European Youth Championships is among the largest table tennis events. Only the major veterans’ championships may have a higher number of participants. This will be no different starting Friday in Ostrava, where this year’s championship begins with the team events.
It will be the third time that championship titles will be contested in the Poruba arena. After the years 2013 and 2019, the Czechia is hosting again—this time in the year when Czech table tennis is celebrating 100 years since its founding. The European Junior Championships were also held in the Czechia in 1996 and 1999 in Frýdek-Místek, while Prague hosted the tournament in 2005 and 2009.
Ostrava’s RT Torax Arena is practically ready, with only a few final touches remaining. Several Czech players have already taken advantage of this, testing the playing environment despite the ongoing movement of organizers around the playing area.
By Friday, a total of 1,000 participants will need to be accredited. 606 players from 48 countries are expected, along with 220 coaches and staff, 110 referees, and 65 organizers and volunteers. Accommodation had to be arranged—140 rooms are available at the Vista Hotel and 400 two-room units in the modern dormitories of VŠB-TU Ostrava.
Two hockey halls have been transformed to accommodate 24 competition tables and the same number of training tables. A total of 3,000 square meters of Taraflex flooring had to be laid. Around the tables, 600 surrounds have been set up, and 3,000 balls are prepared. For the best players and teams, 41 gold, 41 silver, and 82 bronze medals have been produced—for all events, including reserves.
The tournament lasts ten days, with matches scheduled nearly every day from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with only minor exceptions.
Overview of EYC 2024 Winners and Czech Medalists
Team Events:
- Juniors U19: Romania
- Junior Girls U19: France
- Cadet Boys U15: Italy
- Cadet Girls U15: Germany
Individual Events:
- Junior Boys U19 Singles: Darius MOVILEANU (Romania)
- Junior Girls U19 Singles: Bianca Mei ROSU (Romania)
- Cadet Boys U15 Singles: Patryk ZYWORONEK (Poland)
- Cadet Girls U15 Singles: Hanka KODET (Czech Republic)
- Junior Boys U19 Doubles: Iulian CHIRITA, Andrei ISTRATE (Romania)
- Junior Girls U19 Doubles: Veronika MATIUNINA (Ukraine), Nicole ARLIA (Italy)
- Cadet Boys U15 Doubles: Patryk ZYWORONEK, Samuel MICHNA (Poland)
- Cadet Girls U15 Doubles: Nina SKERBINZ, Elina FUCHS (Austria)
- Junior U19 Mixed Doubles: Daniel BERZOSA (Spain), Veronika MATIUNINA (Ukraine)
- Cadet U15 Mixed Doubles: Aleks PAKULA, Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA (Poland)
