The European Table Tennis Union joins ParalympicsGB and the entire table tennis community in mourning the passing of Gorazd VECKO, British Para Table Tennis Performance Director, who has died at the age of 53. Gorazd VECKO made an immeasurable impact on Para table tennis and the wider European table tennis family. Over nearly two decades, he played a leading role in transforming British Para sport and inspiring countless athletes and coaches with his vision, dedication, and passion for the game. Before joining British Para Table Tennis in 2009, Gorazd had already made history by coaching Mateja PINTAR to Slovenia’s first Paralympic gold medal in table tennis at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. His success continued in Great Britain, where he led the team through four Paralympic Games. Under his leadership, the squad achieved outstanding results – winning four medals at London 2012, three at Rio 2016 (including golds for Will BAYLEY and Rob DAVIES), seven at Tokyo 2020, and five more at Paris 2024. VECKO built much more than a medal-winning program; he established a family culture at the Sheffield high-performance base, fostering an environment of mutual respect, teamwork, and emotional support. This legacy continues to define the British Para table tennis setup today. Beyond his national role, Gorazd VECKO was a respected figure in European and global table tennis. He contributed to the sport’s development through his work with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and served as Vice-President of Table Tennis England. Within the ETTU community, he was known for his active engagement in Para programs and once led an ETTU Para Development Camp, where his experience and enthusiasm greatly inspired young coaches and athletes across Europe. In recognition of his exceptional service to British Para Table Tennis, Gorazd was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by His Majesty King Charles III in 2023. The ETTU extends its deepest condolences to Gorazd’s family, friends, colleagues, and the players whose lives he profoundly shaped.
Sweden and Czechia Shine in the Under-15 Team Events, Germany Dominate the Under-13 Titles
The closing stages of the JOOLA Europe Youth Series in Czechia brought an exciting show of Europe’s rising table tennis stars, with Sweden, Czechia, and Germany sharing the team titles across the Under-15 and Under-13 events. Sweden Take Under-15 Boys Crown Sweden 1 captured the Under-15 Boys team title with a convincing 3–0 victory over Germany in the final. Emil ELLERMANN and Sigge Sang LEIGERT led the Swedish side with confident performances in both singles and doubles, maintaining composure and precision throughout the match. Germany fought hard through Ben Luca KÖHLER and Jonathan KILIAN, but could not disrupt Sweden’s rhythm and momentum. In the battle for bronze, Sweden 2 claimed third place after a hard-fought 3–1 victory over Austria. Zac HALLÉN and Joel ISAKSSON produced composed and consistent performances in both singles and doubles, showing maturity in decisive moments. Despite determined play from Sung Bing CHEN and Seung CHEN, Austria could not overturn the Swedish dominance. Czechia Triumph in Under-15 Girls Team Final In the Under-15 Girls Team Event, Czechia 1 celebrated a dramatic 3–2 victory over Sweden to secure the title after a thrilling and closely contested final. Adela BRHELOVA gave Czechia a perfect start with a straight-games win, before Sweden’s Siri BENJEGÅRD levelled the score to keep the contest alive. The Czech duo BRHELOVA and Laura MARSICKOVA then combined superbly in doubles to regain the lead, but Sweden again struck back through BENJEGÅRD in a tense fourth match. In the deciding encounter, MARSICKOVA delivered a composed and confident performance to overcome Alicia ENBOM and seal the championship for Czechia. Germany’s Lotta Rothfuss and Ksenija POZNIC and the mixed pairing of Anastasija ZIBUNOVA (Latvia) and Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO (Slovakia) clinched the bronze medals, finishing third and fourth in their respective groups. German Supremacy in Under-13 Events Germany 1 emerged as the Under-13 Boys team champions, defeating Germany 2 by 3–1 in an all-German final. Kirill MANALAKI was instrumental in the champions’ success, combining with Benno DETTMER for decisive singles and doubles wins. Although Paul FLEMMING and Koki PÜSCHEL of Germany 2 opened strongly, Germany 1 soon took control, and MANALAKI sealed the triumph in the final singles match, confirming the team’s impressive campaign. Germany 3 beat 3–1 Czechia 4ion in the match for third posit. Joel ROHALY and Manoj SANKARA were decisive for the German side, securing key wins in both singles and doubles. Despite a strong opening from Tomas Simek, Czechia could not sustain their momentum, leaving Germany 3 to finish proudly on the podium. In the Under-13 Girls Team Final, Germany 1 produced a dominant 3–0 win over Germany 3 to take the gold medal. The pair of Chenhao CHEN and Dana HASPEL displayed total control from start to finish, winning both singles and the doubles in straight matches. Their cohesion and precision throughout the event marked them as clear champions. in the match for third position Germany 4 earned a convincing 3–0 victory over Czechia 1. Hannah SCHLAUCH and Pia KALTENSCHNEE delivered assured performances in both singles and doubles, rounding off their campaign with confidence and style.
Eurotalents Development Camp III Set for Vrsar in December
The next Eurotalents Development Camp III will take place in Vrsar, Croatia, from 17 to 23 December 2025. The camp, organised by the European Table Tennis Union in cooperation with the Croatian Table Tennis Federation, will bring together Europe’s most promising young talents for a week of intensive training and development. Key deadlines are as follows: 31 October for wildcard applications, 10 November for entries submission, and 17 November for cancellations without full charge. National associations are invited to send their entries and any wildcard requests directly to the ETTU Projects team.
Quattro Mori Cagliari Lifts Their First Italian Women’s Super Cup
The eighth edition of the Italian Women’s Super Cup brought a historic first: Quattro Mori Cagliari claimed their maiden title, handing Brunetti Castel Goffredo their first-ever defeat in the competition’s history. At the PalaTennistavolo “Elia Mazzi”, the Sardinian team triumphed 45–37, 45–40 in their debut appearance and received the trophy from FITeT Sports Activities Coordinator Matteo QUARANTELLI. The victory marks Quattro Mori’s first domestic title and second major success overall, following their 2023 Europe Cup triumph. For the first time, the relay format was introduced, with pairs of players alternating every five points and each set played up to 45 points. Led by Pauline CHASSELIN (France), MA Hengyu (China), and Miriam CARNOVALE (Italy), Quattro Mori dominated the opening game and surged to a commanding 25–11 lead in the second. Castel Goffredo, featuring Bernadette SZŐCS (Romania), Nicole ARLIA, Andreea DRAGOMAN (Romania), and Nikoleta STEFANOVA, mounted a spirited comeback from 16–30 to 39–40, but CHASSELIN closed out the match with composure. “It went just as we had hoped—but not quite as we had imagined,” said coach Stefano CURCIO. “I had never won in Castel Goffredo before, so bringing home a trophy is incredibly exciting. The first set was very close; in the second, after our fast start, the opponents fought back, but we kept pushing and won. Pauline was our driving force—she showed her quality in every point. Ma, only 18 and competing outside China for the first time, played superbly and constantly encouraged her teammates. Miriam was excellent too; after falling behind against ARLIA, she managed to recover—that was a key moment. When the match ended, she burst into tears, showing how much she cares about this team. We truly won as a team, and that’s what makes me proud. After the Europe Cup, we were missing a victory in Italy—now it’s here, and it feels fantastic.” Result: Brunetti Castel Goffredo – Quattro Mori Cagliari 37–45, 40–45 First game: Second game:
ETTU Executive Board Appoints Senga THOMSON as Welfare Officer
The ETTU Executive Board has appointed Senga THOMSON as the new ETTU Welfare Officer. Serving in a voluntary and advisory capacity, the Welfare Officer acts as a key point of contact for any concerns related to harassment, abuse, or general well-being. The role focuses on promoting safeguarding principles across European table tennis and ensuring that anyone in need of advice or support is directed to the appropriate channels. “I am honoured to take up such an important role with the European Table Tennis Union. I look forward to using my experiences to ensure all member associations feel safe, respected and supported within the sport,” said ETTU Welfare Officer Senga THOMSON. Through this appointment, ETTU reinforces its commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all athletes, officials, and members of the European table tennis community.
JOOLA Europe Youth Series Czech Open Set to Begin in Plzeň
The 2025 JOOLA Europe Youth Series Czech Open will take place from 22 to 26 October 2025 in Plzeň, Czechia. The event will bring together many of Europe’s most promising young players, with events in U13 and U15 Boys’ and Girls’ Teams, Singles, and Mixed Doubles. Germany leads the U15 Boys’ Team seeding with Kirill MANALAKI and Benno DETTMER, followed by a second German pair, Paul FLEMMING and Koki PÜSCHEL, also among the top contenders. Poland’s Ignacy UTYLSKI and Adrian NOWAKOWSKI are seeded third, while Croatia’s Šimun MILOŠEVIĆ and Matija ZOHIL complete the top four. The host nation fields four teams, led by Filip BEDNÁŘ and František TLUSTÝ as Czechia 1. In the U15 Girls’ Teams, Czechia 1 heads the entry list with Kristýna KONEČNÁ and Linda RATAJSKA on home soil. Germany’s strong depth is visible again, with Kristin TUVE and Anna RADENBACH (Germany 3) seeded second, followed by Anna KÜHN and Sofia HOPPENWORTH (Germany 2). Other notable entries include several Czech teams featuring rising players such as Amálie SEDLÁČKOVÁ and Bára CUPÁKOVÁ. The U13 Boys’ event will feature a remarkable international mix. The top-seeded pair Jimi KOIVUMÄKI (FIN) and Maksims RUSINOVS (LAT) headline as Finland/Latvia 1 with a combined total of over 4200 ranking points. They are followed by Sweden 2 — Joel ISAKSSON and Zac HALLÉN — and Sweden 1 with Emil ELLERMANN and Sigge Sang LEIGERT. Austria’s Chen Sung Bing and Chen Seung JIN are seeded fourth. For the hosts, Czechia 1 (Richard Feber Jr. and Tomáš Matuška) will aim to make an impression, while Croatia, Denmark, and Poland all field multiple squads in this category. In the U13 Girls’ Teams, Czechia 1 is top-seeded with Adéla BRHELOVÁ and Laura MARŠIČKOVÁ, who enter as heavy favourites with the highest combined ranking points of the tournament. The second seed is the Slovakia/Latvia combination of Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO and Anastasija ZIBUNOVA, followed closely by Sweden’s Siri BENJEGÅRD and Alicia ENBOM. Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands complete the list with balanced young rosters. Team events begin on Wednesday, 22 October, followed by the singles and mixed doubles events from Friday to Sunday.
Great Britain Youth Academy Recruiting Lead Coach
21 October 2025 – The newly established Great Britain Youth Academy, developed in partnership with Grantham College and a local school, is inviting applications for the position of Head Coach. The Academy represents an exciting step forward in building a high-performance pathway for young British table tennis talents, combining daily training, education, and personal development in one professional environment. Organisers are particularly keen to attract interest from experienced coaches across Europe to bring international expertise and perspective to the programme. Full details and application information are available here: Head Coach – GB Youth Academy (Grantham College)
France Crowned European Team Champions for the First Time Since 1998
Newly crowned European Team Champion is France. In the final of the men’s event at the European Team Championships 2025 in Zadar, the Olympic bronze medallists overcame Romania 3–0 to capture their first European team title in 27 years. After finishing third in Malmö 2023, France went two steps higher on the podium to reclaim continental glory. In a dazzling display of power and precision, Alexis LEBRUN, Félix LEBRUN, and Simon GAUZY defeated Iulian CHIRITA, Eduard IONESCU, and Ovidiu IONESCU in straight matches. Félix LEBRUN summarised the triumph simply: “It was just a perfect match! We enjoyed every moment of this championship, and to win the gold is the perfect ending.” His brother Alexis LEBRUN added: “It’s crazy, European Champion! It’s unbelievable. We have such a great team, and it’s an incredible feeling to share this together. I’m just so happy to be part of this amazing team. We are European Champions, it’s just amazing!” When asked about their toughest opponents, Alexis didn’t hesitate: “Germany, I think. They have a very strong team, and it was a tough match, but we managed it well. I think we played a great tournament overall, everything went perfectly.” The team’s most experienced member, Simon GAUZY, reflected on the historic moment: “After so many years, to be European champions again in a team event feels amazing. I’m just really, really happy right now. Of course, Romania did a great job reaching the final, but definitely, Germany was the toughest team to beat. Still, we played a perfect tournament from beginning to end, we can only be proud.” France’s golden triumph in Zadar marks their fourth European team title, following previous victories in 1984, 1994, and 1998. They have also finished as runners-up twice (1986, 1996) and collected six bronze medals (2002, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023). For the first time in history, Romania’s men’s team advanced to the final, surpassing their previous best of three bronze medals (2005, 2007, 2009). Their remarkable run, highlighted by victories over Sweden and Slovenia, showcased the rise of a new generation led by Iulian CHIRITA, Eduard IONESCU, and Ovidiu IONESCU. Germany and Slovenia Share Bronze Germany secured the bronze medal after their narrow semi-final loss to eventual champions France. The team of Benedikt DUDA, Patrick FRANZISKA, Dang QIU, André BERTELSMEIER, and Ricardo WALTHER finished one step lower than their silver result in Malmö 2023. It is only the third time this century that Germany has not reached the final (previously in 2000 and 2005). Since their first European team title in 2007, Germany have been a dominant force, reaching 12 consecutive finals, an unmatched record in the competition’s history. Over the decades, Germany have earned: 9 gold medals – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2021; 7 silver medals – 1980, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2014, 2015, 2023; 3 bronze medals – 1962, 1992, 1994. Slovenia joined Germany on the third step of the podium, celebrating their second-ever team medal, after their historic bronze in 2017. Their line-up featured Darko JORGIC, Deni KOZUL, Brin VOVK PETROVSKI, Peter HRIBAR, and Bojan TOKIC, marking another milestone in Slovenian table tennis history. Final – Men’s Team Event France – Romania 3–0
Germany Crowned European Champions for the Tenth Time – Third Consecutive Title
The German women’s team are European champions for the tenth time overall and for the third time in a row since 2021. At the European Team Championships in Zadar, Croatia, Sabine WINTER, Annett KAUFMANN, Nina MITTELHAM, Yuan WAN and Mia GRIESEL defeated their long-time rivals Romania 3–0, successfully defending the title they won two years ago, once again without losing a single individual match throughout the tournament. Bronze medalists were Portugal and the Netherlands. In the opening match, 19-year-old Annett KAUFMANN started with explosive energy, taking the first game 11–4 against Romania’s No. 1 Bernadette SZÖCS. That came as a surprise, as KAUFMANN had never won even a single game in their two previous international encounters, most recently losing 0–4 at last year’s European Championships in Linz. “I didn’t go into the match confident because of our head-to-head record,” KAUFMANN admitted. “But I told myself: I’ve got nothing to lose. Suddenly I was up 9–3 in the first game, and that’s when I felt the confidence, I told myself, this match is mine.” SZÖCS fought back to level the score and took the second game 12–10. KAUFMANN responded brilliantly, going up 8–1 in the third and regaining the lead 11–8. SZÖCS equalised once more, but the young German completely dominated the decider, racing to 5–0 at the change of ends and sealing the win 11–5, a massive first point for Germany. Next up, Sabine WINTER once again displayed her growing confidence and composure. Against 2015 European champion Elizabeta SAMARA, she took the first two games before the Romanian mounted a comeback, reducing the gap and leading 7–4 in the fourth. Then WINTER switched gears, winning seven points in a row to close the match 3–1. The closing match brought a sense of déjà vu from Malmö 2023, as Nina MITTELHAM faced Andreea DRAGOMAN, the same opponent she had edged out in a five-set thriller last time. Once again, the duel was tight. MITTELHAM, who rejoined the team in the knockout rounds after recovering from illness, took the first two games 14–12 and 11–8, dropped the third, and then finished strong to secure the championship 3–1. “When it really matters, when the opponents are stronger, that’s when I start to play better,” said MITTELHAM, visibly relieved after the match. “I’m glad the other two gave me a 2–0 lead; that made it a bit easier. I hadn’t played many matches since my injury break, so every match helps me get back into rhythm. I even joked before the tournament that we should keep our 3–0 streak going, and now we really did it all the way to the title!” She also praised her teammates: “Annett played unbelievably well, she had never beaten Szöcs before. And Sabine was rock solid against Samara, just as I imagined she would be.” On their way to a tenth European title, Germany did not lose a single team or individual match. Their unbeaten run stretches back to 2021, encompassing 17 consecutive team victories, including twelve consecutive straight 3–0 wins. Sabine WINTER: “I’m just super grateful for this experience and for being able to fight with this team. When you win the European Championships, it’s an incredible feeling. “When we were leading 2–0 in matches, I started to believe strongly. I had a lot of confidence in Nina, she always manages tough matches so well. After that, we could be calmer, not relaxed, but confident.” Dominant Record in Europe Germany remains one of the most successful nations in the history of the European Team Championships, boasting ten titles, 1962, 1968, 1996, 1998, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2023, and 2025. They have finished as runners-up five times (1982, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2017) and taken bronze twice (1986, 2007). With this tenth title, Germany moves ahead of Hungary on the all-time winners’ list, the Hungarians claimed nine golds between the 1960s and 2007. Romania has claimed the title five times (1992, 2002, 2005, 2017, 2019), finished runners-up seven times (1958, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2021, 2023), and taken eight bronze medals (1960, 1964, 1978, 1980, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2008). Remarkably, since 2011, Romania reached the final in every edition of the Championships except 2014. Portugal and the Netherlands Share Bronze Portugal confirmed their consistency at the European Team Championships by finishing third once again, matching their results from 2021 and 2023, after claiming silver in 2019. The team of Jieni SHAO, Fu YU, Julia LEAL, and Matilde PINTO reached the semi-finals, where their campaign was halted by defending champions Germany. The Netherlands made a triumphant return to the medal rostrum, winning bronze for the first time since 2017. With the experienced duo Britt EERLAND and Jie LI back in the lineup, they led Shuohan MEN and Tanja HELLE to another podium finish. The Netherlands boast a proud record at the European Championships, with four consecutive gold medals (2008–2011), one silver (1992), and two bronzes (1988, 2017). Final – Women’s Team Romania – Germany 0–3 Bernadette SZÖCS – Annett KAUFMANN 2–3 (4–11, 11–9, 8–11, 11–6, 5–11) Elizabeta SAMARA – Sabine WINTER 1–3 (5–11, 8–11, 11–8, 7–11) Andreea DRAGOMAN – Nina MITTELHAM 1–3 (12–14, 8–11, 11–8, 5–11)
France to Face Romania in the Men’s Final in Zadar
In the final of the European Team Championships 2025 in Zadar, France will meet Romania. For the first time in history, the Romanian men’s team have advanced to the final, surpassing their previous best result of three bronze medals. On their way to the ultimate stage, Romania defeated defending European champions Sweden and then Slovenia in an impressive and emotional semi-final performance. Slovenia’s top star Darko JORGIC suffered his first defeat of the tournament at the hands of Iulian CHIRITA in a thrilling five-game opening match. That victory set the tone for the tie, which eventually ended in straight matches in favour of Romania. Iulian CHIRITA: “We still can’t really believe that we’re in the final, it’s the first time ever for the Romanian men, so it’s an amazing feeling. It was a really tough match. Darko is one of the best in Europe, maybe number one or two, and he’s a really strong player. But I know him quite well, I’ve already played him twice this year, so I managed to play very well throughout the match, and I’m really happy that I didn’t lose to him again. In the second match, Edy started to play really well, and that gave us a lot of confidence. And then Ovi, I’m really happy that he managed to win the last match against TOKIC. He’s such an interesting guy, always bringing great energy to the team. Honestly, I still don’t have words for the fact that we’re in the final. It’s unbelievable. But we’re already looking forward to giving our best and playing a really good match in the final.” On securing the opening point for Romania, CHIRITA added: “It was really important, because after beating their number one player, the whole team could relax more. We spoke with the coaches before the match about the lineup, and they told me, ‘You’re going to play against Darko,’ so I prepared specifically for that. Once you beat the top player from the other team, everything changes, the team feels more confident. Everyone played really well, and I’m very proud of them.” Looking ahead to the final, he continued: “It’s going to be really tough against France, they’re all top players. But we know Félix and Alexis quite well; we’ve played them many times. They’re very strong and very confident. Still, we have nothing to lose. We’ll fight for every point, every set, and every match. We’re ready for tomorrow, and for whatever comes after.” Ovidiu IONESCU:“Unbelievable feeling, I still can’t believe we’re in the final of the European Championships. The team event is just amazing. Congratulations to everyone who helped and supported us; we played an incredible match. Iulian beating JORGIC, a top-10 player, gave us huge confidence. The 3–0 score doesn’t show how tough it really was, it was much closer. It was an unbelievable performance from the whole team. Julian’s win and then Eddie’s victory against KOZUL helped a lot. When I played the third match, I can’t say I was relaxed, but I was definitely more confident that we could finish the job and win it in the end. We beat Sweden, and I believe that if you’re in the final, you have to believe you can win it. France are maybe the strongest team at the moment, but sport has shown many times that surprises can happen. We’ll give everything tomorrow. Before this, we had three bronze medals, and now this is the first silver in our history. We had a great generation before us, and now, with these young players, maybe it’s not the last medal in the team event. For now, we just want to enjoy the moment and prepare for tomorrow.” Slovenia – Romania 0–3
