The Danish Table Tennis Association (DTTA) announced an open search for skilled individuals to join their elite coaching team at the new International Transition Center (ITC). To maintain Denmark’s elite status and establish a top-level women’s national team DTTA have adopted a Talent & Elite Strategy focused on developing young players into professional athletes. The ITC will serve as a hub for up to eight U19 players from across Denmark providing them with a world-class training environment designed to foster international success. The Coach Profile: Experience working with top-level youth or senior players internationally Background in national team settings Highly educated (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) in sports or top-level coaching certification Exceptional communication skills with players and fellow coaches The Player-Transitioning-to-Coach Profile Current or recently retired player with international competition experience Passionate about the sport and eager to transition into a coaching role Ability to contribute to the existing training group as both a player and a coach Commitment to completing coaching/sports education Employment starts in August 2024 and continues through to the 2028 Olympics with an initial five-month trial period. Positions can be half to full-time depending on the applicant. This is a unique opportunity to work in beautiful Denmark known for its high quality of life and become part of a team dedicated to excellence and success in table tennis. For more information or to apply contact CEO Puk Hvistendal at +45 2912 2403 or email us at pkh@bordtennisdanmark.dk. Visit website at www.bordtennisdanmark.dk for further details.
OCAL and BENJEGÅRD Shine at the ROMSTAL European Under 13 Championships
Siri BENJEGÅRD of Sweden and Gorkem OCAL of Türkiye clinched gold in their respective boys’ and girls’ singles events at the ROMSTAL European Under 13 Championships. Partnering with Ela Su YÖNTER OCAL also secured gold in mixed doubles making him the most successful player of the tournament. This marks the first time in the history of table tennis that Türkiye is the most successful association in an ETTU title event. “Playing here was the unforgettable experience. I am so thrilled with the victory ”said OCAL. The battle between Gorkem OCAL of Türkiye and Lukas WANG of Germany in the final of the Boys’ Singles event concluded in favor of OCAL. In the semi-final Germany’s player beat Spain’s Ladimir MAYOROV while OCAL prevailed against Quentin SANDONA of France. The champions in the Mixed Doubles event are Türkiye’s Gorkem OCAL and Ela Su YÖNTER. In the final they overcame Czechia’s Ondrej MORAVEK and Laura MARSICKOVA. Semifinalists are Quentin SANDONA and Albane ROCHUT of France and Alexandru POP and Nadalia IONASCU of Romania. Gorkem OCAL is the most successful player of the tournament with 2 gold medals (singles and mixed doubles). European U13 Championships Table Tennis 2024 Medals table Gold Silver Bronze Total 1 Türkiye 2 2 2 Germany 1 1 2 3 Sweden 1 1 4 France 1 3 4 5 Spain 1 1 2 6 Czechia 1 1 7 Romania 3 3 8 Hungary 1 1 In the Girls’ Singles event Siri BENJEGÅRD of Sweden overcame Eva LAM of France to clinch gold. Siri BENJEGÅRD is the first Swedish girl to win a European youth singles title since JOHANSSON won the European Junior Girls’ Singles title in 1965. LAM was the gold medal winner in Mixed Doubles last year in Zagreb. Bronze medalists are Lizett FAZEKAS of Hungary and Maya Roberta MADAR of Romania. Lizett clinched bronze last year as well.
Germany clinched the title in the Mixed Teams Event in Bucharest.
In the final of the ROMSTAL European Under 13 Championships in Bucharest Germany beat Spain to clinch the title in the Mixed Teams Event. France and Romania secured bronze medals. In the final match Tien Nghia PHONG and Anna WALTER overcame Ladimir MAYOROV and Eloisa BARREDA 3-0. Amelie Guzi JIA prevailed against Esther HASEK MENDEZ 3-1 and Lukas WANG beat Roger QUESADA by the same margin. “It was a very difficult match. I lost the opening game but then I changed my service and forced QUESADA to play long rallies ” said WANG. The coach of the German team Frank SCHONMEIER said “I am very glad and very proud of my team because we managed to improve our game. Last year we were third and now we are first.” Speaking of the challenges coach SCHONMEIER said that the semi-final against France was the most difficult match. “It was very close. We won it by a narrow margin 3-2. When we reached the final we were a little bit of the favorites. We commenced the match with the Mixed Doubles which recorded a victory before the Teams final. They reached the quarters after the victory over the Polish duo and they were in a good mood. Then Lukas won the second match and we were heading toward victory ” said SCHONMEIER. “I also have to mention the great contribution of Jeffrey WEI who was not in the game but was in charge of scouting and gathering information about the Spanish team. He is also a winner because his information proved valuable to our win.” The competition continues tomorrow. You can follow the results here See pictures here
Germany and Spain will play for gold in the Mixed Teams event in Bucharest.
Tomorrow in the final of the ROMSTAL European Under 13 Championships in Bucharest Germany and Spain will compete for the title in the Mixed Teams Event. In the penultimate stage Germany featuring Tien Nghia PHONG Anna WALTER Amelie Guzi JIA and Lukas WANG overcame the French team of Noah TESSIER Lisa ZHAO Eva LAM and Nolan JOHNSTON with a score of 3-2. In the other semi-final Spain’s Ladimir MAYOROV Eloisa BARREDA Esther HASEK MENDEZ and Roger QUESADA beat Romania’s David TORO Maya MADAR Kariss SERBAN and Alexandru POP by the same margin. The final is scheduled for tomorrow at 19:20. The main draw of the individual events will also continue tomorrow. You can follow the results here See pictures here
Novi Sad to Host the 2025 European Veterans Championships
The ETTU Executive Board is pleased to announce that the 2025 European Veterans Championships awarded to the Table Tennis Association of Serbia will be held at the Novi Sad Fair from June 15th to June 22nd. Initially the Championship should have been held in Belgrade however Novi Sad provided with the best conditions. The European Veterans Championships 2025 will take place at the Novi Sad Fair the largest fairground in Serbia spanning over 200 000 m². The indoor area under the roof is about 60 000 m² and the space that will be used for table tennis competitions includes the two largest halls of 6 000 and 4 000 square meters as well as three halls for warming up. The atrium which connects the two halls will feature stands with information on tourist potentials a cultural info desk stands representing veterans’ associations from Europe the ETTU stand and stands for sports equipment. There will also be a large restaurant area with 600 seats and in the courtyard of the fairground which is a closed area (for championship participants only) there will be a food court fun corner music stages and a large parking area in the back of the fairground where the warming up halls are located. In total there will be 150 tables of which 115 are competition tables. The organizer will offer competitors accommodation in hotels in Novi Sad and the surrounding area with organized shuttle buses. Additionally various tourist tours will be offered along the Danube Fruška Gora visits to the monasteries of Fruška Gora wine cellars Vojvodina farmhouses and the possibility of organizing a visit to the capital Belgrade as fast train “Soko” wagons will be rented. Novi Sad was the Youth Capital in 2019 and the Culture Capital in 2022. It is a candidate for the Green Capital of Europe. It has a population of around 400 000 people. It boasts a beautiful sandy beach considered by many to be the most beautiful on the Danube in all of Europe stretching over 5 kilometers on both sides Novi Sad and Petrovaradin. Petrovaradin Fortress was built in the period from 1692 to 1780. It covers the area of 112 ha. In the foothill of the Fortress there is the Roman Catholic church of St. George with a convent which was built in the baroque style in the period from 1701 to 1714. One of the largest and best-preserved fortresses with the largest informal colony of artists and with one of only five tapestry ateliers in Europe. With a lot of restaurants it can be a good choice for a night out during the weekend. Registrations for the tournament will be possible a few days before the ITTF World Masters Championships Rome 2024 in July. There will be several price ranges with the lowest prices for early registrations. The number of participants is limited to about 3 500 competitors and the interest is huge especially from Balkan countries but also traditionally from Germany where the largest number of veterans are. Novi Sad has a rich history of hosting significant table tennis events including the European Championships in 1974 the European Youth Championships in 1988 and 2003 and the World Championships in 1981. Novi Sad also hosted the 2021 Europe Cup women complete season during COVID.
Romania Germany France and Spain secured medals in Bucharest.
On the second day of play at the ROMSTAL European Under 13 Championships in Bucharest four teams secured medals in the Mixed Teams Event. Emerging successfully at the top of their respective groups the teams will continue the competition in the semi-finals. Germany featuring Tien Nghia PHONG Anna WALTER Amelie Guzi JIA and Lukas WANG overcame Bulgaria Azerbaijan and Hungary to reach the top of their group. In Group 2 the host nation Romania represented by David TORO Maya MADAR Kariss SERBAN and Alexandru POP overcame Poland Israel and Switzerland. Spain’s Ladimir MAYOROV Eloisa BARREDA Esther HASEK MENDEZ and Roger QUESADA beat Portugal Austria and Ukraine. The French team which includes Noah TESSIER Lisa ZHAO Eva LAM and Nolan JOHNSTON succeeded against Türkiye Czechia and Sweden. You can follow the results here See pictures here
ROMSTAL European Under-13 Championships: Favorites Dominate Mixed Teams Event
The ROMSTAL European Under-13 Championships commenced today with strong performances from the favorites in the Mixed Teams Event. Group A: Germany featuring Tien Nghia HONG Anna WALTER Amelie Guzi JIA and Lukas WALTER triumphed over both Serbia and Sweden. Group B: The host nation represented by David TORO Maya MADAR Kariss SERBAN and Alexandru POP dominated the competition defeating both Ukraine and Montenegro. Group C: Croatia caused an upset with Mateo TERIHAJ Sara RIVETTI Karla IVCIC and Nikola JURIC overcoming the third seed Hungary. However Hungary managed to secure a victory against Portugal. Group D: Last year’s winners Türkiye showed their strength by overcoming Switzerland and Belgium. The Turkish team includes Gorkem OCAL Ela Su YÖNTER Ayten Ceren KAHRAMAN and Kuzey GUNDOGDU. Group E: The top seed in this group Czechia beat Greece but fell to Poland. Poland’s team consisting of Adam STACHOWIAK Lena PUZIO Lucja KOBOSZ and Hubert KWIECINSKI also prevailed against Moldova. Group F: France leads the group with two wins over Spain and Italy. The French team includes Noah TESSIER Lisa ZHAO Eva LAM and Nolan JOHNSTON. Group G: Austria’s team composed of Louis FEGERL Sophia PICHLER Jasmin CHEN and Seung Jin CHEN upset the rankings by defeating the top seed in their group Azerbaijan. Austria also beat Estonia while Azerbaijan overcame England. Group H: Slovakia the leader of the group lost both matches against Bulgaria and Israel. Bulgaria’s team featuring Miroslav SCHMIDT Polina ENCHEVA Beloslava BALKANSKA and Viktor DIMITROV also triumphed over Lithuania. Israel’s team including Nir ENGLER Gali BEZALEL Ofek NAHUSHI and Maor NICHANEVICH secured wins against Slovakia and Lithuania. The competition continues with teams battling for top positions in their respective groups. You can follow the results here See pictures here
Second Edition of the ROMASTAL European Under 13 Championships Commences Tomorrow
The second edition of the ROMSTAL European Under 13 Championships will kick off tomorrow with the Mixed Teams event. This exciting tournament will take place at the Polivalentă Hall (10 Piscului Road) in Bucharest from May 22-26. The competition will feature a strong lineup with 78 girls and 85 boys listed as participants. The title holders in the Mixed Teams event Türkiye have secured the top spot in Group D for the first stage. Germany last year’s bronze medalists leads Group A while Romania and Hungary are at the forefront of Groups B and C respectively. The tournament will see 29 teams divided into eight groups ensuring a competitive atmosphere. Among these Czechia France Azerbaijan and Slovakia have topped their respective groups. Notably Spain the silver medalists and bronze medalists Italy are in the same group as France and Kosovo promising some thrilling matches. Reflecting on the inaugural event in Croatia the first-ever winner in the boys’ singles was Italian Danilo FASO. In the girls’ event France’s Alexia NODIN clinched the gold medal. Additionally Titouan Morel-GONZALEZ and Eva LAM of France excelled in Mixed Doubles further showing the high level of competition at this event. As the ROMSTAL European Under 13 Championships unfold spectators can look forward to an exhilarating display of young talent and fierce competition. Follow the live stream at ETTU TV and results here
Margaryta PESOTSKA reached the last spot for the Olympics
The last ticket to Paris 2024 in the women’s event at the European Olympic Singles Qualification in Sarajevo was secured by Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine. Previously spots in the women’s category were secured by Anna HURSEY of Great Britain Britt EERLAND of the Netherlands and Fu YU and Jieni SHAO of Portugal. In the final match PESOTSKA overcame Georgina POTA of Hungary. It was POTA’S third Olympic ticket match which she lost (10:12 8:11 9:11 11:7 11:5 11:5 5:11). “Everything was fine with my game in the first three games and then I lost one by being unlucky with too many nets and easy mistakes. Then POTA raised her game. She played much more cleverly. Also the tiredness took its toll. We were both very tired. I did not have enough patience; my hand did not listen to me. It was difficult to control the game. In the last game I just let it be ” said PESOTSKA. This will be her fourth Olympics. “This was the hardest one to qualify for. I played so many matches a lot of them went to seven games.” Margaryta PESOTSKA lost to Fu YU of Portugal in an Olympic ticket match earlier today. “I was upset and disappointed but I knew I had to rise. I had to be strong. I managed to calm down by talking to the people I love. For the first hour I was just upset and thinking of my mistakes but then I listened to music and talked ” said PESOTSKA. Previously she beat Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia Tin-Tin HO of Great Britain and Dora MADARASZ of Hungary. In Stage 2 she beat Sabina SURJAN before losing to Jieni SHAO. In the group stage she beat Sabina MUSAJEVA of Latvia Sibel ALTINKAYA of Türkiye and Sara TOKIC of Slovenia. Georgina POTA lost to Jieni SHAO of Portugal in an Olympic ticket match after overcoming Sarah De NUTTE of Luxembourg and Izabela LUPULESKU of Serbia in Stage 3. In Stage 2 POTA beat Debora VIVARELLI of Italy Fu YU of Portugal and Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia before she lost the Olympic ticket match to Anna HURSEY of Great Britain. In the group stage Georgina prevailed against Rachel MORET of Switzerland and Aikaterini TOLIOU of Greece.
Third time lucky: Yang WANG booked the last ticket to Paris
The last ticket to Paris 2024 in the men’s event at the European Olympic Singles Qualification in Sarajevo was won by Slovakia’s Yang WANG. Previously Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece Milosz REDZIMSKI of Poland Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO of Ukraine and Vladislav URSU of Moldova had claimed their spots at the Olympics. It was the third Olympic ticket to Paris match for Yang WANG. He beat Adam SZUDI of Hungary to secure his third appearance at the Olympic Games. “I played ten matches here in five days. I can barely stand on my feet. I never lost my faith and I kept fighting. There is a big chance that I have already secured my place at the Olympics by the rankings but I did not come here to lose. I came to fight and to win my place. After I lost I went to my room to cool down and put my thoughts together. Then I came back and played point by point ” said WANG. Today he lost to Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO of Ukraine after previously beating Dimitrije LEVAJAC of Serbia and Juan PEREZ of Spain. In Stage 2 he lost the last match against Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece after victories over Benedek OLAH of Finland and Vladislav URSU of Moldova. In the group stage he beat Nikola MIHAILOVIC of Bosnia and Herzegovina Adam SZUDI of Hungary and Anton LIMONOV of Ukraine. “I thought before the match against SZUDI there is no chance I will lose this one. Three times would be just too much ” added WANG. “Against Adam we were both too tired but as a player with a defensive style I had more chances.” In Stage 3 Adam SZUDI beat Lubomir JANCARIK of Czechia Benedek OLAH of Finland and Martin ALLEGRO of Belgium before he lost to Vladislav URSU in the match for the Olympic ticket. In Stage 2 SZUDI beat Paul DRINKHALL of Great Britain and lost to Mihai BOBOCICA of Italy. In the group stage Adam SZUDI lost to Yang WANG and beat Nikola MIHAILOVIC of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Anton LIMONOV of Ukraine.
