ETTU - European Table Tennis Union - News

[Milica Nikolic]

The ETTU Executive Board has appointed Senga THOMSON as the new ETTU Welfare Officer.

Serving in a voluntary and advisory capacity, the Welfare Officer acts as a key point of contact for any concerns related to harassment, abuse, or general well-being. The role focuses on promoting safeguarding principles across European table tennis and ensuring that anyone in need of advice or support is directed to the appropriate channels.

“I am honoured to take up such an important role with the European Table Tennis Union. I look forward to using my experiences to ensure all member associations feel safe, respected and supported within the sport,” said ETTU Welfare Officer Senga THOMSON.

Through this appointment, ETTU reinforces its commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all athletes, officials, and members of the European table tennis community.

The post ETTU Executive Board Appoints Senga THOMSON as Welfare Officer first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The eighth edition of the Italian Women’s Super Cup brought a historic first: Quattro Mori Cagliari claimed their maiden title, handing Brunetti Castel Goffredo their first-ever defeat in the competition’s history.

At the PalaTennistavolo “Elia Mazzi”, the Sardinian team triumphed 45–37, 45–40 in their debut appearance and received the trophy from FITeT Sports Activities Coordinator Matteo QUARANTELLI. The victory marks Quattro Mori’s first domestic title and second major success overall, following their 2023 Europe Cup triumph.

For the first time, the relay format was introduced, with pairs of players alternating every five points and each set played up to 45 points.

Led by Pauline CHASSELIN (France), MA Hengyu (China), and Miriam CARNOVALE (Italy), Quattro Mori dominated the opening game and surged to a commanding 25–11 lead in the second. Castel Goffredo, featuring Bernadette SZŐCS (Romania), Nicole ARLIA, Andreea DRAGOMAN (Romania), and Nikoleta STEFANOVA, mounted a spirited comeback from 16–30 to 39–40, but CHASSELIN closed out the match with composure.

“It went just as we had hoped—but not quite as we had imagined,” said coach Stefano CURCIO. “I had never won in Castel Goffredo before, so bringing home a trophy is incredibly exciting. The first set was very close; in the second, after our fast start, the opponents fought back, but we kept pushing and won.

Pauline was our driving force—she showed her quality in every point. Ma, only 18 and competing outside China for the first time, played superbly and constantly encouraged her teammates. Miriam was excellent too; after falling behind against ARLIA, she managed to recover—that was a key moment. When the match ended, she burst into tears, showing how much she cares about this team.

We truly won as a team, and that’s what makes me proud. After the Europe Cup, we were missing a victory in Italy—now it’s here, and it feels fantastic.”

Result:

Brunetti Castel Goffredo – Quattro Mori Cagliari 37–45, 40–45

First game:

• SZŐCS – CARNOVALE 4–5
• DRAGOMAN – CHASSELIN 1–5 (5–10)
• ARLIA – MA 7–5 (12–15)
• DRAGOMAN – CARNOVALE 5–5 (17–20)
• SZŐCS – MA 3–5 (20–25)
• ARLIA – CHASSELIN 7–5 (27–30)
• STEFANOVA – MA 6–5 (33–35)
• ARLIA – CARNOVALE 4–5 (37–40)
• SZŐCS – CHASSELIN 0–5 (37–45)

Second game:

• ARLIA – CHASSELIN 2–5
• STEFANOVA – MA 1–5 (3–10)
• DRAGOMAN – CARNOVALE 1–5 (4–15)
• ARLIA – MA 3–5 (7–20)
• DRAGOMAN – CHASSELIN 4–5 (11–25)
• STEFANOVA – CARNOVALE 5–5 (16–30)
• SZŐCS – MA 11–5 (27–35)
• ARLIA – CARNOVALE 12–5 (39–40)
• STEFANOVA – CHASSELIN 1–5 (40–45)

The post Quattro Mori Cagliari Lifts Their First Italian Women’s Super Cup first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The next Eurotalents Development Camp III will take place in Vrsar, Croatia, from 17 to 23 December 2025. The camp, organised by the European Table Tennis Union in cooperation with the Croatian Table Tennis Federation, will bring together Europe’s most promising young talents for a week of intensive training and development.

Key deadlines are as follows: 31 October for wildcard applications, 10 November for entries submission, and 17 November for cancellations without full charge.

National associations are invited to send their entries and any wildcard requests directly to the ETTU Projects team.

The post Eurotalents Development Camp III Set for Vrsar in December first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The closing stages of the JOOLA Europe Youth Series in Czechia brought an exciting show of Europe’s rising table tennis stars, with Sweden, Czechia, and Germany sharing the team titles across the Under-15 and Under-13 events.

Sweden Take Under-15 Boys Crown

Sweden 1 captured the Under-15 Boys team title with a convincing 3–0 victory over Germany in the final. Emil ELLERMANN and Sigge Sang LEIGERT led the Swedish side with confident performances in both singles and doubles, maintaining composure and precision throughout the match.

Germany fought hard through Ben Luca KÖHLER and Jonathan KILIAN, but could not disrupt Sweden’s rhythm and momentum.

In the battle for bronze, Sweden 2 claimed third place after a hard-fought 3–1 victory over Austria. Zac HALLÉN and Joel ISAKSSON produced composed and consistent performances in both singles and doubles, showing maturity in decisive moments. Despite determined play from Sung Bing CHEN and Seung CHEN, Austria could not overturn the Swedish dominance.

Czechia Triumph in Under-15 Girls Team Final

In the Under-15 Girls Team Event, Czechia 1 celebrated a dramatic 3–2 victory over Sweden to secure the title after a thrilling and closely contested final.

Adela BRHELOVA gave Czechia a perfect start with a straight-games win, before Sweden’s Siri BENJEGÅRD levelled the score to keep the contest alive. The Czech duo BRHELOVA and Laura MARSICKOVA then combined superbly in doubles to regain the lead, but Sweden again struck back through BENJEGÅRD in a tense fourth match.

In the deciding encounter, MARSICKOVA delivered a composed and confident performance to overcome Alicia ENBOM and seal the championship for Czechia.

Germany’s Lotta Rothfuss and Ksenija POZNIC and the mixed pairing of Anastasija ZIBUNOVA (Latvia) and Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO (Slovakia) clinched the bronze medals, finishing third and fourth in their respective groups.

German Supremacy in Under-13 Events

Germany 1 emerged as the Under-13 Boys team champions, defeating Germany 2 by 3–1 in an all-German final. Kirill MANALAKI was instrumental in the champions’ success, combining with Benno DETTMER for decisive singles and doubles wins. Although Paul FLEMMING and Koki PÜSCHEL of Germany 2 opened strongly, Germany 1 soon took control, and MANALAKI sealed the triumph in the final singles match, confirming the team’s impressive campaign.

Germany 3 beat 3–1 Czechia 4ion in the match for third posit. Joel ROHALY and Manoj SANKARA were decisive for the German side, securing key wins in both singles and doubles. Despite a strong opening from Tomas Simek, Czechia could not sustain their momentum, leaving Germany 3 to finish proudly on the podium.

In the Under-13 Girls Team Final, Germany 1 produced a dominant 3–0 win over Germany 3 to take the gold medal. The pair of Chenhao CHEN and Dana HASPEL displayed total control from start to finish, winning both singles and the doubles in straight matches. Their cohesion and precision throughout the event marked them as clear champions.

in the match for third position Germany 4 earned a convincing 3–0 victory over Czechia 1. Hannah SCHLAUCH and Pia KALTENSCHNEE delivered assured performances in both singles and doubles, rounding off their campaign with confidence and style.

The post Sweden and Czechia Shine in the Under-15 Team Events, Germany Dominate the Under-13 Titles first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The European Table Tennis Union joins ParalympicsGB and the entire table tennis community in mourning the passing of Gorazd VECKO, British Para Table Tennis Performance Director, who has died at the age of 53.

Gorazd VECKO made an immeasurable impact on Para table tennis and the wider European table tennis family. Over nearly two decades, he played a leading role in transforming British Para sport and inspiring countless athletes and coaches with his vision, dedication, and passion for the game.

Before joining British Para Table Tennis in 2009, Gorazd had already made history by coaching Mateja PINTAR to Slovenia’s first Paralympic gold medal in table tennis at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. His success continued in Great Britain, where he led the team through four Paralympic Games. Under his leadership, the squad achieved outstanding results – winning four medals at London 2012, three at Rio 2016 (including golds for Will BAYLEY and Rob DAVIES), seven at Tokyo 2020, and five more at Paris 2024.

VECKO built much more than a medal-winning program; he established a family culture at the Sheffield high-performance base, fostering an environment of mutual respect, teamwork, and emotional support. This legacy continues to define the British Para table tennis setup today.

Beyond his national role, Gorazd VECKO was a respected figure in European and global table tennis. He contributed to the sport’s development through his work with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and served as Vice-President of Table Tennis England. Within the ETTU community, he was known for his active engagement in Para programs and once led an ETTU Para Development Camp, where his experience and enthusiasm greatly inspired young coaches and athletes across Europe.

In recognition of his exceptional service to British Para Table Tennis, Gorazd was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by His Majesty King Charles III in 2023.

The ETTU extends its deepest condolences to Gorazd’s family, friends, colleagues, and the players whose lives he profoundly shaped.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The singles events at the JOOLA Europe Youth Series in Czechia concluded with a show of emerging European talent. Sweden clinched titles in Under 13 Boys’ and Under 15 Girls’ Singles; Czechia clinched gold in Under 15 Boys’ and Switzerland in Under 13 girls.

PHOTOS: Jaroslav ODSTRCILIK

Under-15 Boys’ Singles – MORAVEK Claims Gold for Czechia

Czechia’s Ondrej MORAVEK delighted the home supporters by capturing the Under-15 Boys’ Singles title, overcoming Sweden’s Emil ELLERMANN in a high-quality final.

In the semi-finals, MORAVEK defeated Austria’s Sung Bing CHEN 3–1 (9–11, 11–7, 11–8, 11–4), while ELLERMANN advanced after a convincing 3–0 (11–0, 11–0, 11–0) win over Finland’s Jimi KOIVUMÄKI.

The final saw MORAVEK start confidently, taking the opening game 12–10. Although ELLERMANN levelled with a narrow second-game win, the Czech player regained control through composed rallies and excellent balance between attack and placement to close the contest 3–1 (12–10, 9–11, 11–8, 11–7).

Under-15 Girls’ Singles – BENJEGÅRD Continues Swedish Success

Sweden’s Siri BENJEGÅRD captured the Under-15 Girls’ Singles crown after another impressive run through the knockout stage. She overcame Switzerland’s Michelle WU in the semi-finals 3–1 (7–11, 12–10, 11–2, 11–7), while Germany’s Amelie Guzi JIA defeated Czechia’s Adela BRHELOVA 3–0 (11–6, 13–11, 11–9).

In the final, BENJEGÅRD remained composed under pressure, to seal victory 3–1 (11–9, 11–5, 6–11, 13–11) and the gold medal for Sweden. JIA took silver, with WU and BRHELOVA collecting bronzes.

Under-13 Girls’ Singles – HU Strikes Gold for Switzerland

Switzerland’s Enya HU claimed the Under-13 Girls’ Singles title with a string of strong performances. HU defeated Slovakia’s Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO 3–1 (9–11, 11–2, 11–9, 11–9) in the semi-finals, while Czechia’s Adela BRHELOVA produced a comeback to beat Swiss player Michelle WU 3–2 (4–11, 9–11, 11–3, 11–9, 11–7).

In the final, HU maintained her composure throughout the tight exchanges to prevail 3–0 (12–10, 11–6, 12–10) and capture gold, with BRHELOVA taking silver. WU and GUASSARDO each earned bronze medals.

Under-13 Boys’ Singles – HALLÉN Tops All-Swedish Final

An all-Swedish showdown closed the Under-13 Boys’ Singles event, where Zac HALLÉN triumphed over Joel ISAKSSON in a five-game thriller. ISAKSSON had earlier defeated Germany’s Paul FLEMMING 3–1 (11–4, 14–16, 11–6, 12–10), while HALLÉN reached the final after a straight-games win over Austria’s Sung Bing CHEN (11–5, 11–8, 11–3).

The final lived up to expectations, going the distance before HALLÉN sealed the win 3–2 (5–11, 11–5, 10–12, 11–9, 12–10). ISAKSSON claimed silver, with FLEMMING and CHEN completing the medal line-up.

Sweden’s Emil ELLERMANN and Siri BENJEGÅRD emerged as the Under-15 Mixed Doubles champions. In the semifinals, the Swedish pair overcame Andrej BRECE and Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO of Slovakia. On the other side of the draw, Ondrej MORAVEK and Laura MARSICKOVA of the Czechia prevailed in a duel against Mikolaj PILCH and Lucja KOBOSZ from Poland.

In the final ELLERMANN and BENJEGÅRD started strongly, taking the opening two games 11–6 and 11–7 before the Czech duo responded to level the score with 11–9 and 11–8. From there, the Swedes regained full control, winning 11–7 in the decider to seal a 3–2 victory (11–6, 11–7, 9–11, 8–11, 11–7).

Germany celebrated a victory in the Under-13 Mixed Doubles as Jonathan KRAFT and Ksenja POZNIC produced a confident performance to overcome their compatriots Benno DETTMER and Kristin TUVE in the final.

In an all-German duel KRAFT and POZNIC showed greater stability after a tight opening game, pulling away to secure the title 3–1 (10–12, 11–6, 11–5, 11–6). Filip NAGY and Bianka BACSOVÁ (Slovakia) as well as Kirill MANALAKI and Anna RADENBACH (Germany) clinched bronze.

The post Sweden, Switzerland and Czechia Share Singles Titles at the JOOLA Europe Youth Series in Czechia first appeared on European table tennis union.

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