SAIVE’s goodbye to Charleroi after 22 years!

After 22 years in Villette Charleroi (1 Wolrd title, 7 Champions League, 1 Euro Super Cup, 22 national titles and 20 Belgian Cups), 42 year-old Jean-Michel SAIVE will move to TT Auderghem in suburb of Brussels, the Belgian capital. “The last three y,

After 22 years in Villette Charleroi (1 Wolrd title, 7 Champions League, 1 Euro Super Cup, 22 national titles and 20 Belgian Cups), 42 year-old Jean-Michel SAIVE will move to TT Auderghem in suburb of Brussels, the Belgian capital. “The last three years were very difficult.. Villette have real big financial problems. But the motivitation of the players was fantastic. We reached the Champions’league final in 2010, we won everything in Belgium. Now, it’s time fo a new challenge,” stated legenday player who will represent Belgium once again at the Olympic Games this summer in London.

With his new club – promoted from Division 1 in Superdivision – he will play with Yannick VOSTES, the Belgian N.2, from Virton, KOU Lei, the Ukrainian player from Villette Charleroi and Anthony MAECK (B0).

“It’s a strange feeling. I have mixed emotions of nostalgia, sadness, excitment. I need new challenges. In Belgium, all around Villette was banalized, even our 8 finals in 10 years in Champions League. It will be totally new and different. The aim will be to become champion or to win the Cup.”

No ETTU Cup for the new team: “We need to stabilsed the club. Every decisions were made very quickly.”

For Villette Charleroi, it’s the end of an incredible era. Next season, no team in Superdivion. “Just one in division 1 with the aim of promotion to recover our place next season”, President Michel BEIRENS explained.

(by Christian RASPILLER)

Photo: Jean Michel SAIVE (Photo Roscher) 

Related News

London 2026 Gets Underway with European Teams Deliver Strong Opening Performances

One hundred years after the very first World Championships were staged in London, the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals London 2026 officially opened at the Copper Box Arena,...

Read more

MBF and PT Jyväskylä lifted trophies in Finland

Mejlans Bollförening (MBF) and PT Jyväskylä celebrated winning the Finnish Table Tennis Premier Division title at the finals event held at Ruskeasuo Sports Hall, Helsinki. In the men’s semi-finals, the...

Read more

Women in Table Tennis Umpiring: Second ETTU female-only webinar

The URC organised its second female-only webinar for umpires, bringing together women from across the table tennis community in a welcoming and supportive environment. “The positive comments during the webinar,...

Read more

SF SKK El Nino Praha complete semi-final mission (VIDEO)

SF SKK El Nino Praha confirmed their place in the ETTU Europe Cup Men final with a 3-1 victory over Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 in the second leg, backing up...

Read more

Contact

About Us

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions

The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is the governing body of the sport of table tennis in Europe, and is the only authority recognized for this purpose by the International Table Tennis Federation. The ETTU deals with all matters relating to table tennis at a European level, including the development and promotion of the sport in the territories controlled by its 58 member associations, and the organization of continental table tennis competitions, including the European Championships.

Powered By

All Competitions

Senior Competitions

Club Competitions

Youth Competitions

More Competitions