CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux February 2-3
Four-time winner in the last six editions actual no. 2 seed Dimitrij OVTCHAROV shares third place (with Vladimir SAMSONOV) at the All-time winners list of Europe Top 16 behind Jan-Ove WALDNER (seven titles) and Timo BOLL (six). The 30-year-old German 2018 runner-up is aiming his fifth crown at the 2019 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup to be held this Saturday and Sunday (February 2-3) in the Swiss city of Montreux.
How is your current preparation for the 2019 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup?
“After a difficult year 2018 were my rhythm was missing due to a long-term injury I feel much better now. In November and December 2018 I have trained very hard in China and played some great matches in the CTTSL. In addition I was on vacation for a week with my family and was able to clear my head. Now I finally feel physically and mentally 100% ready and excited for the Euro Top 16 what will be my first event this year.”
How do you see the list of 2019 favorites and your chances to get new Euro Top 16 crown?
“For me the biggest favorite is Timo (BOLL). He is the defending champion. Other aspirants could be PITCHFORD FREITAS and FALCK but almost every player who will take part at this event is able to make big surprises. It will definitely be a strong and exciting tournament! Of course I am determined to have a say in the title again. I feel much better prepared than last year and will give everything I got.”
You managed to collect four titles in last six editions of Euro Top 16. What is the common thing for all these titles something that drove you to the titles?
“In the previous titles I was always in great form. I have always prepared very well trained hard and analysed the opponents. More importantly I truly believed in the victory weeks before the tournament. The attitude and faith are the keys to the success at the end.”
Your personal goals in 2019?
“I want to regain my old strength win some tournaments and fight back into the world elite.”
In men’s singles will play: Timo BOLL (Germany) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) Mattias FALCK (Sweden) Liam PITCHFORD (England) Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) Simon GAUZY (France) Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) KOU Lei (Ukraine) Ovidiu IONESCU (Romania) Panagiotis GIONIS (Greece) Lionel WEBER (Switzerland).
Women’s Event: Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) LI Jie (Netherlands) Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) LI Qian (Poland) Georgina POTA (Hungary) Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) Natalia PARTYKA (Poland) Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic) Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) Rachel MORET (Switzerland).
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup is going to be covered (replay or delay) by Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2. Table Tennis fans can enjoy watching their favourite sport on TV within two days February 3rd (Eurosport 2 18:45 – 20:10 delay) and February 4th (Eurosport 2 – 13:00 – 14:00 reply Eurosport 1 – 16:45 – 17:30 reply).
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup will be shown in total of 54 countries. They are following: Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kosovo Kirghizstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Morocco Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey UK Ukraine Vatican.
Tickets are available here.
