Before the start of the first semifinal match at the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 between Borussia Düsseldorf and KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Timo BOLL was presented with a special award in recognition of his outstanding career. The award was presented by ETTU President Pedro MOURA, honouring BOLL’s remarkable contribution and lasting influence on the sport of table tennis. “Thank you for the unforgettable moments. Thank you, and congratulations on your outstanding achievements in European table tennis. Please stay around and don’t leave us,” said MOURA. Timo BOLL: 150 Champions League Wins for Borussia Düsseldorf “To finish with a title would be really nice!” Timo BOLL recently reaffirmed what he had already stated last August: “I would love to win one more title with Borussia!” He still has two chances to do so – at 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 in Saarbrücken this weekend (May 31/June 1) and the German Championship on June 15. No club has won more titles in Champions League than Borussia Düsseldorf – and no player more than Timo BOLL. He arrived on the Rhine in 2006 already as Champions League champion. He had previously won the title in 2005 and 2006 with his former club TTV Gönnern. With the German record champions, he lifted the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2021 – he missed out in 2022 as the final against Russian club Orenburg was canceled due to the war in Ukraine. Timo BOLL: “Nicest and most memorable was the first championship with Gönnern. It was such a big surprise and for a small club like Gönnern a crazy achievement. “ He also played in four more finals. This year, Danny HEISTER’S team – with the now 44-year-old Boll – is one win away from another final. On Saturday, their opponent is Bogoria Mazowiecki from Poland. But first, a look back at the remarkable stats of this exceptional athlete: 150 Champions League victories in 125 appearances wearing the red jersey. He has been undefeated in the TTCL since the epic semifinal against Neu-Ulm in 2023, where he narrowly lost 2–3 to Truls MÖREGÅRDH. Interestingly, MÖREGÅRDH could be his opponent again in a potential final against Saarbrücken, having transferred there –for the Champions League – from the Danube to the Saar. Since that match, Boll has won eight straight TTCL games and in his 18-year international career, he has only had to congratulate an opponent 35 times.
Saarbrücken Eyeing Final Berth as They Face Suchedniów in HYLO Champions League Final 4 Semifinal
The city of Saarbrücken will once again be the focal point of top-level European club table tennis this weekend, as it hosts the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4. One of the standout semifinal clashes will see the host club and reigning champion, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT, take on Polish side KS Global Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów. The German squad boasts a powerful lineup that includes Truls MOREGARD, fresh from winning bronze at the World Championships, Patrick FRANZISKA, Darko JORGIĆ, Cedric MEISSNER, Eduard IONESCU, and Yuto MURAMATSU. Their opponents from Suchedniów, however, have shown no fear throughout their historic run, with Robert FLORAS, Deni KOZUL, Mateusz ZALEWSKI, and Jeongwoo PARK proving they can compete with Europe’s elite. Patrick FRANZISKA, who recently returned from the World Championships in Qatar where he reached the Round of 16, shared his thoughts ahead of the crucial semifinal: “We are used to playing a lot of competitions after big events. So, I had two, three days of rest with the family and then after that, I was in full swing again. The motivation is very high since we play on home soil and want to defend our title. We practice together in Saarbrücken — the whole team — Truls came little later. I think the spirit has been very good throughout the Champions League season. We have a clear goal, and that’s to win the semi-final, first of all, tomorrow on Saturday.” Asked to analyze the adversaries, FRANZISKA added: “They have a strong Korean player, who beat Jonathan GROTH, for example, in the quarter-finals. So I guess he won’t be easy to beat. And then with Danny KOZUL — a guy who played in Saarbrücken and knows Darko especially well — it promises to be a pretty interesting semi-final. But of course, our goal is to make it to the final.” KS Global Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów have already caused a major upset this season, but the German side will be a tough team to overcome. “Our strength is that we’re a very strong team across all positions, and we can all play in different positions. I think it’s hard for the adversary to predict how we will line up. Our confidence comes from knowing each other very well and genuinely enjoying being together — that’s what makes us strong. Our confidence is pretty high at the moment.”
HYLO Final 4: Borussia Düsseldorf Face Bogoria in Semifinal Showdown
The 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 in Saarbrücken will see table tennis powerhouse Borussia Düsseldorf take on Polish challenger KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki in what promises to be a high-intensity semifinal. Led by head coach Danny HEISTER, Borussia Düsseldorf arrives with a star-studded lineup featuring Timo BOLL, Anton KÄLLBERG, Dang QIU, Borgar HAUG, and Kay STUMPER. The team is chasing yet another chapter in its illustrious history, having already claimed six Champions League titles and six Europe Cup of Champions trophies – more than any other club in the competition’s history. Bogoria, while competitive, will need to deliver their absolute best to match the caliber and experience of Düsseldorf. The Polish club has named Panagiotis GIONIS, Milosz REDZIMSKI, Marek BADOWSKI, and Takuya JIN for the event, facing one of the most dominant squads in modern European table tennis. “I’m really looking forward to the Final 4,” said Dang QIU. “As we saw last year, it’s a fantastic event with lots of spectators and two days of the best and most beautiful sport. I hope we can reach the final again and perhaps take revenge for the bitter TTCL defeats we’ve suffered in recent years. It’s always exciting to face teams outside the Bundesliga – and we’re aiming to give the fans something special.” Anton KÄLLBERG added: “Even though we want to get our revenge against Saarbrücken and win the title, we are fully focused on the semifinals. We know that Bogoria is going to be a tough opponent, but we’re prepared and motivated to reach the final.”
ITTF Statement on Elections during Annual General Meeting 2025
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has issued an official statement following the conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM), which took place on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, in Doha, Qatar. Official Statement from the ITTF: Petra SÖRLING (SWE) was re-elected President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Doha on Tuesday, 27 May 2025. Sörling received 104 votes, while her opponent, Khalil AL-MOHANNADI (QAT), received 102. Election Process and Outcome As the communication of the outcome of the election resulted in the disruption of the AGM and in unsubstantiated allegations of irregularity, the ITTF would like to clarify that the election process was conducted in strict accordance with the ITTF Constitution and Statutes and in full respect of the Member Associations’ rights. In particular: In light of the above, the ITTF rejects the misconceived statement by some Member Associations to recognise any other result. The ITTF will not comment any further on the election process at this stage and will address any formal complaint it should receive in the appropriate forum. AGM Suspension and Next Steps After the presidential election had already concluded, the AGM had to be suspended following the disruption initiated by individuals who were neither delegates from Member Associations, nor members of the Executive Board, Council, Committees, or invited guests. The ITTF regrets and strongly condemns the disruption. It will conduct an investigation to determine the various responsibilities and take measures, in particular, to avoid a similar disruption from happening in the future. As an immediate step, the AGM will need to be reconvened to address the agenda items that could not be dealt with, including the election of the Executive Vice-Presidents, the appointment of the Continental Representatives of the ITTF Council and the appointment of the Committee Members. In line with Article 1.87.1. of the ITTF Statutes, the term of office of the ITTF Council Members is four years. The current ITTF Council was elected (Executive Vice-Presidents), ratified (Continental Representatives of the ITTF Council) on 24th November 2021. Their term will therefore expire on 24th November 2025. Accordingly, the elections and ratifications of the Members must take place before this date. Remaining Agenda items: The date and modalities of the AGM continuation will be announced in due course.
Budaörs Opens Semifinal Campaign with Confident Win Over Hodonin
In the opening leg of the Europe Cup Women semifinal held in Hungary, Budaörsi Sport Club claimed a valuable home victory over SKST Plus Hodonín. In the other semifinal, Polish side FIBRAIN KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów defeated Saint-Denis 93 TT. Dóra MADARÁSZ gave the Hungarian club a perfect start with a straight-games win over Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ. Karin GROFOVÁ put pressure on Helga DARI in an effort to shift the momentum, taking the first game. The match swung back and forth, with Helga claiming the second and third games, but GROFOVÁ forced a decider. In the end, DARI withstood her opponent’s attacks and secured a narrow win. With Budaörs leading 2-0, Mária FAZEKAS played under less pressure and delivered a composed performance, defeating Natalia PARTYKA in straight games to seal the victory. The second leg is scheduled for June 4. Budaörsi Sport Club – SKST Plus Hodonín 3-0
Where to Watch the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 in Saarbrücken
Table tennis fans around the world will have the chance to witness Europe’s finest in action, as the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 will be broadcast across multiple regions in Europe and Asia. All matches will be streamed live and free of charge on www.ettu.tv. Additionally, the event will be available on the following regional broadcasters (Please note: in the countries listed, the respective broadcaster holds exclusive live rights, and access via ettu.tv may be restricted): The 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 will take place on May 31 and June 1, 2025, featuring the following semi-finals matchups:
HYLO Champions League Final 4: Suchedniów Aims High Against Host Saarbrücken
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
