On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, ETTU Secretary General Pierre KASS was honored to attend a special reception hosted at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Brussels. Organized by H.E. Mr. CAI Run, Head of Mission and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the EU, the reception brought together representatives from sport, diplomacy, and international organizations to mark five decades of China–EU partnership. As part of the evening’s programme, a China–EU Friendship Table Tennis Game was held — a symbolic nod to the historic role of table tennis in international relations. The game reflected the continued importance of sport as a bridge between cultures and nations. Among the distinguished guests were Minister ZHU Jing, Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee President Jean-Michel SAIVE, Philippe SAIVE, Belgian Table Tennis Federation President Jean-Michel MUREAU, and ETTU Ambassador for China Xialian NI. “It was a great honour to represent the European Table Tennis Union at this event celebrating dialogue, cooperation, and friendship,” said KASS. “The evening highlighted once again how sport – and especially table tennis – continues to connect people beyond borders.” The ETTU expresses its appreciation to Ambassador H.E. CAI Run and the Chinese Embassy for the warm invitation and hospitality.
Music, Drama, and Champions: Danish Table Tennis Titles Decided in Aalborg
Last weekend, the Danish Table Tennis Championships delivered an unforgettable spectacle in Aalborg, held alongside 35 other sports as part of a nationwide sports celebration. The finals took place in the stunning new Music Hall, where a string quartet accompanied the matches—performing live during breaks and timeouts. Uniquely, the quartet had even composed original pieces especially for the championships, offering spectators both thrilling rallies and musical refinement. In the men’s singles final, Anders LIND claimed his seventh national title, defeating Thor B. CHRISTENSEN 4–2 in an all-Herlev showdown. A major story of the weekend was 18-year-old Maja Helene HANSEN, who secured her first women’s singles title after a dramatic 4–3 win over Eldijana BENTSEN. HANSEN saved two match points in the deciding game—including one on a net-edge—before triumphing 15–13 in a match filled with twists and tension. Results: Men’s Singles – Semifinals Men’s Singles – Final Women’s Singles – Semifinals Women’s Singles – final Men’s Doubles – Semifinals Men’s Doubles – Final Women’s Doubles – Semifinals Women’s Doubles – Final Mixed Doubles – Semifinals Mixed Doubles – Final
HB Ostrov z.s. Claims Historic First Europe Cup Title
Czech club HB Ostrov z.s. secured their first-ever Europe Cup title after defeating SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA in both legs of the all-Czech final. Vladislav URSU, Andrej GACINA, and Pavel SIRUCEK delivered a 3-1 victory over Martin SIP, David REITSPIES, and Tomas KONECNY. Just as in the opening leg, it was URSU who secured two wins. REITSPIES earned the sole point for the visitors with a win against GACINA. “The basis for our success in the final was the first match in Prague. We showed an excellent performance there and Vladislav URSU showed that he is a difference-maker. He was our main trump card, but that does not mean that we expected an easy job in the return match. El Niňo has a great team, experienced players, and we had to fight for it. We went after our goal and succeeded. The most difficult moment in the entire competition was the first match in Mühlhausen, Germany, in the semi-finals. We lost 1:3 and did not have much chance of advancing. But we managed to resolve this situation, so I think we deservedly won the European Cup,” said HB Ostrov coach Tomáš DEMEK. Pavel SIRUCEK reflected on the mental pressure in the decisive tie: “It was very difficult for me mentally, because GACINA only needed one ball in the match with REITSPIES and I wouldn’t have played anything important. I had to concentrate and focus on every ball. I’m very happy that it was successful, because winning the European Cup is something incredible. And what’s more, when there was another Czech club in the final.” HB Ostrov z.s. – SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA 3-1 Final – Opening Leg Result: SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA – HB Ostrov z.s. 1-3
Europe Cup Glory for Saint-Denis TT 93 in Women’s Final
French club Saint-Denis TT 93 clinched the Europe Cup Women’s title, repeating their success from the 2020/21 season. This evening, they overcame SKST Plus Hodonín in Czechia, needing just four matches -just as they did a few days ago in Paris during the first leg of the final. The lineup remained unchanged in both legs of the final, with Hsing-Yin LIU, Prithika PAVADE, and Agathe AVEZOU securing the victory. On the opposing side were Solomiya BRATEYKO, Karin GROFOVÁ, Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ, and Natalia PATYKA. “We’re super happy to win this ETTU Cup – the second one for our club!” said Prithika PAVADE, celebrating the team’s success on the European stage. Hsing-Yin LIU reflected on the road to the trophy: “It was a tough way to get here. Every opponent was strong. The semifinal was really tough and intense, and in the final, we managed well to win both matches.” “For the Champions League, of course we wanted to pass the group,” noted Agathe AVEZOU. “But we had a tough one, I think. Still, it will help us to be better next season!” The Team Manager Julien JACQUEMONT and coach Qiwen XIAO were satisfied with the team’s performance. “We’re really happy to have won the Europe Cup. The players all performed very well tonight. I think what we did best was that we didn’t get carried away by our victory in the previous match. Instead, we stayed focused on this game and worked hard, actively looking for the win. We learned from our loss in the final of the French league — we knew that even though we won the first match, the second one would be the hardest. We were well prepared for the challenges, “stated coach Qiwen XIAO. Coach XIAO continued: The atmosphere today was great, and the crowd created a very exciting environment. The first match was especially important — LIU Hsingyin gave the team a great start, playing with spirit and giving a big boost of confidence to her teammates. After that, Prithika played a very solid match and secured another win for us. Although Agathe lost in the third match, she played really well — as a young player, it’s not easy to step up and fight bravely like she did. The fourth match wasn’t easy either. By that point, we knew we had already secured the European Cup title based on the score, but we still wanted to win that match. Prithika had to refocus, fight point by point, and find a way to win — and that was not easy at all.” On their way to this year’s title, the French team defeated Poland’s Fibrain KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów in the semifinals and Portugal’s CTM Mirandela in the quarterfinals. Earlier in the season, they competed in Stage Two of the Champions League but failed to reach the knockout rounds. In Group C, they managed only one win in four matches, finishing behind Austria’s Linz AG Froschberg and Italy’s ASD Quattro Mori. “We’re really proud to take this title. Even though we went out of the Champions League too early this year, we proved ourselves here in the European Cup. We’re a fantastic team – everyone enjoys being together, and it feels amazing to work towards a common goal. There will always be wins and losses in sport, but this team will keep pushing forward.” SKST Plus Hodonin – Saint-Denis TT 93 1-3 Opening leg Saint-Denis TT 93 – SKST Plus Hodonin 3-1
From rising stars to veterans – Prishtina Open 2025 had it all
The Prishtina Open 2025 concluded with remarkable success, turning Prishtina into the epicenter of European and global table tennis for three consecutive days. With the participation of hundreds (275) of players from over 25 countries and a high-level organizational, branded and logistical setup, this year’s edition reaffirmed the tournament’s status as the largest event of its kind in Kosovo and one of the most important in the region. The tournament kicked off in an impressive atmosphere at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina with a symbolic friendly match between the youngest participant, 5-year-old Jon MATOSHI, and the oldest veteran, Shaip REQICA, aged 80. The venue was meticulously prepared, featuring rich visuals and elegant choreography that gave the event a truly international and dignified feel. On the first day, the U19 and Veterans categories took center stage, delivering intense matches and a wide variety of winners. In the U19 category, the champions were Georgia SPANAU (Greece) for the girls and Max RADIWEN (United Kingdom) for the boys. Among the veterans, Sheshivar VELIU stood out by dominating in two separate age categories. The U13 category brought fresh energy to day two, with Kosovar players dominating the boys’ competition. Rejan KRASNIQI (KPP TTC Ferizaj) claimed the title after a dramatic final against Olti BEHLULI (KPP Ahmet Hoxha), while Imran DURAKI (KVPP Prizreni) secured third place. In the girls’ event, STOJANOVSKA (North Macedonia) emerged victorious, defeating Sara Hoxha (Kosovo) in the final, with Ana KOKONESHI (Albania) taking third place. Later in the evening, the senior group matches began, with an even greater international presence and strong performances from players representing a wide array of European and global table tennis federations. The third and final day of the tournament delivered exciting matches across all categories, drawing a large and enthusiastic audience to the stands. In the U11 category, Adena BERISHA claimed the girls’ title, while Dimitar BOZHKOV (Bulgaria) won the boys’ competition. In the Seniors category, Lenë OSMANI became a national highlight by reaching the semifinals and ultimately earning third place after an excellent performance. The women’s event was won by Mavra KONTOPOULOU (Greece), who defeated fellow Greek Chrysi FOTIADOU in the final. In the men’s competition, Aleksander Chen (Austria) triumphed over Patryk DZIUBA (Poland) in the final, with Leo VEKIC (Croatia) finishing in third place. The tournament concluded with a festive awards ceremony where winners were honored with medals, trophies, and a total prize pool of €5,500. “Prishtina Open is more than a tournament, it’s a celebration of international friendship, youth development, and the sporting spirit of Kosovo. Year after year, we are proud to bring together athletes from around the world and raise the bar for table tennis in our country and we are looking forward to have POTTIT with ETTU ranking points in 2026,” said Kastriot ORANA, Head of KPP Priping and the lead organizer of Prishtina Open tournament. Beyond its competitive achievements, Prishtina Open 2025 once again underscored the power of international cooperation through sport and strengthened Prishtina’s image as a welcoming host for world-class events.
HB Ostrov Dominates All-Czech Europe Cup Final Opener Against SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA
In the all-Czech clash in the opening leg of the Europe Cup Men’s final, HB Ostrov z.s. secured a 3-1 away victory over SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA. The only close contest came in the opening match, where Tomas KONECNY edged out Andrej GACINA in a five-set thriller to earn the hosts their sole point. However, the momentum quickly shifted as the next three matches ended in straight-game wins for HB Ostrov. Vladislav URSU and Pavel SIRUCEK delivered dominant performances, defeating David REITSPIES and Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA respectively. Even KONECNY couldn’t replicate his earlier form against GACINA when he faced URSU in the fourth match. HB Ostrov’s coach, Tomas DEMEK, praised his players after the win: “Vladislav URSU has an incredible touch and a smart head. I’ve gotten to know him over the past few matches and he’s truly impressive. Having the luxury to save our national team player Pavel ŠIRUCEK for the third match speaks volumes about our strength. He also played excellently. I believe our win was well deserved.” The return leg is scheduled for Sunday, 29th June. Final – Opening Leg Result: SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA – HB Ostrov z.s. 1-3
Saint-Denis TT 93 Take Control in Europe Cup Final Opener
Playing on home soil, Saint-Denis TT 93 secured a valuable victory in the opening leg of the Europe Cup Women’s Final, overcoming SKST Plus Hodonín.Hsing-Yin LIU delivered a dominant performance, winning both her matches against Karin GROFOVÁ and Solomiya BRATEYKO, while Prithika PAVADE added a crucial third point with a win over the Ukrainian international.For the visitors, Natalia PARTYKA managed to earn a point by defeating Agathe AVEZOU.The return leg is scheduled for Friday, the 27th, in Czechia, where Hodonín will look to overturn the deficit on home ground. Saint-Denis TT 93 – SKST Plus Hodonin 3-1
Veterans Shine in Novi Sad: Legends Leave Their Mark
After six days of competition, the Men’s Singles events at the 2025 European Veterans Championships concluded in Novi Sad with thrilling performances across all age groups from the 40+ to the 90+ category. Over 2,500 participants from across Europe showed not only skill and experience, but also passion and camaraderie that define veteran sport at its best. In the youngest age group (Over 40), top-seeded Grigory VLASOV (AIN) justified his ranking by securing the gold medal after a strong campaign. France’s Thomas GUIGNAT clinched silver, while Josip HUZJAK (Croatia) and Mathias HABESOHN (Austria) earned bronze. The Over 45 event saw a familiar face return to the top of the podium Lucian FILIMON, last year’s Over 40 champion, now competing under the French flag, lost in the final. Cédric MERCHEZ (Belgium) claimed gold, while Wojciech KOŁODZIEJCZYK (Poland) and Aleksei MLINARZH (AIN) shared bronze. In the singles there was no medal for Serbia’s Aleksandar KARAKAŠEVIĆ, one of the most recognizable names in the Over 50 field, as Ioannis VLOTINOS (Greece) emerged as the champion in that category. Czechia’s David ŠTĚPÁNEK finished runner-up, and Fredrik ÅBORG (Sweden) and Krisztian SZABÓ (Hungary) completed the podium. However partnering Croatia’s Dragutin SURBEK in Doubles, KARAKASEVIC clinched gold. In the Over 55, Lorestas TRUMPAUSKAS (England) proved unstoppable on his path to gold. Lars MATTSSON (Sweden) took silver, while Henric FORSBERG (Sweden) and Iván VITSEK (Hungary) shared third. Hungary’s Zsolt-Georg BÖHM stood tall in the Over 60, ahead of Carsten EGEHOLT (Denmark). Serbia’s Zvonimir BRITKA and Miklós NAGY (Hungary) picked up bronze medals. Austria celebrated gold through Yi DING in the Over 65 age group, with Igor ROLDUGIN (AIN) taking silver. Miroslav CECAVA (Czechia) and Šandor JANKOVIĆ (Serbia) completed the medal count. The Over 70 category was dominated by Manfred NIESWAND (Germany), with Alexandr SAPRYKIN (Ukraine) taking silver, and Paal GUTTORMSEN (Norway) and Hristo DASKALOV (Bulgaria) earning bronze. Germany’s strength in the older age groups continued in the Over 75, Over 80, and Over 90 categories: Gerd WERNER won gold in Over 75.Wilfried LIECK led a full German podium in Over 80, with Germany sweeping all medals. In Over 90, Hans NOLTE (Germany) earned gold, followed by Georgijs LOBONOSOVS (Latvia), while Heini FUCHS (Switzerland) and Henri YAHIEL (France) took bronze. Spain’s Josep MADURELL RODRIGUEZ also made headlines by winning the Over 85 crown, proving that age is truly just a number in veteran sport. See the pictures here Men’s Singles 40 Men’s Singles 45 Men’s Singles 50 Men’s Singles 55 Men’s Singles 60 Men’s Singles 65 Men’s Singles 70 Men’s Singles 75 Men’s Singles 80 Men’s Singles 85 Men’s Singles 90 MEN’S DOUBLES EVENTS Men’s Doubles 40 Men’s Doubles 45 Men’s Doubles 50 Men’s Doubles 55 Men’s Doubles 60 Men’s Doubles 65 Men’s Doubles 70 Men’s Doubles 75 Men’s Doubles 80 Men’s Doubles 85
Champions of Experience: DONNER, BATINIĆ and Others Light Up EVC
The Women’s Singles competitions at the 2025 European Veterans Table Tennis Championships in Novi Sad came to an emotional and energetic close, crowning champions across ten age categories — from 40+ to 85+. What began as a show of top-seeded experience turned into a festival of fierce competition and heartwarming stories of resilience. In the Over 40 category, Marina DONNER (Finland) successfully defended her title, confirming her top-seed status with a commanding run. Hungary’s Tímea AMBRUS earned silver, while Kätlin PÕLDVEER (Estonia) and Emilia KIJOK (Poland) completed the podium. The Over 45 division followed the script as well, with Portugal’s Olga CHRAMKO converting her top seeding into gold. Svetlana POPOVTSEVA (AIN) finished second, and Laura KRUMINA (Norway) and Diana PATAKI (Hungary) shared bronze. A surprise came in the Over 50, where Serbia’s Stanisava DIMANIĆ emerged as the champion, ahead of AIN’s Elena CHUNIKHINA. Pre-tournament favorites Krisztina SPENGLER (Hungary) and Larisa LAVRUKHINA (AIN) settled for bronze. In the Over 55 category, Elżbieta KAZBERUK (Poland) took top honors, defeating Sweden’s Ulrika HANSSON in the final. Fellow Swede Lena JOHNSSON, the No. 1 seed, reached the semifinals alongside Jutta ERNST (Germany). AIN’s Inna TIKHOMIROVA was crowned champion in the Over 60, with a strong showing against Ukraine’s Galyna YENENKO in the final. Spain’s Maria VINTILA TIFACHI and Marta DAUBNEROVA (Slovakia) took home bronze. Croatian legend Branka BATINIĆ lived up to expectations in the Over 65 category, claiming gold in dominant fashion. Germany’s Birgit FINGER took silver, while Kai THORNBECH (Estonia) and Giulia SOBRERO (Italy) earned bronze. BATINIĆ also secured gold in the Doubles event, completing a remarkable campaign. Novi Sad holds a special place in her career — she competed at the European Championships in the same venue in 1974 and returned to play again in 1981 at SPENS when she clinched bronze. In the Over 70, Switzerland’s Elmira ANTONYAN BRUNNER topped a highly competitive bracket. The AIN contingent swept the remaining medals with Ekaterina KRASNOVA taking silver, and Dina MINAKOVA and Larisa ANDREEVA each securing bronze. Italy’s Rita POGOSOVA emerged victorious in the Over 75 group, with Larisa ILINSKAIA (AIN) taking silver. Bronze went to Linda SIMPSON (England) and Alicja SKRZYPICKA (Poland). The Over 80 category saw Gizella ZACHER (Hungary) claim gold, ahead of Renata BURG (Austria). Bronze was awarded to Mirosława BUTRYM (Poland) and Colette LE CORVEC (France). Finally, in the Over 85, Gertrud MIKYSKA (Austria) stood atop the podium, with Heidi WUNNER (Germany) earning silver. Eva ŠVECOVÁ (Czechia) and Chantal MASSET (France) completed the medal round. The atmosphere in Novi Sad proved once again why the European Veterans Championships remain a cherished fixture on the calendar — a celebration of sport at every age. See the pictures here WOMEN’S SINGLES Women’s Singles 40 Women’s Singles 45 Women’s Singles 50 Women’s Singles 55 Women’s Singles 60 Women’s Singles 65 Women’s Singles 70 Women’s Singles 75 Women’s Singles 80 Women’s Singles 85 WOMEN’S DOUBLES Women’s Doubles 40 Women’s Doubles 45 Women’s Doubles 50 Women’s Doubles 55 Women’s Doubles 60 Women’s Doubles 65 Women’s Doubles 70 Women’s Doubles 75 Women’s Doubles 80
Ina JOZEPSONE Reflects on EVC 2025 : Focused Planning Overcame All Challenges
The 2025 European Veterans Table Tennis Championships concluded after six vibrant days of competition at the Novosadski Sajam, gathering 2,593 participants from across Europe. On the final day of the event, ETTU Vice President Ina JOZEPSONE shared her impressions, reflecting on the organization, atmosphere, and future of the championships. Despite a late start in preparations due to internal changes, the Serbian Table Tennis Association managed to organize the event. From your perspective, did they succeed? “Absolutely. Despite the initial delay in starting the preparations, the Serbian TTF delivered an exceptional European Veterans Championships . From our perspective, everything was organized at a high level — from logistics and venue readiness to hospitality and overall event management. The seamless execution reflected the professionalism and dedication of the entire team,” explained ETTU Vice President in charge for Veterans. JOZEPSONE added: “Remarkably, although the core preparations were completed in just three months, there were no visible shortcomings. The event met all expectations, and most importantly, spectators and participants alike would never guess how limited the timeframe truly was. It’s a testament to how focused planning, hard work, and experience can overcome even the toughest constraints. Everything was really well organized. The team in Novi Sad did a great job — you could feel their energy and commitment. The whole event went smoothly, and the atmosphere was fantastic. Honestly, it didn’t feel at all like it was put together in just a few months.” How would you assess the level of play and competition among the participants? “The level of competition was awe-inspiring, especially in some of the age groups. You can clearly see there are still many players who train regularly and bring great skills to the table. It’s always refreshing to witness such dedication and passion for the sport, even at veteran levels.” Were there moments outside the matches that stood out to you — did you reconnect with old friends? “Yes, I did! It was great to reconnect with old friends and colleagues from across Europe. These moments are really important — beyond the competition, it’s about staying connected, sharing experiences, and strengthening the table tennis community. Spending time together like this is what makes events like the EVC so special.” Looking ahead, are the preparations for the 2027 European Veterans Championships in Latvia already underway? “ Yes, preparations for the European Veterans Championships 2027 in Riga, Latvia are well underway. A dedicated logo has already been created, and the official website is live at evc2027.com. The organizing team has also been actively promoting the event — they had a visible presence at EVC 2025 in Novi Sad, with their own stand to engage with athletes and visitors.” How many participants do you expect in Riga in 2027? “Based on the strong interest shown during EVC 2025 and the enthusiasm we saw at the Latvian booth, it’s clear that the event is already generating significant excitement. With this momentum, it’s reasonable to expect that the participant count in Riga could reach — or even surpass — the 3,000 mark.”
