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

SPO Rouen crowned French champions for the first time in history

SPO Rouen captured the first French Pro A Men title in club history after edging GV Hennebont 3-2 in a dramatic final played in front of a packed Kindarena on...

Read more

BTDK named Sports Association of the Year 2026 in Denmark

Table Tennis Denmark has been named Sports Association of the Year 2026 in Denmark. The award was presented during the General Assembly of the Danish Sports Confederation and the Danish...

Read more

Felix WETZEL inspires dramatic comeback as Wels defend Austrian title

Felbermayr Wels successfully defended the Austrian Men’s Bundesliga title after an extraordinary final thriller in Wiener Neustadt, overturning a 0-2 deficit against regular season winners Panaceo Stockerau to secure the...

Read more

Olympiacos extend dynasty while Panathinaikos women end 52-year wait for Greek title

Olympiacos SFP in the men’s division and Panathinaikos AO in the women’s division were crowned Greek champions for the 2025/26 season after confirming their dominance in the A1 National League...

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