ETTU - European Table Tennis Union - News (1 Cititor)

[Milica Nikolic]

On the second day of play at the European Team Championships in Zadar, the high pressure took its toll. Bronze medalists from Malmö, team France, failed to reach the Round of 16. After their surprising loss to the Netherlands on the opening day, today Spain, seeded No. 15, proved stronger than the No. 3 seeds.

Maria XIAO, Sofia-Xuan ZHANG, and Maria BERZOSA secured a memorable victory over Jia Nan YUAN, Prithika PAVADE, and Charlotte LUTZ. Both XIAO and ZHANG were pushed the full distance but held their nerve in the decisive moments, winning by narrow margins.

“We went out there with nothing to lose. They were clearly the favorites, so we had to fight for every point. Things worked out because we believed in our chances and tried to take control of the match, and it went our way,” said Maria XIAO.

Sofia-Xuan ZHANG admitted that tension was high throughout:

“Honestly, I was really nervous. Even at the end, when I was shaking hands with the girls, I was still in my own world, it didn’t feel like it was really over. The match was very close: two went 3–2, another 3–1, all of them tight. We knew we were in a tough group, and if we wanted to advance, we had to find the right tactics and fight until the end. We did that, and it paid off. We’re happy with the result and ready for more.”

For Maria BERZOSA, this was her first appearance at the senior European Team Championships, and she rose to the challenge.

“To be honest, when I went into the match, I was very nervous. I played the first game nervously, but then I told myself, ‘I don’t feel like losing.’ She was the favorite, on paper she should have won, and we were already ahead. So I thought, ‘I have to give it my all,’ and the nerves went away.”

In Group H, the leaders Ukraine justified their status, securing top position and a rest day before the Round of 16, with no need to worry about the outcome of the third group match. After their opening win over Türkiye, Ukraine also defeated Slovakia.

Margaryta PESOTSKA won both of her encounters, against Barbora VARADY and Ema LABOSOVA, while Veronika MATIUNINA also overcame LABOSOVA. Slovakia’s only point came from Tatiana KUKULKOVA, who earned a strong consolation victory.

The post The Pressure Is On: Favorites Cracked, Underdogs Shine on Day 2 in Zadar first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Day 2 of the European Team Championships in Zadar brought long and dramatic clashes in the Men’s Event. See all pictures here.

After a tense battle, the bronze medalists from Malmö, team Portugal, suffered a shock defeat at the hands of England. All three English players, Samuel WALKER, Tom JARVIS, and Paul DRINKHALL, posted victories, while Joao GERALDO won both his matches for Portugal.

“In the first match, I really took all my chances and played the way I needed to. In the second match, I was leading 1–0 and 2–1, 5–2… It was a good match,” said Tom JARVIS, who eventually lost his second encounter against GERALDO.

Sam WALKER shared his thoughts on the team’s goals:

“We’ve done it with the dream of medals. I mean, that would be great, but it’s not something easy. Of course, we believe we can do it, but it’s not something we’re particularly thinking about. We’re just trying to focus on each match.”

Experienced Paul DRINKHALL summarized:

“We know Portugal are a strong side. We came in as underdogs, but we all managed to get a win today, so it was a great team performance. We did the right things at the right time, which got us over the line. It’s a good performance.”

Tomorrow England will face Greece.

“I think that one is a 50–50 match, and tomorrow will be the same,” added JARVIS. “We’ve got to go in again and make sure things go our way.”

Drama also unfolded in the other first-round duel between Belgium and Poland, which eventually went in favor of Cédric NUYTINCK, Adrien RASSENFOSSE, and Martin ALLEGRO.

Milosz REDZIMSKI gave Poland a dream start by defeating NUYTINCK, but RASSENFOSSE leveled with a win over Maciej KUBIK. Once again, Marek BADOWSKI put Poland ahead, and REDZIMSKI looked on course to seal the victory for Poland when RASSENFOSSE recovered from a 1–2 deficit to push Belgium into a decisive fifth match. KUBIK and NUYTINCK fought fiercely and produced another tense battle before Belgium finally sealed the victory.

France were in furious mode. In under an hour, they swept Hungary to secure a place in the Round of 16.

Felix LEBRUN beat Csaba ANDRAS, Alexis LEBRUN prevailed against David SZANTOSI, and Simon GAUZY overcame Balazs LEI.

Felix LEBRUN said:“They played well, they had solid matches. I was playing in position two, against their number one, so we knew it wasn’t going to be easy for me. I’m happy to win and to take the match 3–0. We know him; he plays in the Bundesliga and already has some good results, so we knew he could play well. It really feels like now the team is clicking, everyone’s winning, and we’re finding our rhythm step by step. However, a 3–0 team win always feels good. Now we’ve got two days off, so we’ll train well and prepare for the second stage of the tournament after the Round of 16.”

Asked about how the team will use the rest days, he continued:

“We’ll talk about it after this, but I think we’ll do two training sessions tomorrow and maybe a physical session the next day. It depends on each player, everyone prepares in their own way so that we’re all ready for the next stage.”

On how they spend downtime during the tournament, he smiled:

“We just spend time together. We’ve got a great hotel, there’s a pool, the sea is right next to us, we go for walks… and we also brought the PlayStation, so we play together. It’s pretty classic; we just try to enjoy the breaks and spend time as a team.I t’s nice, honestly, and we enjoy being together. But of course, if someone wants to do their own thing, they can. It’s all about balance, we each have our space, but everyone’s happy to hang out together, so it’s easy.”

On his own form, Felix added: “Pretty good, I feel fine, everything’s going well. The conditions are great, the venue is amazing. I’ve felt good in practice so far. In matches, I can still play better and build up more rhythm. That’s the goal for the next two days of training. I made a few rushed decisions today that I’ll try to avoid next time. But we have time to prepare properly. It’s basically a second tournament starting from Thursday, so it’s going to be exciting.”

Asked about a minor injury:“At one point I felt something in my left arm. It’s nothing serious, just a small strain. It’s not bothering me much, but I put some ice on it afterward to reduce the inflammation. Nothing major.”

Simon GAUZY reflected on his own improvement:“Personally, my goal was to do better than yesterday. I lost against a strong player, but I wasn’t happy with how I handled the match, he caused me a lot of trouble. Today, I was more solid; I played a complete match, my service and receive game were much better, and I was more aggressive. I’m happy with that.”

Alexis LEBRUN added:“I’m also very happy with my performance today. I think I played well, I won 3–0, so I’m really pleased and looking forward to the rest of the tournament.”

Simon GAUZY continued:“Right now, I don’t think any of us feel too much pressure. The tournament is long, and we don’t want to be nervous too early. We just want to take it match by match. We have two days off now, a chance to recover and practice. The real pressure will start in the knockout stage, so we just want to be ready when it comes.”

Finally, Alexis LEBRUN looked ahead:“In my opinion, the strongest team is Germany. They have very strong players and have won so many titles at the European Championships. It’s always tough to face them, but I really hope we can meet them later in the tournament.”

It was back in 2021 when Slovenia’s trio of Darko JORGIC, Deni KOZUL, and Bojan TOKIĆ last played together, and four years since TOKIĆ had been away from the national team. His return marked an important turning point for his team at the European Team Championships in Zadar, as Slovenia ended Denmark’s winning streak.

The result carried extra weight, as the Slovenians had previously lost to Denmark both at the European Championships in Malmö and the World Championships in Busan.

“It feels amazing to be back in the national team,” said Bojan TOKIĆ. “Darko and I were together when Slovenia won the medal at the European Championships. The last time I played with the team was in 2021, when we lost to Korea in the quarterfinals at the World Championships.”

The match against Denmark started with Jonathan GROTH defeating Deni KOZUL, but then Darko JORGIC took control, claiming two wins overall, against Anders LIND and GROTH. Bojan TOKIĆ sovercame Martin Buch ANDERSEN.

“We are really happy that we finally beat Denmark after such a long time,” said JORGIC. “We lost to them twice before, so this victory is very important for us. I played really well against Lind, I was leading in the first game but lost it, then came back stronger and just focused on my game. That also gave me confidence for the match with Jonathan GROTH. Bojan also played a very good match.”

The post Atmosphere in Zadar Heating Up: England Upset Bronze Medalists, France in Furious Mode first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The last day of the Group Stage matches at the European Team Championships in Zadar brought decisive clashes for the remaining places in the Round of 16.

In the Women’s Event, after the first two days of play, the teams that had already secured their place in the knockout phase were: Germany, Romania, Portugal, Sweden, Poland, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, and Ukraine.

Additionally, the teams that reached the last 16 also secured qualification for the World Championships in London 2026.

Belgium – Czechia 1–3

Group 4: Portugal 2–0, Czechia 1–1, Belgium 0–2

Czechia recovered from their earlier defeat against Portugal and, with a win over Belgium, secured a place in the Round of 16. Hana MATELOVA beat both Margo DEGRAEF and Julie VAN HAUWAERT, while Veronika POLAKOVA overcame Margo DEGRAEF. Lilou MASSART claimed Belgium’s only point, prevailing against Karin GROFOVA in a tight five-game duel.

“I think Veronika started off really well, winning 3–2, and that gave me a nice sense of calm as well,” said Hana MATELOVA. “For me, it was actually quite an advantage that the Belgian team changed their lineup. I won both of my matches comfortably, so that’s great. I’m really enjoying the young energy and spirit in our team, we’re always taking photos, Snapchats, stories, but I don’t mind. It’s all part of it.”

Spain – Netherlands 0–3

Group 3: Netherlands 2–0, Spain 1–1, France 0–2

Both Netherlands and Spain secured their place in the second stage by overcoming France in the previous two rounds. Today, the Dutch team confirmed their top position in the standings and a better draw position by defeating Spain in straight matches.

Netherlands’ Britt EERLAND, Jie LI, and Shuohan MEN overcame Maria XIAO, Sofia-Xuan ZHANG, and Maria BERZOSA without due alarm.

“I think after beating France we were, of course, a little bit more confident, but we didn’t really think ahead yet. We also watched the match between France and Spain, and we saw that Spain really pushed France hard, they wanted to win, not just play. From that match, we felt the pressure too, knowing they would come strong against us, so we had to go all in.

Of course, nobody wants to lose, so we stayed super focused. Maybe not always the nicest, but very focused, and that showed in our performance. For me, for Jie, and for Shuohan at number three, she was a little nervous, but I’m happy she could finish the match for us,” said Britt EERLAND.

Asked about the next goal, EERLAND continued:

“It would be great to go for a medal, of course. But as I said before, we’re the type of team that just wants to win, it doesn’t matter if it’s the semifinals, final, or group stage, we just want to win. So we’ll keep fighting and try to make it as difficult as possible for everyone. Most importantly, we’ll play our own game and our best table tennis.”

“You never know, any match can be the deciding one, any point can turn the momentum. So if we have a chance, even a small one, we have to take it. I’m also very happy for Shuohan that she could win her match; it’s great for her confidence going forward in the tournament. Of course, we still have to see who we’ll play next and how we can prepare, because we also have Tanja, so we’ll do everything to play our best table tennis and find the best possible tactics.”

The post The Last Day of the Group Stage: Battles for the Remaining Round of 16 Spots in Zadar first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

On the third day of play at the European Team Championships in Zadar, the teams seeded No. 2 and No. 3 in their respective groups fought for their remaining positions in the Round of 16, which will be played on Thursday.

In the opening two days, the men’s teams that had already secured their place in the Round of 16 were: Sweden, France, Germany, Romania, Croatia, and Belgium.

Additionally, the teams that reached the last 16 also confirmed their qualification for the 2026 World Championships in London.

England – Greece 1–3

Group D: Portugal 2–0, Greece 1–1, England 0–2

Despite a strong start, highlighted by Tom JARVIS’s win over Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS, Greece secured their spot in the knockout stage as the second-placed team in the group. Panagiotis GIONIS overcame both JARVIS and Paul DRINKHALL, while Georgios STAMATOUROS prevailed against Samuel WALKER.

“Today we knew we had to win 3–0 or 3–1, because England beat Portugal. England is a very good team, even though they are here without PITCHFORD, for them that’s a big loss,” said Panagiotis GIONIS.

“We played freely, we believed we could do it, and I think all the guys played perfectly. If Ioannis had been a little luckier, he could have won the first match as well, and maybe we could have taken first place in the group. But in the end, we’re very happy. We focused a lot on this game, believed in ourselves, and fought hard. We were a little luckier today, and we won.”

Asked if he had any preferences for the Round of 16 draw, GIONIS smiled:

“Of course, we have some preferences. If you play against Sweden, France, or Germany, it’s tougher, you have to be honest about that. But our goal was to qualify, and now we’ve done it. We’ll just play, enjoy the moment, and see what happens. For us, it’s already good to play another match, and we’re very happy with our performance.

If we get a good draw, well, I’m dreaming a little (laughs), maybe if we can have Belgium, that would be a very good draw for us. But we’ll see.”

The Greek Olympian added:“When you qualify from such a difficult group, you start believing in everything. We know it’s tough to beat the top teams, but in sports, you never know what can happen. Now we’ll play more freely, it’s a great experience, especially for the young players, as it’s their first time reaching the top 16 at the Europeans.

All our young players are getting more experienced; they play in strong leagues. What’s most important is that we enjoy it, stay relaxed, prepare well, and stay focused. In the end, anything can happen, we’ve seen many surprises in recent years, and everyone can beat everyone if you believe in yourself. The key is to work, practice, and believe.”

Finland – Poland 1–3

Group H: Belgium 2–0, Poland 1–1, Finland 0–2

Poland recovered from their opening-round defeat against Belgium and advanced to the knockout stage after a solid victory over Finland.

Milosz REDZIMSKI was the backbone of the team’s success with two wins, against Benedek OLAH and Aleksi RASANEN, while Marek BADOWSKI added one more point by beating RASANEN. Alex NAUMI scored Finland’s only win, overcoming Samuel KULCZYCKI.

“For me, it was really nice,” said Milosz REDZIMSKI. “I wasn’t feeling great in the morning at the beginning, but after overcoming some problems with low energy, I played quite well. I didn’t see much of Samuel’s game, but I saw it was very close. Marek played great and won quickly, so we’re very happy. We feel strong and ready to fight for a medal.”

“We’ve played many times against Benedek OLAH because he competes in the Polish League, so we were very well prepared tactically. That preparation was the key, we knew we needed to beat him to win the team match, and we did it. We’re really happy.”

Marek BADOWSKI added: “We fight for every game. We know our potential, and we know we can beat very good teams here. We’re prepared and ready to give everything. We had a very tough match against Belgium, and we wanted to do things right today, we prepared well for this match.”

The post Last Push for Progress: Knockout Line-Up Completed in Zadar first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The 2025 ETTU Congress will take place on Wednesday, 15th October, at 10:00 CET in Zadar, Croatia, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The key topis will be reports, financial updates, and future developments for European table tennis.

The Congress will also review the 2024 Financial Statements, the 2026 Budget proposal, and propositions and resolutions from member associations, in addition to the annual updates from the ETTU leadership and committees.

The Congress will be streamed live here for all those wishing to follow the proceedings online.

The post ETTU Congress 2025 to Be Held in Zadar on Wednesday first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The athletes have cast their votes, and the new members of the ETTU Athletes’ Commission have been elected.

Serving as the official voice of athletes within European table tennis, the Commission plays a key role in ensuring that players’ perspectives are represented in ETTU decision-making processes.

The newly elected members are:

Linda BERGSTRÖM (Sweden) 111 votes

Tin-Tin HO (England) 108

Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) 107

Frane Tomislav KOJIC (Croatia) 105

The para-athlete representative will be elected separately during the 2025 European Para Championships in Helsingborg.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The 2025 ETTU Congress was held on Wednesday, 15 October, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Zadar, Croatia.

The Congress followed the formal agenda, which included the President’s Welcome and Opening Address, the Annual General Report, the presentation of financial statements and budget, and the consideration and adoption of propositions and resolutions.

Presidential Address

ETTU President Pedro MOURA welcomed the delegates and thanked the hosts:

“This city of Zadar, rich in history and full of energy, is the perfect setting to reflect on how far we’ve come and to look forward with confidence to where we are heading.”

He also addressed ITTF President Petra SÖRLING, who was present at the Congress:

“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Mrs. Petra SÖRLING on her reelection as ITTF President last May. Petra, your presence here today honours us. Your leadership, your integrity, and your willingness to engage openly with the continental federations continue to inspire us all. On behalf of the entire ETTU family, congratulations, and thank you for your partnership.”

A Year of Progress and Growth

“This was a year of progress and growth,” President MOURA continued. “Since our last Congress in Linz just one year ago, the ETTU has continued to move forward with renewed energy and shared purpose. Our Executive Board, elected in 2024, has worked together with unity and focus to implement our Strategic Plan 2023–2028.

We have modernized our internal operations, expanded our staff, and strengthened our communication and marketing teams.

With new colleagues in place, we’ve reached unprecedented visibility, engaging millions of fans online and showcasing European table tennis on more screens, in more countries, than ever before.”

Competitions and Governance

ETTU competitions continue to shine: “The Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux, the Champions League Final 4 in Saarbrücken, and the European Team Championships Stage 1 in Sarajevo, each one organized with professionalism, inclusivity, and innovation.

Our Europe Youth Series is a growing success with record participation, and the U13 European Championships is already established as one of the most important events on the ETTU calendar.

Behind these successes lies a key principle that defines our work: good governance.”

Governance and Financial Stability

President MOURA emphasised the ETTU’s commitment to transparency and long-term stability:

“Governance is, and must remain, the cornerstone of the ETTU. Over the past year, we have strengthened internal procedures, reinforced financial control, and enhanced transparency.

Our cooperation between the Executive Board, the Vice President for Finance, and the Secretariat is now closer than ever. I am pleased to report that the ETTU’s finances remain strong and stable. Since 2016, our total income has shown steady and consistent growth year after year, a reflection of stronger partnerships, new event revenues, and responsible financial management.

This steady progress gives us confidence. It allows us to plan long-term, invest in development, and provide meaningful support to our Member Associations and their athletes.

Governance is not just about numbers or compliance; it is about credibility. It means that when we speak, our members, our partners, and our players can trust that the ETTU delivers.”

Development and Future Vision

The National Association Assistance Programme and Participation Programme now reach more federations than ever before, with funding more than doubled compared to previous years.

“And this year, we launched EUROSPINS, a bold new project giving young European players the chance to train alongside top-level Asian sparring partners.

This initiative embodies our long-term vision, to prepare the next generation of European champions and close the competitive gap with the world’s best.”

Looking ahead, MOURA outlined the priorities for the coming period:

“In the months to come, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation with the ITTF under the Quadrennial Agreement, advance our digital transformation, and support every Member Association in creating pathways for athletes, coaches, and officials to reach their potential.

We will organize the first-ever Women’s Champions League Final 4, and we are set to implement a new competition system for the 2026/2027 season, making this event more commercially attractive.

This has been developed in cooperation with all stakeholders involved.

We will continue to enhance the presentation of our events and increase fan engagement, targeting Generation Z in particular.

And, for the first time, we are now displaying highlights of all our matches on YouTube.

We will ensure that European table tennis continues to stand as a model of excellence, good governance, and sustainability within the global sports community.”

Welcome from Zoran PRIMORAC

ETTU Vice President Zoran PRIMORAC welcomed guests to his hometown:

“When I ended my playing career and became President of the Croatian Table Tennis Association, my wish was to bring a major table tennis tournament to Croatia. Today, I am very pleased that this major event, the European Team Championships, is being held in my hometown, Zadar. And when I say that Zadar is a table tennis city, that is not just a phrase.

Let me remind you that back in 1971, the first Europe Top 12 tournament was held in Zadar, designed and organized by my legendary coach and sports educator Tomo AMIŽIĆ.

Zadar has produced numerous top coaches and players, the AMIŽIĆ brothers, the KARLOVIĆ brothers, Goran RADANOVIĆ, Andrej GAĆINA, Tomislav ZUBČIĆ…”

PRIMORAC also highlighted the city’s rich sporting tradition:

“The great basketball ace Krešimir ĆOSIĆ, whose name is given to this hall now hosting the best European table tennis players, was from Zadar — as was Luka MODRIĆ, the best Croatian football player of all time, who took his first football steps here.

Zadar is, of course, also a tourist city, and I am glad that the European Team Championships will contribute to promoting Zadar and Croatia. I would like to thank the ETTU, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Croatian Olympic Committee, Zadar County, the City of Zadar, and all our sponsors for their support.

European table tennis has been on a great rise in recent years; our new stars have increased interest in the sport, bringing new players and new fans. I am sure that this event in Zadar, which can be seen by viewers around the world, will contribute to this positive trend. We have already seen sensational matches in the first part of the competition, and I am confident that we will all enjoy the final rounds of the European Team Championships in Zadar.”

He concluded with a smile:

“At the Congress in Linz, I promised you nice weather — and as you can see, I kept my promise! Don’t ask me how I managed it!”

Address by ITTF President Petra SÖRLING

“I am very glad to be here with you today. The past few months have been challenging for the ITTF; however, I am deeply proud that our community has remained united. Together, we have continued to deliver events, to develop our programs, and to demonstrate capability and strength. Last month, we received the clarity needed to move forward together. A special word of thanks goes to all the candidates for your patience and understanding throughout this period.

I also invite you to engage actively in the ITTF’s ongoing constitutional reform, mandated by the 2025 Act on Integrity. We have chosen a participatory process, one that includes regular dialogue with the ITTF Governance Manager at the end of this month. I sincerely hope these exchanges will be constructive and fruitful.

The ITTF Constitution belongs to all of us. Every member has equal access and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to its future.”

Elections, Reports and Honours

Elections, reports from the Committees and Audit bodies, the presentation of Badges of Honour, and the introduction of the 2026 European Championships were also part of the Congress session.

Delegates approved the new Regulations for the European Para Championships, marking another important milestone for European table tennis.

In spring 2025, a long-standing goal was achieved when the ITTF transferred the rights to organise the European Para Championships to the ETTU, effective from 2027 onwards. Starting that year, the Championships will be organised by a Member Association appointed by the ETTU Executive Board.

In odd-numbered years, the event will include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles competitions.

With the formal transfer of rights from the ITTF to the ETTU, and the Congress’s approval of the regulations, the foundation has now been laid for a new chapter in the history of European Para table tennis.

Newly elected members of the Board of Appeal are: Jean-Michel MUREAU (Belgium), Mircea Lucian Bogdan DUMITRU (Romania) and Owen RODGERS (Wales).

The ETTU Badge of Honour was presented to: Asko RÄSINEN (Finland), Jaan HÄRMS (Estonia), Joe VESELSKY (Ireland), Miguel VICENS (France), Michel GADAL (France), Mario AMIŽIĆ (Croatia), and Inga NAVICKIENĖ (Lithuania).

The post ETTU Congress 2025: A Year of Progress and Growth first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Both the Men’s and Women’s Events were marked by surprises in the group stage, but several of the teams that arrived in Zadar as favourites managed to recover after early setbacks and bounce back strongly to secure their place in the Final Stage of the European Team Championships 2027, which will be held in Porto.

After two rounds of play-off matches, Slovenia and France in the women’s event, and Austria and Czechia in the men’s event, booked their tickets for the next stage of the continental competition.

In the Women’s Team event, France, represented by Jia Nan YUAN, Prithika PAVADE, and Leana HOCHART, recorded convincing 3–0 victories over both Wales and Türkiye to finish in positions 17–18 and secure qualification.

Slovenia’s trio of Ana TOFANT, Sara TOKIĆ, and Katarina STRAŽAR faced far greater pressure, going the full distance in both of their encounters against Greece and Bulgaria, but ultimately prevailed to join France among the qualified teams.

In the Men’s Team event, Austria’s Andreas LEVENKO, Robert GARDOS, and Maciej KOŁODZIEJCZYK overcame Ukraine and the Netherlands to clinch their spot in the Final Stage.

Czechia’s Lubomir JANČAŘÍK, Pavel ŠIRUČEK, and Radim MORÁVEK also delivered a strong performance, defeating Italy and Hungary by identical 3–1 margins.

The post France, Slovenia, Austria and Czechia Secure Final Stage Spots at the European Championships in Porto first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

On the fifth day of play at the European Team Championships in Zadar, the top 16 teams battled for a place in the quarter-finals.

Poland – Austria 3–2

Poland advanced to the quarter-finals after a thrilling 3–2 victory over Austria. For the Polish side, Natalia BAJOR, Zuzanna WIELGOS, and Katarzyna WĘGRZYN each contributed to the decisive scoreline.

In Austria’s team, Sofia POLCANOVA secured two wins, but Karoline MISCHEK and Yuan LIU were unable to provide the needed support.

“The key was to stay in the match despite POLCANOVA’s two wins, we knew she would get them,” said WIELGOS.“For me, the receive is the most important part of my game, and I’m happy it worked well today. I was very stressed; playing a decisive match at such an important stage of the Championships didn’t make it easier.However, I managed to stay focused until the end.”

Ukraine – Hungary 3–0

Ukraine’s trio of Margaryta PESOTSKA, Veronika MATIUNINA, and Tetyana BILENKO halted Hungary’s progress with a commanding 3–0 victory.

For Hungary, Georgina POTA, Rebeka NAGY, and Johanna PETERY were unable to find a way through.

PESOTSKA’s opening win over POTA (3–1) proved decisive, setting the tone for Ukraine’s overall success.

“My match against POTA was very close because we’ve played each other many times and know each other’s game well,” explained PESOTSKA.

“I needed to stay calm and focused in the key moments. I managed to do that, and it was a very tight win. The crucial part of our team victory was to stop Georgina.”

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[Milica Nikolic]

The knockout stage of the European Team Championships in Zadar brought a day full of drama, long battles, and emotional moments. Several underdogs who had caused upsets in the group stage entered the Round of 16 determined to challenge Europe’s elite, and they delivered fierce performances that pushed the favourites to their limits.

Portugal – Spain 3–2

In a clash of epic proportions lasting over three and a half hours, Portugal secured their place in the quarter-finals after a dramatic 3–2 victory over Spain.

Spain’s youthful lineup, Juan PÉREZ (23), Daniel BERZOSA (19), and Miguel PANTOJA (21), pushed Portugal’s experienced trio of João GERALDO (30), Tiago APOLÓNIA (39), and João MONTEIRO (42) to the edge before last Championships’ bronze medallists finally prevailed to reach the Round of 8.

PÉREZ was the standout for Spain, scoring impressive wins over both GERALDO and APOLÓNIA, who made his first appearance at the Championships following recovery from a left knee injury.

“It was a really tough match against a very young and fiery team,” said GERALDO. “We managed to control our emotions very well. Spain played with so much energy and passion, they were big fighters. But we managed to absorb that energy in the right way and finish the match with a victory.”

Reflecting further, GERALDO added:

“It’s very hard to control their spin, everyone struggles with it. But the most important thing was to stay emotionally stable and believe until the end that we would win. PÉREZ was on fire today; he played two great matches. The third match was crucial, João MONTEIRO won 3–0 but was down 10–7 in the first and had another very tight set. That win gave us a big push. Then Tiago and I beat BERZOSA, who’s also a talented young player coming up. I’m sure he will be one of the best one day. But today, Tiago and I relied on our experience and qualities, and we proved that it still counts.”

GERALDO also praised the emerging generation of players:

“Many countries now have strong young players, and Portugal as well. We have Tiago ABIODUN, who’s already shown he can compete at senior level. The level of the new generation is really high, there are many more young players than in my time, or even in the generations of Tiago, Marcos, and MONTEIRO. It’s exciting to see who will become the best in the future. Meanwhile, I’ll keep fighting to stay among the best too.”

Speaking about APOLÓNIA’s recovery, he added:

“Tiago is improving day by day. Playing today was an important step, he’s getting better and better.”

Slovenia – Moldova 3–1

Slovenia’s trio of Deni KOZUL, Darko JORGIC, and Bojan TOKIC secured a solid 3–1 victory over Moldova’s Vladislav URSU, Andrei PUTUNTICA, and Denis TERNA, booking their place in the quarter-finals.

After Moldova had previously stunned Austria and nearly defeated Croatia in the group stage, Slovenia approached the match with caution.

“I think they could have even finished first in their group,” explained JORGIC. “Their match against Croatia was 50–50. We watched it in the hall and knew they weren’t an easy opponent. We were prepared from the start to the end for a tough fight, and that’s exactly what happened.”

URSU continued his strong form, defeating KOZUL in the opening match.

“URSU is playing really well. He already played in the Olympic qualification last year and has improved a lot,” said JORGIC.

“Deni didn’t find his rhythm, and URSU was dominant. The first game could have gone either way, but in the end, we managed to turn the match around.”

JORGIC then led by example, winning both of his matches, against PUTUNTICA and URSU, while TOKIC’s experience sealed the team’s victory.

“I started my match a bit under stress, it’s difficult to play when you’re 0–1 down and the team expects you to win,” admitted JORGIC.“But in the end, Bojan was fantastic. His experience made the difference. He showed exactly why we needed him here.”

This result marks Slovenia’s return to the top eight and proves they are on the good way to repeat their memorable run in 2017, when they last reached the medal podium.

“It’s a great result for us, honestly, we didn’t expect it, but everything is possible,” said JORGIC.

“We’ll keep fighting and look forward to facing Portugal or Spain next. Hopefully, we can deliver another strong performance and maybe celebrate a medal again like in 2017.”

The post European Team Championships – Day 5: Portugal and Slovenia Advance After Intense Knockout Duels first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Today’s quarter-final battles at the European Team Championships in Zadar will determine who leaves Croatia with a medal when the final ball is played on Sunday.

Poland – Netherlands 1-3

• Natalia BAJOR – Britt EERLAND 3-1 (11-4, 8-11, 13-11, 11-6)
• Anna BRZYSKA – Jie LI 0-3 (1-11, 5-11, 2-11)
• Zuzanna WIELGOS – Shuohan MEN 1-3 (9-11, 11-5, 7-11, 5-11)
• Natalia BAJOR – Jie LI 1-3 (11-5, 4-11, 3-11, 9-11)

In the opening session of the day, the Netherlands made history by returning to the medal podium for the first time since 2017, when the team also featured Britt EERLAND and Jie LI.

Facing a young and ambitious Polish team, the Dutch side showed resilience to earn a 3–1 victory and secure their place among the top four in Europe.

Poland took the early lead after Natalia BAJOR defeated Britt EERLAND 3–1. However, Jie LI quickly levelled the score with a dominant win over Anna BRZYSKA 3–0, her defensive game proving too difficult for the 19-year-old opponent to break through.

In the third match, Shuohan MEN overcame Zuzanna WIELGOS 3–1, before LI returned to the table to defeat BAJOR once more, this time 3–1 sealing the Netherlands’ victory and a guaranteed medal.

Britt EERLAND:“We played better today. Yesterday, LI said she felt that everyone was growing into the tournament more and more. We’re here with a goal, and we’re fighting for it. We don’t want to lose that momentum, and I think we really built on it today. After the match, she said, ‘We’re not done yet.’

The hardest part of the quarter-finals is always the mental game, the one who can still play under pressure is the one who comes out on top. Every match is a fight. LI said she really had to start attacking to make her opponent feel more pressure, and she made small but smart adjustments that made things uncomfortable for her opponent.

I tried the same, to change things up, but it was really difficult to get her out of rhythm. I had a small chance to turn it around and even took a timeout for that moment; I felt I had done everything right. But in the end, it’s all about teamwork, we warm up together, change positions, and support each other.

Before she started, LI said, ‘If I don’t win, you can still win,’ so we have full confidence in one another. Antonia and Anton, our coach and physio, everyone supports us. I really feel we’re working as one team.”

Reflecting on Poland’s challenge, EERLAND added:

“LI has played many times against Anna, so she’s experienced in this style. We weren’t really worried, but we didn’t know if Poland would change their order, that was the only question mark. Before my first match, I was nervous, but I told myself that even if I lost, I just had to do my best. I think my opponent was also nervous, so I just gave everything. She was nervous too, but when she made her choices, she committed fully and put real quality behind the ball, that kind of extra effort can make the difference.”

The post Day 6 in Zadar: Battle for medals first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

On the sixth day of play at the European Team Championships in Zadar, teams battled for a place on the medal rostrum, and it was Slovenia who first secured their spot in the semi-finals, returning to the podium for the first time since 2017.

Portugal – Slovenia 1–3

• João GERALDO – Deni KOŽUL 1–3 (12–14, 5–11, 11–8, 4–11)
• Tiago APOLÓNIA – Darko JORGIĆ 1–3 (12–14, 8–11, 11–7, 7–11)
• João MONTEIRO – Bojan TOKIĆ 3–2 (11–7, 8–11, 12–10, 10–12, 11–7)
• João GERALDO – Darko JORGIĆ 1–3 (8–11, 11–8, 15–17, 9–11)

In the morning session, Slovenia celebrated a memorable 3–1 victory over Portugal to book their ticket to the semi-finals. World No. 30 Deni KOŽUL gave Slovenia a dream start by defeating world No. 24 João GERALDO, before world No. 4 Darko JORGIĆ extended the lead with a 3–1 win over Tiago APOLÓNIA (No. 35).

The veteran duel between the two 42-year-olds, João MONTEIRO and 44-years-old Bojan TOKIĆ, went the full distance, with MONTEIRO narrowly prevailing. However, on his second appearance at the table, JORGIĆ sealed the tie with another commanding performance against GERALDO, sending Slovenia into the last four.

Darko JORGIĆ:

“We’ve dreamed about this. During our training camp, Bojan told me that we’d play Portugal in the quarter-finals and beat them, and that’s exactly what happened! I’m so proud of the whole team, from the first match to the last. From the group stage, we’ve shown that we’re a real team, that we fight for each other and that we’re ready to give everything for one another.”

JORGIĆ continued:

“Danny was fantastic in the opening match. Last time at the World Championships he lost 4–0 to Geraldo, but this time we were well prepared tactically. It was a different Danny, not the one from yesterday who was just reacting, but one who came in with the right mindset from the start. He even went for a run at six in the morning today, maybe that helped! I hope he repeats that tomorrow.

As for my second match, you simply have to beat APOLONIA. He’s injured, but he still plays his game. The pressure was on me because we were already 1–0 up, and everyone knew that if I won two matches, the tie would be over, and that’s what happened.

I feel sorry for Bojan; he had his chances. He was leading 10–8 in the third game, if he had taken that one, who knows how it would have gone. But in the end, maybe it’s even sweeter this way. I played a fantastic match against GERALDO. We always have tough battles, you probably remember our match from the Top 16. He’s a player who returns everything and fights until the very last point. I’m really happy that today I managed to play with a clear head.”

Deni KOŽUL:“This is what we practice for. I’m really, really satisfied with my own game, I played against an amazing player in GERALDO. When we have our number one, Darko, who once again proved why he’s among the world’s top 10, it’s much easier for all of us.

Even in the third position, Bojan showed that at his age he can still perform at an incredibly high level. He was 1–1 and 10–8 up, just a little unlucky not to convert that game in his favour, but he played great.

The bench and the youngsters were so loud and supportive, I really think we all fought for this medal, and we all deserve it.”

On his unusual pre-match preparation, KOŽUL added:

“Yes, I went running at 6 o’clock in the morning to change my energy. Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling great, I was dizzy, my reactions weren’t sharp. I’m a little superstitious, so I changed everything today, from breakfast to dinner. I even went running with Hribar early in the morning. My legs felt so fast today that I think I’ll do it again tomorrow!”

Bojan TOKIĆ: “Darko was amazing against both GERALDO and APOLONIA, both are in fantastic shape this tournament. What the guys are showing is amazing table tennis. In the key moments, Darko stayed really calm, yes, a few lucky points at the end, but that’s part of the game. We’re a compact team, and I think my comeback maybe made each of them a little bit better.

I’m not their father, I don’t give them tips, that’s the coach’s role, but we have amazing spirit. We’re great friends despite the age difference; I’m 18 years older than the boys. Maybe I could just sense this medal coming, that’s why I wanted to return. The Association gave me the opportunity, and the coach, Darko, and Danny all asked me to play this event. So here I am, and I think this is an amazing achievement for us after eight years.”

On his opponent, João MONTEIRO, TOKIĆ added:

“He’s an incredible athlete, when he’s focused, he’s 100% in the game. There were no easy points against him; for every rally, you have to build, to work hard. Every point is earned. I have huge respect for him, he’s a fantastic competitor and an amazing sportsman.”

The post Epic Clashes as We Approach the Final Duels at the European Team Championships first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

In the final of the Women’s Event at the European Team Championships in Zadar, reigning champions Germany will face the winner of the clash between top seeds Romania and No. 18 seed Netherlands.

Germany’s unbeaten streak continues. The team, last defeated in 2019, has once again reached the final as they chase their 10th European title. In the semi-final, Portugal, bronze medallists at the previous two editions, could not stop the dominant German side. It marked Germany’s 11th consecutive 3–0 victory in the competition.

The new leader of the team, Sabine WINTER, was pushed to the limit by Fu YU in the opening match, eventually winning 3–2. Annett KAUFMANN and Nina MITTELHAM each secured 3–1 wins against Jieni SHAO and Matilde PINTO, respectively, to complete another commanding performance.

Sabine WINTER: “I had some trouble with Fu Yu’s serves today, but then I became much more variable in my game. I always tried to stay close and find solutions. Mentally, it was also a good performance from me to come back and win two clear games after being 1–2 down. Taking a 1–0 lead is always good for the team, but even if I had lost, I’m convinced we still would have won the match. For tomorrow, I just wish for a victory, I don’t really mind who we play. The two teams are very different, but both are very strong. We’ll give everything and fight for every point.”

Annett KAUFMANN, the only non-Asian Under-19 World Champion, who also reached the semi-finals with the German team during her Olympic debut in Paris, summed up the team’s mindset:

“It feels amazing to be undefeated. I didn’t even realise at first how long this streak has been, but it shows that no matter which lineup we play, whether it’s with Yuan WAN and Nina MITTELHAM, or with Sabine and me, we can all perform at the top level. We’ve proved many times that we’re all capable of playing world-class table tennis. It’s great to know that we’re not just relying on one player, we’re a complete, balanced team. That’s our biggest strength.”

KAUFMANN continued: “I think Sabine’s match was the most important today. She did really, really great after being 2–1 down, and that was a key moment for us. We didn’t underestimate Portugal, we knew they were strong. They showed yesterday against Ukraine that they can come back and win important matches. So we fought for every ball and we’re just very happy that we all managed to win our matches. I think the key was changing the rhythm and staying calm at the right moments.I was also a bit more satisfied with my own game today. You don’t face left-handers that often. I do train against them, but in a match it’s still something different, it’s a bit like playing against yourself. I was a little impatient today, and she plays in a slightly uncomfortable way for me. But with the right tactics, calmness, and rotation, I managed to win the match.”

Nina MITTELHAM: “It was an uncomfortable match. She played well and gave me awkward balls. I was a bit sluggish today, so I’m glad we’re not playing at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I had to win this match, and I did. These kinds of matches have never been easy for me, and in the past, I’ve lost quite a few of them. But by now, I know how to fight through.”

Tamara BOROS gave Coach’s View: “The 3–0 result sounds like an easy win, but it really wasn’t. There were tight situations in every match. Sabine’s win against Fu YU in the first match was very important, starting with a 0–1 deficit would have been tough for Annett, even though she’s mentally very strong. Nina wasn’t very stable today, but playing against Pinto is never easy. She plays without rhythm and hits very strange balls. Today it was enough. Tomorrow, we all want to take that final step.”

Semi-Final

Germany – Portugal 3–0

• Sabine WINTER – Fu YU 3–2 (8–11, 11–4, 8–11, 11–4, 11–2)
• Annett KAUFMANN – Jieni SHAO 3–1 (11–8, 11–9, 8–11, 11–4)
• Nina MITTELHAM – Matilde PINTO 3–1 (10–12, 11–6, 11–9, 11–8)

The post Penultimate Day in Zadar: Germany Advance to the Final first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

At the European Team Championships in Zadar, France took one step higher on the medal podium than in Malmö 2023 and will play in Sunday’s final for their first European team title since 1998.

The Olympic bronze medallists overcame Malmö runners-up Germany in a breathtaking semi-final that kept fans of both nations on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The tie began with a repeat of the European Individual Championships final, but this time with the opposite outcome: Benedikt DUDA defeated Alexis LEBRUN in straight games. The European vice-champion and world No. 5 avenged his previous loss to the world No. 3, playing with confidence and precision throughout.

However, Germany could not build on that momentum. In the second match, Félix LEBRUN, who had lost to DUDA in a controversial quarterfinal at the same event, took his revenge, holding his nerve under immense pressure to overcome Patrick FRANZISKA in five sets and level the score at 1–1.

From there, the French team’s confidence grew. Simon GAUZY produced a stunning performance to beat European champion Dang QIU, giving France the lead before Félix returned to the table to face DUDA once more, this time in a spectacular decider.

Coach Nathanaël MOLIN: “The first match is always very important, it often sets the tone for the entire tie. Of course, we knew that the German team is extremely strong and has so much experience in this kind of competition. You can say that for the past twenty or twenty-five years, they have dominated Europe as a team. We knew it was going to be a very tough match.

If you look at the rankings, 5, 12, 18 in the world for us, against 8, 13, 14 for them, it shows how close the levels are. Nothing came easy today. It was a hard, intense match. At 2–2, everything was still open. DUDA was incredible, for the past year, he’s truly been one of the best in the world.”

He broke down the key moments:

“In the first match, DUDA was outstanding against Alexis. There’s nothing I can say to Alexy; his opponent was simply too strong. Then Félix played a really solid match against FRANZISKA, very close to his top level. Maybe at one or two key moments he could have managed things differently, but overall his performance and attitude were excellent.

And Simon… what can I say? He played a perfect match, not ‘perfect’ in the sense of no mistakes, but perfect from a coach’s point of view. Tactically, physically, technically, everything was on point. From start to finish, he had full control. For me, that was a textbook performance.”

The coach praised the final duel between DUDA and Félix:

“The last match was probably the most spectacular of the entire semi-final, full of ups and downs and amazing rallies. DUDA came back several times, leading by five or six points, and then Félix responded again and turned it around. It was world-class table tennis, mentally and tactically.

Players like Félix have something special: the ability to deliver at the right moment. Not always, of course, no one can do that every time, but most of the time, he’s there when it really matters. I think both players, Duda and Félix, gave their absolute maximum. There was no real loser today; both were at their peak. That’s what makes a match like this so special.”

Alexis LEBRUN: “I don’t think I played badly, but Duda was really, really strong today. He played very aggressively from the start, and that surprised me a bit. In the second game, I played well, but he won it 11–9 with three beautiful points at the end, that one was hard to lose because I felt I was at my top level.

After that, it was difficult to come back because he was more relaxed being 2–0 up. I’m a little disappointed because if I had taken that second game, maybe he would have started to doubt a little and it could have been 50–50. But he played really well today.”

Simon GAUZY: “I felt amazing, that was by far my best match of the tournament. I’m really happy with how I performed under pressure at 1–1. This is why I practice, to play these kinds of matches against great players on big stages. I’m proud that I could bring one point for the team playing that way today.”

Germany – France 1-3

• Benedikt DUDA – Alexis LEBRUN 3–0 (11–7, 11–9, 11–6)
• Patrick FRANZISKA – Félix LEBRUN 2–3 (6–11, 11–7, 6–11, 11–8, 7–11)
• Dang QIU – Simon GAUZY 0–3 (8–11, 6–11, 10–12)
• Benedikt DUDA – Félix LEBRUN 1-3 (8–11, 12–10, 2–11, 9-11)

The post France Reach Final After Epic Win Over Germany in Zadar first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The top seeds in the Women’s Event at the European Team Championships in Zadar, Romania, lived up to their status and booked their place in the final, where they will face reigning champions Germany.

In the semi-final, Romania overcame a determined Netherlands team in a commanding 3–0 victory. Since 2011, Romania have reached the final in every edition of the Championships except in 2014, underlining their enduring dominance in European women’s table tennis.

Bernadette SZÖCS: “We expected the draw to look like this, so we were ready for these matchups. I knew my match against LI would be very important, because I’ve played her many times and only managed to beat her once before. This time, I felt really confident and knew that winning the first match could give our team a big boost.

It looks like an easy 3–0 on paper, but it really wasn’t, especially my match. I’m very proud of my teammates; we all did a great job today.

In the last game, I tried to be more patient because she wasn’t missing as much anymore. I had to keep finding solutions and change tactics during the rallies. It wasn’t easy at all, but I stayed calm and focused and found the right way to beat her.

We’ve played many finals against Germany before, sometimes we won, sometimes we lost, but last time we lost, so we definitely want revenge this time. Everyone in the team is playing really well, and I believe we can bring the gold home.”

Elizabeta SAMARA: “We all knew this was going to be a tough match because they are such good adversaries. We’re happy that we made it 3–0, each of us did our job, and the bench was amazing. The coaches, the teammates, the supporters, we were like a real team, like Romania used to be, like a family, we could say.

I’m the oldest one on the team, but we are all very good, and in this team we can always rotate players, it doesn’t matter who plays when, everyone can deliver.

Let’s say me against EERLAND, our last meeting was last year in Rajasthan, and I lost. The previous one, I also lost. I think I only beat her once during the pandemic in Doha. So I’m very happy that I could win this match now, in the semi-finals.

I think experience helped me deal with the pressure. Mentally, I was strong in the key moments. I’m happy about the victory, and I just try to give my teammates confidence, we all want to keep our team spirit high.”

Andreea DRAGOMAN: “We’re really happy to be in the finals. We knew from the beginning it was going to be tough, but Berni’s first match gave us a lot of energy and confidence. It was a very important win, and I’m really glad she managed to pull it off and give the team such a strong start.

As for my own match, I felt confident because we were already 2–0 up, so I just tried to stay focused on my game instead of thinking about finishing the tie. I’m really happy that I managed to stay calm and control myself to win 3–0.”

Romania – Netherlands 3–0

• Bernadette SZÖCS – Jie LI 3–2 (14–12, 3–11, 12–10, 8–11, 11–1)
• Elizabeta SAMARA – Britt EERLAND 3–1 (11–13, 11–4, 11–8, 11–9)
• Andreea DRAGOMAN – Shuohan MEN 3–0 (11–8, 11–5, 11–5)

The post Romania Set for Another European Final After Beating the Netherlands first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

In the final of the European Team Championships 2025 in Zadar, France will meet Romania.

For the first time in history, the Romanian men’s team have advanced to the final, surpassing their previous best result of three bronze medals. On their way to the ultimate stage, Romania defeated defending European champions Sweden and then Slovenia in an impressive and emotional semi-final performance.

Slovenia’s top star Darko JORGIC suffered his first defeat of the tournament at the hands of Iulian CHIRITA in a thrilling five-game opening match. That victory set the tone for the tie, which eventually ended in straight matches in favour of Romania.

Iulian CHIRITA: “We still can’t really believe that we’re in the final, it’s the first time ever for the Romanian men, so it’s an amazing feeling. It was a really tough match. Darko is one of the best in Europe, maybe number one or two, and he’s a really strong player. But I know him quite well, I’ve already played him twice this year, so I managed to play very well throughout the match, and I’m really happy that I didn’t lose to him again.

In the second match, Edy started to play really well, and that gave us a lot of confidence. And then Ovi, I’m really happy that he managed to win the last match against TOKIC. He’s such an interesting guy, always bringing great energy to the team. Honestly, I still don’t have words for the fact that we’re in the final. It’s unbelievable. But we’re already looking forward to giving our best and playing a really good match in the final.”

On securing the opening point for Romania, CHIRITA added:

“It was really important, because after beating their number one player, the whole team could relax more. We spoke with the coaches before the match about the lineup, and they told me, ‘You’re going to play against Darko,’ so I prepared specifically for that. Once you beat the top player from the other team, everything changes, the team feels more confident. Everyone played really well, and I’m very proud of them.”

Looking ahead to the final, he continued:

“It’s going to be really tough against France, they’re all top players. But we know Félix and Alexis quite well; we’ve played them many times. They’re very strong and very confident. Still, we have nothing to lose. We’ll fight for every point, every set, and every match. We’re ready for tomorrow, and for whatever comes after.”

Ovidiu IONESCU:“Unbelievable feeling, I still can’t believe we’re in the final of the European Championships. The team event is just amazing. Congratulations to everyone who helped and supported us; we played an incredible match.

Iulian beating JORGIC, a top-10 player, gave us huge confidence. The 3–0 score doesn’t show how tough it really was, it was much closer. It was an unbelievable performance from the whole team.

Julian’s win and then Eddie’s victory against KOZUL helped a lot. When I played the third match, I can’t say I was relaxed, but I was definitely more confident that we could finish the job and win it in the end.

We beat Sweden, and I believe that if you’re in the final, you have to believe you can win it. France are maybe the strongest team at the moment, but sport has shown many times that surprises can happen. We’ll give everything tomorrow.

Before this, we had three bronze medals, and now this is the first silver in our history. We had a great generation before us, and now, with these young players, maybe it’s not the last medal in the team event. For now, we just want to enjoy the moment and prepare for tomorrow.”

Slovenia – Romania 0–3

• Darko JORGIC – Iulian CHIRITA 2–3 (11–9, 7–11, 11–8, 6–11, 10–12)
• Deni KOZUL – Eduard IONESCU 0–3 (14–16, 5–11, 4–11)
• Bojan TOKIC – Ovidiu IONESCU 0–3 (7–11, 10–12, 4–11)

The post France to Face Romania in the Men’s Final in Zadar first appeared on European table tennis union.

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