Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA heads to the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana with the opportunity to achieve something remarkable. Having claimed the Women’s Singles title in Munich in 2022 and successfully defended it on home soil in Linz two years later, the 32-year-old is now aiming for a third consecutive European crown.
For POLCANOVA, the two titles already represent the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. Yet the prospect of adding another chapter to her European Championships story remains a powerful incentive.
“I am very grateful to have won the Women’s Singles title twice in a row. With these achievements, I fulfilled one of the biggest dreams of my career. Winning a third consecutive title would mean writing history once again and achieving even more of my goals,” said POLCANOVA.
Returning as the two-time defending champion inevitably brings additional expectations, but POLCANOVA is determined not to let the pressure overshadow her enjoyment of the competition.
“I think it’s both. Of course, there is a lot of pressure, but at the same time, it’s also a joy to play because I’ve already won the title twice. I try not to put too much meaning into it and instead focus on improving my game and enjoying the moment, even though that’s not always easy.”
Her European Championships record extends well beyond the two Singles titles. In Munich, she also won Women’s Doubles gold and Mixed Doubles bronze, before adding silver medals in both Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles in Linz. At the Europe Top 16, she collected silver in 2023 and 2024, alongside bronze medals in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
POLCANOVA also enjoyed success on the world stage, winning Women’s Doubles silver at the 2025 World Championships in Doha.
Maintaining such a high level over several seasons has required constant adjustments, both technically and mentally.
“I feel like I’ve had to evolve time after time in every aspect of my game, but also in my mental approach to table tennis. People change with time, grow up and of course, I’ve changed as well. I try to focus on myself and on becoming the best version of myself when it matters most.”
The challenge awaiting her in Ljubljana could be particularly demanding. With established stars and an emerging generation of talented players competing for the title, POLCANOVA expects one of the strongest European Championships in recent years.
“The competition at these European Championships is very strong. For me personally, it’s perhaps the strongest field I’ve seen in the last four years. There are a lot of experienced players with great careers, but also many young players who are already playing at a very high level.”
Despite everything she has achieved, POLCANOVA admits that finding fresh motivation after reaching major career goals is not always straightforward. However, her passion for table tennis continues to drive her forward.
“When I first started playing table tennis, I never imagined that I would achieve so much. Of course, I had my dreams, but to have actually won so much is still a little crazy for me personally. Everyone has different dreams in life, and one of mine was definitely to win the European Championships in Singles.”
“I wouldn’t be lying if I said that I also have my ups and downs, and after achieving some of these goals, it’s not always easy to motivate myself. But I always try to find new things where I can improve, both in table tennis and in myself.”
And ultimately, it is the experience of competing that keeps the Austrian champion coming back for more.
“What motivates me the most, though, is my love for the game. It’s the feeling when I walk into a match, the adrenaline and the emotions.”
In Ljubljana, POLCANOVA will once again face Europe’s best, carrying the experience of two consecutive titles and the ambition to make European Championships history for a third time.
