European Championships | 10 Aug 2022

Truls MOREGARDH is living his fairytale

Swede Truls MOREGARDH is the leading name at the seedings in the Men’s Singles Event at the forthcoming European Championships in Munich. Only 20-years old, Truls is the leading European name at the ITTF rankings at the position no. 5 in the World.

MOREGHARD was on duty in Budapest at the WTT Champions European Summer Series 2022. He played in Round of 32 and lost to Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS. Week earlier he played in the final of the WTT Star Contender European Summer Series 2022 against WANG Chuqin. Wang coming out on top across five breathtaking games.

“I think I had a good performance in Hungary. To be in the final in such a big tournament as the one in Budapest is not easy and I’m very proud for that. All the best players in the world were there. My shape feels good, “ said Truls.

Is there any event more on your schedule before Munich 2022.

“No, I will prepare with a lot of hard training and have put up a good plan for myself so I can be in top shape at Europeans. We will have a big camp here in Sweden with a few different national teams from Europe.”

How you feel by being no. 1 seed in Munich?

 “It still feels strange. Everything has happened really fast for me in the ranking after World Championship and it’s really cool to be on top of Europe in the ranking of course. I don’t see myself as a favorite and I think that many players in Europe feel that this tournament will be very open with a lot of surprises.”

The success did not softener his edges. He is seriously preparing for the challenge and new role where he is the “pray”, not a hunter.

“I’m already pushing hard and I’m trying to improve my game and myself every day. But of course I want to maintain my place in the ranking. I think FRANZISKA is feeling quite good after the tournament in Budapest and he has a lot of confidence, so he will be tough for many to play; 100%. OVTCHAROV in top shape looks scary to play also. But I hope the new generation with me and the LEBRUN brothers can be a threat to many.”

MOREGARDH dazzled spectators at the 2021 World Championships Finals with a series of sensational performances in Houston. He beat Chinese Taipei's CHUANG Chih-Yuan, Germany's Patrick FRANZISKA, Republic of Korea's LIM Jonghoon, Nigeria's Quadri ARUNA, and another German star in Timo BOLL. Only China's FAN Zhendong was able to stop MOREGARDH in his tracks, but that didn't stop the teenager at the time from writing his name down in history as only the second Swede to reach the Men's Singles final this century.

“A lot of things have change after Huston, that’s for sure! It was a crazy tournament and a crazy experience that I will always look back to as a beautiful fairytale. It was definitely showing that everything is possible not only for Europeans but for everyone, “ stated Truls MOREGARDH.