After nearly three hours HB Ostrov z.s. secured victory in the opening leg of the quarterfinals of the Europe Cup Women. In a five-match showdown on home soil the Czech team overcame Hungary’s SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club. Georgina POTA earned both points for the guests while on the other side Tatiana KUKULKOVA Zdena BLASKOVA and Linda ZADEROVA each secured one point for Ostrov. Zdena BLASKOVA went the full distance twice; she lost against POTA but showed nerves of steel to prevail against Helga DARI in the decisive game of the match. HB Ostrov z.s. – SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club 3-2 Tatiana KUKULKOVA – Helga DARI 3-0 (11-6 12-10 11-7) Zdena BLASKOVA – Georgina POTA 2-3 (11-4 5-11 11-6 8-11 1-6) Linda ZADEROVA – Maria FAZEKAS 3-1 (10-12 11-8 11-7 11-8) Tatiana KUKULKOVA – 0-3 (2-11 5-11 7-11) Zdena BLASKOVA – Helga DARI 3-2 (11-8 10-12 7-11 11-9 6-0)
TTC RADNIČKI will host Europe Trophy Grand Final in Novi Sad Copy
Executive Board of the ETTU has selected the Club TTC RADNIČKI 1972 BEOČIN from Serbia as the organizer of the Europe Trophy Grand Finals women and men. The tournament will be played from 31st May to 2nd June 2024. “This is great honor for the municipality of Beočin and for our club bestowed upon us by the ETTU. We look forward to renewed collaboration. Last season we hosted one of the groups in the first phase and now we have the opportunity to host all the teams in the final stage in both categories. A new opportunity to show that Beočin is a table tennis hub and for all table tennis enthusiasts in Serbia to enjoy the most massive club European competition of the new millennium in our country – said club president Mijodrag GRANDIĆ. Grand Final qualifier men: Lille Metropole TT (FRA) (Winner region I) De Boer Taverzo (NED) (Runner-up region I) Eskilstuna BTK (SWE) (Winner region II) Pöytätennis Espoo (FIN) (Runner-up region II) STK Vyhne (SVK) (Winner region III/C) SK Vydrany (SVK) (Runner-up region III/C) TJ Geolog Roznava (SVK) (Winner region III/D) KAP-OFF (TUR) (Runner-up region III/D) Panathinaikos A.C. (GRE) (Winner region IV/E) ASD TT Santa Tecla Nulvi (ITA) (Winner region IV/F) TTC RADNIČKI 1972 BEOČIN (SRB) (3rd place region IV) Arteal TDM (ESP) (Winner region V) Grand Final qualifier women: KTTC AFP Antwerpen (BEL) (Winner region I) Club Pongiste Lyssois Lille Métropole CP (FRA) (Runner-up region I) Wamet Dobry Wiązar Dąbcze (POL) (Winner region II ASV Kufstein I (AUT) (Winner region III) SCO Bodensdorf (AUT) (Runner-up region III) Dr. Casl (CRO) (Winner region IV /D) STK Aquaestil (CRO) (Winner region IV /E) AD Muravera TT -B- (ITA) (3rd place IV)
JORGIC: Home crowd will push us to victory
The draw for the Champions League Final Four was conducted today in Saarbrücken. In the semifinal on Sunday March 31 2024 the hosts reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT will face off against TTC Neu-Ulm and in the other penultimate stage duel six times winners Borussia Düsseldorf will meet SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt. “To play against 1. FC Saarbrücken TT in the semifinal is a really tough draw but there were no easy we could get. We could only draw 1. FC Saarbrücken TT or Borussia Düsseldorf two fantastic teams ” said Truls MOREGARDH who was present at the draw today. The Swede promised a great match. “We will do our best to beat the hosts and Darko and Patrick as leading players. They are very strong players and always good in the Champions League and in the Bundesliga. We will give our best to take them down on their home soil which will be very tough but it is the last chance for TTC Neu-Ulm in the Champions League at least for now and we want to do something special ” said Truls. At the draw the hosts were represented by Darko JORGIC. “We will play against a very dangerous team with three players in the top 20 at the World rankings. However I believe that we can overcome all the challenges and celebrate in those two days in front of the home crowd. I hope we will show our best performance on Sunday and Monday to retain the trophy at home ” said JORGIC. Slovenia’s player continued: “When we play well we can beat everyone and we already proved it and I hope we will celebrate again on April 1st.
European Table Tennis Returns to Zadar for European Teams Championships
The ETTU Executive Board has granted the hosting right for the European Teams Championships Final Stage 2025 to the Croatian Table Tennis Federation. From October 12th to 19th 2025 the city of Zadar will be the venue for the European Championship Final stage. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Zadar for winning the bid to host the 2025 European Team Championships. This vibrant city with its rich history and enthusiastic sports community is poised to provide an outstanding and memorable experience for players officials and fans alike. We are confident that the local organizing committee in collaboration with the Croatian Table Tennis Association and the city of Zadar will work tirelessly to deliver an event that exceeds expectations and leaves an indelible mark on the history of European table tennis. With its state-of-the-art facilities warm hospitality and a picturesque backdrop Zadar is set to create a memorable and successful championship. The ETTU looks forward to working closely with the organizers in the lead-up to the event and is excited about the prospect of witnessing world-class table tennis competition in the heart of Croatia. The 2025 European Team Championships in Zadar will undoubtedly strengthen the bonds of friendship and collaboration among European nations fostering the spirit of unity through the universal language of sport. Once again congratulations to Croatia TTA and the city of Zadar and we eagerly anticipate an unforgettable championship in 2025 ”stated ETTU Acting President Pedro MOURA. The best European table tennis players will once again grace the city with a long history in this sport. This marks the return after 23 years since the last European Championship in Croatia which was organized in Zagreb. “The European Table Tennis Union has entrusted the Association and we are very pleased with the cooperation we have with the ETTU. We have done an excellent job from the Croatian Executive Board to the office that prepared everything. ETTU Executive Board recognized us as partners and according to their words the candidacy presentation was excellent ” emphasized Zoran PRIMORAC the president of the Croatian Table Tennis Association (HSTS) adding “This means a lot to us; this is a big project. Especially in a time when you are fighting for media space which is a sore point for most sports in Croatia. This European Championship will give us the opportunity to present ourselves to the European and Croatian public. Especially Zadar which has a long table tennis tradition.” In 1971 Zadar Croatia and Europe’s table tennis were inscribed in golden letters. At the end of May the first tournament of the best European table tennis players called Europe Top 12 was held. It was the first one where they played and were awarded financially. Europe Top 12 later became a regular attractive and respected European table tennis competition that changed its format over the years and is now Europe Top 16 Cup. “After many years Zadar will again host a major European event. It is a city that also has excellent conditions for organizing the most important European competition a beautiful hall and the entire Višnjik complex. An excellent combination of sport and tourism. We have the support of the city of Zadar the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the director of Višnjik is also my friend and former representative Denis KARLOVIĆ.”
The draw for the Champions League Final Four was held today in Saarbrücken
The draw for the Champions League Final Four was conducted today in Saarbrücken. In the semifinal on Sunday March 31 2024 the hosts reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT will face off against TTC Neu-Ulm and in the other penultimate stage duel six times winners Borussia Düsseldorf will meet SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt. The final is scheduled for Monday April 1 2024 at 2 PM in the Saarlandhalle in Saarbrücken.
LINZ AG Froschberg’s golden ride to the semis
Austria’s LINZ AG Froschberg needed to win the Golden match against SAINT QUENTIN TT in France to book the last remaining place in the semi-final of the Champions League Women. Both clubs remained unbeaten on their home soil in the “regular” two legs of the quarterfinal so the Golden match was introduced. Polina MIKHAILOVA succeeded twice against Sofia POLCANOVA tonight. On the other side Susini SAWETTABUT produced the win in the first part tonight and later in the Golden match. Ivana MALOBABIC lost to Linda BERGSTRÖM who also scored against Sofia POLCANOVA. Ivana MALOBABIC won one match – the decisive one. “DODEAN plays very well against players with a defensive style but my game is precisely about having nerves being patient and when you play one game anything is possible. It was a very long and exhausting match. We are happy that we won. We showed excellent teamwork ” said Ivana MALOBABIC after the match that lasted 3 hours and 44 minutes. In the semi final of the Champions League Women LINZ AG Froschberg will meet KTS ENEA SIARKO TARNOBRZEG and ETIVAL ASRTT will play SKST Plus Hodonín. SAINT QUENTIN TT – LINZ AG Froschberg 3-1 Linda BERGSTRÖM – Ivana MALOBABIC 3-2 (6-11 11-7 9-11 11-7 6-4) Polina MIKHAILOVA – Sofia POLCANOVA 3-2 (8-11 11-5 5-11 11-2 6-5) Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN – Susini SAWETTABUT 0-3 (13-15 10-12 9-11) Linda BERGSTRÖM – Sofia POLCANOVA 3-2 (11-5 4-11 11-9 9-11 6-4) Golden match SAINT QUENTIN TT – LINZ AG Froschberg 1-2 Linda BERGSTRÖM – Susini SAWETTABUT 0-1 (12-14) Polina MIKHAILOVA – Sofia POLCANOVA 1-0 (11-8) Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN – Ivana MALOBABIC 0-1 (6-11)
After reaching semis KS DEKORGLASS DZIALDOWO aims the top prize
Polish club KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Europe Cup Men. In the Golden Match they overcame SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA. KS DEKORGLASS DZIALDOWO team-coach Michal DZIUBANSKI analyzes the quarter-final match: “It was an exciting game at a high level and the odds were 50:50 with equal chances for both teams. In the end we were a few balls better. As the home team you simply have a certain advantage and I’m sure that our fans played an important role today. We had the match-winner in our ranks today in the form of world number twenty-eight Jonathan GROTH who played world-class table tennis. In general today was a top-level match between two of the best teams in Europe who played top-class table tennis.” Coach DZIUBANSKI added: “After such a difficult match which we were fortunately able to win the matter is very clear: now we want to win the title and become European Cup winners. And I think we can do it. Such hard-earned victories give us confidence and we want to take this tailwind with us into the Polish Super League and perform as well as possible there.” SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA Sport Director Matthias LANDFRIED stated. “It was indeed a very exciting match between two teams that have already shown top-class table tennis in the European Champions League this season and who gave each other nothing in the quarter-finals of the Europe Cup. We won the first leg 3:0 and lost the second leg 1:3 which according to the current rules leads to the decision in the Golden Match mode which we lost 1:2. In the end a single set decided who would make it to the semi-finals. Of course we are disappointed but also proud to have given Europe’s No. 5 a thrilling fight. In recent years we have always been in the 15-20th place in the ETTU European ranking which shows the difference from Poland’s top team who have all the options in terms of personnel and can even rotate in the Asian position with Kaii KONISHI and ZHOU Yu. But Jonathan GROTH was obviously irreplaceable and made the decisive difference.” Regarding the next targets former German Champion and cup-winning coach Matthias LANDFRIED stated: “Since our journey in the European Cup has come to an end as the reigning Czech Cup winners we are focusing now on winning the Czech championship.”
In the Roller Coaster SKST Plus Hodonín Books Semi-Final Place
SKST Plus Hodonín won the Golden Match in France against METZ TT tonight progressing to the semi-final of the Champions League Women. In the roller coaster match the Czech side lost at home 3-1 before Metz followed the same path on their home soil. Sakura MORI was in top form tonight beating Mariia TAILAKOVA twice and Adina DIACONU in a five-game thriller. Polish KTS ENEA SIARKO TARNOBRZEG and French ETIVAL ASRTT have already secured their places in the semi-final of the Champions League Women. Only one spot remains to be filled. In the remaining quarterfinal duel SAINT QUENTIN TT will meet LINZ AG Froschberg. METZ TT – SKST Plus Hodonín 1-3 Adina DIACONU – Karin GROFOVA 2-3 (7-11 11-7 11-9 9-11 0-6) Mariia TAILAKOVA – Sakura MORI 1-3 (9-11 11-6 14-16 5-11) Pauline CHASSELIN – Natalia PARTYKA 3-1 (13-11 9-11 11-9 11-8) Adina DIACONU – Sakura MORI 2-3 (11-9 11-13 7-11 13-11 0-6) Golden match METZ TT – SKST Plus Hodonín 0-2 Mariia TAILAKOVA – Sakura MORI 0-1 (9-11) Pauline CHASSELIN- Karin GROFOVA 0-1 (4-11)
Golden Match Launches KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO into the Semis
Polish club KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Europe Cup Men. They had to take an extra step playing the Golden Match to book their place in the penultimate stage. SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA recorded straight match win in the opening leg. In the initial leg Jonathan GROTH was not in the KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO’s lineup but today he won three matches. The Dane overcame Tomas KONECNY and Jiri VRABLIK twice – once in the regular part and then in the Golden Match. To secure a place in the final the Polish side will meet Austria’s SPG Felbermayr Wels. In the other semi-final the French A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT is still waiting for the winner of the match between two Polish clubs POLSKI CUKIER GWIAZDA and KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowieck. GWIAZDA won the opening leg. KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO – SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA 3-1 Jonathan GROTH – Tomas KONECNY 3-1 (11-9 11-5 9-11 11-4) Konishi KAII – Jiri VRABLIK 1-3 (11-8 7-11 10-12 3-11) Jakub DYJAS – Jakub ZELINKA 3-0 (12-10 11-8 11-7) Jonathan GROTH – Jiri VRABLIK 3-0 (11-5 11-8 11-5) Golden match KS DEKORGLASS DZIAŁDOWO – SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA 2-1 Jonathan GROTH – Tomas KONECNY 1-0 (11-4) Jakub DYJAS – Jiri VRABLIK 0-1 (6-11) Konishi KAII – Jakub ZELINKA 1-0 (11-8)
Reigning champions reached semis by golden match
In the tense and exciting quarterfinal duels of the Champions League Women reigning champions KTS ENEA SIARKO TARNOBRZEG reached the semifinals after a golden match against QUATTRO MORI CAGLIARI. ETIVAL ASRTT had less stress in their home duel compared to the opening match in Novi Sad. Both quarterfinal legs of the match between KTS ENEA SIARKO TARNOBRZEG and QUATTRO MORI CAGLIARI concluded in five matches. The Italian side clinched victory at home and the Polish champion succeeded in Tarnobrzeg so the golden match was introduced for the first time in the quarters this season. “It was really intense ” said Elizabeta SAMARA. ”It is very difficult to play against players who have nothing to lose. They have perfect motivation; they loosen their hand and they are so dangerous. Elizabet ABRAAMIAN really put me under pressure. She played at a high level. The same goes for Tania PLAIAN. It was very close. I think in the end it was the experience that prevailed.” After big drama in the opening leg in Serbia the return leg was comparatively a calm affair in France. ETIVAL ASRTT beat Novi Sad in four matches with Aneta MAKSUTI scoring once again for the Serbian club. On the other side Jieni SHAO scored twice. “Maksuti played amazing and she gave us some work to do. JIENI beat her but she really needed to give her 100 percent. Novi Sad played with a young Serbian team which I think is amazing for them. We could feel their energy and it was hard for us. But we kept on strong. Camelia did not lose the match in the Champions League and we are very happy ” said Marie MIGOT. KTS ENEA SIARKO TARNOBRZEG – QUATTRO MORI CAGLIARI 3-2 Xiaoxin YANG – Tania PLAIAN 3-0 (11-4 11-7 11-8) Elizabeta SAMARA – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN 0-3 (10-12 5-11 4-11) Fu YU – Arianna BARANI 3-1 (11-6 11-5 9-11 11-4) Xiaoxin YANG – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN 1-3 (13-15 11-5 7-11 11-13) Elizabeta SAMARA – Tania PLAIAN 3-1 (11-4 9-11 11-9 14-12) Golden match KTS ENEA SIARKO TARNOBRZEG – QUATTRO MORI CAGLIARI 2-1 Elizabeta SAMARA – Tania PLAIAN 0-1 (8-11) Xiaoxin YANG – Elizabet ABRAAMIAN 1-0 (11-8) Fu YU – Arianna BARANI 1-0 (11-4) ETIVAL ASRTT – Novi Sad 3-1 Jieni SHAO – Reka BEZEG 3-0 (11-5 11-3 11-8) Marie MIGOT – Aneta MAKSUTI 1-3 (4-11 11-7 8-11 4-11) Camelia IACOB – Tijana JOKIC 3-0 (11-5 14-12 11-8) Jieni SHAO – Aneta MAKSUTI 3-1 (9-11 11-9 11-7 11-6)
