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).
Vic International Open to Celebrate 40 Years of Table Tennis Excellence
The Vic International Table Tennis Open will celebrate a major milestone this year, as the 40th edition of the prestigious event is set to take place on September 13 and 14, 2025, at the Castell d’en Planes Sports Hall in Vic, near Barcelona. Launched in 1986 with a single Men’s Singles event—won by Spanish legend Josep Ma PALÉS – the tournament has grown into one of the longest-running and most inclusive events on the calendar. Over the decades, it has steadily expanded its reach, adding new categories that reflect both the evolving landscape of the sport and a strong commitment to accessibility and diversity. The second edition introduced the Women’s Singles event, which was claimed by Belgian player Barbara LIPPENS. Since then, the Open has added the Catalan Open, Youth Opens, the Adapted Open, and the Veterans Open. This year, the tournament continues to break new ground with the introduction of the 1st Open for People with Parkinson’s, underlining its inclusive vision. All categories – except the Catalan Open, hold international status, attracting a wide range of athletes from around the world. Throughout its four-decade history, the Vic Open has welcomed some of the sport’s biggest names. Chinese-born Spanish star HE Zhi Wen, a fan favorite, has won the title an impressive seven times. Among active Spanish players, Carlos MACHADO and Marc DURAN have each lifted the trophy four times, while Sara RAMÍREZ has been crowned champion twice. On the international stage, top talents such as Félix LEBRUN of France and NI Xia Lian of Luxembourg have also left their mark. LEBRUN, currently ranked sixth in the world and the top-ranked European player, added to his growing legacy with a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. As the tournament prepares for its 40th edition, the Vic Open stands not only as a celebration of table tennis tradition in Catalonia, but also as a shining example of the sport’s inclusive future. Fans and players alike can look forward to another exciting chapter in this historic event.
GAUZY Overcomes LIN Gaoyuan: I will never get tired of that
Simon GAUZY continued his memorable run at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2025 in Doha, producing a determined and high-quality performance to defeat China’s LIN Gaoyuan 4-2 (2-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-3) and secure a place in the round of 16. It had already been a dramatic day for the Frenchman, who saved two match points earlier against Denmark’s Anders LIND to stay in the competition. By the time the evening session arrived, Gauzy was fired up for another challenge—this time against an opponent he had never beaten in four previous encounters. LIN opened the match with authority, racing through the first game, but GAUZY responded with sharp counterplay and bold shot-making to level the score. The third game proved pivotal: trailing 4-9 and facing two game points, GAUZY clawed his way back and edged it 13-11, shifting the momentum firmly in his favour. Though LIN responded in the fifth, GAUZY stepped up again in the sixth game, dictating rallies and riding a wave of confidence to close out the match in style. “That’s the second time I’ve beaten a top Chinese player in the World Championships, and I will never get tired of that,” Gauzy said afterward. “It will not get easier in the next round, but I’m really, really happy. I think I’m entertaining when I’m playing good. When I’m playing like that, I think it’s nice to watch me play. Lately it’s been the case, but it’s not always been the case. I know when I’m playing with that hard spirit and I land my crazy shots, I can disturb anyone. And that’s what I did today. I mean, I think he (Wang Chuqin) is the favourite to win the World Championships. That’s my take -but I hope he’ll lose quite early.” With the win, GAUZY sets up a highly anticipated last-16 clash against 2023 World Championships silver medallist WANG Chuqin.
MONFARDINI Beat DOO in a Seven-Game Thriller: “I Never Dared To Think That I Could Win”
Another giant has fallen in Doha. World No.139 Gaia MONFARDINI produced one of the biggest shocks of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2025, overcoming the vastly more experienced No.28 seed Doo Hoi Kem in a dramatic seven-game encounter: 4-3 (11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 4-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7). Facing DOO for the first time, MONFARDINI showed no signs of intimidation, taking the opening two games with fearless, high-risk play. But the Hong Kong star found her footing and stormed back with three straight wins, appearing to have turned the tide. Backed into a corner, MONFARDINI refused to back down. Digging deep, she took the sixth game and raced into a commanding lead in the decider, eventually sealing the upset with relentless composure. Still shaking moments after the match, the Italian was visibly emotional: “I’m not sure what to say anymore. It’s crazy. I knew I was playing well against her, but I didn’t expect this, even when I was leading. I never dared to think that I could win this.” She added: “This win confirms that I can trust myself, as there have been many times I doubted. Sometimes it’s difficult to stay strong. This is table tennis—it’s a technical game, but in the end, it becomes a mind game. You’re playing against yourself.” With her focus still sharp despite the whirlwind moment, MONFARDINI is already looking ahead, albeit cautiously, to her next match against SHIN Yubin: “I’m not going to think too much. It doesn’t matter if I’m behind or in front—I’m just going point by point.”
