Member Associations | 20 May 2010
LIEBHERR World Team Championships: French warm up with China
21/05/2010 – Both French teams will play in the first Division of the LIEBHERR World Team Table Tennis Championships in Moscow (23-30 May). There are slim chance for reaching the podium but men may legitimately seek access to the knockout stages. Fo
21/05/2010 – Both French teams will play in the first Division of the LIEBHERR World Team Table Tennis Championships in Moscow (23-30 May). There are slim chance for reaching the podium but men may legitimately seek access to the knockout stages. For women the challenge is even bigger especially after absence of the leader XIAN Yi Fang due the injury.
Stephane HUCLIEZ is the coach of the men team with Christophe LEGOUT, Adrien MATTENET, Emmanuel LEBESSON, Abdel-Kader SALIFOU and Simon GAUZY. In Women’s team are Carole GRUNDISCH, Aurore DESSAINT, Audrey MATTENET and Alice ABBAT “In Moscow we will try to reach the second stage. It is hard to expect that we can beat Asian teams. Our aim is to make ourselves dominate in Europe. We want the medal in 2010 at the European Championships this September,” said coach Stephane HUCLIEZ .
France is in the Group with China, Russia, Greece, Poland and Italy.
“The match against China should give us space to fell the hall and to prepare for the next encounters. We are not sure about GIONIS and KREANGA in Greece, but we already know that SMIRNOV is not at the Russia’s lineup.Basically I am only afraid of Poland,” pointed Stephane HUCLIEZ.
Simon GAUZY joined big guns.”I feel small compared to others, including Christophe LEGOUT who makes an outstanding career and for whom I have great respect. I have respect also for other players, but I am not impressed. When I’m working with Christophe LEGOUT, I give myself fully. I want to earn my place.”
Carole GRUNDISCH said that the time devoted to the preparation was limited and that she had to deal with minor injuries and fatigue.
“I hope that my elbow injury will not prevent me from giving my best.Whatever happens, I think we will continue to improve our rankings for the next edition. I am not a fan of rankings, but since it has been reformed, I think it better reflects the level of players,” explained GRUNDISCH.
(by Hubert GUERIAU, courtesy of FFTT)
Photo: men’s France team (Photo Roscher)
