European Championships | 23 Jan 2017

European Team Championships Qualifications

For a first time in 2017, European Team Championships Qualifications will occupy attention of table tennis fans at the Old Continent. On Tuesday, the fifth round of the Event will take pace.

Top seeds in Men’s Championships Division, Asutria, will host Hungary. So far Austria recorded two wins, against Denmark at home and Hungary as guests but failed to repeat their victory in Denmark.

In Berlin, Germany with Benedikt DUDA, Ricardo WALTHER und debutant Dang QIU will host Serbia, and so far they have a clear record with three straight matches’ victories. So far they beat Switzerland twice and Serbia once. In Group C, France beat Finland twice and Italy once. Now they will host Italy. The leader in Group D, Belarus, awaits Croatia. Hosts already suffered the defeat in the duel against the same adversaries, when they have played in Croatia. That means, Croatia is unbeaten after they overcame Israel as well. Israel failed to score against Belarus too.

In Group E, Sweden holds the top with three straight matches victories over Estonia twice and Slovakia once. Now they will meet Slovakia again.

Portugal will host Ukiraine in Porto. They are unbeaten so far. Greece will play again against England. In first duel, England upset the favorites and beat them at home soil. In Group H, top seeds, Poland stumbled in both Rounds one and four against Slovenia, but Slovenia failed against Belgium. It makes the battle in Group H more interesting, as Belgium travels to Walbrzych.

Favorits in Group I, Russia, also failed to justify their rankings. They lost against Spain in second round. Now, they will have the chance to awenge their defeat. Same stands for Czech Republic. They lost against Romania and now they will meet again.

In a women’s Championships Division, Germany’s girls follow the men’s path. They recorded three 3:0 wins, before fifth round duel against Slovenia this week. Very interesting duel is at the programe in Romania. SAMARA and Co. will host Netherlands. Dutch team already suffered once against Romania’s players in second round. Russia, top favorites in Group C beat Bulgaria twice and Belarus once. Now they are looking for their second victory against Belarus to seal the leading position in their Group.

Poland will have opportunity to close the Group phase of the competition unbvaten in front of the home crowd. They will meet Spain again. They also overcame Switzerland.

The double program will be played in Austria too. Unbeaten host will play against Wales. Czech Republic was chalenged only in the match against Lithuania in previous occasions, but against Serbia again, no one expects great fight. It is the reverse scenario expected in Group I. France, the top seeded in the Group, will meet Slovakia. Slovaki beat them at home. Hungary will play against Sweden, after they already have beat them in Qualifications last year.

Four matches will be live streamed on ETTU.tv (http://www.laola1.tv/watch/channel/tisch-tennis), two from each, men`s and women`s Championships Divisions. Men`s games are Austria vs. Hungary and France vs. Italy, whilst from women`s side two offered are Romania vs. Netherlands and France vs. Slovakia.