Other Events | 23 Apr 2014

Peter SARTZ on duty in Sweden again

After six days of trainings in Eslöv and a few days of rest for Easter the Sweden’s team arrived in Tokyo to continue with the final preparations for the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Japan from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May.

After six days of trainings in Eslöv and a few days of rest for Easter the Sweden’s team arrived in Tokyo to continue with the final preparations for the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Japan from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May. “In the Japanese table tennis center, they have already started to work,” reported Peter SARTZ while he was walking his dog Alvis at home in Malmö.

Peter, who after 19 years in the Danish service makes a comeback on the Swedish bench, will flight to Japan on Friday. Peter will lead Sweden’s men’s team and Thomas von SCHEELE – is already at the place in the World Championships city with Swedish ladies.

It is noticeable that Peter looking forward to the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Championships with excitement. “We have to be among top three in the group. It is our plan. South Korea is the favorite; North Korea is unknown for us and Taiwan led by CHUANG is good on paper but not always reliable when it shrinks” SARTZ added.

Sweden is ranked as the twelfth World Championship team and the goal to be among the top ten teams is very realistic.“China is the favorite, of course, ahead of Germany and Japan. The rest…everything is open.”

Pär GERELL is now very high ranked as 35th in the world rankings and announced with his quarterfinal place in the German Open that he’s in good shape this spring. He was pleased with Eslöv camp. “If we just can find the stability in our game it will be perfect. I hope Pär GERELL will find the way to manage pressure and progress as our number one. Do not forget that he led 3-0 against ZHENDONG in Qatar”, emphasizes Peter.

Pär GERELL had a little pain in the neck at the end of the camp, otherwise everything else was fine. No sign at all of injuries in the Swedish World Championships squad.

Peter adds: “Jens plays at his highest level and he can produce good performance in Japan, just like Kristian who played well in his French club Pontoise Cergy, both in the national league and the Champions League. Jon and Harald also have a lot to give.”

Peter SARTZ is pleased with the move from Denmark to Sweden. “Communication with the guys has been great. It is great to be focused on Sweden again and it is a great fun to be at the major championship. In China and Japan the stands are always full and inspiring for all.”

Last time Peter SARTZ was engaged in Sweden’s team at the World Championships in Tianjin in 1995, when he assisted Soren AHLEN. Two years before that in Gothenburg he worked with Anders THUNSTRÖM.

Sweden’s World Cup squad – Men:
Pär GERELL, Born: 23/6 1982, Club: ASTT Chartres, France, Rankings: 35; VM starts: 9th (05, 06, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Jens LUNDQUIST, Born: 29/8 1979, Club: Valli Ante Sports Angers, France, Rankings: 66; World Cup starts: 13th (97, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Kristian KARLSSON, Born: 6/8 1991Club: Pontoise Cergy, France, World ranking: 97; VM starts: third (12, 13, 14)
Jon PERSSON, Born: 23/10 1986, Club: Söderhamns UIF, Rankings: 133; World Cup starts: 3rd (07, 08, 14)
Harald ANDERSSON, Born: 9/29 1991, Club: Halmstad BTK, Rankings: 193; World Cup starts: Debutante

Sweden’s World Cup squad – Women:
Matilda EKHOLM, Born: June 15, 1982, Clubs: Fotoprix VIC Barcelona (Spain), JS Cugnaux-Villeneuve (France), Rankings: 55; VM starts: 10th (05, 06, 07, 08, 09. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Linda BERGSTRÖM, Born: January 12, 1995, Club: Ängby SK, World ranking. 235; VM starts: second (12, 14)
Daniela MOSKOVITS, Born: June 18, 1993, Team: Team Mälarenergi BTK, World ranking: 299; VM starts: second (12, 14)
Jennifer JONSSON, Born: August 13, 1994, Club: Spårvägens BTK, World ranking: 303; VM starts: second (12, 14)