Victorious with a 3-2 win against Chartres last Monday in the fifteenth round of the Pro A championship the table tennis players of As Pontoise Cergy clinched their third French championship title in history. Defying all odds the club indeed showed a conquering spirit to overturn several compromised situations and ultimately claim the “national grail.” Topping the leaderboard from the first to the last day the team from Val-d’Oise notably dominated the championship by securing thirteen victories in the first fifteen matches before concluding the 2023/2024 season with a liberated mindset. A major architect of this achievement and leader of the Pontoise team with 21 victories under his belt Portuguese international Marcos FREITAS (world No. 15) could also rely on the valuable assistance of South Korean LIM Jonghoon (No. 25) and Algerian international Mehdi BOULOUSSA (No. 116) in this endeavor while the “medical joker” João MONTEIRO (No. 79) and Frenchman Tristan FLORE also played pivotal roles in the title quest. With this third national title in its history As Pontoise Cergy also a brilliant semi-finalist in the Europe Cup this season and a supplier of Olympic athletes for Paris 2024 (FREITAS LIM) once again demonstrated that it remains indisputably the flagship club of Val-d’Oise at the highest level.
Lisa-Sophie WANG and Robert Alexandru ISTRATE Under 15 champions in Sarajevo
The Europe Youth Series Bosnia and Herzegovina Open in Sarajevo concluded today after five days of exciting matches. The competition culminated with the Singles and Doubles ultimate stages. In the Under 15 Girls Singles Lisa-Sophie WANG of Germany defeated Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA of Poland. Also on the medal rostrum in third place were Elisa NGUYEN of Germany and Alexandra-Maria DICU of Romania. The Under 15 Girls Doubles champions are Nora DOHOCZKI and Sophie BARCSAI of Hungary. Katarzyna RAJKOWSKA and Maja LAKOMA of Poland were halted in the final. The semifinalists were Leeloo HAN VUKELJA and Elena VUKOVAC of Croatia and Lisa-Sophie WANG and Elisa NGUYEN of Germany. At the end of the Under 15 Boys Singles Event Robert Alexandru ISTRATE of Romania defeated Francesco TREVISAN of Italy. Finishing in third place were Filip RACAK of Czechia and Samuel MICHNA of Poland. The Under 15 Boys Doubles concluded with the triumph of Robert Alexandru ISTRATE and Mihai NAGY of Romania. They overcame Aleks PAKULA and Samuel MICHNA of Poland in the final. The bronze medalists were Mark GERGELY and Lenard SZABO of Hungary and Jan MRUGALA of Poland and Pavol KOKAVEC of Slovakia. In the Under 13 Boys Singles WANG Lukas of Germany beat Ondrej MORAVEK of Czechia in the final to clinch the gold. The bronze medalists were David ČAPANDA of Serbia and Alexandru POP of Romania. The Under 13 Boys Doubles champions are Alexandru POP and David TORO of Romania. They succeeded against David ČAPANDA and Branko DRAGOLJEVIC of Serbia in the final. Halted in the semifinals were Beriz BAJROVIC and Nikša MARIC of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Nikola JURIC and Mateo TERIHAJ of Croatia. In the Under 13 Girls Singles Amelie Guzi JIA of Germany emerged as the new champion by defeating her teammate Anna WALTER. Kariss Yasmin SERBAN of Romania and Bianka BACSOVÁ of Slovakia finished in third place. The winners of the Under 13 Girls Doubles event are once again Amelie Guzi JIA and Anna WALTER of Germany. The silver medalists were Laura MARSICKOVA of Czechia and Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO of Slovakia. The bronze medalists were Karla IVČIĆ and Sara RIVETTI of Croatia and Maya Roberta MADAR and Kariss Yasmin SERBAN of Romania.
Apuania Carrara Clinches the Italian Championship for the 7th Time
Apuania Carrara has lifted the trophy of the Italian championship for the 7th time. In the final round they defeated Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether twice after two draws in the regular season. In the first leg held in Messina Tomislav PUCAR claimed victory in the first singles match conceding only the third game to Antonino AMATO. Matteo MUTTI and Andrej GACIN battled fiercely with the Croatian player prevailing in the deciding set. Mihai BOBOCICA and PUCAR defeated Niagol STOYANOV and MUTTI in straight games sealing the contest. In the second leg at Palasport of Avenza PUCAR once again secured the first point against MUTTI in straight games and BOBOCICA did the same against AMATO. In the most thrilling and closely contested encounter GACINA overcame Tommaso GIOVANNETTI and clinched the victory. “This seventh championship ” explained coach Claudio VOLPI “is as important as the first; there is no substantial difference between them. The results of these two final matches against Messina were clear but they do not reflect the difference in the value of the two teams. We cherish this victory along with the Italian Cup and the Super Cup and we will celebrate them with all those who contributed. I have always emphasized that not only the players are decisive but also the coaches managers and collaborators who work every day to help us achieve our goals. In these finals all the players contributed points. A big round of applause goes to Mihai BOBOCICA Andrej GACINA and Tomislav PUCAR as well as to Andrea PUPPO and Lubomir PISTEJ who provided valuable assistance to the team throughout the season.” First leg TOP SPIN MESSINA WATCHESTOGETHER – APUANIA CARRARA 0-4 Antonino AMATO – Tomislav PUCAR 1-3 (7-11 7-11 11-5 8-11) Matteo MUTTI – Andrej GACINA 2-3 (11-5 7-11 13-15 11-6 9-11) Niagol STOYANOV – Mihai BOBOCICA 0-3 (7-11 9-11 9-11) Matteo MUTTI – Tomislav PUCAR 0-3 (7-11 8-11 8-11) Second leg APUANIA CARRARA – TOP SPIN MESSINA WATCHESTOGETHER 3-0 Tomislav PUCAR – Matteo MUTTI 3-0 (11-4 11-8 11-7) Mihai BOBOCICA – Antonino AMATO 3-0 (11-7 11-5 14-12) Andrej GACINA – Tommaso GIOVANNETTI 3-2 (11-7 11-13 11-7 8-11 11-5)
Double gold for Romania in the Under 15 and Under 13 Mixed teams event in Sarajevo
Romania’s Robert Alexandru ISTRATE Mihai NAGY Andreea BAIASU and Alexandra-Maria DICU clinched the gold medal in the Under 15 Mixed teams event at the Europe Youth Series Bosnia and Herzegovina Open in Sarajevo. In the final Romania overcame Croatia’s Deni VALE Ante KOLAK Elena VUKOVAC and Leeloo HAN VUKELJA 5-0. In the match for the third position Czechia with Jakub KABELKA Filip RACAK Simona HOLUBOVA and Eliska VOZICKA overcame Croatia’s Oliver POLJAK Leo BERNAZ Lana BENKO and Franka MISKIC. In the Under 13 Mixed doubles event final Romania’s David TORO Alexandru POP Kariss Yasmin SERBAN and Maya Roberta MADAR overcame the combined team of Czechia/Slovakia/Croatia with Ondrej MORAVEK Bono HRNCIC Laura MARSICKOVA and Bianka BACSOVÁ. In the match for the third position Croatia’s Nikola JURIC Mateo TERIHAJ Karla IVCIC and Sara RIVETTI beat Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Niksa MARIC Beriz BAJROVIC Mia HADZOVIC and Katarina KUCUK 5-0. More pictures here
Brunetti Castel Goffredo secured their 21st title
Brunetti Castel Goffredo in front of their fans secured their 21st title in the women’s Italian championship and received the trophy in the presence of the Mayor of Castel Goffredo Alfredo POSENATO. In the first leg of the final round held in Bolzano the reigning champions dominated against ASV TT Südtirol and posted a 4-0 victory. Bernadette SZOCS defeated Debora VIVARELLI in straight games while Nicole ARLIA conceded only one game to Gaia MONFARDINI. The third match was fiercely contested with Andreea DRAGOMAN who was leading 2-0 over Solomiya BRATEYKO recovering and prevailing in the fifth and decisive game. In the last singles match SZOCS won a very long first game against MONFARDINI and clearly captured the following two. In the second leg held at the PalaTennistavolo “Elia Mazzi ” Castel Goffredo confirmed their dominance clinching a 3-0 triumph. In the opening encounter SZOCS and MONFARDINI shared the first two games and then the Romanian player raced to the finish line. ARLIA did not convert three closing balls and lost the first game to VIVARELLI but she came back and won three sets in a row. DRAGOMAN and BRATEYKO battled fiercely as they did two days before and the home player celebrated victory in the deciding game again. “We completed a perfect season ” commented coach Alfonso LAGHEZZA “made up only of victories. We are happy to win this 21st Italian championship. Congratulations to the girls because they played well in both legs and deserved this title but also to Südtirol because reaching the finals is not easy. Bernadette SZOCS is our strongest player and her wins take pressure off her teammates but her two points are not enough for us assuming she always manages to get them. We always need everyone’s contribution. All the girls were aware of this and responded in the best way. I am happy with the help that Nikoleta STEFANOVA gave to our team which goes beyond the technical aspect. However when she entered the field she did her duty. Also thanks to her we have a group where all the girls get along well and have fun. This aspect is important to have harmony and fight together in times of difficulties. This year Nicole ARLIA won everything possible in Italy and now she has to look beyond she knows it and become a protagonist on the international front too. She is a serious girl who works hard and deserves everything she has earned. Andreea DRAGOMAN was a very good new entry and I believe she can do much more than she did. During the season she had some ups and downs and we are already working with her to try to improve next year.” First leg ASV TT SÜDTIROL – BRUNETTI CASTEL GOFFREDO 0-4 Debora VIVARELLI – Bernadette SZOCS 0-3 (4-11 4-11 9-11) Gaia MONFARDINI – Nicole ARLIA 1-3 (6-11 11-9 9-11 8-11) Solomiya BRATEYKO – Andreea DRAGOMAN 2-3 (9-11 7-11 11-7 11-9 4-11) Gaia MONFARDINI – Bernadette SZOCS 0-3 (14-16 7-11 7-11) Second leg BRUNETTI CASTEL GOFFREDO – ASV TT SÜDTIROL 3-0 Bernadette SZOCS – Gaia MONFARDINI 3-1 (11-7 9-11 11-6 11-9) Nicole ARLIA – Debora VIVARELLI 3-1 (12-14 11-9 11-8 11-6) Andreea DRAGOMAN – Solomiya BRATEYKO 3-2 (11-9 10-12 5-11 11-6 11-6)
KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO Celebrated Second Europe Cup Men’s Title
KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO clinched their second title in the Europe Cup Men’s competition overcoming KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki in the final. Dekorglass Działdowo’s President Ferdynand CHOJNOWSKI remarked: “The result of the two matches doesn’t tell the whole story but this year’s final was much more challenging than the one in 2018. Two Polish clubs clashed in the ultimate hurdle and Dekorglass emerged victorious over Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki with 3:0 and 3:0 victories.” “The total score of 6:0 might suggest a significant advantage for our team but we played brilliantly in the ends of the fifth games. Dekorglass players showed great resilience and secured the Europe Cup. However the final outcome could have been different. After the winning match in Działdowo it was time for celebration. We had t-shirts and champagne prepared for each player followed by a celebratory dinner. This evening will surely be etched in our memories.” The team consisting of Jakub DYJAS Jonathan GROTH and Kaii KONISHI was guided to success by coach Michal DZIUBANSKI. “The Dekorglass Działdowo club the City of Działdowo and the fans deserved this success. It was an outstanding performance at a very high level. We are immensely proud of the title and the way we played in the final. In both matches as a team we believed in our victory and achieved it ” stated Michal DZIUBANSKI. Photos here and here
PT 75 brought Finnish Championship Trophy to Tampere
PT 75 based in Tampere brought home the victory in the 2023-24 Finnish Table Tennis Championship League on Saturday at the Ruskeasuo Sports Hall in Helsinki where the four-team final tournament took place. In the final PT 75 narrowly defeated the reigning champions PT Espoo 4-3. In the decisive doubles match Otto TENNILÄ and Riku AUTIO defeated Aleksi RÄSÄNEN and Toni SOINE 3-0 (11-4 11-4 11-3). The championship team also included Aki KONTALA and Sami HATTUNEN. PT Espoo’s silver quartet consisted of RÄSÄNEN SOINE Arttu PIHKALA and Mika RÄSÄNEN. In the bronze match Kaiku from Turku defeated OPT-86 from Oulu 4-2. TIP-70 from Vantaa retained their league position directly while HIK Pingis from Hanko and Kaiku from Koski advanced through the qualifiers. PT Tapiola will drop to Division 1 next season with TuKa’s second team taking their place. Semifinals: PT Espoo – OPT-86 4-2 PT 75 – Turun Kaiku 4-0 Bronze match: Turun Kaiku – OPT-86 4-2 Final: PT 75 – PT Espoo 4-3.
Europe Youth Series Bosnia and Herzegovina commenced today in Sarajevo
The Europe Youth Series Bosnia and Herzegovina kicked off today in Sarajevo at the Sport Arena in Hotel Hills Complex. The event brought together young athletes from across the continent just two weeks before the European Singles Qualifications for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (scheduled from May 15th to 19th) to be played at the very same place. The tournament began today with the Mixed Teams events in the Under 15 and Under 13 categories. In the Under 13 event teams from Romania are seeded at position no. 1 followed by a mixture of players from Czechia Slovakia and Croatia at position no. 2 with Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina teams seeded at positions 4 5 and 6. In the Under 15 Mixed Teams event there are 12 teams once again with Romania leading the seedings. Slovakia/Croatia is seeded at no. 2 followed by Croatia 1 Czechia Serbia Croatia 2 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 Slovenia Sweden Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 and 2. In singles there are 56 boys and 56 girls in the Under 15 category while in the Under 13 category there are 22 boys and 20 girls. For pictures from the event you can visit here
The Hennebont Ping Center opens the registration process for joining its Academy next season
The Hennebont Ping Center located in France and affiliated to the ETTU Network of European Training Centers opens the registration process for joining its Academy next season. Based on 20 years of expertise it is a 10 months program starting from September which gives the opportunity for players to train twice a day and compete in the French Championship during week-ends while pursuing their education online or in a French school. The Academy squad is composed of 30 players of all ages and levels from 15 different countries. Each athlete benefits from an individual table tennis and fitness training plan adjusted every quarter according to their improvements. Beside the 3 500 m2 multifunctional complex fully dedicated to table tennis which includes a fitness and medical center an accommodation center with 30 twin rooms lodges all the players. The Hennebont Ping Center is managed by the French professional club “GV Hennebont TT” 5-time French champion and 2-time ETTU cup winner. Apart from the Academy the Center also hosts training camps and international events such as the ITTF World Hopes and ETTU U15/U17 Development Camp. More info here Contact: Nicolas PETIT – npetit.gvhtt@gmail.com
Libertas Marinkolor clinches double crown after seven years Dr. Časl’s 27 trophies in 15 years!
The men’s team of Libertas Marinkolor and the women’s team of Dr. Časl emerged as the champions of the Croatian Cup. The team from Dubrovnik (Miho SIMOVIĆ Filip ČIPIN and Tomislav JAPEC) confirmed their double crown having secured the championship earlier. They clinched the Cup after defeating GSTK Zagreb 3-0 in the final. “We finally won the double crown. ČIPIN has been here for the fourth year and only now have we won both trophies. Something always went wrong for us in that Cup. We won the final 3-0 but it wasn’t easy. This season we played our best when it mattered most. We deserved everything. And the atmosphere within the team was excellent this season. Congratulations to the guys the president everyone in the club and the fans on the success ” said Miho SIMOVIĆ. “We’ve tried to win both titles on several occasions but we haven’t succeeded in the Cup so far. But this time around we were excellent ” said Goran RASPOPOVIĆ the club president who has been leading Libertas for the second year. “What’s next? Maybe an even bigger step in Europe! We’ve been thinking looking but without an additional player it will be difficult to achieve that. I hope we’ll qualify for the Champions League again but if we want to achieve better results then it will be more likely in some other European competition. The Champions League is a story of its own.” The last time Pituri won the double crown was on May 25 2017 when the team from Dubrovnik was also superior to GSTK Zagreb in Križevci. SIMOVIĆ and JAPEC were also part of the team back then. Seven years later the double crown has been secured again. After 2535 days from the first championship title Libertas Marinkolor has nine trophies in its treasury five championships and four Cups. In the match for third place STK Zagreb defeated Marathon 3-1. For the girls Dr. ČASL’S dominance (Mirela ĐURAK BLAŽIČEVIĆ Dorina SREBRNJAK Tamolwan KHETKHUAN and NI Xia Lian) continues! After securing their 11th championship title they won their seventh Cup trophy by defeating TIS 3-0 in the final. In 15 years Dr. Časl has won a total of 27 trophies 20 with the women’s team and seven with the men’s team and according to Martin ČASL the club’s president they don’t intend to stop. “In the final the victory was surprisingly easy; I didn’t expect this kind of win. We are the only club in Europe to have won five different titles: the Champions League the Central European Super League the Mediterranean Cup the national league and the national Cup. In a month we’ll be in Serbia to hunt for the sixth competition when we play the Grand Final of the Europa Trophy and next season I want to win the European Cup. We have a dangerous team. Of course all of this is worth it if our health holds up which is the most important thing ” said ČASL. The day before in the match for third place STK Zagreb defeated Vrsar 3-1.
