Saarbrücken will host the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 on May 31 and June 1, bringing together four of Europe’s top clubs. In the semifinal, hosts 1. FC Saarbrücken TT will take on Polish challengers KS Global Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów, who made headlines with a remarkable comeback in the quarterfinals. In an all-Polish thriller, they overcame KS Dekorglass Działdowo to reach their first-ever Champions League Men Final 4. Representing Suchedniów will be Robert FLORAS, Deni KOZUL, Mateusz ZALEWSKI, and Jeongwoo PARK, aiming to extend their historic run. The German powerhouse will line up with a star-studded squad: Patrick FRANZISKA, Darko JORGIĆ, Cedric MEISSNER, Eduard IONESCU, Truls MOREGÅRD, and Yuto MURAMATSU. KOZUL, who recently competed at the ITTF World Championships in Doha, shared his mindset heading into the big weekend: “I had a bit of time to rest after Qatar, but the Final Four has always been on my mind. That helps – mentally, I’ve stayed focused. It’s an important competition, and everyone wants to be 100 percent ready.” Preparations are already underway. “After so many international tournaments and the World Championships, it’s difficult to coordinate everyone’s schedules. My Korean teammate PARK Jeongwoo has already arrived in Germany, so we can train together and it will help him adjust to the time difference. Robert and Mateusz are preparing at their training centers in Poland. On Friday, we’ll all be together for our final practice and match tactics.” Speaking about the upcoming semifinal, KOZUL added: “We know it will be a tough match. Saarbrücken has top-class players like FRANZISKA, MOREGÅRD, and my good friend and teammate Darko JORGIĆ. It’s also something special – we’ve made history for Slovenian table tennis by having two players in different teams at the Champions League Final 4. We’re the underdogs, but the pressure is on the other side. We’ve already shown we’re not afraid of anyone. Even when things looked lost, we came back, our team spirit and chemistry are amazing. I really can’t wait for the match to start.” KOZUL reflected on the key strengths of both sides: “Our main strength is our team spirit and belief in ourselves. On paper, they’re better, but we’re eager to surprise. It’s just one match, and with a bit of luck, we hope to reach the final. Saarbrücken’s strength is definitely the quality and experience of their players, but that also comes with pressure. We’ll enter the match with a clear head and fighting spirit. I believe in myself, my teammates, and this club.”
Post SV Mühlhausen Claim First-Leg Victory in Europe Cup Men Semifinal
Post Sportverein Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. overcame HB Ostrov z.s. in Germany in the opening leg of the Europe Cup Men semifinal. Irvin BERTRAND made a strong start against Andrej GACINA. Although the Croatian managed to recover, the French player withstood GACINA’s spirited comeback to give the German side the early lead with win in decisive game. Vladislav URSU then leveled the score for the Czech team with a win over Ovidiu IONESCU. Daniel HABESOHN responded by defeating Pavel ŠIRUČEK, and BERTRAND later recorded his second win of the day to seal the match in Mühlhausen’s favor. After the match, HABESOHN reflected on the team’s performance and the importance of home support: “We had a very good start, especially in the first match, and we showed a good performance overall. I think we also had the advantage of the home match on our side. It was very loud, many people were supporting us. This was maybe, for the players who didn’t know our hall, a little bit surprising how loud it was,” explained HABESOHN. “BERTRAND brought us 1-0 in front directly. Then IONESCU had his chances against URSU. Unfortunately, he lost in a tough game — it was a little bit tactical. At 1-1, I played a very good match against ŠIRUČEK. This was maybe already a little bit deciding, because the pressure was high on the side of the Czech team. BERTRAND, he played very well today. He showed a good performance, he played solid. In the end, this was the key for our victory.” The team now turns its attention to the crucial away leg: “It’s not done. It’s like a first step. The Czech team is a good one and we need to take care. They can play very well. Also, they have some experienced players like GACINA. We need to be prepared for the second match away. We are fully focused on the second match now, and hopefully we can repeat the shape we showed today.” The return leg is scheduled for 31st May in Havlíčkův Brod. In the other semifinal, Czechia’s SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA claimed a valuable 3-1 away victory over ASC GRÜNWETTERSBACH in Germany. Postsportverein Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. – HB Ostrov z.s. 3-1
FIBRAIN KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów Continue Dream Season
FIBRAIN KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów defeated Saint-Denis 93 TT in the opening leg of the Europe Cup Women semifinal, continuing what has already been a dream season for the Polish club. The return leg is scheduled for June 9. In the other semifinal, Budaörsi Sport Club will face SKST Plus Hodonín tomorrow in Hungary. Fen LI was the driving force behind the Polish team’s success, delivering two crucial victories over Yin LIU and Prithika PAVADE. French star PAVADE also fell to Zuzanna WIELGOS, who added another point to the Rzeszów tally. The only win for the French side came from Agathe AVEZOU, who overcame Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA-FRANC. WIELGOS expressed her delight after the match:“I am very happy with the win over the French club. I won my match against PAVADE 3:0 — she is among the top 20 players in the world, which makes this victory even more satisfying. Fen won two matches confidently. Kasia unfortunately lost, but she also played well. I’m happy and we hope to win with the same ratio or better in the rematch.” This European success follows a historic domestic triumph for PGE Fibrain AZS Politechnika Rzeszów. In a major upset, they dethroned 32-time Polish champions and four-time Champions League Women winners, KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg, claiming the national title for the first time in club history. Remarkably, they achieved this feat in only their second season in the top division, stunning the favorites with a brilliant performance. FIBRAIN KU AZS POLITECHNIKA RZESZOW – Saint-Denis 93 TT 3-1
2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4: German Giants Face Rising Polish Force in Saarbrücken Showdown
The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the Champions League Men 2024/25 season, with the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 taking place on May 31 and June 1, 2025, at the home of defending champions 1. FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis e.V. Four top teams will battle for the prestigious title in Saarbrücken, with two German powerhouses returning to the final stage and two Polish clubs making history by reaching the Final 4 for the very first time. German Powerhouses Back in the Spotlight Reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT secured their place in the HYLO Final 4 with commanding performances in both legs of their quarterfinal clash against GV Hennebont TT. Led by Truls MOREGAARD, Patrick FRANZISKA, and Darko JORGIC, the hosts showed depth and control, overcoming early pressure to dispatch the French side with little drama. Joining them once again is Borussia Düsseldorf, the most decorated club in Champions League Men history with six titles. Last year’s runners-up demonstrated their pedigree by defeating the French side Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier, home to rising stars Félix and Alexis LEBRUN. After a 3-0 win in France, the return leg at a packed ARAG CenterCourt in Düsseldorf brought further excitement as Dang QIU, Anton KÄLLBERG, and Timo BOLL completed the job in front of 1,100 spectators. Historic Polish Breakthrough This year’s HYLO Champions League Final 4 will also mark a significant milestone for Polish table tennis, with two clubs reaching the final stage for the first time. KS GLOBAL PHARMA ORLICZ 1924 SUCHEDNIÓW pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks of the season in an all-Polish quarterfinal against KS Dekorglass Działdowo. After suffering a 3-0 defeat at home in the first leg, Jeongwoo PARK, Deni KOZUL, and Mateusz ZALEWSKI rallied to a 3-1 win in the return leg, then triumphed in the golden match to seal their ticket to Saarbrücken. Meanwhile, KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki was the first team to book its spot in the Final 4. The Polish side dominated Solex Consult TTC Wiener Neustadt from Austria, winning both legs 3-0. Despite the clear scoreline, the Austrians—semifinalists in the previous edition—put up a strong fight, particularly in the first leg where two matches went the distance. The 2025 HYLO Final 4 in Saarbrücken promises a thrilling mix of experience and ambition. As Borussia Düsseldorf and 1. FC Saarbrücken aim to continue their legacy, both Polish clubs will be eager to prove that their historic breakthroughs were no fluke. Fans can expect high-stakes drama, elite performances, and the crowning of a new chapter in Champions League Men history. SEMIFINALS 31st May FINAL 1st June 2 PM CET
GIONIS: We’re Ready to Fight – Bogoria Set to Face Borussia Düsseldorf
In Saarbrücken, KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki will face Borussia Düsseldorf in the semifinal of the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4. The Polish club has named Panagiotis GIONIS, Milosz REDZIMSKI, Marek BADOWSKI, and Takuya JIN for the event. Representing Borussia Düsseldorf will be Timo BOLL, Anton KÄLLBERG, Dang QIU, Borgar HAUG, and Kay STUMPER, under the guidance of head coach Danny HEISTER. “We haven’t had the chance to train together yet, but starting today we’ll all be in Saarbrücken. We’ll have three days to prepare as a team,” announced GIONIS. Bogoria will be up against one of Europe’s most decorated clubs — a six-time Champions League winner and six-time Europe Cup of Champions titleholder. “They’re an incredibly experienced team with so many titles. Naturally, they are the favorites, but we’re going to fight,” said the Greek star. “They have top-level players like Dang QIU and Anton KÄLLBERG, and of course, Timo BOLL – the greatest legend ever. I know these are his final matches in the Champions League, and I’m sure he will be very well prepared.” GIONIS also highlighted the strengths of his own team: “I hope Milosz will be in top form, if he is, he can beat anyone. He’s a fantastic player, improving every day. With his strength and my experience, we can achieve a lot. Takuya JIN is one of Japan’s best, a fierce fighter, and Badowski is also in great shape and brings valuable experience. He can easily create an upset if the opportunity arises.” “Most importantly, we’ll be playing without pressure. The expectations are on the German side since they are the favorites.” Reflecting on his recent appearance at the World Championships in Doha, Gionis added: “After Qatar, I took some time to rest. I had a minor injury that I picked up in the second-round match against KAO Cheng-Jui.”
Petra SÖRLING Re-elected President of ITTF
Petra SÖRLING (SWE) was re-elected President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) at the Annual General Meeting in Doha on Tuesday, 27 May 2025. SÖRLING received 104 votes, while the other candidate, Khalil AL-MOHANNADI (QAT), received 102. The ITTF Annual General Meeting elected a series of host cities for the ITTF flagship events: Astana, Kazakhstan will host the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2027, Fukuoka, Japan will host the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals 2028, Rio, Brazil will host the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2029.
JORGIĆ Ready for Battle in Saarbrücken: We Want to Make Our Crowd Proud
This weekend, the city of Saarbrücken will once again become the epicenter of elite European club table tennis, as it hosts the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4. Among the semifinal clashes, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT will face off against Polish KS Global Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The German powerhouse will be represented by a formidable lineup featuring Patrick FRANZISKA, Darko JORGIĆ, Cedric MEISSNER, Eduard IONESCU, Truls MOREGARD, and Yuto MURAMATSU. On the Polish side, Robert FLORAS, Deni KOZUL, Mateusz ZALEWSKI, and Jeongwoo PARK are set to take the stage, hoping to continue their club’s historic run. For Darko JORGIĆ, the upcoming semifinal is more than just another match – it’s a chance to bring glory to a team and city that have supported him throughout the season. “The Final 4 is coming up, a very important tournament for us,” said JORGIĆ. “It’s crucial that we achieve a triumph in front of our amazing crowd. I believe we’ll have great support, and that will give us extra energy and a positive push. Our first match is against the Polish team – I know their players very well, especially Deni Kozul. I think reaching the semifinals was a great result for them, but I also believe they are strong on all three positions. They’re playing without pressure, they have nothing to lose against us, and that makes them very dangerous. They can take risks in the match against us.” While Saarbrücken may come into the tie as favorites on paper, JORGIĆ remains grounded and focused. “We are calm and composed, we have more experience than they do, and I believe we can win. As for the final – if it’s Borussia Düsseldorf, I think they are the favorites. Still, you never know. I honestly hope we’ll be in top form. Starting Wednesday, we’ll train together, talk about tactics, and set our strategy. It’s not easy right after the World Championships, but this is the Champions League, the biggest club competition in Europe and I hope we can bring joy to all of Saarbrücken.” The Slovenian star also reflected on his recent performance at the World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, where he narrowly missed a place in the quarterfinals. Five out of six players from Saarbrücken’s list played in Qatar. “Everything’s good with me, solid overall. In Qatar, I had two match points but couldn’t manage to reach the quarterfinals. It was an open match until the very last moment, but in the end, Shunsuke TOGAMI’S composure made the difference. I was overcome by nerves, so the Japanese player deservedly won. Had I reached the quarterfinals, I would have played against Truls, and it would have been great if one of Saarbrücken’s players had already secured a medal at that point – but even without that, MOREGARDH managed to do it. He beat the Japanese player and made it to the semifinals. I congratulate him on that.” With strong momentum, home advantage, and a focused squad, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT enters the Final 4 with high expectations — and the clear intent to deliver.
Great Achievement for France: Double Medal Glory at World Championships in Doha
France celebrated a historic milestone on Saturday at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Doha, claiming two bronze medals in individual events — marking the country’s best performance at a World Championships since Jean-Philippe GATIEN and Damien ELOI climbed the podium in Manchester 28 years ago. This time, it was the men’s doubles pairs who brought glory: Alexis and Félix LEBRUN, and Esteban DORR with Florian BOURRASSAUD, both secured bronze medals, sharing the stage in what became a landmark moment for French table tennis. After falling in the semi-finals to KAO Cheng-Jui and LIN Yun-Ju (1-3), the Lebrun brothers capped off another impressive campaign. Following their strong showing at the World Team Championships in Busan and the Olympic Games success, this individual bronze is another testament to their upward trajectory. “It was a pleasure to share this podium — whether with Alexis or alongside Florian and Esteban,” said Félix LEBRUN.“Every time we reach a podium, especially at a World Championships, it’s a moment of pride we want to enjoy.” “A World Championships medal is something that stays with you — and earning two medals here is just fantastic,” added Alexis LEBRUN. Esteban DORR and Florian BOURRASSAUD also delivered a remarkable run to the semi-finals, only halted by misfortune — a meniscus injury sustained by Dorr at the end of their quarter-final forced them to withdraw. Despite being unable to contest their semi-final, the duo was rightfully awarded the bronze for their outstanding performances throughout the tournament. They eliminated several highly ranked pairs in succession, confirming their rise among the world’s top duos — the result of two years of hard work and sacrifice. “We weren’t European champions at 15 or 16, ours was a longer road — and now we’re just happy,” said Florian BOURRASSAUD. “To be up there with Alexis and Félix is incredibly rewarding. You look up from the podium, and your table tennis life flashes before you — you can’t help but feel joy.” “It’s so rewarding,” added Esteban DORR.“This medal reflects all the work during preparation and far before that. If someone had told me 20 years ago that I’d one day win a World Championships medal, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m grateful to everyone who helped me along the way — coaches, teammates, everyone who shared the highs and lows. It’s just exceptional.” One year after securing medals in both men’s and women’s team events in Busan, France’s momentum continues — this time in individual competitions. Two French pairs sharing a World Championships podium is a remarkable feat that underscores the nation’s rise in global table tennis. “The outcome is simply extraordinary,” said Jean-Nicolas BARELIER, National Technical Director of the French Table Tennis Federation. “To claim two medals under difficult circumstances — especially with Alexis carrying an injury — shows the depth of our squad and the staff’s ability to prepare each player based on their strengths.” He further emphasized the achievement of DORR and BOURRASSAUD, ranked 99th and 134th in the world respectively, noting the excellence of the preparatory training camp held at CREPS in Nantes (May 1–10) as a key factor in unlocking the players’ potential. “Beyond the medals, we had Simon GAUZY and Prithika PAVADE reach the Round of 16, and Charlotte LUTZ made it to the Round of 32 — impressive results at this level. It’s a historic and immensely positive outcome for the entire French delegation.”
Silver for POLCANOVA and SZOCS, Bronze for MOREGÅRD, LEBRUN brothers and BOURRASSAUD and DORR
The ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2025 in Doha concluded with European players claiming four medals. In the Women’s Doubles event, Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA and Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS clinched silver, while Sweden’s Truls MOREGÅRD secured bronze in Men’s Singles. France also celebrated two bronze medals in Men’s Doubles through the pairings of Alexis and Félix LEBRUN, and Florian BOURRASSAUD and Esteban DORR. In the Men’s Singles final, China’s WANG Chuqin captured the St. Bride Vase, defeating Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO in commanding fashion (12–10, 11–3, 4–11, 11–2, 11–7). Truls MOREGÅRD’s road to the semifinals featured wins over Francisco SANCHI, Andreas LEVENKO, KAO Cheng-Jui, JANG Woojin, and Shunsuke TOGAMI, before falling to second seed Wang Chuqin 4–1 in the semis. Other Europeans who reached the Round of 16 included France’s Simon GAUZY and Félix LEBRUN, Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA, Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC, England’s Tom JARVIS, and Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG. In the Women’s Doubles final, POLCANOVA and SZOCS were defeated by China’s WANG Manyu and KUAI Man in straight games (11–6, 11–6, 11–5). On their way to the final, they overcame the pairings of Mubanga KUNDA and Latifa NALAVWE, Clio BARCENAS and Arantxa COSSIO, Hana MATELOVA and Barbora BALAZOVA, Sabine WINTER and Yuan WAN, and SHIN Yubin and RYU Hanna. The quarterfinals also featured Spain’s Maria XIAO and Romania’s Adina DIACONU, as well as Germany’s Sabine WINTER and Yuan WAN. In the Women’s Singles final, China’s Sun Yingsha successfully defended her crown with a thrilling 4–3 victory over WANG Manyu (11–6, 12–10, 8–11, 5–11, 12–10, 11–13, 11–7). Croatia’s Lea RAKOVEC delivered one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by reaching the Round of 16 despite being ranked only No. 134 in the world. She was joined in that stage by No. 20 seed Prithika PAVADE of France and No. 11 seed Bernadette SZOCS of Romania, although all three fell short of the quarterfinals. Japan’s Shunsuke TOGAMI and Hiroto SHINOZUKA were crowned Men’s Doubles World Champions after defeating Taiwan’s LIN Yun-Ju and KAO Cheng-Jui in the final (6–11, 11–5, 7–11, 11–6, 11–6). French brothers Félix and Alexis LEBRUN, the top seeds, claimed bronze after their semifinal loss to the Taiwanese duo. Florian BOURRASSAUD and Esteban DORR of France also secured bronze but were forced to withdraw from their semifinal match due to a knee injury sustained by DORR. Other European quarterfinalists included Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON and Mattias FALCK, who lost to the LEBRUN brothers, and the Romanian–Spanish duo Ovidiu IONESCU and Álvaro ROBLES, who were eliminated by the second French pairing. In the Mixed Doubles event, Álvaro ROBLES and Maria XIAO of Spain reached the quarterfinals. Among those who competed in the Round of 16 were Robert GARDOS and Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria, Ľubomír PIŠTEJ and Barbora BALÁŽOVÁ of Slovakia, Samuel KULCZYCKI and Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland, and Ovidiu IONESCU and Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania.
IONESCU and ROBLES reaches the quarterfinals in Doha
The 2019 World Championships silver medallists Romania’s Ovidiu IONESCU and Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES have advanced to the top eight Men’s Doubles Event in Doha, securing their place after defeating the No.4 seeds, Japan’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO and Sora MATSUSHIMA. Ranked at the position no. 173 in the World, the Romanian-Spanish pairings rose to the occasion in this round of 16 battle, showing great spirit and consistently delivering winning shots. After dropping the first game, IONESCU and ROBLES bounced back to take the second 14-12 and maintained their level throughout. With strategically placed balls setting up powerful finishing shots, they leveled the score again at 2-2. In the deciding game, they executed their best tactics and shots to clinch a dramatic 3-2 victory (9-11, 14-12, 4-11, 11-9, 11-9).
