup progressed but the greatest upset came with the last match of the quarterfinal. After seven games Liam PITCHFORD booked his place in the penultimate stage by beating top seed Truls MOREGARDH (8:11 11:4 3:11 3:11 11:7 11:4 11:9) . ‘When you play against Truls you never know what you are going to get. He have no rhythm sometimes he is early on the ball and then you have no chance. And that is what happened to me in the third and fourth game. I got no chance. I told myself to stay to stick in and to spin on the ball. I know that he does not like my spins and I spun heavy. I turned the match around and so he got little be nervous. At the end I was brave on the last flick ” said PITCHFORD. Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) – YU Fu (Portugal) 4:3 (11:8 7:11 15:13 13:15 11:8 9:11 11;8) After thrilling seven games no. two seed Sofia POLCANOVA justified her status in the duel against no. 5 seed FU Yu. “Somehow I always ends up in some kind of drama ” said POLCANOVA laughing and releived after the victory.”SO far I had very negative record in the matches against FU but most of them we played in Champions League. This is maybe second time that we met each other in such event. It is always hard. She has very strong service and powerful first stroke that allows her to control the match. She forces adversaries to be in passive role just to keep their ball on the table. So many times she just made me angry but in this match I did not let my temper mess with my play. I got angry on myself maybe on two or three balls but in the rest of the match I was seeking for my chance.” Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) – Andrej GACINA (Croatia) 4:1 (11:6 12:10 8:11 12:10 11:6) Despite what the results predicts Dimitrij OVTCHAROV faced severe pressure in the duel against Andrej GACINA. “I think that he has played one of the best matches against me so far.Andrej improved his game and he forced me to play really good table tennis. I won two very close games and that was the key of the match. I am happy with the outcome but more than that I am happy with my game right now ” said OVTCHAROV. NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) – SHAO Jieni (Portugal) (7:11 13:11 7:11 7:11 11:6 4:11) After SHAO Jieni created a big upset by beating no. four seed YUAN Jia Nan in the Round of 16 Portugal’s player continued with good games. Next in line was NI Xia Lian. “I knew it would be hard to play against YUAN but I was very calm. That helped me to build my game and to control the match ” said SHAO.”I played so many matches against NI and by now I manage to read her game well. I know how to deal with the players who use rubbers.” Simon GAUZY (France) – Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) 2:4 (11:5 4:11 9:11 11:8 6:11 8:11) Reigning champion Darko JORGIC faced very strong challenge from Simon GAUZY. He needed to work very hard to put the match under control. “We played so many matches against each other in Bundesliga. In previous three occasions I beat him much easily but here Simon is playing on higher level. He put a lot of variations into his service game and he denied all my efforts to attack him with the strong balls. I was forced to change my service and eventually I prevailed. I am happy we did not get to the seventh game ” said JORGIC. Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) – Hana MATELOVA (Czechia) (10:12 11:9 7:11 11:3 11:5 11:9) Hana MATELOVA had a better start but Nina MITTELHAM found the way to prevent any upset and to book the place in the penultimate stage. “At the begining I was not in the match at all. My focus was everywhere else but not at the table. Slowly I started to play better; i started to feel the game and to move better. In the third game I made few mistakes but I was already on the good track. At the end I played very well. Eventually I am very happy with my shape and how I play now ” said Nina. HAN Ying (Germany) – Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) 4:0 (11:8 11:9 11:9 11:6) After powerful performance against Bernadette SZOCS reigning champion HAN Ying secured her place in the semifinal. “I have very good record against SZOCS but it creates some pressure too. Everyone expects I will win again. In addition Bernadette played very clever today and she made a game little bit difficult ” said HAN. QIU Dang (Germany) – Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) (11:6 11:13 11:9 11:9 10:12 11:5) The duel between the fifth and third seed went in favor of higher ranked player. In the first quarterfinal today QIU Dang won the opening game easily but from the second game Kristian forced him to dig deep. “It was real rollercoaster. After the opening game we went back and forward; he put me under tremendous pressure. Nothing came for certain he overcame few match balls…The most important thing for me was to stay calm and not to lose my focus ” said QIU.
