Serbia and Germany triumphed in the Under-15 Girls’ and Boys’ Teams Events at the European Youth Series Serbian Open in Niš securing gold in their respective categories. The hosts Serbia also shone in the Under-13 Boys’ Event while Germany topped the Under-13 Girls’ Event. In the Under-15 Girls’ Teams Event Serbia dominated defeating Croatia in straight matches. Top seeds Teodora SUDZUM and Maja VANJO lived up to expectations overcoming Croatia’s second-seeded duo Lana BENKO and Klara KONČAR in both singles and doubles matches. Serbia’s second team featuring Dejana DRAGOLJEVIĆ and Slađana KNEŽEVIĆ secured third place. Germany took the title in the Under-15 Boys’ Teams Event with Tien Nghia PHONG and Jonathan GAISER going undefeated. In the final they overcame Denmark’s second team of Emil HASSELBALCH and Malik SEVERINSEN despite Denmark being the top seeds and Germany only ranked fourth. Serbia’s team represented by Nikola MILADINOVIĆ and Vukašin UŠLJEBRKA finished in third place. In the Under-13 Girls’ Teams Event Germany’s Lotta ROTHFUSS and Ksenja POZNIC needed four matches to defeat Croatia’s Sara RIVETTI and Karla IVCIC. IVCIC secured Croatia’s only point in the final. Slovakia’s Bianka BACSOVÁ and Barbora GUASSARDO MELISA took third place. Serbia continued their success in the Under-13 Boys’ Event with David ČAPANDA and Branko DRAGOLJEVIĆ beating Bulgaria’s Stefan BONCHEV and Lachezar HRISTOV 3-1 in the final. Serbia 2 made up of Vanja MIHAILOVIĆ and Boris PANTOVIĆ finished in third place.
Teams Set for Finals at the European Youth Series Serbian Open in Niš
The Teams Event at the European Youth Series Serbian Open in Niš has reached its final stage after two days of intense competition in the Group Stages for the Under-15 and Under-13 Boys’ and Girls’ categories. With only the finals remaining the teams are gearing up for a thrilling conclusion in all four events. After nine rounds of matches in the Under-15 Boys’ Teams Event Germany’s Tien Nghia PHONG and Jonathan GAISER finished undefeated securing the top spot in the standings. Following them in second place was Denmark’s second team consisting of Emil HASSELBALCH and Malik SEVERINSEN. Serbia’s team represented by Nikola MILADINOVIĆ and Vukašin UŠLJEBRKA ended the group stage in third place. In the Under-15 Girls’ Teams Event Serbia’s Teodora SUDZUM and Maja VANJO delivered an outstanding performance winning against all eight teams in their group to finish at the top. Tomorrow they will compete for the gold against Croatia’s Lana BENKO and Klara KONČAR. Serbia’s second team with Dejana DRAGOLJEVIĆ and Slađana KNEŽEVIĆ finished in third place. In the Under-13 Boys’ Teams Event Serbia 1 featuring David ČAPANDA and Branko DRAGOLJEVIĆ will face Bulgaria’s Stefan BONCHEV and Lachezar HRISTOV in the final. Serbia 1 already overcame Bulgaria earlier in the group stage as well as Montenegro and Serbia 2 and 3. Bulgaria despite losing to Serbia managed to take a set in their 1-2 defeat. Serbia 2 composed of Vanja MIHAILOVIĆ and Boris PANTOVIĆ finished in third place. In the Under-13 Girls’ Teams Event Germany’s Lotta ROTHFUSS and Ksenja POZNIC secured the top position after eight matches. Croatia’s Sara RIVETTI and Karla IVCIC are second. Slovakia’s Bianka BACSOVÁ and Barbora GUASSARDO MELISA finished third.
The 2024 Serbia Open Starts Tomorrow in Niš
The 2024 Serbia Open part of the Europe Youth Series kicks off tomorrow September 25th 2024 in Niš Serbia. Organized by the Table Tennis Association of Serbia under the authority of the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) the tournament will run until September 29th 2024. Held at the Sports Center “Čair” in Niš the competition will feature top U13 and U15 athletes across various categories including singles and mixed doubles events. Tomorrow’s schedule includes the U15 and U13 Boys’ and Girls’ Team Group Stages. In the U15 Boys’ Singles event 48 players will compete led by top-seeded Mark GERGELY of Hungary and his teammate Lenard SZABO. In the U15 Girls’ Singles event 46 players are listed with Maja VANJO of Serbia Lizett FAZEKAS of Hungary and Lana BENKO of Croatia leading the seedings. The top teams in the U15 Boys’ category include Denmark 2 Greece and Denmark 3 along with strong teams from Serbia and Germany. In the U15 Girls’ Teams event Serbia Croatia and Denmark are the top seeds with Montenegro Croatia and Slovakia also competing. In the U13 Boys’ Singles top contenders include David CAPANDA of Serbia Tien Nghia PHONG of Germany and Andrej BRECE of Slovakia. In the U13 Girls’ Singles top names are Lizett FAZEKAS and Szofia FEGYVER of Hungary and Bianka BACSOVA of Slovakia.
Hungarian Table Tennis Federation Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Centenary Event
In 2024 the Hungarian Table Tennis Association (MOATSZ) celebrates its 100th anniversary with a grand Centenary Event to honor the sport’s remarkable history. The celebration in the Azúr Hotel in Siófok was attended by numerous domestic and international guests paying tribute to Hungary’s rich table tennis legacy. Among the distinguished attendees were the ETTU Acting President Pedro MOURA Vice President for Finances Sandra DEATON and Secretary General Pierre KASS. At the Centenary Event were also present: ITTF Secretary General Raul CALIN Honorary President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee and former President of Hungary Pál SCHMITT Head of the Sports Diplomacy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Dániel GYURTA; Cabinet Chief at the Ministry of Defence’s State Secretariat for Sports Lajos BERKÓ and Hungarian Olympic Committee Secretary General László FÁBIÁN. The event featured a theatrical performance re-enacting key moments from MOATSZ’s founding in 1924 by notable figures such as György ULLMANN János SULYOK Béla KEHRLING and Dr. Kornél HORVÁTH. The performance highlighted Hungary’s pivotal role in the international growth of the sport with special reference to Budapest hosting the first European Table Tennis Championships in 1958. In his speech MOATSZ President Imre KOVACSICS reflected on the sport’s century-long history emphasizing the legendary achievements of Viktor BARNA who won 22 world titles and the continuous presence of Hungarian athletes in the world’s elite. He proudly noted that Hungary as a founding member of both the ITTF and the European Table Tennis Union played a vital role in the sport’s global development. KOVACSICS also mentioned Hungary’s last world championship victory in 1979 in Pyongyang achieved by the “Golden Team ” cementing the nation’s status as one of table tennis’ most successful countries. A special highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of a limited edition commemorative stamp and envelope by the Hungarian Post designed in honor of the centenary. Dr. Péter MIKECZ Director of Marketing and Communications at Hungarian Post introduced the commemorative set celebrating table tennis’s popularity at both amateur and professional levels. The gala also featured several lifetime achievement awards including honors for Éva KÓCZIÁN and László VOLPER with posthumous awards presented to Roland JACOBI and György ULLMANN. The evening concluded with the ceremonial cutting of a grand birthday cake and a gala dinner where attendees reminisced about the sport’s glorious past and expressed their hopes for an equally successful next century.
Stone Racket of Istria: International Veterans Table Tennis Tournament
Istria offers an unforgettable sporting experience at the Stone Racket of Istria – an International Veterans Table Tennis Tournament that combines the thrill of competition with the beauty of the Adriatic coast. Taking place from March 5th to 9th 2025 this event will be hosted in the picturesque town of Vrsar a destination renowned for its rich history and stunning landscapes. Tournament Overview The Tournament is designed for veteran players aged 40 to 80+ years providing a competitive platform for both singles and doubles categories. This is an exceptional opportunity for participants to compete against international talent while being surrounded by the serene beauty of the Adriatic. In addition to high-level table tennis matches the Stone Racket of Istria invites participants and guests to explore the enchanting town of Vrsar through a rich off-court program. Highlights include: Organized excursions that reveal the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Istria. Exclusive meet and greet sessions with VIP Table Tennis players. A grand Closing & Award Ceremony where medals trophies and special awards made from authentic Vrsar stone will be presented to the champions. Venue: Sports Hall Saline The tournament will take place at Sports Hall Saline a state-of-the-art facility located along the shimmering Adriatic coastline. This unique venue offers an unparalleled sporting environment enhanced by the breathtaking views of the sea providing an unforgettable experience for both athletes and spectators. The Legacy of Vrsar Stone Vrsar’s connection to its famous “pietra di Orsera” reflects the town’s deep-rooted history in stone artistry. Known for its strength and elegance Vrsar stone symbolizes the enduring legacy and competitive spirit of the Stone Racket of Istria tournament making Vrsar the perfect setting for this prestigious international event. Tournament Details: Dates: March 5th – 9th 2025 Location: Vrsar Istria Categories: Singles & Doubles (Veterans aged 40-80+) Register here.
ETTU Acting President Pedro Moura Visits Azerbaijan Table Tennis Federation
ETTU Acting President Pedro MOURA was invited to visit the Azerbaijan Table Tennis Federation (ASTF). During his visit he met with high Azerbaijani officials including the Minister of Youth and Sports Farid GAYIBOV and Deputy Prime Minister and ASTF President Shahin MUSTAFAYEV. Discussions during these meetings focused on the development of table tennis in Azerbaijan the country’s sporting achievements and opportunities for international collaboration. MOURA’S visit highlights a significant step forward for Azerbaijan’s sports sector particularly in table tennis. Both MOURA and Azerbaijani officials acknowledged the country’s positive trajectory in sports with an emphasis on the growing importance of table tennis. The visit also included site tours such as to the “Karabagh NN” Table Tennis Club in Sumgait and the national training base for table tennis athletes. ETTU Acting President MOURA expressed optimism about Azerbaijan’s future role in international table tennis competitions saying “I had absolutely indescribable and unforgettable three days in the amazing Azerbaijan. It was also a unique opportunity to understand the reality of the Azerbaijan Table Tennis Association and discuss the future of table tennis in this beautiful country.” The high-level attention given to this visit underscores Azerbaijan’s commitment to international cooperation and its efforts to establish itself as a hub for sports in the region including table tennis.
The draw for the Europe Cup Men Stage 1
The draw for the Europe Cup Men Stage 1 was held today. The tournament will be played from 15th to 17th November. All four Groups in Stage 1 will be played in ASC Grünwettersbach Germany.
The draw for the Champions League Men
The 2024 Champions League Men (CLM) season promises to be one of the most thrilling yet with Europe’s best teams ready to face off in fierce competition. This year’s edition will feature nine players from the World Top 20 rankings bringing world-class talent to the table. Several of these top-ranked stars will be in action right from Stage 1 the draw for which took place today. KS Global Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniow will host all four groups in Stage 12 from 15th to 17th November. Among the standout players in this stage are World No. 4 LIANG Jingkun and World No. 7 LIN Gaoyuan both from China who will represent Germany’s Post SV Mühlhausen. Their presence is expected to significantly bolster the club’s chances. Adding to the excitement are French brothers Félix and Alexis LEBRUN ranked World No. 5 and No. 19 respectively. They will be playing for the Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier team making them strong contenders in this year’s tournament. With such big names fans can expect a highly competitive and action-packed season. The stage is set for an exciting journey to crown Europe’s best team. You can see some of top names below: WR position Name Club 4. Liang Jingkun (CHN) Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. (GER) 5. Félix Lebrun (FRA) Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier (FRA) 7. Lin Gaoyuan (CHN) Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. (GER) 10. Patrick Franziska (GER) 1 FC Saarbrücken (GER) 11. Truls Möregard (SWE) 1 FC Saarbrücken (GER) 12. Dang Qiu (GER) Borussia Düsseldorf (GER) 15. Darko Jorgic (SLO) 1 FC Saarbrücken (GER) 18. Omar Assar (EGY) Hennebont (FRA) 19. Alexis Lebrun (FRA) Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier (FRA) 23. Anton Källberg (SWE) Borussia Düsseldorf (GER) 24. Jonathan Groth (DEN) Dzidaldowo (POL) 26. Lim Jonghoon (KOR) Hennebont (FRA) 28. Alvaro Robles (ESP)* Priego (ESP) 29. Marcos Freitas (POR) AS Pontoise-Cergy (FRA) 38. Liam Pitchford (ENG) AS Pontoise-Cergy (FRA) 43. Steffen Mengel (GER) Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. (GER) 44. Ovidiu Ionescu (ROU) Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. (GER)
Linz is ready for outstanding table tennis action
In four weeks the LIEBHERR European Table Tennis Championships in Upper Austria will start and we expect an attractive eye-catcher. Austria’s aces want to fight for the medals and the home advantage should give them an additional boost. The European elite will battle for a total of five gold medals. For the second time since 2013 the European table tennis elite will be playing in Austria. Eleven years ago the Schwechat Multiversum was the center of the action this time the title fights will be held in the TipsArena of Linz. Around 250 athletes from over 40 nations will be in action in the Upper Austrian Danube metropolis from October 15th including all the superstars and famous names in the scene. Stars in the ring In addition to the Olympic silver medalist Truls MÖREGÅRDH (SWE) and the bronze medalist of the Paris Games the 18-year-old young star Felix LEBRUN (FRA) defending champion Dang QIU (GER) and the Slovenian vice-European champion of 2022 Darko JORGIĆ will also be competing in Linz. The German sensationally won silver on Sunday at the WTT Champions in Macau with prize money of $800 000. The Düsseldorf player beat China’s world number four and Champions Incheon winner LIANG Jingkun 4-2 in the quarterfinals after being 0-2 games down and became the first European to reach a Champions final with a 4-2 win against the Taiwanese star KAO Cheng-Jui who had previously eliminated two prominent title contenders from the medal race: Such as LIN Gaoyuan (China) and Olympic silver medalist Truls MÖREGARDH (Sweden). This makes Dang QIU one of the hottest gold favorites. The best of the best will also play in the women’s field. The top-class field is led by Sofia POLCANOVA who celebrated gold in singles and doubles together with Bernadette SZŐCS of Romania at the European Championships in Munich two years ago. The Olympic fifth-place finisher from Paris also won bronze in the mixed competition with Robert GARDOS at the last European Championships. The fourth red-white-red medal and thus the win in the team rankings were won in 2022 by the double Daniel HABESOHN and Robert GARDOS. The Austrian only had to admit a final defeat to the Swedish pairing Matthias FALCK/Kristian KARLSSON. This further improved the red-white-red record at European Championships. Since the first championships in Hungary in 1958 the home team has won 43 medals ten of them gold. Austria’s most successful European Championship medal winner is Robert GARDOS. The now 45-year-old veteran won three gold four silver and six bronze medals. At their home game in Linz the ÖTTV aces have six starting places in the men’s category and five in the women’s category. The red-white-red squad will be nominated by the end of September. After returning from Beijing where the local top stars led by POLCANOVA are taking part in the China Smash 2024 with prize money of two million dollars. The women will complete a final training camp in Linz and the men in Stockerau. Everything is ready The title fights will be staged in the multifunctional TipsArena in Linz. The modern indoor sports arena hosted big music gigs shows and top sporting events such as the Masters of Dirt the Tennis Ladies Upper Austria the World Karate Championships the Upper Austria Judo Grand Prix and three ITTF Platinum Table Tennis Events. At the LIEBHERR European Table Tennis Championships which will take place from 15th to 20th of October there will be place for up to 3 200 spectators every day. Stefan FEGERL (ÖTTV sports director): “The European players were great at the Olympic Games in Paris. It was a great advertisement for our sport and we want to build on that in Linz. The title fights will have an excellent line-up and promise a lot of attractiveness. We have set the bar very high for ourselves in terms of sport with the four European Championship medals in 2022 but we have high hopes for our team led by Sofia POLCANOVA.” Lisi SCHRENK (Head of the LOC): “A few small screws still need to be turned but on the whole everything is on the way. We are looking forward to a top-class sport event. We have a great location and have been promoting the event for months. Now we hope for the support of numerous local fans and from other countries especially from the table tennis-fans of Germany. The sales in advance are going well and there are only a few tickets left on the final days on Saturday and Sunday.” Media accreditation (until September 30 2024) https://2024ettc.oettv.org/media-accreditation/
ETTU URC Organized Match Officials Training in Sarajevo
The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) Umpires and Referees Committee (URC) recently conducted a successful training program for match officials in Sarajevo Bosnia-Herzegovina. The event organized in collaboration with the Table Tennis Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina (TTF BiH) marks a significant milestone in the Federation’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of umpiring in the region. Under the leadership of President Mirsad PAJEVIĆ TTF BiH has prioritized the training and development of umpires to ensure the country’s readiness to host international table tennis events. President PAJEVIĆ has highlighted the importance of professional officiating as a key factor in making Bosnia-Herzegovina a dynamic player in the global table tennis arena. “We are committed to elevating our Federation to meet the standards required for international competitions and training our umpires is one of the most important steps in this journey ” emphasized PAJEVIC. For the first time in Bosnia-Herzegovina the ITTF Basic Umpire Course was organized a crucial development in preparing local umpires for upcoming events. The timing of the course was especially important as it coincided with the ongoing WTT Youth Contender tournament in Sarajevo. Additionally it serves as part of the broader preparation strategy for the ETTU European Team Championship Stage 1 scheduled to take place in January 2025. Over the course of two days ten aspiring umpires completed the ITTF Basic Umpire Course earning certificates that will enable them to officiate at both national and international levels. An additional ten participants attended a one-day session to gain practical experience in umpiring. President PAJEVIĆ expressed his gratitude to the instructor Asko RASINEN and the ETTU URC for their steadfast support of BiH TTF and the Bosnian Umpires and Referees Committee (BiH URC). “The collaboration with international bodies like the ETTU URC is vital for the growth of our sport in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We are truly thankful for their guidance and expertise ” PAJEVIĆ said. As the country gears up to host more international events such as the ETTU European Team Championship this initiative reflects Bosnia-Herzegovina’s commitment to building a strong foundation for the future of table tennis within its borders. The successful completion of this training program is just one of many steps being taken to elevate the level of the sport and the professionalism of its officials.
