At 58 years of age, Johanna Grech continues to live table tennis with the same intensity that first drew her to the sport decades ago. Today, she serves as Deputy President of the ETTU Gender Equality Committee, where her work focuses on advocacy, inclusion and creating fair opportunities for women across European table tennis. Coming from Malta, one of Europe’s smallest table tennis nations, Grech believes that limitations are often more internal than external. “The greatest obstacle is often ourselves,” she says. “Participating in different roles – as a player, an official or a coach, comes down to mindset and determination.” That mindset was shaped early. Her journey began in a family garage, a modest setting that ignited a lifelong passion. From there, she progressed to the National League and earned the honour of representing Malta on some of the sport’s biggest stages: World Championships, European Championships, the Games of the Small States of Europe and the European Mixed League. Her international path also took her to Italy, where she competed for three seasons. Between 1983 and 2007, Grech was a constant presence in international competition, a period she describes as formative not only for her sporting career, but for life itself. Over more than two decades, she held the title of national champion, while also securing podium finishes for Malta at the Small States Games and in the European Mixed League. Some of her most meaningful experiences came at World and European Championships, where competing against larger nations brought both challenges and lessons. “Some of my proudest moments came while competing at the World and European Championships. Representing Malta, I celebrated both victories and the unique challenges of being from a country with limited resources and fewer opportunities for international exposure. Facing larger European nations taught me resilience, and my determination helped me leave a meaningful mark for Malta in the sport, but this was not enough, I knew that as a player I reached my MAX. I searched for more opportunities within the sport.” That realization opened new paths. GRECH transitioned into administrative and governance roles, serving on Malta’s National Council, being elected to an ITTF Committee, and later becoming a full member of the Technical Committee from 2005 to 2007. These roles allowed her to influence the sport’s development while upholding principles of fairness and equality. Her commitment deepened when she became Secretary General of her National Council, focusing on strengthening the domestic table tennis community. Election to the National Olympic Committee of Malta followed, further expanding her ability to support sport at a national and international level. Today, GRECH remains active both on and off the court. As a coach at a local Table Tennis Centre, she works closely with young players, passing on not only technical knowledge, but values shaped through decades in sport. At the same time, her role within the ETTU Gender Equality Committee allows her to advocate for inclusion and visibility across Europe. “My role as Deputy President of the Gender Equality Committee of the ETTU allows me to champion inclusion, fair play, and create opportunities for women from every corner of Europe who wish to join one of the world’s oldest sports. Through these positions, I strive to make table tennis more accessible and welcoming, supporting anyone who dreams of participating, regardless of their background or previous experience. Table tennis helped me grow as a person. The discipline, teamwork and perseverance I learned through the sport still guide me in everything I do.” GRECH continued: “Table Tennis is a sport that helped me grow as a person, strive for my dreams, and achieve results both on the table and beyond. Throughout my journey, the values learned through intense training, competition, and teamwork have profoundly shaped my character and outlook. The discipline and perseverance fostered by the sport have not only brought success in matches but also instilled life skills that continue to guide me in every aspect of my personal and professional life as a director in the National Olympic Committee and as deputy President of the Gender Equality Committee of the European Table Tennis Union.” Her message to future generations, especially to women coming from smaller countries, is clear and unwavering: “Size does not define your future.” Are Things Better for Men? Alongside stories like GRECH’S, the Gender Equality Committee continues to gather data to better understand the reality for female players. A short survey conducted during the European Championships in Zadar collected around a dozen responses from players, a small sample, but one that still offers insight. One recurring theme concerned competition schedules, with women often playing early in the day while men’s finals conclude events. At national level, respondents felt that male players are still, in many cases, slightly better supported than female players. Encouragingly, perceptions were more positive when it came to ETTU competitions, suggesting progress at the European level. While the results are indicative rather than definitive, the Committee sees this as a starting point. As Johanna Grech’s journey illustrates, meaningful change often begins small – but with persistence, it grows.
How is women’s table tennis developing in Europe?
As part of ETTU’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and development, an analysis of gender-related data submitted by 41 of ETTU’s 58 registered Member Associations in 2025 provides insight into participation trends across European table tennis. The findings highlight encouraging progress in some areas, while also pointing to where further efforts can make a difference. The Gender Equality Committee collected information relating to participation by gender across playing, officiating, coaching, governance and administrative roles. The aim was to better understand membership structures and identify opportunities to support greater gender balance across European Table Tennis. Where we stand today Across the Member Associations that responded, women currently represent around 20% of registered players. When participation is analysed on a per-association basis giving equal weight to each Member Association the figure rises slightly to just over 21%. This confirms that while female participation is present across Europe, it remains uneven and continues to be an important area for development. It should be noted that all responding Member Associations allow members to self-identify their gender at registration, and none apply verification checks. Positive signs at youth level One of the most encouraging findings appears in youth categories. Among U19 players, female participation reaches almost 28% on average per Member Association, suggesting that more girls are entering the sport than in previous generations. This points to the positive impact of grassroots initiatives and youth programmes, even though further efforts are still needed to move closer to balanced participation. Retaining women in the sport remains a challenge While youth participation shows promise, female representation decreases in older age categories. Among veteran players, women account for around 17% on average per association. This highlights the importance of not only attracting girls to table tennis, but also creating environments and pathways that support long-term engagement and continued participation throughout adulthood. Beyond playing: pathways into roles and leadership Female representation is lower in roles such as coaching, officiating and governance. Based on the data provided, women represent approximately 24% of coaches on average per association and account for around 23% of board members Some associations report higher percentages of female coaches, including Estonia, Latvia and Guernsey. Others, such as Italy and the Netherlands, stand out in absolute numbers of female coaches despite having overall female player participation close to the European average. This suggests that increased female coaching representation is not solely driven by a larger female playing base and may reflect different development or recruitment approaches. At governance level, the average association board in Europe consists of around 10 members, with approximately three women, although significant variation exists between Member Associations. Female representation is notably higher in administrative and professional roles within Member Associations. On average, women account for around 44% of association staff, suggesting that organisational environments within European table tennis are closer to gender balance than playing, coaching and officiating pathways. Officiating: challenges and opportunities Across the responding associations, nearly 2,200 national umpires are registered, with an average of around 70 per association. Of these, 345 are women, representing a relatively low proportion. Given that officiating is accessible across genders and abilities, this area presents a clear opportunity to further increase female participation. At international level, 496 international umpires are registered, with 87 identifying as female. Latvia and Azerbaijan report higher-than-expected numbers relative to their size, although overall figures remain low. Policy context and awareness At the time of data collection, no ETTU Member Association reported having a formal Transgender and Non-Binary Policy in place. However, all associations expressed interest in the work currently being developed by Table Tennis England, which is undergoing consultation and review. Member Associations were also asked whether completing the survey changed their initial assessment of gender equality within their organisation. Only a small number indicated a change, suggesting that awareness alone does not automatically translate into reassessment. Looking back: what has changed since 2020? While the data collected in 2025 differs in scope from that gathered in 2020, a comparison of common indicators ,including players, coaches, employees, board members and umpires, offers useful context. Across these comparable categories, female representation has remained broadly stable over the past five years, with no major structural shift at the European level. Different realities across Europe The data highlights significant differences between Member Associations. Some report relatively balanced participation and strong female representation across roles, while others face greater challenges due to size, history or structural factors. Looking beyond total numbers helps identify positive examples and opportunities for shared learning across Europe. Moving forward together Overall, the 2025 data provides a valuable snapshot of gender participation in European table tennis today. It confirms that progress is being made in certain areas, while also reinforcing the need for continued focus on retention, visibility and leadership pathways for women and girls in the sport. By continuing to share data, experiences and best practices, ETTU and its Member Associations can work together to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for table tennis across Europe. Sally HUGHES & Galia DVORAK
GEORGIOU Elected President of the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee
The newly elected President of the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee (CNPC) is Andreas GEORGIOU, who also serves as President of the Cyprus Table Tennis Association (CyTTA). The Cyprus Table Tennis Association is a founding member of the CNPC and has played a leading role in the promotion and development of Paralympic sport and the Paralympic movement in Cyprus. Throughout his mandate within CyTTA, GEORGIOU has been a strong supporter of Para table tennis, enabling Cypriot athletes to participate in international Paralympic competitions organised under the auspices of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). In addition to his extensive experience in sport and his achievements within table tennis, GEORGIOU has served in several international roles, including as a member of the ITTF Nominations Committee, a member of the ETTU Youth Committee, and as Europe’s representative on the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation. His long-standing involvement with the CNPC includes serving as a Board Member from 2014 to 2016, General Secretary from 2016 to 2020, and subsequently as General Secretary of the Cyprus Olympic Committee (COC) from 2020 to 2024. The Cypriot table tennis community has welcomed the election with pride, recognising it as an important acknowledgment of the sport’s contribution to the development of Paralympic sport in the country. Following his election, GEORGIOU expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for their trust and support, while also acknowledging those who supported other candidates. He called on the entire sporting community to support the new CNPC Executive Board in its mission to further strengthen Paralympism in Cyprus and to continue supporting CNPC athletes who proudly represent the country on the international stage. GEORGIOU also extended his thanks to the ETTU and ITTF for their continued trust and support.
The draw for the ETTU Europe Cup
Following a weekend filled with fierce battles across the European club scene, the draw for the ETTU Europe Cup was conducted today. The draw took place in Luxembourg.
End-of-Year Message from the ETTU President
Dear Table Tennis Friends, As we come to the end of 2025, I would like to reflect on a year that has laid strong foundations for the future of European table tennis, while also looking ahead with confidence to 2026 and beyond. Throughout 2025, our focus has been on preparing meaningful progress — not only celebrating results but building structures that will strengthen our sport in the long term. After the previous successful changes in the Men Champions League, one of the most visible examples is the introduction of the ETTU Women’s Champions League Final 4, which will debut in the 2025/2026 season. This new format represents an important step forward for women’s club table tennis in Europe, offering greater visibility, stronger storytelling, and a dedicated stage for the very best clubs. At the same time, we have worked on modernising our flagship competitions. Preparations for a new Women’s Champions League match format, to be introduced from the 2026–27 season, aim to make our events more dynamic, more attractive for fans and broadcasters, and better integrated into the international calendar. Our commitment to development remains at the heart of ETTU’s mission. In 2025, the Europe Youth Series continued its impressive growth, confirming Europe’s depth of young talent. New initiatives, including a top-talent exchange programme (EuroSpins) for young players and the launch of a structured ETTU Coaching Education System, underline our belief that investment in people is the most sustainable investment we can make. Governance and responsibility have also been key priorities. The adoption of new sustainability guidelines for ETTU competitions reflects our responsibility towards the future of our sport and our environment. Increased financial support for Member Associations further demonstrates our commitment to solidarity and shared growth. Beyond sport, 2025 was an important year for the global table tennis family. The ITTF elections marked a significant moment of renewal for sport, and I am pleased that they resulted in the re-election of IOC member Petra SÖRLING as ITF President and in a renewed ITTF Executive Board. ETTU values its close and productive cooperation with ITTF, particularly in areas such as calendar coordination, development program, and the long-term growth of our sport worldwide. Strong collaboration between continental and international federations is essential, and we remain fully committed to this partnership. We also made significant progress in digital engagement, marketing, and media visibility, reaching wider audiences through social platforms, broadcast coverage, and innovative fan-focused initiatives. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that European table tennis continues to grow, attract new followers, and create value for our Member Associations and partners. “As 2025 comes to a close, I am proud of the strong foundations we have built together for European table tennis.Thank you to all Member Associations, athletes, coaches, officials, partners and volunteers for your trust and dedication. Together, we continue to shape a strong future for European table tennis. Happy holidays to the entire table tennis family.” Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, our direction is clear: to continue modernising our competitions, strengthening development pathways, supporting our members, embracing sustainability and innovation, and working in close cooperation with ITTF for the benefit of the entire table tennis community. None of this would be possible without the dedication and trust of our Member Associations, athletes, coaches, officials, partners, volunteers, and, of course, my ETTU Executive Board colleagues and the ETTU staff. I sincerely thank you all for your commitment and support. I look forward to continuing this journey together and to building an even stronger future for European table tennis. Please accept my SEASON GREETINGS! ETTU President Pedro MOURA
Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier and GV Hennebont TT Secure Convincing Victories, Suchedniów Prevail in Golden Match (VIDEO)
Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier produced a commanding home performance, sweeping aside SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt 3–0 without conceding a single game. Félix LEBRUN set the tone in emphatic fashion, overpowering Patrick SKERBINZ in straight games to give the French side an ideal start. His brother Alexis LEBRUN then underlined the hosts’ superiority, delivering a composed 3–0 victory over Andrei ISTRATE, controlling the key moments throughout the match. Manav THAKAR sealed the tie in style, maintaining the momentum and closing the encounter with another straight-games win against Peter HRIBAR, completing a flawless evening for Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier. “It was a very good win today. It’s not always easy to close a match like this, but the players did extremely well,” said head coach Vincent AVRIL. “I am proud of the team — they stayed focused and serious from start to finish. Our main goal was to remain concentrated in all three matches, and the team delivered.” With the job done, Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Poland’s KS DekORGLASS Działdowo. Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier (FRA) – SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt (AUT) 3 – 0 Opening leg SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt – Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier 1–3 GV Hennebont TT Cruise Past Grünwettersbach to Secure 3–0 Home Win GV Hennebont TT produced a solid performance on home soil, sweeping aside ASC Grünwettersbach 3–0 to seal the tie without conceding a match. Vladimir SIDORENKO set the tone in the opening singles, overcoming Tobias HIPPLER in four games. After dropping the first game, SIDORENKO raised his level at the crucial moments, including a tense fourth game, to hand the French side an early advantage. Rubio WEN then doubled the lead with another four-game victory, this time against Hiroto SHINOZUKA. WEN dictated the pace with aggressive play and showed composure after losing the third game, closing out the match convincingly in the fourth. Simon GAUZY confirmed the win in style, producing a confident straight-games success over Tiago APOLONIA. GAUZY stayed solid in the key points of the opening two games before dominating the third to complete a clean sweep for GV Hennebont TT. “It was a good match and I’m happy with this kind of win. At home we are very strong, we haven’t lost here in 15 matches in a row. Wen Ruibo is in good shape, Simon as well, everything looks good,” said SIDORENKO. In the quarter-finals, the French side will face top seeds and reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT. GV Hennebont TT (FRA) – ASC Grünwettersbach (GER) 3–0 Opening leg ASC Grünwettersbach – GV Hennebont TT 1–3 Suchedniów Prevail in Golden Match to Book Quarter-final Clash with Bogoria The final duel of the Round of 16 between KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów and TTC Sokah Hoboken was decided by a dramatic Golden Match. After the Belgian side secured a 3–0 home victory in the first leg, the Polish club responded with a 3–1 win on home soil, forcing the decisive extra tie. The clash between last season’s Final Four participants and a team that had to progress through Stage 1 ultimately ended in favour of Suchedniów, who held their nerve when it mattered most. In the second leg, Deni KOZUL once again proved decisive. He gave the hosts a perfect start with a straight-games win over Olav KOSOLOSKY, before Kazuhiro YOSHIMURA doubled the lead by edging past Remi BETELU in a tense five-game encounter. TTC Sokah Hoboken kept their hopes alive thanks to a convincing straight-games victory by Gabrielius CAMARA against Mateusz ZALEWSKI, but KOZUL returned to the table in the fourth singles and sealed the 3–1 win for the Polish side with a composed performance against BETELU. The Golden Match pushed Suchedniów to the limit, as the tie went the full three games before the hosts finally secured their place in the quarter-finals. “It was a really hard match and we gave everything we had. We knew it would be tough, but we kept fighting until the very end. We couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of our fans – I really want to thank them. Their support was incredible. It was a huge effort from the whole team. Now we face a team we know very well. It will be another very difficult match, but we will give everything to try to reach the Final Four,” said KOZUL. In the next round, KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów will face fellow Polish club KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki.Golden match KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów (POL) – TTC Sokah Hoboken (BEL) 2-1 KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów (POL) – TTC Sokah Hoboken (BEL) 3–1 Opening leg TTC Sokah Hoboken – KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów 3–0
Lowest-Seeded Team Defy Odds, Hosts Lille Metropole TT and Top Seeds Advance to Knockout Stage
Despite entering the competition as the lowest-seeded team (No. 29), Energa Manekin Toruń secured a place in the Round of 16 of the ETTU Europe Cup, joining Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61, hosts Lille Metropole TT, UTTC Paneceo Stockerau, Enoli Borges Vall, STK Vyhne, AS Pontoise Cergy TT and ASD Marcozzi Cagliari among the clubs progressing from Stage 2. The group winners and runners-up advanced to the knockout phase, where they will face teams dropping down from the ETTU Champions League Round of 16. Group A: Energa Manekin Toruń Remain Perfect In Group A, Energa Manekin Toruń preserved their unbeaten record, finishing top of the group with three wins from three matches. The Polish side, composed of Tomasz KOTOWSKI, Taimu ARINOMU, Konrad KULPA and Dimitrije LEVAJAC, confirmed first place with victories over Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61, SPG Felbemayr Wels and Alicante TM. Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 secured second position with two wins, including a decisive final-round victory over SPG Felbemayr Wels. The Danish squad featured Jens LUNDQVIST, , Tobias RASMUSSEN and Anders ERIKSSON. SPG Felbemayr Wels finished third with one win, while Alicante TM ended the group stage without a victory. Group B: Lille Metropole TT Dominate on Home Soil In Group B, hosts Lille Metropole TT delivered a flawless performance, winning all three of their matches to top the standings. The French club showed consistency with a roster including Tom CLOSSET, Romain BRARD, Amir Hossein HODAEI and Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA. Second place was claimed by UTTC Paneceo Stockerau, who finished with two wins and one defeat. After an opening loss, the Austrian side responded strongly to secure progression, led by Tarek AL-SAMHOURY, David SERDAROGLU and Mykhailo LOVHA. ASD TT Santa Tecla Nulvi concluded the group in third place, while CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc finished fourth without registering a win. Group C: Enoli Borges Vall Complete Perfect Campaign In Group C, Enoli Borges Vall completed a perfect group stage with three victories from three matches. The Spanish side, composed of Marc DURAN, Joan MASIP, Francesc CARRERA, confirmed first place with wins over TTC Ostrava 2016, STK Vyhne and KS Olesno. STK Vyhne finished second with two wins and one defeat. The Slovak club featured Adam KLAJBER, Filip SZYMANSKI and Boguslaw KOSZYK, including a crucial final-round victory over TTC Ostrava 2016. TTC Ostrava 2016 placed third, while KS Olesno ended the group stage in fourth position. Group D: Pontoise and Marcozzi Advance In Group D, AS Pontoise Cergy TT and ASD Marcozzi Cagliari advanced as the top two teams. Top seeds AS Pontoise Cergy TT lived up to expectations, finishing first with a perfect record. Their squad, featuring Thomas LAROCHE, Flavio MOURIER, Alexandre CASSIN, Rafael CABRERA, showed consistency across all three rounds, including a decisive 3–1 win over Marcozzi and a closing victory against STK Starr Croatia. ASD Marcozzi Cagliari claimed second place despite one defeat, bouncing back with wins over STK Starr Croatia and a dominant 3–0 victory against SPG Linz in the final round. The Italian side relied on Carlo ROSSI, Federico VALLINO and Jeet CHANDRA. Behind them, SPG Linz finished third, while STK Starr Croatia concluded the group stage without a win.
Son Cladera, Hodonín, Fenerbahce and Dr CASL Book Europe Cup Women Quarterfinal Places
Following a busy weekend in Lille, Stage 2 of the ETTU Europe Cup Women has concluded, with four teams advancing to the quarterfinals. In the knockout phase, the winners and runners-up from Groups A and B will face the clubs that finished third in their respective groups in Stage 2 of the ETTU Champions League Women. The draw weill be done on Tuesday. In Group A, Son Cladera TTC – Mallorca finished first, securing top spot in the standings with only one defeat from four matches, their sole loss coming against hosts CP Lyssois Lille Métropole. Group A winners Son Cladera TTC – Mallorca are seeded No. 7 and field a squad including Gaia MONFARDINI, Pei-Ling SU, Ayano UGI, Pauline CHASSELIN, Eugenia SASTRE, Katarzyna WEGRZYN, Francisca SASTRE, Natalia PARTYKA, Ainhoa CRISTOBAL, Clara IZQUIERDO ALONSO, Maria PEREZ MARIN and Debora VIVARELLI. SKST Plus Hodonín with Karin GROFOVA, Tereza LOSTAKOVA, Binyue ZHANG, Ting Yao LIAO, Marketa SEVCIKOVA, Simona HOLUBOVA, Anna KLEMPEREROVA, Adela BRHELOVA and Monika PARIZKOVA claimed second place and the remaining quarterfinal spot. The Czech side also finished with one defeat, but crucially edged Lille in the head-to-head battle, which proved decisive. Despite recording just one loss as well, CP Lyssois Lille Métropole narrowly missed out on qualification due to the tie-break criteria. ASD Tennistavolo Sassari and Budaörsi Sport Club completed the group in fourth and fifth positions respectively. Notably, the Hungarian side, Europe Cup winners in 2024, entered the competition after dropping down from Stage 1 of the ETTU Champions League Women. In Group B, Fenerbahce Sports Club delivered a flawless performance, finishing the stage with four wins from four matches. The No. 14 seeds rely on a line-up featuring Elizabeta SAMARA, Defne KARAOGLU, Sibel ALTINKAYA, Gul Pembe OZKAYA, Selin AKYÜZ, Nil BASARAN and Ece HARAC. Finishing second were STK Dr. Časl Zagreb, who entered the competition from the ETTU Champions League Women. The Croatian side is represented by Xia Lian NI, Tamyolwan KHETKHUAN, Mirela DURAK, Joo CHEONHUI, Szandra PERGEL, Ganna HAPONOVA, Jiaqi LIU and Katerina TOMANOVSKA. Bebetto AZS UJD Częstochowa, TalTech Sport Club and CTM Mirandela concluded the stage in third, fourth and fifth positions respectively, bringing the Group B campaign to a close.
Top Seeds Deliver as Tarnobrzeg, Etival, Berlin and Metz All Win on Busy Champions League Night
ETTU Champions League Women top seeds KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg recorded their third victory in Group A, once again justifying their status with a dominant 3–0 win over MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada. As was the case in November in Spain, the Polish champions proved too strong, handing the Spanish side a straight-matches defeat. Tarnobrzeg sealed the tie through three convincing singles performances. HE Zhuojia set the tone with a composed and controlled display against Natalya PROSVIRNINA, before Xiaoxin YANG and Ying HAN confirmed the hosts’ clear superiority, neither dropping a single game. With a clean sweep and authoritative performances across the board, the Polish club underlined their ambitions in the competition. “We won this easily, because we have a very good team. I hope we will continue this way,” said Ying HAN after the match. In January, KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg will travel to France to face Saint-Quentin TT, after already beating the French side 3–0 at home. The two teams will meet on the 13th, while three days later MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada will conclude their Group A campaign against the French club. KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg (POL) – MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada (ESP) 3–0 Etival seal home win against Novi Sad to stay on course In Group D, Etival ASRTT claimed a 3–0 home victory over TTC Novi Sad, though the scoreline did not fully reflect the competitiveness of the matches. The French side was tested in all three singles encounters before eventually completing a clean sweep. Liu YANGZI gave Etival an early advantage with a solid 3–1 win over Valeria SHCHERBATYKH, before Christina KALLBERG doubled the lead following another four-game battle against Valeria KOTCYUR. The closest contest came in the third singles, where SHAO Jieni needed five games to overcome Aneta MAKSUTI, sealing the tie after a tense decider. Despite a brave effort, TTC Novi Sad remain without a victory after three matches in Stage 2. Etival ASRTT, meanwhile, have recorded two wins, both against the Serbian side and one defeat, suffered against UCAM Cartagena. The Spanish club is unbeaten with two victories so far. In the final round, UCAM Cartagena will host Etival ASRTT on January 13, before travelling to Novi Sad on January 17. Etival ASRTT (FRA) – TTC Novi Sad (SRB) 3–0 ttc berlin eastside edge thriller against Saint-Denis in five-match battle Reigning champions ttc berlin eastside secured a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Saint-Denis TT 93 after an intense encounter decided only in the fifth match. Both teams traded blows throughout the tie, producing several close, high-quality duels in a contest that lasted more than three and a half hours. Nina MITTELHAM gave the German side an early lead with a win over Hana ARAPOVIC, before LIU Weishan extended the advantage by edging past Siqi FAN in four closely contested games. Saint-Denis responded strongly as Prithika PAVADE overcame Xiaona SHAN, before FAN completed the comeback by defeating MITTELHAM in a dramatic five-game battle. With the tie level at 2–2, the responsibility fell to LIU Weishan, who delivered under pressure, beating ARAPOVIC in four games to seal the victory for the Berlin club. The win marked a third victory for TTC Berlin eastside, while Saint-Denis remain in second position in Group C with one win and two defeats. Linz AG Froschberg are still searching for their first victory after two matches. In the next round, Linz AG Froschberg will host TTC Berlin eastside on January 13, while Saint-Denis TT 93 will face the Austrian side at home on January 18. ttc berlin eastside (GER) – Saint-Denis TT 93 (FRA) 3–2 Metz Rely on GODA Brilliance to Overcome Rzeszow Metz TT secured a 3–1 home victory over PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszow, with Hana GODA once again playing a decisive role in the French side’s success. The 18-year-old Egyptian star gave Metz a strong start, edging past LI Fen in a tight opening game before cruising to a straight-sets victory. The Polish side responded through Zuzanna WIELGOS, who levelled the tie by defeating Mariia TAILAKOVA in four games. The pivotal moment came in the third singles, where Charlotte LUTZ staged an impressive turnaround against Ilona SZTWIERTNIA. After dropping two close games, the French player responded emphatically—highlighted by a flawless fourth game—to secure a crucial five-game victory. With Metz leading 2–1, Hana GODA returned to the table and confirmed the win in style, defeating WIELGOS in straight games to seal the tie. Metz TT currently sit at the top of Group B with a perfect record of three victories. They will conclude the group stage with an away match in Italy on January 14. ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari are currently second with one win and one defeat, while PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszow have suffered three defeats and will play their final group match at home against the Italian side on January 18. Metz TT (FRA) – PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszow (POL) 3–1
Saarbrücken Cruise, Mühlhausen Edge Thriller for a Place in the Quarterfinals (VIDEO)
Reigning champions and winners of the last three titles, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT secured their place in the quarterfinals of the ETTU Champions League Men. After a narrow victory in the opening leg, the German side struck in full force at home, overcoming Poland’s Dojlidy Białystok in the second leg. Olympic and World Champion FAN Zhendong gave 1. FC Saarbrücken TT a perfect start, dominating the encounter from the opening point. The Chinese star controlled the rallies with power and precision, allowing Piotr CHODORSKI very few opportunities to enter the match. “Today was my first time playing in the Champions League, so I was naturally quite excited and really looking forward to it. Now I’m simply happy that we’ve reached the next round together as a team, and I’m looking forward to some exciting quarterfinal matches,” said FAN. Darko JORGIC further strengthened Saarbrücken’s lead with a solid and controlled performance against Patryk CHOJNOWSKI. The Slovenian dictated the tempo throughout the match to secure another clear 3–0 victory for the German side. “We knew it could be very difficult. We won the opening leg by a very small margin, so we had to stay alert and focused from the very beginning. FAN opened the tie in a very good way. It was his first match in the Champions League, and he didn’t allow CHODORSKI to breathe. I’m happy that I was able to avenge my defeat against Patryk CHOJNOWSKI from the opening leg. I was in the match from the first point. I knew exactly what to play — his weak points and the best angles. It was a great match. In the end, it was not an easy task for Patrick. We know the Japanese player very well; five years ago he was part of our second team. Still, he finished the match quickly. Now, whoever comes in the quarterfinals, we are not afraid. Our ambitions are always the same,” said Darko JORGIC. In the final match of the tie, Patrick FRANZISKA faced stronger resistance from Kakeru SONE, but remained composed in the decisive moments to close the contest in straight games. “We are very happy to go through here at our home venue, where we have so many good memories,” said FRANZISKA. “The first match was very close and ended 3–2, so we were warned. However, today we showed our ambitions. We are very happy and delighted with this victory.” In the quarterfinals, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT will meet the winner of the duel between ASC Grünwettersbach and GV Hennebont TT. 1. FC Saarbrücken TT (GER) – Dojlidy Białystok (POL) 3–0 Dojlidy Białystok – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT 2–3 Mühlhausen Clinch Quarterfinals with Gritty Away Victory Germany’s Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. progressed to the quarterfinals after a thrilling and closely contested encounter against Czechia’s HB Ostrov z.s. Despite a brave effort from Vladislav URSU, who recorded two impressive victories against Ovidiu IONESCU and Marcos FREITAS, the German side emerged victorious in the Round of 16. URSU opened the tie with a hard-fought five-game victory over IONESCU. After a tight exchange in the opening games, the Moldovan international showed great composure in the deciding set, taking early control and securing an important opening point for HB Ostrov z.s. Marcos FREITAS quickly brought Post SV Mühlhausen back level with a dominant performance against Pavel SIRUCEK. The Portuguese international dictated the rallies leaving his adversary with few chances to challenge. Steffen MENGEL then gave the German side the lead after a composed straight-games victory over Jiri VRABLIK. Although the Czech player stayed close in the second game, MENGEL remained solid in the decisive moments to secure the win. URSU once again delivered for the hosts, defeating FREITAS in straight games. Playing with confidence and authority, he dictated the pace throughout the match to level the tie at 2–2 and force a decisive encounter. In the final match, Ovidiu IONESCU demonstrated his class and experience to clinch the tie for Post SV Mühlhausen. After dropping the third game, the Romanian regrouped quickly and closed the match in four games, sealing a 3–2 away victory for the German club. “We knew it was going to be a tough match. Nothing was decided after the 3–1 victory at home, so we stayed focused and gave our best today. We are very happy to have managed to qualify for the quarterfinals. My first match against SIRUCEK was very good. I played tactically very well, and that’s why I won in straight games. In the second match we were already qualified, and my focus was not at the same level. URSU was definitely better in that match. Still, it was important that Ovidiu came in and won the deciding match to secure the overall victory. Now we are looking forward to the quarterfinals and the clash against Borussia Düsseldorf,” said Marcos FREITAS. In the quarterfinals, Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. will face Borussia Düsseldorf in the battle for a place at the Final Four. HB Ostrov z.s. – Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. 2-3 Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. – HB Ostrov z.s. 3–1
