In Germany, ttc berlin eastside secured a 3-1 victory in the opening leg of the Champions League Women’s final against Metz TT. With two matches going the full distance, it was a night of suspense and momentum swings — but the standout performer was Sabina ŠURJAN, who delivered two crucial wins for the home side. ŠURJAN began in superb style, winning the first two games against Charlotte LUTZ, but the French player fought back to level the score. At the end of the fourth game, trailing 6-10, ŠURJAN showed great composure to close the gap, but LUTZ held firm to push the match into a decider. In the final game, however, the Serbian took full control and dominated from start to finish to seal the win.“Until 2-0, I was very confident, but after I stopped to play, I was very passive. And that’s why it came to 2-2. So, after 2-2, I changed the approach and started to play more aggressive again. I think that was the key. And, of course, because of the atmosphere in the venue,” said ŠURJAN. In the second match, Adina DIACONU notched her ninth Champions League victory this season, overcoming Xiaona SHAN in four games. Before this encounter, DIACONU had suffered only one defeat in the entire campaign — against China’s HE Zhuojia, who also represents the Berlin club. The evening featured another five-game thriller as Mia GRIESEL overcame Mariia TAILAKOVA. The Metz player took the opening game, but GRIESEL responded strongly by taking the next two. TAILAKOVA fought back to level, but GRIESEL stayed composed in the decider to win. In the final match, ŠURJAN returned to the table and outplayed DIACONU in straight games, capping a brilliant night and securing Berlin’s 3-1 lead ahead of the return leg.“Mia played tactically perfectly against TAILAKOVA. She really fought strong. Concerning my match against Adina, everything fell into place,” SURJAN added. This season, the two teams already met twice in the group stage, with ttc berlin eastside emerging victorious on both occasions — 3-1 and 3-0. The second leg is scheduled for 12 June in France. ttc berlin eastside – METZ TT 3-1
Champions League Women’s Final: ttc berlin eastside Host Metz TT in Opening Leg Tonight
Two of Europe’s top clubs go head-to-head tonight as ttc berlin eastside welcomes Metz TT for the first leg of the Champions League Women’s final, with the action streamed live on YouTube. Berlin’s road to the final was dramatic. Trailing 1-3 after the first leg against reigning champions KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL Tarnobrzeg, the German sideand five times champions produced a clean 3-0 win in Poland to force a golden match. With the same line-ups, Xiaona SHAN and Sabina SURJAN delivered in style, winning the first two matches to eliminate Tarnobrzeg and book Berlin’s spot in the final. Backed by experience, Berlin is looking to reclaim the Champions League crown. Fresh off a commanding performance in the second leg of their all-French semifinal, Metz TT, the runners up in 2023, are entering their first Champions League final in top form. After a narrow loss in the opening match against Saint-Quentin TT, the French side responded with a dominant 3-0 win at home. Adina DIACONU continued her remarkable season, defeating Camille LUTZ to secure her eight win in the competition. Charlotte LUTZ showed mental strength to turn the tables on Linda BERGSTRÖM, while Mariia TAILAKOVA added the finishing touch with a victory over Polina MIKHAILOVA.
Draw Sets the Stage for Intense Battles at 2025 European Teams Championships in Zadar
The road to European glory is now clear. The official draw for the Final Stage of the 2025 European Teams Table Tennis Championships was conducted today at the elegant Hotel Hyatt Regency in Zadar, revealing the highly anticipated group stage line-ups that will shape the battle for continental supremacy. The draw, based on the June 2025 ETTU Men’s and Women’s Team Rankings, determined the composition of eight groups in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Each group consists of three teams, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage. In the Men’s Team Event, defending champions Sweden headline the top seeds, joined by 2023 silver medalists Germany, bronze medalists Portugal and France, as well as Denmark, Romania, Croatia, and Belgium. With powerhouses spread across the groups, several early showdowns are expected to test even the most seasoned squads. The Women’s Team Event is equally stacked, led by reigning champions Germany, 2023 silver medalists Romania, and bronze medalists France and Portugal. Completing the top-seeded lineup are Sweden, Poland, Croatia, and Ukraine. The competition promises to be fierce as these teams chase a spot in the Round of 16. The stakes are high. Germany’s women are on the brink of equaling the all-time record of four consecutive European titles, a feat last achieved by the Netherlands from 2008 to 2011. On the men’s side, Sweden will aim to defend their crown and add to their historic legacy, which includes record streaks of six straight titles (1964–1972) and four more from 1984 to 1992. Tickets are now available here for fans eager to witness the action live in Zadar. The official event website is also launched.
SKST Plus Hodonín Overturns Deficit to Reach Europe Cup Final
Czech side SKST Plus Hodonín bounced back from a straight-match defeat in the opening leg of the Europe Cup semifinal in Hungary to secure a spot in the final. Playing on home soil, they responded with a 3-1 victory over Budaörsi Sport Club, forcing a decisive golden match. Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ opened the match with a straight-games win over Helga DARI and later sealed the overall victory by avenging her first-leg loss to Dora MADARÁSZ with a dramatic five-game triumph, decided by a sudden death point. Karin GROFOVÁ also overcame MADARÁSZ, while Maria FAZEKAS earned the only point for the visiting team. Jaroslav MIKESKA, coach of SKST Plus Hodonín, commented: “Our lineup worked out well—that’s exactly how we planned it. But the match itself wasn’t easy. We aimed for a 3-0 win because Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ wasn’t the favorite against Dora MADARÁSZ. However, she played superbly and turned the fifth set around from 3-5 to 6-5, securing the golden match. That final match was heavily influenced by luck. We’re extremely happy—after reaching the Champions League semifinals, we’re now in the final of the Europe Cup. The Champions League may carry more prestige, but our season isn’t over yet. We’ll fight for the title in the final.” SKST Plus Hodonín – Budaörsi Sport Club 3-1 Marketa SEVCIKOVA – Helga DARI 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-3) Karin GROFOVA – Dora MADARASZ 3-1 (11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8) Solomiya BRATEYKO – Maria FAZEKAS 1-3 (8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11) Marketa SEVCIKOVA – Dora MADARASZ 3-2 (11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 6-5) Golden Match SKST Plus Hodonín – Budaörsi Sport Club 2-1 Karin GROFOVA – Helga DARI 11-6 Marketa SEVCIKOVA – Dora MADARASZ 9-11 Solomiya BRATEYKO – Maria FAZEKAS 11-7 Opening leg Budaörsi Sport Club – SKST Plus Hodonín 3-0 Dora MADARASZ – Marketa SEVCIKOVA 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 13-11) Helga DARI – Karin GROFOVA 3-2 (5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 6-4) Maria FAZEKAS – Natalia PARTYKA 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-9)
Undefeated Olympiacos Crowned A1 Men’s Champions Once Again
Olympiacos SFP has claimed its fourth consecutive and 18th overall Greek Men’s Table Tennis Championship title. In the playoffs, which concluded on Wednesday, May 28, at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Olympiacos secured three more victories, finishing the 2024–2025 season undefeated in all 17 matches. They defeated AEK 4-0, Pera Athens 4-0, and their long-standing rival Panathinaikos 4-3. Although they officially clinched the title in the second round of the playoff pool, Olympiacos had essentially secured first place back in late April with another 4-3 win over Panathinaikos, ending the regular season two points ahead. In the playoff group, Olympiacos collected six points, Panathinaikos finished second with five, while AEK came third with four points. In the bronze medal match, AEK overcame Pera Athens 4-2. Olympiacos also celebrated a double triumph, winning both the men’s and women’s national championships for the fourth straight year. During the final playoff stage of the men’s event, the team fielded Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS, Giorgos STAMATOUROS, Tasos RINIOTIS, and Croatian star Tomislav PUCAR. Throughout the regular season, Swedish standout Truls MOREGARD and Ukrainian Jaroslav ZMUNDENKO also contributed to the squad, led by head coach George CHRISTOFORAKIS. Panathinaikos was notably without Panagiotis GIONIS and Spanish international Alvaro ROBLES for the last three matches. The final clash between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos featured exclusively Greek players and once again delivered a thrilling spectacle. For the fifth time in two years, the outcome was decided in doubles, where SGOUROPOULOS/STAMATOUROS prevailed 3-1 over GIORGOS and Konstantinos KONSTANTINOPOULOS. A particularly emotional moment occurred during the playoffs on Tuesday, when all teams observed a minute of silence in memory of Olga GEORGOPOULOU, the beloved athlete and coach of Pera Athens, who sadly passed away on May 6 at the age of 39 after battling cancer. The matches were emotionally charged for the Pera players, marking their first appearance since her passing. Present at the stadium were her parents, Michalis and Anastasia, as well as the club president, Vicky CHRISTOFORIDOU.
OVTCHAROV Undergoes Successful Surgery
After sustaining an injury during the World Championships in Doha, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV underwent a successful minor endoscopic procedure on his cervical spine on Monday. “According to the surgeon, the short procedure went very well. He removed the disc tissue that was pressing on the nerve,” explained the former world number one. “I can now immediately begin the rehabilitation process.” Severe neck pain radiating down to his wrist had affected the six-time Olympic medalist so badly in Qatar that he was unable to compete in the singles event after using the doubles match as a test run. As a result, the 2017 World Cup winner has had to withdraw from both the upcoming German Table Tennis Finals in Erfurt during the long Whitsun weekend, as well as the WTT tournaments in Skopje and Zagreb later in June.
Draw for the European Teams Championships Final Stage to Take Place in Zadar
The stage is set for the official draw of the 2025 European Teams Championships Final Stage, which will be held on Thursday, 5th June 2025, at 12:00 noon, in the prestigious Hotel Hyatt Regency Zadar. The seeding for the draw will be based on the ETTU June 2025 Men’s and Women’s Team Rankings. The draw ceremony will be streamed live on ETTU TV.
ETTU and Saarbrücken Celebrates Successful Final 4 – Dates Confirmed for 2026 Edition
The curtains have just fallen on the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4, but preparations are already underway for the next edition. Saarbrücken will once again host the tournament, with the 2026 event scheduled for 16th and 17th May—marking the city’s third consecutive time as host. As the excitement of the weekend still lingers, ETTU President Pedro MOURA reflected on what was another spectacular show of European club table tennis. “The ETTU Champions League Final Four held in Saarbrücken this past weekend was a resounding success, both in terms of sporting excellence and organizational quality. We witnessed table tennis at its very best—intense matches, passionate crowds, and flawless execution by the local organizers. This success also confirms the good decision taken by the ETTU Executive Board two years ago, when this model was implemented, marking a new benchmark for our premier club competition. From high-caliber matches to enthusiastic fan support and seamless event management, the tournament showcased the strength and professionalism of European table tennis, respecting its traditions and projecting the future … a bright one ! I extend heartfelt thanks to our German hosts and to all teams for their incredible performances. Together, we are lifting European table tennis to new heights.” The driving force behind the organization in Saarbrücken is Nicolas BARROIS, General Manager of 1. FC Saarbrücken TT. “After the premiere edition in 2024, I think we managed to raise the bar once again this year. The number of spectators and the fantastic atmosphere speak volumes. It makes me proud of what we can achieve here in a small Bundesland like Saarland.” “The crowd played a key role in shaping the event’s vibrant energy. Both days saw enthusiastic support not only for the home team but also for international visitors. The Polish clubs—KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki and KS Global Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów—brought great spirit and contributed to the electric atmosphere during Saturday’s semifinals. “In the final, I heard it clearly after Anton KALLBERG won his first singles match—people were cheering for everyone. It was loud, passionate, and very fair. And that’s what it’s all about: supporting each other and celebrating table tennis together. From an organizer’s perspective, I hope we can make it even better next year. There are new opportunities—Montpellier could be in the frame, which might change the draw. If so, we may even outgrow our current venue,” BARROIS added. Over the two days, more than 5,000 fans came through the doors of Saarlandhalle. “On the opening day, we had around 2,500 to 2,600 spectators. For the final, it was already sold out in advance—2,600 tickets—and more came to the box office, so we estimate around 2,800. Altogether, we’re well above 5,000. That’s a great sign of the event’s growing popularity. It’s been a lot of work, a lot of preparation, with many changes and improvements. We made more space for fans, we had four great teams, and a truly amazing atmosphere. Bogoria gave Düsseldorf a great fight in the semis, and Suchedniów pushed us hard. Now I’m just excited to see how we can grow the event even further in 2026.”
Saarbrücken Stuns Table Tennis World: Olympic Champion FAN Zhendong Joins 1. FC Saarbrücken TT
During the HYLO Champions League Final 4, sensational news spread like wildfire through the Saarlandhalle Saarbrücken—and soon after, headlines echoed across the globe: 1. FC Saarbrücken TT have signed Paris 2024 Olympic Champion FAN Zhendong for the upcoming season. How did it happen? “Patrick (FRANZISKA) and Fan have a great relationship. No matter who wins when they play, they always text each other—just small talk. Patrick jokingly said, ‘Come on, join me in Germany.’ And suddenly we had contact with him. Everything moved so fast,” recalled General Manager Nicolas BARROIS. “That was just two and a half weeks ago when we spoke to him for the first time. Then things started to move quickly. Yesterday, I couldn’t believe it when I saw the signed contract. It was the first time I saw his signature—it felt surreal. And then it just exploded. It was all over CCTV in China, all over the media in Germany and across Europe.” The signing sent shockwaves through the table tennis world. “Our coach Jimmy told me that China went into a frenzy over this. It’s amazing news—not just for Germany, but for Europe and for table tennis globally. I truly believe this will take the German League and Champions League to the next level.” Fan’s move was finalized just in time for league registration. “We had to submit the final registration for the German League yesterday, so it had to be done quickly. Now we will start planning with Fan about his availability. He will still play national matches in China and needs to be there for several weeks, so we’ll coordinate everything accordingly.” Fan is also keen on integrating into European life. “He really likes Germany. He’s excited to be here with Patrick and to get shown around. I think he’ll also spend time with Truls and Darko—they’ll help him get a feel for life in Europe.” Patrick FRANZISKA shared his excitement about playing alongside FAN Zhendong: “When you think about his level, there’s not much to say—everyone knows it. It’s a huge honour for all of us to have him at our club. That he chose to come to Germany and to Saarbrücken means a lot. I’ll try to show him all the nice places in Saarbrücken and Saarland—Paris isn’t far either! I just want him to feel good and have a great time here.” Franziska laughed as he added: “Maybe he can even show me a bit of his footwork and how to hit a proper forehand and backhand.”“We don’t yet know how many matches he’ll be able to play, but after the signing became official, we talked on the phone and he was really happy—free, excited, and ready for a new adventure. We all feel honoured and we’ll do our best to give something back, to train well with him, and show him a bit of Germany.” The significance of the transfer is not lost on Franziska: “It’s a milestone. Yes, we had top Chinese players in the league before—Shang Kun, for example—but FAN Zhendong is on another level. What Nico [BARROIS] managed to pull off—signing Fan and organizing this Final Four—is unbelievable. I usually get replies from him instantly on WhatsApp, but this time he went silent, so I knew he was under a lot of pressure. But this is incredible—for our club, for German table tennis, and for the entire sport in Europe. It doesn’t get much bigger than this.”
Back-to-Back Glory: Saarbrücken Triumph Again
After two days of top-class table tennis, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT successfully defended their title at the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4. In the final, held at Saarlandhalle Saarbrücken, the reigning champions overcame Borussia Düsseldorf in a repeat of last year’s decisive clash. On the opening day, Saarbrücken defeated Polish challengers KS Global Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów to secure their place in the final. Patrick FRANZISKA lost the opening match to ANTON Källberg on a sudden death point in the fifth game, but later redeemed himself by defeating Dang QIU—again by the narrowest of margins. Darko JORGIĆ overcame Timo BOLL, while Truls MÖREGÅRDH prevailed against Qiu to seal Saarbrücken’s triumph. Franziska spoke about his performance at the press conference following the team’s victory: “Anton started really strong in the first two games. His backhand was spot on, which I was a bit afraid of. But I made some small adjustments, and suddenly I was leading 5-3 in the fifth. But like Anton said, it’s always match points both ways in these matches—you can never be sure. I was honestly quite sad afterward that I didn’t take more risks in the decisive moments, especially when he served long twice. I played those points with only 70-80% intensity, not full energy.” Reflecting on his second match, Franziska described a shift in mindset: “Against Dang, it was the opposite. He led 5-2 in the fifth, and when I was down 3-0, I told myself during the timeout that I had to really go for every ball—so I wouldn’t regret anything later. In the end, it came down to small details. That last banana shot caught the edge. If I had hit it a split second later, it could have gone out or into the net. You have to take those risks. Luckily, they were on our side today, just like for Darko against Timo. I’m speechless and relieved that we won.” Darko JORGIĆ reflected on his win over Timo BOLL in what was the legend’s final Champions League match: “Playing against a legend in his last Champions League match—I didn’t want to lose this one. The last time we played, he won, so I’m really happy I managed to turn it around. I knew he’d start strong, and he did. He played really well. It’s amazing what Timo has achieved in his career. It’s always an honor to play him. Since our first match, it’s always been a big fight. I’m really proud to have won this one.” Truls MÖREGÅRDH arrived in Saarbrücken fresh off a bronze medal at the World Championships in Qatar, and carried that form into the Final 4: “Of course, it was tough to come here and play at a high level right after the World Championships. I had some shoulder pain during the whole tournament there, but when I arrived here, it actually felt amazing. I don’t know how or why—maybe I had some kind of energy boost that helped. I’m just really happy that I could perform at 100%. The conditions here are different—shorter matches, different tables, different balls—so it took some adjustment. But I’m very satisfied with how I played and how we played as a team.” Truls also confirmed that he will stay in Saarbrücken next season: “I feel great here. I couldn’t beat them, so I had to join them,” said MÖREGÅRDH, who previously played for Neu-Ulm, a team eliminated by Saarbrücken in last season’s semifinal.
