Sweden experienced mixed emotions on Wednesday at the ITTF World Team Championships Finals in London, as the men’s team advanced confidently to the quarterfinals while the women’s campaign came to an end against defending champions China. The Swedish women faced a daunting challenge in the Round of 16 against the six-time consecutive world champions, and China once again demonstrated why they remain the dominant force in women’s table tennis. Despite the straight-games defeat, Sweden showed determination throughout the tie. Linda BERGSTRÖM, Stina KÄLLBERG and Filippa BERGAND all battled hard, but the class and consistency of China’s stars proved overwhelming. Whether it was SUN Yingsha, WANG Manyu or WANG Yidi, the pattern remained the same. Sweden created opportunities in rallies, but the Chinese players repeatedly found solutions and maintained extraordinary control under pressure. Later in the day, Sweden’s men produced a much more comfortable evening, defeating Croatia 3-0 to secure a quarterfinal place against Chinese Taipei. Team captain Marcus SJÖBERG selected Anton KÄLLBERG, Truls MÖREGÅRDH and Elias RANEFUR for the knockout clash, and all three delivered strong performances. KÄLLBERG opened the tie against Tomislav PUCAR, an opponent who had previously caused him plenty of problems internationally. This time, however, the Swede played with great confidence and attacking intent, overcoming the Croatian in four games to give Sweden the lead. MÖREGÅRDH then faced experienced veteran Andrej GACINA in a dramatic five-game battle. The Swedish star twice moved ahead before eventually dominating the deciding game to double Sweden’s advantage. “It feels really good. I had never beaten GACINA before because his spin variation usually causes me a lot of trouble. It was difficult again today, but I managed to find solutions at the most important moments and I’m especially happy with the way I played the final game. The whole team showed great confidence today,” said MÖREGÅRDH. The tie was closed out in convincing style by RANEFUR, who completely controlled his match against Filip ZELJKO. The young Swede maintained relentless pressure from start to finish and secured victory in straight games. “I gain confidence from all the hard work I’ve put in over many years. Even though this is my first World Championships, I feel calm because I trust my ability to find solutions during matches. Today I moved very well and found good quality both in my serve and attacking shots, which made things very difficult for him,” explained RANEFUR. Sweden will now face Chinese Taipei in Thursday’s quarterfinal. Sweden – China 0-3 Sweden – Croatia 3-0

Romania secured their place in the quarterfinals of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London after overcoming Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic and closely contested Round of 16 encounter. The European side appeared in control after strong performances from Bernadette SZOCS and Elizabeta SAMARA, but Egypt fought back through an inspired display by Hana GODA to push the tie to a deciding fifth match. SZOCS gave Romania the perfect start with a straight-games victory over Dina MESHREF. The Romanian controlled the rallies from the beginning and handled the pressure well in the key moments to put her team ahead. Egypt responded in spectacular fashion through teenage star GODA. Facing Andreea DRAGOMAN, she recovered after losing the opening game to claim an impressive 3-2 victory and level the tie. Romania regained the advantage thanks to the experience of Samara, who produced a composed performance against Farida BADAWY. Samara edged a tense opening game before taking full control to move Romania within one point of victory. However, GODA once again kept Egypt alive. The young Egyptian delivered another excellent performance, this time defeating SZOCS in four games to force the tie into a deciding match. Everything came down to DRAGOMAN against MESHREF, and the Romanian held her nerve in a tense five-game battle. After losing a dramatic opening game 17-19, Dragoman fought back twice from behind before sealing victory in the deciding game to send Romania into the last eight. “We knew from the beginning that it would be a tough match and we were ready for it. I am happy I managed the match very well at 2-2 and that I helped my team secure the victory,” said DRAGOMAN after the win.“It feels amazing. I tried to stay focused and think about what I needed to do during the match. I can say I am very proud,” Romania – Egypt 3-2

Germany’s men booked their place in the quarterfinals of the ITTF World Championships Finals in London after a convincing 3-0 victory over Hong Kong, setting up another showdown with Japan in the battle for a medal. The two sides already met in the opening stage of the tournament last Saturday, and they will now face each other again on Thursday at 13:30 in a decisive knockout clash. Earlier in the day, Japan secured their quarterfinal spot with a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan. Germany followed later in the evening, as Benedikt DUDA, Dang QIU and Patrick FRANZISKA delivered a composed performance, supported loudly from the bench by Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Andre BERTELSMEIER. Germany’s head coach Jörg ROSSKOPF praised his team after the win, highlighting both the preparation and the difficulty of the encounter despite the clear scoreline. “I’m very proud of the team. Hong Kong came with a very good plan. It was a difficult opening match for Benne, and beating the opponent’s number one always gives the team extra confidence. In the end it looks like a clear 3-0 victory, but the matches were much closer than the score suggests. At this stage every match is tough because only the best teams are left in the tournament. We were very well prepared again today and fully deserved our place in the quarterfinals.” Benedikt DUDA once again led from the front in the opening match. Facing experienced Hong Kong star Wong Chun Ting, the European Championships finalist controlled the match with clever placement and varied serves to give Germany an important early advantage with a four-game victory. “I’m used to these number-one clashes from the Bundesliga. I was prepared for both possible opponents and entered the match with confidence. I had to fight hard at times because he had a strong tactical plan, but overall I’m satisfied with my performance,” said DUDA. Dang Qiu then extended Germany’s lead with a straight-games win over Hong Kong’s young prospect Chan Baldwin. The European champion showed his composure particularly in the second game, recovering from deficits of 2-7 and 7-10 to turn the set around. Patrick FRANZISKA sealed the victory with a 3-1 success against Lam Siu Hang. Although the German had to work hard against the world No. 95, he stayed patient during the longer rallies and managed to close out the tie. “It wasn’t an easy match. His balls come a little slower compared to most opponents and that disturbed my rhythm at times. I missed several backhand openings that I would normally make. Still, I stayed focused and handled the long rallies well. Winning these uncomfortable matches also gives me confidence,” FRANZISKA explained. Germany’s focus now shifts fully to Thursday’s quarterfinal against Japan, with a place on the podium at stake. “Against Japan we will give absolutely everything. This is no longer the group stage – it’s a completely new match and now it’s about fighting for a medal,” said DUDA. QIU also expects another intense battle. “We will need the same fighting spirit as in the first match against them. Japan are one of the top teams in the world and the level is extremely high. The form of the day will decide it. I hope I can reproduce the performance I had in our first meeting because it will definitely be another hot match.” Germany – Hong Kong 3-0

France booked their place in the quarterfinals of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London after a 3-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16. Despite the final scoreline, the tie opened with a fierce battle between Alexis LEBRUN and Tiago APOLONIA. APOLONIA edged the opening game 16-14, but Alexis quickly raised his level and completely turned the momentum around, storming through the next three games to give France the lead. Felix LEBRUN then doubled the advantage with an impressive straight-games victory over Marcos FREITAS. The French star controlled the encounter from the beginning and never allowed Freitas to settle into rhythm. “ We played a really great match. It’s a team that has been playing together for a long time. Individually, I think we are stronger than them, but it’s never easy to beat them. So we are very happy that we managed to make this kind of match look easy,” said Felix LEBRUN. Felix also praised the way France reacted after the difficult opening stages of the tie. “APOLONIA made an incredible start against Alexis, but Alexis managed to raise his level and eventually dominate Tiago. After that, whether it was me or Flavien, we just continued building on what Alexis had started.” In the third match, Flavien COTON sealed the victory with a confident 3-1 win over Joao GERALDO, sending France safely into the last eight. France now continue their impressive run in London with growing confidence as they move one step closer to the medals. France- Portugal 3-0 Alexis LEBRUN – Tiago APOLONIA 3-1 (14-16, 11-7, 11-1, 11-5) Felix LEBRUN – Marcos FREITAS 3-0 (11-3, 11-9, 11-6) Flavien COTON – Joao GERALDO 3-1 (11-5, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9)

Austria produced one of the biggest surprises of the Men’s Team Round of 32, defeating India 3-0 in a tie that turned out far more one-sided than many expected. It all started with a real battle. Robert GARDOS had to dig deep against Manush SHAH in a match full of momentum swings. After losing the opening game, GARDOS settled in, using his experience and clever serve variation to take control of the rallies. The drama peaked in the deciding game. SHAH looked in command at 7-2, but couldn’t close it out. A few mistakes opened the door, and GARDOS stepped right through it, staying calm under pressure to snatch the game 13-11 and put Austria ahead. That moment seemed to shift the whole tie. Daniel HABESOHN came in with confidence and never really let Manav THAKKAR settle. The Austrian controlled the pace from the start, taking initiative in the rallies and cruising to a straight-games win that put Austria within touching distance of victory. With the momentum fully on their side, Andreas LEVENKO made sure there would be no comeback. Facing Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN, he stayed aggressive and composed, taking charge early in each game and closing out the match in straight sets to complete the sweep. Robert GARDOS reflected on Austria’s strong team performance and the importance of the opening win: “I think all three of us are in very good shape at the moment. As a team, we are quite balanced, we are all playing at a similar level, and when everyone performs well it gives us a lot of confidence. In many of our matches there has always been a bit of pressure in the opening match, and today was the same. Winning that first point gave us extra energy and belief for the rest of the tie. I had some difficulties at the beginning. My timing was not perfect in the first game because this was already the fifth hall we have trained and played in during the week, so we had to adjust again. Also, the new balls felt uncomfortable early in the match. But after that I found a really good rhythm and feeling. SHAH is a very good player and he managed to come back into the match, but in the fifth set I found my concentration again, I found my focus, and in the end I think I played very well. After that, Daniel and Andreas played great matches. They prepared very well tactically and technically, and together we achieved an important win.” Austria now move on to the Round of 16, where an even bigger challenge awaits against Korea Republic. Austria – India 3-0

Sweden moved into the Round of 16 at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London with a 3-0 win over Hungary, but the result came with a worrying setback after Kristian KARLSSON picked up an injury late in the match. The scoreline suggests a smooth evening for Sweden, and in many ways it was. Still, there was enough quality on the Hungarian side to demand full focus from start to finish. Truls MÖREGÅRDH got Sweden off to a winning start. After a slightly shaky opening against Ádám SZUDI, he quickly settled into his rhythm and took control, closing out the match in straight games. Next up, Anton KÄLLBERG faced András CSABA in a more physical contest. The opening exchanges were evenly balanced, but Källberg gradually imposed himself, especially on serve and receive, to take the match 3-1 and put Sweden firmly in command. All eyes then turned to KARLSSON, who was making his first appearance of the tournament. The Swede looked sharp from the start against Dávid SZÁNTOSI and built a 2-0 lead, appearing in full control. But midway through the third game, the tone of the match changed. KARLSSON called for a medical timeout, clearly struggling with a groin issue. Despite the discomfort, he chose to continue and managed to close out the match 13-11, sealing the victory for Sweden. The moment, however, took the edge off what would otherwise have been a routine progression. Instead of celebration, there was immediate concern within the Swedish camp. According to team staff, KARLSSON had been dealing with muscle issues in recent weeks, making the situation particularly frustrating given his otherwise solid performance. Still, the main question now surrounds KARLSSON’S condition, with tougher challenges ahead. Sweden will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for the Round of 16, where the level only rises and there is little margin for error. Sweden – Hungary 3-0

Germany booked their place in the Round of 16 at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London with a 3-0 victory over Slovenia. While the scoreline looks convincing, the tie itself was far more closely contested. “On paper it’s a clear 3-0, but every match was really hard fought,” said Germany head coach Jörg ROSSKOPF. Germany were tested from the very start. Benedikt DUDA had to come through several difficult moments against Deni KOŽUL. The European Championships finalist found himself trailing early in key stages of the match, but still managed to keep control and close it out in straight games. “I was down 2-7 in the first set and 5-7 in the third, it was really back and forth,” Duda explained. “I’m happy with how I handled those situations.” The turning point of the tie came in the second match, where Patrick FRANZISKA faced his club teammate Darko JORGIĆ. Despite a heavy loss in the second game, FRANZISKA stayed composed and edged the key encounter in four games. “In matches like this, the small details make the difference,” said FRANZISKA. “I tried to stay calm, especially in the important moments, and in the end I was fully focused.” With Germany 2-0 ahead, Dang QIU sealed the win, defeating experienced Bojan TOKIČ in straight games to complete the sweep. The result sends Germany into the knockout phase, but the team remains cautious. “Slovenia are a very strong team. Jorgić can win two points and Kožul is always dangerous,” ROSSKOPF added. Germany now turn their attention to the Round of 16, where they will face Hong Kong. The Asian side has shown strong balance and consistency throughout the competition, presenting another serious challenge. “The matches are only getting tougher. This is where it really begins for us,” said DUDA. QIU also highlighted the physical and mental demands ahead: “In every knockout match, everyone gives everything. It’s physically demanding and mentally even more so. If you want to fight for a medal, staying fresh throughout a long tournament is crucial.” Germany – Slovenia 3-0

Luxembourg came through one of the most gripping matches of the Women’s Team Round of 32, edging Brazil 3-2 in a tie that swung back and forth until the very last point. Brazil made the stronger start, with Bruna TAKAHASHI putting her team in front after a solid win over Sarah DE NUTTE. But Luxembourg quickly found their rhythm. NI Xia Lian responded in style, fighting past Giulia TAKAHASHI in a five-game battle to level the score. The turning point seemed to come in the third match, when Enisa SADIKOVIC held her nerve in another decider against Laura WATANABE to push Luxembourg ahead. Still, there was no sense the match was settling. Bruna TAKAHASHI returned and once again delivered for Brazil, edging NI Xia Lian in five tight games to bring everything back to 2-2. With everything on the line, Sarah DE NUTTE stepped up in the deciding match. This time there was no hesitation. She produced a composed and confident performance, beating Giulia TAKAHASHI in straight games to seal the win and send Luxembourg into the Round of 16. For NI Xia Lian, the victory was all about the team: “It’s a very happy and exciting moment. I’m really proud of our team – everyone won a point, and that shows our strength. We have great team spirit and we fought together. It’s a wonderful result.” At the same time, she was honest about her own feelings: “I feel I should have won my second match, so I’m not completely satisfied. But after one year of injury, I’m still finding my rhythm mentally. Matches like this help. In the end, what matters most is the team – and today we were strong together.” Sarah DE NUTTE admitted it wasn’t easy to stay calm as the drama unfolded: “I was really nervous watching Xia Lian’s match. I didn’t know if I would need to play, so I just tried to stay focused and ready. At one point I thought it was over, but then Brazil came back and I had to switch quickly into match mode.” She also carried the memory of a painful defeat: “Two years ago we lost to Brazil in a very similar situation, so this time it feels like revenge. I really wanted to finish it, and I’m happy I could do it for the team.” Beyond the result, the sense of unity stood out: “It’s special to be part of this team. Xia Lian and I have been here for many years, and now the younger players are stepping up too. When everyone contributes, it means even more.” Luxembourg now face a huge challenge in the next round: “Japan is one of the strongest teams, so it will be very tough. But matches like this are great experiences. We’ll go there, enjoy it and give our best.” Luxembourg – Brazil 3-2

Portugal advanced with authority in the Men’s Round of 32 at the Team World Championships Finals in London, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Egypt. Marcos FREITAS gave Portugal the perfect start, controlling the opening match against Youssef ABDELAZIZ from the outset and sealing a straight-games win. “Reaching the Round of 16 was our first goal. We came here prepared for a long competition, and we managed to get through the group stage successfully. Now we’ve also secured a win over Egypt, which is a very strong team. Naturally, we’re pleased with the result,” said FREITAS. Next in line is France. “The match against France will be a very tough one. They are among the best teams in the event and showed strong form in the opening stage, delivering solid results. They go into the match as favorites, but we will try to use our experience to find ways to win game and put pressure on them. I believe it will be a very interesting match for the spectators to follow.” Tiago APOLONIA then extended the lead with a solid performance against Omar ASSAR. After a tight opening game, APOLONIA raised his level to take control and move Portugal closer to the finish line. “It was a great performance from our team. In my match, the key moment was managing to win the first game after a difficult start. From there, I played with more confidence and I’m really happy to have secured an important win against Egypt’s number one player,” explained APOLONIA. Joao GERALDO completed the job, responding well after dropping the first game against Badr MOSTAFA and turning the match around to secure the third and decisive point. Portugal – Egypt 3-0