Although the fierce battles under the roof of the Novi Sad Fair tell enough about why 2,500 players and just as many guests gathered this week at the European Veteran Championships, it is the camaraderie, enthusiasm, and above all, the love for table tennis that make this event truly special. That spirit was felt by none other than the legendary champion and ETTU Vice President, Zoran PRIMORAC, during his visit to Novi Sad.
“I was there briefly, but I’m leaving with great impressions. From what I could see, the players are very satisfied. I heard from President Pedro MOURA that the preparations started with a slight delay due to changes within the Association, but none of that was noticeable. It was a real pleasure to be in Novi Sad and to feel all that energy and love for the sport,” said PRIMORAC.
In the evening, he attended the official gala dinner hosted by the organizers, while during the day he spent time in the venue. The fighting spirit and passion of the competitors truly moved him.
“I went from table to table – I wanted to absorb the atmosphere, to live every moment of it. This is exactly why we at ETTU are constantly working to raise the level of organization – to give all participants the opportunity to compete in a comfortable environment and to provide as much content and support as possible. I was also very happy to meet many former colleagues and to see how passionately they are still playing.”
PRIMORAC had the chance to reconnect with table tennis greats such as DING Yi, Dragutin ŠURBEK, and Grigory VLASOV, as well as longtime friends from Serbia, including Aleksandar KARAKAŠEVIĆ, Slobodan GRUJIĆ, and STSS President Marko JEVTOVIĆ.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to talk and reminisce about shared moments. I was especially happy to see Boba and Sale again, and Jevta was an outstanding host.”
What did they talk about?
“The conversations were relaxed, personal, and family-oriented… but of course, we also touched on those eternal sports topics – who beat whom, who was the best. That playful evaluation always comes up when athletes meet. What made me really happy was seeing that everyone still looks great, still has that familiar sparkle in their eyes, and is trying to preserve that youthful energy on their faces. I also spoke with Zoran KALINIĆ, and for a moment it felt like time had stopped. These people haven’t changed at all.”
Today, Zoran PRIMORAC is the Vice President of the ETTU, President of the Croatian Table Tennis Association, and a member of the Executive Board of the Croatian Olympic Committee. The relentless pace he maintained as a player continues in his current role as a sports official.
“Maybe I’m still a bit too active, but it’s a privilege to remain in sport. I believe that all of us who gained so much from sport have a responsibility to give something back. Through my work in the Athletes’ Commission of the Olympic Committee and with ITTF, I’ve always tried to create the best possible conditions for athletes – to help them reach their full potential and to avoid the kinds of challenges I faced during my playing career,” he said.
PRIMORAC’S career, which spanned over two decades, was filled with success at the highest level. His partnership with Ilija LUPULESKU is particularly remembered as one of the most successful in table tennis history. The two won a silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul in men’s doubles – one of the greatest achievements for table tennis in the region.
PRIMORAC also shone on the world championship stage, winning silver in New Delhi in 1987 in doubles with LUPULESKU and bronze in the team event. Four years later, in Chiba, alongside KALINIĆ, LUPULESKU, and SMREKAR, he claimed silver in the team competition. Representing Croatia, he earned a singles bronze in Gothenburg in 1993, and in partnership with Belarusian Vladimir SAMSONOV, took silver in Tianjin in 1995 and bronze in Eindhoven in 1999 in men’s doubles.
His consistency and elite level were confirmed at numerous European Championships. As a young player, he won medals in doubles with LUPULESKU – bronze in Prague (1986), silver in Paris (1988), and gold in Gothenburg (1990). Later, he continued to achieve across all disciplines: mixed doubles gold with Hungary’s Csilla BÁTORFI in Manchester (1994), where he also earned a singles bronze and doubles silver with Belgium’s Jean-Michel SAIVE.
His individual strength was on display throughout the years, with silver medals in singles at Eindhoven (1998) and Bremen (2000), and bronze medals in Zagreb (2002), Aarhus (2005), and Belgrade (2007). In Belgrade, he led the Croatian national team to a silver medal in the team event.
PRIMORAC’S return to Novi Sad – this time as an official – was more than a symbolic visit. It was a moment to once again feel the heartbeat of the sport he devoted his life to, and to share it with those who, despite being veterans, still play with their whole heart.
FOTO by Studio VUJCIN
