The European Table Tennis Union has awarded TTC Radnicki Beocin 1972 the right to host the 2026 Europe Trophy Grand Final. The event will take place from 24 to 26 April 2026 in Beočin, Serbia, bringing together the qualified clubs from across Europe in both the men’s and women’s competitions. The draw is scheduled for 3 March at 13:00 CET. Men’s Europe Trophy Grand Final Qualifiers Region 1 – Tallinn (EST) Region 2 – Olot (ESP) Region 3 – Valletta (MLT) Region 4 – Niš (SRB) Women’s Europe Trophy Grand Final Qualifiers Region 1 – Olot (ESP) Region 2 – Nicosia (CYP) Region 3 – Niš (SRB)
Czech TT Association Opens Selection Procedure for Women’s National Team Head Coach
The Czech Table Tennis Association (CTTA) has announced the opening of the selection procedure for the position of Head Coach of the Senior Women’s National Team. The successful candidate will lead preparations toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and oversee the development and performance of the Czech senior women’s squad at the highest international level. The Head Coach will be responsible for preparing and coaching the Senior Women’s National Team for major competitions, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships, National European League matches and selected WTT events. The role includes managing the training process at the National Training Center in Havířov, coordinating team activities, overseeing player selection and evaluation, and leading the team at training camps in the Czech Republic and abroad. Additional duties involve long-term planning of players’ development within a four-year Olympic cycle, maintaining training documentation, conducting regular performance and video analysis with athletes, and working closely with club coaches, national team staff and CTTA specialists. The Head Coach will also cooperate with the High-Performance Sports Commission, fitness trainers and other experts, while actively participating in coaching seminars and professional education programs. Applicants are required to submit a curriculum vitae focused on their sporting background and a personal coaching plan outlining their vision for the Senior Women’s National Team with regard to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle. Candidates must hold an A-license or an international coaching qualification, have at least five years of coaching experience, demonstrate good health, teamwork and communication skills, possess working knowledge of a foreign language (ideally English), computer literacy and a valid driving license. The position offers the opportunity to work with a competitive women’s team targeting qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The contract (self-employed basis) will run from 1 July 2026 to 31 July 2028. Financial conditions will be discussed individually during the interview process. The deadline for applications is 28 February 2026. Applications and inquiries can be addressed to President of the Association Nikolas ENDAL nikolas.endal@gmail.com and to Chair of the High-Performance Sports Commission Iveta VACENOVSKA i.vacenovska@seznam.cz
Saint-Quentin Move Closer to Historic Final 4 Spot
Saint-Quentin TT took a strong step toward qualification for the first-ever ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 with a convincing 3-0 victory over UCAM Cartagena T.M. in the opening leg of the quarterfinal. The return match is scheduled for Saturday. Polina MIKHAILOVA gave the French side an early advantage with a four-game win against Maria XIAO. Linda BERGSTROM strengthened Saint-Quentin’s position by defeating Fei QI in straight games, and Camille LUTZ sealed the sweep with a solid performance against Tin Tin HO. With a clear lead after the first encounter, Saint-Quentin head into the decisive second leg in a strong position as both teams battle for a place in the inaugural women’s Final 4. Linda BERGSTROM said: “Perfect match from us! We all did a very good job and put great pressure on them for the next match. Personally, I’m very happy to turn around my disappointing match in Montreux and play very well today. But we know that the job is not done and we will now recharge and give our all again on Saturday.” Saint-Quentin TT – UCAM Cartagena T.M. 3–0
Lille Metropole Take Clear Advantage Ahead of Return Leg in Vyhne
Lille Metropole TT secured a convincing 3–0 home victory over STK Vyhne in the opening leg of the Men’s Europe Cup quarterfinal, moving into a strong position ahead of the return match, which will be played in Vyhne on Sunday. Romain BRARD recovered from a slow start to defeat Boguslaw KOSZYK in four games and hand the French side an early lead. Tom CLOSSET extended the advantage with a composed straight-games win against Adam KLAJBER. The tie concluded with the tightest contest of the evening, as Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA edged Filip SZYMANSKI in a dramatic five-game battle to complete Lille’s sweep. Lille Metropole TT – STK Vyhne 3–0
Registration Extended for Stone Racket of Istria
From 4 to 8 March 2026, the town of Vrsar will once again become a hub of European veterans’ table tennis. The Saline Sports Hall will host the second edition of the international veterans’ tournament Stone Racket of Istria, which has already broken records – players from as many as 22 European countries have registered. Great news for those still considering taking part: registration has been extended until Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at midnight. “I’m delighted to see tournaments like this, especially when the host provides such excellent conditions. People were extremely satisfied last year, and Maistra and STK Vrsar did an outstanding job. This could very easily become the most beautiful veterans’ tournament in Europe,” said Zoran PRIMORAC. The tournament is organised in cooperation with the renowned Maistra hotel group, the Vrsar Tourist Board, the Municipality of Vrsar, Grand Tour agency, and STK Vrsar. Stone Racket of Istria is open to players aged 40 to 80+, with competitions held in singles and doubles, in both men’s and women’s categories. Last year’s inaugural edition brought together more than 100 participants from 12 countries, while the second edition has exceeded all expectations – representatives of 22 nations will compete in Vrsar. In practical terms, Vrsar will host a mini European Veterans Championship in March 2026. Spectators were also thrilled by last year’s exhibition matches, featuring a legendary clash between Jörgen PERSSON and Zoran PRIMORAC, as well as a women’s exhibition match with Branka BATINIĆ and Mirela ŠIKORONJA-IVANČIN. The tournament was further honoured by the presence of Vladimir SAMSONOV as a special guest. Organisers have announced that more world-class table tennis names will appear in 2026, with details to be revealed at a later date. “As in the first edition, the tournament will offer a rich off-court programme, including organised trips and experiences across the beautiful Istrian region. We have combined three key elements – play, fun and experience,” added Bernard MUSULIN, Head of Destination Product Development at Maistra. Ahead of the tournament, from 1 to 4 March 2026, Vrsar will also host the ‘Zoran PRIMORAC Table Tennis Masterclass’, a special educational training camp. Players of all ages are welcome to participate, and registration for the camp is also open until 17 February 2026. Participants will have the opportunity to train directly with Zoran Primorac, alongside four additional professional coaches. The number of places will be limited. All additional information and registration details are available on the official website www.stoneracketistria.com and on the tournament’s official Facebook page.
Linz AG Froschberg and ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari Claim Away Wins in Europe Cup Quarterfinal Openers
Linz AG Froschberg and ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari both secured valuable away victories in the opening legs of the Women’s Europe Cup quarterfinals, taking important advantages ahead of their respective return matches. Linz AG Froschberg earned a 3–1 win over Son Cladera TTC Mallorca. Suthasini SAWETTABUT put the Austrian side in front with a four-game victory against Pauline CHASSELIN, and Britt EERLAND doubled the lead with a straight-games success over Ainhoa CRISTOBAL. The hosts responded through Eugenia SASTRE, who overcame Ivana MALOBABIC, but EERLAND sealed the overall result by edging CHASSELIN in a tense five-game duel. Linz AG Froschberg will host the Son Cladera TTC Mallorca in the second leg scheduled for Saturday. ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari recorded a convincing 3–0 victory at Fenerbahce Sports Club. Hengyu MA opened the tie with a four-game win against Sibel ALTINKAYA, Elizabet ABRAAMIAN followed with a straight-games success over Ece HARAC, and Miriam CARNOVALE completed the sweep by defeating Gul Pembe OZKAYA in three games. The return leg in Italy is scheduled for Saturday. Son Cladera TTC Mallorca – Linz AG Froschberg 1–3 Fenerbahce Sports Club – ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari 0–3
Hodonín Edges Novi Sad in Tight Women’s Europe Cup Quarterfinal Opener
SKST Plus Hodonín claimed a narrow 3-2 victory over TTC Novi Sad in the opening leg of the Women’s Europe Cup quarterfinal, taking a slim advantage ahead of the return match in Serbia. Binyue ZHANG gave the Czech side a strong start with a straight-games win over Sara RADAK, but Novi Sad quickly leveled the tie as Aneta MAKSUTI defeated Karin GROFOVA in four games. Marketa SEVCIKOVA restored Hodonín’s lead by overcoming Reka BEZEG, before MAKSUTI once again responded for the visitors with a convincing victory against ZHANG. The decisive fifth match went Hodonín’s way, as GROFOVA secured a straight-games win over RADAK to seal the overall success. Karin GROFOVA said: “The match was definitely affected by the incomplete line-up of the opponents, but this is not our problem. We are happy with the win, but I think we should have won 3:0 or 3:1. I personally am very sorry about the loss to Aneta Maksuti. This is probably the third match I have lost to her so closely. But Markéta Ševčíková won an important point, so it turned out well in the end. But it will be very difficult in Novi Sad.” SKST Plus Hodonín – TTC Novi Sad 3-2
Roskilde and Priego Take First-Step Advantages in Men’s Europe Cup Quarterfinals
Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 and Real Club Cajasur Priego TM both moved closer to the semifinals after strong performances in the opening legs of the Men’s Europe Cup quarterfinals, securing home victories and valuable cushions ahead of the return matches. Roskilde delivered a 3-0 win over AS Pontoise Cergy TT. Jens LUNDQVIST set the tone with a confident straight-games success against Rafael CABRERA to hand the Danish side an early lead. The tightest contest of the evening followed, as Tobias RASMUSSEN edged Alexandre CASSIN in a tense five-game duel to double the advantage. Anders ERIKSSON then confirmed the sweep with a four-game victory over Thomas LAROCHE, putting Roskilde in a strong position before the second leg. Real Club Cajasur Priego TM also claimed a 3–1 home victory against HB Ostrov z.s. Robert GARDOS opened the tie with a four-game win over Tomas TREGLER, but the visitors quickly replied when Vladislav URSU defeated Diogo CARVALHO in straight games. Carlos MACHADO restored Priego’s lead by overcoming Pavel SIRUCEK, and GARDOS sealed the result by prevailing against URSU in a tense five-game encounter. Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 – AS Pontoise Cergy TT 3-0 Real Club Cajasur Priego TM – HB Ostrov z.s. 3-1
First ETTU Women’s Champions League Final Four to Take Place in Tarnobrzeg
The European Table Tennis Union is proud to announce that the first-ever ETTU Champions League Women’s Final 4 will be held in Tarnobrzeg, marking a historic milestone for European table tennis. The event will take place on 23–24 May 2026, bringing together Europe’s top four women’s clubs to compete over the weekend for the title. A Historic First for Women’s Club Table Tennis The introduction of the Final Four format represents a significant evolution of the ETTU Champions League Women, offering a compact and high-intensity event where the season’s decisive matches are played over a single weekend and at one venue, providing a high-quality experience for fans and media. The 4 participant teams will be decided after the quarter-final rounds, which are scheduled as home and away matches to be played between 11 and 15 February. Host City and Local Organisation Tarnobrzeg will welcome Europe’s elite clubs at the OSiR Sports Hall. Located in south-eastern Poland, the host city benefits from strong institutional support at local, regional and national level. The event will be organised in cooperation with KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg, one of the most successful women’s table tennis clubs in Europe. The club has won 4 ETTU Champions League titles in recent seasons and 32 Polish Team Championship titles, and has consistently competed at the highest European level. Tarnobrzeg has also been home to several Olympic-level players, reflecting its established position among Europe’s leading clubs. Pedro MOURA, President of ETTU, highlighted the importance of this landmark moment: “This Final Four marks the beginning of a new era for the Women’s Champions League. With this format, ETTU is opening a new and exciting chapter in European women’s club table tennis. There is no better place to begin this journey than Tarnobrzeg, whose remarkable club, KTS Enea Siarkopol, has long been a symbol of ambition, excellence, and professionalism in women’s table tennis. We are grateful for their dedication and very confident they will deliver an unforgettable event.” Zbigniew NĘCEK, President of KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL Tarnobrzeg, explained that the event would be the highlight of his long career. “After more than thirty years of work in Tarnobrzeg, this decision gives me great joy. It is a culmination of many years of effort and a unique opportunity to promote table tennis to a wide audience.” REACTIONS FROM THE PLAYERS Han YING: “I have won many titles with KTS and I am very happy that Europe’s best teams will come to Tarnobrzeg. I am convinced the matches will be played in a fantastic atmosphere and at the highest level.” Xiaoxin YANG: “We would like to sincerely thank ETTU for awarding our club the organisation of the Final Four. It is a great honour for us. We assure full professionalism and the best possible conditions for all participants. We believe exciting and high-quality matches await everyone.” Kinga STEFAŃSKA: “Organising the Final Four is both a challenge and an honour. Even before the format was officially confirmed, it was said that the first edition should take place in Tarnobrzeg because of its rich European history. I am glad this has become reality and I believe the new format will be very attractive for fans.”
Winter victory dip in Lake Geneva for LEBRUN and WINTER
After lifting their trophies at the 2026 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup, Alexis LEBRUN and Sabine WINTER marked their triumph with a brave winter jump into Lake Geneva. The two champions shared a quick celebratory dip in the cold water, turning their success in Montreux into a fun and memorable post-final moment.
