The opening day of the women’s singles competition at the ROMSTAL European Under 21 Championships produced plenty of drama, with one favourite battling back from the brink and another suffering an unexpected defeat. See pictures here. Portugal’s Matilde PINTO recovered from an opening-round loss to keep her hopes alive in Group 1. After falling to Croatia’s Dora COSIC 3-1 in her first match, PINTO responded when it mattered most, defeating Sweden’s Alice NILSSON 3-2 in a tense encounter decided by the narrowest of margins in the fifth game. The Portuguese player held her nerve at the crucial moments to secure a 12-10 victory in the decider. “The important part is to stay focused on what I have to do and not the result.” Despite remaining in contention for qualification, PINTO admitted she is approaching the tournament cautiously due to physical issues. “Not so much expectation. I’m injured, so I just try to play my best.” Asked what she would like to improve ahead of her next match, PINTO kept her answer simple. “Play better than the match before, not anything specific.” The biggest surprise of the session came in Group 2, where Belgium’s Lilou MASSART opened with a 3-1 victory over Jersey’s Hannah SILCOCK before suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Denmark’s Mille STOFFREGEN. STOFFREGEN, who won 11-8, 11-8, 11-2, was not surprised by the outcome. “I played against her before, so I knew I could beat her. In the meantime I changed to anti-spin on my backhand, so I made a lot of progress since the last time we played.” The victory significantly boosts the STOFFREGEN’s chances of progressing and provides a welcome confidence boost heading into the remainder of the group stage. “It gives me a lot of confidence.” Romania’s Patricia STOICA produced a remarkable comeback to knock out one of the tournament favourites, Lilou MASSART. The Belgian looked to be in control after winning the first two games and appeared on course to secure the result she needed. But STOICA refused to give up. The young Romanian gradually found her rhythm, turned the momentum around and won the next three games to complete a memorable 3-2 victory. It was a result few would have predicted at the start of the day. For STOICA, the key was trusting the plan even when things were not going her way. “I tried to follow the tactic even though it didn’t feel like it was working in the first two sets. I tried to leave all the thoughts behind because I knew it was my last match.” That belief paid off as she completed one of the most impressive comebacks of the day. “I always like comeback victories. It’s not unusual for me because I always try to fight until the end, but this win gives me great satisfaction.” What makes the achievement even more remarkable is how quickly STOICA is adapting to a much higher level of competition. Just a year ago, she was competing in the Under 15 category. “I was shocked by the level here because last year I was competing in Under 15. But I am taking this amazing opportunity to give my best and learn as much as possible for the coming years.”
Iulian CHIRITA: “The Experience of Last Year’s Final Motivates Me Even More”
The ROMSTAL European Under 21 Championships have officially commenced at the BT Arena in Cluj-Napoca, with the opening day dedicated to the first stage of the singles competitions. See the pictures here. Under the championship system of play, the top eight seeded players in both the men’s and women’s singles events are exempt from Stage 1 and enter directly into Stage 2. The remaining 48 players compete in 12 qualification groups, with the winners and runners-up advancing to join the seeded players in the next phase. As the men’s top seed, Romania’s Iulian CHIRITA will not be in action on the opening day. Instead, he will watch as the field begins to take shape before entering the competition in Stage 2. For CHIRITA, the tournament represents more than just another championship. Twelve months after coming agonisingly close to lifting the trophy in Bratislava, the Romanian star now has the opportunity to challenge for the title in front of his home crowd. The memories of last year’s final remain vivid. CHIRITA produced an impressive run to the gold-medal match before losing to France’s Flavien COTON in a dramatic seven-game encounter decided by the narrowest of margins. “Yes, I think I played really well last year and showed a good level throughout the tournament. Of course, losing the final 4-3, with the last set ending 11-9, was tough, but I learned from that match. That experience motivates me even more this year and I hope to go one step further.” The disappointment of that defeat has been transformed into motivation. Over the past year, CHIRITA has continued to develop his game through international competition and believes he arrives in Cluj-Napoca in good shape. “I feel good and I’m happy with my current form. I’ve been training hard and focusing on every detail to be fully prepared. I’m excited for the European Under-21 Championships and I’ll give my best in every match.” One tournament in particular stands out when he looks back at the past few months. Competing alongside the world’s best players at the Senior World Championships gave him confidence that he hopes to carry into the Under 21 event. “I think the most important moment for me was the Senior World Championships, where I felt I played really well and gained confidence. The tournaments I’ve played in recent months have helped me improve and given me valuable experience. I’ll take that confidence with me into Cluj-Napoca and try to play my best.” As the top seed and the leading home hope, CHIRITA knows expectations will be high. Yet rather than trying to ignore the pressure, he embraces it. “Yes, of course, I can’t say that I don’t feel any pressure. Playing at home and being the top seed comes with expectations, but I see it as positive and constructive pressure. It gives me extra motivation to do my best and enjoy the support of the home crowd.” CHIRITA’s ambitions extend beyond his own results. He believes Romanian table tennis is enjoying one of its strongest periods in recent years and hopes the performances in Cluj-Napoca will inspire the next generation. “Yes, I think we have a really good generation of players and we’ve already achieved some great results internationally. It would mean a lot for us to have another strong performance at home. I also hope that the younger generations will see what we’ve done, learn from it and be inspired to continue the success of Romanian table tennis.” When play begins at the BT Arena, CHIRITA will carry the hopes of the home fans. Armed with valuable experience, growing confidence and the lessons learned from last year’s final, the Romanian is determined to make the most of his opportunity and challenge for the title on home soil.
Cluj-Napoca Ready to Welcome Europe’s Best Young Players for ROMSTAL U21 Championships
The city of Cluj-Napoca is set to become the centre of European table tennis from 17 to 21 June as it hosts the ROMSTAL European Under 21 Championships. “Romania has a strong tradition in table tennis, building on the great legacy of Angelica ROZEANU, Ella CONSTANTINESCU and Maria ALEXANDRU, to name just a few amazing athletes from the Romanian ‘Walk of Fame’. The Romanian Table Tennis Federation has carried and built on this legacy, and each generation of new athletes has honoured it through their achievements,” said Beatrice ROMANESCU, ITTF Executive Vice President, Romanian Table Tennis Federation Marketing Manager and Tournament Director. Cluj-Napoca has become one of the most experienced hosts of major European table tennis events. The city previously welcomed the European Under 21 Championships in 2022, the European Youth Championships in 2018 and the European Team Championships in 2021. The ROMSTAL European Under 21 Championships will be staged at the BT Arena, one of Romania’s premier sports venues, where Europe’s most talented young players will compete for titles in Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Romania’s position as a trusted organiser of major international competitions is the result of years of work and a rich sporting tradition. Reflecting on this journey, ROMANESCU highlighted the steady growth of the federation’s organisational capabilities over the past two decades. “We have come a long way. We started rather small, back in the early 2000s, with the Balkan Championships in Buzău. It was a difficult start, but the investment paid off. Less than a decade later, in 2012, we were organising the European Mixed Doubles Championships and several other competitions.” She described the 2018 European Youth Championships in Cluj-Napoca as a turning point for Romanian table tennis. “That year started a strong annual series of major sporting events. Many will remember the European Youth Championships as a landmark event, with two fantastic weeks of table tennis and the presence of many guests from both ETTU and ITTF.” Since then, Romania has hosted a major European championship almost every year, including the European Team Championships in 2021, the European Under 21 Championships in 2022, the Europe Youth Top 10 in 2023 and the European Under 13 Championships in 2024. Last year, Romania once again demonstrated its organisational strength when it hosted the World Youth Championships, bringing the event back to the country for the first time since the 1953 World Championships in Bucharest. “I would say it was one of the best editions ever organised at this level, and many people in a position to properly assess such competitions share that opinion,” ROMANESCU noted. “The credit goes to the small but extremely hard-working team of the Romanian Table Tennis Federation led by President Cristinel ROMANESCU. This valuable team has gone from strength to strength, year after year.” Romania will also be strongly represented on home soil. In the men’s event, local hopes will centre on top seed Iulian CHIRITA, Darius MOVILEANU and Andrei ISTRATE. CHIRITA returns after reaching last year’s final in Bratislava, while MOVILEANU arrives as one of the most decorated players in the field after claiming Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles gold medals at the 2025 edition. The host nation also boasts a strong women’s contingent led by Bianca MEI ROSU and Alesia Sofia SFERLEA, while wildcard Patricia STOICA will have the opportunity to compete in front of home supporters. For ROMANESCU, however, the significance of the event extends beyond the immediate battle for medals. “Here we are now back in Cluj for a new edition of the Under 21 European Championships. The protagonists of this challenge will be the best young athletes in Europe. This is really big, because we are talking about tomorrow’s generation of senior players in table tennis!” The championships will feature extensive coverage, including two days of live television on TVR Sport and five days of live streaming, ensuring fans across Europe can follow the action from Cluj-Napoca. “I am very much looking forward to a spectacular and exciting display: two days of live TV on TVR Sport, five days of live streaming, a plethora of shiny medals, and plenty of youthful power and enthusiasm.” With a passionate crowd expected throughout the week, Europe’s brightest young talents preparing to compete, and Romania once again ready to showcase its renowned hospitality and organisational expertise, Cluj-Napoca is preparing for another memorable chapter in its rich table tennis history. “We are ready to welcome everyone most warmly, with great hospitality arrangements and services, venue access, networking opportunities – you name it. We have the ambition to make these championships a memorable celebration of European table tennis. And you can be part of it.”
PAVADE Reclaims Crown, Félix LEBRUN Retains Title at French National Championships
The 96th French National Championships concluded in Laval with Prithika PAVADE and Félix LEBRUN capturing the singles crowns after three days of high-quality competition played in front of nearly 13,000 spectators at the Espace Mayenne. For PAVADE, it marked a return to the top of French table tennis. The world No. 31 secured her second national singles title, four years after first lifting the trophy in 2022. Entering the event as the top seed, she lived up to expectations but was pushed to the limit by Isa COK in a dramatic seven-game final. PAVADE started strongly, taking the opening game 11-3, before COK responded to move ahead 2-1. The former champion regained control with victories in the fourth and fifth games, only to see her opponent force a deciding seventh game. In the end, PAVADE produced a composed finish to seal the title with an 11-4 victory in the decider. The triumph makes her a two-time French singles champion and confirms her return to the summit of the domestic game after several years without reaching the national final. In the men’s singles event, the now traditional showdown between brothers Alexis and Félix LEBRUN once again delivered. For the fourth consecutive year, the two stars met in the national final, adding another chapter to one of the sport’s most compelling rivalries. Félix established an early advantage by taking the opening two games before Alexis fought back to narrow the gap. The defending champion appeared to regain control in the fourth game, but Alexis refused to surrender and forced a tense sixth game. With the title on the line, Félix proved stronger in the decisive moments, edging the final game 12-10 to successfully defend his crown. The victory gives Félix LEBRUN his second consecutive French national singles title and further underlines the dominance of the LEBRUN brothers on the French table tennis scene. The women’s doubles title went to the young partnership of Nina GUO ZHENG and Léana HOCHART. Seeded second, the pair completed a remarkable comeback in the final against Camille LUTZ and Audrey ZARIF. Trailing by two games, the 16-year-old GUO ZHENG and 18-year-old HOCHART battled back to level the match before saving a match point in a dramatic deciding game. Their 12-10 success secured a first senior national title for both players. The men’s doubles competition produced another memorable comeback. Jules ROLLAND and Léo DE NODREST overturned a two-game deficit against Félix LEBRUN and Grégoire JEAN to claim the title. Having already survived several five-game encounters during the tournament, ROLLAND and DE NODREST once again showed resilience, winning three consecutive games to complete the comeback and secure the national crown. PAVADE completed an outstanding championship by adding the mixed doubles title alongside Can AKKUZU. The pair prevailed in a thrilling five-game final against Léana HOCHART and Thibault PORET. After exchanging momentum throughout the match, PAVADE and AKKUZU produced their best table tennis in the deciding game to secure victory and their first French mixed doubles title together. For PAVADE, it represented a second mixed doubles crown after previously winning the event in 2023, while AKKUZU celebrated his first national mixed doubles title. PHOTO: Remy GROS Men’s Singles Félix LEBRUN – Alexis LEBRUN 4-2 (13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 3-11, 12-10) Podium Women’s Singles Prithika PAVADE – Isa COK 4-3 (11-3, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4) Podium Women’s Doubles Final Nina GUO ZHENG / Léana HOCHART – Camille LUTZ / Audrey ZARIF 3-2 (2-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10) Men’s Doubles Final Jules ROLLAND / Léo DE NODREST – Félix LEBRUN / Grégoire JEAN 3-2 (5-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9) Mixed Doubles Final Prithika PAVADE / Can AKKUZU – Léana HOCHART / Thibault PORET 3-2 (8-11, 11-6, 14-12, 12-14, 11-5)
European Under 21 Men’s Singles Set for Wide-Open Title Race
The race for the Men’s Singles title at the ROMSTAL European Under 21 Championships promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with a field packed with established stars and emerging talents. Home favourite Iulian CHIRITA heads the seeding list as he looks to complete unfinished business after finishing runner-up at the 2025 European Under 21 Championships in Bratislava. Competing in front of Romanian supporters, CHIRITA will be determined to capture his first Under 21 European title. Germany’s Andre BERTELSMEIER and Wim VERDONSCHOT arrive among the leading contenders. Both have consistently featured among Europe’s strongest young players and will be aiming to challenge for gold in Cluj-Napoca. Romania’s Darius MOVILEANU and the Netherlands’ Gabrielius CAMARA complete the top five seeds, while Andrei ISTRATE of Romania, Connor GREEN of England, Daniel BERZOSA of Spain, Mateusz ZALEWSKI of Poland and Samuel ARPAS of Slovakia add further depth to a highly competitive draw. MOVILEANU enters the championships carrying significant momentum after winning Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles gold medals in Bratislava last year, while several players in the field are seeking their first major continental breakthrough. With established contenders and rising stars sharing the draw, the battle for the Men’s Singles crown is expected to provide some of the most exciting matches of the championships.
Women’s Singles Field Packed with Title Contenders at ROMSTAL U21 European Championships
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
