Last year, Alexis LEBRUN ended Darko JORGIC’s reign at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux, stopping a historic run that had brought the Slovenian star three consecutive titles since 2022.
This time, JORGIC returns to Switzerland in a different position, аnd for the first time in years, he feels the pressure shift.
“After three years, this is the first time I’m not coming as the defending champion, but as the finalist. That is still a big thing, of course, but maybe it’s a little easier for the head. The pressure was really big for four years in a row,” JORGIC admits.
Yet, with Europe’s elite gathering in Montreux from 5 to 8 February, the challenge remains as demanding as ever.
“The competition is incredibly strong. Honestly, I believe that all 16 players, and even more if we include the qualification stage, can win this tournament. European table tennis has raised its level, and the quality is extremely high. From the very first round, every match will be difficult.”
Despite losing his crown last year, JORGIC arrives in Switzerland in excellent shape.
“I feel very good. I’m playing great in the league, I’m currently 11–0. Recently, I lost in the semifinals in Muscat against a Chinese player WEN Ruibo, but overall, I feel I’m in very good form. I just hope to bring this level to the Top 16.”
The Montreux stage has become something of a second home for the Slovenian.
“I’ve played in the final five times in a six-year period, which means a lot to me. There is always extra pressure, but at the same time I feel amazing there. Many fans come to support me, and that gives me a special energy.”
Even without the title to defend, JORGIC’s ambitions remain unchanged.
“I just hope that the real Darko, the one people know from Switzerland, will show up again. I want to play good table tennis, fight hard, and once again be in the battle for a medal, like in all these years.”
With Europe’s best set to clash once more on the Montreux stage, Darko JORGIC is ready for another chapter in his special relationship with the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup.
Men’s event
In the Men’s event will play Truls MOREGARD of Sweden, Alexis LEBRUN of France, Felix LEBRUN of France, Darko JORGIC of Slovenia, Benedikt DUDA of Germany, Patrick FRANZISKA of Germany, Dang QIU of Germany, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany, Anton KALLBERG of Sweden, Anders LIND of Denmark, Simon GAUZY of France, Jonathan GROTH of Denmark, Marcos FREITAS of Portugal, Eduard IONESCU of Romania.
Qualification Stage – Men
Alvaro ROBLES of Spain, Andrej GACINA of Croatia, Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland, Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia, Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden, Daniel HABESOHN of Austria, Joao GERALDO of Portugal and Pedro OSIRO of Switzerland.
Reserve players
Iulian CHIRITA of Romania, Thibault PORET of France, Andre BERTELSMEIER of Germany, Martin ALLEGRO of Belgium, Adrien RASSENFOSSE of Belgium, Luka MLADENOVIC of Luxembourg, and Ovidiu IONESCU of Romania.
Women’s event
In the Women’s event will play Sabine WINTER of Germany, Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria, Bernadette SZOCS of Romania, Ying HAN of Germany, Jia Nan YUAN of France, Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania, Prithika PAVADE of France, Jieni SHAO of Portugal, Nina MITTELHAM of Germany, Linda BERGSTROM of Sweden, Fu YU of Portugal, Maria XIAO of Spain, Natalia BAJOR of Poland, Xiaona SHAN of Germany.
Qualification Stage
Anna HURSEY of Wales, Annett KAUFMANN of Germany, Charlotte
LUTZ of France, Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania, Izabela LUPULESKU of Serbia, Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia, Georgina POTA of Hungary, Rachel MORET of Switzerland.
Reserve players
Christina KALLBERG of Sweden, Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy, Britt EERLAND of the Netherlands, Yuan WAN of Germany, Gaia MONFARDINI of Italy, Adina DIACONU of Romania, and Ivana MALOBABIC of Croatia.
