CCB Europe Top 16 Cup
Liam PITCHFORD of England secured his position at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux (2nd and 3rd February). On his premiere he is seeded at the position no. four at the prestige tournament in Switzerland
Liam’s seeding position predicts good chances for the place at the medal rostrum. He already proved himself as a giant’s killer. Would this be another good opportunity?
“ It’s my first top 16 so it’s a fun opportunity for me I try not to think about where I’m seeded I’ll just take it one match at a time because I know all the opponents are very good players ” said PITCHFORD.
Since this is your début what do you feel before the start?
“Yes it’s my first time I was first reserve one year and went there to watch and practice so I kind of know what to expect but it will be different going out on to the table and playing. However it’s something I’m very much looking forward to.”
Can you put your adversaries on “scanner” regarding their current shape results and your previous encounters?
“ I’m just focusing on myself and my preparation at the moment when I know who I’m playing then I can look closer at my opponents.”
Liam already had a busy start of the year.
“Hungarian open is my first tournament in the new year I have been in Copenhagen preparing with the top 16 in mind so I hope to be playing good table tennis there. “
Regarding last year Liam’s feelings are mixed.
“It’s been a very good year for me with mostly a lot of highs…quarter final of the world Championships semi final Austrian open and Czech open reaching 16 on World ranking beating MA Long OVTCHAROV and BOLL former World no.1s but also there were some lows I wasn’t satisfied with how I played at Commonwealth Games which I was disappointed with.
What is the major goal for 2019?
“A big goal is of course to win European games and get a ticket for Tokyo but also just to keep enjoying my game and playing well. “
Do you have the Olympic Games in Japan 2020 in sight already?
“Kind of yes I think it’s at the back of most players minds right now it would be nice to be qualified as early as possible but we will see what happens ” stated Liam PITCHFORD.????
In men’s singles at the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux 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) Oividiu 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).
Tickets are available here.
