At the end of the week Croatia’s Andrej GACINA will be on the duty again in Switzerland as the no. seven seed at the China Construction Bank Europe Top 16 Cup to be played in Montreux on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February. It will be his seventh appearance at the tournament since he played his first in 2014 in Lausanne. Two weeks ago GACINA was in Jordan where he played at the WTT Contender Amman and lost in the opening round against Portugal’s Joao GERALDO. “My shape is far from perfect right now. I had some health issues and I am little bit tired but I hope there is enough time for me to recover and to be ready for the challenge at the Europe Top 16 Cup. I really hope I will be 100 percent ready for Montreux ” said GACINA. The quarterfinalists from Amman GERALDO is at the list of the players who will play at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup. It will be his premiere this year. “GERALDO played really well against me but as I said I was far from my best shape. There was not much of the game in that match. I played under my usual level but it does not diminish the quality of his performance. He deservedly won that match ” said GACINA. “That is how it is in sport. Sometimes it goes better sometimes not so…it is all part of life.” Beside GERALDO and GACINA at the list of Top 16 are also: Truls MOREGARD of Sweden Darko JORGIC of Slovenia Dang QIU and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden Liam PITCHFORD of England Simon GAUZY of France Marcos FREITAS of Portugal WANG Yang of Slovakia Robert GARDOS of Austria Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia Jonathan GROTH of Denmark Elias HARDMEIER of Switzerland and Emmanuel LEBESSON of France. “If I have to choose the favorites I will put Truls MOREGARD and Dimitrij OVTHAROV above all others. In second line of favorites I will say Darko JORGIC and Dang QIU. “ Speaking about GACINA’S ambitious for this tournament he was very cautious. “Unfortunately I do not have very good memories of most of my appearances at Top 16. As I can recall four or five times I got injured there once I got sick…Therefore I have only desire to be able to give my best there play at my top level and finish it good health.” Speaking about this year GACINA pointed few most important competitions. “ Most important is the European Teams Championships and European Games. Alongside those two I would like to play well at Singapore Smash but most important for me is to be healthy and to be enough rested in order to give my best.”
ECL final: Borussia Düsseldorf vs. 1. FC Saarbrücken TT
At the end of the next month we will have the re-run of the 2021 Champions League Men final. In the ultimate stage of this year’s edition of most prestige club competition the title will be decided in the clash between Borussia Düsseldorf and 1. FC Saarbrücken TT. In the day packed with thrilling matches Borussia Düsseldorf overcame TTC Neu-Ulm in golden match and 1. FC Saarbrücken TT prevailed against Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V – 3:1. On their way to the 11th final seven times winners Borussia Düsseldorf overcame TTC Neu-Ulm after narrow opening leg defeat 2:3. The match in sold out ARAG CenterCourt also went full distance but concluded in hosts’ favor. The fight was extended to thrilling golden match. Anton KÄLLBERG beat Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 3:2 (11:5 11:7 8:11 4:11 6:4) to give Borussia Düsseldorf dream start but he could not repeat the result in another full five games duel against Tomokazu HARIMOTO (11:4 12:10 5:11 8:11 3:6). Dang QIU was unbeatable tonight. He overcame HARIMOTO 3:2 (11:8 4:11 11:9 5:11 6:5) and he needed one game less to overcome Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in the decisive match (17:15 11:13 11:9 11:4). Truls MÖREGARDH overcame Timo BOLL 11:6 9:11 6:11 18:16 6:4). In golden match KÄLLBERG beat HARIMOTO 13:11 and QIU overcame MÖREGARDH 11:8. “I believe in this team. Last Wednesday we were very close to win it and I was confident in our chances here in ARAG CenterCourt. All the matches here were so close we were very even in all duels especially in golden match ” said QIU.” QIU pointed that the system with golden match was a new experience to him. “When KÄLLBERG beat HARIMOTO it gave me extra confidence. OVTCHAROV beat me in recent matches but even on our last clash this week I was very close. Today when I won the opening game 17:15 it boosted my confidence.” Borussia Düsseldorf coach Danny HEISTER explained what went through his mind when he saw Timo losing to Truls. “I was only looking to next ball I was not thinking what happened. Even when it was 3:2 for us my mind was set on tactics and what we had to do. Of course it was difficult Timo had 4-5 match balls but nevertheless we recovered thanks to amazing performance from each player of the team and I am really proud of them. “ TTC Neu-Ulm coach Dimitrij MAZUNOV said: “We were in very difficult situation today by losing 0:2 and Truls was 1:2 down against BOLL. However Truls recovered from so many game match balls to win it. We were in the game until the last minute with OVTCHAROV’s very close defeat against QIU. However that is the beauty of this game. The crucial moment was the decisive match when Dima had 10:8 in the opening game and 8:4 in third game. We were so close .
1.FC Saarbrücken TT beat Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V.
In the semifinal of the Champions League Men 1. FC Saarbrücken TT was under great pressure to justify opening leg win against Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. with three matches out of four went full distance. Darko JORGIC overcame KIM Taehyun (8:11 11:4 5:11 11:8 6:5) and he also overcame Ovidiu IONESCU (11:7 10:12 10:12 11:8 6:1). Patrick FRANZISKA also beat IONESCU (11:13 12:10 13:11 11:5). Takuya JIN lost to Daniel HABESOHN (6:11 12:10 11:6 9:11 1:6). “It was another very difficult match for us. For the beginning it was clear the match could go either way. If I had lost the opening match that was resolved with sudden death point Franziska would be under even greater pressure against IONESCU. KIM was also at the top of his game he brought out the best in us. I believed I could beat him even in the moments when it went from e.g. 5:1 to 6:5. The good opening was the key. Patrick and Ovidiu met the expectations and they played close game as they always did. FRANZISKA maintained focus even when he was losing and thanks to that win and 2:0 we were in the final. We kept on fighting. JIN had his chances against HABESOHN but Daniel won it deservingly. At the end Ionescu and I played the match that could not make the difference for neither of us but we kept the level high.” In the final they will meet Borussia Düsseldorf. “We are constantly playing so many matches against each other. There is no secret among us. It will be difficult for both clubs. We are looking for surprises and we hope for the spectacular final. Our aim is to win first ever title in Champions League.” Patrick FRANZISKA said: “We feel very relieved It could be easily 2:0 for Post SV Mühlhausen at the beginning; we won it by narrow margin almost stole it. Now we are looking forward our match against Borussia Düsseldorf. They won last time but we hope for our first title.”
Metz TT beat Linz AG Froschberg in golden match
After they were stretched to full distance in the opening leg in France and tonight in Austria lost another five matches’ thriller Metz TT prevailed 2:1 in golden match against Linz AG Froschberg in the semifinal of the Champions League Women. They will play in their first final of the Champions Legue. In Linz Sofia POLCANOVA won each of three matches she played today. She beat Mariia TAILAKOVA 3:2 (11:7 6:11 5:11 11:4 6:3) and Adina DIACONU (11:8 1:11 11:6 17:15) in the regular part. Adina overcame Suthasini SAWETTABUT (11:7 7:11 7:11 11:8 6:1); Pauline CHASSELIN beat Margarita BALTUSHYTE 11:7 12:10 8:11). Third point for Metz came from French side in the match beetwen TAILAKOVA and SAWETTABUT (5:11 11:7 9:11 13:11 6:4). In the golden match POLCANOVA beat TAILAKOVA 11:9 DIACONU overcame SAWETTABUT 11:8 and CHASSELIN beat BALTUSHYTE 11:7. “It still hard to realize what we just did it feels unbelievable. After we made the biggest upset in this year’s Champions League against Berlin we did it again. And once again it was very strong European team . The team spirit and the power of the team made this possible. It very hard to tell anything after match like this. It will be my first final of the Champions Legue and I am so happy ” said Adina DIACONU. In other semifinal KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg beat UCAM Cartagena in the opening leg. The second leg is scheduled for Thursday.
SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club lost but reached the final
Hungarian SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club lost to Moravsky Krumlov the return leg of the semifinal of the Europe Cup Women in Hungary – 2:3. However runners up from 2021 SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club managed to progress to the final thanks to the 3:1 win in Czech Republic. Georgina POTA once again won both her matches and she was only player in Hungarian club to score. Tonight she beat Lenka HARABASZOVA (12:10 11:6 11:9) and Valeriia SHCHERBATYKH (11:7 11:5 7:11 11:7). “I am happy that I managed to win two out of two today. In the first match I did not feel the ball yet. HARABASZOVA took control many times so in the second match I stood there to play little more aggressive game. We played a very good match in front home crowd and I am proud that we managed to reach the final ” said POTA. In Czech team SHCHERBATYKH beat Helga DARI 12:10 13:11 11:8); Maria FAZEKAS lost to Ekaterina CHERNYAVSKAYA (10:12 11:7 10:12 11:8 2:6). In the decisive match DARI lost to HARABASZOVA (110:12 11:9 11:8 11:6). “Every defeat hurts but perhaps this one was easier since we reach the final. Gina PÓTA recovered to win both matches making it four out of four. She was a real leader of the team but I would like to add that everyone had their leading role in previous matches. This shows the strength of the team. Overall we will win our fifth medal on the European stage this will be our third final I think this is the success of Hungarian table tennis as well ” added SH-ITB Budaörsi SC President Gergely SOMLYO.
Five table tennis players tragically lost their lives during the devastating earthquakes
The ETTU is deeply saddened by the news that five table tennis players have been found dead under the rubble of the terrifying earthquake that rocked Türkiye just over a week ago. The news has been confirmed by the Türkiye Table Tennis Federation. ETTU offers their heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased players.
Elizabeta SAMARA: I cannot wait to be back in Montreux
Another edition of the China Construction Bank Europe Top 16 Cup is getting closer. In Montreux on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA will enter the arena for a 13th time; in last 14 years she missed the competition only once. In Montreux in 2018 SAMARA finished third in 2019 she reached the sixth position and in 2020 she was fifth. In addition in 2016 in Gondomar SAMARA finished fourth. The first time she played in Dusseldorf in 2009 she finished fifth. Last year SAMARA was fifth and looking back on 2022 Elizabeta said it was difficult year. “In the first part I was injured and I was forced to go under surgery. It was a back injury and I had herniated discus surgery ” explained SAMARA.” Surgery went well and since August I am in quite good shape and healthier.” Elizabeta started the season with the WTT Contender in Amman where she reached the Round of 16. “Already 2023 starts with so many matches national league Champions League First stage of the European Championships WTT competitions…My shape is quite well even I lost to SHAO Jeni after having four match balls in Amman.” In Women’s Event will play: HAN Ying of Germany Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria Nina MITTELHAM of Germany YUAN Jia Nan of France YU Fu of Portugal Bernadette SZOCS of Romania Hana MATELOVA of Czechia NI Xia Lian of Luxembourg Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania Barbora BALAZOVA of Slovakia Linda BERGSTROM of Sweden SHAO Jieni of Portugal Georgina POTA of Hungary Rachel MORET of Switzerland Christina KALLBERG of Sweden Natalia BAJOR of Poland. “Everybody has chances in Montreux I will not underestimate any player. I just cannot wait to be back in such a beautiful city Montreux!”
22nd Raiffeisen Youth Championships Linz – Austria 2023 & Youth Upper-Austria Challenge Trophy
The Raiffeisen Youth Championships Linz – Austria 2023 and the Youth Upper-Austria Challenge Trophy will be held in Tips Arena from 6th to 10th April 2023. The Youth Championships are designed for young players aged 11 to 19. The playing system of the Youth Championships ensures a maximum of individual games at their performance level for all players including inexperienced and youngest players in categories from U11 to U19. All teams consist of 2 players (additional player can be nominated). All team events are played in the corbillon cup system. All matches are played best of 5. If you are interested organisers invites you to fill out the registration form (download at https://www.froschberg.at/linz-austria- youth-championships/) and send email to: youth.championships@froschberg.at.
K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo better in all-Polish clash
In all-Poland’s clash in the opening leg of the semifinal of the Europe Cup K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo beat KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki in straight matches. Previously KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki won both quarterfinal legs against another Poland’s representative Polski Cukier Gwiazda Bydgoszcz whilst Dekorglass Dzialdowo overcame Austria’s Solex-Consult Wiener Neustadt. Today Jakub DYJAS overcame Marek BADOWSKI in full five games match (7:11 7:11 11:8 11:6 6:4). In next duel Jonathan GROTH proved too strong for Panagiotis GIONIS (14:12 11:4 11:6) and Kaii KONISHI sealed the duel with the victory over Milosz REDZIMSKI (11:8 11:5 11:8). K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo is playing in the Europe Cup semifinal for a third time. In 2018 they won the Cup and a year latter they were third.
Liam PITCHFORD is enjoying being back after injury
Liam PITCHFORD is enjoying being back on the table after injury and is ready to take on the best in Europe at the China Construction Bank Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux (to be played on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February). The England No 1 has had an arm injury and during his absence from the table has also been looking after his mental health. He returned at the WTT Contender Amman last week and says he has rediscovered his enjoyment of the sport and his drive to compete. In Amman he came from 2-0 and a match point down to defeat China’s YAN Sheng in the first round before exiting in a close match against Yan’s compatriot LIN Shidong in the last 16. Pitchford said: “I’m in a much more positive mindset than I was at the end of last year. It’s been good for me to be away from the table for a while and assess things and it’s given me a new drive. “Last year I put too much pressure on myself and wasn’t enjoying it. In Amman I felt a lot better than at the end of last year. “I wasn’t expecting much because I’ve not really been able to practise and I haven’t played matches for a while. To come back from 2-0 and a match point down and win that match shows I’ve still got the fight in me.” PITCHFORD will be aiming to improve on his previous best Top 16 performances when he reached the quarter-finals in both 2020 and 2021. “I didn’t play the Top 16 last year through injury so it’s a good chance to go back and have a shot at these guys. They are the big names and I’m in that company. I want to be out there and I want to win. I’ve got a chance to do some hard work in the next 10 days or so before going there and that puts me in a good place and there’s more of a chance now I’m in a better mindset. The first match is the most important to get into the tournament and start on the front foot and take it from there “explained PITCHFORD. In Men’s event top seed is Truls MOREGARD followed by Darko JORGIC of Slovenia Dang QIU and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden Liam PITCHFORD of England Andrej GACINA of Croatia Simon GAUZY of France Marcos FREITAS of Portugal WANG Yang of Slovakia Robert GARDOS of Austria Jonathan GROTH of Denmark Joao GERALDO of Portugal Elias HARDMEIER of Switzerland and Emmanuel LEBESSON of France.
