OVTCHAROV and HU Melek top Men`s and Women`s lists respectively

December 9, 2016
12:16 pm
Europe Top-16 Cup

Invitation for the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup announced

Invitation for the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup 3-5 February Antibes (FRA) are announced with 32 names in both competitions altogether plus reserve players. Current ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup winner Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and actual European champion and 2016 Top 16 runner-up HU Melek are on the top of lists followed by Vladimir SAMSONOV and Petrissa SOLJA respectively.

Host audience will have a joy to see two finalists from the recent LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships champion Emmanuel LEBESSON and runner-up Simon GAUZY.

Men`s invitation list promises fantastic event bearing in mind that all 16 top European players are here: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER European No. 1) Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR No. 2) Timo BOLL (GER No. 3) Marcos FREITAS (POR No. 4) Simon GAUZY (FRA No. 5) Stefan FEGERL (AUT No. 6) Bastian STEGER (GER No. 7) Tiago APOLONIA (POR No. 8) Kristian KARLSSON (SWE No. 9) Andrej GACINA (CRO No. 10) Mattias KARLSSON (SWE No. 11) Emmanuel LEBESSON (FRA No. 12) KOU Lei (UKR No. 13) Joao MONTEIRO (POR No. 14) Alexander SHIBAEV (RUS No. 15) Jonathan GROTH (DEN No. 16).

Last year`s Women`s champion SHEN Yanfei (Spain) decided to retire from the table tennis but her name is still on the Invitation list due to regulations (European ranking from December 1^st is valid). Newly crowned European champion HU Melek (Turkey European No. 2) who finished behind best Spanish player in the latest Europe Top 16 will compete in Antibes.

Twelve out of 16 best ranked women`s players of Old Continent are on the Invitation list (top ranked HAN Ying are not among them). Beside HU Melek they are: Petrissa SOLJA (GER No. 3) Elizabeta SAMARA (ROU No. 4) LIU Jia (AUT No. 4) LI Jie (NED No. 7) LI Qian (POL No. 9) Georgina POTA (HUN No. 10) Matilda EKHOLM (SWE No. 11) LI Jiao (NED No. 12) Sabine WINTER (GER No. 13) SHEN Yanfei (ESP No. 14) Polina MIKHAILOVA (RUS No. 15) Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN (ROU No. 17) Sofia POLCANOVA (AUT No. 20) Viktoria PAVLOVICH (BLR No. 21) while the 16^th name on the list will be the best ranked French player.

2025 Champions League Final 4 Saarbrücken: Book the tickets now

This year, 4,500 spectators in Saarlandhalle Saarbrücken contributed to the resounding success of the first-ever Champions League Final 4. The event returns next year, promising another thrilling experience for players...

33rd Finlandia Open – Everything You Need to Know

The traditional Finlandia Open returns this year, welcoming over 160 players from 27 countries to the enchanting home of Father Christmas. Hosted at the Kisakallio Sports Institute, just an hour’s...

ETTU Announces Key Updates and Initiatives

The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) has unveiled significant updates following decisions made at the 2024 Congress. From ranking system changes to new hosting opportunities and support for female coaches,...

ETTU JOB OPENINGS: PART-TIME FINANCIAL MANAGER (20H/WEEK)

Location: Luxembourg Position Overview: ETTU is looking for a skilled Financial Operations Manager to handle daily financial tasks, including accountancy, budget management, and liaising with auditors. Based in Luxembourg, this...