The Women’s Singles event at the ROMSTAL European Under 21 Championships brings together an impressive mix of reigning champions, former winners and rising stars from across Europe. Wales’ Anna HURSEY returns as the top seed and defending champion following her historic triumph in Bratislava last year. HURSEY became the first Welsh player ever to win a European title in a women’s or youth competition and will now attempt to defend her crown in Cluj-Napoca. Former champion Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine is seeded second and enters the tournament determined to reclaim the title she won in 2024. Italy’s Nicole ARLIA, France’s Leana HOCHART, Luxembourg’s Enisa SADIKOVIC, Poland’s Zuzanna WIELGOS complete the top six seeds. The field also includes Austria’s Nina SKERBINZ, Spain’s Maria BERZOSA, Portugal’s Matilde PINTO, Belgium’s Lilou MASSART, Swiss Fanny DOUTAZ, Romania’s Bianca MEI ROSU, Slovenia’s Sara TOKIC, Czech’s Veronika POLAKOVa and Hanka KODET, Poland’s Anna BRZYSKA … all capable of challenging for the podium places. Romanian supporters will closely also Alesia Sofia SFERLEA, while wildcard Patricia STOICA adds further local interest to the competition. Germany’s Josephina NEUMANN and Koharu ITAGAKI are among the other players expected to make an impact. HURSEY arrives in Cluj-Napoca as the player to beat, but with several former medallists and top prospects in the draw, the Women’s Singles competition promises another fascinating battle for European glory.
KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg Crowned Polish Champions for the 33rd Time
Fresh from lifting the ETTU Champions League Women trophy, KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg have once again confirmed their dominance on the domestic stage by securing the Polish Women’s Team Championship title for the 33rd time in club history. The Tarnobrzeg side completed another remarkable season by defeating University of Economics AZS Wrocław in both matches of the playoff final, adding the national crown to their European triumph. Having already celebrated success at the inaugural ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 on home soil in May, Tarnobrzeg finished the campaign in style, completing a memorable double of European and national titles. Head coach Zbigniew NĘCEK praised his team’s performances and reflected on a season that brought success both at home and abroad. “It is a great joy for us that we won both in Poland and in Europe. Our players showed very high form throughout the season and once again proved that they play their best in the toughest matches,” said NĘCEK. “I am especially happy with the success achieved in the Final Four, which was held in Tarnobrzeg. I hope we will continue our winning streak next season.”
Josef “Joe” VESELSKY’s life and legacy celebrated in Dublin
The life and legacy of Josef “Joe” VESELSKY, one of the most respected figures in European table tennis, were celebrated during a special commemorative evening held in Dublin on 27 May 2026. Organised by Table Tennis Ireland, the event brought together family members, dignitaries and representatives of the international table tennis community to honour a man whose life was defined by courage, resilience and an extraordinary commitment to the sport. ETTU President Pedro MOURA attended the celebration evening in Dublin and personally presented the ETTU Badge of Honour to Joe VESELSKY’s family. Awarded posthumously, the distinction recognised Joe’s outstanding contribution to European table tennis. “It was a privilege to present the ETTU Badge of Honour in recognition of his exceptional service to our sport. The stories shared during the event reflected not only Joe’s achievements but also the respect and affection he earned throughout the table tennis community,” said President Pedro MOURA. Josef “Joe” VESELSKY’s story was one of extraordinary courage and resilience. Born Josef WEISS into a Jewish family in Trnava, Czechoslovakia, in 1918, he survived the Holocaust by joining the Resistance in the Carpathian Mountains during the Second World War, while his parents and elder brother were murdered in Auschwitz. In 1949, together with his wife Katarina, Joe escaped Communist Czechoslovakia and settled in Ireland, where he started a new life. Despite arriving with little English and no business experience, he established a successful jewellery business while dedicating himself to table tennis. As a player, coach and mentor, Joe made an exceptional contribution to table tennis. He served as national team captain for both Czechoslovakia and Ireland and became a familiar and respected figure in clubs across Dublin and Wicklow, inspiring generations through his knowledge, kindness and enthusiasm. His dedication to the sport continued long after his playing career. Joe was appointed Honorary Life President of the Irish Table Tennis Association and became co-founder and President of the Swaythling Club International. His remarkable contribution was recognised with numerous honours, including the Commander of the Slovak Order of the White Double Cross for his services to sport and diplomacy, the Special Merit Award from the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland, an Honorary Master of Arts degree from Trinity College Dublin and the Ambassador of the Century Award from the Irish Table Tennis Association. Even in later life, Joe never stopped embracing new challenges. Officially recognised as Ireland’s oldest man at the age of 107, he remained deeply connected to the sporting community until the end of his life. Josef “Joe” VESELSKY’s legacy is measured not only by the titles and honours he received, but by the courage with which he faced unimaginable adversity, his unwavering optimism and his lifelong dedication to table tennis. His story remains an inspiration to the entire European table tennis family.
KAUFMANN and QIU crowned German champions as Erfurt celebrates another record-breaking Finals
The LOTTO Thüringen TT-Finals 2026 concluded in Erfurt with Annett KAUFMANN and Dang QIU claiming the national singles titles and bringing the curtain down on four days of top-class table tennis. The event once again confirmed its status as Europe’s largest table tennis festival, with around 1,100 participants competing across six German national championships under one roof. In the women’s singles final, KAUFMANN successfully defended her title, defeating World No. 9 Sabine WINTER in a dramatic seven-game encounter. The 19-year-old secured her third consecutive German singles crown after a high-quality battle that kept the sold-out crowd of approximately 3,000 spectators on the edge of their seats. “I tried to stay calm, which is never easy against Sabine. She is a very tough opponent,” said KAUFMANN, who admitted becoming emotional after lifting the trophy for a third consecutive year. In the men’s singles event, European champion Dang QIU captured his third national title after victories in 2022 and 2023. The Düsseldorf player defeated Patrick FRANZISKA in the final, continuing his impressive form throughout the tournament. QIU dropped only one game on his way to the title and once again demonstrated why he remains one of Germany’s leading players. “It is always something special to win the German Championships,” said QIU after the victory. KAUFMANN completed a remarkable double in Erfurt by also winning the women’s doubles title alongside Xiaona SHAN. The pair defeated Sabine WINTER and Yuan WAN in the final, giving KAUFMANN her second gold medal of the day and SHAN the third national women’s doubles title of her career. The men’s doubles final produced one of the most dramatic moments of the championships. Defending champions Andre BERTELSMEIER and Wim VERDONSCHOT recovered from a two-game deficit against Patrick FRANZISKA and Ricardo WALTHER, saving multiple match points before completing a thrilling comeback to successfully retain their title. Organisers hailed the third edition of the TT-Finals as another major success. Despite the absence of a public holiday weekend compared with previous years, approximately 8,000 tickets were sold across the four days, while both final days were completely sold out with around 3,000 spectators each day. Women’s Singles Annett KAUFMANN – Sabine WINTER 4-3 Men’s Singles Dang QIU – Patrick FRANZISKA 4-1 Women’s Doubles Annett KAUFMANN / Xiaona SHAN – Sabine WINTER / Yuan WAN 3-1 Men’s Doubles Andre BERTELSMEIER / Wim VERDONSCHOT – Patrick FRANZISKA / Ricardo WALTHER 3-2
OVTCHAROV and WINTER claim first mixed doubles title together
Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Sabine WINTER captured the Mixed Doubles title at the LOTTO Thüringen TT-Finals in Erfurt, defeating fellow national team members Patrick FRANZISKA and Nina MITTELHAM 3-2 in a high-quality final played in front of a sold-out crowd. The newly formed partnership proved successful at the first attempt, overcoming the experienced duo of FRANZISKA and MITTELHAM after five entertaining games. FRANZISKA and MITTELHAM started strongly and took the opening game, but OVTCHAROV and WINTER gradually found their rhythm, winning the next two games to move ahead. Despite dropping the fourth game, they held their nerve in the decider to secure the title. For WINTER, the victory marked her first German Mixed Doubles title. “A German championship title is always special. This is my very first one in mixed doubles, so it means a lot to me,” said WINTER. “It was an honour that Dima asked me to play with him. I immediately said yes. It was a lot of fun and I can still learn a great deal from him.” OVTCHAROV returned the compliment. “For me, Sabine is the best female player in the world. The honour is mine,” said the six-time Olympic medallist. The title also completed a unique national treble for OVTCHAROV, who had previously won German singles and doubles titles. “It was also my first mixed doubles title. Together with my doubles titles and the singles title I won in 2014, I have now completed the triple, and I’m very happy about that,” said OVTCHAROV. Mixed Doubles Final Semi-finals
Germany’s biggest stars set for 94th National Championships in Erfurt
The third edition of the German Table Tennis Finals promises to deliver the strongest German National Championships for Women and Men in many years. Hosted at the Messe Erfurt exhibition halls, the LOTTO Thüringen TT-Finals 2026 will bring together Germany’s leading players for a weekend of world-class table tennis, while a historic mixed doubles debut will add a new chapter to the rich history of the championships. The 94th German Championships feature virtually every major name in German men’s table tennis. Dang QIU, Benedikt DUDA, Patrick FRANZISKA, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Andre BERTELSMEIER – the entire German squad that represented the country at the recent World Championships in London – will compete in Erfurt. QIU arrives as the 2022 European Champion, while DUDA was runner-up at the 2024 European Championships. FRANZISKA, winner of the Europe Top 16 Cup in 2021, remains one of Germany’s most accomplished players, while OVTCHAROV, a two-time Olympic singles bronze medallist, continues to rank among the nation’s greatest players of the modern era. Several former champions will be chasing another title. QIU (2022, 2023), DUDA (2021), OVTCHAROV (2014) and Ricardo WALTHER (2020) have all lifted the trophy before. The field also includes defending champion Kay STUMPER and 2013 winner Steffen MENGEL, both representing Bundesliga club Post SV Mühlhausen. Former German international Torben WOSIK, now 52, returns to the championships after his triumphs in 1999 and 2008. Among the leading contenders, only FRANZISKA is still waiting to win the national singles title. “I’ll take my next shot in Erfurt and would love to bring the title home,” said FRANZISKA with a smile. “Everyone else has already won it.” One of the players hoping to challenge the established stars is 21-year-old Wim VERDONSCHOT. The young German has climbed into the world’s top 75 over the past seven months thanks to two WTT Feeder titles and another semi-final appearance. Fans can also look forward to watching Florian BLUHM, whose spectacular defensive style has made him a crowd favourite. The Cologne-based defender regularly produces some of the most entertaining rallies in German table tennis and has often troubled higher-ranked opponents. In the women’s event, Sabine WINTER enters as one of the favourites. Following a remarkable rise into the world’s top ten after changing her playing system, the Bavarian is aiming for a third national singles title after victories in 2022 and 2023. However, the competition is expected to be fierce. Leading the challenge is 19-year-old Annett KAUFMANN. The 2024 World Under-19 Champion has captured the last two national titles and is aiming to complete a hat-trick in Erfurt. “Winning for a third consecutive year won’t be easy,” admitted KAUFMANN. “It would be great, but Sabine is the favourite.” Together with Nina MITTELHAM, they form a formidable trio of contenders. The European Championships bronze medallist has successfully returned from long-term back problems and recently celebrated her marriage. German champion from 2019 to 2021, MITTELHAM is now targeting a fourth national title. Former champion Xiaona SHAN remains a dangerous outsider. The winner of the 2013 and 2014 editions continues to be one of the most experienced and respected players in German table tennis. Team European champions Yuan WAN and Mia GRIESEL are also expected to challenge for the latter stages, while Under-15 World Champion Koharu ITAGAKI will be one of the most closely watched young players in the draw. The women’s doubles competition will also produce new champions. WINTER, who partnered Katrin MÜHLBACH to the title last year, will team up with Yuan WAN. The pair reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 World Championships and previously won the German title together in 2022. WINTER already holds the all-time record with eight national women’s doubles titles, achieved with six different partners. A landmark moment in German table tennis history will take place in Erfurt when Paralympic champion Valentin BAUS and former European doubles champion Kristin LANG compete together in the mixed doubles event. For the first time since the inaugural German Championships in 1931, an inclusive mixed doubles pair will take part in the senior competition. The historic participation follows a decision by the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB), whose Congress approved the inclusion of inclusive competitions at the federation’s premier national event in December 2025. By competing together, BAUS and LANG will send a powerful message in support of inclusion in elite sport while creating a memorable milestone in the history of the German Championships.
ETTU Level 1 coaching course: Applications open for the next edition
Applications are open for the second edition of the ETTU Level 1 coach education course. The first edition wrapped up this past April, and we’re now opening the course again for a new group of coaches. Level 1 is ETTU’s entry-level coaching course, aimed at coaches who work with children, beginners, and players at participation level. It runs in two parts: an online block of five modules covering general sports science and related fields, followed by a practical week on the table. The first edition gives a good idea of what to expect. Its practical week took place from 22 to 26 April at the new sports centre in Prelog, Croatia. Nineteen coaches from thirteen countries took part, working through the teaching and training methods used to build the basic technical and tactical skills of beginners, and how to plan, structure, and run sessions for players at this level. Many also left with new contacts and a network of colleagues across Europe. The practical sessions were led by Zvonimir KORENIĆ, former coach of the Croatian men’s national team, who ran the technical and tactical methodology with support from Assoc. Prof. Goran MUNIVRANA of the University of Split and Ronald REDJEP, a former Croatian international and head coach of one of the country’s leading clubs. Dr Irene FABER of the University of Groningen (Netherlands) covered talent detection and identification, and Prof. Miran KONDRIČ of the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), former chair of the ITTF Sports Science and Medical Committee, covered conditioning for participation-level players. If you coach at this level and want to take part in the second edition, applications are open until 15 June. See here.
Alfa Food Bagnolese celebrate 20th anniversary with first-ever Italian men’s title
Alfa Food Bagnolese crowned their 20th anniversary celebrations in the most memorable way possible by winning the first Italian Men’s Team Championship title in club history. In one of the most dramatic finals in recent seasons, Bagnolese overcame Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether after three fiercely contested encounters. The newcomers to the top of Italian table tennis won the first leg away from home 3-2, lost the return match 3-1 and then prevailed 3-2 in the decisive playoff on home soil, recovering from a 1-2 deficit to lift the trophy. On their road to the final, Bagnolese defeated Muravera Tennistavolo Sardegna Prodotti Tipici 3-0 in both semi-final matches, while Top Spin Messina ended the title defence of Tennistavolo Sassari with victories of 3-1 and 3-2. The first leg of the final belonged largely to Bagnolese. Mihai BOBOCICA proved decisive with two impressive victories over Vladislav URSU and Niagol STOYANOV, while Hampus SODERLUND saved four game points against Danilo FASO in the opening game before going on to secure a convincing straight-games victory. The second leg produced a remarkable response from Top Spin Messina. Despite the absence of their number one player, Vladislav URSU, the Sicilian club levelled the tie thanks to an outstanding performance from 15-year-old Danilo FASO. The young talent defeated both SODERLUND and BOBOCICA, while STOYANOV added another point against Jordy PICCOLIN. Everything therefore came down to a winner-takes-all playoff match in front of a packed home crowd. SODERLUND once again became one of the heroes of the evening, defeating both Frane KOJIC and Danilo FASO to keep Bagnolese alive. In the decisive final match, BOBOCICA delivered under enormous pressure. He saved four game points in the second game against Humberto MANHANI JR and refused to let missed opportunities in the third affect his concentration, eventually sealing the victory and the championship title. “This playoff was incredible,” said Paolo FRIGERI, head of Bagnolese’s table tennis section. “The crowd was fantastic. Winning our first national title during the year of our 20th anniversary is the most emotional way we could have celebrated. For a town of only 6,000 inhabitants, this is an extraordinary achievement. Even the mayor told us that we have made history.” Bagnolese finished the regular season at the top of the standings and proved their consistency throughout the campaign. “We were the most consistent team during the season and spent almost the entire year at the top of the table. It was not easy because the level of competition is very high. We dedicate this title to our main sponsor, who believed in us from the beginning and helped us live this dream.” FRIGERI also highlighted the unity within the squad as the key to success. “We are a great team with a big heart and everyone loves this club. Our unity made the difference and helped us overcome every difficulty. We played all three final matches with only three available players, while Top Spin could field five. This group, including Tommaso GIOVANNETTI and Rafael DE LAS HERAS, who contributed throughout the season, makes us very proud. The same goes for our supporters. I thank everyone — dreaming together was wonderful.” Final First Leg Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether – Alfa Food Bagnolese 2-3 Second Leg Alfa Food Bagnolese – Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether 1-3 Playoff Alfa Food Bagnolese – Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether 3-2
European Para Championships 2027 unveil full sports programme for Geneva
The organisers of the European Para Championships 2027 have officially unveiled the full sports programme for the next edition of Europe’s largest multi-sport para event, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 2 to 15 August 2027. More than 2,000 athletes from across Europe are expected to compete for continental titles and qualification places for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games during the two-week event, which will be hosted in and around the Palexpo complex. The programme will feature 12 sports: Compared with the inaugural edition held in Rotterdam in 2023, the Geneva championships will further expand the event’s multisport character, bringing together an even broader range of disciplines under one umbrella. For two weeks, Europe’s leading para athletes will compete side by side in a unique environment designed to showcase the strength and diversity of para sport while creating additional opportunities for visibility, collaboration and growth. “These European Para Championships bring together different sports and federations at a single event. It makes it possible to showcase their full range of capabilities,” said Eric KERSTEN, CEO of the European Para Championships. “More sports means more competition, more dynamism and a stronger platform for para sport in Europe.” The European Para Championships were launched in 2023 in Rotterdam, where more than 1,500 athletes from 45 countries competed across 10 sports. Geneva 2027 is expected to build on that success with a larger programme and an even greater international impact. Further details regarding competition schedules, venues and ticket sales will be announced by the organisers at a later stage.
ETTU extends application deadline for CES Level 1 Participation Coach Course
Following strong interest from across the European table tennis community, ETTU has extended the application deadline for the second edition of the ETTU CES Level 1 Participation Coach Course. The new application deadline is 15 June 2026. Following the successful completion of the inaugural edition, ETTU is pleased to continue its commitment to coach education by offering a comprehensive programme designed to support the development of participation coaches throughout Europe. The course fee is €1,500 and includes online lectures, practical sessions with top coaches, assessments and personalised feedback, 24/7 access to study materials, IT and administrative support, as well as an official ETTU Certificate upon successful completion. Please note that travel and accommodation costs for the 4–5 day practical session are not included in the course fee. To support coach development, ETTU will award eight half-scholarships, each covering 50% of the course fee. Admission requirements Applicants must provide: How to apply The course is limited to 20 participants, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications should be sent to projects@ettu.org and must include: All applicants: Scholarship applicants (in addition to the above): Applicants who would only be able to attend with scholarship support are encouraged to indicate this clearly in their application. Course timeline The theoretical part of the course will begin on 15 June 2026 and will be delivered on a flexible, self-paced basis. The practical component is scheduled for August 2026, with the exact dates and venue to be announced at a later stage. The next step in the ETTU coaching pathway, the CES Level 2 Course, is planned for Autumn 2026. ETTU encourages all interested coaches and National Associations to take advantage of the extended deadline and join this important educational initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots and participation coaching across Europe. You can find more information about the programme here.
