The table tennis community mourns the loss of Maria ALEXANDRU, who passed away at the age of 84. An iconic figure of the 1960s and 1970s, Maria’s illustrious career left an indelible mark on the sport, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest players of her era. Maria ALEXANDRU’S achievements were nothing short of extraordinary. She was a three-time World Doubles Champion (1961, 1973, and 1975), partnering with three different players across her triumphs. She reached six World Championship finals, claiming three gold and three silver medals. Among her many accolades, she was the World Singles runner-up in 1963 and the World Mixed Doubles runner-up with Anton STIPANCIC in 1971. At the European stage, ALEXANDRU captured the European Singles title in 1966 at London’s Wembley Arena and was a two-time European Doubles champion (1960 and 1978). As a young prodigy, Maria laid the foundation for her remarkable career by becoming a two-time European Youth Singles Champion in 1956 and 1958. At the English Open, Maria claimed astonishing six singles titles. A player of grace, determination, and immense talent, Maria ALEXANDRU inspired generations of table tennis players worldwide. Her contributions to the sport and her legendary achievements will be cherished and remembered by all. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and the entire table tennis community during this time of loss.

Brunetti Castel Goffredo claimed their seventh Italian Women’s Super Cup title, maintaining an unbeaten record in the tournament’s history. The team triumphed in front of their home fans at the PalaTennistavolo “Elia Mazzi,” defeating ASV TT Südtirol 5-0. The victory was celebrated with the presentation of the trophy by Deputy Federal Vice-President Carlo BORELLA. The match followed a best-of-nine format, played simultaneously on two tables. In the opening round, Romania’s Andreea DRAGOMAN dominated Evelyn VIVARELLI at table 1, while Nikoleta STEFANOVA secured a straight-sets victory over Debora VIVARELLI at table 2. The second round mirrored the first, with Bernadette SZOCS of Romania defeating Gaia MONFARDINI at table 1, despite MONFARDINI’s effort to claim the third set. At table 2, DRAGOMAN overcame a spirited challenge from Debora VIVARELLI in the first and third sets, while the second set was a more straightforward affair. With the score at 4-0, only one match was required to seal the victory. At table 1, SZOCS delivered a commanding performance against Evelyn VIVARELLI, securing the title for Castel Goffredo. The winning team also included Anastasiia KOLISH from Russia and Nicole ARLIA. “We are satisfied,” remarked coach Alfonso LAGHEZZA. “Winning the seventh Italian Super Cup is a proud moment for us. Unlike previous encounters, the adversaries didn’t offer much resistance, and the match was largely one-sided. The exception was the game between SZOCS and MONFARDINI, where the decisive set highlighted the significant gap between the players. Our team deserves credit for staying focused and determined throughout, demonstrating remarkable consistency. This trophy sets a strong foundation for what promises to be a demanding season.” Match Results Table 1 Table 2