Austria’s Linz AG Froschberg overcame French Metz TT to secure the valuable points in opening leg of the Champions League Women semifinal. In away match they went full distance. Sofia POLCANOVA led the club to the success with two wins. She beat Mariia TAILAKOVA (11:7 11:5 10:12 8:11 6:4) and Adina DIACONU (11:5 11:5 11:6). “It was very difficult today. Ying was leading 2:0 and then she lost but I told myself that I have to focused on my game. Our opponents are very strong and it is not the end. We have to concentrate for Sunday “said Sofia who recently played well in Amman (Jordan) and made it to the semi-finals of the WTT tournament. Suthasini SAWETTABUT lost her opening duel against DIACONU (11:9 11:7 8:11 5:11 4:6) but beat TALAKOVA in the decisive match (11:4 9:11 11:3 11:8). Pauline CHASSELIN overcame Yulia PROKHOROVA (15:13 11:8 11:7). “It is narrow gap and every point will count in next match but there is no easy matches in Champions League. On this level only small things decide who win “explained POLCANOVA.
TTC Neu-Ulm won the opening leg thriller against Borussia Düsseldorf
TTC Neu-Ulm won the opening leg of the Champions League semifinal against Borussia Düsseldorf. Unlike the German Cup Final Four on January 8 when they won first ever club’s title by beating Borussia Düsseldorf in straight matches this time was much harder. In Pfaffenhofen the clash that gathered five players from the top 15 in the World went full distance. Borussia Düsseldorf won their last Bundesliga duel against TTC Neu-Ulm 3-0 in Pfaffenhofen on November 13. Fourth in the world rankings Tomokazu HARIMOTO arrived in Germany on Sunday evening to replace LIN Yun-Ju and tonight he gave his team dream start with the victory over World’s no. 10 Dang QIU (11:8 7:11 11:1 11;8). In fourth match the 19-year-old Japanese lost to Anton KÄLLBERG who performed superbly tonight (11:7 8:11 8:11 11:8 4:6). “I am very happy for my wins and I am sure that we have a great chance on Sunday after today’s 2:3. We are all looking forward second leg. We will learn from today’s match what we can improve and to we will make sure that we do everything to beat them in next match ” said KALLBERG. World’s number 11 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV who celebrated his 500th victory in an individual competition at the WTT Contender in Amman (Jordan) last week and scored valuable points for the ranking list as a finalist recorded one win tonight. He also lost to Anton KÄLLBERG who is currently ranked at the position no. 19 in the World (5:11 10:12 9:11) but in the decisive match he overcame Dang QIU (11:6 11:13 11:8 11:8). “Anton played amazingly tonight and he gave us two great victories. Unfortunately me and Timo could not deliver another point for the team but our chances are still there in the second leg. I hope it will be better in front of home crowd and that we will come out victorious ” said QIU. World’s no. 6 Truls MÖREGARDH overcame World’s no. 15 Timo BOLL after he recovered from 1:2 in reverse (11:8 7:11 7:11 11:5 6:0). “My match was very tough one. Timo and I had a lot of ups and downs. Also KALLBERG played very good today. He beat two players in Top 10 and now we hope we will break him next time ” said MÖREGARDH.”Now we put Borussia under pressure before the Sunday’s match but we are aware how difficult is going to be. It will be very close but our goal is to move forward and to win the title in Champions League.” Timo BOLL said: “We feel that we missed some chances but overall it was a quite good game for both teams. And most important thing is that we have new chance on our home soil to reach the final. However it is still a long way.”
French GV Hennebont TT in the final
The winners of the Europe Cup in 2019 French GV Hennebont TT secured another final. In the second leg they recorded another victory over AS Pontoise Cergy TT. After they overcame their adversary 3:1 in opening leg tonight they needed one match less. Kristian KARLSSON opened the duel with the victory over Thomas LAROCHE (11:6 11:6 11:6). “We are very happy that we reached the final of the Europe Cup. Today we won quite easy but I think main job we did in Pontoise two days ago. It was very good performance of whole team and now we are already looking forward next match ” said KARLSSON. Like in the previous leg Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS beat Esteban DORR (11:9 11:8 11:8). “Everyone in the club is happy that we came one more step closer to the title. Pontoise did not come with their strongest team in the second semifinal but we are still happy to be in final and we will try our best to win the title ” explained SGOUROPOULOS. In the last match Anders LIND overcame Rafaêl CABRERA (11:6 11:5 11:4).
Third victory for Denmark in Portugal
In Group A2 in the Stage one of the European Championships Denmark beat Portugal in Viana de Castelo after long five matches. It is third victory for Denmark in the Group A2. They suffered only one defeat and it was against Portugal at home. Comparing previous matches both teams were with different line ups. Jonathan GROTH and Anders LIND were missing in Danish side whilst Portugal was without Marcos FREITAS Joao GERALDO and Tiago APOLONIA. Tobias RASMUSSEN was the back-bone of Denmark’s success. He beat Goncalo GOMES (11:7 11:5 9:11 11:2) and Diogo CHEN (11:5 6:11 11:6 11:8). In the decisive fifth match Thor CHRISTENSEN beat Goncalo GOMES (11:13 11:2 11:4 12:10). On Portugal’s side Diogo CHEN overcame CHRISTENSEN (11:6 11:5 12:10) and Diogo SILVA beat Martin ANDERSEN (11:8 11:9 11:7). Portugal has two wins and one defeat and they are yet to play the last match in the Group against Poland.
1.FC Saarbrücken TT beat SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. in fantastic atmosphere
In the opening leg of the Champions Legue Men semifinal 1.FC Saarbrücken TT overcame Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. in four matches. Patrick FRANZISKA secured two points for the guests. He beat Daniel HABESOHN (11:5 11:7 11:9) and in fourth match prevailed against Ovidiu IONESCU (9:11 11:8 12:10 11:3). In the opening match Darko JORGIC also overcame IONESCU after five very close games (11:13 11:6 12:10 8:11 6:4). The only point for the hosts was scored by Steffen MENGEL who beat Cedric NUYTINCK (11:4 9:11 11:6 11:5). “We are delighted to win this away-match because it was very difficult task. The spectators here are amazing; the atmosphere is amazing; really powerful ” pointed Patrick FRANZISKA. Despite the challenge 1.FC Saarbrücken TT was up to the task. “We played very good. I am happy with my win over Ionescu. He had two game balls to make it to 2:1 but at the end it finished in my favor. Now we will have one day to rest and then with full power we will get ready for the Sunday’s return leg ” announced Patrick. JORGIc also underlined the frantic atmosphere in Mühlhausen. “It is always so difficult to play in Mühlhausen. The venue is small but always packed with fans. The team always perform at the top level when they play at home and today was not the exception. They played superb match and it could easily went the other side. Luckily it did not. We managed to keep the match under control and to win ” said JORGIC. By giving the good start to the clubmates JORGIC opened the doors to success. “We all have that on our mind. I wanted to give initial push because it is always easier when you have 1:0 in the pocket. I am very pleased with my performance. Both Ovidiu and I played great table tennis. We went full distance and this match pulled the best of both of us. Again it could go either way. I won 6:4 in the decisive game only by managing to stay calm after I lost two games very close ” said JORGIC. Darko praised FRANZISKA’s game. “ He played outstandingly. He was so focused against HABESOHN and did not give Daniel much chances. Even when he was losing in the third game 3:7 he managed to recover and once again proved as a true leader of the team. He justified his status by showing no weak spots in close duels. In next match it was MENGEL who showed superb performance. NUYTINCK made too many mistakes on first balls so Steffen deservingly won this encounter.” The last match was real jewel. “Ovidiu already proved that he knows how to play against both of us FRANZISKA and me. He played so good tonight but Patrick managed to stay with cold head after IONESCU took the opening game. He stayed focused even when Ovidiu had 1:1 and 10:8 in third game. Now we have to beat Mühlhausen again and no one think it is going to be easy. There will be no calculations we will go for a win ” said JORGIC.
SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club secured opening leg advantage
In Czech Republic Hungarian SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club record win over Moravsky Krumlov in the opening leg semifinal of the Europe Cup Women. Georgina POTA was the key player tonight. Valeriia SHCHERBATYKH gave hosts perfect start with the victory over Adel Helga DARI (11:9 11:7 4:11 11:5). However hopes for hosts did not last long. Georgina POTA overcame Ekaterina CHERNYAVSKAYA in straight games (11:8 11:8 11:5) before Maria FAZEKAS gave SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club further push by beating Lenka HARABASZOVA (11:2 10:12 11:1 11:7). In the closest duel in the match Valeriia SHCHERBATYKH forced POTA to go full distance. Eventually POTA won by sudden death point (10:12 11:4 16:14 8:11 6:5). “It’s great that we won 3-1 because this result gives us a great chance to advance to the final. It would be a great success for our club and we have taken an important first step. But we have to keep our focus and to keep fighting. I am glad I helped with two points. I did not play my best table tennis today but in the second singles I tried to play my best at the end with good receive and the first ball in the game ” explained POTA. TT Moravský Krumlov coach Jindřich BÍLA said: “We could have won the match because I think our player would have been the favorite in the fifth singles match. But Georgina POTA was against it. She won the match after she faced three match points in a row and proved that she is a great player. She played excellent balls and decided the whole match. We have no choice but to fight for a 3-0 or 3-1 win in Hungary and force the golden game.”
GV Hennebont TT one step closer to the final
All – French semifinal clash in the Europe Cup men opening leg ended in favor of GV Hennebont TT. AS Pontoise Cergy TT lost their home match – 1:3. Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS beat Esteban DORR (11:4 13:11 11:6) to give his team dream start. “In my match I played really good and believe in myself. I was very confident in my game and I won. Now we are big step closer to the final and we will give our best to achieve it ” said SGOUROPOULOS. Kristian KARLSSON won two matches. He beat Emmanuel LEBESSON in five close games (9:11 17:15 6:11 11:5 6:4) and DORR (11:3 10:12 11:6 13:11). Tristan FLORE prevailed in the match against Anders LIND (11:2 11:0 11:0).
Champions in winning mode
Reigning champions of the Champions league Women Poland’s KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg beat UCAM Cartagena TM in the opening leg of the semifinal. In Spain hosts failed to produce any advantage and lost in straight matches. YANG Xiaoxin opened the match with the victory over Maria XIAO (11:3 11:5 11:8) YU Fu continued the winning row by beating Silvia ERDELYI (5:11 13:11 11:5 12:10). Elizabeta SAMARA was stretched to full distance but at the end in furious finish she beat Dora MADARASZ (11:9 4:11 11:8 6:11 6:2). The return leg is scheduled for 23rd February.
Tomislav PUCAR: I am happy to play in Montreux
This year Croatia’s Tomislav PUCAR will play at the China Construction Bank Europe Top 16 Cup for a fourth time. In Montreux on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February PUCAR hopes to come close to his best resultat achieved at the same place in 2020 when he was fourth. For the most of the players in Switzerland the last tournament before CCB Europe Top 16 Cup was the WTT Contender Amman. In the opening round of the singles PUCAR lost to the top seeded player Darko JORGIC of Slovenia. “Darko and I knows each other from the childhood. We are very good friends and during all these years we trained together so many times. In addition we played against each other many times and we are very familiar with the each other’s performance . In recent duels he beat me many times but few times I came close. I hope the next clash will end in my favor ” said PUCAR. JORGIC is no. two seed in Montreux. PUCAR continued to praise his game. “It is no coincidence that he is defending the title in Montreux. He is still main favorite for the title this year. “ What about your shape are you ready for Montreux? “I am little bit sick now but I hope I will get well for Montreux. I came home from Jordan and now I will give myself few days for rest and then I will start to build my shape for Switzerland. Top 16 Cup is one of the most important tournaments in the calendar every season and I want to be ready for the challenge.” The challenge is great for sure. The list of players is equally impressive as always. Top seed is Truls MOREGARD followed by JORGIC 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. “As I said already JORGIC is top favorite but it is hard to predict the medal rostrum. I think we will have open tournament until the end with lot of close and thrilling games ” stated PUCAR. Speaking of his best moment at the tournament PUCAR underlined year of 2020. “This is my fourth appearance and so far the best moment was when I reached the semifinals on my premiere at Top 16. This year I wish to stay healthy and to be able to play at my best level. By doing so I am sure that the good result will come. I am very happy that I have a chance to play at such prestige tournament.”
ETTU and DTTB productive meeting in Frankfurt
The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) and the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB) yesterday held a productive meeting at the DTTB headquarters in Frankfurt. The meeting was attended by high-ranking representatives from both organizations who discussed a range of important topics affecting the future of table tennis in Europe. Acting ETTU President Pedro MOURA Secretary General Pierre KASS and Deputy Secretary General Galia DVORAK represented the ETTU at the meeting. On the DTTB side President Claudia HERWEG Secretary General Matthias VATHEUER and Sports Director Richard PRAUSE were in attendance. The representatives discussed the current state of the continental strategy and the challenges that European Member Associations are facing. They also talked about the future of events and Club Competitions in Europe and how both parties can work together to support and promote the sport in Europe. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to meet with our colleagues from the DTTB and discuss the future of Table Tennis in Europe ” said ETTU Acting President Pedro Moura. “It was a productive meeting and I am confident that this was a good step for collaboration to promote the sport in our continent.” DTTB President Claudia Herweg stated:„It was a positive start to discuss the situation of table tennis in Europe for a better future!“
