Eurotalent Development Camp U13 the first Eurotalents camp of the year 2023 was held from March 12 to March 19 in Izvorani Romania. The training camp was attended by players and coaches from 13 different countries including Azerbaijan Belgium Bulgaria Czech Republic Lithuania Spain England France Italy Ireland Turkey Romania and Ukraine. Ana SEBE the head coach of the camp expressed her gratitude to the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) and the Romanian Table Tennis Federation (FRTM) for the opportunity to lead the training camp for the third time. Sebe added that the training camp focused on improving the players’ table tennis skills physical training and included educational sessions. “I think it’s very important to improve something every day looking for progress and future champions and pro players ” said SEBE. One of the highlights of the camp was the educational session conducted by Mr. Valeriu TOMESCU Director of Human Performance Laboratory at the Romanian Olympic Committee on March 15. He presented his work on “Evaluation and monitoring in sport ” which was well-received by the participants. The camp provided young table tennis players with the opportunity to train with and learn from their peers and experienced coaches from different countries. Eurotalent Development Camp U13 was the first Eurotalents camp held this year demonstrating the ETTU and FRTM’s commitment to the development of young table tennis players in Europe.
ETTU has kicked off the year with a bang
The European Table Tennis Union has kicked off the year with a bang as a series of evelopment activities were organised by its Member Associations. The first of these activities was the National Association Assistance Program activity held in Nantes France from the 5th to the 10th of March. The Pôle France of Nantes of the French Federation which is identified as an “ETTU network training center ” hosted an exchange training program. The program involved four players and two coaches from the English Federation who were able to train with the French team for a week. The training sessions aimed to share best practices between the coaches and players with both parties learning a lot from each other. This fruitful experience is expected to be repeated with other nations in the future. The Nantes training center is a brand new facility that moved to new premises in September 2021. The center has since been regularly welcoming players and coaches providing a perfect platform for training and development. Following the Nantes camp the Eurotalents development camp was held in Izvorani Romania from the 12th to the 19th of March and the next development activity on the ETTU calendar is the Eurotalents Selection Camp in Havirov Czech Republic from the 2nd to the 8th of April. This camp aims to identify and select the best young players in Europe who will then receive training and support from experienced coaches to help them reach their full potential. The Eurotalents program is a key initiative for the ETTU that helps to develop a strong pipeline of talent for the future which is crucial for the long-term growth and success of the sport.
TT Joué les Tours won the Europe Trophy Grand Final in Mirandela
The Europe Trophy Grand Final in Mirandela concluded with the won of the French TT Joué les Tours. On the final hurdle they succeeded against Greek club ASEA Sarises Florinas. In the ultimate stage Audrey ZARIF LI He and Nolwenn FORT overcame Bernadett BALINT LIU Judith and Despoina AMPA in straight matches. “It is first time for the club that we won the European Trophy and we are very happy. I hope we will be equally successful next season in t he Europe Cup ” said coach Hugo BERGER. Audrey ZARIF added: “It was a long week-end with a lot of matches. Our goal was to win and we did it! It was really important for the club to win this title so we gave our best. Some matches was more difficult than other we won all the matches 3/0 so that nice.” In the semi final Entente Saint Pierraise TT faced first defeat at the tournament. Greece’s ASEA Sarises Florinas caused the big upset and won the difficult five matches duel to secure the ultimate stage. They were 2:0 up before they withstood spirited comeback from Entente Saint Pierraise TT to win the place in the final in the decisive match. “We had very tough match to reach the final but we know how difficult will be against next adversary. We already lost to Joue Les Tours in the group phase. However we will stay focused and we will fight hard ” said coach Mark PINK before the final. Joue Les Tours was the first team proceeding to the final. They overcame Croatia’s STK Aquaestil Duga Resa. “We are really happy that we won this match. We will give our best to win this Trophy ” said Audrey ZARIF. On the opening day Joue Les Tours overcame Portugal’s Uniao Sebastianense F.C Norway’s B-72 and Greek ASEA Sarises Florinas. Final ASEA Sarises Florinas – TT Joué les Tours 0:3 Bernadett BALINT – Audrey ZARIF 2:3 (11:7 8:11 4:11 11:9 1:6) LIU Judith – LI He 1:3 (6:11 9:11 13:11 4:11) Despoina AMPA – Nolwenn FORT 0:3 (9:11 7:11 4:11) Semi final Entente Saint Pierraise TT – ASEA Sarises Florinas 2:3 Stephanie LOEUILLETTE – LIU Judith 2:3 (11:7 11:4 4:11 7:11 4:6) Lucie GAUTHIER – Bernadett BALINT 0:3 (9:11 8:11 5:11) Jeanne ROBBES – Despoina AMPA 3:0 (11:8 11:5 11:6) Stephanie LOEUILLETTE – Bernadett BALINT 3:0 (11:6 11:9 11:6) Lucie GAUTHIER – LIU Judith 1:3 (11:9 7:11 8:11 6:11) TT Joué les Tours – STK Aquaestil Duga Resa 3:0 Audrey ZARIF – Leeloo HAN VUKELJA 3:0 (12:10 11:5 11:5) LI He – Xue HAN VUKELJA 3:2 (11:5 11:2 9:11 5:11 6:4) Nolwenn FORT – Sofija SHEREDEHA 3:0 (11:3 11:6 13:11) Match for 5th position CTM MIRANDELA – Uniao Sebastianense F.C. 2:3 Ines MATOS – Cecilia AKPAN 3:2 (11:9 11:5 3:11 5:11 6:2) Matilde PINTO – Raquel MARTINS 3:0 (11:7 11:2 11:4) Mariana SANTA COMBA – Leila OLIVEIRA 0:3 (7:11 9:11 12:14) Ines MATOS – Raquel MARTINS 0:3 (9:11 8:11 9:11) Matilde PINTO – Cecilia AKPAN 2:3 (11:9 9:11 11:7 3:11 0:6) Match for 7th position HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod – B-72 3:0 Tereza PYTLIKOVA – Maria HORGEN 3:0 (11:2 11:5 11:6) Aneta SIRUCKOVA – Vivian HUYNH 3:0 (11:4 11:2 11:5) Anna STRANSKA -wo
Olympiacos S.F.P. clinched the title at the LP-COSCO Europe Trophy Grand Final in Piraeus
After two days of fierce fights in Greece Olympiacos S.F.P. clinched the title at the OLP-COSCO Europe Trophy Grand Final in Piraeus. In the final Olympiacos overcame Poland’s KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow. Winners from Greece concluded the tournament unbeaten whilst Polish club lost twice and in both matches it was against Olympiacos. In the final Olympiacos dominated but KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow was worthy adversary. Tomislav PUCAR Andrej GACINA and Anastasios RINIOTIS were at the top of the game. Liam PITCHFORD suffered from the stomach problems and he was not able to play. “It is not possible to find the words now ” said Anastasios RINIOTIS who was overwhelmed with the emotions.”I am in Olympiacos from 2000 and here we are I won another trophy in 2023. This club is my second pardon it is my first home. I concluded this Trophy unbeaten and it is unbelievable.” KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow showed no mercy against Logis Auderghem TT in the semi final. They prevailed in straight games. “Yesterday in the Group stage we really had very difficult time and very hard matches against Croatia’s STK Libertas Marinkolor and against DT Hueschtert-Folscht. In the match against Luxembourg’s team we were stretched to full distance. Of course Olympiacos is something different they are the biggest names here ” said Robert FLORAS. Today they did not face difficulties against Belgium’s club. “I think we played better than yesterday ” stated FLORAS. In other semi final Olympiacos S.F.P. overcame UTTC Stockerau 3:0 without due alarm. “Sometimes is not easy when you are a favorite. Everyone let their hand lose and played more relaxed. However we overcome all the problems and justified our status here ” said Tomislav PUCAR. Final KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow – Olympiacos S.F.P. 0:3 Piotr CYRNEK – Tomislav PUCAR 1:3 (4:11 5:11 11:7 3:11) Robert FLORAS – Andrej GACINA 1:3 (11:5 10:12 7:11 7:11) Daniel BAK – Anastasios RINIOTIS 2:3 (3:11 11:9 8:11 12:10 4:6) Semi final Olympiacos S.F.P. – UTTC Stockerau 3:0 Tomislav PUCAR – David SERDAROGLU 3:1 (11:4 9:11 11:8 11:9) Andrej GACINA – Michal BANKOSZ 3:1 (11:2 16;18 11:7 11:5) Anastasios RINIOTIS – Alexander CHEN 3:0 (11:6 11:9 11:3) KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow – Logis Auderghem TT 3:0 Robert FLORAS – Ludovic BIERNY 3:0 (11:7 11:5 11:4) Piotr CYRNEK – David COMELIAU 3:0 (11:9 11:9 11:7) Daniel BAK – Kilomo VITTA 3:0 (15:13 11:6 11:5) Match for the 5th position DT Hueschtert-Folscht – ADC PONTA DO PARGO 3:2 Maël VAN DESSEL – Jide OGIDIOLU 3:1 (12:10 11:7 7:11 11:6) Gleb SHAMRUK – David BESSA 2:3 (9:11 12:10 5:11 11:7 4:6) Kevin KUBICA – Rodolfo PEDRA 3:0 (11:6 11:8 11:5) Maël VAN DESSEL – David BESSA 2:3 (11:7 11:4 9:11 10:12 5:6) Gleb SHAMRUK – Jide OGIDIOLU 3:2 (11:7 9:11 11:8 7:11 6:4) Match for 7th position STK “Libertas Marinkolor” – STK Radnički Beočin 2:3 Filip CIPIN – Bojan CREPULJA 2:3 (9:11 9:11 11:7 11:3 4:6) Miho SIMOVIC – Marko PETKOV 3:1 (11:8 6:11 11:4 12:10) Tomislav JAPEC – Jovan JOCKOV 1;3 (15:17 6:11 11:3 5:11) Filip CIPIN – Marko PETKOV 3:0 (11:7 11:8 11:8) Miho SIMOVIC – Bojan CREPULJA 1:3 (8:11 5:11 11:6 11:13)
French Entente Saint Pierraise TT and TT Joué les Tours in fine form in Mirandela
At the Europe Trophy Grand Final Women in Portugal’s Mirandela two French teams topping their respective Groups. Entente Saint Pierraise TT and TT Joué les Tours are at the leading positions after the Group phase. To the semi final also progressed Greek ASEA Sarises Florinas and Croatia’s STK Aquaestil Duga Resa. French club TT Joué les Tours with Audey ZARIF LI He and Nolwenn FORT recorded three straight matches wins over Greek ASEA Sarises Florinas Uniao Sebastianense F.C. and Norway’s B72. Entente Saint Pierraise TT beat STK Aquaestil Duga Resa and HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod. In the last round they overcame the hosts. Stephanie LOEUILLETTE Lucie GAUTHIER Louanne MADELIN and Jeanne ROBBES played in superb shape today. Group A CTM MIRANDELA – HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod 3:0 Ines MATOS – Fagr Adel MOHAMED HAMED SHOMAN 3:2 (11:4 8:11 12:14 11:7 6:3) Matilde PINTO – Aneta SIRUCKOVA 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:7) Rita FINS – Tereza PYTLIKOVA 3:1 (11:7 11:6 11:13 16:14) Entente Saint Pierraise TT – STK Aquaestil Duga Resa 3:0 Stephanie LOEUILLETTE – Leeloo HAN VUKELJA 3:0 (11:6 11:9 11:5) Lucie GAUTHIER – Xue HAN VUKELJA 3:2 (5:11 12:10 11:3 8:11 6:2) Jeanne ROBBES – Sofija SHEREDEHA 3:1 (11:7 8:11 11:7 11:7) Round 2 CTM MIRANDELA – STK Aquaestil Duga Resa 1:3 Ines MATOS – Sofija SHEREDEHA 2:3 (11:8 5:11 11:8 8:11 2:6) Matilde PINTO – Xue HAN VUKELJA 0:3 (7:11 8:11 4:11) Rita FINS – Leeloo HAN VUKELJA 3:1 (11;9 9:11 11:8 11:4) Ines MATOS – Xue HAN VUKELJA 1:3 (5:11 4:11 11:8 8:11) HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod – Entente Saint Pierraise TT 1:3 Aneta SIRUCKOVA – Lucie GAUTHIER 3:2 (6:11 11:6 8:11 11:6 6:5) Fagr Adel MOHAMED HAMED SHOMAN – Stephanie LOEUILLETTE 0:3 (7:11 10:12 11:13) Anna STRANSKA – Louanne MADELIN 1:3 (7:11 11:4 13:15 11;13) Aneta SIRUCKOVA – Stephanie LOEUILLETTE 0:3 (6:11 8:11 6:11) Round 3 Entente Saint Pierraise TT – CTM MIRANDELA 3:0 Stephanie LOEUILLETTE – Matilde PINTO 3:1 (5:11 11:5 11:6 11:7) Lucie GAUTHIER – Ines MATOS (15:13 11:6 11:7) Jeanne ROBBES- Rita FINS 3:0 (11:2 11:4 11:5) HB Ostrov Havlíčkův Brod – STK Aquaestil Duga Resa 1:3 Tereza PYTLIKOVA- Sofija SHEREDEHA 0:3 (10:12 8:11 3:11) Aneta SIRUCKOVA – Xue HAN VUKELJA 0:3 (4:11 9:11 9:11) Fagr Adel MOHAMED HAMED SHOMAN – Leeloo HAN VUKELJA 3:1 (9:11 11:6 11:8 11:4) Ana STRANSKA – Xue HAN VUKELJA 0:3 (3:11 8:11 6:11) Group B ASEA Sarises Florinas – TT Joué les Tours 0:3 Bernadett BALINT – Audey ZARIF 2:3 (11:8 3:11 12:10 6:11 4:6) LIU Judith – LI He 0:3 (9:11 7:11 9:11) Despoina AMPA – Nolwenn FORT 1:3 (4:11 11:13 11:6 5:11) B-72 – Uniao Sebastianense F.C. 0:3 Maria HORGEN – Cecilia AKPAN 1:3 (6:11 6:11 11:8 9:11) Vivian HUYNH- Leila OLIVEIRA 0:3 (8:11 5:11 7:11) – Raquel MARTINS 0:3 Round 2 ASEA Sarises Florinas – Uniao Sebastianense F.C. 3:2 Bernadett BALINT – Leila OLIVEIRA 2:3 (10:12 17:15 12:10 9:11 3:6) LIU Judith – Cecilia AKPAN 3:0 (11:4 11:9 11:6) Despoina AMPA – Raquel MARTINS 0:3 (6:11 8:11 7:11) Bernadett BALINT –Cecilia AKPAN 3:1 (9:11 11:6 11:8 11:7) LIU Judith – Leila OLIVEIRA 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:6) B-72 – TT Joué les Tours 0:3 Vivian HUYNH – Clémence CHEVALLIER 0:3 (6:11 5:11 5:11) Maria HORGEN – Nolwenn FORT 0:3 (5:11 8:11 3:11) – LI He 0:3 Round 3 Uniao Sebastianense F.C – TT Joué les Tours 0:3 Raquel MARTINS – Audrey ZARIF 0:3 (3:11 2:11 8:11) Leila OLIVEIRA – LI He 0:3 (7:11 5:11 4:11) Cecilia AKPAN – Clémence CHEVALLIER 1:3 (11:7 4:11 2:11 8:11) B-72 – ASEA Sarises Florinas 0:3 Maria HORGEN – LIU Judith 0:3 (4:11 5:11 6:11) Vivian HUYNH – Bernadett BALINT 0:3 (5:11 9:11 5:11) Despoina AMPA
Olympiacos S.F.P. and Logis Auderghem TT unbeaten after two rounds at the OLP-COSCO Europe Trophy Grand Final
At the opening day of the play at the OLP-COSCO Europe Trophy Grand Final in Piraeus host of the tournament Olympiacos S.F.P. and Belgium’s Logis Auderghem TT topping their respective groups. In the semi final on Sunday Olympiacos S.F.P. will play against UTTC Stockerau and Logis Auderghem will meet KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow. As it was expected top favorites for the Trophy Olympiacos S.F.P. was unbeaten but they faced problem at the begining since Liam PITCHFORD who arrived yesterday from Singapore suffered from stomach problems. In the opening round against Luxembourg’s DT Hueschtert-Folscht he lost to Mats SANDELL. However Anastasios RINIOTIS was ready to accept the challenge. He seized the opportunity; he beat Gleb SHAMRUK and one round later Robert FLORAS from Poland’s KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow. In the match against TK Libertas Marinkolor RINIOTIS recovered from 1:2 to win the match against Tomislav JAPEC. He was 3:5 down in decisive game. “My heart is here. I know I am 40 years old but I still love to be in position to improve my game. I am happy that I got the opportunity to play in front of our fans. It was not planned for me to play and of course I am sorry Liam is not feeling good but at the end it is all right ” said Anastasios RINIOTIS. Andrej GACINA and Tomislav PUCAR won all their matches today. “Everything is going according to the plans concerning results. Unfortunately Liаm is not feeling well but I hope he will join us for next matches ” said GACINA. In Group B Logis Auderghem TT overcame STK Radnički Beočin without due alarm before they secured close five matches victory against Austria’s UTTC Stockerau. David COMELIAU exceeded his rankings and overcame Alexander CHEN and David SERDAROGLU. “David was the key to our victory and secured the victories against much better ranked players ” said Ludovic BIERNY who won the decisive match in the duel against Austrians.”I got nothing to lose at the end. I just played relaxed against CHEN. We came here without our first players and we take this in consideration it is a little upset what we did but the last match in the Group is important. If we win it will justified this success.” In the third Round Logis Auderghem TT overcame Portugal’s ADC PONTA DO PARGO. Group A STK Libertas Marinkolor – KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow 1:3 Filip CIPIN – Piotr CYRNEK 3:1 (11:8 11:7 10:12 11:7) Miho SIMOVIC – Robert FLORAS 1:3 (8:11 11:9 10:12 5:11) Tomislav JAPEC – Daniel BAK 2:3 (5:11 5:11 11:8 11:8 3:6) Filip CIPIN – Robert FLORAS 2:3 (11:9 11:7 9:11 8:11 1:6) DT Hueschtert-Folscht – Olympiacos S.F.P. 1:3 Gleb SHAMRUK – Andrej GACINA 0:3 (3:11 5:11 6:11) Mats SANDELL – Liam PITCHFORD 3:1 (14:12 11:6 8:11 11:3) Maël VAN DESSEL – Tomislav PUCAR 1:3 (4:11 5:11 6:11) Gleb SHAMRUK- Anastasios RINIOTIS 1:3(7:11 11:4 6:11 6:11) Round 2 DT Hueschtert-Folscht – STK Libertas Marinkolor 3:2 Gleb SHAMRUK – Filip CIPIN 3:0 (11:4 11:7 11:3) Mats SANDELL – Miho SIMOVIC 1:3 (11:7 9:11 5:11 7:11) Maël VAN DESSEL – Tomislav JAPEC 3:1 (11:9 9:11 11:4 11:9) Gleb SHAMRUK – Miho SIMOVIC 1:3 (10:12 11:8 4:11 7:11) Mats SANDELL – Filip CIPIN 3:2 (12:10 6:11 11:5 7:11 6:5) KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow – Olympiacos S.F.P. 0:3 Piotr CYRNEK – Tomislav PUCAR 0:3 (5:11 11:13 7:11) Daniel BAK – Andrej GACINA 0:3 (3:11 6:11 6:11) Robert FLORAS – Anastasios RINIOTIS (6:11 11:7 7:11 8:11 4:6) Round 3 STK Libertas Marinkolor – Olympiacos S.F.P. 0:3 Filip CIPIN – Tomislav PUCAR 0:3 (9:11 5:11 5:11) Miho SIMOVIC – Andrej GACINA 0:3 (wo) Tomislav JAPEC – Anastasios RINIOTIS 2:3 (11:8 7:11 5:11 11:9 5:6) DT Hueschtert-Folscht – KS Gobal Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow 2:3 Gleb SHAMRUK – Piotr CYRNEK 0:3 (5:11 6:11 11:13) Mats SANDELL – Robert FLORAS 3:0 (11:8 12:10 11:9) Maël VAN DESSEL – Daniel BAK 3:2 (4:11 12:10 11:8 4:11 6:5) Gleb SHAMRUK – Robert FLORAS 2:3 (11:7 9:11 11:5 7:11 4:6) Mats SANDELL – Piotr CYRNEK (9:11 12:10 11:9 7:11 5:6) Group B Round 1 STK Radnički Beočin – Logis Auderghem TT 0:3 Marko PETKOV – Ludovic BIERNY 1:3 (17:15 4:11 8:11 4:11) Bojan CREPULJA – David COMELIAU 1:3 (9:11 7:11 11:5 7:11) Jovan JOCKOV – Kilomo VITTA 0:3 (7:11 3:11 3:11) UTTC Stockerau – ADC PONTA DO PARGO 3:0 David SERDAROGLU – Jide OGIDIOLU 3:0 (11;1 11:8 11:7) Alexander CHEN – David BESSA 3:0 (11:6 11:9 11:7) Michal BANKOSZ – Joao SEDUVEM 3:1 (11:5 8:11 11:6 11:8) Round 2 UTTC Stockerau – Logis Auderghem TT 2:3 David SERDAROGLU – Ludovic BIERNY 3:1 (7:11 11:9 13:11 11:3) Alexander CHEN – David COMELIAU 0:3 (6:11 8:11 4:11) Michal BANKOSZ – Kilomo VITTA 3:0 (11:3 11:2 11:7) David SERDAROGLU – David COMELIAU 2:3 (7:11 11:7 8:11 11:5 5:6) Alexander CHEN – Ludovic BIERNY 0:3 (6:11 8:11 10:12) STK Radnički Beočin – ADC PONTA DO PARGO 0:3 Marko PETKOV – Joao SEDUVEM 2:3 (4:11 11:7 11:7 7:11 2:6) Bojan CREPULJA David BESSA 1:3 (10:12 11;13 11:8 5:11) Jovan JOCKOV – Jide OGIDIOLU 0:3 (6:11 7:11 7:11) Round 3 UTTC Stockerau – STK Radnički Beočin 3:0 David SERDAROGLU – Bojan CREPULJA 3:0 (11:4 13:11 11:6) Michal BANKOSZ – Jovan JOCKOV 3:0 (11:3 11:4 11:6) Alexander CHEN – Marko PETKOV 3:2 (11:9 10:12 11:3 10:12 6:1) ADC PONTA DO PARGO – Logis Auderghem TT 1:3 David BESSA – Ludovic BIERNY 2:3 (12:14 11:7 7:11 11:3 3:6) Jide OGIDIOLU – David COMELIAU 3:0 (11:9 11:9 11:8) Joao SEDUVEM – Kilomo VITTA 1:3 (12:10 8:11 6:11 5:11) David BESSA – David COMELIAU 1:3 (7:11 11:7 9:11 4:11)
Olympiacos SFP ready for the challenge in the Europe Trophy Grand Final
Olympiacos SFP dominated in the opening stage of the Europe Trophy played in November in Beocin and they are again big favorites for the title at the OLP-COSCO Grand Final scheduled for this weekend. Now Greek club will be the hosts in Piraeus and they will play with even more impressive lineup. England’s Liam PITCHFORD will strengthen the lineup that already includes names of Andrej GACINA and Tomislav PUCAR. At the list is also Anastasios RINIOTIS. In Piraeus will also play Poland’s KS Global Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow Luxembourg’s DT Hueschtert-Folscht and Libertas Marinkolor from Croatia. In Group B are Austria’s PANACEO Stockerau Belgium’s Logis Auderghem TT Portugal’s AD Ponta Do Pargo and Radnicki Beocin. “We were the favorites already in the first tournament without Liam now we hope we will meet the expectations once again since he will join us ” said Tomislav PUCAR. PUCAR stated that he expects that the closest match will be against Croatia’s Libertas Marinkolor. “GACINA and I played against them many times. We know each other very well. However in general it will be tough against all the clubs. Since we are favorites they will all play much more relaxed and it could be dangerous.” On Saturday clubs will play three rounds in group stage. ‘It will be like in junior’s days ” said PUCAR laughing.” We will be in the venue whole day.” Olympiacos is the leading club currently in Greek League and the players were also very busy at the International scene. All three players were on duty at the Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux three weeks ago then at the WTT Star Contender Goa and last week at Singapore Smash.
Matches matches and more matches at the Europe Youth Series Croatia Open in Osijek
We are only five weeks away from the big premiere in Osijek. First ever event at the Europe Youth Series 2023 will be played from Wednesday to Sunday 26th to 30th April 2023 in Croatia. With more and more challenges in these days ETTU stayed true to its efforts to invest in the future of European table tennis. The Europe Youth Series will bring the most needed opportunity for young players to play a lot of matches. The greatest value of the events is the fact that every player regardless of their skill or level is guaranteed at least 7 to 10 matches. Not to mention mixed event that is actual more than ever by being part of Olympic program. The City of Osijek stands behind the inaugural event with great enthusiasm proving once again that this town is deservedly named the City of Sports in Croatia. “We have great support from the City and we hope that all the participants will enjoy their stay and play here. We are aware that this is the inaugural year and that pushes us to work even harder for this project to succeed. We hope we will manage to make this event successful to the point that it will become traditional in Osijek on this date in forthcoming years ” said Tournament director Dragan KNEZEVIC. As a national coach of cadet girls in Croatia KNEZEVIC also looks at this event through the eyes of a person who is involved in the development of youngsters on daily basis. “The greatest benefit of tournaments like this is the opportunity for the Under 13 and Under 15 to play the matches a lot of matches to be precise. In these days a lot of national associations are faced with situations when they invest in players’ participation at the tournament and in return youngsters are getting only the opportunity to play match or two before they are out. Here even weakest player will play minimum seven to ten matches. Better players will have a chance through singles doubles and mixed teams to play up to 30 matches in 5 days ” said KNEZEVIC. Mixed team proved to be top hit in Podgorica last year. “It is so interesting for the kids. They are very motivated to play those matches.” Speaking of experience Osijek will be the host of Memorial “Matija Gregic” for the 24th time this year with 400 players from all over the region. In addition City organized the European Championships matches between Croatia and Serbia in Women’s Teams Event and between Croatia and Poland in Men’s Teams. The City also has vast experience in organizing volleyball handball and basketball matches. Club Vodovod Osijek who is behind this organization is active on various tracks. They currently host six players and their family members from Ukraine. “Last year I offered help to Ukrainian association and since then we had eight players from age 13 to 17 living and playing here. Right now we host three girls and three boys with their family members. We are very happy we could help ” said KNEZEVIC. Final Entries day is Monday 27th March 2023; More information find here
The Eurotalent Development Camp U13 in Izvorani
The Eurotalent Development Camp U13 is currently underway in Romania. From March 12nd to 19th Izvorani gathers the players that have been selected to be part of the Eurotalents 2023 Program. Beside the trainings in the Romanian Olympic Centre the players and the coaches also take part of the education program. The organizers are Romania Table Tennis Federation in cooperation with ETTU. Yesterday Director of Human Performance Laboratory at the Romanian Olympic Committee Valeriu TOMESCU had presentation subject of: Evaluation and monitoring in sport. Selected boys are: Onur GULUZADE (Azerbaijan) Matt CLOSSET (Belgium) Victor DIMITROV (Bulgaria) Filip RACAK (Czechia) Roger QUESADA (Spain) Kacper PIWOWAR (England) Noah TESSIER and Nolan JOHNSTON (France) Francesco TREVISAN (Italy) Ocal GORKEM (Turkiye) David TORO Alexandru IONEL and Mirchea CHIRITA (Romania) Volodymyr NEVIZHYN (Ukraine) and Sheridan PEADAR (Ireland). Girls: Yaghmur MAMMADLI (Azerbaijan) Renata SHYPSA and Jiaqi GUO (Spain) Lisa ZHAO (France) Patricia STOICA Diana SUVEI Cristina DUMITRU (Romania) Tetiana PUKALO (Ukraine). head coach is Anamaria SEBE assistant coach is Andreea ZANFIR Andrei NEF is on charge for physical training and ETTU Consultant-External Coach is Zvonimir KORENIC.
Milosz REDZIMSKI and Camille LUTZ topping the list in Sarajevo
ETTU announced the seeding list for the European Under 21 Championships to be played from 5th to 9th April in Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina. The lists are done according to March European Under 21 rankings. The leading names in their respective Men’s and Women’s Singles Events are Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland and Camille LUTZ of France. Top eight players will not play in the opening round on Wednesday. Among them in Men’s event there are three players from Poland. Beside REDZIMSKI on position no. two is listed Samuel KULCZYCKI and on position no. 6 Maciej KUBIK. Adrien RASSENFOSSE of Belgium in no. three seed followed by Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary and Eduard IONESCU of Romania. Kay STUMPER of Germany is no. 7 seed and Iulian CHIRITA of Romania no. 8. In Cluj last year Samuel KULCZYCKI won the title in singles after he beat Vladislav URSU of Moldova in the final. Csaba ANDRAS also won gold but he clinched the title in Doubles partnering Ivor BAN of Croatia. Adrien RASSENFOSSE also has the gold in his record list. He clinched gold in Doubles in Spa 2021. In women’s singles below LUTZ are: Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia Ozge YILMAZ of Turkiye Charlotte LUTZ of France Elena ZAHARIA of Romania Nicole ARLIA of Italy Ines MATOS of Portugal and Mia GRIESEL of Germany. Elena ZAHARIA is the reigning champion in singles. Ozge YILMAZ won the title in Doubles last year in Cluj and in 2021 in Belgium’s Spa. The full list of 56 players in each event you can see here.
