Four-time Europe Cup champions UCAM Cartagena T.M. are set to begin their European campaign in the ETTU Champions League Women Stage 2, competing in Group 4 alongside top-seeded Etival ASRTT (France) and TTC Novi Sad (Serbia). This season, the Spanish club holds the No. 8 seeding and presents a powerful line-up featuring Maria XIAO (No. 10 in Europe), Tin-Tin HO (No. 46 in Europe), Daniela ORTEGA of Chile (World No. 117), Angela RODRIGUEZ, Carmen LOZANO, Miriam SEGURA, Silvija ERDELJI, and Yao LI. “We are looking forward to starting our Champions League journey. Everyone is ready to fight,” said Maria XIAO. Last year, UCAM Cartagena reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual champions ttc berlin eastside. In the previous season’s Stage 2, they were also drawn with Etival ASRTT, losing both encounters but still managing to progress from the group. What are your expectations for this season? “We are playing Etival again as we did last year in the group stage. They are a very strong team, so we have nothing to lose. Novi Sad is a dangerous opponent, but I believe we will have our chances.” Where do you see your team’s strengths this year? “Etival are favourites to win the group. They have top players and are a very solid team. I think we are quite strong ourselves, especially with our Chinese player, so hopefully we can aim for a better result in this year’s ETTU Champions League.” How is the team performing domestically? “We’ve started well in the national league, we’re currently at the top of the table together with two other teams.” How important is the Champions League for UCAM Cartagena this season? “As I said, with our Chinese player available, we can aim for a better result than last year. She couldn’t play in the quarterfinals last season, which was unfortunate. Hopefully this year she’ll participate in more matches. Everyone is performing well so far. Daniela ORTEGA has improved a lot and can be dangerous, while Tin-Tin is back on the international stage and I believe she’ll reach her top form soon. Every player has a role to play, each one is important, and everyone will be key in the upcoming matches. I hope people will follow the Women’s Champions League, it’s an exciting competition, and hopefully they’ll cheer for us.” The two best-ranked teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals those who failed to qualify will proceed to Stage 2 of the Europe Cup. For the first time in history, the ETTU will introduce a Final Four format to conclude the ETTU Champions League Women.
Champions Ready: 1. FC Saarbrücken TT Launch Title Defence Against Dojlidy Białystok
The 2025/26 season of the ETTU Champions League Men is about to begin, and the title defence by 1. FC Saarbrücken TT promises to be another spectacular campaign. In their opening Round of 16 match, the German powerhouse will face Dojlidy Białystok in Poland on 14 November 2025. “I think it’s hard to talk about the shape of the players right now because there have been so many tournaments recently. I played the quarterfinals in Montpellier, and Patrick FRANZISKA is always consistent when it matters most. Patrick played last week in Frankfurt, while FAN is not with us at the moment as he’s competing at the Chinese Championships. I believe we’re in solid form and, of course, we’ll give our best. We know what the Champions League means, and we can’t wait to play the first match,” explained Darko JORGIC. The German club returns as the top seed after lifting the trophy for the past three seasons. Now, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT come back even stronger—with a line-up that reads like a who’s who of global table tennis. The team has added one of the sport’s biggest names: FAN Zhendong, the reigning Olympic and World Champion, holder of three Olympic and nine World Championship gold medals. The line-up also features Sweden’s charismatic Truls MOREGÅRD, Europe’s No. 1 Darko JORGIC of Slovenia (world No. 4), and Germany’s own Patrick FRANZISKA (Europe No. 5). Romanian prodigy Eduard IONESCU and Japanese defender Yuto MURAMATSU round out what is arguably the strongest roster in European club competition. “The atmosphere in the team is great—it’s fun, but also very professional, exactly how I’ve always wanted it to be. We can’t wait for FAN to return, honestly. He’s a true professional, always ready both for training and for keeping the good spirit in the team. I hope he’ll stay with us next season as well, but we’ll see how things develop. He shows every day why he’s such a fantastic player and an Olympic champion. Of course, he needs some time to adapt, because everything here is different from China—tables, balls, style of play. It’s difficult for him, just as it is for all of us when we go to Asia, but we know he’s a true champion, and we can’t wait for him to join us again after the Asian Championships.” Speaking about the Round of 16 encounter, JORGIC added: “Against Dojlidy Białystok, it might be tricky because they have nothing to lose. They will surely give their all. I haven’t played with Konstantinos ANGELAKIS for maybe six years, and I haven’t faced the other players before. We are the favourites in this match, but anything can happen. The first leg is away, and we must show good play from start to finish. There will be some pressure, but I believe we can succeed and gain the advantage for the home match. We know it will be tough since they’re the hosts, which gives them an edge, but I hope for a good performance and form from all of us, to give our best and achieve the goal.” JORGIC also commented on the team’s current position in the TTBL Bundesliga: “We are all ready and well-prepared for the start. At the moment, we’re second in the Bundesliga, with the same number of points as the teams in third, fourth, and fifth place, and there’s still a lot to play for. We had two setbacks at the beginning of the season, but everyone knows how tough the Bundesliga is. I hope we’ll manage to reach the play-offs.”
Borussia Düsseldorf Ready for ETTU Champions League
No. 2 seeds in the ETTU Champions League Men, last year’s runners-up Borussia Düsseldorf, remain the most decorated club in the competition’s history with six Champions League titles and six European Cup of Champions trophies. Their campaign starts this week as they face No. 17 seeds Real Club Cajasur Priego TM in the knockout stage. Coach Danny HEISTER emphasised the importance of the upcoming match. “We will of course take the game very seriously, especially since we don’t even know who Priego will be playing. They have a lot of players on their list. We will play with the full team and try to achieve a good result. It is, of course, very exhausting for us right now with five games in ten days in the Bundesliga, the Cup… But the Champions League is very important to us, and we will give everything as always,” said HEISTER. Borussia Düsseldorf’s line-up includes Dang QIU, ranked number seven in Europe; Anton KÄLLBERG, ranked tenth; Kanak JHA currently world number 29; Yongyin LI and Borgar HAUG ranked 23rd in Europe. Their opponents, Real Club Cajasur Priego TM, earned their place in the knockout stage after a stunning performance in Novi Sad. The Andalusian club, seeded seventeenth, achieved one of the biggest surprises of the stage. Led by Hampus SÖDERLUND, Carlos MACHADO and Alejandro CALVO, Priego shocked the group favourites AS Pontoise Cergy TT of France, a team featuring Europe’s number 19 Liam PITCHFORD, Alexandre CASSIN and Flavio MOURIER. The Spanish team did it all without their top player Robert GARDOS.
Real Club Cajasur Priego TM Ready to Challenge Giants Borussia Düsseldorf in Knockout Stage
Spanish Real Club Cajasur Priego TM is set for a thrilling Round of 16 encounter against the no. 2 seeds and last year’s runners-up Borussia Düsseldorf, six-time ETTU Champions League winners and five times Europe Club of Champions’ winners. The Andalusian club, seeded no. 17, earned its place in the knockout stage after a stunning performance in Novi Sad. Led by Hampus SÖDERLUND, Carlos MACHADO, and Alejandro CALVO, they shocked the group favourites AS Pontoise Cergy TT (FRA), featuring Europe’s no. 19 Liam PITCHFORD, Alexandre CASSIN, and Flavio MOURIER. Pitchford fell to both MACHADO and CALVO, sealing one of the most remarkable upsets of the stage and all that without their top player Robert GARDOS. Now fully reinforced, the Spanish champions are eager to continue their European adventure. “We’re in a great moment, having started the season with confidence, and everyone is excited to compete in the Champions League,” said the club Manager Alejandro Calvo MACHADO. “We have a strong squad of 8/10 players ready to enjoy this experience at the highest level.” Carlos MACHADO, a veteran of Spanish table tennis, highlighted an important milestone for the club this year: “Our biggest change this season is that our venue is undergoing major renovation works. It’s a big step for the club’s future.” Cajasur Priego TM remains one of Spain’s dominant sides, with three consecutive national league titles, 10 national championships, and 10 King’s Cup trophies. Looking ahead to the duel with the German giants, Machado stayed realistic but optimistic: “It’s going to be a great spectacle for everyone who comes to watch. Borussia Düsseldorf has no weak points, their biggest strength is their squad depth and consistency. For us, playing at home is a big advantage, and our motivation is sky-high. We must remember we’re facing Europe’s best team and keep our feet on the ground.” The manager added: “This competition means a lot to us it’s the highest level we can reach, and we’re proud to represent Spanish table tennis at this stage.” Ahead of the match, he sent a message to fans: “Come and enjoy world-class table tennis, support our players, and be part of a good cause this event will also help raise funds for ALS patients.” When asked about the team’s goals for the season, MACHADO emphasized passion and perspective: “We’re aware of the quality of all the participating clubs. Our goal is to enjoy the experience, play at our best, and promote table tennis in Spain.” Finally, reflecting on the preparation for this knockout phase, he concluded: “Every round requires more focus and precision. The level of difficulty rises, and we must give absolutely everything to achieve a positive result.”
Dojlidy Białystok Ready to Host Reigning Champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT
The Polish club Dojlidy Białystok faces a great challenge in the Round of 16 of the 2025/26 ETTU Champions League Men, as they prepare to meet the top-seeded and reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT on 14 November. For the Polish side, seeded number 20, this encounter marks one of the biggest matches in their club’s history a chance to test themselves against Europe’s finest. The German powerhouse 1. FC Saarbrücken TT enters the knockout stage as the overwhelming favourite. The defending champions, winners of the last three editions of the Champions League, travel to Poland with a line-up that reads like a who’s who of world table tennis. Their squad features Olympic and World Champion Zhendong FAN, alongside some of Europe’s best-ranked players: Truls MOREGÅRD (ER 1), Darko JORGIC (ER 4), Patrick FRANZISKA (ER 5), Yuto MURAMATSU (WR 73) and Eduard IONESCU (ER 14). Dojlidy Białystok, led by team manager Piotr MICHALSKI, approach the match with optimism and unity. Their squad features Hong Kong’s Baldwin CHAN (WR 65) Greece’s Konstantinos ANGELAKIS (ER 98), Poland’s Patryk CHOJNOWSKI (ER 446), Piotr MICHALSKI (ER 526), Piotr CHODORSKI, Pawel PISZCZATOWSKI, Bohdan LINSKYI and Japan’s Kakeru SONE (26). “This match will be a true celebration of table tennis in our city,” said MICHALSKI. “We expect large crowds at the event. At this level, details and the players’ form on the day make the difference. Our team will do everything possible to surprise a much more decorated opponent, whose lineup includes medalists from almost every major competition in the world.” He added that the team’s morale is high despite a mixed domestic record. “Our league results have been varied we lost the last two games, but won the two before that. The atmosphere is good, and everyone is healthy and ready to compete. After our last league match, the players had a week to recover and train. The preparation is complete, and we can’t wait for the match to begin.” MICHALSKI also praised Piotr CHODORSKI, one of the team’s standout players this season. “CHODORSKI joined our club this season, and his excellent performance in the group stage was a key factor in our qualification for the Round of 16. He’s definitely a player to watch he plays in a very spectacular style and shows great fighting spirit.” Currently sitting 9th in the Polish Super League after eight rounds, Dojlidy Białystok are looking to climb higher domestically while using the ETTU Champions League as a springboard for experience and visibility. “This competition is a great opportunity for the club’s development, allowing us to see how things are organized and played in other places. We fight for every single point until the very end,” MICHALSKI added. The duel between the ambitious Polish side and the defending champions promises both intensity and spectacle. Dojlidy Białystok hope that home support and determination can help them push the limits. “Our main goal,” concluded MICHALSKI, “is to fight for victory in every competition we enter and this time, to make our fans proud against one of the best teams in the world.”
ITTF AGM 2025 Continuation
Dear Colleagues and Friends, I hope this message finds you well. As you are aware, the Continuation of the ITTF Annual General Meeting 2025 will take place on Saturday, 15 November 2025, at 11:30 CET. This meeting represents an important opportunity for all member associations to engage directly in the governance of our sport at the international level. Your active participation is essential. The AGM Continuation will address key matters that will shape the future direction of the world of table tennis, including the election of the 8 members of the ITTF Executive Board for the next 4 years, as well as the ratification of all members of the ITTF Council that were voted in their respective continents. Europe has always played a crucial and constructive role in the ITTF family — guided by our shared commitment to good governance, transparency, and the long-term growth of our sport. I am confident that, by participating fully and speaking with a united and forward-looking voice, we can continue to strengthen Europe’s contribution to global decision-making. I therefore kindly ask all ETTU Member Associations delegates to ensure their attendance and full engagement in this important meeting. Please verify that your national delegate or designated representative is duly registered and available to take part in the proceedings. Let us demonstrate once again our unity, professionalism, and dedication to the principles that have long defined European table tennis. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment. I look forward to seeing you — virtually — on November 15th. With kind regards, PEDRO MOURA PresidentEuropean Table Tennis Union (ETTU)
SF SKK El Niňo Praha Face KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki
The Czechia’s capital’s pride, El Niňo Praha, return to the European spotlight with another demanding challenge, hosting Polish Super League leaders KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki in the ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16 on 13 November 2025. KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, the No. 3 seeds, are stacked with international calibre: Milosz REDZIMSKI, Marek BADOWSKI, legendary Greek defender Panagiotis GIONIS, and Japan’s Tanuka JIN make the Polish side clear favourites on paper. However, El Niňo Praha have shown before that they thrive in the role of underdogs. Last season, they defeated the strong German side Post SV Mühlhausen and narrowly missed further progress. Their line-up remains built on experience and chemistry, with Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA, Tomáš KONEČNÝ, and David REITŠPIES forming the team’s core, supported by talented junior Martin ŠÍP. Head coach Petr KAUCKÝ believes his side can challenge once again: “We are aware that the Polish team is the favorite. But we played with them last year and we know what awaits us. David REITŠPIES defeated defender Panagiotis GIONIS, Tomáš KONEČNÝ defeated Marek BADOWSKI, so there is some hope. We will try to use the home environment and keep hope for the rematch. We also know that the strength of Milosz REDZINSKI is great, but that is not a reason not to think about and have a chance to advance,” said coach Petr KAUCKÝ.
Orlicz Suchedniów Aims to Build on Final 4 Success as New Champions League Campaign Begins
On 13 November, KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów will open their ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16 campaign with an away clash against TTC Sokah Hoboken in Belgium. Last season’s Final 4 contenders, the Polish side enter this year’s competition as the No. 6 seed, while Hoboken advanced from the opening stage in impressive fashion, defying the odds from their 19th-seeded position to reach the knockout rounds. Orlicz Suchedniów’s line-up features Slovenia’s Deni KOZUL (No. 22 in the European ranking), Korea’s Seungmin CHO (WR 69), Japan’s Kazuhiro YOSHIMURA (WR 109), Satoshi AIDA, and Polish representatives Mateusz ZALEWSKI and Damian WEDERLICH (ER 110 and 513), as well as Dawid STAPOR. “We’ve had quite a few matches recently, and the team spirit is as strong as always,” said Deni KOZUL. “All players are healthy and ready. We have refreshed our squad a bit with Asian players they’re still adapting, but I believe they’ll be well prepared for the Champions League.” Unlike the Belgian club, Orlicz Suchedniów joins the competition directly from the Round of 16. “There are no weak teams at this stage, so we’re taking the match very seriously,” added KOZUL. “It will be a tough battle, but I believe we can win and reach the quarter-finals. The first leg is away, and I hope many fans will come from Poland to support us. Our biggest strength is our unity, we give everything, both on the table and on the bench. Hoboken is strong, so we’ll need to play at our highest level. There’s no secret formula, we’ll prepare for each opponent carefully and fight for every point.” Last season, the Polish club produced one of the biggest surprises of the competition. Starting from the group stage, Orlicz Suchedniów went unbeaten in that phase, then defeated A.S. Pontoise-Cergy TT in the Round of 16 and KS Dekorglass Działdowo in the quarter-finals to reach their first-ever Champions League Men Final 4, where they eventually fell to hosts 1. FC Saarbrücken TT. “We know it won’t be easy to repeat last year’s semi-final success,” said KOZUL. “But I believe in this team, with a bit of luck, we can go far again. We’re taking it match by match, ball by ball, and we’ll see how far that takes us. I also want to call on our supporters, we have the best fans, and I hope they’ll come in large numbers to help us fight for a quarter-final place.” Domestically, Orlicz Suchedniów currently sit third in the Polish league standings. “We’ve won six matches and lost only two, both against last year’s champions and runners-up, so I’d say the season has started well,” concluded KOZUL.
Mühlhausen Overcome Ostrov in Confident Home Victory (VIDEO)
Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. secured the opening leg victory in the ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16 with a solid 3–1 home win against HB Ostrov z.s, marking a strong start for the German side. The German club dominate throughout the tie, with Marcos FREITAS leading the charge in front of home supporters. In the opening match, the Portuguese international set the tone for the evening with a dominant 3–0 victory over Pavel ŠIRUČEK, giving Mühlhausen an early advantage. Steffen MENGEL extended the lead by defeating Vladislav URSU 3–1. Although URSU managed to take the third game, MENGEL maintained his rhythm to close the fourth and move Mühlhausen 2–0 ahead. The visitors struck back through Jiří VRÁBLÍK, who produced a fine display to overcome Ovidiu IONESCU 3–1, keeping Ostrov’s hopes alive. However, in the decisive fourth match, Marcos FREITAS once again proved unstoppable. With precision and confidence, he defeated Vladislav URSU in straight games to seal Mühlhausen’s overall 3–1 victory. “I am very happy with my performance today. It was a very good first match for me in the Champions League season. I knew it would be very difficult to play against ŠIRUČEK, we faced each other many times in the past, and it was never an easy match. However, today I was very confident and calm, and I did not make many mistakes. On the other side, it was my first encounter against URSU. I know he is a very good and fast player, and I wasn’t sure how it would go, but I believed that if I stayed calm and stuck to my game, I would have my chances. I’m happy to bring two wins to the team, and I’m looking forward to travelling to Czechia for the return leg.We had great support here; thanks to our supporters for the perfect atmosphere they created. It felt great to win as a team,” said Marcos FREITAS. Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. – HB Ostrov z.s. 3–1
ttc berlin eastside Make a Statement in Paris with Convincing Win (VIDEO)
The reigning champions ttc berlin eastside started their 2025/26 ETTU Champions League Women campaign with a 3–0 away victory over Saint-Denis TT 93 in the opening round of Stage 2. Berlin’s club, chasing their seventh European crown, delivered a powerful performance against the French side, combining control, and confidence from start to finish. In the opening singles, Germany’s Nina MITTELHAM (ER 7) set the rhythm with a commanding 3–0 win over Prithika PAVADE (ER 8). Japan’s Miyuu KIHARA (WR 22) extended the visitors’ lead by overcoming Hana ARAPOVIC (ER 32) in straight games. In the third encounter, Germany’s experienced Xiaona SHAN (ER 14) sealed the victory with a 3–1 triumph over Li JIE (ER 96). After dropping the opening game 8–11, Shan recovered quickly and secured the overall 3–0 team win for ttc berlin eastside. Club president Andreas HAIN praised his team’s start to the season: “That was a focused performance from our team in Paris against Saint-Denis. We didn’t just want to win the match, but also make a statement. A 3–0 victory and a 9–1 set score against this opponent sends a clear message to the competition that we are a force to be reckoned with. Nina was brilliant against PAVADE and dominated them. A truly outstanding performance! We hope to continue this form against Linz on Sunday.” The reigning champions thus begin their title defence in Group 3 with a confident away win. They will next host Linz AG Froschberg (AUT) on 16 November. Saint-Denis TT 93 (FRA) – ttc berlin eastside (GER) 0–3 Top Seeds Tarnobrzeg Open with Dominant 3–0 Victory in Spain Top-seeded KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg concluded the opening leg in dominant fashion, securing a 3–0 away victory over MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada. The reigning champions and four-time title holders started confidently, with Ying HAN displaying her trademark precision and defensive mastery to overcome Ruichen GUO 3–1. After a tight opening game that HAN narrowly took 13–11, GUO levelled in the second, but the experienced German international raised her level to close the next two games decisively and secure Tarnobrzeg’s first point. Xiaoxin YANG doubled the lead for the Polish powerhouse, defeating Olga VOROBEVA in straight games before Yu FU completed the team’s perfect start, producing a composed 3–0 victory over Andrea TODOROVIC to seal the tie. Coach Zbigniew NĘCEK reflected on his team’s performance after the opening victory: “We won, but to achieve it the players had to rise to the heights of their abilities. The match with Ying HAN was especially very close, but the experience of our player helped us secure a good result. We don’t have time to rest, our focus is already on the upcoming match, which we will play in Tarnobrzeg this Saturday.” Tarnobrzeg will next face Saint-Quentin TT on 15 November. MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada – KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg 0–3 Metz TT Overcome Rzeszów Challenge Last season’s runners-up Metz TT beat PGE Fibrain KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów. The opening match brought early celebration for the hosts, as the experienced Fen LI produced an excellent performance to defeat Adina DIACONU and give Rzeszów a 1–0 lead. Metz responded through Hana GODA, who edged past Zuzanna WIELGOS in a dramatic five-game thriller. The young Polish player fought back bravely, taking the fourth game 11–4 to force a decider, but GODA held her nerve to claim the win and level the score at 1–1. The French side then moved ahead when Charlotte LUTZ overcame Ilona SZTWIERTNIA, giving Metz a crucial advantage. “It was a hard match and we won not only at the table but also mentally. We have a really good spirit, and I think this is very important. We will do our best to make it to the main draw,” said Charlotte LUTZ. In the decisive fourth match, Hana GODA returned to the table and completed Metz’s victory by defeating Fen LI in another five-game battle. Despite LI’S strong start, the Egyptian rising star found her rhythm to close out the contest and secure the win for the runner-ups. “I am very happy that we won. It was a very tough match, but we all gave our best and managed to take the victory in the end,” said Hana GODA. PGE Fibrain KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów– Metz TT 1–3 Etival Edge Novi Sad Etival ASRTT overcame TTC Novi Sad in a gripping contest that went the full distance twice, securing a 3–1 victory in their opening match of Stage 2. The French club, seeded number four, were made to fight hard by the Serbian champions, who showed great determination and spirit throughout the evening. In the opening encounter, Australia’s Yangzi LIU (WR 35) gave Etival an early lead by defeating Serbia’s Aneta MAKSUTI. Despite Maksuti’s strong third game, Liu managed to close the fourth by the narrowest of margins to secure the opening point for the visitors. Valeria SHCHERBATYKH then levelled the score for Novi Sad with an outstanding 3–1 victory over Portugal’s Jieni SHAO, giving the home supporters plenty to cheer. The tie continued with another intense duel, as Valeria KOTCYR faced Sweden’s Christina KÄLLBERG. After dropping the first two games, KOTCYR fought back impressively to equalise, but KÄLLBERG’S consistency under pressure allowed her to prevail and put Etival back in front at 2–1. In the fourth singles, Aneta MAKSUTI returned to the table to face Jieni SHAO. The Serbian player once again delivered a spirited performance, pushing the Portuguese international to five games. MAKSUTI led 2–1 and even held opportunities to extend the match further, but SHAO’s experience and resilience proved decisive as she fought back to win 3–2, sealing Etival’s overall victory. TTC Novi Sad (SRB) – Etival ASRTT (FRA) 2–3
